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Let noble thoughts come to us from every side First & Foremost Asian Weekly in Europe 15th September to 21st September 2012

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Hail for the Asian Economic Secretary in an almost all white Cabinet After much backlash and controversy over PM Cameron's reshuffle last Tuesday, which has left Britain with a largely white and male-based Cabinet, peaking through the small crowd is Sajid Javid who landed himself a promotion to Economic Secretary.

Continued on page 26

Sajid Javid

Indian family to launch court action for return of Koh-i-Noor diamond

Beant Singh Sandhalwalia

Golden Temple, the centre of the Sikh faith, in Amrtisar, India.

Their case reopens a controversial chapter in British colonial history that still arouses strong passions in India, particularly in Punjab, where Sikhs regard the exile of Duleep Singh and his "gift" of the Koh-i-Noor diamond to Queen Victoria in 1850 as a national humiliation.

Continued on page 26

British government: Wrong priorities

In this economic doldrum, where Britain is so heavily cash strapped with thousands of people without job and money, the Coalition government is closing its doors to 'ready funds', that come in lumpsum through foreign students- especially the students who bring culture and prosperity with themselves and go back to their homeland after the completion of their education.

Alarm has been raised by a research committee as the number of Indian students coming to Britain has reduced, especially this year, which has led to concerns in some British universities over the financial viability of courses and departments particularly in the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Britain has always been a favourite destination for foreign students,

especially Indians, and such relationships go back in time.

As universities report a drop of between 20 and 30 per cent of Indian students in the forthcoming academic year starting later this month, the drop has caused much concern over the future of STEM courses that have been popular among postgraduate Indian students.

In oral evidence presented to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee of parliament, senior figures in higher education and industry noted the concern among vice-chancellors about the impact of fewer Indian students on the financial

viability of STEM courses and departments.

The committee, which published its report on 'Overseas Students and Net Migration' last week, recommended that Indian and other non-EU students should be removed from overall immigration figures since most of them return home after their courses.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents all universities and higher education institutions, told the committee that vice-chancellors were "particularly concerned" about the impact of fewer Indian students on STEM sub-

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The descendants of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, who was forced to hand over the Koh-iNoor diamond to Queen Victoria, will launch a court action for his body and possessions to be returned to India. The petition from a family claiming to be the descendants of Duleep Singh, who was exiled to Britain, aims to force the Indian government to intensify its efforts to reclaim the Koh-i-Noor. The jewel is currently mounted in the crown of the Queen Consort, last worn by the late Queen Mother.

The family is also seeking the return of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's golden throne and for both to be kept at the

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sensation Hema Malini to attend AAA 2012

Hema Malini, a renowned Bollywood actress, a classical dancer and former Rajya Sabha member (upper chamber of the Indian Parliament) is attending the Asian Achievers Awards 2012 as a Special Guest, to support our charity of the year- Sarvam.

Sarvam, which is a part of Sri Aurobindo Society, works towards education of children, welfare of women, regardless of their faith and community. jects, a newspaper has reported.

She said: "I think it is too early to draw apocalyptic conclusions about the closures of departments, but the trends are not good.

It is particularly apparent now, because of the reduction of Indian students coming from the Continued on page 2

2

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Dr. J. Bhagwati, High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom Dr. J. Bhagwati assumed charge as the High Commissioner of India, London in February 2012.

Prior to this assignment, he was Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union. His other foreign assignments include stints in the Indian Embassies in Madrid and Havana and the World Bank in Washington DC. He has served in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi in various capacities and his responsibilities have included India's relations with Russia and other CIS countries as also the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRIC groupings of countries. In the Ministry of Finance he dealt with topics related to India's capital markets, external commercial borrowings and pension reforms. Dr. Bhagwati's responsibilities in the World Bank included providing technical assistance to developing countries, the World Bank's structured bond funding programme, asset-liability management and market risk oversight.

1) Please tell us about your current position?

I am currently the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

The High Commission is located in London and we have a Consulate each in Birmingham and Edinburgh and Honorary Consuls in Belfast and Cardiff.

2) What are your proud-

est achievements?

I was able to live up to my mother's ambition in terms of scholastic achievements in school and college.

In the 1990s, I was part of a small group of finance professionals in the World Bank which was responsible for achieving extremely low interest rates for the Bank's cost of borrowings for

onward transmission to developing country borrowers. Later, I was able to successfully push for improvements in India's capital markets including introduction of exchange rate derivatives and I helped focus attention on specific reforms in the pensions sector. More recently, I participated in the Indian government's efforts to promote and widen IndiaEU relations.

3) What do you enjoy most about working in the UK? India and UK enjoy warm and long standing peopleto-people relations and between our two governments. Consequently, I can work on substance in a variety of areas without having to expend effort in preparing the ground.

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

Cleric steps down after 'underage marriage' controversy A Muslim cleric at the centre of an illegal marriage scandal has stepped down after he allegedly offered to marry a 12-yearold girl to a man in his 20s.

Imam Mohamed Kassamali is said to have told an undercover reporter posing as a father that he could carry out a ceremony for his schoolaged daughter.

The imam, who worked at the Husaini Islamic Centre in P e t e r b o r o u g h , Cambridgeshire, apparently urged the father to

encourage the newlyweds to 'delay the togetherness' - meaning they should postpone having sex.

A statement released by the Islamic Centre read: 'The management and members of Peterborough’s Husaini Islamic Centre do not recognise the alleged remarks of Imam

Diwali Festival of light

Mohamed Kassamali, who is reported to have discussed the possibility of underage marriage in Britain with The Sunday Times.

The Home Office has now confirmed that such ceremonies will be examined in the Government’s forthcoming Bill to outlaw forced marriages.

More than 1,000 of the 8,000 forced marriages of Britons each year are believed to involve girls of 15 or under, with one case last year allegedly involving a girl of five.

Special Edition November 2012

Dear Readers,

Diwali is a month away. The New Year is knocking at the door waiting to bring in colours and light to our lives with fervour of joy and ever lasting happiness.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar as every year will be publishing the ‘Diwali Special’ Magazine for our fabulous and supportive readers like yourself. This year we are doing something special for our young readers.

If you are between 10-25 years of age, write an article in English on 'how you celebrate your Diwali every year' or 'your most memorable Diwali' in no more than 700 words and email to aveditorial@abplgroup.com with your full name, age and contact number.

Last day of entry is Sunday 7th October 2012.

- Asian Voice

The biggest challenges in my life and career have been to harness one's "ego" and keep arrogance in check.

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

My parents have been the most important influence in my professional and personal life. My father spent almost seven years in jail, in several install-

ments, during India's freedom struggle and was a member of Assam's Legislative Assembly from 1937 onwards. He served in the Indian Parliament from 19571977 and was elected unopposed to the Lok Sabha in 1957 and 1962 and was a Minister in Nehru's Cabinet and President of INTUC. I remember my father's quiet demeanour and cannot recall a single occasion when he raised his voice with us or anyone else.

My mother, Bimal Bhagwati, was a recipient of the Sahitya Academy Award and wrote short stories and poems. She translated Khandekar's Gyanpeeth Award winning Marathi novel "Yayati" and "Spirit's Pilgrimage" by Meera Behn to Assamese. She would get up regularly at 4 am to do her writing since she had household work to attend to once the family was up.

widely in the world.

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

If it were miraculously possible I would like to spend time with Gautam Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Einstein I would like to understand why human beings suffer without reason.

As for Einstein, I would ask what precisely gave him the insight on energy-mass duality.

One of the best elements of my current role is an opportunity to promote relations between two nations which have a historically long standing relationship and which are major players in Europe and Asia respectively and also more

7) And the worst?

There is so much to read and act upon and so little time!

8) What are your long term goals?

My long term goals are to continue to make a difference in the public policy space and to further India's interests in the widest possible terms.

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

If I were to hold any important public policy position let alone Prime Minister, I would like to improve India's public sanitation and health indicators.

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

British government: Wrong priorities Continued from page 1 Indian subcontinent to study STEM subjects.

That is where there are already questions being asked about the sustainability of certain subjects".

She said: "We are also seeing an actual reduction in student intake from some countries, particularly from India, particularly in the postgraduate market, and for some universities that is quite marked".

Simon Walker, Director General of the Institute of Directors, told the committee that the impression generated abroad due to changes in student visa policies was having an adverse impact particularly in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China).

Walker said: "I think it is damaging our business relationships. It combines with other factors in terms of getting here, and a sort of sense that Britain is not as open as it ought to be.

So I think it is one of the factors, but a leading one.

A lot of the atmospheric side of it is important".

He cited a recent survey of members of his institute that one in six of them said they employed graduates from outside the EU, who have graduated from a British university in the last five years, to help with exports.

Walker mentioned a

director's comments from the survey: "I have worked with Chinese and Indian graduates who have assisted with taking business to China and India. They are a great asset to a company if you use them correctly".

The survey backs up a recent government report that estimates earnings from foreign students to be around £7 billion a year and suggests that it could also double by 2025. As the Economist has also stated, foreigners who study in Britain are likelier to create wealth in the country later on.

With these figures and knowledge, it is not a surprise that there has been a controversy in London Metropolitan University concerning more than 2000 foreign students, who are now left in a limbo, after the university's license has been revoked to admit foreign or non EU students.

Genuine students have now been left with less than 60 days to make a new application or to

arrange to leave the UK, though the countdown starts only when UKBA writes to them and no letters will be sent out until October 1.

Professor Malcolm Gillies, the university's vice chancellor, has described the claims as "not particularly cogent".

"I would go so far as to say that UKBA has been rewriting its own guidelines on this issue and this is something which should cause concern to all universities in the UK," he said.

Rt Hon Keith Vaz, a British MP of Indian origin has expressed great concern over the future of the Indian students who were enrolled in LMU. He said, "Such a process should have been better handled.

It has left thousands of foreign students in limbo and may damage the reputation of our country as the best place for them," he said. Adding that this is the worst possible time, at the start of the new academic year, to revoke the licence of a university.

"It's like closing the educational door to some who have in good faith paid a fortune to get here.

I feel very sorry for these students. If there are any more universities in the same position, could UKBA please tell them now.”

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

COMMENT

Olympics - A feather in the cap of British way of life The enormous success of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics is not only very heartening and inspiring, it also leaves behind a legacy of sports playing important role in lives of the citizens as well as it brings more understanding and respect for those having disabilities.

Paralympics especially has given our brethren more respect and more purpose in their endeavour.

There are several lessons to be learned. Firstly it is to respect the disables, secondly that Britain can train and execute well beyond its perceived capacity, much better than the cash rich countries like China and to achieve such huge public involvement within the democratic norms is itself a feather in cap of British way of life. Thirdly it also should alert or awaken the British-Asians that in the area predominately settled by them, there was very little Asian participation in various sports activities. Asian community in general and so-called leaders in particular must set timetable to ensure that national mood of sports will be able to transform our people, especially

youth. Over and above it is the job of BritishAsian in politics and public life, especially those that are economically sound to invest time and energy to inculcate habits of sports and games in our community. This will not only benefit on health ground but will give us one more level playing field with the wider communities.

Our youth has desire and capabilities as shown in sports like boxing, cricket etc where many Asians are involved. Boxer Amir Khan is an example of Asian participation in sport. Our job is to be selective and focus our attention in the area of our potentials. One wonders if Kabbadi will qualify for any Olympics, after all kabbadi is very popular in South Asian countries.

Whatever, it is time of proven competence in the country, let us also rise and take the opportunities with both hands. Finally we must congratulate Lord Coe and his team for the spectacular success in planning and creating a huge sports bonanza, security services and 80,0000 volunteers from whom some of them were Asians giving us something to be proud of.

Liberalising visa regime by India, Pakistan a welcome step The decision of India and Pakistan to liberalise the visa regime is a welcome step. But at the same time India should be vigilant and cautious.

It may surprise some, if not many that recent visit of India’s foreign minister S M Krishna to Pakistan, held a successful meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabani Khar and the sound bytes coming from Islamabad is though surprising to some but is welcome.

Indeed, Hina Rabani has proved to be intelligent, talented and courageous foreign minister of Pakistan, her matured wise sentiments reciprocated by S M Krishna are indeed a sea-difference on the history of earlier India-Pakistan gatherings.

Take the case of Europe, especially Western Europe initially benefited through the trade and commerce co-operation and the liberalisation of cross country travel also played a pivotal role.

From its modest beginning with coal and steel authority, to its present evolution as EU, it's a fascinating journey. It has changed the whole geography, economy and politics of Europe. At the root was trade and commerce. With economic prosperity, other areas of cooperation flourished. Today within the countries of EU, there is no perceptible tension, let alone the fear of aggression. Peace has arrived after all.

Thereby reducing the heavy burden of defence expenditure. The machinery of bureaucracy in Brussles and Strasbourg has lavish budget but in overall context it is tolerable.

India and Pakistan have been at each other's

throat since their separate formation. India, a democratic and secular nation, has made several overtures for peace and cooperation with its neighbour to the West. Some bold initiative was taken by earlier governments of India.

India learnt its lesson through Kargil, the Mumbai massacre and other Pakistani adventures. The Krishna-Khar dialogue is sending positive signals. India, as a larger and perhaps more developed country, has extended hand of cooperation but it takes two to tango. Over 25 years ago, SAARC was formed of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives. The economies of these countries are complimentary and goods and services can be easily transported internally. A long time has been lost. Perhaps Pakistani non-corporative mood was the cause. But the present government of Pakistan is making some welcoming sounds and Pakistani people are keen to usher in an era of economic development. They also realise the potential of partnership with India. What has happened in Europe from original foundation of the European community (France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg) can teach India and Pakistan and the countries of the subcontinent, to have vision, dedication and determination. The decision of India and Pakistan, to begin this long journey with liberalisation of visa-regime is a welcoming step. India has to remain vigilant and cautious.

Child and forced marriage are not encompassing all British Asians Child marriage, forced marriage and other ills are unacceptable. Frequently, we hear about forced marriages, child marriages and other ill treatment of women, which is inhumanity of the worst kind, spread over the TV screens and sheets of newspapers.

The terminology describes those engaged in such nefarious activities as 'Asians', which is both incorrect and hurtful to the vast number of British Asians. Let's call spade a spade.

Sadly, such tragic situations are confined in the Pakistani Muslim community from certain rural districts and in so-called Azad Kashmir.

If the community and religious leaders arise and campaign within those communities, the ills can be reduced substantially in a reasonable period.

There is some confusion about the terminology of British Asians. Its history is only about 50 odd years. In the aftermath of the famous “Wind of Chain” speech by PM Harold Macmillan in South Africa, the British passport holder of Asian origin started migrating to

their country – UK. In the aftermath of the partition of India, a small number of people who hailed from present day Pakistan and other Muslims were reluctant to call themselves as East African Indians.

Before 1947, there were Indian associations and branches of Indian National Congress in several parts of Kenya, Uganda, Tanganika and Zanzibar. To satisfy the desire of a small number of people, these associations became Asian Association. In the House of Commons, the then-Colonel Secretary, while talking about the problems, priorities and potential of Asians of East Africa, the term 'East African Asians' evolved.

Earlier the area known as Indian subscontinent is now described as South Asia. In the environment of political correctness, consequently East African Asians. British Asians do not include those from Japan, China, Malaysia or other Asian countries. They are of ancestral origin from present South Asia.

www.abplgroup.com

3

Thought for the Week We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.

- Maya Angelou

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel’s

Defender of the Faith for Queen and Country Save Hinduism and you save all faiths and thereby you save the world. How so?

I witnessed the Paralympic Opening Ceremony where I sang the national anthem, God Save the Queen.

The Queen - a grandmother whose role is of course as Defender of the Faith.

And on that topic, at the Annual Hindu Convention, this was my speech: Eighteen months ago, I went to Rishikesh with my family to scatter the ashes of my grandmother. Upon the urn was inscribed, metaphorically, ‘Defender of the Faith’. ‘Defender of the Faith’ is a title bestowed upon the British monarch in fact – as they are considered anointed by God Himself.

Here we gather to make speeches for each other, whilst out there Hindu girls live as slaves in brothels and slums. Hindus call out for help from persecution. And none comes. That is where our faith is being lost. I know of these Hindus who say their God is dead because of such tragedies. And others who kneel because no other avenue is left open to them.

Look to the person to your left and to your right. Do you see a sect or a division, or do you see the right hand of God? Do you see division or the Hindu nation? You have the power as a leader to decide. Power does not make a leader. A leader makes power. The power to decide if through their actions we are a nation of Swaminarayans and Vaishnavs and Shaivites, and Tamils and Gujaratis, or but one nation –the Hindu Nation.

You are the only hope of a seven thousand year faith. You are fortunate. You know your destiny. To earn upon your urn, the inscription, ‘defender of the faith’.

How many die, never knowing their purpose, never knowing their destiny? You know yours. And should you meet the Queen, you shall say, ‘I too am a defender of the Faith. I too therefore descend from a royal bloodline, because I too carry forth the work of God.’ So in all things, leaders in the Hindu faith, ask yourself, ‘is this action of mine as a sectarian leader, or the work of God, my best self, the act of royalty befitting a seven thousand year lineage? Does the blood of ancestors who were warrior defenders still flow through these arteries?’

But by defending the Hindu faith, we defend all faiths.

Mahatma Gandhi, another Defender of the Faith, actually of all faiths, whose words we call upon the world to heed once again, said on the treatment of Hindus: "Death for me would be a glorious deliverance rather than that I should be a helpless witness of the destruction of India, Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam. That destruction is certain if Pakistan ensures no equality of status and security of life and property for all professing the various faiths of the world, and if India copies her. Only then Islam dies in the two India's, not in the world. But Hinduism and Sikhism have no world outside India."

‘Two Indias.’ In the destruction of Hinduism in Pakistan, Islam dies said Mahatma Gandhi. Where Hinduism cannot flourish, there die all faiths. Our greatest allies in the survival of Hinduism in Pakistan, should be Muslims.

Wherever there are Hindus, that is India and therefore the business of all Indians and Hindus. They were cut from our flesh – our offspring. Because I am of Indian origin, and so was Pakistan, it concerns me what goes on there. Not just because they are my neighbour and fellow mankind.

So it is this weekend there will be a series of protests outside the High Commissions of all these countries, including India, on the maltreatment of Hindus. ‘Death for me would be a glorious deliverance rather than that I should be a helpless witness of the destruction of India, Hinduism’ said Gandhi. You do not need to be a helpless witness – but your life and soul depends upon it. www.hinduhumanrights.info

4

LEICESTER VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Heart campaigner Ria continues to march for her cause Ria Pahwa, 14, from Rushey Mead, along with around 100 people, are expected to join another march in the fight to save children’s heart surgery at Glenfield Hospital on Saturday. This will be the second march the teenager has organised.

The first event took place in Syston on August 24 and attracted about 70 protesters. Campaigners with placards and campaign T-shirts will gather by the Habib Bank, in Belgrave Road, Leicester.

Ria, who was born with a serious heart condition and had several heart operations at Glenfield, said: “I will not give up until we have saved the children’s heart unit. People there helped me and I want to help them.�

The young student is determined to fight a decision to cut the number of hospitals in England providing surgery for children born

Ria, 14, from Rushey Mead

with heart problems.

The number of heart surgery centres will be cut from 11 to seven, with Glenfield being one of those picked for closure following an NHS review of the service. This means children born with heart defects will have to travel to Birmingham for surgery.

