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London gears up for Diwali celebration in Trafalgar square More on page 14

15th October to 21st October 2011

Immigrants: Scapegoat for Alarm raised as robbers a fragile government? target Asians for gold

Immigration has invariably been a sensitive issue in 'rich' countries. British immigration has become very calculating after the economic crisis destroyed millions of jobs. Politicians look at immigrants as a threat to job opportunities that 'should be ideally' available to homegrown citizens. But such concerns are illogical, because immigration is counter-cyclical, reports the Economist (27th August). for residing legally and religiously paying taxes (which in turn fills the benefit earner's pockets)!

Polling in both Europe

and America suggests that a majority of locals think immigrants do more harm than good and damage locals’ chances in the job

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ilies also typically give gold jewellery as gifts to newlywed brides.

Continued on page 9

SOC IE

Contact Mr. Mitesh Patel, Solicitor No Win No Fee

market. Evidence that immigration hurts indigenous workers is, however, weak.

Continued on page 5

Western Jewellers smashed by robbers

0800 118899 Email: mpatel@levenes.co.uk Website: www.levenes.co.uk Ashley House, 235-239 High Road, Wood Green, London N22 8HF

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While there are many issues to address at the moment, the government is making 'immigrants' bear the brunt of criticism

The Asian community has not only been famous for their richness of culture and values, but also for having traditional gold in reserve.

The South Asian families, conventionally pass collections of 22-karat gold from generation to generation. Gold in the form of bangles, necklaces and other jewellery is also viewed as a safe investment or safety net in South Asian communities. During the wedding season, Indian fam-

Personal Injury

SOLICITORS

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Dr Wasim Hanif MD FRCP, Consultant Physician & Hon Senior Lecturer, University Hospital Birmingham, Chair Diabetes South Asian Health Foundation Dr Hanif received his specialist training in Birmingham and has worked at major teaching centres in the city.

He completed his specialist training in 2003 and was awarded joint CCST in general medicine and diabetes and endocrinology. He had his primary qualification in 1992 from Hyderabad, India and has an MD from University of Birmingham. He has been involved with major research projects in Endocrinology and has published widely.

He is involved as a principal investigator in several international multi-centre trials. He is on the NICE Health Technology Appraisal Committee for approval of new treatments to be used in NHS. He is on PDG committee of NICE on prevention of diabetes in highrisk communities. He is on Parliamentary stake-holder group on diabetes.

What inspired you to begin your career in your chosen field?

The other person who asked me this question was HRH Prince Charles when I was introduced to him recently and had replied “Diabetes has produced the largest number of Nobel laureates”. But on a more honest note, diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all organs and has a huge impact on a person for life. The sociocultural aspects of life along with lifestyle and work also affect this condition. At the same time

it is a disease that can be treated effectively by simple interventions and medications. This challenge of impacting people’s life and well being through education and medical interventions is what inspires me as an endocrinologist.

What are your proudest achievements?

Some of the things I am really proud about are: My role as the chair of Diabetes at the South Asian Health Foundation. I have been able to establish a network of the most emi-

Dawkins attacks faith schools Richard Dawkins claims Muslim schools are having a “pernicious” influence on children who are having their minds “stuffed with alien rubbish” such as claims the world is only 6,000 years old, reports the The Daily Telegraph.

The prominent atheist said he could live with some faith schools that are vaguely religious and saved his fire for the schools that were teaching “total nonsense”.

Mr Dawkins, former Oxford University professor and evolutionary biologist, made his comments as he spoke to the Times Educational Supplement

about the launch of a new science book.

He said that while he opposed faith schools as a whole, it was the Muslim ones that worried him the most. Mr Dawkins, who last year said he was thinking about setting up an atheist school, does, however, see the value of teaching religion but only as a way of putting the modern world into context. He said it was important to learn for example about the Greek Gods to appreciate the poetry of Keats, the Norse Gods to relate to Wagner, and Judaism and Christianity to understand literature.

Lecturer at University Hospital Birmingham in Diabetes and Endocrinology. I have been involved in research and have published widely. My areas of research interest include diabetes renal disease, obesity, health inequalities and impact of culture and religion on diabetes.

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

It has been to convince people in power that one size does not fit all. If we need to tackle health inequalities, we cannot have equitable care and will need to address the most vulnerable amongst us with more resources and not less.

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

nent academics across the globe for doing research about the issues concerning diabetes in South Asians and helping in finding treatment. In my role, I have being working with organisations like NICE, Parliamentary groups and the Department of Health to influence health policy and address health inequalities. We have contributed and influenced 69 NICE guidance on health

care. I have helped produce a huge amount of material to educate South Asian patients on diabetes. Perhaps the greatest satisfaction I get is to treat my patients professionally and honestly and to do my utmost to alleviate their sufferings.

3) Please tell us about your current position?

I am a Consultant Physician and Hon Senior

Korma is nation’s favourite curry Nine in ten Brits are too scared to try hot curries such as Vindaloo, a new study reveals, with many now preferring Korma over the traditional favourite Chicken Tikka Masala.

Cautious diners are more likely to eat a mild, creamier alternative such as Korma or a medium-spiced dish like a Bhuna.

Korma, a creamy and delicate curry at the lowest end of the hotness scale, is the nation’s favourite sauce, securing 20 per cent of the vote. That was followed by slightly hotter Tikka Masala, with 18 per cent, and medium-spiced Jalfrezi with 8.5 per cent.

Just 2 per cent of Brits named Vindaloo as their favourite curry and only 0.5 per cent picked Phaal - the hottest option.

At a personal level, my parents and my wife. My parents gave me the power to dream in India and serving humanity was an important aspect of it. My wife for standing by me to fulfil those dreams. At a professional level it has been Banting and Best whose discovery of insulin is still awe inspiring.

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

My professional work as a doctor that gives me a lot of satisfaction in treating patients; my role as researcher that helps me to understand diabetes; my role in SAHF helps me to do something for

20 MPs will be named in expenses inquiry A group of about 20 MPs investigated for alleged expenses abuses was due to be named after a climb-down by the Commons watchdog.

The guidelines of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) state that politicians should be identified when a formal investigation is launched. But no details of investigations have been released since the body took over running the system 17 months ago.

The average bill for processing an MP’s expenses was 5,900 last year, while the cost of processing each claim was equivalent to 38 per cent of its value.

Ipsa paid out 75million in expenses in 2010-11 – down from 98 million in the last year of the old system.

the community.

7) And the worst?

Lack of time and too many changes in the NHS. 8) What are your long term goals?

To be able to continue my work and perhaps one day able to substantially reduce the health inequalities and outcomes that exist for South Asian people with diabetes. Currently a South Asian person with diabetes loses at least 10 to 15 years of his life and if we could reduce this by half it will be a great achievement. Another goal is for the wider community- to address the issues around obesity and be able to educate and prevent this epidemic in future generations and have effective and affordable treatments at an early stage.

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

Have an independent body running the NHS without political influence, like the Bank of England.

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

Perhaps, cricketer Sir Don Bradman and ask him whether he thinks he is better than Sachin Tendulkar.

Can Shrien really be guilty?

We are aware that Shrien Dewani has lodged an appeal against an order that he can be extradited to South Africa to over his wife’s murder.

The businessman from Westbury-on-Trym has been accused of arranging the death of his new bride Anni while on their honeymoon in Cape Town last November.

Anni’s body was found in the back of a taxi after an alleged carjacking, she’d been shot. On last Wednesday, the Home Secretary approved his extradition.

What do you think? Do you think Shrien could be really guilty?

Do you think he is being framed by the South African government or do you think he faces danger if extradited? Let us have your opinion. Email at aveditorial@abplgroup.com in no more than 100 words.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

COMMENT

Evaluating the “Arab spring” There has been enormous media hype in the West on what leader writers in London, New York, Washington, Paris and Berlin prefer to describe as the “Arab spring”. It's a cute phrase, as the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, remarked recently. The popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, Bahrain and Yemen and Libya were significant events; they represented in their different ways the people's discontent with dictatorial regimes, the lack of accountability of their rulers, the inept management of their respective economies, characterized by cronyism and the absence of a level playing field for young aspirants seeking fulfillment of their entrepreneurial ambitions. The osmosis of myriad grievances, heated up by political repression, led to a series explosions across the region. It was a regional crises alright, but does the sobriquet “Arab spring” tell the full story, will this 'spring' lead to a bounteous summer? Scepticism is likely to serve us better than unbridled optimism.

The Arab world generally has been a plaything of great powers for past centuries. The Turkish Ottoman Empire ruled it until the end of World War I. This was followed by British and French colonial domination in the inter-war years, before America occupied centre stage during the Cold War and became the dominant regional power. The swath of territories included Tunisia and Egypt and others further afield, each a satrap of Washington in a string of binding military alliances cemented by US paramountcy. These dependencies were sustained

by US military and economic aid: stability, not democracy and human rights topped the agenda.

The crisis of the Middle East happens also to be the crisis of America's Empire.

The recrudescence of Salafi-driven Islamism in Egypt, which has led to the destruction of Christian Copt churches in Cairo and other Egyptian cities, the murderous assault on peaceful Copt protesters in the Egyptian capital – one-tenth of the country's population of 80 million are Copts – by Egyptian security forces and Muslim mobs in cahoots with the present military regime are features of the new evolving dispenation. Meanwhile, in Tunisia, a number of women university students have been attacked for not wearing the full veil or burqa. The baggage of history is proving to be an impediment to inclusive democratic change.

Elections alone are no guarantors of enlightened governance. There needs also to be a strong and enduring democratic culture to make democracy work. Elections as expressions of majoritarian-

ism legitimized the aberrational authority of Hitler and Mussolini and will do the same for the religious fascism on view in Egypt and kindred places.

The Islamic past continues to haunt the present. The Ottoman Caliphate, like the Mughal state in the Indian subcontinent, was a military bureaucracy concerned principally with soldiering and the pursuit of war. Under Ottoman rule commerce was delegated to minorities such as the Phanariot Greeks, Armenians and Jews. Minorities laboured under official suspicion and were denied equal rights to the Muslim population. The city state in Europe was the seedbed of European democracy, high culture and economic life; the emergent bourgeoisie became the counterweight to royal absolutism. Not so in the Islamic world, as the great American scholar Ira Lapidus showed in his masterly study of Islamic cities in the Middle Ages.

Clergy and manipulated mob power buttressed the untrammelled authority of sultans and caliphs, answerable to none-one but God - the divine right of kings masquerading as political thought. The concept of gender equality, the practice of primogeniture and intellectual doubt were noticeably absent in the Arab and Muslim worlds for centuries. The scientist Richard Dawkins been scathing about the inadequacy of science education in Muslim schools in Britain. Imagine what it's like in the hothouse of Arabia and its environs. A wave of a magic wand cannot put these deficiencies right.

These elements have to be taken on board in any true quest for a proper understanding of the torments that plague these regions. Short cuts are no answer, they simply compound the problems. By short cuts is meant willing subjugation to the dictates of an alien overlord for an appropriate quantum of aid. Get rich quickly would appear to be the motto. Instead, it turns into a Faustian pact in which the recipient sells his soul to the Devil. In Egypt and Pakistan, to go no further, US largesse has funded a bloated and privileged military to the disadvantage of civilian government and civil society.

When India opted for non-alignment it was affirming its right to political autonomy and strategic space. The architect of this policy, Jawaharlal Nehru, was scorned by the great and good of Britain and America at the time and since for making this choice. Looking at Egypt and Pakistan, non-aligned India, warts and all, can murmur “there for the Grace of God go I”. History has its lessons which we ignore at our peril.

Immigration useful scapegoat in time of crisis Immigration, it would appear, can be a bromide to ease the pain of Britain's more urgent woes. As if a stagnant economy and high unemployment and increasing public unrest weren't bad enough, Prime Minister David Cameron has chosen once again to rely on the immigration cat to make the Tory fur fly.

He has appealed to citizens to report illegal immigrants to the police since, presumably, there is little point taking such information to the dentist or GP or railway booking clerk. Will there be a government bounty for those who spot an illegal immigrant. It should make a change from spot the ball in newspapers. He has advised businesses to employ those already in the country rather than newcomers. What if the newcomers have skills resident Britons lack?

Mr Cameron has announced sweeping plans to crack down on immigration, including lowering a cap on economic migrants and tests for people seeking British citizenship on its history and culture. Will

government spending have to increase to employ examiners to conduct these tests? When the cost of collecting a tax exceeds the tax itself it is considered an unwise measure.

Captains of British industry are resolutely opposed to Mr Cameron's proposed cap on economic migrants from outside the EU, not on grounds of sentiment but on the hard headed calculation that this might reduce the efficiency and profitability of a business urgently in need of specialised skills. What has happened to the much touted verities of the marketplace?

The Prime Minister pledged an immigration system which “doesn't just sound tough, but is tough” rather than allowing economic migrants to “box tick their way into the UK.” This tough talk be tougher still to translate into action, particularly as many of the “undesirables” are from Pakistan. Political correctness has made the subject taboo.

Hitting below the belt In its five years' existence the United Nations Human Rights Council has come in for more than its fair share of flak. Some of the flak has been justified.

The ritual condemnation of Israel for its alleged colonial and apartheid practices by petro-dollar regimes who ban women from driving cars and have not a rudimentary conception of civil rights and the rule of law is clearly a form of black humour at best.

But things may be improving at last. A Haitian official is shortly to deliver the final report in the first cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, a four-year process in which every government must submit an account of its human rights to the scrutiny of its peers. North Korea assuredly will not pass the test, nor should China, but Myanmar may get a pat on the back for recent moves and told to keep up the good work. Latin American nations such as Argentina,

Brazil and Chile have pushed the envelope.

The question is whether newcomers who joined the Council in September will be as cooperative.

There has already been sniping from the wings by the likes of Sri Lanka and Pakistan, whose slings and arrows have been targeted at the Office of the High Commissioner, Navi Pillai. They are opposed to her interventionist approach to human rights. Ms Pillai is a South African of Tamil extraction. She has enraged Colombo by calling for an independent inquiry into alleged atrocities by both sides in the Sri Lankan civil war – the Government and the Tamil Tigers.

The pro-government media in Sri Lanka have denounced Ms Pillai as a racist “Tamil Tigress”. Such crude insults betray guilt not innocence. Ms Pillay should carry on regardless.

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Thought for the Week

When a finger points at the moon, the fool looks at the finger.

- Chinese proverb

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel’s

The Politics of Revenge I write to you from America. California actually. This week saw the 10th anniversary of the overthrow of the Taliban by forces led by America. It also saw the birth anniversary of one MK Gandhi. Of Gandhiji, the American Edward R Murrow said, “'He was not the commander of great armies nor a ruler of vast lands. He could not boast any scientific achievement or artistic gift. Yet men, governments and dignitaries from all over the world have joined hands today to pay homage to this little brown man in the loincloth who led his country to freedom. In the words of General George C. Marshall, the American Secretary of State, "Mahatma Gandhi had become the spokesman for the conscience of all mankind. He was a man who made humility and simple truth more powerful than empires." And Albert Einstein added, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth." ' Gandhiji was not a man of vengeance and revenge, though he had much to be vengeful for. Some claim the Americans in entering Afghanistan sought revenge for 9/11. Some say Britain’s entry into Libya was revenge for Lockerbie, for the shooting of a British police officer – WPC Fletcher. That the British don’t forget or forgive.

It’s very easy to say in abstract, ‘be the bigger person, walk away, show mercy and forgiveness’. But when is vengeance justified?

I have never been a vengeful person. But I have been wronged. And I am wrestling with ‘being the bigger person’ versus revenge, to ensure generosity and magnanimity and mercy is not confused with weakness and foolishness. Indeed, I had shown mercy but it was not returned.

They say when you seek revenge, you should dig two graves. But I have been wronged, deeply. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Christian God. It is not justice I seek.

Revenge does not bring justice. Revenge does not bring satisfaction. But pain reflected back teaches a lesson – improves the soul of the other. Lack of action can too. And if it did, I would walk by. But in this case only vengeance will do. So I do believe in vengeance. When security is at risk. When you need to protect yourself. When you have turned the other cheek, and it was slapped – hard. When the only action to make the world a better place, a safer place is vengeance.

But is that un-Hindu? After all Arjun did not act out of vengeance. He did want to show mercy, be the bigger man, to walk by. So what was our duty in Afghanistan? In Libya. Our duty was clear – do what was right – even with force. To have walked by would have been as cowardly as the Lord said to Arjun he would have been had he not fought. And it is a coward’s answer to say we should not fight this rightful fight in Libya, because we did not fight the rightful fights elsewhere.

So be vengeful, if it is the outcome of your duty. But be sure it is your duty you serve, duty to protect yourself.

For in the action, if it is vengeful, you will lose a part of your soul and that is not self-protection. I fear I am in my vengeance about to turn a part of my soul a little darker, as did the mighty America, when it too in doing its duty, had in some part, a sense of vengeance.

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

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Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Email: majithia.meera@gmail.com

Leicester Voice Multi-million pound mandir opens its doors to the public

By Meera Majithia

Festivities commenced in style to celebrate the opening of the brand new £4million BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Gypsy Lane in Leicester.

Over 600 volunteers from all over the city came together to ensure the auspicious occasion remained organised and safe for the general public.

The £4million collected for the project was raised through various fundraising activities by the Swaminarayan community to ensure that the brand new mandir, which took around two-and-ahalf years to construct, became a reality.

Media coordinator Sanjiv Patel said: “It really has been a labour of love and the visitors are saying that shone through when they saw the mandir.”

The two-day festivities began on the morning of

Saturday, 8th October with a Vedic mahapuja (mini-yagna) ceremony where devotees and well wishers offered their

prayers for peace and well-being.

This was followed by a colourful procession at 2pm, called the ‘Nagar Yatra’, which kicked-of in the heart of the city on Belgrave Road and made its way to the temple on

Gypsy Lane by 5pm.

The murti’s (sacred images and statues) that were to be consecrated in the temple the following day travelled on beautifully decorated grand floats with the vibrant procession filled with music and dance.

Kirit Patel, the mandir’s lead coordinator said: “The mandir will play an important role in our society and we are abdolutely delighted to see all members of our community come together and celebrate this momentous occasion with us.”

The grand opening ceremony was held on Sunday 9th October, where senior sadhu of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, Pujya Ischwarcharan Swami, released white doves as a symbol of peace. Along with other sadhus he

undertook the main ceremony of murti-pratishtha vidhi (sacred image consecration).

Peter Soulsby, Mayor of Leicester added: “I’m so delighted because I’ve watched the Mandir grow, and know how much it means to the community, how much energy and effort, and even how much money people have raised to make it happen.

I think it’s a great tribute to the community and is going to be one of the most important features of the physical and also the spiritual part of the city in the years ahead.”

A local resident to the mandir, Katie Langton, who lives on Catherine Street said: “The temple is beautiful, it’s something better to look at rather than the old factory that was there, I’m really excited by it and would love to see it inside.”

City gets ready for Diwali A host of cultural events for all ages, will be taking place in venues across Leicester to mark one of the city’s biggest religious festivals.

Marking the festival of Diwali, the celebrations are the biggest outside the Indian subcontinent and regularly attract around 35,000 people.

The main events focus on the Diwali Lights Switch-on, on 16th October, and Diwali Day, on 26th October, which take place on the city’s famous Golden Mile.

To coincide with the main events, activities will be taking place in Leicester’s museums, libraries and Curve theatre.

Belgrave Library is running a Diwali crafts and fun event for children on 18th October, while Fosse Library will host a day of Diwali stories and crafts for children on 19th October.

Visitors of all ages will be able to make Diwali

cards at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery on 9th October.

On 16th October visitors will be able to enjoy activities including making lanterns, lamps and cards at Belgrave Hall Museum from 1pm to 3.30pm, before heading the main switch-on festivities in Belgrave Road.

The switch-on ceremony takes place at 7pm, with celebrations running from 6pm to 9pm. This year’s switch-on celebrations are being sponsored

by O2.

A workshop making cards and clay divas for candles will also be held at Newarke Houses Museum on 21st October.

A week of special events will take place at Curve to coincide with Diwali, including an exhibition charting the history of the saree, from 26th30th October.

Bollywood films will get the comedy treatment at Curve with the familyfriendly fun show

Bachchan Haule Haule, on 27th October.

On 28th October, Curve will host Moving On, an event combining dance, discussion and debates, while later that evening, performers will take to the stage to showcase the best of both classical and contemporary Indian dance. The venue will also host free Bollywood music, dancing, dhol drumming and DJ-ing.

Finally, on 30th October, Amass will present a fusion of dance, breathtaking circus skills and performance in a dazzling show by the Aakash Odedra Company, Combust and Desi Masti.

Leicester assistant city mayor responsible for heritage, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “It is fantastic to see so many events taking place as part of Diwali, which is one of the most popular cultural events in the city.”

In brief

Celebrating black-belt success

A back-belt graduation ceremony was held to honour the success of students at Leicester’s CKI School of Martial Arts.

A special award was made to Yusuf Saleh MBE for the work he has put in to form the HELP Multi-cultural Centre, and he also received his fifth-degree black belt.

The former world champion’s 13-year-old daughter, Aaminah, was also awarded a second-degree black belt. World champion Ahmad, aged eight, and his two sisters, Safiyyah, 12, and Zainab, 11, were all awarded first-degree black belts.

Fatima Saleh, at 24, became the youngest Asian female to be awarded a fourth-degree black belt, and her younger sister Khadeeja, 21, has reached thirddegree black belt status. Imran Sidat, a regular member of the England team and one of the country’s most consistent performers, was awarded a second-degree black belt.

His sister, Sabiha, has also reached the same level.

World medallist Angeliki Dwyer, another England regular, has progressed to first-degree black belt, along with Bethan Merrington, Chloe Barot, Sam Lowth, David Bryan and Jon Grounds Guests at the event included John Ashworth MP, Paul Edwards, Leicester City Council’s sports development manager, and Leicester City councillor Mohammed Dawood.

Thousands withstand the rain to join in Dasera celebrations

Despite the cold temperature and pouring rain, thousands of people gathered at Cossington Park on Thursday 6th October to celebrate the Hindu festival of Dasera.

Children and adults alike watched the effigy of the evil King Ravan go up in flames, reinforcing the message of good triumphing over evil.

There were a number of cultural performances from schools and community groups from the surrounding area, as well as messages from dignitaries.

The celebrations also included a huge firework display.

President of the Leicester Hindu Festival Navinbhai Rana said: “Yes it’s unfortunate that we haven’t got great weather today but that has not deterred people from attending tonight. This festival has been going for over 20 years and there is a good crowd here tonight.”

University students raise a record-breaking sum for charity At the University of Leicester money is raised through voluntary activities in the community and ambitious fund-raising events with RAG. As Leicester RAG begins to plan a new season of activities this year, it can take some pride in the knowledge that last year’s RAG raised a record-breaking sum of £110,000 through a sponsored Kilimanjaro climb in aid of the charity Childreach International.

A further £15,862.67 went to a range of charities, including Help for Heroes, the British Red Cross appeal for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, Children in Need and the Kenyan Orphan Project, making the grand total for the year a little short of £126,000.

A spokesperson from Leicester RAG, Simi Braithwaite, said: “Last year RAG raised about £80,000 more than the previous year. This amazing achievement was due to the initiative taken by Katy Thomas (Leicester RAG president 2010/2011) and Christian Capell (student fundraising officer, Childreach International) to get University of Leicester students involved in great expeditions for charity.

“This year we plan to get an increased number of students actively involved by creating attractive ways of raising money for charity. For 2011/2012, our aim is to raise £350.000. I am certain that this is attainable, and with the right amount of support, University of Leicester RAG will reach its goal.”

Rag Week will be from 7th-12th November and throughout December RAG will be collecting Christmas gifts for less fortunate people through Operation Shoe Box.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Chef for a day

Immigrants: Scapegoat for a fragile government?

Continued from page 1 In seasonal work and construction, cheap foreign labour can depress wages and make it harder for the low-skilled to find work, but the flexibility and willingness of new workers can also boost productivity and encourage innovation.

Immigration is, on the whole, good for economies; and right now, rich countries can do with all the economic help they can get. Rather than sending immigrants home, with their skills, energy, ideas and willingness to work, governments should be encouraging them to come. If they don’t, governments elsewhere will.

As Dr Vince Cable rightly pointed out earlier, skilled immigrants are a requirement to this country.

Dr Vince Cable

But the British government does not seem to listen; as it is now planning to introduce the bond scheme, making the settlement for spouses stricter, and compelling employers to reveal how many foreign workers they employ.

The government’s move will stress the immigrants in many ways like: Immigrants will have to earn more in order to get their foreign spouse in Britain. Families wanting to bring spouses or relatives also face the prospect of having to pay a bond of thousands of pounds in case they end up claiming benefits. Under the proposed rule companies could be forced to say how many foreign workers they employ.

The move comes as ministers seek to tighten the rules in an attempt to meet a Tory pre-election pledge to cut immigration significantly. Proposals will be set out within weeks, while David Cameron may outline some of the details in a speech this week.

Other elements of the package are likely to include: l A drive against sham marriages, with the “probationary period” before which spouses can settle in Britain increased from two years to five. l A review of the work visa system, used by up to 21,700 skilled employees a year to come to Britain. l A move to raise the minimum salary - currently £20,000 a year - that some non-EU migrants must earn if they are to be permitted to work in Britain.

A fresh set of proposals is likely to be unveiled

within weeks as the coalition sets out in detail how it aims to bring down net immigration from outside the EU to below 100,000 a year by 2015.

But the move is likely to prove controversial with immigrant groups from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh where arranged marriages remain a strong tradition and could be open to challenge in courts for discriminating against couples on low incomes.

David Cameron and Theresa May, the Home Secretary, are to ask the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the level of the minimum income many immigrants from outside the European Union must earn before they are allowed to come to Britain – currently £20,000 a year.

The aim is to have a higher minimum level so that only wealthier people are permitted to come to the UK. The MAC is also set to be asked to undertake a wholesale review of the system of work visas – which are “capped” so that a maximum of 21,700 skilled and highly skilled foreign employees can use them to come to Britain from outside the EU annually.