Ria’s mother, Vira, said: “If it wasn’t for Glenfield Hospital I wouldn’t have my daugh-

Story of Uganda exodus is told The audio trail guides people between the museum and Phoenix, in the Cultural Quarter, are set to retell the story of the Uganda exodus Councillor Piara Singh Clair, assistant city mayor responsible for heritage, said: “This is a fascinating part of Leicester’s history and this digital trail through the city will bring it to life as never before. It is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the exodus of Ugandan Asians.�

The trail uses personal stories from Leicester’s Ugandan Asian community.

Re s t a u r a t e u r Dharmesh Lakhani, of Belgrave Road, whose family was among those expelled, said: “It something different and that could be quite exciting.�

Accountant Praful

Cllr Piara Singh Clair

Thakrar, of Oadby, said: “This is a very good idea which will help today’s generation understand better what their parents and grandparents went through.�

The audio trail guide story titled “From Kampala to Leicester� runs until September 30.

Shop windows along the trail will display posters featuring QR codes, which can be read by smart phones to access more information.

Leicester extends its gratitude to its Ugandan Asians Councillors will publicly express their gratitude to the Uganda Asian Community in Leicester for its contributions to the city’s life over the past 40 years.

Over 10,000 Asians from Uganda, took refuge in Leicester after dictator Idi Amin expelled them from their country in 1972.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the expulsion, city councillors will discuss a motion that will recognize the social economic and cultural benefits the refugees’ arrival has had.

Councillor Sundip Meghani has suggested

Cllr Sundip Meghani

the motion. His father, Shantilal, was part of the expulsion and had only ￥ 50 in their pockets at the time. He said: “is a symbolic gesture on an issue that is of great importance to the whole city.

More than 10,000 Ugandan Asians came here. Most were active,

ter. I am so proud of her. I don’t think she would be here now if the service had not been at Glenfield.�

Ria is also urging as many people to sign an online petition protesting at the closure. More than 64,000 people have already put their names to it but if it reaches 100,000 it could spark debate in Parliament.

Dharmesh Lakhani, 44, of Bobby’s

Restaurant, in Belgrave, said: “As citizens of Leicester we feel very strongly about the children’s heart unit at Glenfield. It is just a shame that we have to fight to save something so good and something we saves so many lives. I have known Ria and her family for years and there were times when we didn’t know if she would survive. It is so heartening to see a young person like here fighting for something like this.�

Mr Lakhani, 44, who was also born with a heart condition, added: “The scary thing is that if we lose children’s heart services we don’t know what might go next.�

The Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland joint health scrutiny committee is writing to new Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt asking him to reconsider the decision. http://epetitions.direct.go v.uk/

Little information about medical condition PROM After the recent death of a premature baby in Leicester from the condition Prom, Dr Tanu Singhal, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Leicester’s hospitals, said very little was and is known about Prom and Pprom.

She said: “The first thing we have to do is to check and see if the membrane (the sac of fluid surrounding the growing baby) has broken.

There is a condition called Prom – premature rupture of the membrane – which happens when the fluid starts leaking when a women is more than 37 weeks pregnant but when labour to deliver the baby has not started. “Once we have established it has actually ruptured we have to decide whether the baby should be induced straight away or if we can wait between 24 and 48 hours and see what develops. The main danger of a woman’s waters breaking is that of infection. The problem group for us is those women who are 34 or hard-working and entrepreneurial people.They helped the recovery of an economy that, in the early 1970s was struggling – particularly the hosiery industry. Today, they and their relatives play a major part in the city’s business. It’s in everything from restaurants to banking and the legal sector.�

Councillor Meghani is also encouraging his colleagues to condemn anyone who discourages people fleeing persecution from coming to the city. He said: “At the time of the expulsions there was a lot of rhetoric from

Dr Tanu Singhal

fewer weeks pregnant.

Survival of the baby is not as good. A baby needs the fluids to develop its lungs and limbs. They also provide the baby with cushioning to help development. When there has been the loss of fluids there are some very hard decisions to make.�

Due to the risk of infection, women diagnosed with the condition will be closely monitored to check for infection and will often be given antibiotics to protect the baby.

Dr Singhal said: “At the moment, we don’t really know the cause of the condition and there is very little we can do to prevent it from happening.� anti-immigration groups and the National Front to try to stop Ugandan Asians coming here. The city council also foolishly took out adverts in papers telling them not to come here.

Leicester reluctantly accepted the Ugandan Asians but now, after 40 years, the city is a much better place for their arrival.

The city was a very different place back then and there was uncertainty and fear about immigration. Now we know what an important role those fleeing persecution have played.�

Hundreds sign petition against axing funding for Navratri event

Navrati Event last year at De Montfort Hall

More than 2,000 people have joined together to sign a petition that calls on council bosses to abandon plans to axe a grant for a major Hindu celebration. Up until now, Leicester City Council has been providing 20,000 to help pay for an annual Navratri event at De Montfort Hall, but it is now considering stopping the support from next year.

The organisers of the Navratri celebrations, the Leicester Hindu Festivals Council, said if the council goes ahead with plans to stop funding, they would not be able to afford the nine-night celebration in 2013.

The city council will fundthis year’s event, but president of the festival council, Maganbhai Patel, said it could not do it in the future. He said: “This year, we are fine but next year, if we don’t get the funding, we won’t be able to hold the event. That would be a huge shame because it is enjoyed by about 9,000 people every year�

More than 1,500 people have put their names to the petition, which has triggered a debate among councillors that will take place at the council meetingat the Town Hall on Thursday. The final decisions will be made in early October.

Policing protests over Scout hut in Thurnby Lodge has already cost ÂŁ200,000

Police and protestors in Thurnby Lodge last month

As protests increase day by day over plans to turn a disused Scout hut into a community centre, so does the mounting bill to police them. The cost of the operation in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester is rising daily, and has already cost ÂŁ200,000.

As discussions are still ongoing to resolve the buildings future, officers from city stations as far as Hinckley and Coalville have had to be redeployed from their regular duties to oversee these protests.

The plans have been initiated by the Muslim

group As-Salaam Trust to convert the Nursery Road building into a community centre.

A source has said: â€œÂŁ200,000 is a big hit, especially in these times of tightened budgets. But we can’t turn our backs on them because if something did go wrong and we weren’t there, we’d be slated – and rightly so.I hope a solution is found soon.â€?

Up to 60 officers have been sent to cover the largest protests, some of which attracted 400 people.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Indian High Commission welcomes Indian Paralympic team at a gala reception

All the members of Indian Journalist Association were invited at a reception by the Indian High Commission on Thursday 6 September to greet and meet the Indian Paralympics Team. Indian High Commissioner HE Dr Jaimini Bhagwati, who welcomed the team himself said, that he was delighted to have the company of the Paralympics team, which is as important as the Olympic team, especially to honour H N Girisha, who won a silver medal for India.

Photo Courtesy: Clayton F Barreto

Members of Indian Paralympic team and others

H N Girisha with Dr Jaimini Bhagwati

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Second Asian suicide from a City rooftop shocks community The third plunge by a City worker from a roof top restaurant near Bank, has left the city baffled. While many people are now raising questions regarding the 'worth of a City lifestyle' that may have driven the victim to 'kill herself', the family of the deceased has been left terribly shocked.

Rema Beauty Begum jumped from the Coq D’Argent in the City, falling eight storeys and landing in front of shoppers and commuters outside Bank station. She had written goodbye letters.

Ms Begum, said to be a 29-year-old City worker, is reported to have taken a sip of wine and placed her handbag on the floor before plunging from the packed dining room.

An inquest was opened on Tuesday, as Asian Voice went to press, at City of London coroners’ court. Her family, in a statement, said: “We are incredibly shocked and upset at the untimely and tragic death of our daughter Rema.

“We would ask for our privacy to be respected at this very difficult time so that we may grieve as a family in peace.”

A provisional cause of death was given as multi-

ple injuries, while a toxicology report will be prepared. Inquiries are also being made with Ms Begum’s doctor to establish her medical history.

No other details — including her date of birth — were made public by the court or City of London police after the requests for privacy by the family.

Coroner Dr Roy Palmer released the body and adjourned the inquest. He said: “I will review it in due course when we have all available evidence.”

Police who went to the scene of Ms Begum’s death at 6.40 pm on Tuesday last week were reported to have found a note tucked into her trouser pocket directing them to a stash of goodbye letters left at home for her family.

Anjool Malde

It is the third death at the restaurant at No 1 Poultry.

Stockbroker Anjool Malde, 24, had jumped clutching a glass of champagne in 2009 after being suspended from his job at Deutsche Bank.

In May 2007 Richard Ford, 33, also a City worker, threw himself off the building, landing on a bus.

Chak 89, London’s award winning Indian restaurant had several visits by its favourite star and friend Shahrukh Khan. The king of Bollywood has been in the UK for the past 3 months for the shooting of Yash Raj’s new film, in which he stars alongside Anuksha Sharma and Katrina Kaif. While on set he visited Chak 89 on several occasions to have his dosage of traditional home cooked food.Shahrukh is the brand ambassador of Chak 89 and who is also their most regular Bollywood client.

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Hindu Journey: Uplifting community Hindu Journey is a vibrant and exciting social project aiming to empower the community via knowledge, service and networking.

The project centres on these three strands. What makes HinduJourney unique in many ways is that it is a Youth driven initiative; with hundreds of youths involved throughout the UK. The project has been founded by 27 year old Shri Kishan Devani, who is a teacher of Religious Studies, who speaks at schools, colleges and universities across the country on Hinduism and the Youth.

One of the first strands that bring the project together is the one of knowledge. A key aim of Hindu Journey is to teach the community about Hinduism and what it represents. Therefore we want to iron out any misconceptions and enhance the understanding of Hinduism. This is aspect of Hindu Journey represents the spiritual side of the project. The Hindu Journey team believes that educating today’s generation of Hindu youth about their culture is vital, as the question of identity persists amongst many of them. We will be holding various spiritual seminars, lectures, workshops and events such as Puja’s, Katha’s and Aarti’s. The major festivals such as Diwali and Holi will also be celebrated as a commu-

nity throughout the year.

The next and equally as important part of their project is the charitable strand where they aim to empower the community via service. Hindu Journey currently supports feeding the homeless projects as well as children autistic schools. This is an area which the Hindu Journey team are looking to rapidly grow, making links with charities and helping people in need. This aspect of Hindu Journey is to promote and partake in seva (selfless service). This will include helping underprivileged people such as the homeless, aiding hospitals, hospices and schools.

The final area that brings Hindu Journey together is the social strand aiming to empower the community via networking.

The Hindu Journey team aim to organise various events such as fashions shows, dinner dances, artis and pujas so that people can regularly meet with one another and learn about the Hindu Culture.

Hindu Journey’s launch event is taking place on September 21st at Mercure hotel in Watford. The event will host distinguished guests MPs, Diplomats and Industrialists. It is a chance for people to network with influential figures in our country and learn more about the Hindu Tradition.

Drunken passenger may be sentenced A drunken airline passenger who stole other flyers' food and demanded the plane 'play music' is facing a possible jail sentence.

Bela Chopra, Pictured, 39, drank from her own bottle of gin and demanded that music be played over the jet's loudspeakers, the Uxbridge Magistrates were told. She was arrested by police when the flight landed at Heathrow on June 18.

Chopra was interviewed

when she had sobered up and apologised. She explained she had not slept the night before and was terrified of flying.

Chopra said she had been sipping neat gin to calm her nerves which was why she was so drunk. Chair of the bench Jeremy Lister committed her to be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on a date to be set.

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Dull it isn't

Jaisi karni, waisi bharani* - Kabir PM Cameron has reorganised his Cabinet. It is more out of compulsions than a preference. He is fully aware that 28 out of 90 odd ministers (some big and some not so) have been sent on the backbenches or rather more bluntly, have been sacked and they are likely to wield axe as all exes (spouses, partners) tend to do. He can and he has to take the risk but maybe the cement of perks and privileges can perhaps dampen the revenge mentality.

P r i m e Ministers have the absolute right (as it should be) to select their team.

It will cost the Treasury some £500,000 for various claims. It is not too much David Cameron indeed – provided the efficiency level is improved.

Some readers, including prominent ones, have written to me, claiming that Indians, especially Hindus and Sikhs, MPs and Lords, are not given due share of the “cake”. Perhaps, some would think so. Even in the first Cabinet of David Cameron in May 2010, this omission was striking.

Sajid Javid has been appointed E c o n o m i c Secretary, which Shailesh Vara is a very important job and all powers to Sajid.

Baroness Sandip Verma has been reallocated as the “Baroness in waiting”.

Ok, but she could do with a much better assignment.

Shailesh Vara MP has been dispatched to the backbenches.

Lord Navnit Baroness Sandip Verma Dholakia, a quiet and clean, self made man, who deserves to have been assigned an important role in the government.

Prime Minister Cameron will be well advised to correct this grave error at the earliest.

Other Lords like Meghnad Desai, Bhikhu Lord Navnit Parekh, Naren Dholakia Patel etc. are members of the “other party”. They and other lords are hardworking and clean. One cannot say the same thing about Lord Swaraj Paul, Lord Uddin, Lord Amir Bhatia who hobknobbed with some inappropriate claims and became controversial.

Baroness Sayeeda Varsi had to use her Twitter to create some fuss, as Ann Treneman writes, “sometimes it pays to moan and not to roar”. After all, all parents know that 4 to 5 year olds create tantrums to acquire that toy or something and eventually the parents have no other option. But all the same, it is right to keep Sayeeda Varsi in the tent. President Truman used some strong language why not to keep

such individuals outside the tent, but I dare not quote him completely.

Some friends have insisted that a campaign is needed as “our” persons are not duly recognised. I wonder. That even in this formation, Indian origin MPs and Lords are ignored is a fact. Nevertheless, David Cameron, or any other Prime Minster, would consider the overall qualities of the members of his team. Are they efficient? Do they represent their constituency and especially in case of ethnicities, in their communities? Are they popular? Have they served communities well? besides other criteria.

Ever since I went in to the publishing business, the two pledges have been kept consistently: Not to be involved in electoral politics and not to accept any state honours.

Hence I would have no compunction to take up any cudgels on behalf of any “victims”.

Baroness Varsi made her presence felt. Cheryl Gullan, Tim Loughton, Nick Harvey, Paul Burstow and Crispin Blunt, are some other MPs who are “not going quietly”.

Political participation is very important. It is not a dirty game - if good people participate it remains more cleaner and better. People of Indian origin or more specifically, non resident Indians have kept away from public life especially in Politics in Fiji, Uganda and some other countries. We know the price we have paid for this omission.

To shine out, to get the name and the fame in the public domain is well worth. Politics is an important place, but there are other opportunities to.

Many Asian entrepreneurs, especially of Indian origin, have succeeded very well in spite of heavy odds. They deserve our congratulations. Some of them take some interest in the community activity, but much more could be done, as they are the role models with resources of intellect and others at their disposal. Mere focus on wealth creation has after all a limited value.

Let us look at the Jewish community. Everywhere they are settled. In Britain, Jews are about 320,000. Indians are not less than 1.5 million. Pakistanis are about 600,000. The Jews are competent in business and wealth creation as well as other creative pursuits. But they excel in philanthropy.

Israel and the Jewish causes are naturally very predominant but the Jews' generous contribution to human service as well as Art and Culture causes is enormous.

Equally, they consider political contribution of great significance and, in different ways, of some special advantage too.

For a moment, let us look at the American presidential election campaign. Barack Obama raised so much money that in 2008, $4.2 billion was spent in political adverts.

This year, the amount is likely to go 23% higher at $5.2 billion. Mitt Romney supporters are also gearing up for a gigantic spend. Federal Communications Commission has compiled details of the contributions and the spend. I am told by reliable sources from Washington that the Jewish contribution is huge, perhaps over 27% whereas

the Jews number about 6 million in a country of 310 million which is the USA. The Financial Tines of Monday 10th September, informs us that Rahm Emmanuel, former Chief of Staff and now Chicago Mayor, (earlier was connected with the Israeli army too) has set out to raise a colossal amount of $150 million for “Super-Pac” adverts in support of Barack Obama.

How much Indians contribute to political and non political causes, is a matter of conjecture. The only names which comes to mind at the moment or are publicised are Lakshmi Mittal (£2 million to Labour Party – when in govern- Lord Gulam Noon ment) and at the time, half a million or more from Lord Gulam Noon, Dr Chai Patel and some others as gifts or loans.

It is rumoured that some individuals have given substantial sums to the Conservative Party since 2010. Publicising such worthy contributions is not going to harm if done in a more subtle way.

Money is not everything, “service” itself has a more long term effect.

Let us look at Keith Vaz. A member of a tiny Christian Goan community, representing a larger Keith Vaz Hindu constituency of Leicester East.

Keith is a devout Christian and takes pride in his Goan heritage but that has not stopped him from being a popular and most prominent member of Asians in the Parliament. Whether it is BCCI or racial discrimination, immigration, planning permissions, problems of minority religions (Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims), Keith is always available to help them. Keith's value is known to his Labour Party as well as to Prime Minister David Cameron. His outstanding chairmanship of the Home Affairs Committee is well respected. Keith proves that there is no impediment of being a member of ethnic minority.

A similar example is Lord Paul Boateng. Born to a Jewish mother and prominent Ghanain, African politician, he has always been a Labour Party activist. He was the first non-white to join Tony Blair's government on a senior assignment. Subsequently, he was elevated to House of Lords and served as our High Commissioner in South Africa. Paul has never, ever shied away from his Black ancestry. There is a lesson for all Asians and especially Indians.

Join Politics of your choice, pay the dues, follow the routine and sometimes mundane activities, but if you have that X factor, you will be noticed and rewarded. People at the top of a political party would embrace such individuals with both hands because they can garner votes and other resources from their community. * As you sow, so shall you reap - CB

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

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Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Memorial event for selfless doctor and independence movement soldier Rani Singh Lakshmi Sahgal was a freedom fighter, a doctor for the common man, and a supporter of women. Aged 98, she passed away on July 23, 2012. A remembrance event was held for her in the Nehru Centre on Friday September 8th, 2012.

The event was organized by the Netaji Subhas Foundation UK whose Chairman, Suhas Khale, gave opening remarks on a sober but inspirational occasion. Scholar Dr Kusum Joshi told the audience how Lakshmi was inspired by the Freedom movement.

Lakshmi happily burnt all of her own and other peoples’ foreign clothes.

But rather than drop out of medical college and spend time in jail with throngs of Congress supporters of the resistance, she chose to qualify as a doctor and go to Singapore. There she met Subhas Chandra Bose, pioneer of the Indian National Army; an armed force founded in South East Asia to liberate India from the British.

Lakshmi Sahgal became Captain Sahgal and led the INA’s all - woman Rani of Jhansi regiment, fighting British troops with guns on the battlefield.

Lakshmi Sahgal’s granddaughter, strikingly similar-looking Neha Puri, was also at the Nehru Centre. In a rivet-

Freedom fighter Lakshmi Sahgal with K. R. Narayanan

the lives of local Sikh families. She threatened any would-be violent mob members with her chappal and since the majority of them had been delivered by her

hand in her clinic they did not dare to cross her.

Lakshmi Sahgal believed that along with independence, social and economic freedom was the birthright of every Indian, and was disappointed that here leaders failed to deliver. It is why

one was a 16-year old who had dropped out of school when she lost her eyesight.

Audio of Lakshmi recorded by Neha’s filmmaker cousin Shaad Ali was played, in which Lakshmi talked of having “some very good shots” in her regiment of 1,500 women, and how she was useful to the British when she was captured by them because as a doctor she could help in their dispensary. A series of interviews talking about Lakshmi Sehgal recorded by Chandra Bose was also shown. Questions were followed by closing remarks by Sujit Bhattacharjee.

Lakshmi Sehgal body was taken to Kanpur medical college in procession. Her two daughters,

Fun challenge, serious consequences Why charity starts at home and how you can achieve self- richness Priyan K Patel & Kiran D Patel Our fund raising page started with the following description, “THIS IS IT! The battle of the year…the one you have been waiting for…The challenge: The London Duathlon 2012.

Start with a 10K run, followed by a 44K cycle and finishing off with a 5K run.” The added twist was that this father and son team were not only racing against the clock, but also against one another.

The London Duathlon 2012 was held on 9 September 2012 at Richmond Park and started at 9am on what was a bright and crisp Sunday morning. For both of us, the day commenced with a 5am wake up call, followed by breakfast at 6am, comprising of a large bowl of pasta each. The journey to the venue started at 6.20am and was only an hour long, but felt like hours.

The contest facing us was one that we had not encountered before and it came about from the need to “do something”. We have always been active in some form but rarely have we had the chance to test our limits to the maximum, together.

This seemed to be the ideal opportunity.

Although most of the training was done separately, there were times when cycle rides were taken together or short runs would be tackled early on a Sunday morning, if nothing else, to see the progress we were both making.

Further descriptions on the fundraising page were as follows:-“The ultimate question: who would be victorious? It is a battle of experience versus youth. Father versus son.

The modern day ‘David versus Goliath’….so who are you backing?”

Well the real victor was

go a long way towards promoting the importance of exercise. Not only does it improve your physical fitness, but will also make you feel more alert and even happier in your dayto-day life. Similarly, as the Olympic and Paralympic games this summer have shown, you may be of any age and physical capability but there will always be a sport for you to participate in; from swimming in your local pool to walking to the shops to get your groceries, it all counts.

But what drives us to wake up that hour earlier each day, and to make time to exercise? It’s not just about our own well-being, it’s also about helping others.

Kiran D Patel and Priyan K Patel The great thing about doing a challenge is is it to ask you to donate that you can also raise on our charity page? That money for your favourite would be good, but it’s not charity or your local comthe primary reason. The munity; all you have to do serious lesson and underis push yourself to do lying story is the benefits something different, someof exercise, both physicalthing which you personally and mentally, to prevent ly find demanding. underlying health issues.

Not only have we In the modern world of improved our fitness levcomputers, iPads, Xboxes els, but we have also manand PlayStations, it is vital aged to raise a reasonable that some form of physical amount of money for a activity is achieved very good cause: The through family participaHeart and Stroke tion and ensuring that one’s children are not led Research Campaign at the to continuously play on Northwick Park Institute these devices without any for Medical Research. physical exertion, as this If you would like to will only bring about a donate to our cause then nation of couch potatoes. please do visit our webFrom personal points of site: www.virginmoneygivview, we were both fearful ing.com/team/kiranof our ability to complete vpriyan, or you can visit the task, however that the Heart and Stroke alone was no reason why Research Campaign webwe would not give it a go. site at www.heartandstrokeresearch.org.

Although this summer We hope that hearing has now virtually come to of our exploit will help to an end, it is very imporencourage you and your tant for all parents, whatfamily to take part in more ever the age of their childynamic activities and credren, to realise that rising to such challenges does ate a community of not take up a substantial healthy individuals in amount of time, but does years to come. both father and son. The challenge was overcome; we both victoriously crossed the finishing line and collected our medals.

The duathlon itself was both enjoyable and demanding, especially with the weekend of glorious weather. So why are we telling you about this;

CSN discusses how US can help its Sikh community Netaji Subash Chandra Bose with Captain Lakshmi

ing talk called “My Nani” she commented that it was disappointing that the INA’s contribution to India’s independence is largely overlooked. She also narrated how, during anti-Sikh riots in 1984 after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, her grandmother Lakshmi took to the streets outside the medical clinic in Kanpur she ran to protect

she chose to focus on her own contribution to the common man.

Every day, she went to her clinic to treat poor people- right up to July 17th 2012, the day before she died of a heart attack.

She donated her body and eyes to Kanpur Medical college, and two women were helped –Neha met them both –

Subhashini and Anisa and their families attended along with thousands of slogan-shouting supporters, walking on foot.

Kusum Joshi said that it was sad that no representative from either state or central government had been present on that occasion to pay homage to this daughter of the nation.

City Sikhs Network and other organisations discussed how USA can help its Sikh community in the aftermath of the Wisconsin Gurdwara (‘Temple’) Shooting.

The City Sikhs Network (CSN) was invited to a round-table discussion on the evening of 30th August 2012 to help US Embassy staff based in the UK gain a greater understanding of the Sikh community both in Britain and the United States, as well as determine what could be done to assist the

Sikh community whilst coming to terms with the tragic events of 5th August 2012.

As President Obama said in his official condolence statement, “we are reminded how much our country has been enriched

by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.”

The topics of discussion included reassuring Sikh tourists to the USA of their safety whilst travelling, learning from the Best Practice of British state authorities and pub-

lic bodies such as the Police in respect of diversity training and how to achieve greater visibility for the Sikh community in the US media.

The need for such continuing dialogue is immense, and CSN is proud to be working with local, regional, national and international agencies to help ensure that the needs of the modern Sikh community are being met.

For more information about the work CSN does, please visit www.citysikhs.org.uk.

EDUCATION/COUNCIL

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

SARVAM

Official Charity for AAA 2012

Making a change at India's Grassroots

Helping girls realise their true identity

Mr Vijay Poddar

Fourteen year old Sangeeta always kept herself withdrawn because she was shorter in height than her peers. She was often mistaken for a primary school student and nobody took her identity seriously, not even her parents! She thus suffered from low self-esteem and found it difficult to concentrate on studies.

Sangeeta’s parents worked in a brick kin in another town and could visit their two daughters

only once a month.

Parents considered her to be less bright than her elder sister. All these factors were weighing her confidence down when SARVAM’s community coordinators met Sangeeta and encouraged her to join SATYAM. At SATYAM, Sangeeta joined Bharatnatayam (classical Indian dance) and Karate classes and excelled in both.

Soon she became the centre of everyone’s attention. Her flowering won her parent’s hearts. They realised that her identity did not reside in her height but in her talent.

In a seminar where students from 22 local school had gathered to express their views on ‘What can we do to protect nature?’ Sangeeta got the first prize.

There are many chil-

dren like Sangeeta in rural India who suffer from low self-esteem and lack of confidence because their parents and teachers are unable to understand them. A nurturing environment like that of SATYAM is a ray of hope!

“We welcome your participation and support.

You may contribute in general for the project or for specific purposes.

For further information, please contact.... Mrs Shilpa Shah on 07404618933 (between 2pm and 6pm) or email on shilpa.sarvam@gmail.com.“If you wish to donate to Sarvam, please make cheques payable to ‘THE SARVAM TRUST’ and send them to: The Sarvam Trust Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar Asian Business Publication Ltd, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW

Hundreds more primary places created Ealing Council has created 390 new permanent and temporary primary school places for the start of the 2012/2013 school year. This is in addition to the 510 permanent primary places created since Ealing Council started its primary school expansion programme in 2008.

Like most parts of London, Ealing is experiencing a shortage of primary school places. This is partly due to high birth rates, but is also because of the popularity of the borough’s schools. The council has been responding to this challenge by expanding existing schools, where possible, and building new ones.

A new Catholic primary school being built on the site of the Holy Family Community Centre in west Acton will admit its first 60 pupils this month. And a separate primary school is planned for the site of the Priory Community Centre, also in Acton. This will open in September 2013 and building works are now underway.

Some existing schools across the borough have been temporarily expanded for

this September and are each taking a bulge class of 30 additional pupils.

The schools are: • Oaklands Primary School, Hanwell • St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Hanwell • Greenwood Primary School, Greenford • Horsenden Primary School, Greenford • Vicar’s Green Primary School, Perivale • St Raphael’s Catholic Primary School, Northolt • Willow Tree Primary School, Northolt • East Acton Primary School, Acton • Southfield Primary School, Acton • West Acton Primary School, Acton • West Twyford Primary School, Acton.

These expansions will create 330 additional, temporary places for this year’s reception intake.

Councillor Patricia Walker, cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: “The pressure on primary places in Ealing is increasing every year and we are doing everything we can to ensure that we continue to provide for local children.”

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National Hindu Students Forum (UK) Veeral Raichura, Campus Secretary

InSEPTion: Building the Foundations As the London 2012 Paralympic games drew to a close, National Hindu Students Forum (NHSF) (UK) university societies gathered together for a fun-filled marathon of their own.

In preparation for their upcoming academic year, committee members attended a day of training and skill-based workshops, hosted by NHSF (UK).

Held at Birmingham City University for the first time and with a record attendance of over 200 students from over 37 universities across the country, the newly revamped September Committee’s Day (SCD) was designed to focus on the personal development of committee members who have been trusted with the responsibility of leading and supporting fellow students, as well as societies as a whole.

Furthermore, SCD gave committee members a chance to network with their peers and share advice and experiences with one another.

Workshops led by

NHSF (UK) National Committee and invited guest speakers, such as Alpesh Patel, presenter of the Newsbytes programme on Sky, covered topics such as Project M a n a g e m e n t , Leadership, The Hindu Management System, Article Writing and Public Speaking. The feedback for the day was positive with one student commenting, “I had a wonderful time today and have gained a lot of small tips to ensure a successful start to the new academic year.

Having attended a number of workshops, my highlight of the day was the pleasure of listening to Alpesh Patel’s advice on public speaking and how great pride in your designated topic is one of the key ingredients to delivering the perfect speech.

Thank you to NHSF who organised everything.”

As part of the day, attendees also witnessed the launch of the upcoming NHSF (UK) national event, Big Hindu Questions (BHQ).

Delving into the

thoughts of students across the country, NHSF (UK) seek to find those unanswered questions surrounding Hindu Dharma in a quest to have these answered.

The event, held on 24 November 2012 at University of Wolverhampton, proved to be a popular talking point amongst attendees.

Taking inspiration from the Olympics, SCD aimed to ‘inspire a generation’, equipping those students who are carrying the baton forward for Hindu Dharma, with the coaching needed to be successful. Just as the London 2012 Olympic games draw to a close and reflections are made on the past few weeks, one can look back on the past year and reflect on the achievements of the innumerable NHSF (UK) societies.

With the New Year looming, and the excitement starting to kick in, the future once again looks bright for NHSF (UK).

YOUR VOICE

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Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Parking offences: the easy way out for councils

Real Test for The Sabarmati Riverfront

I agree with Bhupendrabhai Gandhi when he says that those charged with parking fines would rather incline themselves to pay up than go through the hassle of making appeals online (AV 8 September 2012).

In July last year, a relative of mine who lives and works in Leicester was issued with a penalty charge notice which alleged that he had committed a parking contravention in London. The notice included CCTV images but the car’s registration number was not clearly visible.

My relative was working at the time of the alleged contravention and his car was parked in the factory’s car park.

Although full supporting evidence was submitted, the London council’s Parking Services rejected his appeal representations without giving adequate explanation. On request, his appeal was listed for hearing before the Parking Adjudicator.

Soon after, however, the council cancelled the penalty and tendered a halfhearted apology.

My relative was so upset by the harassment caused to him by the council’s actions that on his behalf, I complained to the Chief Executive. I also decided that, if necessary, I would take his complaint further to the local authority ombudsman. The council’s response was immediate. My relative received a full letter of apology from the Parking Manager. He also received a compensation payment and was given sufficient assurances that the council would be reviewing their parking contraventions procedures. Additionally, he received a full apology from the Customer Services Manager who accepted that her staff had been rude and dismissive towards him and his son on the telephone.

The lesson to learn is quite clear - face up to an injustice and take the matter all the way through.

Recently unveiled by CM Modi, the riverfront faces its first challenge as both Dharoi & Sardar Sarovar dams overflow.

It consists of wide passageways on both sides of the river along with benches and newly planted trees at equidistance. It also does have nice lighting-poles on both the sides. Ever since it was opened, the riverfront has been so popular among people offering boating, scooter rides & a nice concrete passageway on both the sides. The statistics witness more footfall than Kankaria in their first couple of months.

Currently most cities in India have witnessed so much of rain as monsoon starts to ponder hard. The Tapi river, in Surat, have started flowing at its dangerous limit. Now because of so much rain in Madhya Pradesh, mighty Narmada has brought so much water that the Sardar Sarovar dam has started overflowing!

Similarly various parts of Gujarat have made small rivers alive which submerge in the Sabarmati river; this has led to the Dharoi dam to overflow. Ahmedawadis went to various bridges to watch the river in its aggressive form as opposed to the usual calm & quiet one.

As the officials are working very hard at the Vasna Barrage to keep things under control, I wish the Riverfront doesn’t suffer much during this tough time.

Uttambhai D Mistry Bolton

Krishna and Hindus

I feel the comments of R K Bhatt suggesting that Krishna is not historical are spiteful and hurtful (AV 8 September 2012).

He is disappointed by comments of Ramesh Jhalla (AV 18 August) yet himself does not see the hurt he is causing others with his own comments.

To me and to millions Krishna is historical, alive, breathing, walking, talking, physical and real as you and me, and above all He is the Lord my God. I find his comments offensive and an attack on my beliefs and faith.

RK Bhatt has no right to declare Krishna as unreal or mythical just because He himself has not experienced Krishna.

His attack on the Hindu communities and Hindu Gurus is an insult to all Hindus who do tremendous work towards helping the poor, the suffering and the needy.

Kiran Parmar Via Email

Citizen Khan

Devang Bhatt, Harrow, London

Indian corruption This is further to Nitin Mehta’s assertion about Alpesh’s article (AV 10th August). itin’s analysis about this country is nothing more than half baked truth and most educated people would disagree with Nitin altogether. Contrary to Nitin’s assertion, there is hardly any corruption in this country and if Nitin has any extraordinary source of information than most people do not have, then he is best advised to share the same on this platform.

There have been only two scandals in Britain during the last 10/15 years ( MP’s expenses and Rupert Murdoch) and in comparison, we hear about massive scandals in India almost on daily basis.

I would like to remind Nitin Mehta that Indian society (not referring to indians based outside india) on the whole is quite close to moral bankruptcy and my heart bleeds for the section of indian society who is exceptionally honest and at times wonder as to how do such people manage to survive in India under the current scenario. The writer fully endorses the view point of Nitin that India was the cradle of civilisation but unfortunately, we currently can’t afford to live in our cherished/glorified past.

In theory, India might claim to be one of the most progressive countries in terms of economic growth but unfortunately the reality today is just some what different and shocking.

And finally, not only do I endorse Alpesh’s view point in totality , I am even going one step ahead of him by sug-

While hilarious comedy programme on BBC has taken viewers by storm, it has understandably caused some concern in the Muslim community with complaints pouring in by the minute.

Some ethnic minorities and Muslims are not alone in this category, are too sensitive about their culture, religion and tradition which may not always be accommodated in our multi-culture, multi-faith society.

This is a light hearted comedy written by a Muslim which may not be appropriate in an ultra sensitive, conservative country like Saudi Arabia but not in Britain where we are able to laugh at ourselves. It also makes light hearted fun at disable people and other culture.

But BBC do go out of their way, ignores sensitivity of ethnic minorities.

Some of my Muslim friends have expressed their displeasure at the portrayal of a Muslim Gay boy in Eastender.

They are not against such a portrayal, as gay lifestyle is not solely confined to Western culture but they feel with some justification that when the storyline goes on for years, it loses its meaning, purpose and justification. It may even sound spiteful.

Christians were up in arms when Lord Jesus Christ was portrayed as Gay, Hindus were offended when meat pieces were thrown in, barbecued on holy fire of Havan and Sikhs were equally outraged when the sexual violence scenes were filmed in Gurudwar for the play Behzatti.

Perhaps Citizen Khan may stereotype Pakistani community in a negative way but it is up to us to come out of the straight jacket that so often we may have inadvertently created with our life-style and our inability to integrate with the host community. In any case, a civilized discussion through the media is a healthy sign of our maturity and our democratic tradition.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email gesting that Indian Police and Judiciary should be replaced by the British police and Judiciary because efficient police and judiciary are the only two pillars which can eliminate corruption- less and a fairer society, for which not only the entire India is currently striving for, but also two anti-corruption movements are based.

Subhash Mahajan London

Paryushan Paryushan, or Pajoshan as it is more commonly known, is the most important event in the Jain calendar. It is an eight day period of fasting and religious activities which will take place this year during 12 September and 19 September. Jains will meet every day during this period to pray (perform Samayik and Pratikraman) and sing Jain stavans. They will gather together to hear Mahavira’s message of Ahimsa (non-violence in the strictest possible sense), Satya (adhering

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While showcasing

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The cash-strapped airline claimed that it had to drop flights as the company was trying to reconfigure its aircraft.

There was chaos at several airports after passengers complained that they were not intimated about the Kingfisher cancellations. )(.#(/ )( * !

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Brand ‘Gujarat’ – which is equated with Guangdong of China, he invited Chinese business community and public enterprises to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit- 2013.

He highlights Gujarat’s special investment regions as areas where Chinese companies could invest. He called on China to invest in infrastructure and power projects in the state, wooing potential investors with a sales pitch that showcased Gujarat as a state with levels of “governance, transparency and stability” that they could not find elsewhere in India. He declared that “the two great countries will make Asia the centrestage of the global economy.”

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A new theory says that any physical activity for 15 minutes every day is a good insurance against a plethora of health problems, be it related to the heart, the brain or even cancer.

A study published in The Lancet, a British medical journal, said that just a quarter-hour of physical exertion a day could reduce a person's risk of death by 14% and increase life expectancy by three years compared to inactive people.

Incidentally, another theory published in a different British journal said daily TV-viewing for six hours could take

away five years from your life.

Adding and subtracting years from your life has never before been quantified in such medical terms, say doctors.

The 15-minute short-cut to good health, in fact, changes the most fundamental rule that was approved by the World Health Organizationthat 150 minutes of activity a week is needed to stay healthy. )(.#(/

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E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

All patriotic, educated sane Indians must see through dastardly game by international wolves and give PM. MM Singh fullest sympathy, even if he is guilty of biggest scandal and national loot.

India is brain washed by the west to indulge in self flagellation. He is victim of dirty politics and deliberate character assassination to replace him with non Indian stooge of west.

Coalgate and about 6 scams after 2008 are blamed on Manmohan Singh, is indication fall of UPA. Manmohan Singh will go but loot will continue. BJP must wake up to this skulduggery, forcefully grab power and see reins transferred to indigenous Indians; lest BJP will be kicked off by nations gunning after India’s resources.

MM Singh as economy wizard was favourite when he deregulated Indian economy and allowed FDI to suck India’s cash. USA praised him for nuclear deal; and when he held back coal mining for cheap electricity in favour of American expensive nuclear machinery to suck electricity users. Today he is wrongly blamed for looking other way when corruption is rampant since last 50 years; presently has become visible. America will restore favours on MM Singh or any stooge, as soon as Walmart enters India.

It is a pity that P.M. lacks guts to escape from gravity of Sonia Gandhi. He is so good and chivalrous that he cannot assert his educational prowess over uneducated Sonia Gandhi; also too polite, becomes scapegoat and shields Sonia Gandhi.

If BJP and all politicos cannot save India from non India leaders, military coup will be the only remedy to save India from becoming puppet of western selfish countries.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email to speaking of truth), Prem (love) and Karuna (kindness) expounded, so that they can follow his teachings and emulate his example. Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation. It believes in a universe without beginning, without end and without creator.