The idea of making companies disclose how many of their workers are British, and how many are foreign, is likely to meet with resistance from employers who say it could increase bureaucracy and lead to a backlash.

Ministers believe, however, that such a move would be a useful tool in aiding public transparency on the issue. Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, said in a speech last week to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester that the government’s “first responsibility” was to help unemployed British workers.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, has admitted Labour made mistakes – particularly by not bringing in the current “points-based” regime for migrants earlier than 2008.

Migrants must also work in particular trades where the MAC has identified skills shortages in the domestic labour market, based on feedback from industry and other bodies.

However, when drawing up the new rules, ministers controversially decided not to count in the total migrants who arrive in Britain through the “intra company transfers” system. This decision potentially allows companies to bring tens of thousands more non-EU staff into the country without derailing the Government’s attempts to hit its target – and trade unions have said the decision means that British workers are still being

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undercut by lower-wage foreign rivals, particularly in the computer industry.

In his speech on Wednesday, Mr Cameron repeated his desire to return immigration to sensible levels. Certainly, the need is pressing: the latest figures show net migration running at well over 200,000 people a year – around half of which consists of those coming to Britain from outside the EU. Mr Cameron promises new rules to stop immigrants bringing into the country family members who become a burden on the taxpayer. But this seems to not go well with immigrants.

Bonds scheme will not

Keith Vaz MP

work, says Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee “I welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to consult on criminalising forced marriage as recommended by the Home Affairs Select Committee. This is a much needed change from 3 weeks ago when Lynne Featherstone announced the measure would not be considered .The Government must now go further to highlight this issue. Identifying those vulnerable to forced marriage must become a priority for schools and entry clearance officers.

However the “bond proposal” must be met with extreme caution. This is the third time this proposal has been put on the table since 2000. It will antagonise settled communities and enrage our allies such as India. It was shelved before because it was unworkable. A more effective method must be found in order for immigrants to pay for public services.

At a time when abuses in the immigration system, including bogus colleges, remain prevalent, it would be a better use of resources to focus on improving administration in the UK Border Agency. As the Home Affairs Select Committee highlighted recently utilising the 1,500 pieces of intelligence received every month on bogus students alone, together with removing foreign national prisoners and collecting fines may go along way to eradicating abuse and creating an effective immigration system that achieves the governments target.”

Revathi Rangaswamy Not every day does Asian Voice get an invitation to attend the master class cookery class from L’ atelier des Chefs. This was founded in Paris in 2004, then on spread its wings networking all over Europe and Dubai with over 18 ateliers. L’atelier des Chefs purely means “Workshop with the Chefs”.

So you can understand my excitement when I landed in Wigmore last week to attend the 4hr master class on behalf of AV. The ambience was classy and the staff friendly. The retail store and the cooking class venue are incorporated as one. I was ½ hour before schedule and I had good 30 minutes to look around the place.

The retail store is a delight and the products range from silicone cook’s tongs to bakeware to tagines to colourful casseroles.

Small jars of various spice mix, pastes and condiments adorne a separate space. I am sure they make your dishes taste great, that is if you are ready to pay the price.

We, a group of 5 were given a brief introduction about the school and the class. The theme for the day was “British” and “Seasonal ingredients”. With the chef ready to teach us, we entered the kitchen with much eagerness.

Chef Andre made an introduction about himself and the recipes that we were going to make.

Starters were seared scallops with celeriac sauce, main course had crispy fillet of duck accompanied with savoy cabbage, honey glazed parsnips, bread sauce and beurre noisette and for dessert we had wine poached pears with whipped cream flavoured

with cinnamon and vanilla short bread cookies.

The menu sounded great and all the ingredients were laid on the table. We had to share the table and the ingredients among ourselves. That means the work is also divided which for me was not so enjoyable. I feel that you need to do everything from scratch to definitely know that the dish is made by you and it tastes good. The cooking started with chopping butter and

fancy names for this but if was quite a tricky skill to master. We did the best we can and shaped some odd shapes out the whipped cream.

Now having said how much I enjoyed the class, I have to mention some of “not so good points”.

First, even though we were invited to attend, we could have been informed about the theme before hand to let us know what to be expected of the class. Second , the 4 hour class was reduced to 2 ½

removing the vanilla seeds from the pods which I guess is easy even for a beginner.

The next step was the celeriac sauce.

The pealed pears were off for poaching and then it was time to make bread sauce and beurre noisette [browned butter but not clarified] which were simple recipes to make.

The shredded cabbage transformed into savoy cabbage and we were moved to another table to make the short bread

hr class, probably because the process was shared and quarter of the work was done by the Chef.

Third, I would definitely question whether it belongs to the “Master Class” category.

Nowadays when the food channels are flooded with so many “Michelin Star Chefs” cooking everything from the simple caramel sauce to the tricky macaroons to time consuming Sunday roast, I felt that the recipes could be a little bit more towards “Masterclass” as the format mentions.

Having said that, how does a person who books the class know which category he or she belongs to?

There is no criteria to differentiate the categories. It does not come cheap, nearly 150 quid for 4 hr class and if you are quite comfortable in the kitchen and know the basics of cooking, then I would not recommend this class for you.

Have a look at their website and you decide whether the cookery classes are for you before you really shell out the money.

dough. Oh no, it was already done by our Master Chef and the food processor which was quite disappointing.

The short bread was baked and cut into circles by the Chef . We were allowed to place the pears [the one that we peeled] on the plate. Then comes the tricky part of shaping the whipped cream into an oval dollop. I don’t know if there are any

16 Brides wanted for 16 islands Brides-and-grooms-tobe looking for wedding inspiration should take a couple of minutes in front of a camera to tell the organisers why they would like to win a free wedding in The Bahamas. Sixteen couples will each win a luxury wedding - including a designer dress, rings and wedding ceremony on

one of the main 16 Islands of The Bahamas. And all they have to do is choose their island, switch on the

camcorder and tell us why that island is the one for them. We will then select the 16 couples who will marry simultaneously on 16 May 2012, at 16:00 hrs on 16 different Islands of The Bahamas.

Visit w w w. b a h a m a s 1 6 w e d dings.co.uk for more information.

6

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Sonia Gandhi: Ordinary to Extraordinary life The South Asian Literature Festival was inaugurated on Friday 7th October at the Rich Mix, Bethnal Green, with the launch of journalist Rani Singh’s book ‘Sonia Gandhi: An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny’.

Development, the current trend, corruption in Indian poli- Suhel Seth, William Alden, Rani Singh and Virendra Sharma, MP tics, and the story of columnist, actor and an enigmatic powerful brings wit and fire to the advertising professional, woman were some of the table. He was quick to and Rt Hon Virendra topics that were discussed point out how the family Sharma, MP of Ealingin the presence of the has leveraged the Gandhi Southall, and was chaired creme de la creme of the name, and stated that

by William Alden who is society.

India’s “feudal mindset” Chief Executive of the Rani’s book which has and the Indian people are Worshipful Company of a foreword from Mikhail to be given credit for Stationers and Gorbachev, tells the Sonia’s rise. “She has all Newspaper Makers. It transformational story of the power and no started with a short book Sonia’s life: a woman who accountability,” he said; reading session by Rani, fell in love with the young all the more reason for followed by an interesting Rajiv Gandhi and became the Indian public’s fury and groping speech by the dutiful wife and and distrust.

Suhel and a round up by daughter-in-law of the MP Virendra Virendra Sharma.

First Family of India, was Sharma’s pro-Indira Sonia’s lack of politipropelled by tragedy into Gandhi stance came up cal background, her relithe public eye and into a against Suhel Seth’s antigion and her birth/nationplaying field where she N e h r u - G a nd h i - f a m i l y ality has always been a has gained personal and position, as he drew a matter of scrutiny. While political strength while comparison between Rani romantically spoke ignoring the below-themother in law Indira and about the making of belt tactics of her detracSonia’s behavioural pat‘Sonia Gandhi’ into the tors. While Rani spoke tern. An engaging debate head of a power house, about Sonia’s stoic with a healthy mix of Suhel Seth countered nature, she also described laughter and contemplaSingh’s portrayal. her silence as a prudence tion made the the audiSuhel Seth – a and vice. ence avaricious! favourite go-to person for The discussion panel Sonia Gandhi: An television panels in India featured Rani Singh, jourExtraordinary Life, – has participated in disnalist, actor and BBC preAn Indian Destiny. cussions on a variety of senter, Suhel Seth a Published by Palgrave subjects and always Macmillan. Available in the UK from 11th October. Price ￡16.99.

Fruit of my labours Rani Singh, Journalist, Actor and Author The launch of “Sonia Gandhi, an Extraordinary Life, an Indian Destiny” was the opening event of the DSC South Asian Literature Festival October 7, 2011 in London.

Writing this book has been the toughest, but most exciting, project of my life. I was initially asked by Palgrave Macmillan in New York if I would be interested in writing a biography of one of the most powerful and influential people in the world. My first manuscript needed to be ready in ten months. Ultimately I spent around a year and half on the book.

The librarian at India House, London, sent me a copy of “Rajiv” by Sonia Gandhi, (signed, one of several she had been given). I ordered what I could on my subject from Amazon; there was a paucity of books on Sonia Gandhi published outside India.

I turned to prolific authors and editor friends for guidance. Zia Sardar told me to chapter Sonia’s life and prepare questions for each section (I ended up with hundreds). Jairaj, my elder son, gave me a book on writing biographies for

AV says NO to Magic Healing

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Harish Gohil, of Hari Aum Holidays, and Sharmila Gohil (Harishbhai’s daughter) presenting a cheque for £1,001 to Pam Russell, Director of Fundraising and Community Relations for St Luke’s Hospice, Kenton, London. The amount was raised by family donation and donations received at the funeral of Dr Amit Makwana, Sharmila’s husband, who tragically passed away in June this year at the young age of 48.

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Contact: Ashvwin Gosai

129 Bowes Road, Palmers Green, London N13 4SB. 18'/$'4

Christmas 2009. My younger son Sukhraj helped my motivation by asking me to reach inside myself and think about what I could give to the world by telling the story of Sonia Gandhi. Both sons are my pillars of strength and helped me to lead myself throughout this work.

Once I had prepared for India and arranged stays with relatives and friends, I began the most fascinating voyage of exploration and discovery. I spoke to my former colleague and friend Sir Mark Tully from London; he advised on a few names to talk to, and it went from there. I joined the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi to research and look at photos. I had sent requests to Sonia Gandhi’s office for interview (which were declined as she is very

private), but in any case I also needed to visit locations and people that had figured in her life to date to get a strong understanding of her character, both private and professional. I travelled to the Gandhi constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh to coincide with separate lightning visits by Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. (We followed Rahul for a day and I heard him speak in one location) and I actually met Mrs Gandhi with selected Congress seniors at Fursatgang Airport.

Talking to over a hundred of those who had been and are close to the family was revelatory and sometimes moving.

None of them had spoken on the topic to anyone before. I visited my mother’s friend Mrs B.K.Nehru, and talked to Sunil Nehru, part of the extended Gandhi family.

Going into unexplored territory, such as the dark years after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, felt a bit like being the first explorer to climb Everest. I had challenging periods, but my Skype calls home to my sons and my London advisers picked me up and helped me carry on going. I wait to see how Asian Voice readers respond to the fruit of my labours!

Tel: 020 8889 9112 Mobile: 07985 404 942 E-mail: anupamcaterers@yahoo.co.uk www.anupamcaterer.com

Astronomy as a science was developed many centuries ago in India.

Aryabhatt discovered ‘the laws of gravity’ almost 1000 years before Newton. Astrology also essentially is based on some scientific study. But off late astrological forecast and allied commercialisation like charm, magic, some stones or several so called previous lives factors are blatantly exploited by opportunists.

Claims of quick fix solution to the problem of health, divorce, business and family issues as advertised in publications, or tv channels are surely a fraud which makes people more fearful and easily exploitable. Such advertisements are a lucra- tive business. The advertisers

make a killing of the innocent victims and are willing to spend large amounts. Much more than financial exploitation some of the so called ‘problem solvers’, ‘healers’ and ‘instant magicians’ are alleged to be engaged in even sexual exploitation of vulnerable people especially women.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have recently stopped taking any such advertisements.

We are inundated with large number of letters who appreciate our decision to forego huge amounts of revenue in the service of our readers.

If you have any thoughts regarding the above matter, please write to aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Drug smuggler jailed A drug smuggler who imported heroin hidden in a consignment of vegetables has been jailed following a joint operation by the Middlemarket Drugs Partnership and the UK Border Agency.

Ali Amir Shah, 44 of Pillbox Walk, Colchester, Essex, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading

guilty to conspiracy to import two kilos of heroin with a street value of around £80,000. The drugs were discovered after UK Border Agency officers examined a shipment of mooli - a variety of East Asian radish - that had arrived from Heathrow Airport on a flight from Pakistan in February 2011.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Gurkha study reveals an economically active and self-reliant social group The first ever study on Gurkha settlement and their integration process in the UK has revealed that working age Gurkhas are the most economically active and self-reliant social group in Britain.

They are also outwardlooking and actively seek advice before making important decisions, with almost 80% considering proficiency in English and having children in education, employment and training as most important. Seventy-one percent are involved in voluntary work in their communities.

The South East Strategic Partnership for Migration-funded study was conducted by researcher Nina Gurung at the University of Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology & Social Research, who surveyed 100 Gurkha men and women from Kent and the borough of Rushmoor, which covers the towns of Aldershot and Farnborough. These two areas have the largest Gurkha settlements in the UK. The study has also shown that: employment rates among Gurkha males and females are extraordinarily high with 95.1% for under 60s males and 92.6% for under 60s females; 92.5% of males and 61.3% of females are

Major (Retd) Tikendra dal Dewan

in full-time work; 87.5% of males and 77.5% of females travel away from resident area to their place of work; 8.8% of males and 1.3% of females are self-employed or are an employer (with the highest number of jobs created

by Gurkha employers being 370); and that 40% of Gurkhas are accessing education or and skills improvement training (44%).

Despite their recent (since 2004) settlement in the UK, Gurkha home ownership rate stands at 56%, while many others rent privately. Reliance on housing benefit is mostly confined to older veterans due to low income. 80% of over 60s were on pension credits.

Nina Gurung explained that since Gurkha settlement began, Gurkha clusters are now emerging in the UK, with

affordable housing and neighbourhood safety the important factors when choosing a settlement area.

She said: ‘Most Gurkhas are settled in mainly British areas (55%) and some in mixed Nepalese and British areas (27%). Most Kent-based Gurkhas live in mainly British areas. The main universal services accessed by Gurkhas are health services (100%) and children’s education services (75%); in large Gurkha settlement areas, this is likely to put pressure on relevant service providers.’

Of the barriers to Gurkha integration, Nina discovered that these were: little knowledge about local community support providers (91%); access to adult education (70%); access to local leisure activities/facilities (63%); and information on children’s education, employment and training (78%). There was 4% NEET (not in employment, education or training) population amongst Gurkha children.

Nina concluded: ‘These are important findings that could significantly help inform Gurkha settlement and integration policy-making process.’

Major (Retd) Tikendra dal Dewan, Chair of British Gurkha Welfare

Swami speaks on Big Society at House of Commons At the House of Commons, on Tuesday 11th October 2011, His Holiness Radhanath Swami addressed Members of Parliament and Ministers together with the interfaith community to a private reception on “Spirituality and the Big Society”. James Clappison MP, Richard Harrington MP and Mathew Offord MP invited His Holiness to Parliament to speak about a different perspective on the application on spirituality to the themes underlying the Government’s Big Society.

His Holiness’ philanthropic work includes establishing dozens of charities including one of

India’s largest hospitals in Mumbai, Midday Meals, Lady Northcote Orphanage, free Cataract Eye Camps and various Hospices.

BUMPER OFFER While some of the ethnic publications are away till Diwali, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will not only be published and delivered at your door step as usual, we are also preparing a fantastic Diwali issue, compiled, edited and designed ESPECIALLY for you.

Grab your FREE copy of our Diwali special that will be posted to you FREE of cost- ONLY if you are a subscriber.

So, if you haven’t subscribed to Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar as yetcall 020 7749 4080 or see page 10.

Earlier this year he was invited to meet the President of India and last month he met the President of United States. His trip to the UK as part of this book tour has been topped off with being invited to speak at the House of Commons.

His Holiness said at Pa r l i a m e n t : “ T h i s book is about a journey of changing of our hearts from one that is hard self absorbed to one that is soft and selfless. This only comes about through service “ Radhanath Swami (pictured) also spoke at Cambridge University and 1000 bankers at the Headquarters of HSBC where Zed Cama the HSBC Group Chairman welcomed his Holiness to speak on the strength to embrace challenges. His Holiness will finish his UK book tour with a concert with Krishna Das at the 1000 seater Camden Centre.

Society (BGWS) and President of Rushmoor Nepali Community told Asian Voice, “This report reflects what we have said for some time - namely that Gurkhas who have settled in the UK are incredibly industrious, enterprising and eager to make real contributions to their local communities.

“The challenge is to address how best to support those who have struggled to find employment or require greater assistance from local services - principally due to their age and declining health. This can be easier in some areas, and certainly in Rushmoor there are excellent local services run by the borough council, numerous Nepali organisations in the local area and an office of the MOD-sponsored charity, the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

“However, while this report make encouraging reading, we also need to think about the bigger question of why Gurkhas need to come to the UK. In many cases this is out of financial need and separates veterans from friends and family - so it is important that the ongoing pensions inequality is addressed.”

7

Couple jailed for inflicting injury to baby daughter said the injuries must A couple who hid the horhave been caused by the rific injuries they inflicted parents because Twin M on their baby daughter by was away from their care switching her with her for only a few hours of her identical twin were jailed this week.

Mohammed and Nafisa Karolia fooled health visitors by making a series of excuses for only one child being at home at any one time.

The baby – known as Twin M Mohammed (left) and Nafisa Karolia – suffered broken ribs, legs, arms, brain short life. damage, and damage to In June last year, the her head, ears and nose child was taken to hospital during her seven months with breathing difficulties of life. and pronounced dead an hour later. At the hospital, The injuries were inflicted on at least three the Karolias claimed the separate occasions and dead girl was actually some were six weeks old Twin A. Their story unravor more. No attempt was elled when a social worker made to seek medical noticed discrepancies in attention and Twin M later head, weight and height died of an unrelated illmeasurements. A postness. The couple, who mortem examination were convicted of child revealed more than 20 cruelty in July, were given injuries to the baby girl five-year prison terms. and found that she died Preston Crown Court from bronchopneumonia. heard that when health Detective Inspector visitors called, Nafisa, 22, Pete Broome of – who was on a child studLancashire Police said: ies course – and ‘This was a truly horrific Mohammed, 29, a taxi and tragic crime committed by two parents who driver, deliberately concealed the injured twin. have shown no remorse Often they would claim for their actions and have she was with her grandfailed to offer any sort of parents or other relatives. explanation for what they Joe Boyd, prosecuting, did.’

Commercial Property Auction Tuesday 18th October 2011 On behalf of Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Co-Operative Estates, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, Stockland, Joint LPA Receivers and The Administrators amongst others.

71 lots to be offered, including: Macclesfield SK11 6NN Dukes Court, Mill Street Substantial property with potential Rent £60,160.00 p.a.x

Huddersfield HD1 1BT 2-8A John William Street & 3-5 Wood Street Including McDonalds & Pizza Hut

Rent £145,800.00 p.a.x 113/133 Granby Street, Leicester

RETAIL INVESTMENTS

Leicester LE1 6FD 113/133 Granby Street

INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT

Harrow HA1 2SG Unit 1, 29-31 Frognal Avenue

Substantial block of seven properties 2790 sq m (30,022 sq ft)

Benefits from fixed rental increases Rent £15,500.00 p.a.x

London W9 2HT

OFFICE INVESTMENT

358 Harrow Road, Maida Hill

Harrow HA1 3LP

KFC plus three flats Rent £62,319.88 p.a.x.

88-90 High Street

Wolverhampton WV1 3ER

Rent £92,685.00 p.a.x

54-55 Dudley Street Let to Game Stores Group Ltd

Situated approx 300m from Harrow School

BANK INVESTMENT

Rent £82,000.00 p.a.x

Hamilton ML3 7BB

Birmingham B6 4JA

20-22 Quarry Place, Lanarkshire

Radio House, Aston Road North Multi occupied office

Let to Lloyds TSB Scotland Plc until 2025 (Subject to option)

Rent £179,400.00 p.a.x (Gross)

Rent £50,000.00 p.a.x

Hayes UB3 3NB

Bournemouth BH1 1BH

Wilkinsons, 1 Pump Lane

582-584 Christchurch Road

Let to Wilkinsons & situated in prominent town centre location

Let to Lloyd TSB Bank Plc until 2021 (Subject to option)

Rent £230,000.05 p.a.x (Gross)

Rent £50,000.00 p.a.x

John Mehtab: +44 (0)20 7034 4855

www.acuitus.co.uk

8

www.abplgroup.com

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Midland Voice

Contact: Dhiren on 07970 911 386 or dhiren.katwa@abplgroup.com Dee Katwa News in Brief Hero dad charged over alleged assault Tariq Jahan, the bereaved father who was hailed a hero after halting a potential race war during the recent riots in Birmingham, has been charged with unlawful wounding.

Mr Jahan from Winson Green, Birmingham, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday this week. He spoke only to confirm his address and date of birth during the fiveminute hearing.

Mr Jahan, 47, is accused of assaulting the alleged victim on Factory Road, Handsworth, on the evening of July 6 – a month before his son was murdered. It is claimed the victim suffered a broken jaw and lost two teeth in the alleged assault. He was arrested soon after the incident and bailed pending further police enquiries.

After hearing brief details about the circum-

stances of the alleged assault, District Judge Robert Zara ruled the case should be transferred to Birmingham Crown Court and ordered a committal hearing to take place on November 21. He was given unconditional bail and left the court without comment.

Mr Jahan made headlines around the world after his emotional plea for calm following the hit-and-run death of his 21-year-old son Haroon during the August riots.

Haroon was one of three young Muslims who died when they were hit by a car which mounted the pavement while they were trying to protect local shops from looters.

Babies remembered A memorial service for parents and families who lost their babies through stillbirth, miscarriage or neonatal death in the past year was held in Birmingham last Saturday. The service, A Time to Remember, which coincided with National Baby Loss Awareness Day, was hosted by Heartlands Hospital and gave parents the opportunity to remember their babies together. During the service, candles were lit and leaves placed on a memory tree.

Bollywood Nite A charity Indian musical stage show is to be held in Birmingham on October 29. Organised by Ramesh Jilka and his team of Echoes International, the 7pm11.30pm event at South Birmingham College (B5 5SU) will feature popular Hindi songs from the Seventies, those by legendary Indian singers Rafi (pictured) Lata, Kishore, Asha and Mukesh. Tickets, £12 for adults, £6 for kids under 6. All funds raised on the night will go towards Sewa UK, a humanitarian aid charity. For more information contact Ramesh on 07973 834 371.

Benefit cheat jailed Ayesha Ali from Birmingham who claimed she was unaware she owned a property has been jailed for six months over a £17,000 housing benefit fraud. Ali, 34, of Moseley, admitted 13 housing benefit fraud offences. Her deception was uncovered by investigators after she presented herself as a “needy tenant” while disguising the fact she was the owner of the property at School Road, from where she was claiming benefit.

G4S takes charge of HMP Birmingham HMP Birmingham has become the first prison in the country to transfer from the public sector to control

by G4S, a private security company. The decision to transfer the Category B prison in Winson Green, which accommodates 1,450 male prisoners, to G4S was announced by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke in March.

Court appearance: Tariq Jahan

Mr Jahan won hearts and minds after giving an impassioned speech on

TV calling for people of all faiths to abandon violence, and warning fellow Muslims not to spill blood in the name of his son. “I lost my son, “ he said.

“Blacks, Asians, whites – we all live in the same community. Why do we have to kill one another?

Why are we doing this?

Step forward if you want to lose your sons.

Otherwise, calm down and go home.”

Last week, Mr Jahan was honoured at the Pride of Britain Awards in London, where he was presented with an award by boxer Amir Khan, and was named the Birmingham Mail’s latest local Hero.

Gisela’s bid to become mayor Gisela Stuart, the MP for Edgbaston in Birmingham has announced her wish to become the city’s first elected mayor.

German-born Ms Stuart, pictured, is to go up against former MP Sion Simon and former city council leader Sir Albert Bore for the Labour nomination. All three senior Labour politicians will compete for the right to stand for election as a powerful directly-elected mayor, taking control of the city council and its £3.5 billion budget. The election is due to take place in May 2013, although Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has said he will consider moving it to November 2012.

Life ends on 21st birthday A promising student was killed by a freight train hours after being dropped off by his parents to start university. Petrocelli Chitanda, pictured, died during a night out, just two days before starting at Northumbria University.

Mr Chitanda’s family, including his sister and brother, aged 16 and six respectively, had moved to Birmingham from Folkestone around two years ago. They had lived in South Africa and Zimbabwe before that. Mr Chitanda’s mother, Phoebe, said: “He was a true angel on Earth and I understand why God would want him with him.” Mr Chitanda’s funeral was held at Stockland Green Methodist Church, Birmingham, last Tuesday – on what would have been his 21st birthday.

Taxi drivers’ protest Private hire taxi drivers in Birmingham are threatening to strike, unless council bosses listen to, and action their concerns over working conditions. A peaceful protest, attended by around 100 drivers, was held last Sunday.

The drivers claim they are being “mistreated and undermined” by Birmingham City Council.

Green Ambassadors Certificates were presented to 33 West Midland Green Leaders at a special Sustainability West Midlands ceremony. The Leaders include Birmingham City Council’s Sandy Taylor, pictured, an expert, apparently, on climate change. His words speak louder than his actions. Another talking forum at the expense of the taxpayer? The “high-profile” group’s mission is to help the region move towards a low carbon economy by 2020.

Too ‘ill’ to work Stressed out staff at Birmingham City Council are increasingly reporting sick and failing to turn up for work. During July, 4,370 council workers were absent for at least one day, and 1,644 were on long-term sick leave of more than four weeks. And almost a quarter of those staying away from work said they were suffering from psychiatric problems.

Rise in stray dogs The number of stray dogs destroyed in the West Midlands has risen by 60% so far in the past year, according to the 15th annual stray dog survey conducted on behalf of Dogs Trust. Local councils have put down 1,130 dogs so far this year, compared to 705 dogs in 2010.

Yom Kippur Last Saturday marked Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year. Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, pictured, of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, said Yom Kippur “offers us the opportunity to think seriously about what we have done wrong, to apologise to God and to those we have wronged and to make a new start.”

Dashboard diners Britons are becoming “dashboard diners” with many regularly eating while on the road. In the West Midlands, up to 28% eat while travelling at least once a week, according to a survey by gas firm Calor.

Call for volunteers Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice in Selly Park is looking for volunteers to walk across hot coals or over a glass walkway on November 17. To sign up, visit www.bsmh.org.uk

Curry cravings Almost a quarter of the population in the West Midlands cook four or more curries at home each month, according to a poll of 2,000 people. One in 10 said curry was an aphrodisiac which spiced up their sex lives and a third said they got physical cravings for a hot curry. The poll was carried out by Red Tractor beef and lamb.

Student looted A medical student from Birmingham was beaten “relentlessly” after being mown down by a car full of robbers who then stole his wallet and mobile phone. He was left with a shattered knee.

Chris Homes, 23, an aspiring ophthalmologist, of Harborne, begged his attackers to call him an ambulance, but the callous thugs ignored his pleas for help, rolled him over to check his back pocket for valuables. Mr Holmes, pictured, is recovering at home but is worried that his university work is in jeopardy.

Fraud charges A Birmingham health worker, Abdul Pirzada, has appeared in court charged with four counts of fraud by false representation. Pirzada, 49, of Warwick Road, Tyseley, was arrested last Tuesday as part of a joint enquiry with NHS fraud investigators. The charges brought against Pirzada relate to a number of practices and health centres in Aston, Alum Rock, Sparkhill and Small Heath. He will appear at Birmingham Crown Court on Nov 30.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Alarm raised as robbers target Asians for gold Continued from page 1 With Diwali around the corner as Asians prefer draping in traditional clothes and jewelleries a high alert has been raised by police, asking people to be extra careful.

However it is not only restricted to families and women any more. Off late Asian jewellery shops are also being targeted in various parts of the UK, especially North London.

The style of robbery has been unique. Cars have been driven into the shops, looting the jewelleries on display or has broken the glass window, in broad day lights with a sledge hammer and looted whatever handy.

Shyam Jewellers in Ealing Road was looted at 4am on 18th May as the robbers drove into the shop, stealing gold worth 5-7kgs.

Kenya Jewellers in Ealing Road was also targeted on 22nd September at 11:40am, as three men in mask parked the car outside the shop and tried to smash down the front door with sledgehammers.

Kamleshbhai Mulji, the owner of the shop told Asian Voice, that brother Rasikbhai and staff Chetnaben were around when this happened.

Chetnaben raised alarm (buzzing the panic button

connected to the local police station) with the police, as neighbour Suraj restaurant also called the police station. The robbers therefore did not succeed and were last seen running down Chaplin Road. They drove away in a stolen gold Rover with false plates.

However, two men have been arrested and bailed until October 27.

Detective Constable Karen Beck, from Brent priority crime unit, said: “I am appealing for witnesses to the attempted robbery and for anyone who saw the stolen vehicle, either before or after the incident."

Kamleshbhai further told Asian Voice that Ramesh Jewellers at Southall was also recently targeted. On an afternoon the robbers arrived in a stolen car, while 2 of them waited in the car, one tried to break it with a sledgehammer. Local people raised an alarm and jumped on them, catching hold of all three of them before handing them over to the police.

Western Jewellers, in the Ealing locality faced a similar fate. Owner Raj Shiva, told Asian Voice on 29th September at 4am, the robbers barged into the shop, and stole trays of gold jewellery.

A few jewellers in East

London told Asian Voice, "We are afraid to display gold. Some of us are putting them away in a safe box before we leave, because it is no longer safe to be left there." They refused to be named, in fear of being targeted by thugs.

These kinds of criminal activities are however not restricted to London alone. In Stockport, 39 years old Mita Patel has a showroom in Giri Super market . Recently 3 men and 4 women broke into it stealing designer watchesm rings, bangles, diamond sets, necklaces worth £35,000.

In Leicester, £54,000 worth jewelleries were stolen from Sunny jewellers of Sandip Kandani.

A local paper reported that worshippers at the Ramgarhia Gurdwara, a Sikh temple, on Bearton Avenue, Hitchin, said they had been targeted and knew of several others who had been burgled in the past 18 months with the raiders specifically looking for gold or jewellery typically found in Indian households.

Sat Sandhu, whose home in Stevenage Road, Little Wymondley, was raided in January, said: "We want people to be aware of this and we're tempted to offer a reward.

"They have produced

figures that crime rates are going down, but I don't think so. I hear every week that Asian houses are targeted."

Mrs Sandhu's husband, psychiatrist Dr Harmadan Singh Sandhu, has written to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and MP for Hitchin Peter Lilley concerned over Herts Polices perceived inaction on the alleged crime wave.

Inspector Jason Thorne, of the North Herts Safer Neighbourhoods team, said: "We have had 66 residential burglaries in North Herts since the start of this year, 14 of these burglaries have involved Sikh households.

"Theft of jewellery, some of which is Asian jewellery, unfortunately appears to be a trend that is happening nationally, not just locally.

Police are advising those with large amounts of jewellery to keep them in bank safety deposit boxes and to be alert when wearing gold or diamonds in public.

“Insurance companies are not likely to cover the losses, if the jewellery is not specifically listed in the policy,” said a consultant.

The police is also urging the Asian community to keep gold jewellery covered when out and about. The warning comes after two teenagers were

9

Dawood Ibrahim aide arrested in London Dawood Ibrahim aide, Iqbal Mirchi, has been arrested in London, according to CBI reports in India. Iqbal Mirchi is an accused in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and was declared a proclaimed offender by the government in 1994. He is known to handle Dawood’s drug trade.

There was an Interpol notice pending against

him.

Iqbal Mirchi had fled India in 1995.

CBI sources revealed that they would approach the UK police through the Interpol and diplomatic channels to seek his extradition or deportation to India.

Iqbal Mirchi began his career in the underworld as a smuggler and became a big player in drug peddling around mid-1980s.

Indian students affected as college shuts down Indian students affected by the closure of a business school in London will be accommodated in other colleges, an Indian newspaper has reported.

The London campus of the Pune-based TASMAC, which offered MBA and other courses validated by the University of Wales, was shut down last week following the tightening of the norms for the shortduration courses. The University of Wales said arrangements were being made to transfer the

affected students to courses at other institutions.

The university said in a statement: “The university has been in discussions with other collaborative centres to arrange for the 650 students on University of Wales programmes to transfer to programmes at these institutions”.

It said that any transfers of students would be subject to the requirements of the UK Borders Agency (UKBA).

jailed for a vicious attack on an elderly couple in Harrow. The Met say Asian robbery victims rose 30% last year alone and are being targeted for their gold jewellery. Detectives

say some robbers are even trying to sell gold shops jewellery which is still stained with the blood of mugging victims.

Continued on page 28

10

YOUR VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Midland Voice

by Dee Katwa

Let’s all Save Navratri in Brent

Appreciation from the Gurkhas

I was very pleased to read Dhiren Katawa‘s page 8 [AV 8 Oct]. The news about Coventry City Football Club [CCFC] is very dear to my passion for football. The Club hopes “to motivate kids to start kicking a football”. A book called “The Ball Is Round” by David Goldblatt is the definitive history of how humanity has played, watched and followed football; an epic tale of players, managers, owners, clubs, nations, cultures, money and power [Guardian].

Asian parents need to encourage their children to play this game.

It is a real shame that after seventy years of independence and with over 1 billion people, India still is incapable of producing just eleven world class footballers and fails to qualify to play in World Cup Football games every four years. Partly it was deliberate discrimination against the Indian sub-continent, partly lack of Government and/or business support and partly India’s obsession with cricket and/or Bollywood.

“State Bank of India’s opening of a new Branch in Wolverhampton” is also interesting. If SBI opens branches in the UK with a new business model: only individuals or businesses with gross turnover of £250,000 or under can open or stay with them, they could overtake current UK banks. The current account is the key to success in the Banking Industry. Four million self-employed persons have gross turnover under £250,000.

“Challenge to energy giants” is another excellent idea. Councils can go further and lend to local small businesses.

Germany’s success is partly due to such policy for decades.

I read the Rt Hon Barry Gardiner MP’s column about “”Enjoy Navratri” last week (Asian Voice 8th October issue) with great interest. I totally agree with Barry that Navratri is for all whether you are 7 years old or 70 years old and it’s also great to find out that Barry also enjoys the experience of playing dandia !!! I also read with great interest the letter by Cllr Paul Lorber Liberal Democrat Group Leader Brent Council, who my family and I had the opportunity to meet during the Navrati celebrations at Wembley High School, organised by the wonderful and hardworking team Wanza Society of London. I urge all Asian Voice readers to support the campaign/ petition to save Navratri in Brent.

Please sign the petition on www.ourcampaign.org.uk/savenavratri. Together we can all make a difference.

I sincerely thank the Asian Voice for drawing the attention of the Gurkha plight to the wider Asian community and in particular Rupanjanaji for the journalistic professionalism in doing so. It is a great honour to receive the prestigious award and I thank the Asian Achievers Awards panel for believing me worthy of this award, which I have accepted on behalf of the whole Nepali community and in particular the ex Gurkhas.

I can now understand how difficult it must have been for the Asian community settling in the UK, but the challenges aside, the community’s endeavours are testament to its success and deserving of the honour bestowed by the wider British Community. While as a new community we have a long way to go we are however fortunate that you have already paved the way for us.

Speaking both personally and on behalf of the whole Nepali community I would like to thank everyone involved in organising an excellent evening and an experience I will cherish forever.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family, including all the staff at Asian Voice a Very Happy Dasain and a Prosperous Tihar.

Salams.

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

Indian loot worth 130mn found The S S Gairsoppa was sunk by a German U-boat seventy years ago on 17th February 1941 killing all but one of the 85 crew. The lone survivor Richard Ayers reached Cornish coast in a lifeboat after 2 weeks adrift. He was awarded MBE for his heroic attempts to save the fellow sailors but failed.

The 412 feet long steamer was sailing from Kolkata to Britain carrying 7000 tonnes of cargo including 200 tonnes of silver bars, iron and Indian tea when it was torpedoed.

The loot has been found 300 miles off the Irish coast by US treasure hunters hired by the British government.

This is the story of only one ship carrying merchandise worth millions. How many ships laden with gold, silver, other valuable minerals and spices reached to enrich Britain during colonial rule is difficult to imagine! India was looted completely, till it became so destitute that it was unable to feed its own people.

As the wealth has been found in International water, can India reclaim it or is it not a matter of investigation?

A L Sharma Wembley

Umesh Raichada Via Email

Anna Hazare & Baba Ramdev Congress had its days. Now the time has come when the corrupted leaders will not even get a ticket to contest in general elections. The revolution against Congress on Indian soil and elsewhere cannot be forgotten. Anna Hazare with his team will create a power which cannot be divided.

There has been no limit to the recent Congress corruption. The Congress leaders are unable to control that. Lalu Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati and many have private properties, money in banks that are much more than their income. Sonia Gandhi is leaving the country and going to the US for treatment without telling anyone. Why was her ailment kept a secret for so long? Her history of black money in account must surface soon, else the country will face another upheaval!

Major (Retd) Tikendra dal Dewan Chairman, British Gurkha Welfare Society

PM’s amazing U turns

I recently received a following an email that “Mumbai Academy of Moving Image” (MAMI) has organised 13th Mumbai Film Festival and they are going to pay tribute to painter M F Husain.

This film festival is to be held for 13thOctober to 20th October. MF Husain has drawn nude and obscene paintings of Hindu Deities and Bharatmata. Hence it is our duty to protest lawfully against the organisers of Mumbai Film Festival.

After the death of Husain, some people are trying to make him a legend. I have not seen his work so the appreciation, but I must say that he chose a path to upset Hindus and got publicity. A true artist will like to draw the reality of life and create work which pleases most of the people. So MAMI should not give him any unnecessary limelight.

No politicians in our history has made so many U turns in such a short time-span as our PM David Cameron.

First and foremost, PM made a pre-election promise to take us out of crazy EU Human Rights Legislation (EHRL) so that we can deal with murderers, terrorists and pedophiles who hide behind EHRL to escape deportation to their homeland where they may be wanted on such serious, inhumane offences. These offenders are a serious threat to our security and our citizens, roaming our streets on benefits, looking for easy preys. Yet we are powerless to act, a self inflicted wound. It is a smoke screen for PM to hide behind LibDem objections. PM should put their bluff to test and introduce the right legislation and let LibDem oppose it and dig their own grave, as it would be a Valentine Day massacre, losing practically every seat. With Ed Miliband unable to establish himself as an effective Labour leader, Conservatives will have a thumping majority if they show the courage to seek a fresh mandate on the right policies.

PM also promised not to be a moral crusader, yet his involvement in Libyan war that would cost us some £2 billion and his infatuation with overseas aid that would rise to some £12 billion is a mad economics at best of times.

It is time for PM to concentrate on home-front and leave world policing to the wealthy nations, come out of the delusion that we have a colony to run and Britannia still rules the waves, albeit without a single aircraft-carriers?

Dharam Sahdev Ilford

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Ramesh Moradabadi Southall

Tribute to M F Hussain

by MAMI

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

E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

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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In these days of India’s nationwide corruption, news of Gandhiji’s birthday is oasis. Though patriotic freedom fighters sacrificed themselves during 90 years after 1857, fact remains that only Gandhiji was blessed by destiny to break colonial fetters.

Strong, spiritually matured Gandhiji handled non-violence based weapon deftly towards penultimate victory; single intentional or by mistaken slip might have pushed whole campaign and India into bottomless abyss of the darkness that follows foolishness of missed opportunity. Sensing begninty of non-violence, vanquished British are seeking goodwill from victors Bharat, without losing face.

Gandhiji awakened Indians from slumber of superstition, indifference, ignorance and laziness. Spinning wheel became Gandhiji’s Sudarshan Chakra and struggle of independence became tool to educate the mass. Gandhiji gave palpable, provable pragmatism to abstract values of non violence to India and the world.

Gandhiji’s blunders:- reckoning that freedom struggle will fail if Muslims are excluded, partition of India, appeasement of Muslims during post-partition exodus, not selecting Sardar Patel as first PM, forcing Hindus to unsavoury decisions via fasting etc.

But, these actions were correct to meet prevailing circumstances.

Current politicians have gone against Gandhian principles and values, creating a blot on achievements. We must support torch bearers e.g. Sangha, Annaji, Ramdevji and Modiji etc.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Local residents should be proud We would like to offer our unreserved thanks and gratitude to all those who responded so superbly to the fire and explosion at Belmont Circle.

To the fire brigade, police and Council staff; thank you for calmly and professionally keeping people away from harm, and for quickly carrying out the evacuation. To St. Anselm’s Church; thank you for being so accommodating and welcoming to those who had to temporarily leave their homes.

Local residents should also be enormously proud of how they dealt with an event which, for many, was a stressful and worrying experience. Having spoken with many residents near Kenton Lane and Kingshill Avenue, it was apparent there was some frustration and confusion over how long the evacuation would last.

Yet there was no panic or anger, just concern. To assist, we took various mobile numbers and called residents once the all clear was given to return to their homes, just after 11pm.

It was a relief to everyone when it was over; but all those involved did their utmost to ensure a difficult and potentially dangerous situation was anything but.

Cllr. Vina Mithani Cllr. Yogesh Teli Kenton West Ward, Harrow Council

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Gandhiji’s 142 birthday

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EDUCATION

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Blackburn College student beaten up by Asian gang

National Hindu Students Forum (UK)

By Pranav Bhanot, President, NHSF (UK)

Have the X Factor: Be part of NHSF

As universities launch their Fresher’s events, it is very normal for there to be a bag of mixed emotions within a household.

Whilst parents anxiously have to let go of their eighteen year old “cute munch kin babies” as they head off to their chosen City to study, their “babies” are probably eagerly counting down the days until their freedom begins and the partying gets underway! university has often been described as the best days of your life. The thrill of creating a brand new social network, taking advantage of low unaccountability levels and enjoying the habitual nocturnal tendencies, it is actually quite exciting to be able to have the power to do whatever you want.

However, the exhilaration of university life comes with a cautionary warning which seems simple but often forgotten. With the power of freedom to conduct your own state of affairs at university comes a degree of responsibility.

Whilst it is agreed that university is a great deal of fun, it is also the training ground to develop as an individual and learn key skills beyond the academic curriculum.

Beyond the recent recession, one of the reasons why employment levels are currently so high is due to the fact that students finish university with nothing more than a damaged liver and a

degree. In order to secure the top jobs, potential employers are looking for students with the X factor who standout from their competitors. So how does one gain the X factor?

The answer is straightforward and it does not involve bribing Simon Cowell. From the very first day of university, make it your business to be a proactive student and ask yourself how you can leave your mark at the institution. The most effective way to do this is through joining a university society committee.

One of the most established and rewarding societies to be part of are the National Hindu Students Forum affiliated Hindu societies which are present at over thirty different universities across the country.

NHSF Hindu societies seek to be inclusive, developmental and visionary and are committed to provide a platform to protect, preserve, promote and practice Hinduism on campus.

Whether you consider yourself to be an orthodox or a liberal Hindu, there is something for everyone on a NHSF Hindu Society committee. You can expect a Hindu society to organise events ranging from weekly debates to sports and Diwali balls to sewa projects. Whatever your interests, be part of the Hindu society to meet like minded people, gain important transferable

skills and essentially develop your X factor.

Alongside your university Hindu society, there is the NHSF National Committee who organise large scale national projects to allow all the Hindu societies to get together.

These include sports competitions, training days, conferences as well as our 20th Anniversary celebrations being held at the JFS School in Kingsbury on the 19th November 2011. By virtue of being part of a local university NHSF chapter, you can also partake in the numerous innovative national projects organised by NHSF (UK) including membership for the Hindu Lawyers Association (UK), the Parliamentary Internship Programme, Roots (expedition in India).

Therefore, the message is clear –Be different, gain the X factor and do not be like the other thousands of students. A great way to do this would be through getting on the committee of the Hindu Society at your University and make a positive difference. If the University does not have a Hindu Society, in the words of Gandhi ji “be the change you wish to see in the world” and go ahead, challenge yourself and create one. For more information and support in creating a Hindu Society log on to our w e b s i t e www.nhsf.org.uk.

Taxman clamps down on private tutors supplement their day job.

Tutors are therefore likely to be paid in cash and Private tutors, musical instrument teachers and fitness instructors face a clampdown by the taxman trying to catch out afterhours teachers who are paid cash-in-hand by middle class families.

In its latest attempt to claw back some of the UK’s 35bn in unpaid taxes, Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs will target the country’s 500,000 private tutors for undeclared tax.

HMRC believes that the majority of tutors use private lessons as a second source of income to

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A teenage student was subjected to a brutal beating – just for having long hair.

Harley Davies, 17, (pictured), was set on by a gang of youths, of Asian origin (between 16-19 years) who shouted an obscenity at him and told him to go and get his hair cut.

The A-level student was left with a fractured jaw and broken tooth during the lunchtime attack on the Blackburn College campus, allegedly without any provocation from Davies himself.

Campaigner Sylvia Lancaster, whose daughter Sophie was killed for

the way she looked, said the incident should be classed as a hate crime.

An ambulance was called around 12.30pm on Tuesday and Harley was taken to Royal Blackburn

Hospital. He spent three hours receiving treatment for his facial injuries.

Former Darwen Vale pupil Harley is in his second year at the college studying English language, literature and media.

The member of college staff told police she did not recognise the attackers as college students.

Police confirmed that the college CCTV camera which covered the incident was not working, but said they had other CCTV in the area which was forming part of their inquiries. They are not classing the incident as a hate crime.

Ignorance not a bliss Some schoolchildren believe Winston Churchill is an animated dog from a TV ad rather than one of Britain’s greatest wartime leaders. Other pupils even struggle to differentiate between France and Paris thanks to falling classroom standards and a shift towards creative learning, according to outspoken former deputy head teacher Katherine Birbalsingh (pictured).

She says teaching basic knowledge, facts and figures is disappearing

from classrooms as it is considered ‘old fashioned’.

Her comments come a year after she grabbed the headlines at the 2010 Conservative Party conference with a damning speech on the state of England’s schools.

She also claimed the public does not realise how little some children know. Miss Birbalsingh left St Michael’s and All Angels Church of England Academy in South London, where she was a

deputy head teacher, a few weeks after her speech to the Tory Party conference.

She is currently attempting to set up a free school in Lambeth, South London.

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Scrutator’s Afghan President Hamid Karzai's summit in Delhi with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh promises to be a regional game changer. India has used soft power – substantial economic aid for Afghanistan's infrastructure development – but hard power will come into play with greater military and security cooperation between New Delhi and Kabul. The joint statement in Hindi, Pashto, Dari and English, issued after the Karzai-Singh talks including a commitment that New Delhi would help with “training, equipping and capacity-building for programmes Afghan National Security Forces”.

Reporting for The Times from New Delhi, Francis Elliott writes (October 5): “The dramatic worsening of relations between the US and Pakistan has left Islamabad looking increasingly isolated. It faces accusaAfghan President Hamid Karzai with tions that it is Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh manipulating militant groups and actively frustrating peace efforts, to maintain a hold over Kabul.... The murder of Burhanuddin Rabbani, a former President and peace envoy, by a Pakistani citizen according to Afghanistan's intelligence service, has further emboldened Mr Karzai to take a hard line against Pakistan”.

The India-Afghanistan document makes reference to extensive Indian investments in Afghanistan to mine and develop the latter's natural resources, especially its huge reserves of iron ore. The construction of a steel plant in Afghanistan and the development of a rail network in the country are expected to bear an Indian signature. India will also help build a road linking Afghanistan to the Gulf via Iran, for which the three parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (The Hindu October 3).

Also worth reading is former Indian diplomat M.K.Bhadrakumar's analysis in the Asian Times online. He has extensive experience and knowledge of Central Asia and great power rivalries in the region. Among his important points is the strong relationship India has built up with Afghanistan's Northern Alliance, whose leaders Mohammed Fahim and Karim Khalili are Vice-Presidents in the Karzai government and have been (and continue to be) resolutely opposed to the Taliban.

Pakistani takes The Daily Times of Lahore (October 6) posted the following editorial: “The very outcome the policy of strategic depth was intended to prevent has finally come to pass, precisely because of that policy.” Referring to the Indo-Afghan strategic partnership agreement siged in New Delhi, the paper noted that “the agreement deepens existing ties in the trade and culture fields, but most significantly, in security cooperation. It envisages Indian training, equipping and capacity building of the Afghan security forces in the run up to and after the US/Nato withdrawal by 2014. Pakistan's socalled strategic depth policy could be seen as consisting of denting India influence in Afghanistan, which our military and intelligence establishment has tended to view as its backyard, a description fiercely contested by all Afghans, even the Taliban.....The squeeze from east and west so feared by our military strategists may well become a reality, especially given the recent frictions between Kabul and Islamabad over the safe havens of Pakistani soil by the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network to attack US/Nato/Afghan forces across the border and the assassination of Burnhuddin Rabbani.”

The Karachi-based Dawn (October 6) made the circumspect observation that, while Pakistan was busy welcoming Chinese and Iranian delegations, “Kabul's search for allies it can trust is understandable. But this diplomatic manoeuvring should also be a sign for Pakistan that it needs to reassure Kabul it will not seek to use Afghanistan for strategic depth to the detriment of that country, and instead is simply concerned that Afghan territory not be used against it.” Too little, too late, it would appear.

President Barack Obama appeared to pour salt in the wounds of Pakistani self-esteem by rubbishing Islamabad's statements on the Indian 'threat'.

Turning on the US as a way out of its myriad difficulties, great and small, is a perilous, selfdefeating exercise for Islamabad.

Antony in Moscow India's Defence Minister A.K.Antony returned to New Delhi after a three-day visit to the Russian capital for talks with his Russian counterpart A.D. Serdyukov at the 11th meeting of the India-Russia InterGovernmental Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation.

Mr Antony complained of delays in supplies of spare parts

steps had been taken over the past year to “to deepen interaction in the development of defence technologies, modernisation of military equipment and joint manufacture of military-purpose products.”

Overall, Mr Antony said the India's Defence Minister A.K.Antony with Russian I n d i a - R u s s i a counterpart A.D. Serdyukov defence relationship had grown for Russian-made equipment for both in content and scope over the Indian armed forces. He was the years, underscoring the assured that this was receiving “value placed by New Delhi on attention at the highest levels of its time-tested, strong and multithe Russian government. Mr faceted relationship with Antony hoped the Aircraft carriMoscow” (The Hindu October er Vikramaditya would be deliv7). ered to India as per schedule by Meanwhile, India has stathe end of 2012. The two sides tioned a squadron of its Sukhoireviewed progress in other 30MKI air superiority aircraft in spheres including the ongoing Jodhpur, a forward base in joint project for the manufacture Rajasthan close to the Pakistan of Fifth-generation stealth airborder. The Sukhoi, with a speed craft. Mr Antony noted that conof 2,450 kilometres per hour and sidering the vast expanse of the an awesome array of weaponry India-Russia defence relationhas taken India's offensive air ship, concerns on both sides capability to a higher level. A would develop from time to total of 100 warplanes, missiles time, but these were invariably and radars had transformed the resolved amicably. Russia had Jodhpur base to one without never denied India any technolopeer in South Asia. gy it sought, whereas the West had applied a sanction regime on dual-use technologies for many Indo-German years before lifting them. science centre

'Seeker' technology for India Consider Rahul Datta's report in The Pioneer (October 8). He reveals that Indian scientists, having developed 'seeker' technologies for the country's intermediate-range Agni missiles (I,II and III) which direct them to their targets, were faced with problems developing a 'seeker' technology appropriate for India's intercontinental ballistic missile, Agni V. It was unavailable on the international market, with the US and Europe unwilling to supply it. It was to Russia with love – as always – that India turned. DRDO scientists travelling with Mr Antony made their pitch and Russia agreed to oblige. Agni V, to be flight-tested at the end of the year will thus have a full target range of 10,000 kilometres.