The ultimate objective of Jain teachings is how one can achieve moksha (nirvana) – total freedom of the soul from the eternal cycle of birth, life, pain, misery and death. It states that from eternity, every living being (soul) is in bondage of karmic atoms that are accumulated by its good or bad deeds. Jainism’s doctrines of Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct are the three jewels, Ratnatraya, of Jain Philosophy by which to achieve the ultimate goal in life and become a Jina. We, members of Shree Jain Sangh East London and Essex, will celebrate Paryushan during the period 12 to 19 September at the Upton Centre in East London.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Continued on page 11

Visit our website: www.abplgroup.com

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In a rare gesture, China’s top leadership hosted his delegation at Great Hall of People and had a free and frank discussion and exchange of ideas on a range of subjects including trade, industry, socioeconomic development, investment, and prevailing global economic scenario. Modi emphasized about the shared heritage of India and China, and common vision for improved quality of lives of their people.

In his meeting with the Mr Wang Gang, Vice Chairman of the China People’s Political

1 Year 2 Years

Power without responsibility

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Indian jailed for using fake passport

Leading Lights

by Rani Singh

Special Assignments Editor

Ramita Tejpal, 26 Ramita Tejpal is the managing director and editor-in-chief of AGI (Asian Global Impact), the UK’s first pan- Asian Business & Lifestyle Magazine.

Ramita is also a lecturer of entrepreneurship and business management in UK higher education. Her parents expected her to become a doctor and she signed up for a degree in Biotechnology but spent her student days painting, acting and reading books.

All three became an obsession and now reflect in her work. During her masters in business management at Bangor University, UK she developed a passion for knowledge and creative management that she now brings to the world of publishing and teaching.

What was your initial motivation for starting AGI magazine?

Working in real estate multinational corporations five years ago, we were looking to advertise and target high end Asian businesses through print and digital media and were frustrated by the lack of appropriate platforms. This is when I starting devising the concept of AGI. If there is a problem you need to find a solution, this is the basis of a good business idea. This is how AGI came into being. I hope this fills the gap in the market and meets the need of an intelligent reader and advertiser.

What is the concept behind AGI? AGI, in print and digital format, offers not only interesting lifestyle orientated features, but also intellectually stimulating content that promotes an increased understanding of cultural and economic issues. AGI covers all areas of Asia, offering balanced, analytical writing that will be accessible and informative to all readers. The two main sections of the magazine, namely AGI Intellect and AGI Lounge, offer a variety of insightful and creative content, ensuring that every reader’s taste and interest is catered for.

AGI as a brand is not just confined to the magazine and to digital publicationsit also hopes to build itself as a network.

What was the first step in developing the concept?

What are your views on print vs. digital media?

Having thoroughly researched the concept in the light of recent economic

conditions, I felt the time was right to make my move into the marketplace. I wanted AGI magazine to have a consistent premium feel and perspectives which will speak to the target audience. In regards to the print vs digital media debate, in my opinion the death of print media is greatly exaggerated. Print media will stay and digital media will enhance it. AGI will use both platforms as we aim to ensure that our reach is wide and strong.

As the famous Chinese proverb says, "When the wind of change blows, some build walls, others build windmills" Quality and intelligent content and design will ensure AGI succeeds.

Can you define your target audience?

AGI’s target audience is professionals and opinion leaders from all sectors of the society. AGI is a global brand and with a increased globalisation similar values are shared by people around the world. I want AGI to be a credible source of idea, information and inspiration.

What are some of the challenges?

The biggest challenge in the development of the magazine is that, as in any other enterprise, we have needed to be equipped with knowledge of every aspect of running a business. As an independent publisher there have been various challenges e.g. finding a way to enter the UK publishing market and establishing our niche. However, we are determined to generate and publish high quality and relevant content for

11

An Indian citizen who entered the UK illegally and used fake British and Spanish passports as proof of identity in S t r a t f o rd - u p o n -Av o n , has been jailed for one year and faces deportation at the end of the sentence.

Hailing from Punjab, Sakkadar Singh, 31, was sentenced to one-year imprisonment at the Warwick Crown Court after pleading guilty to using a false UK passport with intent to deceive in May 2006 and possessing a false Spanish passport with improper intention in January last year.

Recounting Singh's

catalogue of misdeeds, prosecutor Lal Amarasinghe told the court that in May 2006, Singh, who it was later found had entered the country illegally in 2002, submitted an application for a provisional driving licence, reports from Warwick said.

Making the application at a post office, he used a UK passport as proof of identity, and after it was approved he was issued with a licence four days later.

Singh has since renewed it four times, the 'Stratford-upon-Avon Herald' reported.

Maninder Chaggar,

defending lawyer, said: "He thought he could make a better life for himself in the United Kingdom.

He accepts he has gone the wrong way about it. He had been struggling in India, where there were no prospects for him.

Unemployment was high, particularly in the Punjab region where he comes from." the paper reportedly said.

Chaggar said Singh was now a completely broken man and was facing deportation despite being in a stable relationship with a woman who is a UK citizen.

Husband dies in a freak accident of fire Ramita Tejpal our readers and have generally overcome these challenges.

What advise would you give to people aspiring to enter the highly competitive world of publishing?

Speak to as many people as you can and take advice with a pinch of salt.

Be receptive and do your research well and be ready to engage with new technology and ideas. Most importantly ACT on your plans!

How do you ensure that you fulfil your pan-Asian brief?

We are the UK’s first PAN-Asian Business & lifestyle magazine. Our editorial team puts a great deal of emphasis on this aspect of the magazine and ensures that each AGI publication features reflect panAsia perspectives as far as possible. The AGI team comprises people from a variety of Asian countries and we also have freelance correspondents in key locations.

What do you think of Asian Voice? Will you subscribe?

I think Asian Voice serves its mission very well - being the voice of the large South Asian diaspora in UK. Asian Voice is inspirational and I would definitely subscribe to Asian Voice.

A hot hairdryer left by a woman on a bed set fire to her husband and killed him in a tragic accident, an inquest has heard.

Beautician Bina Dawett Joshi left the appliance, which was turned off but still plugged in, smouldering under the fabric, starting a freak blaze which killed husband Ram, 57.

Fire crews wearing breathing gear battled in vain to rescue Mr Joshi from the huge house fire Wolverhampton, after neighbours raised the alarm on February 11 this year. Mrs Joshi told the inquest she had left her husband of three

Bina Dawett Joshi and Ram Joshi

years sound asleep after he had returned home at around 7.30pm.

She had attended a charity evening at nearby Woodfield School and had gone for a curry after-

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wards, when a neighbour got in touch and broke the tragic news by phone.

Coroner Robin Balmain recorded that her husband had died as a result of an accident.

Mr Balmain said Mr Joshi had died of cardiorespiratory arrest due to carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting from smoke inhalation.

He added Mr Joshi had eventually become aware of the fire but too late to save himself.

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When I see my favourite fruit on sale I cannot resist feeling a few of them. If they are too hard or too soft I walk away, but if they respond to gentle pressure I know they will be ripe, sweet and juicy and reach for my wallet. How do you select your mangoes?

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MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Scrutator’s Good news subsumed bad, as thousands of students and professionals from India’s North East, who had fled Bangalore in the face of threats and intimidation by jehadi Muslim elements, have started returning to the city. Karntaka’s Deputy Chief Minister Ashok had toured the North Eastern states to assure its people that Bangalore was a safe and hospitable place for all Indian citizens. His reassuring words clearly instilled confidence in the refugee community for their journey back (The Hindu, Times of India, September 2).

rocket system.

India’s Ordinance Factory Board (OFB) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s Rosoboronexport and Splav Spa to manufacture five versions of Smerch, based on the transfer of Russian technology.

An Indian Defence Ministry statement said this advanced rocket system, already operating with two regiments of the Indian Army, would be indigenized, augmenting the system’s lethal firepower.

OFB Ambajhari, which will manufacture Smerch, has been rolling out India’s Pinaka multibarrel rocket launchers, and is working on the local production of 155 mm Bofors artillery howitzers.

AEW&C In place North Easterners embarking on the return rail journey to Bangalore

A disingenuous claim in the Hindu (August 30) by Saif Shahin – an Indian doctoral research scholar in political communication at the University of Texas, Austin, USA – that, “North Easterners were escaping prejudice in South India,” needs rebuttal. Mr Shahin, like others of a similar ilk, must learn to face up to the truth and to tell it as it is: the North Easterners were “escaping” threats of violence from Muslim elements in Bangalore and their peers in certain other Indian cities with sizeable Muslim populations. Period.

Mr Shahin’s theme was the perceived affinity between the states of Israel and Pakistan. Israel, warts and all, is a civilized society: Pakistan stands alone as a cesspit of sectarian, religious and ethnic hatred; its sole competitors are lodged firmly in the Islamic world..

The article’s intent was to sow doubt in the mainstream Indian mind about the morality of India’s relationship with Israel. What the vast majority of Indians would tell Mr Shahin and to those given to his brand of sophistry, is that India maintains normal relations with Pakistan, even after the 26/11 terrorist carnage in Mumbai perpetrated by a Pakistani hit squad. And this, alas, is not the end of the tale.

Islamist terrorist sleepers across India are on high alert for signals from their Pakistani handlers to strike out at high value targets within the country. The Indo-Israeli relationship is a critical resource in foiling the barbarians at the gates.

Unabated threat A report in the Hindu (September 1) told of the arrest of 11 terrorist suspects in Bangalore, who, allegedly, were plotting attacks in Karnataka.

One suspect named Aijaz Mirza was a junior research fellow at the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). A DRDO spokesman said Mr Mirza was “not involved in any sensitive work and, as such, no sensitive classified information has been compromised.”

The Hindu followed this the next day (September 2) with the following elaboration: “Indian security agencies – who are questioning 18 men held by Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra – say they received instructions from Saudi Arabiabased handlers, mostly Pakistani and Indian, to “identify possible targets of attack, including important political leaders, journalists, strategic defence establishments.” Incriminating evidence had been recovered from them.

However, B.Raman, a former senior official at RAW, India’s principal counter-intelligence body, writes in the Times of India (September 9), that the persons held belonged, worryingly, to a nascent middle class fraternity of techies, including a doctor, with no ostensible links

to jehadi outfits such as the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and kindred organizations. The Bangalore police, said Mr Raman, had successfully penetrated this group before it could do mischief.

India’s drive to build its own Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system took a step forward to operational mode with the arrival of a modified Brazilian Embraer 145 aircraft, into which the system will be integrated. The aircraft, fitted with India’s Active Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) radar,

India-Russia defence deal According to Moscow-based Russia India Report (RIR August 29), the two countries, in a trademark defence agreement, are to jointly produce the 80 kilometre-range Smerch

Hobbled for generations, women are spearheading the literacy drive in the Indian states of Bihar, Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. Of the 19 million adults who have participated in the government’s literacy programme, Saaskar Bharat, an overwhelming 72 per cent are women. Since the programme’s launch two years ago, 14 million adults have joined the ranks of neo-literates, giving rise to a ground swell of hope for a country with the world’s largest youth population.

The Times of India reports (September 2): “An astonishing 5.3 million from Bihar – 81 per cent of them women – have appeared for assessment since 2009. Of these, 4.3 million have been classified as literate.

Andhra Pradesh follows Bihar, with 3.7 million appeared for the literacy test, of whom 82 per cent were women. Those passing the literacy test numbered 2.5 million.”

In Chattisgarh and Tamil Nadu respectively, there were 1.7 million participants in the literacy test, of whom 60 per

Raghuram Rajan, India’s new Economic Adviser

Mentor Narayana Murthy who has proclaimed the end of the “India growth story,” based on Jeremiads from hallowed US and European CEOs. Meanwhile, Raghuram Rajan, the former Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who predicted the financial meltdown of 2008, has succeeded Professor Kaushik Basu (now Chief Economist of the World Bank) as the Government of India’s principal economic adviser. He faces a daunting challenge in reviving a faltering economy.

Japan footprint in South

Arrival of Brazilian plane at Bangalore with AEW&C radar system

will be an “eye in the sky,” able to look 240 degrees, whose 350 kilometre-range can track 500 targets simultaneously.

cent were women. In Rajasthan, the participants numbered 1 million, of whom 72.5 per cent were women. Women’s educational empowerment is a major key to social and economic development.

Pros and cons of economy

Beefed up security Nevertheless, the Karnataka government has tightened security at Army, Navy and nuclear centres across the state, which are believed to be on the terror radar. India’s largest and most modern naval base at Karwar on the west coast, and the nuclear plant at Kaiga, have been placed under special security cover beyond the watch of the regular Central Industrial Security (Times of India September 2).

A second report in the newspaper (September 4) described a Pakistan-sponsored terror attack on a dam under construction in Jammu & Kashmir. India’s water resources in the Indus basin are in the crosshairs of Pakistan-based terror networks.

Women’s literacy

Naval Chief Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi

India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is overseeing the AEW&C project, under the charge of Programme Director Dr S. Christopher. The AEW&C system has 1,000 mission components, each developed under the DRDO umbrella (The Hindu August 24).

Two security items include the visit to India of China’s Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie, and the appointment of Admiral Devenndra Kumar Joshi as Chief of India’s Naval Staff. He succeeds Admiral Nirmal Verma who retired from service on August 31.

India’s economy grew at 5.5 per cent in the last quarter, slightly more than expected by most experts. With the economic slowdown this was about par for the course. As economist Amartya Sen reminded TV anchor Sargarika Ghose, the source of the global economic crisis lay in the US and EU, and that India’s slowdown was mirrored in every major economy in the world including China’s.

Hope for the future India’s construction sector growth of 10 per cent year-onyear, the most impressive statistic since September 2007, is surely a ray of hope for the future. Indeed, industrialist Venugopal Dhoot (Chairman and Managing Director, Videocon Group) told the Times of India (September 1): “Nowhere in the world will you get the kind of growth that India can offer.” A far cry from the hysterical outburst of Infosys

Japan is participating in the multi-billion dollar ChenaiBangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC).”They are going ahead with preparedness for a comprehensive integrated master plan for the development of the CBIC, with the progress being regularly reviewed by T.K.R Nair, Adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.” So confided a high level source to the Hindu newspaper (August 27).

This project will mirror the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor taking shape in the north-west. These schemes emanated from the close dialogue between Dr Singh and former Japanese premier Naoto Kan. The India-Japan summit later this year will monitor their progress.

The CBIC project has evoked an enthusiastic response from India’s southern states, with calls for the corridor’s extension to Hyderabad, the Andhra Pradesh capital, and to the Karnataka port of Krishnapatnam, with new cities to be constructed en route to Chitradurga and Tumkur.

If this isn’t a vote of confidence in India’s economic future, one must wonder what is.

National disgrace The Monsoon session of Parliament has been an expensive fiasco in time and money.

The nation’s legislative business has been repeatedly disrupted by BJP Opposition MPs, who appear to believe in the primacy of party over country. The Economic Times (September 8) summed them up appropriately: “Richer, Older, Lazier, Ruder.”

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

SARVAM: Changing the mindset, inspiring a generation Tanveer Mann “The village is the cell of the national body and the cell-life must be healthy and developed for the national body to be healthy and developed, we must begin at the bottom and work up to the apex” Sri Aurobindo India is known for its innumerable amounts of poverty, that is disproportionately displaced in various areas of the country.

Out of a population of 700 million, 70% of Indians live in around 670,000 villages. Within these villages, the majority are illiterate, have no access to potable water, have no idea of sanitation or hygiene. Several are below poverty line, with not even one meal in the day. Apart from lack of physical amenities, the social structure is extremely strained due to: an iand superstitious mentality, wrong habits, alcoholism, tensions due to caste and religion and neglect of girls and women.

Sri Aurobindo Society is a not-for-profit organization, which has been chosen by the government as an institution of national importance. The societies main aim is to work for an individual and social transformation of these people, not with the outer structures, systems and procedures put in

place, but to encourage a fundamental change of attitudes, values, and consciousness so that the cycle can stop. It works to promote a deeper approach to life, that can positively manifest itself in various fields such as village development and education.

The main areas of development the organization works in are: education, sustainable development, village development, health, management, youth, Indian culture, and media.

SARVAM, which stands for Sri Aurobindo Rural Village Action and Movement focuses on the sustainable and village development wing of Sri Aurobindo Society. SARVAM was launched six years ago in Tamil Nadu, India. Two villages within the South Indian state are in the most devastating

conditions, Poothurai and Perambhai, which lie 15km from Pondicherry.

With a population of 7000 people, the residents are off the lowest caste and below the poverty line.

SARVAM have adopted these two villages and are working to make a genuine difference not only to their way of living but also to fundamentally change their thinking and being, and to look for new and creative ideas so as to develop a sustainable and replicable model for other villages in the future. With a surprising but, nevertheless, inspiring number of only four members, overseeing the coordination and implementing the plans in these villages, the project has been extremely successful.

The project is committed to being about the villagers and for the villagers, encouraging them to take

control of their own lives, so as not to be dependent on anyone.

Over the last six years, SARVAM have successfully managed to place 250 individual toilets in the villages, asked for voluntarily by the villagers themselves. This is a huge achievement from the times when toilets were of the lowest priority to them.

Another crucial area that has undertaken a huge transformation has been Education. Whereas before, parents were interested in sending the children to school, with a lot of encouragement and motivation, the government schools which have been helped by SARVAM have had a 100% pass over the last two years.

Furthermore, over 5 children gained over 90% in exams, which has given an extreme sense of pride to both parents and children.

SARVAM also runs a summer camp that aims to keep the children's minds active during the summer break in which 220 children participated.

With all these successful endeavors, SARVAM hopes to further widen their philanthropic activities. The SARVAM Trust, a charity which has recently been registered in the UK, was set up to raise funds for this project so it can continue to embark on

Pulse & Rhythm

Visa fraudster jailed A fraudster who tried to submit hundreds of fraudulent visa applications has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison.

Bhavin Shah, 34, admitted charges of conspiring to defraud the Home Office, giving immigration advice illegally and money laundering at Isleworth Crown Court.

The Indian national operated his business from premises in Trinity House, Wembley, and Viglan House, Alperton, and charged clients between £3,000 and £5,000 to process their visa extensions, even though he was not a registered immigration advisor or solicitor.

Shah, who had transferred around £300,000 to bank accounts in India, used forged bank statements and qualification certificates to support their applications, often without the knowledge of the applicant.

Shah, pictured, of changing the mindsets of these people as well as generally inviting support in all other ways.

Edgbaston Road, Watford, was sentenced to four years and nine months for conspiracy to defraud the Home Office, two years for money laundering and 18 months for offering immigration advice illegally, to run concurrently.

He was also given a £190,000 confiscation order at the hearing on Monday.

John Masih, 39, of Sutton Lane, Hounslow, admitted producing fake documents for Mr Shah and was jailed for 18 months for conspiracy to defraud and six months for illegally providing immigration advice at an earlier hearing.

Visit www.thesarvamtrust.org for more information.

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*Terms and conditions apply, all incentives are strictly subject to utilising the services of a Fairview approved I.F.A. & panel solicitor/licensed conveyancer. No incentives are available in conjunction with the NewBuy scheme and arrangement fees are required by the purchaser. †Gross yields quoted are based on actual rentals achieved and exclude agents fees, void periods and service charges. ††Furniture pack has no monetary value and only one is available per new reservation by 30th September 2012, strictly limited availability not to be used in conjuction with any other offer. No cash value in event of cancellation. Prices correct at time of publication. Photography montage of Pulse and computer generated image of Rhythm.

14

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

National Committee formed to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda The year 2013 marks 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a dynamic Hindu monk whose message of divinity of individual soul and universal brotherhood is as relevant today as it was during his time. As part of the international celebrations (supportby the Indian ed Government), on the 1st July 2012 prominent organisations from across the country met at the Vedanta Centre, Bourne End to form a national committee to guide and spearhead the yearlong celebrations in UK 2013.