Mr Datta writes: “In another important development, Russia will also share its advanced (satellite) Glonass Positioning System (GPS) for military purposes.....” He says only Israel, among other nations, has been agreeable to sharing its frontline technologies with India. Israeli avionics and radars helped DRDO carry out successful tests of Agni III

India-German science cooperation received a boost with the opening in Bangalore of Germany's Max Planck Society and India's National Centre for Biological Sciences, which is part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Indian scientists from the NCBS had long been collaborating with their German counterparts at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden.

German Minister of State in the Federal Foreign Office Cornelia Pieper inaugurated the centre in the presence of M.K. Bhan, Secretary, Department of Department of Biotechnology, K. Vijay Raghavan, Director, NCBS, and Mario Zerial from Dresden's Max Plank Centre and scientists from both countries.

The new research centre in Bangalore will concentrate on lipids, which constitute a broad group of naturally occurring molecules including fats, waxes, steroids and fat-soluble vitamins

(A,D, E and K). One of the principal goals of the research is to carry out an inventory of lipids and to understand the basic principles of how different lipids are synthesised and how they are in the organisation and functioning of cell membranes and signalling processes, including that of humans.

Myanmar halts China dam Myanmar (Burma) has called off Chinese dam project that would have flooded territory the size of Singapore. The Wall Street Journal (October 1) writes: “The move is also a snub for China, which is widely seen as Myanmar's most important patron but whose investments in the country are increasingly unpopular.” The Myanmar authorities “also have launched a dialogue with dissident and former political leader Aung San Suu Ky., who was released last year after seven years of house arrest.....she met for the third time with Labour and Social Welfare Minister Aung kJ, after which she said she welcomed [Myanmar] President Then Seine's statement [suspending work] on the mammoth Myitsone dam.”

Bounty of Indian land A report in The Hindu newspaper (October 3) tells how the introduction of check dams are transforming land in India that was considered barren. It cites the case of Rameshwar Prahlad Bobade, a farmer in Wahegon village in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The 48 year-old farmer's plot yielded little of value as groundwater levels had declined appreciably. But that is past, thanks to the intervention of Pepsico and Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), a local civil society organisation. Both bodies in harness helped build check dams in the area and 100 water recharge facilities.

With check dams, the groundwater levels have improved dramatically and deep wells are now full to the brim.

Mr Bobade's crops have attained variety and depth and his income has taken a great leap forward. It's a time of prosperity now, where it was once of hardship and want.

Satisfaction on both sides Indian Defence Ministry spokesman Sitansu Kar told reporters that both sides expressed “readiness to take all necessary steps to expand their cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis.”In a protocol signed after the Antony-Serdyukov exchanges, India and Russia noted with satisfaction that

Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi inaugurating the double-decker train from Kolkata to Dhanbad

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

OBITUARY

Sad Demise

UK

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Bhavan UK’s first Executive Director passes away Mathoor Krishnamurti who along with the former chairman Mr Maneck Dalal O.B.E, established the London centre of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan as the largest institute for Indian Art and culture outside the India, has passed away at his home in Bangalore. He was 82 years old.

When he began his work as the Registrar and, later, Executive Director of the Bhavan Centre in London in 1972, the institute was a small office in New Oxford Street. He was able to get the support of eminent and high-profile personalities from the Indian diaspora in Britain and establish bigger premises in the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

During his tenure, visitors to the Bhavan included H.R.H Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, two serving British Prime Ministers James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher, along with numerous dignitaries from British life. He also conducted a Hindu reli-

with the fourth highest award for a civilian in India – the Padma Shri.

He left his London post to go back to Bangalore in 1995 and worked as Executive Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Bangalore Centre, and also to set up Centres such as that at Mysore.

The current director of the Bhavan, and sonin-law of Mathoorji, is Dr Mathoor M.N Nandakumara who Krishnamurti took over the helm after Mathoorji had returned gious prayer for the to India, paid his own tribQueen’s Diamond Jubilee ute: celebrations.

“Mathoorji has been Born to a scholarly the source of inspiration Brahmin family, Mr in our work at the Bhavan.

Krishnamurti was attractHe totally dedicated himed to Hindu scriptures and self to the cause of the texts such as the Vedas Bhavan and worked tireand Upanishads from a lessly twenty-four hours a very young age. day, seven days a week. He A multi-faceted perwould often mention to sonality; Mathoor me, “Nanda, I hope and Krishnamurti worked as a pray that even as I connewspaper reporter in the clude my life’s journey Southern Indian state of may I still be working”. He Karnataka in his early was a selfless crusader for years, going on to publish the cause of India’s rich numerous books on reliculture and heritage, gion and the arts. Through which he was able to do his life he received over through the Bhavan.” twenty awards, most The former chairman recently being honoured

of the Bhavan Mr Maneck Dalal O.B.E, who himself retired recently from the Bhavan after nearly forty years, gave this homage: “We have just heard that our Founder Registrar and Director, Padma Shri Dr Mathoor Krishnamurti has passed away. Not only are we deeply sorry and extremely saddened but we wish to place on record our deep gratitude and admiration for his enormous and incomparable contribution to the UK centre. ‘Mathoorji was much loved, greatly admired and respected for all he stood for, and his loss, not only to the UK Centre, but to the Bhavan movement is enormous.’

Lord Paul and Bagri, Pandit Ravi Shankar are some of the eminent personalities from the Indian community in the UK that have been paying their tributes.

Mathoor Krishnamurti will be given a state funeral by the Karnataka State Government took place in his village of Matturu, near Bangalore, on the 7th October 2011.

Community supports Roko cancer Roko Cancer has been helping the community immensely over last 6 years to help patients with cancer. And the community has been reciprocating however possible to raise funds. Roko Cancer was one of the main charities chosen by the Bucks Punjabi Society at their annual dinner event on the 24th September 2011.

Paul Riat, Chairman of Bucks Punjabi Society praised Roko Cancer in his opening speech and encouraged people to give generously to the charity.

A number of distinguished business people and local community figures from Buckingshire attended.

The chief guest of the evening was Virenda Sharma MP. An auction was also held which raised further funds.

The Indian Women’s Association (IWA) presented Roko Cancer with a cheque for £5000 on the

14th September 2011 in support of their work in both India and the UK. The cheque was presented to the chairman of Roko Cancer, Mr APS Chawla at the House of Commons.

On the 14th August 2011 the Indian Medical

Association (IMA) raised fund for Roko and held its dinner and dance event at Kanchans Restaurant in Ilford. Roko Cancer held Breast Cancer Awareness Sessions at both Tesco and Sainsburys in June and July 2011. Six members of staff attended the sessions to raise awareness of Breast Cancer and educate women on the importance of early detection and .made people aware of how important it is to regularly check themselves for Breast cancer.

Videos and literature were given out in order to emphasise the event. Over 150 people attended each session.

Soap star inspires Plaistow fundraiser Soap star Rita Simons has inspired London based fundraisers to climb to the top of London’s iconic BT Tower and raise vital funds for Action on Hearing Loss, formerly RNID. Yasmin Iqbal completed the exhilarating 842step climb to support the charity’s pioneering projects, services and biomedical research improving the everyday lives of people who with hearing loss or tinnitus. Yasmin who has hearing loss and lives in Plaistow says: “It was amazing to make it to the top of the tower and see many of London’s great landmarks, even though I was exhausted when I finally got there, but I knew I was raising much needed money to support people who are deaf or hard of hearing like

myself, and it was great to get to the top and be congratulated by Rita Simons!’’ Rita Simons, who congratulated Yasmin when she completed the challenge, says: “I can’t believe how many people turned out for the BT Tower Stair Climb – it means so much to Action on Hearing Loss and raises vital funds for the chari- Yasmin Iqbal with Rita Simons

ty. I’ve been a long standing supporter as my daughter Maiya is deaf, although it’s not stopped her from living life to the full. “It’s important for people to check their hearing if they think they’ve got some form of hearing loss. It’s free and really simple to do on the Action on Hearing Loss website www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk.”

Smt Uma Datta Born: 22nd Feb, 1921 - Death: 9th October, 2011 Asatho Maa Sad Gamaya.

Thamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya.

Mrithyur Maa Amritham Gamaya.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

-Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (Meaning: From untruth lead us to Truth. From darkness lead us to Light. From death lead us to Immortality. Om Peace, Peace, Peace) Dear Ma/Mana/Dida, You have given us enough in life to rejoice and be proud of.

Death is inevitable. But that will certainly not reduce our pain of having lost you for ever.

We will cherish our memories together and for the last time, we want to thank you from the bottom of our heart, for your unconditional love and everything you gave and did for us.

May your soul rest in peace.

Yours sincerely, Your son (Kusal), daughter in law (Subha), daughters (Nandini and Sonali), son in laws (Ranjeet & Ashish), grandsons (Indrajeet and Abhiroop), grand daughters (Rupanjana, Manisha and Srabani) grand son in laws (Vivekanand, Indranil and Subir) grand daughter in law (Pamela), your great grand children and others in the family.

Kathak legend to perform in the UK Living Kathak legend Pt. Birju Maharaj is arriving in the UK to conduct a Kathak workshop in Chester on Sunday 23rd October. Pt. Birju Maharaj has brought about a ren-

aissance in Kathak. He has also choreographed some memorable Kathak pieces in two Oscar nominees Hindi films, such as "Shatranj Ke Khiladi" and recently "Devdas".

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FESTIVALS & CULTURE

by Rupanjana Dutta

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Diwali on the Square

Be a Fashionista, Be You! If you have any questions or a story or a new style to share with us, please write to Rupanjana at rupanjana@abplgroup.com

Celebrate with style A global festival now, Diwali has a few western brands celebrating it for the simple ideology'communal peace and harmony that cuts across barriers of caste, class, religion, and country'.

Last year Louis Vuitton’s global network of stores lit up with an elegant display of Hindu motifs to celebrate Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights.

The decision to celebrate Diwali was to honor the common values Louis Vuitton has with India, the respect for tradition and the passion for innovation.

While the celebration is spreading across London and the greater London this year, we youngsters are often worried what to shop, while our parents come up with designs, they would love us to wear.

But whatever be the ritual, we want a little bit of style and oomph, while we dress for our own festival.

Women are obviously spoilt for choices here.

While we can flaunt a little ghagra choli, salwaar or a saree, we wonder what fashion is taking ethnic clothes by storm?

This year while brocade and bling are in fashion again, plain

sarees with heavy border is definitely a hot favourite for many.

Rich colours like hot pink, purple, maroon, turquoise, dark green, golden, orange are favourites for this Diwali season. Also if you can carry a tissue or 'silk net' sari in a skin colour, don't miss out the opportunity.

Make the blouse attractive.

In salwars of course Anarkali designs are in vogue. If you are towards a slimmer structure, wear a layered Anarkali, and put a little

volume to the structure.

Go soft curls with your hair or go bob, to give a sleeky look.

Don't do streaks, if you want to colour- avoid that blond. Go for dark red or burgundy.

Though heavy accessories are to be worn, it's upto you how you complement your dress with your jewelleries.

Gloss up your lips.

For boys or men, who look forward to wearing traditional on Diwali, wear a simple sherwani or kurta. Though bling is always trendy on

Sunday, 16th October, 2pm till 7pm, Trafalgar Square, FREE

festivals, remember it's not a very 'manly' thing to wear. The cut and the length of the kurta must be proper to avoid making it look cloakish!! My favourite is always a white Kurta with chikonkari. It is simple, yet elegant. Add a mojari to your wardrobe, and hey your all set for the Diwali celebration at your home.

Before I sign off from my occasional column, must say- stay safe, while you burn/light those crackers.

Happy Diwali!!

Enthusiastically celebrated by people of all nationalities, races and religions, Diwali, the festival of lights creates a magical world of joy and festivity. It celebrates the triumphant victory of good over evil – and the glory of light over darkness, a beam of hope over despair.

Diwali marks a new beginning, a renewal of commitment to family values, and represents all the good virtues we seek such as love, reflection, forgiveness and knowledge.

Programme: *1.30pm: Free sarees given on first come first serve basis and volunteers will be helping to put them on too. *2 - 3pm: Garba ( Bali and Angrez ) *3.15 - 3.35pm: Official Opening Ceremony

*3.35 - 5.20pm: Variety Performances (Bollywood Dance London , Dance-oPhrenics, Encee Academy, Eternal Taal , Rythm n High , Sanskriti , Sarjan Nartan Academy , Shivali , Shri Academy , Sujata Banerjee Dance Company , Tridhara) *5.20pm: Zee TV and headline acts *6.20pm: Devotional songs, Aarti & Closing Ceremony *7pm: Farewell

Navratri in London

Britain’s got Bhangra Rifco Arts brings you the five star hit Bhangra musical charting the rise of British Bhangra music from the sequin clad 80s through to the RnB fusion of the current charts. Twinkle arrives fresh from the fields of the Punjab with a song in his heart and no money in his pocket. Can his talent shine through or will the remixed bling of the 90's DJ's ruin his dreams? Take the family and move to the rhythm and bhangra. Shake your shoulders, twist that lightbulb; this is the story of how Britain Got Bhangra.

(For a detailed report, stay tuned and watch this space in the coming issues)

Navratri at Nagrecha Hall and Bavis Gam Samaj (photo on right). Navratri is a Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.

Brent Liberal MP Sarah Teather visited The Wanza Samaj on Friday 30 September together with Lib Dem leader Councillor Paul Lorber, Mrs Nirmala Patel, and Mahendrabhai Pattni of Hindu Council(Brent).

They prepared fresh hot badam and pista milk for everyone and made around 2,700 cups during the 7 nights festival from Wednesday 28 September to Tuesday 4th October.

The Navratri was held at Boys Crest Academy in Neasden. On Saturday 8 October, they held a

Garba Marathon and the funds raised were donated towards St Luke's Hospice in Harrow.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Community links promoted at the Co-Op Funeralcare Conference Managers at The Co-operative Funeralcare have been advised how to forge better links with ethnic communities by Sharad Mistry and Bhagwanji Chohan. Both attended the two-day Co-operative Funeralcare Leadership Conference held at New Century Hall, Manchester, on September 15thand 16where they met funeral home managers and heard The Co-operative Funeralcare’s future plans for handling ethnic funerals. The conference is held to celebrate the good work done by the network of over 880 funeral homes and to keep managers upto-date with The Co-operative Funeralcare’s performance and plans for the future.

Sharad and Bhagwanji work closely with The Cooperative Funeralcare’s homes across North London advising the UK’s largest funeral director on ethnic funerals and how to connect with ethnic communities.

They met managers from across UK and encouraged them to get involved with their local ethnic communities as much as they can, to engage with them and talk to them.

George Tinning,

Regional Manager, London North, Bhagwanji Chohan, Sharad Mistry, Paul Rowden - Manager, South East England

Managing Director of The Co-operative Funeralcare, gave an update on business performance and was followed by presentations from other members of the executive team and heads of department.

On the evening of Thursday, September 15th, an awards dinner was held to recognise members of staff with categories including ‘Manager of the Year’ and ‘Funeral Excellence’.

Bhajan sandhya organised by The Co-operative Funeralcare An exciting evening of Bhajans was organised by Co-operative The Funeralcare on Saturday, 24th September 2011, 7:00pm at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Mandir, Ilford.

The Bhajan Sandhya was organised as part of the Shraddh Paksha or Pitru Paksha our (Remembering departed loved ones).

Where local artists Bhagwanji Chohan and Sharad Mistry joined by the artists from India, Ketan Deolia, Raju Makwana, Aaksh Solanki and Amrit Solanki. They kept more than 250 people enthralled for 5hrs.

The audience represented a wider cross section of

Prabhavati Chohan, Bhagwati Mistry, Chhaya Gathani, Jim Golding - Regional Manager, London North, Sharad Mistry, Bhagwanji Chohan

the community which included local community and religious leaders.

Everyone enjoyed the entertainment and were

reluctant to leave the hall. The food served was very delicious and served

by Ajanta Caters of Ilford.

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Local Audi Independent Specialist wins Top National Award for the fourth year running!

Once again London’s Leading Independent VAG Specialist R u s s e l l Automotive Centre is thrilled to announce they have won the Gold Award for ‘ B e s t Independent Service Provider 2011’ at the Annual Audi Award Driver Ceremony for the fourth year running!

Director Jane Russell said; ‘We are extremely proud to win this prestigious award for the fourth year running. It means a great deal that our customers continue to recognise the quality of our service and have taken the time to vote for us again this year. We work hard to provide our customers with a good quality service for their cars, value for money along with an customer exceptional service. As a family business we take an enormous amount of pride in the work we do and winning the Audi Gold Award for the fourth year running

proves that we are listening to our customers needs!’

Ad d i t i o n a l l y, Managing Director Steve Russell was asked to sit on the technical expert panel at the Question and Answers session during the daytime International event at Castle Combe raceway.

Russell Automotive Centre continues to be the only local Independent Specialist with equipment compulsory for a main Dealer; so they can continue to offer a first class service at an affordable price.

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BollYwooD

Asian Voice Saturday 15th October 2011

Finally, Katrina Kaif agrees to be the ‘Dhoom 3’ girl

Hansika is scared to work with Simbhu

Hansika said that she was scared to act with Simbhu in the film “Vettai Mannan.” Though she had a big opening and did the female lead roles in the films such as “Maapillai” and “Engeyum Kadhal,” these films bombed at the box office. Now, she has got the opportunity to act with Simbhu in “Vettai Mannan.” Speaking about this, Hansika said, “Vettai

Mannan is an important film for me in Tamil. The reason is that my role is equivalent to the role of the hero. I am very scared to act with Simbhu. The reason is that whether I would be able to cope up with him in dancing. He will complete the scene in a single take. I don’t know that how many takes I will take. Apart from this there is no problem acting with Simbhu.”

Many names, including top international ones, were considered for the coveted role of the screen queen opposite bad-boy Aamir Khan in “Dhoom 3.” Finally it’s Katrina Kaif, after all, who has bagged the prized role. But the actress, was hell bent on building on her wholesome image, and did not want to do bikini shot that was required. Katrina clearly told her dear friend Aditya Chopra that she would not be comfortable doing some of the scenes.

Aditya told her she was crazy to turn down the chance of playing the Dhoom girl, and that too opposite Aamir Khan but Katrina is very clear about what she wants and doesn’t want to do on screen. And nothing could make her change her that. She suggested they look for someone else. “The hunt for Aamir’s Dhoom girl even went international with hot global faces being considered.

But the first choice, namely Katrina kept coming back to haunt the banner’s casting aspirations. They needed a girl who not only looked hot but also could look extremely homely and wholesome.

A combination of Hema Malini and Zeenat Aman, that was the brief.” After long wait, Katrina agreed for the role. Apparently in the meeting Aditya convinced Katrina as to why doing “Dhoom 3” at this stage of her career would take her to another level.

They spoke about the packaging and the projection. And they also spoke about the scenes that bothered Katrina. Apparently the kissing and bikini scenes have been taken care of.

“The scenes that scared Katrina have not been done away with entirely. But Adi and Katrina met on a middle path. The scenes have been now modified to the advantage of both the parties.”

about marriage, the actress said, “I would prefer love marriage and fall in love with a person, who understands me. He might be from any field or whatever he might be. But right now my full focus is towards winning national awards as I have missed it previously. Don’t miss my film ‘Maharaja’ for I have done something special and different from my previous movies.”

Sameera Reddy to move to Chennai

Sameera Reddy is very excited with the response she has been getting for “Vedi.” The actress has been flooded with offers so much so that she has decided to settle down in the South and focus on becoming the numero uno heroine

here. She recently brought a piece of land in Mumbai’s Juhu and is building a house there. Now that her career is red hot, Sameera has decided to build a bungalow on Chennai’s ECR road as well and is busy hunting up for plots.

Hrithik Roshan was born with a pair of dancing shoes on.

Easily one of the best hot steppers in Bollywood, the trade are of the opinion that when Duggu dances you stand transfixed. And so it came as no surprise when the superstar was recently judged Best Host for his non-fiction show Just Dance on television. The show opened to a good TRP of 4.7 and made Saturday night television viewing a compulsion. And in a new research called Characters India Loves, Hrithik won hands down. The agency who conducted the research said, "What works for Hrithik is the immense trust viewers have in his ability as a dancer.

When it comes to dance, no other star comes close."

Hrithik's best buddy Shah Rukh Khan feels that way too. Says he, "Duggu was wary of hosting the show initially, but he's done such a fantastic job of it. I was on the show for about 20 minutes recently and I could feel the positive energy he infused into it. Duggu is unsurpassable as a dancer.'' Filmmaker and TV host Karan Johar adds, "Hrithik has an extremely charming demeanour on television. His connection with the participants is absolutely endearing. He has emerged as one of the most popular hosts on Indian television with this show."

As for Sanjay Dutt, he concedes, "It is dogged determination and hard work that have made Duggu scale new heights.''

Hollywood wants Munna Bhai!

Munna Bhai MBBS, directed by Rajkumar Hirani became a cult by itself. Never before, in Hindi cinema was a goon so loved by the masses. An international film production house offered Vidhu Vinod Chopra Rs 5 billion for the Munna Bhai franchise. This includes the rights to produce Munna Bhai films, Munna Bhai merchandise and also the rights to publish Munna Bhai comics in the future. According to the source, the international corporation conducted a survey in the Indian film industry, where Munna Bhai emerged as the most recalled movie franchise. Needless to say, the production house wanted to buy the rights to the franchise.

However, Vidhu Vinod Chopra refused to part with it, added the source.

Shah Rukh Khan bows down to Rajini's demands Looks like Shah Rukh can do anything for Rajinikanth, even if it means increasing his film's cost.

According to sources, Rajinikanth suggested some changes in RA.One's action scenes and King Khan agreed to him instantly, though it will cost him quite a lot more. SRK not only agreed to the changes, but he would also implement them exactly the way Rajini wants. “SRK and Sinha (Anubhav) deliberated on Rajini’s changes for a few minutes. The cost to Shah Rukh and the co-producers Eros International will also increase.

But Rajini is a master in special effects, his last film involving special effects “Robot” was a treat.

And so, SRK agreed readily to Rajinikanth’s suggestions. He told Rajini ‘Sir, it will be done exactly as you say’," added the source.

“Bollywood is a difficult place to be in. People here scrutinise you after every film. Also, you can’t ignore the ‘camp factor’. You are also expected to get extra special with your hero. These are some of the things that I have never learnt over the years,” Ameesha says. “I thought that talent and merit should be good enough but things didn’t turn out to be so rosy. But then it’s okay because now I am back to living my passion,” she adds. Ameesha’s last release, the long-delayed “Chatur Singh,” failed at the box office. But the star remains unfazed and recently launched her production house. She has even roped in directors David Dhawan and Priyadarshan to direct two films, which she will produce and star in. “Films that I am making with David (Dhawan) and Priyan would boast of a certain standard,” she said.

Bikram Yoga keeps Anil Kapoor young

No new films for Kareena till ‘Heroine’ wraps up Kareena Kapoor will be seen playing a B-town diva in Madhur Bhadarkar's “Heroine.”

For the last few years, Kareena’s date diary has been jam-packed with several big projects. As a result, she has been shooting for multiple films simultaneously for a while. But now, Kareena “isn’t going to shoot for anything else” while she works on Madhur Bhandarkar’s forthcoming “Heroine.”

“It’s going to be a very aggressive and tiring film. I have to give my life to it; otherwise, there’s no point in doing it. So, I simply can’t take up anything else during that time,” says Kareena.

That is why she’s working hard to wrap up Karan Johar’s upcoming production, “Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu” co-starring Imran Khan, by the end of the month. “Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 will start only in March,” she adds.

On her role in “Heroine,” she claims she’s “never played a character that is so bipolar and schizophrenic. It’s very crazy. I don’t think any other actor has played such a character in recent times. I have to, for the first time in my career, concentrate only on one film,” says Kareena.

To ensure a perfect outing in “Heroine,” the actor has set up a meeting with Madhur, designer Manish Malhotra, her hair stylist and make-up artiste. “By the end of this month, Manish will fly to New York, Paris and Milan to shop for about 100 costumes. We are going to discuss each and every one of those. So, it’s going to be a marathon meeting for five to six hours because we are going through every look,” she says.

Sonakshi Sinha to move out of her parents' house Sonakshi Sinha will move into her own apartment this Diwali, though not too far from her parent’s sight. Actually their family bungalow Ramayan at Juhu has been demolished and reconstructed into apartment blocks.

Shotgun has decided to give Sonakshi one independent apartment in the bungalow while her brothers, Luv and Kush, get to share another. The Sinha couple felt that their children are grown up enough to need their own space. Apparently the decision was taken because after Sonakshi started acting, her lifestyle has changed completely. She has a stream of visitors related to her profession and so the parents fell it is time she gets independent space.

While it was being re-built, they had temporarily shifted elsewhere.

17

My survival doesn’t rely on movies: Ameesha

Ashutosh Gowariker is known for thinking 'big'. The filmmaker who has worked with big stars and on a huge canvas, is all set to launch his next production.

This time, the “Lagaan” director has roped in yet another A- lister, Akshay Kumar for an action adventure to be made on a tentative budget of Rs 800 million. The film has an adventurous storyline with a good dose of action. Ashutosh is in the process of hiring Hollywood technicians for the project. He will be taking the film on floors early next year.

And it will be shot in virgin international locales. The leading lady is also to be finalised still.

Akshay and Ashutosh have always wanted to work with each other. However, it never worked out before. In fact, Akshay himself has wanted to do an action film for a long time.

When Ashutosh met him about six months back, Akshay loved the idea for the film."

In these six months, the filmmaker worked on the script and got it ready. "Ashutosh met Akshay with the ready script. Akshay loved it and gave his nod of approval," added the source.

Bollywood dances on Hrithik’s tunes

Anjali waits for her dream boy

“Cinema wasn’t my option in life, but a dream that has come true now,” says Anjali, who has done just few films, but is going ahead of places winning laurels. The actress made her debut through “Kattradhu Tamizh” and later switched to glamorous roles. Her performance in “Angaadi Theru’ was lauded with appreciations and it yielded her big accolades. When asked her

Akshay to be Ashutosh’s new action hero

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Sonam Kapoor wants sexy item number It seems Sonam Kapoor is itching for an image makeover. The actress says she would love to do a sexy item numbers. “No one asks me to do an item number. I am just asked to do classical type of films. So, I guess people have to start looking at me in that way and see me as a sexy item number girl,” Sonam says. The actress was recently seen in Pankaj Kapoor's 'Mausam' along with Shahid Kapoor. Although the film hasn't got great reviews, she is not upset.

“People have unanimously loved me in the film. I have not actually encountered too much criticism with it. So I don't know how I will deal with it but hopefully I will deal with it gracefully,” she added.

While many are wondering how Anil Kapoor manages to remain this young, Sonam spills the beans. "It's not botox for dad. It's all just genetic. I hope 'youth' remains in my genes as well. It's all natural.

Dad practises something called Bikram Yoga, and he remains forever young." Apparently, even Sonam practises Bikram Yoga. "I'm a part of a health oriented family. Whenever I miss a turn I have four people pushing me to exercise. They don't have to push me too hard though for I enjoy it, too!"

Sunny Deol comes to Esha's rescue Sunny Deol will promote sibling Esha Deol's 'Tell Me O Khuda', proving yet again why family comes first in Bollywood. There's no better example than Bollywood to prove that blood is indeed thicker than water. Sunny Deol is going all out to ensure that his half sister Esha Deol resurrects her acting career successfully with her mum Hema Malini's home production “Tell Me O Khuda.”

The plan is to get Sunny and Dharamji to be the face of the campaign and travel with Hema and Esha during their promotional tours. The relationship between Dharmendra's two families has surprisingly been good till date, given the circumstances. A source says, "The Deols' film Yamla Pagla Deewana has done well.”

Finally! Madhuri Dixit is back in India Madhuri Dixit Nene returned to India with her husband Dr Sriram Nene and two kids on Friday last. Fans and journalist gave a warm welcome to Bollywood's dhak dhak girl at Mumbai International airport.

She was accompanied by her parents. The actor has shifted base from Denver, US, where she has stayed for nearly a decade. Madhuri is planning to stay at her Juhi house after redoing it. Madhuri had announced earlier on Twitter that she is relocating to India in October. "Excited! Should be back in Mumbai by middle of October," she had written on her Twitter page.

Abhay Deol to sing again Actor Abhay Deol, it sees, has taken singing seriously after the success of “Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara.” After making his singing debut with the super hit number 'Senorita', he will now have another song to his credit in his forthcoming film “Rock The Shaadi” where he plays the character of a rock band member. Although when he sang his first song he took help of electronic voice modulation but not this time around! He is actually doing the hard work and learning to sing! “Rock The Shaadi” is a funny comedy. Here Abhay will be seen opposite Genelia D'Souza for the first time. It is being produced

by Ekta Kapoor and directed by Navdeep Singh.

18

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Britain’s biggest car parts distributor began on a shoe string budget Dear Financial Voice Reader, Here in the US, the home of the credit crunch, they seem to be blaming the Europeans and President Obama. Well I had lunch last week with a former Board Member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee and Board Director of BP and her insights were very useful – and I agreed with them – the Europeans will find a way for the Union to remain and the Greeks to pay less but that we will see these problems of volatility continue.

And it is volatility which kills you in the markets. I mean one day up and one day down – or wild daily or weekly price swings. So how to you handle volatility and is it just short lived. Well firstly volatility is here to stay. Statistics show the markets have become more and more volatile over time. Little wonder when you consider how interconnected the world is. For instance a volcano erupts in Iceland and farmers in Kenya go bankrupt (because flights cannot take their flowers to Europe).

This interconnectedness means there is no ringfencing in the real world. You can try to ring-fence one part of a bank from another in the hope of limiting contagion and risk, but there is no ringfencing in the real world and because of that volatility increases.

So we need to get used to world of greater volatility. How do we make money from that? One way I like to get ideas is to look at what some of the best and brightest are doing. I don’t want to read about it in the FT – it’s too late by then. I research it in other ways.

At the moment there is an increase in ‘black swan’ hedge funds. These are funds which bet on extreme events happening. So for years they may make nothing, but then the market collapses and they make.

Why are these funds increasing? Because people expect negative things to happen, they just don’t know what and when. So we can either try to profit from extreme events, or from a return to normality afterwards.

There are three ways to do this: First, in betting on extreme falls you can learn about ‘out of the money’ index put options. This is too complicated for most people, and risky, and the way they work is that if the market falls, they go up in price. Oftentimes they will shoot up extremely high.

But if the extreme price move does not happen – you lose your money. It’s a bit like an insurance policy. You lose most of the time, then you get pay day. Does pay day beat the losses? Depends how often the extreme move happens.

The next way is the return to normality. This is where anytime the market drops 10%, you buy. Of course it could drop more and more and more, but you keep buying. Don’t bet the whole house on it, but you are a long term buyer and you bet the FTSE 100 will revert back. For each 10% drop you put in, say, 10k of stock purchases. If it drops 50% - you have 50k invested.

The final way is also to do with normality. You don’t wait for any drops. You just buy and hold for 23 year periods, ignoring everything in between, in good solid old boring large stocks – like Coca-cola.

We’re always gonna need a Coke even if the market is down. Or Gillette – gonna need to shave.

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Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, 52, is Britain's biggest distributor of parts for cars and light commercial vehicles. He stands to make a further £55m if the company hits growth targets for 2012 and 2013.

Mr Singh was 13 when his family fled from Idi Amin’s Uganda, spending time in a refugee camp that he later said "shaped my DNA".

Arriving in Britain, he found the markets of Petticoat Lane and Liverpool Street more to his liking than school.

"From the age of 15, I was in the thick of commercial life," he said.

His break came in 1978 when he borrowed money from his father and Barclays bank to buy a

Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia

struggling car parts shop in Willesden, north London, called Highway Autos. "On my first day, a customer came in looking for a part and had to help me find it," Mr Singh once said, recalling how the shop carried 2,000 to 3,000 lines of stock.

Having extended opening hours to 7 am to 7 pm for every day except Sunday, Mr Singh raised

sales ten-fold to £4m and quickly set about opening new stores.

Today, Wembley-based Euro Car Parts has 90 branches across the UK, employing more than 3,500 people and supplying 114,000 parts.

Originally focusing on BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Volkswagen parts, the business now spans all major car makers.

Turnover rose 45 pc to £272m last year, though pre-tax profits slipped from £17m to £15.8m. The company opened a 400,000 sq ft national distribution centre in Tamworth and won contracts with the RAC and Kwik-Fit. Mr Singh and his team will continue running the

business and expects to benefit from the US company's access to fresh capital for expansion.

"This new partnership with LKQ will help the Euro Car Parts management team to continue our rapid expansion in the UK market and to explore additional opportunities throughout Europe," Mr Singh said.

One source who knows him well said: "He's a phenomenal entrepreneur, incredibly driven and very bright and personable.

He's got a good insight into people."

Mr Singh takes a simple approach to business, once saying: "My philosophy is that the customer is always right, even when he is wrong.

Lycamobile slashes landline call rates to 40 countries Lycamobile, the largest global provider of low cost international mobile calls, announces the lowest ever rate for landline and mobile calls to India and China from a mobile phone. Now, mobile and landline calls to India and China are just 1/2p/minute. It has also slashed landline call rates to 40 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Poland by 50% to 1/2p/minute until 31st October.

“Our long term investment in technology, people, processes and brand is

now delivering the scale of operation that allows us to invest in compelling customer offers. We will continue to work harder for customers to earn their loyalty and to consolidate our position as the leading global provider of low cost international mobile calls,” commented Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile.

Milind Kangle, CEO of Lycamobile, added, “In these times of austerity and economic hardship, I am delighted that at Lycamobile we are making significant investments to

help our customers save money to stay in touch with their near and dear ones. At a time when the cost of living is steeply rising, we would like to help our customers stretch their budget when they need it most. This 50% slash in rates to only 1/2p/minute is the lowest ever rate for mobile and landline calls to India and China from a mobile phone.”

About Lycamobile: Lycamobile is a prepaid mobile SIM card provider that provides low-cost, high-quality international and national calls to over

6.5 million customers across 14 countries (UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Australia, France, Germany, Poland and Ireland). Lycamobile is distributed through a European network of more than 500,000 retail outlets.

The brand was initially introduced in The Netherlands in 2006 and is already Europe’s largest pre-pay MVNO. Lycamobile continues to grow rapidly with further market launches planned throughout 2011 and 2012.

India’s private airlines battling for survival India’s private airlines began the year optimistically, as soaring passenger numbers raised hopes that profits were finally on the horizon. But while Indians are flying in record numbers, the airlines are still bleeding, wounded by surging fuel prices and fierce price wars with ailing state carrier Air-India.

Already burdened with years of accumulated losses, the private airlines are battling for survival, and some of the weaker ones could be forced out of business even as Air-India – the most indebted of all – is kept aloft by a taxpayerfunded lifeline.

Air-India, which has estimated debts exceeding $9bn and is expected to lose another $1.5bn this year, was forced by a pilot strike to ground most of its domestic flights for 10 days earlier this year.

Since then it has fought back by cutting its domestic fares by between 15 per cent and 20 per cent.

“Some of these airlines are at a critical stage,” said Kapil Kaul, the south Asia chief executive of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

Industry executives say the fare-slashing by Air-

India – which received $425m in government handouts in the past two years and is looking for more – has pressured private airlines to hold down their own fares even as more crowded planes should have brought them greater pricing power.

“In the current calendar year, Brent crude went from $80 to $125 per barrel, while Air-India decided to halve their fares to justify their huge capacity expansion,” says Ravi Nedungadi, chief financial officer for the UB Group, the parent company of Kingfisher Airlines.

Mr Kaul said Air-India is playing “the most lethal, below-the-belt pricing games” by selling tickets below cost while counting on the cushion of government funds.

“It’s going to turn out

to be a disastrous year for everyone,” he says.

“When fuel is at a peak, and you are pricing below cost, the damage on your balance sheet is going to be of a very significant order.”

That was evident in airlines’ earnings for April to June, the first quarter of India’s financial year.

Analysts warn that the second quarter, a traditionally lean season for domestic travel in India, will probably be worse.

Kingfisher, owned by Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya, lost Rs 2.6bn ($52m), compared with a net loss of Rs 1.87bn in the same period last year.

Jet Airways lost Rs 1.23bn compared with a net Rs 35m profit previously, while low-cost carrier SpiceJet lost Rs 719m, far worse than analysts’ forecasts.

Indian airlines do not lack for demand. Domestic passenger numbers have rebounded strongly since the 2008 global financial

crisis, rising 19 per cent in 2010 to an all-time high of 52m and surging another 18 per cent in the first half of 2011.

But that has failed to translate into financial reward in an industry that New Delhi still views – and taxes – as a decadent luxury sector rather than an integral part of a growing economy.

Among Indian private carriers, Kingfisher, tied with Indigo as the country’s second-largest airline with 19 per cent market share, is in the most critical condition. It reached a deal in November to restructure about $1.3bn in debt but had to postpone plans to raise $500m in new equity.

Jet Airways, which together with low-cost subsidiary Jet Lite is the country’s biggest airline with 26 per cent market share, has been trying for years to raise about $400m in new equity but has also put plans on hold.

Mr Nedungadi says Kingfisher is looking to convert some of its highcost rupee debt to lowercost US dollar-denominated debt, and may sell some of its real estate holdings to raise funds.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

19

The New Growth Sector Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director Sow & Reap A Property Investment & Financing company.

The credit crunch has led to an unprecedented growth in renting properties for the purposes of growing a very specialised crop. This crop used to be grown in exotic locations overseas, but now this industry has come to the UK in a big way, when you look at the cash flow of this industry, it is easy to see why this sector has exploded. The cash rich nature of this crop means a lot of energy is being put into its continued growth in the UK. The crop is known as cannabis or Marijuana and a variety of other street names.

Properties have been taken from landlords and have been passed to apparently very well to do tenants having passed referencing from professional agencies such has Paragon who specialise in only referencing.

A few months back a gentleman who was also an agent had rented his property for £1,600 pm to a respectable Chinese couple who were both Chartered Accountants, earning a combined salary of £94,000.

The tenants had been referenced by Paragon and passed. A month’s deposit and one month’s rent was taken upfront as per usual practise.

Two months after the tenants moved in the landlord receives a call from a policeman telling him to come to his property immediately.

His beautiful four bedroomed semi detached property in Harrow had been turned into a cannabis factory. Decked out with infra red lamps, ventilators and pots of marijuana.

The proper ty had severe wat er damage, ce ilings and wa lls had been knocked thr ough t o allow ventila tio n, wiring had been ripped out. I n order to reduce their overheads a n electr ic feed had been taken from a near by lamp post, as the electr icity con sumpt ion is huge. After all business is not a bout turnover but reducing your costs too.

The damage has run into the tens of thousands. The damage on the property is not covered by buildings insurance. And one should be very careful to ensure they have complied with the small print to ensure the damage will be covered, there are some rent warrantee policies to cover this type of damage. Below is an actual picture of one of the rooms.

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Only this week on Monday early morning I get a call from a longstanding client who’s based in Epsom and owns a property in Kingsbury. The property is a four bedroom house in the prime areas of Kingsbury, it had been rented for 9 years without any issues and late payment of rent. The rental being received was £1300pm. The property became empty in July of this year, naturally after 9 years with the same tenants the property had become a bit dated.

To re-rent the property he contacted a firm who advertised themselves on Sunrise radio. The agent went around to the property and mentioned something about the need for refurbishment and perhaps applying for a grant to help refurbish it in exchange for giving it back to the council for a 5 year period. Two weeks later the agent stated the property must be vacant for a 6 month period to be eligible e for this grant. He suggested he had someone to rent the property for 6 months in its current state. So our client thought better to have half a chapatti than none, and therefore agreed to go ahead with the rental.

The agent of course took all their commission upfront and after the so called cleaning expenses the client was left with £259 in the first month and then £750 the following month as the agent was kind enough to split his fees over a 2 month period.

Apart from this he got nothing but false promises from the agent.

The property was rented on a let only basis, and a reference was provided by the agent to state they have worked with this tenant before and he pays his rent with no other ID documents regarding the tenant.

The agent was never given authority to sign for the landlord but sign he did.

Funnily enough the agent simply returned the key to the landlord on the Tuesday and washed his hands from the property and simply said there was something strange going on in the property. The landlord went to visit the property on a Sunday as he has a very busy week running a dry cleaning agent during the week. What he saw shocked him on arrival to the property, he discovered the property was being used to grow drugs. The kitchen had stale food rotting away in there, there were watering and heating pipes all around the property.

The damage has been estimated to be in the region of £20,000 to £25,000, an appointment was made with the police for the following day.

Below are Signs to look out for: l Windows blacked out with black plastic or heavy fabric l Electric wiring which has been tampered with l Powerful lights on all the time. l Large tubes like washing machine tubes can be seen protruding out

The remaining three rooms had cannabis worth £75,000. With a four week crop cycle, the remaining four rooms had already been harvested. With figures like these it is easy to see this is a strong cash flow enterprise, each room will generate £25,000 every 4 weeks over the year this equates to a turnover of £2.1m on one property. It is easy to see why this literally is a mushrooming business. The extent of this problem has grown, so many Police Stations have set up units to deal specifically with this problem.

the window. l Bags of vegetation l Reflective materials, bulbs If you spot these signs it is always advisable you contact the police in the first instance.

Stunning Views across Little Venice - £390,000 4 Spacious 3 bedroom, first floor flat - rarely available on the market 4 Stunning views over the Regents Canal from bedroom window above is an actual picture of the scenery 4 This will ensure the property rents and sell like a hot cake 4 Perfectly located in a safe area with playgrounds and primary school around the corner and close to Paddington great for families.

4 Within walking distance to Warwick Avenue underground station and within easy reach to local buses.

4 Excellent rental investment, can produce rental of around £500pw and generate a positive cash flow of £7500 per annum after all expenses.

4 Bright living room and kitchen, south-west facing thus offering plenty of sunshine during the day and overlooking communal gardens.

4 Long-lease and low outgoings 4 Good decorative order, ready to be let-out.

4 This property we believe is about 10% below the True Market Value 4 The biggest point in this deal is NOT the discount, its the views, this will ensure this property rises and rents well in years to come

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now: Specialists in: l Property Sourcing l Mortgages l Commercial Finance l India Properties

UK Sales 0207 313 4595 India Sales 0203 384 5323

Tips of the Week l A property bought in a personal name can be treated as a company asset via a trust agreement l The more unique a property the stronger it will rise in price

Westbourne House, 14-16 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RH

20

financial voIce

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Amit Patel has over 15 years experience in the field of Leadership and Human Resource Management

Connecting The Dots

maria@abplgroup.com

Maria Fernandes

Letting the cat out of the bag The Tory conference has been dominated by the mistaken comments by Theresa May, the Home Secretary that a cat was the reason why the Human Rights Act should be abolished. It turns out the judge merely pointed out in the course of the judgment that this was evidence (amongst others) of the fact that the relationship was a committed one.

For some time now there has been talk of the abuse of the Human Rights Act and the need to take control by the introduction of a UK Bill of Rights.

The thinking behind these reasons are more about capturing headlines and less about achieving anything tangible.

All the Human Rights Act does is to provide a domestic forum for challenging rights which prior to 2000 were con-

ducted by bringing the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Some may remember the slogan Bringing Human Rights home. We are and remain a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. If we abolish the Human Rights Act cases will simply return as before to Strasbourg to be considered.

It is theoretically possible to cease to be a signatory of the Convention.

However this will not help as we are part of EU law which recognises the Convention under the Treaty of the European Union. Therefore even if we are not directly signatories of the Convention we will still be bound by it. In order to get out of the Convention we would have to cease being part of the EU. And as for a UK Bill

of Rights it, as I have pointed out in previous articles, recognises the existence of human rights and is seeking to enhance rather than restrict these rights.

The Human Rights already does this.

So what is the fuss about? Are we serious about ending human rights which we have advocated strongly over the years and more poignantly during the rise of the Arab Spring?

There will always be bad examples or the misuse of the law. That in itself is not an excuse to justify fundamental changes.

Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 25 years.

Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 02087330123, by email on info@fernandesvaz.com.

With the passing away of Steve Jobs last week, I thought a fitting tribute to a genius of our time would be to quote some lessons he passed on to graduates of Stanford University in 2005.

“I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a dropin for another 18 months or so before I really quit.

So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates. She only agreed to sign the adoption papers when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help

me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the

By Amit Patel

Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts.

And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

Air India gets US Exim Bank loan guarantee Twiss, the fruit carbonated

Ahead of a meeting of Group of Ministers (GoM) to finalise Air India's financial restructuring plan, the US Exim Bank has decided to give loan guarantees of USD 1.3 billion to support the airline's fleet acquisition from aerospace company Boeing.

A decision to this effect was taken last week in Washington by the Board of Directors of the ExportImport Bank of the US. The bank approved USD 1.3 billion in loan

transactions in total will support the export of 30 Boeing aircraft to the state- owned, national flag carrier of India," it added.

Air India has pending orders for 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the deliveries of which are expected to begin in the next two months. These are part of the 68-aircraft order placed by the national carrier with the US plane manufacturer.

This support would enable Air India to raise

guarantees supporting Boeing commercial aircraft sales to Air India, a statement said after the board meeting.

In addition to these final commitments, the board also approved a USD 2.1 billion preliminary commitment to support future deliveries of Boeing aircraft to Air India, it said.

"Upon approval of the conversion of the preliminary commitment into a final commitment, the

finances for acquiring latest technology aircraft at competitive interest rates compared to commercial financing, official sources said.

The Group of Ministers (GoM), at its next meeting later this month, is likely to take a final call on the acquisition of these planes whose deliveries have been delayed by almost three years due to various factors, including strikes by Boeing workers.

Despite frauds, India remains a great place to do business Many multinational companies are keen to grab the offers of business from firms looking to come out of India to expand their marketplaces and do business with companies for direct group sales. Inspite of corporate frauds, India remains a great place to do business, says a key player in the business investigations world.

KPMG India's latest bi-annual fraud survey indicates that almost half of respondents, including Chairmen and MDs, CFOs and other senior management personnel across var-

Worldbox identifies financial irregularities on behalf of international businesses looking to sign deals with Indian companies.

One of the more commonplace deceptions is the misuse of Permanent Account Numbers (PANs) - the unique ten-digit alphanumeric identifiers issued by the Indian income tax department to individuals and firms.

Ashok Paranjape CA, a Worldbox director in India explains: "Based upon a PAN or Import Export License, we can ascertain the validity of a person or

ious industry segments experienced fraud in the last two years.

However, Adrian Ashurst of the Swissbased business background and investigations company Worldbox believes these figures are somewhat exaggerated.

“We research many companies in India and I would say a lot of them are pretty solid. I think you could say that there’s a degree of risk there, but I don’t see it as being extremely high,” he says.

Through its background-checking service,

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company: whether they are legitimate. We do come across instances of them being forged.”

Similarly, we sometimes come across businesses claiming themselves to be registered companies when they are really not.

Adrian explains what to look out for broadly, when doing due diligence on a company in India...

"One sure way to check a company initially, is if people have been in business for a long period of time. The age of the company can indicate the stability of the company," he says.

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soft drink hits market

have also been registered by the Vegetarian Society of UK for their suitability for vegetarians. It is available in select ethnic outlets in London, Greater London, Midlands and the North in 330 ml cans.

Twiss plans to connect with youth through the platform of music and social media.

Twiss’ Facebook page has exciting prizes going out every week for various competitions. You can follow the hottest tunes in UK with the Twiss Spotify playlist.

For trade enquiries, please contact: 0203 435 8 3 9 0 . V i s i t facebook.com/twissdrinks to catch up on the latest activities of Twiss and find where Twiss is available.

Twiss with its refreshing taste is the latest entrant to the £452 million fruit carbonated soft drink category in UK. This drink represents the growing aspirations for a new range of soft drinks with delightful flavours and tastes. Twiss products have been designed by combining complementing fruits to enhance the thirst quenching experience with fun and adventure. It is available in 3 exciting flavours: Twiss Mango with a twist of Lime, Twiss Passion fruit with a twist of Orange and Twiss Lemon with a twist of Mint.

All flavours contain real fruit juice and are free from artificial colours and sweeteners. The drinks

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

21

Foreign Exchange Rajesh Agrawal is the Chairman & CEO of RationalFX, Currency Specialists.

For any further information call 020 7220 8181 or e-mail info@rationalfx.com

Risk Appetite opens market The dollar started last week by being the strongest currency out of the majors as Eurozone woes continued to weigh heavily on the markets.

Due to the recent intervention early this month in the Swiss franc by SNB, caused the USD to be the main safe haven of choice as intervention risks against the USD/JPY were also a major possibility.

The Euro dropped on Thursday and Friday last week as the ECB cut their growth and inflation forecast with further problems ensuing from Germany’s government having talks about preparing for a Greek default.

This caused the Euro to hit the 1.17 level against the sterling and causing the EUR/USD to trade as low as the 1.31 mark.

Recently, as you all know, the markets have taken a hit due to risk aversion and great distress around the future of the Eurozone and its implication to the world markets. US has also had a big part to play as their debt continues to spiral out of control.

An agreement about the future of Greece has yet not been decided and if they

default then this could raise further questions about the future and unity of the Eurozone.

There was also some more negative news with Dexia bank, the largest Belgium bank in Europe, on the verge of collapse but managed to get a bail out. If it collapsed this would have sent tremors throughout the banking industry throughout the world.

However despite the problems in the Eurozone since the end of last week there has been a lot of confidence bought back into the market.

Risk appetite has been rekindled due to the recent meeting with Merkel from Germany and President Sarkozy from France agreeing to make a decision by the end of the month with regards to the Greek problem. They are also due to decide on the avenues to take to ensure that the Eurozone can overcome their debt issues and how to start bringing Eurozone back to growth.

Since this news the Euro has been the main leader in the market gaining strongly against all the major curren-

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 11th October 2011 @ 3.30pm GBP - INR = 76.92 USD - INR = 49.23 EUR - INR = 66.92 GBP - USD = 1.56 GBP - EUR = 1.15 EUR - USD = 1.36 GBP - AED = 5.74 GBP - CAD = 1.61 GBP - NZD = 2.00 GBP - AUD = 1.57

cies, but this could be very short lived if they do not come out with the promised comprehensive package agreed by France and Germany.

Now the questions are if Eurozone are holding off their problems and brushing them under the carpet to buy time till the end of the month? If no firm resolution is made then will risk aversion will be back on the cards just before

the festive season?

If a default is announced, what implications will this have on the Eurozone? How long can the Eurozone keep the world hidden from their problems?

There are still many questions, actions and resolutions to be made with no sign of something firm being put on the table, which could mean that risk aversion could be very short lived.

GBP - ZAR = 12.41 GBP - HUF = 339.51

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22

PAKIstAn-BAnglAdesh-srI lAnKA

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

US ready to part ways with Pakistan In focUS Washington: The United States has signaled that it is ready to part ways with Islamabad if Pakistan's military does not mend its ways of using terrorism as a policy tool.

Various US interlocutors have now gone public with allegations long suppressed about Pakistan's dalliance with terrorism, but president Obama himself led the charge at his White House press conference with a public disquisition about Pakistani follies that reverberated across South Asia policy circles.

The US president stopped short of terming Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism but left no doubt about what he and his

Plot to kill Karzai foiled

Kabul: Afghan intelligence officials say they have arrested six people who they believe were planning to assassinate President Hamid Karzai. The alleged plotters had recruited one of Mr Karzai's bodyguards, the officials said.

The authorities are said to be investigating possible links to the militant Haqqani network.