Swami in Dayatmananda of Vedanta Centre will head the committee.

Swami Vivekananda is widely claimed to be the first Hindu monk to create an impact of Hinduism in the West. His famous addresses at the first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 gave blueprint on the future world peace and harmony based on the universal religion as enunciated by Hindu traditions of the East.

l Vice Chairpersons - Dr Narayan Rao

(Hindu Council UK), Mr Jay Lakhani (Vivekananda Centre), - Mr Arjan Vekaria (Hindu Forum), Dr Bhan (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), Mr Dhirubhai D Shah (Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK) l Secretary – Mr Nilesh Solanki, Mr Sachin Nandha l Treasurer – Mr Surendra Shah l PR – Mr C R Kulkarni, Miss Kirti Vekriya Members – Various and organisations prominent persons are members of the committee The national team will coordinate the celebrations with various organisations and assist them with planning of the various events as below:

National Programmes l Inauguration - In major cities on the

12th January 2013 l Concluding Function – In London on

the 12th January 2014 l Exhibition – At temples, community

Objectives Of the Committee l To spread the message of Swami

Vivekananda l Create initiatives for all to get involved in l Be catalyst to enhance study of Vivekananda’s life and message during the SV150 celebrations l Focus on and inspire the youth with Swami Vivekananda’s teachings

National Committee l Chairperson - Swami Dayatmananda

(Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre)

Why do you care about brands?

centres and libraries across the country. l Literature – Compile, print and distrib-

ute l Sewa (Nar Sewa Narayan Sewa) –

Developing the spirit of selfless service l Inviting organisations (Hindu and nonHindu) to celebrate SV150 Swami Vivekananda truly believed that youths are the future leaders and during the year the committee hopes to reach out to maximum number of youths through working with various organisations. The committee urges all to read on the life of Swami Vivekananda and take inspiration from his teachings.

Mo Luthra Branding Consultant www.moluthra.com Do they matter? The reason why people give brands importance is relatively straightforward. It is an easy way to separate us; by class, taste, wealth, and desire.

For example, sixty years ago not everyone had a television. In 1956 just over 1 in 3 homes owned one, in 2012 almost every household has a TV hanging in their front room. The same can be said whether it be of cars, toasters, digital cameras, or computers.

Rich or poor, we all pretty much have these consumables. Gone are the days that we distinguished ourselves from our neighbours by the functional things we owned.

Now the game has progressed. The badge that adorns our coat, or sits on top of our car is the way that we can compete with our contempo-

raries. It’s not enough to own a car; the brand has become a symbol of our status and success in life.

It emotionally connects who we are and who we want to be. The brands we choose are non-verbal expressions of our self image. If I were to mow my lawn wearing a pair of Levi jeans, I might be seen as being rugged but if I were to wear Armani, I would simply be dripping in class.

A recent piece of research was conducted

virtually looked identical.

This is why fashion companies embrace branding to such a high level. They are fully aware that most consumers are not knowledgeable enough to distinguish good tailoring from bad. Hence the real value is in the brand concept that represents their garment.

This principle is true in any industry or business. It is no longer about the function that is performed, but the emotion and the perception that it

where they debadged an assortment of jeans and asked consumers to indentify the brands.

Interestingly enough the consumer group couldn’t distinguish a decent pair from a cheap pair. They didn’t know what good stitching entailed, or the different grades of denim.

To the consumers they all

creates. To communicate your business in a non-literal sense is where the margin is really made. For better or for worse, we live in a society where brand really shapes our identity and defines us, and we as consumers search out companies that do more than what they say on the tin.

Children of Widows Suffer the Most

By Param Sahgal Medical Student at St. Georges University, USA Widows are ostracized by society on an international scale. Once they are turned from women into widows they struggle to survive due to their financial compensation usually being taken from them by their former husband’s family. In order to sustain their own and their children’s lives, widows are often forced to turn to begging, prostitution and in many cases; they are forced to abandon their own children. What kind of future do you then envisage for these helpless and abandoned children? Is it likely that they will receive the proper education to which they are entitled to?

Not many people around the world understand the importance and the magnitude of the word ‘education’. We westerners take education for granted as we go about our lives driving along our roads, clearly able to read street signs and directions. We can sit back and relax after a day at work and open up the newspaper and read about the day’s events, but not everyone has the same luxury and yes to them education is a luxury and being able to read and write is not something to be taken for granted.

A recent study in Bangladesh found that 89% of widows and their children have no access to any educational institution. Around the world, widows are unable to provide their children with the proper environment for intellectual growth. Not only this, but the circumstances these widows are placed into by society physically disables them from finding proper work or making a substantial sum of money to even provide the basic necessities to their children, let alone education. Widows are often barred from their family home’s and forced to be “cleansed” through rape and other inhumane rituals.

Illiteracy is a problem because it inhibits people from communicating effectively with one another. Literacy provides children with all that is needed to open the doors to gleaming career opportunities and to increase their ability to obtain better prospects in a career. Detrimental environmental factors, extreme poverty and lack of education

are the main components that contribute to illiteracy. Coincidentally, all these factors are found in families where a widow is the main provider for the children.

According to the International SocioDemographic and Health Profile, 78% of all the widows in India are illiterate. Among elderly widows, almost 93% in rural and 68% in urban areas are illiterate.

Due to such a high percentage of illiteracy amongst widows, it isn’t likely that their children have the ability to simply read and write. A skill we take for granted, and use every day. Studies have proven that learning to read and write during childhood dramatically increases the functional organization of the adult brain, in comparison to an adult that has been illiterate for his or her entire life.

Professor Peter R. Huttenlocher’s text on Neural Plasticity states that “Environmental effects are limited in brain regions with relatively simple, basic functions, and they become more important with complex functions such as speech.” Therefore, the deeper complexities of the human brain are shaped directly by environmental factors.

Many of the higher cortical functions of the brain do not develop at all without extensive environmental stimulation. A good example of this is the skill of reading. A literate person actually has a specific part of the brain on the left parietal lobe known as the “reading cortex”, dedicated to understanding, analyzing, and processing written words. So, to deprive someone of utilizing that skill that

his or her brain is designed for is almost inhumane.

In order to make a direct impact on resolving the widow crisis, we not only need to provide education to their children but we also need to ensure the existence of educational consistency. This directly links to the paramount importance of their environmental factors. In the absence of considerable training and exposure to written materials, the child will grow into an illiterate adult, and lose all hope for escaping poverty. Education is the best gift we can give for a widow’s children, in order for them to sustain independence and escape poverty.

My grand uncle, Lord Raj Loomba, founder of the Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba Foundation, has made it his life’s purpose to give light to the widow tragedy happening around the world. The Foundation was established in 1997 in honor of Loomba's mother, my great grandmother, who was widowed at the age of 37 in India when her husband died of tuberculosis and had to raise her seven children by herself. Throughout his life experience, my grand uncle endured a childhood with a widow as a mother, and saw firsthand how important education was to him and his siblings. Today, the Loomba Foundation has educated over 6,500 children in India. Education allows the children to grow up with qualifications and opportunities to face a different future, rather than spend their adult lives remaining in dire poverty.

Widows and their children are suffering on a global scale right before our eyes. Our actions today will impact the lives of these children, and pave a path to a new future. A new sense of hope can be given through the gift of education.

Fo r fur ther infor ma tio n plea se vi si t o ur w ebs ite

www.theloombafoundation.org o r conta ct Priti P a tel a t priti@thelo omba founda tio n.o rg

15

Asian voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

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

MuSIc

Tanveer Mann HYPNOTIZE CREW –

www.punjabeeblonde.wordpress.com Tanny_mann@hotmail.com

HEALTH

single: “Feel it” OUT NOW After the phenomenal success of their first come-back single “Party All Night”, the Hypnotize Crew are back with latest single “Feel it”, that blends urban dance music with a desi twist. The latest display of their talent comes in the form of impressive raps by Skitz MC, Leo, Omaad and Bad Boy Jackal and great vocals from Ace and King to compliment it. The song has a catchy bass line and is a great dance tune that has already got people bopping their heads!

JAZ DHAMI –

video: “High Heels” OUT NOW The heart-throb Mr Dhami is back with the much anticipated video from his second album, “High Heels”. The highenergy video is slick and seductive and shows Mr Dhami in extremely attractive attire.

He has truly raised the bar and given fans exactly what they want whilst providing excellent entertainment and displaying his raw talent. The accompaniment of phenomenal Yo Yo Honey Singh, just BOMBAY BLING | Bollywood Takeover – puts the cherry on the cake, with @ CLUB 10 on Friday 14th September fine vocals which complete the Dance the night away along Bollywood Dance London's song. professional dancers at CLUB 10 on Friday 14th September.

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Download here http://itunes.apple.com/gb/ album/high-heels-feat.-yoyo-honey/id556332300

Show starts 8.30pm and after-party from 10pm onwards. Strictly BHANGRA & BOLLYWOOD, entry is ￡10 and dress code is: Trendy/No Hoods, Smart Jeans OK.

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT PARTY – @ The Alchemist, London on Saturday 15th September Exclusive Fashion and Entertainment Party in the heart of London, the Alchemist is an eclectic mix of old meets new and is the perfect spot for those looking to party in Did you know..? relaxed surroundings with drink prices The infinity sign is called a that will not leave your wallets empty! lemniscate.

London's finest DJs will be present to provide the perfect mix of RnB, Hip Word of the Week: Hop, Funky House and a slight pundit n. 1. Somebody who expresses an touch of desi. Entry: Ladies £10, opinion: somebody who acts as a critic or Gents £15 before 11.00, £20 after. Dress code: Sexy & authority on a particular subject, especially in the Stylish.

media.

RAPID FIRE IntERvIEW Luxury fashion designer Barkha Shewakramani is attracted to vintage-inspired design which she incorporates into her own designs to create classic and unique pieces. Hitting the market in Dubai five years ago, Barkha has accumulated a strong backing with many socialites loving her style.

She is set to launch her new label, Dramaqueen in India and the UK, which she hopes will be just as much of a success as Dubai has been

me, fashion is a form of art, a way of expressing myself through the language of fabrics, embellishments and various silhouettes. Thus why I launched my label DRAMA QUEEN at Dubai Fashion Week in 2007.

Have you always been interested in Fashion?

Ever since I was a child, I would watch my mother get dressed in these beautiful outfits, and I knew I wanted to be able to create those. Mothers tend to be the largest influence in their daughters’ lives.

How would you describe the clothing you design?

One of the strongest ethos of our brand is to never compromise on the quality of fabrics. As a child, I was Who is your most influential always surrounded by beautiful fabrics like Brocade Lace and raw fashion icon?

Silk. Further, I’m truly inspired by jewellery, hence most of my garMy most influential fashion ments are in rich jewel tones and are icon is Catherine Deneuve for her Barkha Shewakramani made of ornate silk or velvet that Gallic sophistication and elegance reflect the sheen of natural gemWhat are your future fashion plans? stones. Using these materials, I create all kinds of outfits, from day wear to evening wear, cocktail We are looking to sign up young and upcoming dresses, and even professional attire. women, who are strong individuals to act as our brand ambassadors and spread awareness to the Your fashion line is called “Drama Queen”. cause of Lupus. The DRAMA QUEEN brand itself When did you launch this? will grow to spread awareness, and an internationEver since I was a child I was intrigued by the al launch in India and London can be expected at world of fashion, which often led meto cut and stitch the clothes my mum had boughtfor me. For some point in the near future.

Stay healthy while living on a budget With sky-high tuition fees going up to a daunting £9,000 a year, students will be forced to budget their spending, in order to be able to pay for accommodation, books, social night outs and most importantly, food. Eating healthily is extremely important at university as it not only ensures that you remain focused throughout lectures and seminars, but it is generally important to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Often students relate 'healthy' with expensive but this is not always the case. There are always local markets close to universities, often sometimes on the campus itself, which sell fruit and vegetables at lower prices that the big supermarkets too. They are just as fresh, if not fresher and give you your daily dose of vegetables on the cheap. Yet you must also remember that vegetables do take up large amounts of space, and this is usually a problem when you are sharing a fridge with five other people. Try to look for basic long-life items such as rice, pasta and herbs that can compliment any meal.

People also often suggest rice cookers as well, as they can be used to steam vegetables and rice dishes easily. Soup packets are also super cheap and easy to store and make, so when the going gets tough, and you have piles of work to do, your food is practically made for you, and it is still is a healthy option.

What many students are also guilty of is skipping breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, as it sets your energy levels for the rest of the day. Choose quick and healthy foods such as bran, wheat or oat cereals, cereal bars, yoghurts, fruit and nuts which are filling enough to keep you going through your early morning lecture. A final trick for those of you worried about costs of living: try to purchase items at the supermarket in bulk and share amongst flatmates or friends. That way, you get the best of both worlds!

What advice would you give to budding, young fashion designers?

The industry is increasingly competitive, and it’s difficult to establish a foothold within it.

Nevertheless, challenges are a stepping stone to growth and should be welcomed by all young designers within this industry. My only advice to young designers is to have your own sense of style rather than what’s hot and what’s not. It is the era of individuality and I have always believed in being true to yourself rather than following trends blindly.

Ha Ha.....

He He.... :P

A SKY dish marries an ordinary TV aerial. The wedding is nothing special but the reception’s great.

TWO peanuts walk into a bar. One was a salted.

WHAT’S the best thing about being aged 104? No peer pressure.

16

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Janani Iyer gets romantic with Srikanth

After having made a successful debut in a Bala movie, actress Janani Iyer is all set to be seen in “Paagan.”

Apparently, she plays the daughter of a rich industrialist in Pollachi and she's a bold woman of today in Paagan.

She is paired opposite Srikanth in this flick and is excited about the movie. While the Kollywood staple comedian Santhanam is not part of this movie, Soori and Black Pandi will be providing the laughs for us. And what is most exciting for this young lady is that she has dubbed for herself in this movie. In an age where most heroines get a dubbing artist, it's good to see this actress, who's called Mahalaxmi in the film, speak her own lines.

Taapsee Pannu all thrilled Taapsee Pannu is in a state of thrill and happiness, as she is set to join the sets of Ajith's next film, which is being helmed by Vishnuvardhan. The actress will shoot for the film soon. "'Finally with all the costume trials and discussions, it`s all set to start, one of the most awaited movie of the year. Vishnu sir looks thrilled," she wrote on her microblogging page. Taapsee further stated: "I'm nervous and excited at the same time! It`s gonna be all four of us, Ajith sir, Nayan, Arya and me! Cheers to a new beginning! Wohoooo! As I start my 14th project today I can still feel the butterflies like how I felt starting my debut venture. Something just don`t change."

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Tamanna gives a shock to Hansika Tamil movie “Vettai,” which was directed by Linguswamy and starred by Madhavan, Aarya, Amala Paul and Sameera Reddy is now being remade in Telugu having Naga Chaithanya and Sunil in the lead role. Hansika and Andrea were assigned lead roles, but all of a sudden, creating a twist, Tamanna replaced Hansika.

It is rumoured that, Tamanna's boy friend in Kollywood - who got married recently was behind this replacement drama.

More over it is said that Tamanna made to be busy at Telugu by the boy friend's dad.

Hot Garam masala

I am indebted to Aditya Chopra: Ranveer Singh

On the sets of “English Vinglish”, Sridevi can be found with paper and pencils, drawing with rapt attention.

What do stars do in between shoots? While some take up reading, others like Aamir Khan exercise their grey cells with chess. Sridevi who is making her comeback in Gauri Shinde’s ‘English Vinglish’ used her free time on sets by indulging in her favourite pastime- drawing.

On the sets, Sri was always ready with crayons, paper, pencil and paints. The moment a break is called in, the actress goes to her corner and starts sketching whatever catches her fancy. One can see her drawing with rapt attention, oblivious to the chaos and commotions of the sets. “When it comes to drawing, Sri is almost childlike and uses all her free time between shoots but the moment the break gets over, she is back focusing on the shoot,” says a source from the set.

A French premiere for Preity Zinta’s film

Kareena Kapoor has become the hottest woman as she has graced the cover page of Maxim.

Recently Maxim did a survey and according to it, Kareena was voted as the sexiest lady in the world.

The actress is overwhelmed and about the same, she said, "It is always wonderful to feel sexy and hot. And when it comes from Maxim, which truly recognises hotness in a woman, then it is even better." "Hotness is about how a woman carries herself. It is not just about a thin waist and long legs. It is about the entire package.

I am glad that you guys find me hot and I definitely take it as a big compliment," concluded the actress.

She has romanced Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar in “Dabangg” and “Rowdy Rathore.” And now, 25-year-old Sonakshi Sinha has been signed opposite Saif Ali Khan, 42, in Tigmanshu Dhulia's “Bullet Raja.” Interestingly, for the film that is based on the UP mafia, the actress who has portrayed the rustic northern belle with elan in her previous ventures will be seen as a Bengali damsel. "As soon as Saif returned to Mumbai, Tigmanshu had a lengthy meeting with him to discuss the heroine. He was very keen to have Sonakshi on board and was convinced she could pull off the role with ease," a source informed. Sonakshi, on the other hand is excited about this new project. "She loves Tigmanshu's films and is looking forward to working with him," added the source.

Sridevi's new passion

political, the reason I won't comment on it in depth is that While Superstar Shah Rukh Khan was in Kashmir, he said at a press conference that he was not big enough to my knowledge is lacking. The biggest issue we have is attract people to Kashmir but hopes more filmmakers that when people talk about things they don't know." will return to the picturesque destination in future. Khan On the negative portrayal of Muslims in some movies, who completed his nine-day shooting schedule in the the actor said his film “My Name Is Khan” was an Valley for Yash Chopra's untitled project is confident that attempt to clear the misgiving about Islam and Muslims people from South Asia and South East Asia will visit the around the world. "There are some people from our community who do wrong but that does not mean Islam or valley when they watch the movie, which has been extensively shot in Kashmir.

Muslims are wrong," he added. Taking about his maiden Khan also hoped that more Bollywood fimmakers will visit to Kashmir and the movie, he said the film is a story shoot in Kashmir, which was a favourite setting of about eternal love. Khan said that his Kashmir visit was romances before the beginning of militancy in the '90s. long due. "It was a dream to come to Kashmir. My grandmother was from Responding to a question about negative portrayal of Kashmir in here and my father was very keen to bring me here. He died when I was Bollywood films, he said, "Any aspect that is geographical, ideological or just 15 so I was a bit sad to come here without him.”

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Kareena voted as world’s sexiest woman

Sonakshi Sinha to romance Saif in next film

Actor Ranveer Singh says had it not been for Aditya Chopra's conviction in him, he wouldn't have been able to reach such heights of popularity. "Adi ( Aditya Chopra) sir is my mentor and at the time he selected me to do ‘Band Baaja Baaraat,’ he had the fortitude to take an unknown face and a guy from nowhere, who was not the best looking guy in the world and give him a lead role in such a fantastic film," Ranveer had said. "Every one's opinion about me was not positive when he decided to cast me. He had a sole conviction in me. I will always be indebted to him for that. He taught me values and principles of how to go about with your work," he added.

Shah Rukh bats for Kashmir

I've not walked out of ‘Besharam’: Ranbir Actor Ranbir Kapoor has rubbished reports that he has walked out of Abhinav Kashyap's "Besharam."

According to media reports, Ranbir opted out of "Besharam" after Viacom 18 decided not to produce the film. But he has shot down the news. "Besharam is Abhinav Kashyap's film and I have not left it. These are just rumours," Ranbir said when he was asked about the media reports. "There are certain problems regarding the producer, but as of now, I am a part of the film. If the director does not want (me), then it's different. But as far as I know, I am doing the film," added the 29-year-old.