Militants have killed a string of high-profile figures in Afghanistan in recent months. "A dangerous and educated group including teachers and students wanted to assassinate President Hamid Karzai," National Directorate of Security (NDS) spokesman Lutfullah Mashal said.

"Unfortunately they infiltrated the presidential protection system and recruited one of the president's bodyguards."

Mr Mashal said those arrested had ties with a member of al-Qaeda and the Haqqani network based in North Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan.

Officials said the six were arrested a week ago and were said to have carried out training for the attack last month. An Afghan government official said that the NDS was still hunting for others involved in the alleged plot.

Barack Obama

administration thought of a country only nominally regarded as an ally. After a token acknowledgement of its partnership and cooperation, Obama accused Pakistan of interaction with "unsavory characters" and "connection...with certain individ-

uals that we find troubling," - barely disguised euphemisms for consorting with terrorists.

The US president then delivered a telling message to Pakistan and its supporters who have long argued that Washington will never ditch Islamabad, saying, "there is no doubt that we're not going to feel comfortable with a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan if we don't think that they're mindful of our interest as well."

The one caveat Obama laid down in the near future though was the US desire to "help the Pakistani people strengthen their own society and

their own government" in the context of various crises facing the country."

And so I'd be hesitant to punish aid for flood victims in Pakistan because of poor decisions by their intelligence services," he added.

The US president's brutally candid observations dissecting the Pakistani neuroses vis-avis India shocked US policy circles that have long been circumspect about Pakistani backing of terrorism because of US dependence on the country for a supply route to landlocked Afghanistan.

But Obama showed that he was not going to be constrained by the logistical boondoggle.

Bangladesh opposition holds anti-government march Dhaka: Bangladesh's main opposition leader and thousands of her supporters held a cross-country caravan to demand that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government resign and call new elections. Khaleda Zia led more than 15,000 of her supporters from her office in the capital, Dhaka, in central Bangladesh to Sylhet city, 120 miles to the northeast, according to Zia's spokesman, Fakhrul Islam.

Zia was to address several roadside rallies on the way to Sylhet, and the caravan was expected to reach Sylhet. Riot police were monitoring the convoy of about 3,000 jeeps

and minibuses, but no violence was immediately reported.

Bangladesh's next general election is not due until 2014, but the opposition is trying to pressure the government to announce early polls. Zia's four-party opposition alliance has accused Hasina's 2-year-old government of failing to control inflation and keep law and order.

Inflation has crossed 12 percent in recent months, up from 8 percent three years ago.

Meanwhile, the nation's two stock markets have plunged, prompting street protests and clashes between police and

investors. The government has blamed novice investors, saying they have bought stocks without understanding the markets.

Zia also accuses the government of failing to control prices and of unleashing a "reign of terror" by activists from its student and youth wings.

The youth wings of various parties are often accused of violence.

The former prime minister has also criticized the government's abolishment of a 15-year-old system under which elections were overseen by independent caretaker administrations after the end of a government's five-year term.

J&K not an integral part of India: Pakistan United Nations: In provocative comments, Pakistan on Tuesday claimed that Jammu and Kashmir has never been an "integral part" of India and sought a UN-led plebiscite to determine the will of the Kashmiri people, evoking an angry rebuttal by India which termed the remarks as "unwarranted".

"Jammu and Kashmir is neither an integral part of India, nor has it ever been so," Tahir Hussain

Andrabi, Counsellor at Pakistan's Permanent Mission to the UN, said during a debate at the General Assembly.

Raising New Delhi's hackles Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Raza Bashir Tarar said: "In South Asia, the inalienable right to self-determination of the people of J-K had been recognized by a number of Security Council resolutions... Indeed, the UN decolonisation agenda

would be incomplete without resolution of the J-K dispute." He, however, said Pakistan was committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Responding to the statement, Indian representative R Ravindra (First Secretary) said the reference made by the Pakistani official to Jammu and Kashmir "is unwarranted and completely irrelevant to the work of this Committee."

India wants to 'create anti-Pakistan Afghanistan': Musharraf Washington: As concerns mounted over Pakistan's military and intelligence links with terror groups, the country's former military ruler Gen Parvez Musharraf has accused India of seeking to "create an anti-Pakistan Afghanistan".

D e s c r i b i n g Afghanistan as a proxy war between India and Pakistan, Musharraf claimed at a forum here that Afghanistan was sending its "diplomats, soldiers and intelligence staff" to India where they were being indoctrinated against Pakistan.

Without dwelling on recent charges by top US

Pervez Musharraf

military officials that Pakistan's military intelligence was running terror groups like the Haqqani network, Musharraf said US needs to understand Islamabad's "sensitivities about Afghanistan's relationship with India".

In Afghanistan, there is some kind of a proxy conflict going on between Pakistan and India," he said. "India is trying to create an anti-Pakistan Afghanistan.

Musharraf made the charges as part of the rolling panels at the Washington Ideas Forum taking place at the Newseum. It came as President Barack Obama voiced concern over Pakistan's military and intelligence links with extremists, observing the US finds this "troubling."

Obama said that Pakistan should realise that a peaceful approach towards India would be in

"everybody's interests."

Without naming the Haqqani network with whom Pakistan's spy agency ISI is suspected to be having links, Obama described the extremists as "unsavoury characters".

The former Pakistan military ruler said India did not seek to take over Pakistan militarily but charged that it wants to dominate Pakistan in the area of foreign policy, economic policy, trade and commerce.

He claimed that when he was in power he had offered Afghanistan free military training but "not one man has come to Pakistan for training."

India, Pak to give multiple-entry visas to traders

Islamabad: India and Pakistan have agreed to solve visa problems faced by businessmen of both countries by issuing multiple-entry visas valid for a year, Pakistani commerce minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim said. All controversial issues between the two countries will be discussed one by one, he said. It had also been agreed during his visit that India will not oppose the World Trade Organisation waiver sought by the European Union for granting duty-free access for certain goods from Pakistan, he added. Foreign minister spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua, said commerce Minister Fahim had concluded a "good visit" to India during which the two countries agreed that their commerce secretaries would meet again in November to discuss ways to enhance trade.

Pak to repatriate Laden family Islamabad: Pakistan has contacted governments of Saudi Arabia and Yemen for the repatriation of slain alQaeda chief Osama bin Laden’s three wives and their children. “We have now completed our investigations and pieced together all that we wanted to know from these family members,” a senior Pakistani intelligence official said. “I believe the Americans have done their interrogation, so I don’t think there is further need for US access to these people. Pakistan gave access to US officials some time back,” one of the official said. Bin Laden’s family, including his two Saudi and a Yemeni widow, has been in the custody of Pakistani security agencies since he was killed by US special forces during a raid in the garrison town of Abbottabad on May 2.

Pakistani accused of spy links in US dies Islamabad: A doctor charged in the United States with working for Pakistan's spy agency to influence American lawmakers on their policy toward the disputed Kashmir region has died in Islamabad after suffering a stroke. Dr Zaheer Ahmed was one of two people accused in the case, which has complicated strained relations between Pakistan and the United States. Hospital spokesman Azmatullah Qureshi says Ahmed died after a stroke on Sept. 28. US prosecutors accused Ahmed of recruiting people to act as straw donors who would give money to a pro-Kashmir group in Washington that really was coming from the Pakistani government.

Pakistani N-plant resumes operation Islamabad: Pakistan's Chashma nuclear power plant, which was shut for past one week, resumed operations.

The plant, located in eastern Punjab province, has a capacity to generate 300 MW of electricity. The water and power ministry spokesman said that Chashma has started generating electricity. According to the official, the total demand for electricity in the country currently stands at 14,000 MW, against the supply of 13,200 MW. Pakistan this week witnessed violent protests, mainly in the Punjab province, over long hours of power cuts.

Restore electricity or face suicide attack, Taliban tells Pak Islamabad: A Taliban commander in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region has warned that he will send suicide bombers to target top officials of a state-run power utility if electricity is not restored in the area, a media report said. Maulana Abdul Khaliq Haqqani issued a strongly worded statement that threatened the company.

Romney warns Pak against playing double game in Afghanistan Washington: Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney is talking tough on Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of playing both sides in the war in Afghanistan. The former Massachusetts governor told New Hampshire voters "It's pretty straight forward to say, 'Listen guys, you can't play both sides of this game.

You decide if you're with us or with them' ," he said.

Beijing increases investment in China-Pak railway Islamabad: Beijing has hiked investment in the ChinaPakistan railway, it was reported here. Pakistan welcomed China's cabinet decision to increase investment in major infrastructure construction projects in the two economic zones in Xinjiang, including the construction of the China-Kyrghyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the China-Pakistan railway. 'It reflects the vision of the leadership of the two countries to enhance connectivity between China and Pakistan,' Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Ambassador Masood Khan as saying in Beijing on Monday.

Karzai assails Pakistan for Taliban support Kabul: The Afghan president says Taliban insurgents "can't move a finger" without Pakistani support. Hamid Karzai spoke in an interview with the BBC that aired on the 10th anniversary of the US invasion. However, Karzai insists he doesn't mean to reprimand Pakistan but is simply saying what both nations already know in the hope of finding a solution to the conflict.

worLD

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

In focuS Barclays branch adviser faces jail

A Barclays Bank cashier based at a branch in Uxbridge in London is facing prison after topping up her friend’s current accounts with cash stolen from other customers. Lakhwinder Kaur, 32, used her colleagues' log in details to authorise almost £90,000 of transactions from the West London-based branch. Kaur was convicted at the Old Bailey on five counts of fraud. She is due to be sentenced on November 11.

Myanmar to release 6,359 prisoners Beijing: Myanmar plans to release 6,359 prisoners under an amnesty order, China's official news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday, citing Myanmar's state television and radio. A new official human rights body in Myanmar urged the president on Tuesday to release "prisoners of conscience" in an open letter in state media, which some took to be a sign that the reclusive state was preparing to free political prisoners within days.

Iranian actress awarded jail term, 90 lashes Melbourne: Actress Marzieh Vafamehr has been sentenced to a year in jail and 90 lashes by an Iranian court for her role in an Australian film on the limits imposed on artists in the Islamic republic. The film ‘My Tehran for Sale’ which won the 2009 Independent Spirit Inside Film award and the jury award for best feature film at the Trimedia Film Festival in 2010 has been directed by IranianAustralian Granaz Moussavi. It was production of Adelaide-based Cyan Films and the movie tells the story of a young actress in Tehran whose theatre work is banned by the authorities.

Dubai court awards death sentence to 2 Punjabis Jalandhar: An appellate court of Dubai has not only confirmed the death sentence of an already convicted Punjabi man in the case of murder of two men from Kerala in 2009 but also awarded capital punishment to another Punjabi, who was earlier awarded life imprisonment by the trial court. Ten other accused in the case - nine Punjabis and a Pakistani - have been sentenced to jail. The trial court had earlier awarded death sentence to Major Singh of Gurdaspur but the appellate court in its order on Monday also awarded capital punishment to Amarjit Singh of Batala.

Thai mafia kills 13 Chinese sailors Beijing: A drug mafia operating on the Mekong River in north Thailand’s Chiang Rai province shot dead 13 Chinese sailors, Thai and Chinese authorities said on Monday. The victims were crew members of two cargo ships attacked on October 5 in the “Golden Triangle”, where the borders of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet. It’s notorious for drug smuggling.

Dalai Lama cancels highly charged S.Africa trip Johannesburg: The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, cancelled a trip to South Africa that had put Pretoria in a bind between its biggest trading partner China and one of its modern heroes, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu. The Dalai Lama's office said that he cancelled the trip intended for him to attend Archbishop Tutu's 80th birthday celebration because South Africa, which has had his application paperwork for weeks, had not issued him a visa on time.

Last week, China agreed to $2.5 billion in investment projects with South Africa during a visit

Dalai Lama

by South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to Beijing.

South African President Jacob Zuma's African National Congress (ANC) government had come under pressure from China not to issue a visa to the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Road collisions kill 56 in China Beijing: At least 56 people have been killed in a series of road collisions in China, including 35 mainly young people travelling on a bus. The speeding bus hit a car on a motorway in northern China and rolled over throwing passengers onto the road. A further 10 people died in a 24-vehicle pile-up on a fog bound motorway in eastern Anhui province. Eleven others in central Henan province died when a truck crashed into a van.

The collisions all occurred on the last day of a weeklong national holiday.

More than 2,900 killed in Syria crackdown: UN Geneva: More than 2,900 people have been killed in the six months since the beginning of a crackdown on anti-government protests in Syria, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said. "According to the detailed list of names of individuals we've been keeping, the total number of people killed since protests began in Syria now stands at more than 2,900," Commission spokesman said. Colville said that figure could rise because "quite a lot more people" have been reported missing in Syria since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's government in mid-March, and the UN has yet to verify their whereabouts.

Beijing sees as a dangerous separatist.

Tutu said the government's action was a national disgrace.

"I really can't believe it.

The discourtesy is mind blowing," an emotional Tutu told a televised news conference from Cape Town.

He said the government's decision was reminiscent of how blacks were treated under apartheid and ignored how the South African masses were helped by the international community to end the oppression of white-minority rule.

"Mr. Zuma, you and your government don't represent me. You repre-

sent your own interests. I am warning you out of love, one day we will start praying for the defeat of the ANC government."

The ANC said Tutu's comparison of the ruling party with the former white apartheid government was "very unfortunate and totally misplaced".

"The ANC calls upon all South Africans to stay calm, including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and afford the government of South Africa the opportunity to take us all into its confidence around the Dalai Lama visa application and its subsequent withdrawal," it said in a statement.

Apple’s visionary Steve Jobs passes away Washington: Steve Jobs, who brought joy to the world by simplifying computers and phones, died last week following a seven-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The founder of Apple Inc and tech visionary is being mourned worldwide by millions whose lives he uniquely touched. Jobs died peacefully surrounded by his family, including his wife of 20 years and three children. Presidents, CEOs and other luminaries sent in glowing tributes, but a timeless sentiment came from an Apple head who tweeted, "Life is

smoother since we can touch instead of push."

It was a reference to the feather-light, touch-

Indeed, America is gutted, and the outpouring of sadness and veneration surpassed that given to any hero or icon in the modern era. Even Jobs' great peer and contemporary, Microsoft's Bill Gates, was stricken by the passing of his sometime rival. "For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely," Gates said in a statement, recalling that they have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.

driven operating process Jobs introduced that changed the look and feel of today's devices. US president Barack Obama summoned his trademark eloquence in a tribute to Jobs, who was just 56, calling him "among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it".

Twin blasts rock Bhutan ahead of King's wedding

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Credit card scam in US: 13 Indians charged Washington: In the biggest identity theft scam in the US history, 111 people, including at least 13 of Indian origin, have been charged by federal authorities for stealing credit card data of thousands of customers to buy high-end products worth over USD 13 million, including Apple gadgets and fancy bags from Gucci.

Among those indicted in 'Operation Swiper' are bank tellers, store employees and restaurant workers who allegedly skimmed customers' personal IDs. Many of the defendants are accused of going on nationwide shopping sprees, staying at five-star hotels, renting luxury automobiles and private jets with forged credit cards that contained the account information of unsuspecting American and European consumers.

23

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Kolkata: Days before Bhutan King's wedding, twin explosions rocked Phuentsholing on Monday evening, a small town bordering Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. Following the serial blast, state police have alerted cops in all six north Bengal district fearing further sabotage.

Locals at Jaigaon - the Indian town - yards away from Phuentsholing said that around 6 pm, they heard two huge thud within couple of minutes and people started running towards India through Bhutan gate in panic.

Bhutan police and Royal Bhutanese Army took control over the explosion site soon after the incident and closed down the border gate for security reasons.

Sources said two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were planted at the crowded market area of the town, hardly 50 meters from the border gate. "A bomb was hidden

in dustbin and another was planted behind flower tubs in front of Hotel Pelzong," sources said. Intelligence officers said that low intensity IEDs were used in the explosion.

Bhutan government is yet to announce the number of the injured, but sources said among dozens of injured one is an Indian citizen. "He is a native of Jaigaon. He went inside Bhutan for some work and sustained sharpnel injuries following the blast", said BL Balia, president of Jaigaon trader's association.

Intelligence officers have reasons to believe that militant groups who are against the Bhutan monarch have planned the explosion before the king's wedding ceremony.

Though intelligence officers are yet to confirm the group behind the blasts, they suspect the antimonarchy Communist Party of Bhutan (Maoist).

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24

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar Launches ‘Home & Decor’ special issue

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

Story of Parshurama (Part 2)

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar launched Home & Decor special issue on 8th Oct at Cambay Grand, Ahmedabad. The issue was launched by Mr Suresh Patel, the ex-president of The Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Development (GIHED). Others present on the dais were Mr Gaurang Mistri, numerologist, Mr Kamlesh Amin, Chief Executive Director of ABPL group and Ms Rachna Mandan, Business head of ABPL Group. Home & Décor is a 56- page issue giving details of real estate boom in India. The issue will serve as a guide for NRI property investment in Gujarat. (Detailed report in next issue).

(Photo: Prakash Digital Photolab & Studio)

Don’t vote for Cong, Anna Hazare appeals to Hisar voters

Anna Hazare and Manmohan Singh

In a fresh appeal, social activist Anna Hazare urged people in Hisar in Haryana not to vote for the Congress in the Oct 13 Lok Sabha by-election, alleging that the party is not committed to passing the civil society’s Jan Lokpal Bill.

The 74-year-old activist said he had some time back written to all the political parties seeking their support on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

“Most of the parties, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), replied to me affirming their support but I have not received any communication from the Congress,” he said.

Hazre said he would call off his anti-Congress campaign if the party commits to passing the Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session of parliament.

“If Congress is committed to passing the Jan Lokpal bill, then we would not hold any agitation.

Instead, we would appeal to the people to check the antecedents of the candidates and vote for the good ones,” he added.

The 10-minute video shows footage of Hazare’s movements in Delhi. In August, Hazare had held a 12-day fast in support of a stringent Lokpal Bill.

As Hazare's team campaigns against the Congress in Haryana, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to the anti-corruption crusader, assuring him of his commitment to a strong Lokpal Bill, which will combat graft among government servants. Dr Singh has also said that his government was looking keenly at electoral reforms, including the "Right to Reject" that Anna has been championing. The PM has said that political consensus is necessary on these issues, and that other political parties will be consulted for their assessment.

The Right to Reject means that in elections, voters will have the option to declare on their ballot paper that they do not like any of the listed candidates. If a significant number of voters indicate that they don't find any of the candidates worthy, the election would be declared void.

Even as the PM and Anna engage via letters (Anna had written to Dr Singh on September 21), the exchange of words between Team Anna and the Congress are getting sharper. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that he has a letter that proves the right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh or RSS has supported Anna's movement - a claim Anna has rejected earlier.

In Hisar in Haryana, which votes for its Lok Sabha MP, Anna's representatives tell voters their movement has no political colour. "It is just a people's movement," they insist.

The Hisar election has turned into a huge prestige point between the Congress and Mr Hazare's group of activists.

Team Anna has promised voters that a defeat for the Congress will prove to the party that its leaders must ensure that a new anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Bill (People's Ombudsman Bill) is passed in Parliament in the winter session. At rallies, Anna's representatives like Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi told people the Congress can be described as "a government of the corrupt."

In the previous article, we learnt that Rishi Bhrigu had come to his newlywed son’s house. Very pleased with the treatment and respect he got from Satyavati, his daughter-in-law, he told her to seek a boon. Satyavati asked her father-in-law to grant that sons be born to both her and her mother.

The rishi gave her two pots, given to him by the Devas after years of penance. He told her that when her mother was in her fertile period, she should embrace a peepal tree and eat the contents of the dark pot. Satyavati was asked to embrace an umbra tree and eat the contents of the light coloured pot during her fertile period. After granting this favour to his daughter-in-law, the rishi vanished.

When Satyavati related the incident to her mother, in her carelessness she exchanged the trees and the vessels. The rishi, even though very far away, divined what had happened and came to visit his son’s house again.

He told his daughter-inlaw of the mistake she had made. He told her that her father was a Kshatriya king and wanted a son to rule his kingdom.

Because of the exchange, a son would be born to her mother but he would

not rule the kingdom but would follow the path of a Brahmin and perform tapas. The son born to her, even though born in a Brahmin household, would have all the qualities of a Kshatriya.

Satyavati was shocked and begged her father-inlaw to do something to change the course of events. She wanted to give birth to a child who performed penance and tapas, not one who would become a warrior. After much persuasion, the rishi relented and told her that not her son, but her grandson would become a great warrior rishi.

Satyavati gave birth to a boy with a radiant aura whom the couple named Jamadagni. As the child

grew up, he became a rishi renowned for his knowledge of the Vedas and the scriptures. He performed deep penances and his face and aura had a bright lustre. At that time, there was a king called Prasenajit who had a beautiful daughter named Renuka. The king married Renuka to Jamadagni.

They built an ashram and started living there, with him spending his time in deep austerities.

Five children were born to Jamadagni, the youngest being Parshurama. Even though he was the youngest, he excelled his brothers in the knowledge of the Vedas and also of archery.

One day Renuka went to have a bath in the river.

Some distance away she saw the handsome king Chitraratha playing with his queen in the waters.

Seeing the beauty of the king, she was filled with lust for him and for some time fell into a faint in the water. On regaining consciousness, she returned to the ashram. Seeing the state she was in, Rishi Jamadagni, her husband, immediately knew what had happened and was filled with anger.

More next week.....

All past articles on the Mahabharata can be accessed from http://epaper.asianvoice.com or from http://www.3stepbreath.com/mahabharata.html

Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh passes away Renowned singer Jagjit Singh, known as much for his ghazals and bhajans as for his work in Hindi cinema, died here Monday after a brain haemorrhage. He was 70.

Singh was admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Sept 23 after he suffered brain haemorrhage. He is survived by his wife Chitra Singh.

A Padma Bhushan award recipient, Singh has sung from many popular Hindi films. He had also sung in several languages, including Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati and Nepali.

Singh's career boasted a repertoire comprising 50 albums. He gave voice to classic numbers like 'Kal chaudhavin ki raat', 'Honthon se chhoo lo tum', 'Koi ye kaise bataaye', 'Woh kaagaz ki kashti', 'Chitthi Na Koi Sandesh', 'Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho', 'Yeh daulat bhi le lo, yeh shohrat bhi le lo', , ', 'Hoshwaalon ko khabar kya' and 'Kiska chehra'.

Born in Rajasthan, Singh had four sisters and two

brothers and was known as Jeet by his family. He was the first Indian composer and, together with wife Chitra, the first

recording artist in the history of Indian music to use digital multi-track recording - for the album 'Beyond Time' (1987).

(Courtesy: The Times of India)

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Manmohan shoots down ministers' foreign trips Indian ministers' foreign travel plans have been grounded by the government's austerity drive. Till July 1 this year, prime minister Manmohan Singh had turned down as many as 24 foreign trip applications from members of his ministerial council, compared to 10 such refusals in the whole of 2010.

The change is stark considering that the PM had earlier been obliging almost all his colleagues.

In 2009, after the UPA returned to power, just one tour proposal was nixed. The only advice at that time was to avoid business class travel and ministers grudgingly flew, as one of them famously said, "cattle-class".

The curbs began in mid2010 and since then a stringent procedure is in place for ministers' overseas travel. The list of ministers whose tour plans have been rejected, obtained by through an RTI application, includes Vayalar Ravi, Farooq Abdullah, Salman Khurshid, Sushilkumar Shinde, Jairam Ramesh, Kumari Selja, M S Gill, Jitin Prasada, Sachin Pilot, Subodh Kant Sahay,

Ashwani Kumar, Harish Rawat, Preneet Kaur, Ajay Maken and Bharatsinh Solanki.

Tourism minister Sahay has turned out to be the unluckiest of all. Three of his tour proposals - to Germany in March; Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia in May and Canada in June - have been rejected.

Civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi is among those who have been grounded twice. First, his proposal to visit the US, Guadeloupe and France in the third week of March was turned down. Then in June, PM rejected his proposed tour to Toronto, Canada.

Similarly, renewable energy minister Farooq Abdullah was denied permission to go to Germany in March and to Italy in June. Power minister Sushilkumar Shinde was asked to stay back when he wanted to visit the UK in March this year. He was made to give up another tour to Stockholm towards the end of March. Housing and urban poverty alleviation minister Kumari Selja had to drop her trip to Kenya in April.

L K Advani begins 38-day Jan Chetna Yatra Sitabdiara (Bihar): Senior BJP leader L K Advani on Tuesday began his 38-day Jan Chetna Yatra from here to take on the UPA government on the corruption issue and press for return of black money stashed away abroad.

"I am formally launching my Jan Chetna Yatra against corruption and for bringing back black money stashed away abroad," Advani said at a public meeting at Gandhi Maidan, the starting point of the yatra which was flagged off by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Advani praised veteran socialist Jayprakash Narayan, saying he had brought along all nonCongress parties- other than the Communiststogether against the "corrupt" Congress government in the 1970s.

Drawing a parallel between the circumstances prevailing then and now, Advani said, "Corruption should end in this country. There should not just be a change of leadership but also a change in the system.

"People have today lost faith in the potential that this country has. The biggest achievement of this yatra would be to restore that belief," he said.

Advani said the inspiration for this yatra had come from the work carried out by Jayprakash Narayan.

The 84-year old leader also emphasised that the yatra is aimed at good governance and clean politics, as also the issues of Lokpal and for bringing back black money stashed away abroad.

"The success of all the past movements have been

Eye on early polls, Modi woos govt employees A day before Narendra Modi completes a decade in office, his government offered doles to state employees which will cost the state exchequer Rs 22.50 billion.

Modi government announced that it would pay cash for this year’s arrears of the sixth pay commission to nearly 4.53 lakh government employees and 3.47 lakh pensioners. A Diwali bonanza, the move is also being seen as a sign of early assembly polls, scheduled in December 2012. BJP leaders say the party has swung into action, with various programmes

being planned across the state even during the monsoon, considered unusual.

This year’s pay will be the third instalment of the arrears. In all, five instalments are to be paid to employees against the higher pay scales with retrospective effect from 2006. In 2009, when the state government announced implementation of the Centre’s sixth pay commission scales for the state employees, it had decided to deposit the arrears in five instalments in the general provident fund (GPF).