17

Preity Zinta chooses to screen her maiden production in Paris and not in Mumbai as was earlier planned.

After all, Isabelle Adjania's Indian look in the film has created quite a stir there. The French are quite taken up with Isabelle Adjani's Indian look in Preity Zinta's home production, “Ishkq in Paris.” The actress has been featured in sarees, ghagra-cholis, bindis and bangles in top French publications, including the country's largest-selling newsweekly “Paris Match.” So much so the film's makers have decided to hold a grand IndoFrench premiere in Paris instead of Mumbai as was earlier planned.

And governments of both countries are being taken into confidence to ensure a smooth event that comes across as a symbol of cultural amity between India and France.

Director Prem Raj Soni confirmed the news and said, "We're now going to have the premiere in Paris. Isabelle has been all over France in her Indian look. There's tremendous buzz about India and Indian cinema in France. We'd like to be part of this excitement. Ours is the first Indian film to be covered in the mainstream French press."

Asked for more details, Prem said, "All I can tell you is, it will be one of the grandest world premieres of an Indian film. India and France will celebrate the film on one platform." He said a list of invitees is being readied. "Isabelle will draw up the list of invitees from Paris.

Preity will be taking care of the list of guests from India who will be attending the Paris premiere."

Meanwhile, a source revealed, "Ishkq In Paris is being premiered on October 4 or 5 in Paris.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Morrisons to open convenience stores across UK

Dear Financial Voice Reader Until the reshuffle the Government’s focus has been on debt-reduction, fiscal prudence, efficiency, cutting waste.

Sooner or later every household realises that you can only cut costs so far, and need to start earning more money instead. In economic terms, that is, increasing GDP. How do you do that? How do we refocus on growth.

Growth, is increasing sales. A company increases sales one of two things. First, by spending more on expenses such as advertising and staff, rather than spending on investing, which usually takes a lot longer to show returns. Or second by cutting prices.

How does that translate for a country? A country increases GDP in a similar way. It reduces prices. How? The currency can drop by keeping interest rates low, letting the financial markets know it is not targeting inflation, or signalling an increase in public spending. All these things cause exchange rates to drop – leading to British goods being cheaper abroad. This can be helped further by not only low interest rates but also more money into the system through QE (if only banks would pass it along).

But what is the country equivalent of increasing expenditure as opposed to investment? It is usually increasing the public sector.

The problem with all these approaches is that they leftist, and contradict the the aims of the Government initially of prudence and austerity. So is there another way?

‘Supply-siders’ think the magic bullet is to focus on supply not demand, and that supply will create demand, or that there is latent demand if only there could be supply. So what is a supply blockage? Regulation is obvious. And it is tempting to think in a coalition with Liberals all can agree on cutting regulation.

And indeed some of these things will help. But as most businesses will tell you, the problem is often not the strategy, or the idea. It is another area of economic theory. An area often neglected by macroeconomists because it is a speciality of the microeconomist. Just as behavioural economics was ignored in the credit crunch – you know when we talk about ‘moral hazard’ – the problem of giving money to people who won’t repay it.

Well, this is a sister area of microeconomics to ‘moral hazard’ and it is the principal-agent problem.

In politics and government, the astute know the problem, is often of lack of execution at the bottom end.

Proof here is that banks have been given money – the supply is there. Business want it – the demand is there.

What is failing. The principal (government and top level banker) cannot get the agent (middle management) to do their bidding.

Why? A lack of appropriate incentives, poor management, poor communication? Quite frankly it is safer for a manager not to lend than it is to lend – in terms of his own job security. Until we understand the micro problem, we cannot fix the macro problem of growth.

Just as with the credit crunch, unless you understood loans were going to people who could not pay them back you did not understand why the US Government may default on its debt obligations.

Lenders seek revival plans from Mallya Lenders to Kingfisher Airlines have expressed disappointment at the airline’s promoter Vijay Mallya’s inability to attend a meet in Mumbai to apprise them of his plans to get the company back on the rails. The debt-ridden airline is running skeletal operations and has not paid its employees for months. It is necessary to have a clear picture from Mr Mallya himself, State Bank of India chairman Pratip Chaudhuri said while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a FICCI banking summit. Chaudhuri said that meeting had added urgency to steps being talked about, like unlocking value in non-core assets.

Lenders said that expectations of the company bringing in foreign investors had been belied. They have now asked Mallya to make a presentation on his plans by end-September.

# " #

$ !

# #

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Supermarket group Wm Morrison plans to open 20 convenience stores across the UK by this year and 50 by next year after successful trials in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham, said Dalton Philips, the chief executive of the company.

Morrisons lags behind rivals Tesco and Sainsbury’s in the growing convenience market but sees the format as a way of increasing its market share, especially in London.

Of the 20 convenience stores, six will be in London and the company will also open a new distribution centre in West London to support the sites. Convenience stores are one of the key planks of Mr Philips’ strategy for Morrisons as he seeks to grow Britain’s fourth largest supermarket group.

However, in the first half of the year like-for-like sales fell 0.8 pc as the supermarket battled against

weak consumer confidence.

Speaking as he unveiled the first-half results, Mr Philips said Morrisons will also start selling wine online through a new website called Morrisons Cellar.

This is the first time the Morrisons brand will move into e-commerce and marks another step towards the company offering its full grocery range online.

In addition, Mr Philips said Morrisons would accelerate the roll-out of

its new Fresh Formats stores, which introduce more fresh food into the supermarkets.

Morrisons is already operating 45 Fresh Formats stores and intends to accelerate this by the end of January to more than 100, accounting for 30pc of the company’s sales.

Some analysts and shareholders, including former chairman Sir Ken Morrison, have questioned whether Mr Philips is taking Morrisons too upmarket given the recession.

Developer guarantee makes Colindale investment too good to miss Fairview New homes, one of the UK’s leading residential developers, is to guarantee investors an annual return of 2.5% - on top of the market rent - on all new apartments at its Rhythm development in Colindale, North London.

The rental guarantee runs for two full years and should allow investors to generate a yield on investment of between 8 and 9.5%.

As an example a studio flat is currently available at Rhythm for a purchase price of £159,000. Based upon similar flats in the development this could generate monthly rents of £925 giving a market rental yield of 7%. For the first two years Fairview will guarantee a further

2.5% return delivering an aggregate yield of 9.5%.

The development has already attracted significant interest from homebuyers and investors.

Rhythm appeals to a wide range of buyers and tenants with the varied home styles available attracting first time buyers, professionals working in the

However, Mr Philips says sales in the Fresh Formats stores are up between 4 pc and 6 pc compared to the rest of the Morrisons portfolio.

“Although the sustained pressure on consumer spending was reflected in our like-for-like sales performance, we have made further good progress against our strategic objectives – the building blocks which are the foundations of the future success of our business,” he said.

Given the economic outlook and the ramp-up in convenience stores and ecommerce, Morrisons plans to slow the amount of space it will open by 500,000 sq ft over the next two years, saving £100m.

Pre-tax profits fell from £449m to £440m in the half-year to July 29, but the results were better than expected and the stock market reacted positively to the figures and Morrisons’ plans.

Infosys to buy Lodestone in $349 mn deal

City, young families and older residents looking to downsize.

Prices at Rhythm start from £159,000 for a studio flat and include a 736sq ft two bedroom, two bathroom apartment for £280,000. Further details can be found at www.fairview.co.uk or by calling 0800 883 8105.

Infosys has agreed to buy Zurich-based Lodestone Holding AG in a deal valued at 330 million Swiss francs. The acquisition may take Infosys a step closer to its goal of becoming a software-and-services giant providing clients with higher value services and consulting.

The company has recently completed implementing Infosys 3.0, a strategy that it expects will take it towards this goal.

"This acquisition fits perfectly into that strategy," chief executive S.D. Shibulal said in a statement. Infosys, which symbolises India's rise as an outsourcing powerhouse, has struggled this year. It has missed sales targets and lost market share.

Pandey, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, The Wadhwa Group.

Balancing designs with economics, The Address offers space in prime residential segment which offers the key aspects of:

• World Class Architectural Design and Planning • Easy Connectivity and Accessibility to Major transport networks • Investment and Finance In its journey towards excellence, The Wadhwa Group has bagged accolades, including the Realty Plus Excellence Awards 2012, International Property Awards Asia Pacific, among others. The Wadhwa Group has meticulously plotted a success story in all real estate sectors. Over the years, the design elements of their projects have undergone a sea-change, but one factor that has remained constant is the customer faith.

To get a better understanding of the investment opportunity meet Team Unesta at the MCHI Exhibition on 15th and 16th Sept at Hotel Cumberland Marble Arch.

The Address - An Identity in Residential Space

Newer iconic structures are emerging in various pockets of Mumbai providing them a unique identity. The Address at Ghatkopar (W) being one such development, has given a new identity to the whole location.

The Address can be truly classified as a landmark development which attempts to marry local needs with global outlook.

The Wadhwa Group has been instrumental in giving shape to The Address, banking on their expertise and knowledge of four decades in real estate development of the fine architecture, design and construction technology. With the premium residential space, The Address at Ghatkopar (W), the company has successfully hit the bull’s eye, not only in terms of design but also with respect pricing. “It’s a true value-for-

money proposition project that’s been designed keeping in mind the needs of high living. At the same time, the company continues to value a transparent relationship with its customers.” says Nitin

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

19

Deals take time to unfold and bear fruit Co ntinu ed fro m last week. .... .

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

Last week I wrote about a building we managed to agree for £5.4m on a sale and lease back basis. This means the current owners will continue to occupy the building as tenants. In this situation it was a charity that was in the process of refurbishing their new office premises and this was the best solution for them.

We managed to outbid all the other bidders and agree the offer at £5.4m.

To agree an offer in one sense is easy, you simply offer the highest amount for the property. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay any money across! We agreed the property price and contracts were sent to our solicitors with a time limit to exchange. We promised them we could deliver on time. We had two investors in the deal, one sent his funds across, the other did not.

We gave revised deadlines as to when we were told the funds would be in by. This date came and went. Again we were threatened by the agent that they would withdraw contracts if we didn't exchange by the revised deadline. This time they held true to their words and withdrew the contracts, after taking over 6 months to secure this deal we were sure we would lose this deal.

This is not a good way to maintain a relationship with agents, especially if you would like to do future business with them. In this situation the only way to keep some dignity was to be totally upfront and put our cards on the table. The situation was there were two investors who were buying this deal both putting 50% into the deal. One of them had transferred their funds required to exchange into the solicitor’s account, the other had not due to some unforeseen complication. I explained we were still hopeful the other half of the funds will come but I did not want to give them another false deadline and we accepted that the other party, the under bidder, will have a chance for the first bite at this deal.

Whilst they were entertaining the under bidder, we got to know who the under bidder was. The deal was introduced to us again by the under bidder through a colleague, at the reduced price of £5m.

This meant the under bidder didn't have the funds to complete this deal and wanted to charge commission for delivering the contract for the deal at £200,000.

I like the phrase in The Go dfather wh ere Michae l Corleon e says ‘My father taught me ; 'k eep your f riend s close, but your en emies clo ser'’.

This was our enemy in the world of property and we needed to know everything about him and be aware of his every move. After some research we identified the individual concerned, his background, where his funds were coming from and his family situation.

Based on the teachings of The Godfather we did keep him close to us, to do this we had to entertain his offer. This would mean he would stop searching elsewhere for funding and we get to discover the terms of his contract. When we got to find out his contract was at £5m, nowhere near the £5.4m we were pushed up to, we were a little annoyed to say the least. However we can’t complain if we don't have any money on the table. The time period to complete from exchange was however only 4 weeks, possibly six at a push. We on the other hand had a full three months to complete the deal.

The price was only part of the deal, more important to us was the time for completion. We needed this time period and hence it was invaluable to us.

As the other buyer was hunting around for funds, we knew he didn't have his own. We also realised his tap of money had recently been closed down which was from his family. Now he resorted to pulling in

The Real Deal Off market opportunity close to Portobello Rd Superb two double bedroom property Close to the fashionable Portobello Rd Close to all amenities and transport links Was recently rented for £450pw, giving a yield of 7.2% Low service charge and long lease This is an ideal long term hold property

contracts and selling them on in order to maintain his life style which he had got accustomed too.

In this period one of the other negotiators who works at the agency called me to see what had happened from my side. This was a good cop bad cop routine. From this I figured they had smelled this buyer may not be as strong as he appeared to be.

W it h t wo failed purch asers the agen ts the mselves wo uld be in dang er of losing the in structio n and t he client. This is th eir worst fe ar.

The other half of our funds finally arrived in our solicitor’s account.

So I called the agent and stated we would like to exchange. I told them we were no longer happy with the price as we had heard from the market they had offered the same deal to another party at £5m. I suggested we pay the same amount despite having a longer time line to complete.

The agent admitted to me they had another party, he had to as I even knew the name of the under bidder. I informed them the under bidder did not have the funds to exchange let alone to complete and had approached us for them.

They said they will need to take permission from their client as to what they would like to do and come back to me. The response was that the sellers were outraged, they were told not to deal with us full stop!

I found this response peculiar, as our money was on the table and they are a charity and need to be seen to be doing the best for the charity. Of course this was part of the drama. After a couple of days I suggested we meet half way and close the deal at £5.2m. They came back and said the sellers will agree £5.25m on the basis we exchange by the next afternoon. Of course if they are prepared to take £5.25m they will take the £5.2m. So we agreed and exchanged, not quite according the time line but a couple of days after.

So, due to the investor not transferring his funds on time we managed to save £200,000! I guess everything happens for a reason.

We are pleased to announce our next Central London Property Seminar in Ilford, Essex Seminar Highlights: This will be a great opportunity for you to see how Sow & Reap can add value and help you to invest in property.

At the seminar you will learn: l Why Central London is the best place to invest in every economic climate l The three most important factors when choosing your investment l How Sow & Reap can help you expand and look after your property portfolio If you would like to attend this event, please call us now on 0207 096 1354 or email us: info@sowandreap.co.uk Further details will be provided on registration Seats are limited - so early registration is recommended!

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 313 4595 Westbourne House, 14-16 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RH

Tips of the Week l When renting a property tell the agents you're only prepared to take 12 month contracts, this will reduce void periods and expenses. l When renovating a BTL property always be mindful of not just the quotation but the time period, as the delay will be costing you in lost rent.

20

financial vOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

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

The effect of absences or breaks One of the questions that often arises as applicants approach settlement is to what extent absences are likely to affect their case.

In some cases those who have not left the country but have had breaks in their employment want to know whether this will affect them.

Surprisingly, the immigration Rules do not actually specify what absences are allowed or prohibited for most categories.

Investors (ie investors in the £1 million category) have specific rules allowing them to be absent for upto 180 days.

The requirements require that a applicant must have spent a continuous period and that this must be lawful.

Many applicants (wrongly) apply the Rules that exist for British citizenship which are much more specific.

The UKBA sets out its interpretation of “continuous period” in its policy guidance which provides the following : For those who are not absent from the UK, they are allowed interruptions of upto 3 months or 6 months in total over the whole 5 year period. So for example a person in

there are absences including whether the couple travelled together.

A quick glance at the case law indicates that not many people have brought cases on the meaning of continuous period. A case that was brought stated that this has to be construed sensibly.

A recent case heard in the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court, decided that any requirement which, if not satisfied, will lead to an application for leave to enter or to remain being refused is a rule within the ordinary meaning of that word.

And this means that the rule needs to be laid down in the Immigration Rules.

The guidance cannot be interpreted as if it is law.

Where applications are refused purely on the meaning of the Guidance that the UKBA lays down, they can expect litigation to follow.

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.

Tier 2 can remain out of work for the periods allowed without it affecting their status.

The general rule for absences is that short absences are allowed (for example to cover the annual l leave entitlement or short business trips).

However where there are longer absences, absences are allowed for 3 months at a time or 6 months in one period where the reasons are for compassionate reasons or for employment. In the latter case it would be necessary to outline what the reasons were and provide evidence of the serious implication for the employer had the employee not travelled.

Although the Immigration Rules spell out the fact that an Investor can be out of the country for upto 180 days, in reality the Entrepreneur can also do so as the guidance states that this period is disregarded.

As far as spouses are concerned, again the Immigration Rules do not specify allowed absences or prohibitions in its conditions. However the UKBA state on their website that they will consider a number of factors where

Majority of UK shoppers against extending Sunday shopping hours Less than 50 per cent of the shoppers support the idea of extending the Sunday shopping hours, according to a survey. The poll found 45% of consumers supported extended Sunday trading, with 24% believing it would provide a boost to the UK economy, business law firm DWF said.

Of those who backed the longer opening hours, 83% said shops should be allowed to open on Sundays without any restrictions at all. Current legislation allows shops in England and Wales of more than 280 square metres to open for a maximum of six hours on a Sunday between 10 am and 6 pm. There are no restrictions on Sunday trading in Scotland.

But the restrictions

Arrogance, Ignorance and Bad Luck

maria@abplgroup.com

Maria Fernandes

have been suspended until the end of the Olympics and Paralympics on September 9. The poll found that although 82% of shoppers were aware of the relaxation of the rules, just 24% had taken advantage of them so far. It found that 39% of people believed the Government would eventually relax Sunday trading rules permanently, with 22% saying they would shop more on a Sunday if the change became permanent, while 16% said shops should not be allowed to open at all on Sundays.

DWF head of retail Hilary Ross said: "Given the need to stimulate the economy, the commitment to cutting red tape and strong employee protection laws coupled with the Scottish experience, it is

difficult to see the justification for continuing to regulate Sunday trading in the current way.

"It is easy to forget that this legislation, which is now viewed as restricting Sunday trading, was originally introduced as part of deregulation in the early 1990s allowing shops to open on Sundays. At that time, concerns were raised about the interests of employees and the traditional character of Sundays.

She added: "Our research provides a call to action for the Government.

Many consumers clearly think the laws on Sunday trading in England and Wales are in need of modernisation to meet the needs of a modern multicultural society and the changing face of retail."

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Everybody makes mistakes. Sometimes we learn from our mistakes and sometimes we just keep on repeating them. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, making mistakes is the one thing you can be certain of doing. Learning from mistakes is a very serious business.

Billions of pounds are spent every year on public and government inquiries seeking to identify mistakes, what caused the mistakes and to give suggestions on how to avoid those mistakes being made again.

From such inquiries lessons are learned and sometimes the mistake is not repeated.

The Titanic is remembered not because she was the largest and most elegant ship of her time.

There are larger and more luxurious cruise ships today. She is remembered because she sank on her maiden voyage. The irony of the whole disaster is that the sinking was not due to a lack of technology, or even a natural disaster. Rather it was a combination of arrogance, ignorance and some bad luck

that contributed to the tragedy. It could have been avoided, but as we all know hindsight is a wonderful thing to have.

There is so much focus on learning lessons after the mistake has happened, but what about learning during the event? Surely if we were better able to adapt to the circumstances then we could perhaps salvage something and limit the damage. While the Titanic was sinking, a number of lifeboats that did get away were not full to capacity. Had the boarding of lifeboats been properly managed, many more lives would have been saved. Crisis management is something which is so important and yet so overlooked because most of us think that it does not really apply to us. Yet, this is something which we will all have done but perhaps not noticed. For example, if we get lost, we have to find our way until we get back on track. We do not think, ‘let me keep going and then when I stop I’ll work out which way I should have gone’.

Obviously, there are some mistakes which can-

By Amit Patel

not be fixed, like when a person loses all their money through gambling.