“There is nothing new

25

in the decision”, said a top government employees’ leader, Girish Raval.

“Last year’s arrears were also paid in cash, deposited in our bank accounts.

We had demanded that arrears of all five years be paid in cash and not deposited in GPF, as they have done in the Government of India,” he said.

The announcement said the state government has decided to pay another dearness allowance (DA) of seven per cent, with effect from July 1, 2011. “Till now, the government employees and pensioners get 51 per cent

DA. With the new announcement, the total DA will reach 58 per cent”, an official note said, adding, “Total burden on the state exchequer as a result of the two decisions has been calculated at Rs 22.50 billion.”

The Gujarat government also decided to increase the fixed pay given to vidya sahayaks, police lok rakshaks, education sahayaks and administrative sahayaks for five years, before their jobs are made permanent in the government. In a third decision, the state government has decided to create 50,000 new jobs.

in creating awareness among the people," Advani said, adding both the freedom struggle and Jayprakash movement had a similar aim of educating the people about the atrocities of the British and the corruption in Congress regime respectively.

The yatra will go through 23 states and four union territories. Advani, who is undertaking his sixth yatra, will visit the North-East, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu, Gujarat, the southern states as well as the pollbound states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand,

Punjab and Goa. Modi backs Advani's yatra Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi put to rest talk about his rift with Advani on Monday with a fresh post on his blog.

Modi said he has full faith in Advani and his Jan Chetna Yatra against corruption. Modi said, "One cannot help but feel pity for those who spread falsities that Advaniji , who from 1952 till today is sharing people's joys and sorrows, is undertaking this for attaining some post or position." Talk of the rift started after Modi's three-day Sadabhavana fast from September 17, which came close on the heels of announcement of the yatra.

Saying that the Jan Chetna Yatra would "inspire jan shakti," Modi added on the blog, "I have been honoured to have got the opportunity of closely working with honourable Shri Advaniji. It is extremely painful and shameful that some vested interests are spreading false rumours about Advaniji."

Supreme Court stays Kasab's death sentence

The Supreme Court of India stayed the death sentence awarded to Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

An apex court bench of Justice Aftab Alam and Justice C K Prasad stayed the death sentence till it hears his petition challenging his conviction and death sentence.

At the outset of the hearing, Justice Alam said that 'we have to afford him full opportunity' to defend himself as provided in the judicial system.

'That is the price we

have to pay to uphold the supremacy of law,' the court said.

Senior counsel Raju Ramachandran, who has been appointed amicus curiae (friend of the court) to defend Kasab, said: 'People may believe it otherwise, but the due process of law demands that the accused should be given full opportunity to defend his case in the highest court. 'Kasab was one of 10 Pakistanis who illegally sailed into India from Pakistan and launched the Nov 26-29 mayhem killing 166 people, including many foreigners.

India to train Afghanistan security forces In a major development, India has agreed to mentor the Afghan security forces as they gear up to deal with the drawdown of foreign forces by 2014. The proposal has been on the drawing board for six years since Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai first suggested it, but was not implemented as Pakistan was uncomfortable with the idea of Indiatrained forces on both its flanks.

The proposal to train the Afghan National Security Forces was included in the first-ever Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) signed

by Mr Karzai and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during their third extensive meeting this year.

India has started stepping up its exposure to the security scenario in Afghanistan by operationalising an airbase in Tajikistan, which has since been used to strike at the top leadership of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. It has also sought permission to reopen a hospital at Farkhor on the Afghan border.

The two sides would also cooperate more closely at the United Nations, one of the objectives being to help India gain a permanent seat on the Security Council.

In addition to dealing with political and security cooperation aspects, the SPA spells out trade and economic cooperation in much greater detail, cover-

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai (left) with Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

ing aspects ranging from assisting Afghanistan in developing trading routes to exploring for hydrocarbons and mineral ores the country is abundantly endowed with.

This means both countries will try to opera-

tionalise their trilateral MoU signed with Iran to end Afghanistan's landlocked isolation and dependence on Pakistan to reach the sea. It brightens India's chances of bagging a lucrative mining contract for Hajigak, said to be the

region's largest untapped reserve of iron ore, and provides an opportunity to hunt for oil in northern Afghanistan. Two MoUs — one in the field of mineral exploration and the other for the development of hydrocarbons — reflected the interest of both sides in these areas.

Releasing the SPA in four languages — Hindi, Pashto, Dari and English — the two sides also resolved to create a favourable trading and investment environment by simplifying customs and other procedures, starting air cargo operations and improving credit and insurance facilities.

As Dr. Singh and Mr. Karzai made it clear, the pact would not be directed against any state or a

group of states.

“The agreement on a Strategic Partnership creates an institutional framework for our future cooperation in the fields of political and security , trade and economic cooperation, capacity building and education, and social, cultural, civil society and people-to-people relations,” Dr. Singh explained in his statement to the media at the signing ceremony at the Hyderabad House.

Mr. Karzai's visit comes in the wake of the high-profile assassinations of the former Afghan President, Burhanuddin Rabbani, and Kandahar Provincial Council chief Ahmad Wali Karzai when they were engaged in the peace process.

26

InDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Split verdict by Gujarat High Court in Lokayukta case The Gujarat High Court delivered a split verdict on upholding the appointment of the state Lokayukta by Governor Kamla Beniwal.

The two-judge bench hearing the case filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of Narendra Modi against the Governor's order appointing Justice RA Mehta as the Lokayukta of the state was a split one. While Justice Akil Qureshi upheld the appointment of the Lokayukta by the Governor, Justice Sonia Gokani disagreed with Justice Qureshi.

The state government had challenged Governor Dr Kamla’s decision to appoint retired judge, Justice R A Mehta, as Lokayukta.

While Justice Akil Kureshi upheld the governor’s decision, Justice Sonia Gokani dissented.

She said, “While I agree with many of my brother judge’s observations, I am in disagreement on many of his findings.” The chief justice will now refer the case to a single judge bench.

As soon as Justice Kureshi completed dictat-

NIA arrests Kashmiri medical student in Delhi blast case

Officers of the National Investigation Agency collect evidence from the site of blast at the Delhi high court, in New Delhi.NIA has arrested a Kashmiri medical student who is alleged to be a 'key link' in the conspiracy behind the Delhi high court blast in September which killed 15 people and injured over 70.

Wasim Ahmed, a student of Unani medicine in Bangaldesh, was being questioned by the NIA in connection with the blast, official sources said.

There was no official word on whether Wasim was arrested near the Indo-Bangla border or the authorities in Dhaka had handed him over.

Of the three people arrested earlier by the NIA in connection with the Delhi blast, one has been let off. Wasim was also quizzed about the whereabouts of Hizbul Mujahideen operative Junaid Akram, believed to be one of the key conspirators in the Delhi blast, the sources said.

From the leads emerging in the case so far, the investigators suspect that it could be the handiwork of Pakistan-based terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen and not Harkat-ul-Jehad-Islami (HuJI) as believed earlier.

Information about Wasim was given by Azhar Ali, an overground worker of Hizb, who is in Kotbalwal Jail in Jammu since 2009,the sources said.

ing his judgment, the advocate g e n e r a l stood up to address the court. But the judge stopped him saying, “The suspense is not over yet.” Justice Dr. Kamla and Narendra Modi Gokani then corruption charges was began dictating her order, important as it gave peobut by then the court’s ple a chance to make an time was over. The state informed choice during government has chalelections. He added that lenged Justice Mehta’s this became more imporappointment saying the governor had not taken tant as trials in corruptionthe advice of the council of related cases were often ministers. The appointlengthy. Justice Kureshi ment was made even as also took into account the the then chief justice S J fact that the Lokayukta’s Mukhopadhaya and chief post was vacant for eight minister Narendra Modi long years. He concluded had a difference of opinthat the consultation ion. process between the chief minister and the chief jusJustice Kureshi rejecttice was over after the ed the government’s petichief justice rejected the tion, but agreed with the charges against Justice contention that the goverMehta. He said that in nor could not act on her such circumstances, the own except in “specially chief justice’s opinion preearmarked areas”. He upheld Justice Mehta’s vailed. appointment on the While Justice Qureshi ground that the upheld the appointment of Lokayukta’s report on Justice RA Mehta as the public functionaries facing Gujarat Lokayukta,

Justice Sonia Gokani on Tuesday annulled the warrant of appointment by the governor and asked the state government to appointment new Lokayukta in next four months.

Gokani had held the appointment by the governor contrary to the constitutional and statutory mandate and maintained that the governor cannot make the appointment by herself, without the advice of the council of ministers.

Quashing the appointment, Gokani ruled that the state government should appoint the Lokayukta in next four months. Justice Gokani further disagreed with her fellow judge on whether the consultative process which lead to the issuance of the order had been completed or not.

However, Justice Gokani ruled that going through the correspondence between the chief minister and the Chief Justice over Lokayukta appointment it was clear that the consultation process was still on and hence issuance of the order of appointment was constitutionally wrong.

2G scam: CBI books Maran brothers, Maxis boss The CBI on Sunday registered a case against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother and Sun TV managing director Kalanithi Maran, Malaysian billionaire and promoter of Maxis Communications T Ananda Krishnan, senior Maxis executive Ralph Marshal and three companies - Sun Direct TV, Maxis Communications and Astro All Asia - in the 2G scam.

The CBI case, which triggered raids on Monday at various places in Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad, alleges that Maran received kickbacks from the Malaysia-based Maxis immediately after it bought Aircel for $800 million. Aircel promoter C Sivasankaran has told the investigation agency that he was coerced by the Maran brothers to sell the telecom company to Maxis. “Maran, as the then telecom minister, favoured Maxis group in the takeover of Aircel, and in return investments were made by Maxis through Astro Network in Sun Direct TV owned by the Maran family,” a CBI officer said. Besides drawing in a second telecom minister—A Raja is already in Tihar jail as an accused in the 2G case—into the widening investigations into spectrum allocations, the CBI’s case is also the first one in the scam in which foreigners have

Dayanidhi Maran

been named as accused.

The agency has found that “Sivasankaran was coerced by Dayanidhi Maran to the extent that he finally sold off his company to Maxis”. A source said, “Just before the deal was struck, Ananda Krishnan had come to India several times and had meetings with Dayanidhi Maran at his office. Once the company was sold by Sivasankaran, Maxis was given licences following which it bought shares worth Rs 547 crore in Sun Direct at premium rates, despite the company (Sun) not having such a kind of market reputation at that time.” Officials said they would formally question Dayanidhi Maran and the other accused in the coming days but refused to comment on their arrest.

After filing the case, the agency conducted raids at nine places on Monday, including the Delhi and Chennai residences of Dayanidhi Maran, Kalanithi’s residence in Chennai as well as Sun Direct’s offices in Delhi and Chennai.

Reports said the residence of Apollo Hospital’s

Suneetha Reddy, who has been questioned by the CBI in the past, was also raided. CBI officials said they had seized documents that would further bolster their case. SC reserves order on plea for probe on PC’s role New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its order on Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy’s plea for a CBI probe into then finance ministerP Chidambaram’s alleged inaction, which allowed former telecom minister A Raja to allocate spectrum to mobile service providers at cheap rates.

Monday’s hearing before the SC saw Swamy countering CBI’s claim that the then finance minister came into the picture only after January 15, 2008, which was five days after the allocation. Swamy dug out documents from trial court records relating to a finance ministry file, showed notings to and alleged that Chidambaram was in the know of Raja’s plan as early as November 2007. The CBI countered advocate Prashant Bhushan’s plea it should investigate the roles of Anil Ambani, Datacom, Tata Teleservices and then solicitor general G E Vahanvati. It said the agency was an autonomous body and no one could direct that its investigations be carried out in a particular manner.

In focus 4,000 Chinese in PoK

The Indian security establishment is becoming increasingly concerned about the presence of around 4,000 Chinese construction personnel in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, even as infiltration levels across the Line of Control into J&K have recorded a sharp jump in recent days. The army chief’s remarks come shortly after defence minister A K Antony told Parliament last month that India has asked China to stop its infrastructure development activities in PoK. “We have conveyed our concerns to China and asked them to cease such activities,” he said.

17 killed in Orissa accident At least 17 people were killed and over 25 injured when a tipper truck carrying them overturned in Orissa's Koraput district. The accident occurred near the block headquarters town of Dasmantpur, about 550 km from here, when the people were returning home after celebrating the Dussehra festival at a nearby place. The people who have sustained injuries are being treated at the local hospitals. Some of them were critical, he said.

Boy of 13 beaten to death for coal theft in Jharkhand A 13-year-old boy was allegedly beaten to death by personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Jharkand's coal city Dhanbad. According to police, the boy was found dead near Ghanawadih colliery of Bharat Coking Cola Limited (BCCL) situated under Jharia coal belt. 'The villagers allege the boy was beaten to death by CISF personnel on charges of coal theft,' said P Shukla, officer in-charge of Jorapokhar police station. 'The local CISF unit has denied the allegations.

The identity of the boy has yet to be ascertained'.

NCP legislator jailed six months for assault Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco was jailed for six months after a court rejected his bail application in an assault case.Kapil Natekar, a junior engineer employed with the electricity department, had in 2006 filed a complaint against Pacheco after the latter assaulted him in his office following an argument. The former tourism minister was convicted by a trial court earlier this year and had appealed against this before the district and sessions court in Margao, 30 km from here. Pacheco, a controversial legislator, also has several complaints registered against him ranging from bigamy, culpable homicide, assault, extortion, money laundering and human trafficking, among others.Last year, he was in the news for the mysterious death of his alleged lover Nadia Torrado. He was granted conditional bail by a trial court in the culpable homicide case.

Indians to build world’s largest fridge for reactor Indian engineers will fabricate the world's largest highvacuum cold storage vessel for an ambitious international project to generate energy from a process that powers the sun. The vessel called the cryostat will be home to the international thermor nuclear experimental reactor, the largest and the most advanced facility of its kind being built in Cadarache, France. Scientists and engineers at the Institute of Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar will manufacture this mammoth cryostat in segments at a cost of 100 million euros and ship it to France for being assembled at the site. India is part of a seven nation consortium that is building the fusion reactor designed to produce 500 MW of output electricity with a power input of 50 MW.

Man beheads wife, parades severed head In a gruesome incident, a man allegedly beheaded his wife and carried her severed head through the streets in Guwahati before being arrested, police said. Suspecting his wife Amiya Daimary Das of being involved in an illicit relationship, Ranjit Das allegedly killed her in a fit of rage with a machete at their residence in Japorigog area of the city. After beheading his wife, he carried the severed head through the streets before he was stopped by a group of patrolling CRPF personnel and taken to Dispur police station. The couple, married for the last 10 years, have two sons and their six-year-old younger son Ashim, who had witnessed the incident, is now missing.

World's cheapest tablet launched India's finally got its much hyped ultra-low-cost tablet, Aakash. The tablet runs on Android 2.2 (Froyo) and comes with a 7 inch resistive touch screen with 800x480 reolution and weighs 350 gm. Aakash is a collaboration between the government and a British-based company DataWind. The tablet has a 256 MB of RAM, a 32 GB expandable memory slot and two USB ports.

The tablet comes with a 12-month replacement warranty and supports formats like DOC, DOCX, PDF and PPTX etc. Aakash has standard 3.5 mm headphones jack. The tablet will be commercially available from November for Rs 2999.

Festival & travel

asian voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

27

Purvi’s Travel bag

By Purvi apurva Shah

Mount abu: the hill-station in the desert

Sharad Purnima:

Moon showers ‘Amrit’ on earth Vraj and arrived in and night vigil is harad Purnima is the Vrindavan, Shri Krishna observed. According to a 15th day from the S welcomed them. Yet to furfolk-tale, once a king fell start of Navratri. This

year, it fell on 11th October, observed on the night of full moon of Ashvina. The Moon-God is also the lord of herbs, seeds, the Brahmins, waters and Nakshatras or Constellations.

It is believed that on Sharad Purnima, Amrit is being showered on the earth by the Moon through his beams.

The moon is very close to the earth on this day and its bright rays has

on evil ways and was in great financial mess, but then his queen observed this fast and night vigil and worshiped the goddess of wealth, Laxmi.

Consequently, they were blessed by the goddess and they regained their prosperity.

On this auspicious day Kshir or Khir (milk thickened with rice and mixed with sugar, candy, etc.) is especially prepared in the temples and

its own curative properties. The rays that fall on the food or drinks that are consumed is believed to help in curing the disorder of Pitt (acidity) and avoids many other trivial diseases and makes the body healthy.

Sharad Purnima occurs exactly a fortnight before Diwali. This is a harvest festival where Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity, visits all homes to bring fortune and good luck to all people, young and old.

The Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu

homes, and offered to Lord amidst ringing of the bells and chanting of the hymns, then it is given in the morning as prasad to the devotees. The recipe is kept in the moonshine all the night so that it may absorb the amrit falling from the moon. Such khir is considered to possess many qualities. At night Moon-god is also worshipped and offered ‘naivedya.’

Sharad Poornima is that divine night when Radha Krishna revealed the supreme bliss of maharas to uncountable Gopis in Vrindavan about 5,000

lunar month of Ashvin (September-October).

After the end of rainy season the brightness of the full moon brings special joy. This is a traditional celebration of the moon and is also called the Kaumudi celebration, Kaumudi meaning moonlight. At night, goddess Lakshmi is worshiped

years ago. On this night, Lord Krishna invited his faithful devotees, the Gopis of Vrindavan, to play the Maha Raas (traditional folk-dance) with him. They had earned his grace by overlooking society’s disdain on them (`loklaaj’), to offer him unalloyed devotion. When they left their homes in

ther test their love for him, he averred: ‘Women of character such as you, should not leave home to meet another man in the middle of the night!’ These words seared the Gopis’ hearts. In extreme grief, they uttered: ‘Our feet will not budge the slightest from your lotus-feet. So how can we return to Vraj?’ Pleased with such immutable love for him, Shri Krishna initiated the Maha Raas, by assuming

as many forms as there were Gopis. At this point, they beamed with pride that, ‘Nobody’s devotion can excel ours, by which the Lord favoured us.’

Instead of accepting the Maha Raas as the Lord’s grace, ego marred their devotion. Therefore he instantly vanished from the Raas mandal! Now filled with remorse, the Gopis repented.

Recalling Shri Krishna’s divine episodes - ‘lila’, they lamented their pangs of separation, and sang kirtans known as ‘viraha geet’: Of all nights, that night of Sharad Punam became the most resplendent.

Maharishi Ved Vyasji in Shrimad Bhagwat in the 10th episode has described the night of Sharad Poornima as the night of the Raasotsav (raas celebrations) of the incarnation of Lord Krishna on the earth, because unlike the moon showering the cool nectar, Lord Krishna too, showered Bhakti ras on the earth. Thousands of fortunate Gopis enthralled themselves by enjoying the bhakti ras in the accompaniment of the Yogehwar Lord Krishna, the memory alone of this event fills the hearts of the devotees with love for the Lord.

A

Chewing makai while going in a goat cart is joy all by itself. Those spiced cut-cucumber found on road-side is simply something to bite your teeth at.

Famous for its marble, you can see very beautiful

n “oasis in the midst of a desert” is what best describes Mount Abu - the one and only hill station of Rajasthan. While you drive to the winding road of Mt Abu in summer, the soothing view of the surrounding lush green hills and valleys barely seemed to be part of a land that also houses the Thar Desert.

Mt Abu is a small picturesque hill station perched at a height of 12,000 meters in the Aravalli Hills of southwestern Rajasthan. With its pleasant weather conditions and rich flora, it serves as a delightful resort, especially in the summer.

Visitors from every part of the world come here to enjoy their holidays in this beautiful hill station. People visiting Rajasthan and Gujarat should not miss a chance to visit this hill station.

It’s a retreat to nature lovers, honeymoon couples and holiday makers.

And it’s also one of the kids favourite place, as it is famous for its trekking activity. And for the tiny tots, boating in Nakki lake is lot of fun. The beauty of Nakki Lake fascinates everyone. This picturesque lake also has a mythological history and local people offer prayers in this lake.

The best part is that near the lake, you get a chance to dress up in traditional Rajasthani attire

leaves you drop dead shopping. Well, roaming around in such atmosphere is a treat itself. In fact visit any corner of this place and you will find this place extremely wonderful and

and you can take your photograph.

The culture and its aura is so much typical that one can never forget this trip. The simple things like enjoying its famous rabdi (sweet desert), dapka bhajiya which keeps your mouth watery wanting for more.

fascinating. The hill retreat owes its cool climate to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs.

This mountain has stunning array of Dilwara Jain temples, dating back to 11th-13th centuries, make it a popular pilgrim-

age centre.

Do not forget to experience a stay in heritage hotels - they are hotels transformed from old heritage property. Udaigadh and Jaipur Palace are the best examples.

The Jain Dilwara Temple

artifacts in different shapes and sizes. The market is a blessing for ladies, as many varieties of antique silver jewellery, stone studded neckpieces and some beautiful earrings just

Sunset Point: Visitors in the evening gather here to grasp the soothing view of the sunset that gives mighty pleasure to the visitors. Many tourists capture the astounding view of the setting sun to remember the moments that they have enjoyed in this beautiful place of this golden state.

Mount Abu wild life sanctuary: It is an awesome experience to take a memorable tour inside the forest and catch the sight of animals wandering in the forest. Here in the forest you will find maximum number of deers, monkeys and colourful birds. Explore the sanctuary taking a safari tour with the help of an experienced guide.

There are many other captivating destinations like Museum & art gallery, Achalgarh Fort, Honeymoon Points, Adhar Devi Temple, Trevor’s tank, Gurumukh temple and Toad rock. A visit to the headquarters of Brahmakumaris is also very informative.

Guru Shikhar is the highest point in the Aravali ranges. The view from Guru Shikar is breath-taking. To visit Gaumukh one has to take 750 steps down to the valley.

Two to three days trip can be sufficient. From Delhi road drive is about 14 hours, so reach by air to its nearest airport Udaipur and take a road route of three and half hours to reach Mt Abu.

28

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 Amit Kansara, a young talented singer and magician will present his rendition- suitable bhajan, songs, welcoming the Deepotsavi festival.

Honey Kalaria of Honey's Dance academy has been involved in promoting Indian arts and culture over a quarter century.

This Malawi born Gujarati girl curved a special niche in the world of Indo-western fusion.

CB Live will discuss her activities and exciting future plans.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

Coming Events l Busy Bee Ladies Club organises an evening with Maya Deepak, who will present Lok Geet and old Film songs on 16th Oct 2011, in the benefit of Brent Indian Association. Venue: BIA, 116 Ealing Road, HA0 4TH. Time: 7pm onwards. ￡5 tickets.

Light refreshment will be served (7-7:30pm ONLY). l Mukund Malaar, Dance Ballet, 20th-24th October. Bhavans, 4a Castletown Road, W14 9HE. Contact: 020 8209 1734 l Diwali and Chopda Pujan: Wednesday 26th October 2011, Chopda Pujan from 8pm to 10pm Thursday 27th October 2011: Ankot Darshan from 12noon followed by Aarti every hour Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford on 0208 578 8088 / 9285. l Diwali and Annakut Utsav, Wednesday 26th Oct, Annakut Thursday 27th Oct. BAPS Swaminarayan Temple. Contact www.mandir.org. l Nagrecha Charitable Trust presents old film songs and lok geet, Saturday 15th October 2011, Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall, E15 1DT, 6.30 till late. Contact: 020 8555 0318

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Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 You will continue to be in a restless mood for some time to come. This makes you impatient with restrictions and even more determined to cut your own path. Do not get over-anxious if everything seems to be in slow motion - it is time to pull a few strings. You are likely to experience some tension in close relationships.

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Alarm raised as robbers target Asians for gold Continued from page 9 The Met signed an agreement with the Cash Converters chain to exchange information to crack down on suspicious transactions. In future stores will alert police if they believe they are being offered stolen goods.

The number of robberies in the past three months leapt by 18 per cent across London. But in some boroughs the figure is much higher.

In Haringey the number of muggings has doubled.

Police say the problem of gold snatches was once confined to the Asian community, where it is usual for women to wear gold jewellery. Pc Mahesh Nandha of Harrow Police said: " We used to see mainly women in the Asia community wearing gold jewellery all the time.

"In Harrow we had a

lot of people being targeted. But now we are seeing these sort of robberies happening across London.

We are advising people to cover up what they are wearing while they are out on the street."

Deputy assistant commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said the agreement with Cash Converters would help police identify robbers and make it harder for criminals to pass on stolen goods.

He said: "The Met takes street robbery very seriously and we are determined to crack down on this type of crime which is extremely traumatic for the victim."

David Patrick, chief executive of Cash Converters, said: "We certainly do not want stolen property brought into our stores and we are pleased to be working with the Metropolitan Police."

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Regardless of the limits, you have the capacity to turn the course of your life in a more fulfilling direction. Saturn in Libra, the sign of balance, will help you organise work and play. People entering your life now will encourage you to move beyond your established boundaries of safety.

The transit of two planets in your Solar 12th House indicates that experience will put you in a deeply reflective mood. This is a favourable time for getting away from usual routines and seeking a retreat for a few days.

It will be good for you to get involved in therapies that help you to get in closer touch with your inner self.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

Venus in your solar 5th house will put you in the right mood to indulge in your pleasure-loving instincts.

Venus, the planet of love and romance throws a pleasing light on affairs of the heart. Existing emotional differences can be easily sorted out now. Your creativity is riding high and you should make the most of this phase.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 Life appears to be focusing your mind on practical matters. So you will need to organise your time carefully if you are to avoid an "all work and no play" situation. Resist making any hasty moves when it come to finances - this is a time to focus on consolidation of current assets rather than attempting to make any new investments.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 There is an element of disruption or stress which may be hard to avoid, but it appears that there is a strong sense of purpose in the background. A certain amount of sheer hard graft will be necessary for a short while, but the final result will be extremely pleasing. An exchange of opinions ought to prove very enlivening at this time.