But there are occasions when we can do something. When making business decisions it can rapidly become clear if things are going wrong. Yet too often we fail to react to remedy the situation.

There are innumerable reasons why we behave like this, but usually the common ones are arrogance, ignorance and some bad luck.

Arrogance because we refuse to admit to ourselves that perhaps we have got it wrong.

Ignorance because we fail to see the steps we can take to remedy the situation. And bad luck because we were not blessed with the vision to see our arrogance and ignorance.

Amit Patel has over 20 years experience in the field of Personal Development and Human Resource Management. He provides consultancy services to businesses and individuals seeking to develop their skills and abilities. To contact Amit, email him at amitpatelmail@gmail.com

Going into business with known brands scores a hit

By Rudy Otter

Business opportunities with a difference surfaced in The Franchise Show at London's Earls Court on 7-8th September.

Business-minded people looking to move into franchising by setting up as partners of already established companies, and mentored all the way, visited the stands of such firms as 123 franchising.com, an online service in Hayes, Middlesex, operated by husband-and-wife team Vishal and Sharon Anand.

They match people wanting to enter franchising with companies looking for franchise partners.

Said Vishal: "We started 18 months ago and have already made 500 matches with the 180 branded names on our books."

The award-winning Shahnaz Husain group of

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New Delhi, which manufactures 360 herbal bodycare products, spanning skin care, hair and complexion-lightening, was on the look-out for "more distributors and franchise partners," said general manager exports Sunil Sontakke. The group, with four factories in northern India, exports to more than 100 countries and boasts Selfridges among their clients. Visitors were handed copies of a heavy press-cuttings file featuring rave reviews from across the world.

Among those taking part was a voluntary organisation called EWIF encouraging women into franchising. A team of accountants, solicitors and other professionals are "always ready to help and advise" said bookkeeper Claire Watson-Bardot.

More Asian women, she said, are asking for details.

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She added: "Franchising is an attractive option giving participants all the support they need in promoting known brands. It's better than striking out on one's own and hoping for the best..."

Offering light relief at the show was Jongleurs Comedy Ltd of London, supplying comedians to pubs, clubs and private functions. The 2,000strong list includes Asian comics like Shazia Mirza, Paul Chaudrey and Imran Yussuf. Corporate marketing manager Anas Shaikh, whose family hailed from Amritsar, said: "Comedians can help put everyone in the right mood. They can be briefed, for example, not to make racist jokes, and are happy to perform anywhere in the country."

Lectures on every aspect of franchising drew scores of visitors.

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financial VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

21

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

A massive shift in sentiment Last week the ECB chief, Mario Draghi, took his largest step yet in fulfilling his previous promise to the continent to “do whatever it takes to preserve the Eurozone�. The announcement of the Outright Monetary Transactions program, OMT, served to strengthen the confidence in the Euro and its ability to survive. These assurances led to a substantial augmentation in the value of the 17-nation currency on Friday.

Whilst the program is not a definitive map to the survival of Eurozone economies, it has bought those at the helm of the operation time to implement the necessary reforms to maintain their membership. The news came as a welcomed shot into the bloodstream of the Euro, however the road to recovery is a long and arduous one, as well ministers, bankers and investors must be aware of.

Encouragement also came from the IMF as the head, Christine Lagarde, backed the ECB’s move to purchase government bonds.

However on the flipside, Greece is set to welcome Troika this week to complete the negotiations of their next bailout.

Greece’s determination to increase austerity cuts by a further ₏12Bn will determine whether the government gets the

bailout funds. Although the initial amount of austerity has been accepted, the international lenders are still looking for further clarity and whether they believe the proposed is implementable. Further pressure was put on the Euro from the newly elected French President, Francois Hollande, as he confirmed plans to tax the wealthy.

Individuals earning more than â‚Ź1m per annum will be subject to 75% tax with “no exceptionsâ€?. The levy could be dropped after two years but for now Hollande aims to fast track growth into positive territory within the next two years. The measure has already had negative effects for the French econo-

my as the wealthy look to relocate. As a result property prices have dropped since the elections and UK seems to be benefit from the shift of personal.

Across the pond the news of Draghi’s actions have further heightened the scrutiny on America’s next move. Poor payroll data released on Friday sent the Dollar’s value tumbling, breaking the 1.60 mark against sterling, and progressing to 1.6033 before settling down, just above 1.60.

Many believe Mr. Bernanke to be preparing another round of quantitative easing, QE3, in order to try and kickstart America’s engine.

Unlike Europe’s sterilized bond buying,

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America’s bond buying will have a direct effect on inflation as the money supply within the economy is diluted.

Investors will be gearing up in preparation for the potential a n n ou n c e me n t after the two-day FOMC conference on Wednesday and Thursday. The inflationary effect on the currency that QE3 brings is likely to devalue the Dollar further, signaling more weakness.

With such bold action having been taken, or potentially on the way, the world’s two base currencies are undergoing a crucial period in their convalescence, leaving the Pound as more of a traveller in the journey. Two key events this week unsurprisingly are Euro and Dollar related; a German court ruling on the bond buying’s legality on Wednesday may render the optimism pointless, whilst Bernanke’s press conference on Thursday is centered around the topic of a third phase of QE.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 11th Sept 2012 @ 6.30pm GBP - INR = 88.90 USD - INR = 55.32 EUR - INR = 71.15 GBP - USD = 1.60 GBP - EUR = 1.24 EUR - USD = 1.28 GBP - AED = 5.90 GBP - CAD = 1.56 GBP - NZD = 1.96 GBP - AUD = 1.53 GBP - ZAR = 13.01 GBP - HUF = 352.65

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

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PAkiSTAn-BAnglAdeSH-Sri lAnkA

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

India signs liberalised visa agreement with Pak In Focus Islamabad: India and Pakistan have signed a visa regime which will facilitate simpler travel for people across the border. The pact, signed between S M Krishna, Minister for External Affairs, Govt. of India and Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan, replaces the old visa regime that was signed in 1974, and will pave the way for time-bound visa approval and greater people-to-people contacts and boost trade.

Malik hailed the proposed visa agreement as a "historic move", adding that the pact would greatly help in crossborder movement.

The new visa agreement will benefit people of both the countries as it will facilitate multiple-entry and reportingfree visas for businessmen, allowing them to visit five cities instead of three as is the case at present. It will also exempt elderly people

from reporting to the police, thus allowing common people from either country to visit three earmarked cities instead of one and introducing a visa-on-arrival facility at Wagah for senior citizens aged above 65 and children.

While there was no timeframe for issuance of nondiplomatic visas earlier, the new pact says that a visa has to be issued within 45 days of

Hate content in Pakistani textbooks increases manifold Lahore: At a time when Pakistan is plagued by terrorism, its official academia has been unable to stop the inclusion of hate material targeting Hindus, Christians and Sikhs and fanning sectarian hatred in school curriculum.

This hate material included in textbooks being used in Punjab and Sindh provinces mainly targets the country's religious minorities - Hindus, Christians and Sikhs - and India and Westerners, says the NGO National Commission for Justice and Peace. "The latest textbooks have more hate content than those written previously," the NGO said in a statement.

According to a content analysis of books published by the Punjab and Sindh textbook boards that was done by the NCJP, the hate content has increased manifold with the passage of time.

"Many textbooks that had no hate material in their earlier versions, now carry such mate-

rial in Punjab and Sindh provinces. The issue of religious intolerance should be discussed openly and that must lead to some action to save younger students from such influences at the outset," the NCJP said in a report entitled "Education or Fanning Hate".

The report said there were 45 lines containing hate material in books published in Punjab during 2009-11, and the figure increased to 122 lines this year.

The textbooks for Urdu and Pakistan Studies for Classes VII, VIII, IX and X were found to be the "most affected", as hate material increased from 15 lines to 86 lines. In all, 22 lessons in the current curriculum for primary and secondary schools have hate content, the report said. Rights and civil society groups have often blamed such contents in textbooks for fanning sectarian hatred and animosity towards countries like India.

application.

Under the visitor visa category, earlier, only single entry visa used to be issued for three months for meeting relatives, friends, business or other legitimate purpose.

Now, a single entry visa is to be issued for six months but the stay should not exceed three months at a time.

For the first time, Group Tourism too has figured as a

part of the pact. The new Group Tourist visa will be issued for not less than 10 people and not more than 50 people. This visa will be valid for 30 days and will have to be applied through tour operators, registered by the two governments. The Group Tourist visa facility will also be available to students of educational institutions of both countries. However, this will be a tourist visa only and not for seeking admission in educational institutions of either country.

The new visa agreement was supposed to be signed in May during the Home/Interior Secretary-levels talks held in Islamabad, but got postponed after Pakistan said it wanted to sign at political level.

The visa agreement was signed shortly after the meeting between Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar.

No ‘terror sponsor’ tag for Pakistan: US Washington: The US is not considering terror tags for Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI despite charges of their patronage of terrorist groups, US officials said on Friday, following the designation of the Pakistan-backed Haqqani network as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

“We are making absolutely no effort to begin a process to designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism,” a senior administration official said, adding, “If anything, they have been an extremely valuable ally in countering extremism and terrorism, and we are committed to continuing and maintaining and increasing that cooperation.”

The remarks came in the face of copious commentaries in Pakistan’s own civil society and media about the country’s slide into extremism and patronage of terrorism, unhindered and in some cases supported by the government.

Pakistan also brazenly cracked down on people who helped the US eliminate Osama bin Laden attracting wide censure in the US and elsewhere. One official also reeled back the description by former US military chief Mike Mullen of the Haqqani Network as a “veritable arm” of the ISI, saying “this in no way is the consensus, unanimous view of this administration”. Weeks after a case in which the ISI was also accused of illegally funneling money to the US (in the Fai case), the official maintained that the administration’s action was “targeted specifically at the Haqqani network.

It is not targeted in any way at any organ of the Pakistani government”.

The officials also clarified that there is no relationship between an FTO designation and a state sponsorship one.

“There is no legal relationship between these things”, US officials said.

in Kandahar, Herat, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul to help rebuild Afghanistan up to 2024. The Taliban figures expressed hope that military assistance would translate into economic assistance over time.

The four Taliban representatives, who did not want to be named, said that while they could not speak for the more hardline military commission, Mullah Omar had broad control over all factions

and he supported the plan.

However, they imposed several conditions on the deal. These would include rejecting the current Afghan constitution so that any ceasefire would not be considered a “surrender”, a refusal to negotiate with the “utterly corrupt” President Hamid Karzai and the Taliban being re-accepted into the international fold.

The four representatives also said that the US would have to guarantee not to launch any attacks on Pakistan or Iran from its Afghan bases, with the deal terminated if they did.

America would also have to end drone strikes from the country. They added, however, that the US would be free to attack Iran from the Persian Gulf. “They all stated, in different words, that the Taliban now recognise their links to al-Qaeda before 9/11 were a mistake,” said the report.

Taliban 'prepared to work with US on security in Afghanistan'

Kabul: The Taliban is prepared to completely disown al-Qaeda, allow the US to retain several military bases in Afghanistan and agree a ceasefire deal to end its 11 year conflict with Nato, a major report released on Monday discloses.

According to the report, the Taliban representatives believe there is “no natural enmity” with the Americans, and that they would be prepared to accept a long-term US military presence in the country if it helped Afghan security.

The report was compiled by the respected Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) following interviews with four senior Taliban figures close to the organisation’s leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar. These included former government ministers, one of the group’s founding members and a Mujahideen commander.

It sets out a detailed path to a negotiated settlement for

Afghanistan that could allow the majority of western troops to withdraw in 2014 without the country descending into renewed chaos.

According to the report, the Taliban representatives believe there is “no natural enmity” with the Americans, and that they would be prepared to accept a long-term US military presence in the country if it helped Afghan security.

Under the plan, five US military bases could operate

‘Blasphemy girl’ freed, then flown to unknown location Islamabad: Rimsha Masih, the 14-year- old Christian girl accused of blasphemy in Pakistan, was released on Saturday from Adiala Jail and airlifted to an unknown place under strict security. Rimsha, dressed in a traditional dress, was seen stepping out of an armoured vehicle before being whisked to a waiting helicopter to be reunited with her family. A district judge in Islamabad had ordered Rimsha’s release on bail on Friday.

A bond of rupees half a million was furnished on behalf of the girl. A special helicopter was sent by the interior ministry to the Adiala jail from where Rimsha was flown to an unknown place. The next hearing of the case will take place on September 16, while the additional sessions court has ordered the IG Islamabad to appoint an honest senior police official for investigations. Rimsha was arrested in a poor Islamabad suburb on August 16 and accused of burning papers containing verses from the Holy Quran. Her case took a dramatic development when a cleric who had accused her was arrested last week for allegedly planting evidence against her and on charges of himself desecrating the holy Quran.

Car bomb kills 10 in Pakistan Islamabad: At least 10 people were killed and 40 others injured when a bomb went off in a town of the restive Kurram Agency in northwest Pakistan. The explosive device was planted in a vehicle parked at Kashmir Chowk in Parachinar, the main town of Kurram Agency. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. The blast snapped the power supply to the area and panic gripped the town. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Taliban fighters who infiltrated the region have been backing the Sunnis. Hundreds of people have died in clashes between the rival tribesmen and militant violence.

Pakistani executed in Saudi Arabia Riyadh: Saudi Arabia executed a Pakistani national in Medina city for trafficking heroin.

Hayat Sayed Lal Sayed had attempted to smuggle heroin in his stomach. It said a common method for so-called drug mules to transport narcotics is to swallow condoms containing the substance. The date and place of Sayed's arrest were not given.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most active users of capital punishment. The country executed 79 people last year. The interior ministry said the death penalty is used to combat drug use which is against Islamic beliefs.

Pakistan evicts ‘Save the Children’ foreign staff Islamabad: The Pakistani government has ordered foreign staff members of “Save the Children” to leave the country, a spokesman for the international aid group said last week. The group has recently come under Pakistani government scrutiny because of reports that it helped facilitate meetings between the US and a doctor who allegedly helped hunt down Osama bin Laden, a charge which the group has vehemently denied. The expulsion order comes among heightened suspicion of foreigners in Pakistan in the aftermath of the al-Qaida leader's killing.

Suicide bomber kills 16 in north Afghanistan Kunduz (Afghanistan): A man wearing an explosive vest blew himself up in a crowded intersection in northern Afghanistan on Monday, killing 10 policemen and six civilians, local officials said. The policemen were targeted in the urban capital of Kunduz province, police chief Sameullah Qatra said, referring to the most volatile zone of the relatively peaceful north. "He killed ten policemen and six civilians," Qatra said, adding that 30 more people, including those belonging to the security forces, were also wounded. No one immediately took responsibility for the attack, which bore the hallmarks of Taliban insurgents.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Twin earthquakes jolt China, 64 dead

Beijing: At least 64 people killed and over 700 hurt as two magnitude 5.6 earthquakes rocked China’s southwestern Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. The midday quakes that took place one hour apart affected 700,000 people. Some of the affected villages remained blocked by fallen rocks and debris, suggesting that the death toll might go up. The worsthit areas may have lost power and communications. “The hardest part of the rescue now is traffic,” Li Fuchun, the head Luozehe township, identified as the epicenter, was quoted by the agency as saying.

“Roads are blocked and rescuers have to climb mountains to reach hard-hit villagers.”

Sunita Williams installs bolt, breaks record

Houston: IndianAmerican NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her Japanese counterpart Akihiko Hoshide have successfully restored power to the International Space Station on their second attempt. With this Spacewalk, Williams surpassed Peggy Whitson's record during excursion for total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut.

Whitson worked outside for 39 hours and 46 minutes over the course of six spacewalks. Williams has conducted six spacewalks for a total of 44 hours and 2 minutes. The astronauts had to go into space for the second time in less than a week. The spacewalk lasted 6 hours 28 minutes. Williams and Hoshide have finally completed repairs on the main power unit switching mechanism.

Maldives girl to get 100 lashes for sex

Male: A 16 year-old girl has been sentenced to 100 lashes, which she will face when she turns 18, by a Maldivian court for having sex. The Hulhudhufaaru Magistrate Court in Raa Atoll also sentenced a 29- year-old man to 10 years imprisonment, after it found him guilty of having sex with the minor girl. The man travelled to the island after the girl invited him. Then the girl's family noticed that she was not at home and went looking for her. The pair was found that night in some bushes behind the island's power house, he added. The court official said the girl's family pressed charges, which were denied by the man.

However the girl confessed. The man was sentenced under the Child Sex Abuse Act.

Hong Kong democracy leader Gujarati gets top honour quits after weak poll showing as US Democrats meet

Hong Kong: The leader of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy party resigned after a surprisingly weak performance in legislative elections that have played out against a powerful swell of anti-Beijing sentiment. With five seats left to be counted, the prodemocracy camp won only 24 seats: enough to give it political significance over the coming four years, but only a modest translation of growing antipathy towards Chinese rule. Protests have been frequent this summer in the former British colony as local tempers have flared over corruption, high property prices and other woes blamed by some on the mainland Chinese influence. The most recent focus of public rage has been on plans to introduce compulsory classes in “Moral and National Education” – lessons seen by their opponents as an attempt at “brainwashing” by Beijing.

Despite ten days of vehement street protests, hunger strikes and a lastminute policy U-turn by Hong Kong’s chief executive hours before Sunday’s election, Albert Ho’s Democratic Party failed to capitalise on either the near-record voter turnout of about 53 per cent or the political momentum of the demonstrations.

His party won just four

seats, having previously held eight: this means that, with five seats, the Civic Party is now the largest in the pro-democracy bloc.

In an emotional resignation speech, complete with a deep bow to the party faithful, Mr Ho blamed his party’s “serious failure” on the way that pro-democracy votes have been split between rival parties within the camp, or carried on a wave of anti-Beijing feeling towards more radical candidates. “In the recent months the general public has become increasingly impatient and even very angry with the existing administration,” he said.

“I think a lot of voters have decided to choose some people who ... play a much more aggressive role in the Legislative Council.” Direct elections for 40 of the 70 Legislative Council seats handed citizens stronger democratic powers than they have previously enjoyed. The

US denies Indian parents access to their child

Koktata: The family of an Indian child who has been kept away from his parents by the American child service authorities in New Jersey has appealed to the government to help them. The Sahas' 11-month old son is currently in hospital.

This came after he was admitted with a head injury. The parents say he fell from a bed. They now claim they are being stopped from seeing their child pending an inquiry into the incident.

The father Debasish Saha who hails from West Bengal has been asked to appear before a US court.

"As per our explanation, the kid fell from the bed. I am in touch with the Indian High Commission.

They said they will help me. My appeal is that my kid is fine and fit to be discharged and I want the kid to be handed over to my relatives in India, not to someone whom I don't know."

The grandparents of the child in Kolkata have also appealed to the government.

"They were waiting to bring the child home. But the hospital has refused to hand over the baby. I appeal to the government

to intervene and return my grandchild to me," the child's grandmother Sona Rani Saha said.

His grandfather Nirmal Saha said, "How can an 11-month-old child stay without the care of his parents with the care of a hospital nurse? It is not justified."

India takes up case Meanwhile, Indian missions in the US have taken up with authorities the child’s case.

The consulate said it has requested the US Department of State (Office of Foreign Missions) in New York to have the concerns of the parents addressed. The embassy of India in Washington has also taken up the matter with the US department of state.

The matter came up before a New Jersey court on Friday and it asked Saha to appear with a lawyer on September 14.

The court has asked Saha to suggest names of relatives who could be given the custody of the child.

composition of the council is expected to be critical as Hong Kong debates the constitutional amendments needed to move to a system of universal suffrage by 2017.