It would be a mistake always to blame the other person if your experience and expectations of love turn out to be disappointing. It is said that if you do not learn from past experience you will be condemned to repeat it until you do learn. You now have an excellent opportunity to sort out where things may be going wrong.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

All close ties of love and affection will benefit from the gentle influence of Venus. If you are married or have a well-founded relationship, it seems that the pattern of events will somehow draw you closer together emotionally. This is a fine time to do some serious thinking about your career.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

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Mars and Saturn placement in your chart sets a rather challenging theme. Although this gives increased potential for tension and conflict with other people, it also means that you are able to confront issues and sort any problems out. If this involves a close relationship, you can now resolve your differences.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success. So, if hoping to drum up support or backing, it would certainly do no harm to adopt a more pushy and outgoing approach to life. As social life will tend to draw you into a wider circle, the chances of meeting someone attractive are greatly increased.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Opportunities abound, professionally and socially. You should enjoy a very popular phase in your life and this will give you a chance to meet people and pursue any romantic liaisons. There will be excesses associated with splashing out on luxury items which sometimes we do not really require.

It seems that you will be in gregarious mood, intent on cultivating a wider circle of acquaintances.

Mentally you will be in good form to make on-the-spot decisions and also get your ideas across to the right people. Ideas that you have been juggling with will now be easily pulled into shape, allowing you to push ahead.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

HealtH Watch

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

10 Ways to keep your mind sharp rain exercise is necessary as you age: B Scientists are starting to

think that regular aerobic exercise may be the single most important thing you can do for the long-term health of your brain. For mental fitness, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every other day, reports said.

Eat, eat, eat: A low glycemic diet - high fiber, with moderate amounts of fat and protein - is broken down more slowly in the body than high glycemic foods, such as sweets and white starches. A steady pace of digestion in the gut gives a more reliable flow of energy to the brain, likely optimizing the organ's long-term health and performance.

Watch that diet: While overindulging can make the brain sluggish and lead to long-term detriments to

your brain, too few calories can also impair brain function. Many studies have linked dieting with distraction, confusion and memory impairment.

Take care of your body: Largely preventable diseases - such as Type II diabetes, obesity and hypertension - all affect your brain, too. Systemwide health concerns have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and memory impairments.

Get your beauty rest: When we rest and dream, memories are sifted through, some discarded, others consolidated and saved. When we don't sleep, a recent study found, proteins build up on synapses, possibly making it hard to think and learn new things.

Enjoy your coffee: Growing evidence sug-

gests a caffeine habit may protect the brain.

According to large longitudinal studies, two to four perk-me-ups a day may stave off normal cognitive decline and decrease the incidence of Alzheimer's by 30 to 60 per cent.

Eat fish: Some theories credit the introduction of fish into the human diet with the evolution of our tremendous cognitive prowess. Essential fatty acids, such as Omega 3s, are critical to brain function and are proving beneficial for treating such brain-sapping ailments as depression.

Chill outL: Stress takes a toll on the brain by washing harmful chemicals over the hippocampus and other brain areas involved in memory. Some scientists suspect that living a balanced lifestyle and pursuing relaxing activities such as yoga, socializing and crafting may delay memory impairment by reducing stress.

Tease your brain: Whether crossword puzzles, sudokus and other brain teasers actually keep your brain in shape, has not been well-established.

However, lack of education is a strong predictor of cognitive decline. The more you've tried to learn, the better you'll be at mental sit-ups in old age.

Lack of sleep may make older people develop high BP Not getting a proper night's sleep increases the risk of high blood pressure in older men by 80 per cent compared to those who got longer, less interrupted sleep, according to a new research.

Slow wave sleep (SWS), one of the deeper stages of sleep, is characterized by non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) from which it's difficult to awaken. It's represented by relatively slow, synchronized brain waves called delta activity on an electroencephalogram.

Researchers from the Outcomes of Sleep Disorders in Older Men Study (MrOs Sleep Study) found that people with the lowest level of SWS had an 80 per cent increased risk of developing high blood pressure.

"Our study shows for the first time that poor quality sleep, reflected by reduced slow wave sleep, puts individuals at significantly increased risk of developing high blood

Indian spice turmeric to treat arthritis

An international team of researchers has found that a derivative of a common culinary spice found in Indian curries could offer a new treatment hope for sufferers of the painful condition tendinitis.

The researchers at The University of Nottingham and Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich have suggested that curcumin, which also gives the spice turmeric its trademark bright yellow colouring, can be used to suppress biological mechanisms that spark inflammation in tendon diseases.

Dr Ali Mobasheri of the University's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, who co-led the research, said: "Our research is not suggesting that curry, turmeric or curcumin are cures for inflammatory conditions such as tendinitis and arthritis.

However, we believe that it could offer scientists an important new lead in the treatment of these painful conditions through nutrition. Further research into curcumin, and chemicallymodified versions of it, should be the subject of future investigations and complementary therapies aimed at reducing the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the only drugs currently available for the treatment of tendinitis and various forms of arthritis," added Mobasheri.

29

Red wine can be ‘exercise in a bottle’ Can red wine offset the negative health effects of a sedentary lifestyle? A new study suggests wine can be "exercise in a bottle."

The goal of this study was to see if an ingredient in wine, resveratrol, might help astronauts who often experience bad health effects from all that zero gravity inactivity.

Weightlessness in space makes physical activity almost impossible for astronauts, resulting in a decrease in muscle and bone mass.

Earlier studies showed it can be good for health, because it lowers levels of "bad" cholesterol and protects the lining of heart blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic.

For the study, scientists mimicked the inactivity astronauts experience by hanging rats by their back legs. Half the rats received a daily dose of resveratrol, and half did not. What happened? The rats not given resveratrol experienced reduced muscle mass and strength and bone density, and developed insulin resistance which is considered a prelude to diabetes. The ones that took resveratol didn't experience any of these negative health effects.

How does it work?

Resveratrol "flips a switch" for cell metabolism that let's the cells "breath internally" - counteracting the detrimental effects inactiv-

ity has on the body's cells.

In any case, there are about 200 studies that "show resveratrol has terrific effects on cells," Dr. Gerald Weissmann, editorin-chief of the FASEB Journal where the study was published, said.

But the study doesn't just apply to astronauts, since a sedentary lifestyle also limits physical activity for normal folks.

"For the earthbound, barriers to physical activity are equally challenging, whether they be disease, injury, or a desk job, "Weissmann said in a statement.

But he concedes it'll take more than a glass or two of wine to reach the doses of resveratrol the rats took, so it's not time for people to start drinking their way to good health.

"Resveratrol may not be a substitute for exercise, but it could slow deterioration until someone can get moving again."

Don’t eat fast if you want to stay thin

pressure, and that this effect appears to be independent of the influence of breathing pauses during sleep," said Susan Redline, MD, the study's co-author and Peter C. Farrell Professor of Sleep Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass.

The researchers measured how long 784 men with an average age of 75 spent in SWS. Those for whom SWS took up less than 4 per cent of sleep time were significantly more likely to develop high blood pres-

sure during the 3.4 years of the study.

Men with reduced SWS had generally poorer sleep quality as measured by shorter sleep duration and more awakenings at night and had more severe sleep apnea than men with higher levels of SWS. However, of all measures of sleep quality decreased SWS were the most strongly associated with the development of high blood pressure. This relationship was observed even after considering other aspects of sleep quality.

The findings remained consistent even after the researchers took weight, race and age into account.

Ladies, please note - your eating speed is linked to your body weight, say researchers. A new study by the University of Otago has found that middleaged women who eat slowly are much less likely to be overweight or obese than those who eat at a faster pace..

The researchers have analyzed the relationship between self-reported speed of eating and body mass index (BMI) in more than 1,500 New Zealand women aged between 40 and 50 to come to the conclusion.

Lead researcher Dr Caroline Horwath said that after adjusting for other factors including age, ethnicity, smoking, and menopause status, the study found that the faster women reported their eating speed to be, the higher their BMI. “For every one-

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step increase in a five-step scale ranging from ‘very slow’ eating to ‘very fast’, the women’s BMI increased by 2.8%, which is equivalent to a 1.95 kg weight increase in a woman of average BMI,” she said.

In the study, the researchers have been following up the women to see if faster eaters gain

more weight over time.

“The size of the association found in this initial research suggests that if there is a causal link, reduction in eating speed is a very promising way to prevent weight gain and may lead to decreases in BMI similar or greater than those sustained in weight management programmes,” she said.

30

Sport

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Pakistani scandal deepens, as does the international silence on Woolmer's death

By Premen Addy

Whatever Shakespeare may have said about the state of Denmark it pales before the rot that has taken hold of the state called Pakistan, whose name in Urdu or Persian means pure. Pure what?, you may well ask. The country's Time of Trouble, in whichever direction you look, rolls on regardless.

No sooner does one cancer disappears than another sprouts up obligingly, mocking all and sundry to discover a cure. For that we might have to await the second coming of the Risen Lord. At each turn of the saga of Pakistan's fraternity of 'bent' cricketers the plot thickens and the narrative assumes an epic form.

A London court heard how a Pakistan cricket captain, Salman Butt, 26, and his two leading pace

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer

bowlers Mohammed Asif, 28, and Mohammed Amir, 19, engaged “in rampant corruption” after accepting bribes to bowl deliberate no-balls. They conspired with Mazhar Majeed, a London-based sports agent, to fix part of the Lord's Test last year between England and Pakistan. The four men were accused of 'spot fixing', in which parts of the match are illegally rigged, for example by timing the

Shane Jurgensen named Bangladesh bowling coach

Australian Shane Jurgensen has been appointed as the new bowling coach of Bangladesh, the country's cricket board said. The 35-year-old Queenslander and former New Zealand bowling coach is expected to arrive soon. "Jurgensen is a vastly experienced bowling specialist. He has also had an accomplished cricket career and his input will be extremely important for our cricketers," BCB chief executive Manzur Ahmed said in a statement. His contract is until June, 2013 and he links up with fellow Queenslander Stuart Law, who was appointed head coach of Bangladesh in July.

delivery wide or no-ball, but the overall outcome of the game remains untouched.

These revelations were the product of a sting operation conducted by undercover News of the World reporter Mazar Mahmood, who claims to have been told by Majeed that he had been involved in match fixing with Pakistani players for over two years, which had yielded him “masses and

masses of money”.

The going rate for fixing part of a match would vary between ￡50,000 to ￡80,000 but fixing results would cost a great deal more, something in the vicinity of ￡400,000.

Fixing a Test would be an astronomical ￡1 million.

Majeed, 36, owned Croydon Athletic Club and a chain of ice cream parlours called Afters, through which he channelled “significant sums” from corrupt match and spot-fixing, the court was told.

It's a depressing tale.

Cricket reflects its society, and Pakistan is among the most corrupt and violent on earth.

With all this dirt polluting the public space, is it not time to reopen discussion on the mysterious and tragic death of Pakistan's English coach, the genial and popular

Bob Woolmer

Bob Woolmer who was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica during the Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean in 2007?

According to the local pathologist, Woolmer was strangled – the team had done badly and he was resented by some Pakistanis as an unbelieving kaffir – but the British authorities went into overdrive: the pathologist's findings were hurriedly repudiated by Scotland

Yard investigators, and the verdict of accidental death was solemnly pronounced.

Woolmer's widow and sons in South Africa were generously compensated for their loss and there the matter has rested.

Isn't this a fit case for the International Criminal Court at the Hague to consider? Not if the good name of a longstanding client of Anglo-America, like Pakistan, is involved.

The rule of law has counted for little in the school for scoundrels. Such are the contemporary truths of a toxix world.

Remembering Graham Dilley, the former England fast bowler who passed away last week, savour the following line from an England-Australia Test score book: " Lillee, caught Willey, bowled Dilley".

This should bring a smile to every face. If you understand it, that is.

Yuvraj, Harbhajan slam bookie Mazhar Majeed Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh outrightly rejected bookie Mazhar Majeed's claim that he had access to them. While Yuvraj came out on Twitter slamming Majeed's claims, Harbhajan threatened action.

"I don't know who this person is; I have never met him. We will definitely take some action against him. I don't know whether it will be a legal action or whatever," said Harbhajan in Nagpur where he is currently playing in the Challenger Series.

"But I will definitely bring it to BCCI's notice and I am sure that they will take the right kind of action against these kind people who are trying to spoil the game," added the feisty offspinner.

Yuvraj, on the other

hand, slammed the bookie on Twitter. "Who is Majeed!

Absolute rubbish! Don't know, never met!" tweeted Yuvraj.

Recordings of Majeed's conversation with the undercover News of the World journalist last year are being heard in a spot-fixing trial in London's Southwark Crown Court, in which the bookie has made startling revelations.

Majeed has also come up

with a series of boasts, including that he was good friends with former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi and exPakistan captain Imran Khan.

While the recordings were being played, the undercover journalist sat in the witness box behind a screen to hide his identity from the public and media.

Majeed also dropped the names of West Indies' Chris

Gayle and Australia's Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee. In this series of namedropping, Majeed has also mentioned a discussion with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt about setting up a Twenty20 tournament in Pakistan.

Mahmood, the undercover journalist who carried out the sting operation that resulted in spot-fixing charges being levelled at three Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, gave evidence as a prosecution witness. He described in detail and played tapes of his encounters with Majeed.

Mahmood, who had posed as an Indian businessman in the sting operation, was in court shielded behind a blue screen to protect his identity from the public.

Mumbai Indians spin dream win in CLT20 final Mumbai Indians turned on their spin power and beat fancied Royal Challengers Bangalore by 31 runs in the final of the Nokia Champions League T20 tournament, in Chennai on Sunday.

After restricting Mumbai Indians to 139 built around a fighting 41

by James Frankling, RCB, who had successfully chased 200-plus targets in two consecutive matches coming into the final, struggled on a slow pitch that afforded turn and fell to 108 in a very disappointing batting performance.

Mumbai Indians, without half-a-dozen key players owing into injury, including Sachin Tendulkar, went home richer by $2.5 million while RCB received $1.3 million.

Spearheading the Mumbai victory was skipper and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh who came away with 3 for 20 and young leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (2 for 9 in three overs) while seamers Lasith Malinga (2 for 23), Abu Nechim (2 for 26) and Kieron Pollard

picked up timely wickets to complete a fine win.

Yet, Mumbai Indians bowling was anything but disciplined as they sent down 14 wides and a noball as Mr Extras contributed 20 runs.

The RCB chase began on a typical note with a flurry of boundaries off

Tillkaratne Dilshan's bat while the other opener Chris Gayle barely got a look in. The pair put on 38 runs in four overs.

Skipper Harbhajan Singh opted to bowl Lasith Malinga a third over and the move paid off as the Sri Lankan ace knocked back Dilshan's

off-stump to draw first blood. Harbhajan brought himself on for the next over and trapped a tentative Gayle in front.

The struggles for RCB began soon as the slow pitch that offered a bit of turn seemed to suit the Mumbai bowlers who gave little away. In fact, the RCB batsmen appeared ill at ease when the spinners were introduced and sure enough, they lost Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli and Arun Karthik in quick succession.

Agarwal holed out to Pollard in the deep off legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal and then an impatient Kohli gifted his wicket to Harbhajan, attempting a slog-sweep and caught at mid-wicket. RCB slid deeper into the quick sand

when in the next over, Karthik departed, caught in the deep off Chahal.

Thus, going into the final six overs, RCB needed 63 runs and the mounting pressure told on the batsmen as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Mumbai eventually ran out deserving winners.

Earlier, Mumbai batsmen too struggled to get going. It was left-arm spinner and skipper Daniel Vettori (2 for 30) and seamer Raju Bhatkal (3 for 21) who did the bulk of damage after an early strike by new ball bowler Dirk Nannes who was quick and hostile. Barring Franklin, there was hardly any worthwhile effort from the other batsmen, a couple of whom threw away good starts.

Sport wORlD

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

Murray downs Nadal to take Japan title Andy Murray stormed back to upend Rafael Nadal in the title match at the Japan Open Tennis Championships on Sunday.

Murray dropped the first set but dominated the next two in a 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory over the top-seeded Nadal, the defending champion.

"For sure in the third set it was some of the best tennis I've played against him. I was very consistent, didn't make too many mistakes and kept a cool head in the important moments," Murray said.

The Scotsman had a

dominant service game, winning 79 per cent of first serve points and firing six aces. He also staved off 5-of6 of Nadal's break points and broke his Spanish opponent five times.

Murray, seeded second,

recorded his first victory against Nadal since 2010, when he beat the Spaniard in a Toronto semifinal. Nadal had won all four matchups this season, including semifinal victories at the French Open, Wimbledon and the

India roars in another way!

I have been distressed, from the Lord's test onwards, by the thrashing Indian team has received in England. I have had nightmares about the debacle. In order to find out the root cause of such a sudden downfall, I interviewed some prominent persons in my dream. I give below their responses: Man Mohan Mingh: I didn't know our team lost to England.

Anyway, our GDP will be many times theirs by 2025.

Pranab Kumar Mukherjee: Ganguli bina cholbe na!

Chidambaran: Why do you ask me? I am up to my neck in other urgent problems. Ask Sharad Pawar. He is the BCCI President.

Sharad Pawar: Just you wait.

Let their team come in OUR gulley and you will see how we hammer them next time.

Digvijay Singh: RSS! Our players were misguided to have their net practice in half pants (shorts). They couldn't suddenly change over to long white trousers in test matches.

Raj Thakeray: Cricket always belonged to Amchi Mumbai. Now look at the team?

Most of them are outsiders, from the north in particular.

Kalamadi: What can I do from this jail? All that England's players wanted was a plane load of toilet rolls, specially selected

by me @ £ 50- each, before the series started.

Manish Tewari: Cricket is steeped in corruption, and yet the recent Anti-corruption lobby supports it !!

Arundhati Roy: Cricket is a game of Imperialists like Britain.

India should totally ban cricket for ever.

L.K. Advani: If our cricket team joins my Rath Yatra, I am sure it will conquer the cricket world once again by the end of 2012.

Anna Hazare: Anshan, anshan (fast) is all that our cricketers require to remove the flab they have accumulated over the years in their heads and bodies.

K. Nath (ECB insider): There was nothing wrong with the Indian players. It's the food that did it. At every Test lunch, spicy Gooch Prawn Curry and mouth watering Gatting Rocket Salad were served in plenty. This was a sporting gesture to reciprocate India's hospitality in the past. Unfortunately, Indian players suffered from London belly.

They had no option but to throw away their wickets and scramble to the pavilion in the shortest possible time. That wasn't cricket!

K. L. Samant, 30 Regency Lodge, Adelaide Road, London NW3 5EE. TEL.0207-586 6929.

US Open.

But Murray has been on a roll of late. He has won 21 of his last 22 matches, a string that started after a surprising loss to Kevin Anderson in the second round at Montreal. He won the Cincinnati tournament before falling to Nadal at the US Open, then captured last week's title in Bangkok.

Murray captured his fourth title of the season with Sunday's win, improved to 5-13 all-time against Nadal and collected $295,000 for the victory.

Gujarat duo shines in India’s U-19 trophy win A disciplined bowling effort by India colts helped them beat Sri Lanka by five runs in a low-scoring final match of the Under-19 quadrangular one-day cricket tournament at Vishakapatnm on Sunday.

Gujarat pacer Rush Kalaria (three for 34) bowled a deadly spell after Smit Patel’s knock of 31 played a crucial part in India reaching a respectable total in the low-scoring final. The Indian boys scored a modest 168, thanks to Akshdeep Nath's patient 55 and Smit, who resurrected his side's innings from 37 for five in the 14th over after they were asked to bat.

The bowlers then defended the small total by bundling out the Sri Lankans for 163 with 3.1 overs to spare. Pacers Sandeep Sharma (4/23) and Rush Kalaria (3/34) shared the bulk of the spoils while left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra and off-spinner Baba Aparajith chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Chasing 169 for a win, Sri Lanka made a disastrous start with opener Niroshan Dickwella falling to Sandeep in the third ball of their innings. Sandeep and Rush then ran through the Sri Lankan top-order as the visitors were reduced to 27 for five in the ninth over. Duleeka Thissakuttige and Lahiru Madushanka - who topscored with 63 - then stitched a 75-run stand for the sixth wicket from 22.1 overs to take Sri Lanka closer to target before the former was out at team total of 102 for six in the 31st over. Another wicket fell in the form of Pulina Tharanga and Sri Lanka were reduced to 150 for eight soon after.

The visitors had enough overs in their hands but they kept losing wickets.

Sandeep polished off the tail by scalping the last two wickets - that of Apila Aponso and Dilshan Dhanushka - in the space of three balls as India won the summit clash and the tournament.

31

Harbhajan Singh awarded 'Sikh Sportsperson of the Year' Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was chosen 'Sikh Sportsperson of the Year' at the World Sikh Awards 2011 in London for his "contribution to the Indian cricket team's World Cup triumph". Harbhajan, however, could not receive the award personally as he was busy leading Mumbai Indians to the Champions League Twenty20 title.

The citation for him read, "Harbhajan Singh Plaha, born July 3, 1980 is a professional Indian cricketer. A specialist bowler, he has the second highest number of Test wickets by an off-spinner. He is the 11th bowler in the history of Test cricket to claim 400 wickets. Harbhajan Singh was a major contributor to the Indian cricket team's victory during the World Cup." Ironically, the honour comes at a time when Harbhajan has been dropped from the ODI team due to his poor form.

Dr Rami Ranger, MBE, won the Sikh Peoples Choice award for being a successful businessman who has been honoured five times by the Queen, four times for Business and once for services to the British Asian Community. He was made a Member of British Empire in 2005.

No DRS in IndiaEngland ODI series The much debatable Decision Review System (DRS) will not be used during the forthcoming five match one-day series between India and England that begins from October 14 at Hyderabad.

BCCI confirmed in an official statement that DRS will not be used in the series that kicks off India's international season at home.

Earlier on Thursday, it was declared that Hot Spot will not be pressed into service for the series. The Hot Spot did not prove to be effective during the India-England series and was criticised by the Indian Board.

Warren Brennan, the chief executive of BBG Sports the company behind the technology, admitted Hot Spot did not perform to expectations during India's just-concluded tour of England and felt it did not have Indian cricket board's support for its use.

England have already arrived in Hyderabad to play the five-match ODI series, which will be followed by the one-off Twenty20 international.

Barclays Spaces for Sports and Magic Bus join hands to launch Street20 Cricket Barclays Spaces for Sport in partnership with Magic Bus India will be reaching out to impart essential life-skills in cricket, such as teamwork, communication and decision-making to 10,500 children and adolescents from marginalised communities in India over the next three years.

The programme will focus on empowering children and youth to make positive life choices in the areas of education, gender, health, leadership and livelihood.

Trainers from the Cricket 4 Change programme have mentored trainers to deliver Street20 Cricket Sport for Development programmes to youth volunteers (Community Sports Coaches) in Delhi and Mumbai. It is these Community Sports Coaches who will deliver the programme on the ground to children and youth from their communities.

Through the use of ingenuous learning techniques dovetailed with the game of cricket, the programme is expected to create a lasting impact on youth.

The relationship between the Community Sports Coaches and their ‘wards’ will be a key to suc-

cess for the programme.

Mani Subramanian, Chief Executive Officer, Barclays India said, “Street cricket is played in every village, town and city in India. The programme, through the use of this medium addresses one of the key issues in India’s future - youth development. With the launch of the Street20 Cricket programme, we are happy to play our part for the cause and are positive that the programme will change many lives.”

Kirk Harrison, Head of Barclays Spaces for Sports, said, “We are delighted to be working with Magic Bus on this ground breaking and exciting Street20 Cricket programme. The three year initiative will bring life skills to thousands of marginalised Indian youths in both Mumbai and New Delhi via the platform of Street20 Cricket as well as leaving a lasting legacy in the local communities via the training of local leaders. Barclays Spaces for Sports and Magic Bus share a common ethos in how sport for development programmes should be structured with gender equality, the right to education, focused measurement

and evaluation and sustainability as core components of this initiative.”

Matthew Spacie, CEO & Founder, Magic Bus said, “In a country where cricket is a national passion, using it as a medium to empower children and youth seems like a natural progression. Magic Bus has always believed in the power of sport as a developmental tool and we are thankful to have forged a strong partnership with Barclays Spaces for Sport to deliver the Street20 Cricket programme.”

Cricket 4 Change is a UKbased organisation which believes that cricket can have a positive impact on the lives of individuals and their communities, helping them to gain confidence and bring people together from different backgrounds.

About Barclays Spaces for Sports: The Barclays Spaces for Sports programme was launched in 2004 and uses the positive power of sport to revitalise disadvantaged communities to tackle key social issues. The programme is part of Barclays’ Global Community Investment strategy

and has made significant investments both in the UK and internationally. In the UK, Barclays has invested over £30m in developing 200 physical sports sites across some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country which has been delivered through a very successful partnership with the Football Foundation.

These sites are used by nearly 60,000 people every week.

In 2008 we began to invest in sport-for-development programmes around the world, and thus far projects have been launched in China, South Africa, Spain, the UK, the US, Zambia, Zimbabwe and now in India. In addition to these, we plan to launch a new programme on the ground in Hong Kong later this year.

All our programmes are tailored to address the social needs of a specific community; each initiative will use a specifically designed curriculum based on physical activity to help educate the beneficiaries thus enabling them to develop both their social and life skills as well helping them to lead healthier lives.

About Magic Bus: Magic Bus India Foundation is a not for

profit company registered in Mumbai. We work with children and youth from marginalized communities using sport and outdoor activities to help them discover their potential and find purpose in life. In the last 12 years we have reached out to about 160,000 children and we aim to reach a million by 2014 through our Sport for Development programme. We currently work in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka and Orissa with plans to operate in 10 states of the country.

About Cricket for Change: Cricket for Change has been using the game of cricket as a vehicle for changing young lives for 30 years. Using a range of adapted forms of the game the charity runs the largest disability cricket programme in the world and uses another adapted form of the game, Street20, to provide opportunities for young people from areas blighted by high levels of gang related youth crime across the UK to be part of a team and to train as coaches in order that they can inspire other young people in their area.

32

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th October 2011

CELEBRATE DIWALI AT YOUR LOCAL

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