In aggregate, the parties belonging to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy bloc were able to secure the minimum 24 seats required to secure a veto on constitutional amendments, winning 18 of the 35 directly elected geographical constituencies, and six of the 30 “functional constituencies” which are not chosen by popular vote.

Their veto power may be employed to block proposals that appear to come directly from Beijing and might be designed to dilute democratic reforms.

Despite the furore of recent weeks, the proBeijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong secured 12 seats and remains the largest party in that bloc.

Charlotte: Chicago-born Smita Shah has become the first Indian-American to serve as a Democratic National Convention parliamentarian. Shah, a close supporter of US President Barack Obama, is vice-chair of the Chicago Plan Commission. She heads Spaan Tech, an information and management technology firm with contracts potentially worth several million dollars.

Her parents Niranjan and Pratima Shah migrated to the US from Gujarat in the 1970s.

Father Niranjan is credited with founding and running one of the most successful engineering companies in Chicago, which was involved in many infrastructure projects in the city.

He was an influential member of the Indian American community and an active Democratic Party member as well.

Addressing the convention, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer said Shah is the "first person of Asian Indian descent" to serve as a convention parliamentarian. "It is our responsibility to help the chair apply and enforce the rules of this convention,"

Hoyer said describing the role of the convention parliamentarian. "During the convention, the parliamentarians will be available to respond to any of your questions about the order of proceedings, the methods of voting and the nature of the proceedings.

Each delegation can call our office at any time, and a parliamentarian will always be on the podium and available for advice and counsel," Hoyer said.

Shah, according to publicly available documents, has been a major donor for the O b a m a Campaign and the Democratic Party. She has donated more than $70,000 to the Obama Victory Fund 2012 and another equal amount to the Democratic Party. A licensed Professional Engineer, Shah founded Spaan Tech in 1998 and has pioneered its growth into a multi-million dollar engineering, construction management, and programme management firm with special expertise in infrastructure projects including: roads, highways, airports, and buildings. In 2008, the firm was recognised as one of the fastest growing companies

by Inc. Magazine.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Father of white revolution in India, Dr Kurien Passes away Dr Verghese Kurien did not like drinking milk, but as father of the White Revolution, he made India into a nation of milk drinkers. Often called India’s bestknown milkman, Kurien, 90, passed away at a hospital in Nadiad town because of complications arriving out of kidney ailments. In the six decades he spent in Anand, he ensured India is transformed from a milkdeficient country into one of the world’s biggest milk producers.

He is survived by wife Molly, daughter Nirmala and grandson Siddhartha.

It was under Kurien’s leadership that small-town Anand became the milk capital of India with institutions like the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA).

The beginnings, however, were humble. After returning from the US with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Michigan State University 1949, he was assigned to the government creamery at Anand to serve his bond period for a scholarship he had taken for his studies.

His only intention then was to obtain a release from the bond and get out

of Anand. He was all set to leave Anand by the end of 1949 for Mumbai, but the then chairman of Amul Dairy, Tribhuvandas Patel, requested him to help install machinery at the dairy. Kurien agreed, and then never left. The first dairy cooperative union in Gujarat was formed in 1946 with just two villages as members. Today, the cooperative has 16,100 member unions, with 3.2 million members pouring milk into GCMMF twice a day. He was NDDB chairman from 1965 to 1998 and was the architect of ‘Operation Flood’ – the largest dairy development programme in the world.

India’s milk procurement has graduated from 20 million metric tonnes annually in 1960s to 122 million metric tonnes in 2011.

Kurien, however, had a

painful exit from all the institutions he founded.

While he made way for his protégé Dr Amrita Patel to succeed him as chairman of NDDB in 1998, in 2006 he stepped down as founder-chairman of both GCMMF and IRMA. His detractors felt he was unduly clinging on to power. Later, he had told TOI that he was thrown out. “They (directors of GCMMF) did not want me any longer. I had to resign, I was not given a choice,” he had remarked.

For the past three years, close associates of Dr Verghese Kurien had started a campaign to have India’s highest civilian honour – the Bharat Ratna – conferred on him. But they failed, at least in his lifetime.

Only on September 6, Infosys chairman emeritus N R Narayana Murthy had said, “A civilized society must show gratitude when people can sense it, or it is no gratitude at all and if our country does not stand and salute Dr Verghese Kurien with a Bharat Ratna, I don't know who else deserves it.” After Kurien’s death, P A Joseph, his former executive assistant, said “We don’t want it now even if it is conferred.” In his lifetime, Kurien had received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

Yudhishthira meets the Python In the last episode we saw that when Bhima had not returned Yudhishthira was worried and went in the jungle in search of him. He saw his footsteps in the forest and followed them.

The path was easy to follow as it was strewn with uprooted trees, the dead bodies of elephants and lions. He reached an area of the forest which was totally dry and full of caves. There in one of the caves he saw his younger brother in the grip of a huge python. He was shocked to see that his very powerful younger brother was totally helpless.

He addressed Bhima.

“O son of Kunti how have you fallen into this predicament? Who is this great python whose body is bigger than a mountain?”

Bhima then told Yudhishthira the whole story of how the python had caught him. Bhima said “O Arya this great snake wants to swallow me. He is a rishi King in the form of a python.”

Yudhishthira addressed the snake, “O one with long life please release this

strong younger brother of mine we will find some other food for you.” The snake replied, “I have a prince to eat after a long time. He has walked right into my mouth. Please go away otherwise tomorrow will be your turn.”

Yudhishthira said, “O great snake please tell me who you are? Are you a god, a demon or a snake?

What will you take to release my brother, some other food or can I tell you something?”

The snake said, “O great king know me as Nahusha. I am your ancestor and seventh in the line of kings from the moon lineage. In those days I had practiced great tapas and acquired the wealth and suzerainty of the three worlds. Then my ego became drunk with this immense wealth and power that I had gained. I insulted and thus earned the wrath of the great rishi Agatsya. It is his curse that has brought me into this state. After a long time I

have your brother as food, I will not leave him, nor will I accept any other food in exchange. Still if you are able to correctly answer the questions I ask you I will release this powerful brother of yours.”

Yudhishthira said, “Please ask the questions you desire. I shall answer them. O great snake may be my answers will please you and you will release this brother of mine.”

The snake asked, “O king who is a Brahmin?

What is worth knowing? O Yudhishtira answer my questions, I feel you are full of wisdom.”

Yudhishthira replied, “O snake king, one who is soaked in truth, charity, non-violence, sympathy and practices austerity is a Brahmin. The only thing worth knowing is the Ultimate truth which is the expanding consciousness called Parabrahma. One who knows this will be free of pleasure and pain. What have you to say about this.”

To be continued.

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

Ganesh Chaturthi revives Manmohan ineffectual: US daily patriotic spirit among people

The leading American daily Washington Post has described Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as “a dithering, ineffectual bureaucrat presiding over a deeply corrupt government." The US daily said his reputation was damaged by the "accusation that he looked the other way and remained silent as his cabinet colleagues filled their own pockets."

Meanwhile, the daily refused to apologise for calling when Manmohan Singh a failure. While PMO sources indicated that the publication tendered an apology and will also publish the Prime Minister's response, The Washington Post said there was no question of an apology. Washington Post Journalist Simon Denyer said, "We have nothing to apologise. We stand by the article. Yes we did not have the PM's version. I contacted the PMO for an interview in July but was denied. They knew that the story was coming."

In an article "India's 'silent' prime minister becomes a tragic figure", the Post said that Manmohan Singh helped set India on the path to modernity, prosperity and power, but critics say the soft-spoken 79-yearold is in "danger of going down in history as a failure".

"The architect of India's economic reforms, Singh

was a major force behind his country's rapprochement with the United States and is a respected figure on the world stage.

"But the image of the scrupulously honourable, humble and intellectual technocrat has slowly given way to a completely different one: a dithering, ineffectual bureaucrat presiding over a deeply corrupt government," it said.

The daily said that at present the Indian parliament has been adjourned as the opposition demands Singh's resignation over allegations of waste and corruption in the allocation of coal-mining concessions. "The story of Singh's dramatic fall from grace in his second term in office and the slow but steady tarnishing of his reputation has played out in parallel with his country's decline on his watch. As India's economy has slowed and as its reputation for rampant corruption has reasserted itself, the idea that the country was on an inexorable road to becoming a global power has increas-

ingly come into question," said the daily.

It went on to say that the irony is "Singh's greatest selling points - his incorruptibility and economic experience - are the mirror image of his government's greatest failings".

"Under Singh, economic reforms have stalled, growth has slowed sharply and the rupee has collapsed. But just as damaging to his reputation is the accusation that he looked the other way and remained silent as his cabinet colleagues filled their own pockets," it added.

Singh spoke last week to rebut criticism from the government auditor that the national treasury had been cheated of billions of dollars after coal-mining concessions were granted to private companies for a pittance. He denied that there was "any impropriety".

The Indian prime minister's criticism came less than two months after Britain's The Independent ran a report with the headline "Manmohan Singh India's saviour or Sonia's poodle?" The story came close on the heels of Manmohan Singh being dubbed an "underachiever"

by Time magazine, which asked whether the architect of 1991 economic reforms could rouse himself and put India back on the high growth path.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or 'Vinayaka Chavithi' is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesh. It is observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September), it is on 19th September this year.

It is the grandest and most elaborate festival, especially in the western India state of Maharashtra, lasts for 10 days, ending on the day of 'Ananta Chaturdashi'.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations: The festival is mostly celebrated the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and many other parts of India.

Started by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the great Maratha ruler, to promote culture and nationalism, the festival was revived by Lokmanya Tilak (a freedom fighter) to spread the message of freedom struggle and to defy the British who had banned public assemblies.

The festival gave the Indians a feeling of unity and revived their patriotic spirit and faith. This public festival formed the background for political leaders who delivered speeches to inspire people against the Western rule.

The festival is so popular that the preparations

begin months in advance.

Ganesha statues installed in street corners and in homes, and elaborate arrangements are made for lighting, decoration, mirrors and the most common of flowers. Poojas (prayer services) are performed daily. The artists who make the idols of Ganesh compete with each other to make bigger and more magnificent and elegant idols. The relatively larger ones are anything from 10 meters to 30 meters in height. These statues are then carried on decorated floats to be immersed in the sea after one, three, five, seven and

ten days. Thousands of processions converge on the beaches to immerse the holy idols in the sea.

This procession and immersion is accompanied by drum-beats, devotional songs and dancing.

It is still forbidden to look at the moon on that day as the moon had laughed at Ganesh when he fell from his vehicle, the rat. With the immersion of the idol amidst the chanting of "Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai!" (Hail Lord Ganesh).

The festival ends with pleas to Ganesh to return the next year with chants of "Ganpati bappa morya, pudcha varshi laukar ya."

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Gutka banned in Gujarat

A comprehensive ban on production and sale of gutka came into effect in Gujarat on Tuesday, as per the notification issued by the state government.

Chief minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day address, had announced complete ban on gutka from September 11.

However, there is a catch in the notification issued: sale of gutka will be prohibited, but one would be free to sell separately tobacco, beetle nut and lime separately. Any violation of ban would attract at least six months of imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 5 lakh, according to the notification. The ban will also not be applicable to pan masala.

20 hurt as Congmen clash with police

At least 20 people injured as Congress workers protesting against the BJD government tried to gherao the Odisha assembly and fought a pitched battle with police.Earlier, the demonstrators were addressed by Congress stalwarts including state in-charge Jagdish Tytler and PCC President Niranjan Patnaik who dubbed the the BJD government as the most corrupt in Odisha. The Congress leaders also raised the coal block allocation and fertiliser scarcity issues and held the chief minister responsible for irregularities.

Kudankulam protester killed in firing

Protests against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, which began in Idinthakkarai village and spread across Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts, turned violent with a fisherman killed in police firing. In fact, the Vaiaravikanaru shore in coastal Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu resembled a war zone as protesting villagers and police clashed, with tear gas shells lobbed to disperse the large, swelling crowds.

Visa-on-arrival scheme for 10 more countries

Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said that the government was in the final stages of consultations on allowing visas on arrival to citizens of another 10 countries in addition to the present 13. The proposal is to allow visa on arrival to citizens of another 10 countries and it has the potential to boost tourism manifold.

According to the minister, the 10 countries include Germany, France and Russia and of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

25

Modi kickstarts poll campaign, Mamata rated among world's 50 influential says Congress using CBI leaders in finance

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday kicked off his Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign for the assembly polls in December, challenging the Congress to battle it on the issue of development and not by using the CBI to target him. Modi, who is serving his third term, started his campaign with a rally at the temple town of Bahucharaji in north Gujarat's Mehsana district and later launched the first of a series of yatras that will take him to various parts of the state.

Addressing the rally, Modi said: "We need to awaken with our dreams and move forward. Gujarat wants peace, prosperity."

Attacking the Congress, Modi said: "Leaders of the Congress party have declared that they will oppose me wherever I will go. This country is a democracy and it is election time. Have they lost patience that they can't hear someone?"In a thinly veiled threat, he added, "Do you want Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to be opposed when

they come to Gujarat (for campaigning)?""Why practice the politics of opposition? I have the right to express my thoughts, you (Congress) also have the right do so, my government can even provide you with all the help that you need for the same," Modi said.

Modi also accused the Congress party of misusing constitutional bodies and alleged that the CBI was hand-in-glove with the Congress and was being used to target him.

"They have abused me, called me names. The Congress is not fighting alone in Gujarat, Congress will fight with the CBI, new SITs are set up to corner Modi. Come, let's fight over development, I don't

Govt suspends 155 mining leases for violation of rules

To control the menace of illegal mining, special task forces conducted inspections of 454 mines in mineral rich areas and suspended 155 leases for violation of norms, the government had said. “Special task forces conducted inspections in a total of 454 mines in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand and Gujarat and suspended 155 mines under Mineral Conservation and Development Rules due to serious violations,� Mines Minister Dinsha Patel told

the Rajya Sabha. Besides, Indian Bureau of Mines has recommended termination of eight leases, Mr. Patel said, adding the Centre has taken a number of steps to prevent illegal mining and was in regular touch with the state governments. To another question he replied that the Centre has also set up an Inquiry Commission and asking states to make action plans to curb illegal mining.

The country has witnessed a spurt in illegal mining with 69,337 cases recorded in 2011.

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Banerjee found place in the policy-makers section of the list where she shares space with U S Federal Reserve chairman Ben S Bernanke, European Central Bank's president Mario Draghi and Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The international magazine said the selection was made on the ability of the leader to move markets or shape ideas and policies and his or her clout to affect the price of a security or the structure of a deal.

The list also includes two persons of Indian origin- Anshu Jain, co-CEO of Deutsche Bank and Preet Bharara, who has won a series of insidertrading cases as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee figures in the list of 50 most influential people in the world of finance as rated

by Bloomberg Markets magazine. "Her Trinamool Congress party, part of the ruling coalition, has stalled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's economic reform agenda by opposing foreign retailers.

Banerjee, 57, won a landslide in West Bengal in 2011 to end 34 years of communist rule," the magazine said in its October issue. Mamata has been ranked in the 21st position.

Following the Trinamool Congress leader's opposition to multi-brand retail in India, the UPA government was forced to defer its decision on the vexed issue.

Reacting to the honour given to Mamata, Trinamool spokesperson and MP Derek O'Brien said, "This proves that she has successfully taken the issues of the common man onto the global stage."

The list also includes names like American business magnate Warren Buffett, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Hyundai's chairman Chung Mong Koo and America Movil's chairman

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want to fight over lies," he added. BJP national leaders Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh and many top functionaries of the Gujarat BJP were present on the occasion. Modi's yatra, the first of the campaign, officially called the 'Vivekananda Yuva Vikas Yatra' began on a day when spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda made his historic speech at the Chicago Conference of World Religions, 119 years ago in 1893. The yatra will cover all 182 assembly constituencies.

Bahucharaji has been chosen as the starting point of the yatra as Maruti will construct its new car plant near the temple town.

Modi's yatra will travel through various places in north Gujarat, including Modhera, Chanhasma, Dhinoj, Jotana, Kadi and Thol. It will conclude at Sanand near Ahmedabad, where the Tata Nano plant is located. He will use the same "rath" that veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani used for his anti-corruption 'Jan Chetna Yatra' in 2011.The BJP has 121 members in the 182-member assembly and the Congress 55.

The Nationalist Congress Party has three members and the Janata Dal-United two, while there are two independents.

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26

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi granted bail, refuses to go out of jail

In an embarrassment to the Maharashtra government, the Bombay High Court granted bail to jailed cartoonist Aseem Trivedi late Tuesday. However he refused to be freed till the sedition charges against him were dropped, an activist said. A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Nitin Jamdar granted the bail, following a public interest litigation filed by lawyer Sanskar Marathe.

According to India Against Corruption (IAC) activist Preeti Menon, the bail was granted at a sum of Rs.5,000. However, Trivedi has declined to be released until the sedition charge, slapped by Mumbai Police on him, is withdrawn, said IAC's Mayank Gandhi. The development came barely hours after Home Minister R.R. Patil said that police and state law department's opinions would be sought on the charge of sedition against Trivedi.

"After getting the details, we shall decide on withdrawing the sedition charge on the cartoonist," Patil told media persons.

Arvind Kejriwal threatened to sit on a protest outside the prison where cartoonist Aseem Trivedi has been jailed if all charges against him are not dropped. "Either you release Aseem or arrest us," Kejriwal said. "Aseem had fought in support of Lokpal and against corruption but he has been called a traitor. However, those stealing coal are termed patriots. This will not be

tolerated by the countrymen," he added. Facing sedition charges under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, along with other offences under the Information Technology Act, Trivedi was nabbed by police from Bandra-Kurla late Saturday after a nonbailable warrant was issued against him.

He was presented before a magistrate Sunday and remanded to police custody for questioning, an IAC spokesperson said.

According to police, Aseem had put up the caricatures in the form of posters dur-

ing an Anna-Hazare led, IAC protest in December 2011 at the MMRDA grounds in Mumbai. "The cartoons by Trivedi depicted Parliament as a commode and showed the national emblem with wolves instead of lions.

The cartoons were obviously aimed at creating unrest in the society," said C Bhosale, senior inspector of police.

Around 20 days ago, the BKC police dispatched teams to Lucknow and Kanpur to nab Trivedi.

However, he was not found there. The police, around a fortnight ago, learnt that he was in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district.

After ascertaining that he was living somewhere under the jurisdiction of the Ganga Ghat police station in Uttar Pradesh, the BKC police sought the help of its Uttar Pradesh counterparts, following which Trivedi was arrested and produced before a court Mumbai.

Indian family to launch court action for return of Koh-i-Noor diamond Continued from page 1 The diamond had been acquired by his father, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, from the deposed Afghan ruler Shuja Shah Durrani as his price to support his return to power in Kabul.

The legal action seeks to establish the claim of Jaswinder Singh Sandhanwalia, a 50- yearold company administrator based in Amsterdam, and his relatives, to be the rightful descendants and heirs of Maharaja Duleep Singh. According to the family, their great-grandfather Thakur Singh Sandhanwalia was Duleep Singh's blood cousin and his adoptive son. Their claim is based on a letter discovered in the India Office archives by the historical author Christy Campbell, a former Sunday Telegraph journalist; during the research for his 2002 book The

Maharaja's Box. The letter, dated January 7, 1889, was written to Duleep Singh by three members of the Sandhanwalia family to explain their plans to ignite a rebellion against British rule and for the Maharaja to return to India with 20,000 foreign fighters to lead the charge.

The Indians had become so demoralised by the defeat of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny that they would not rise up again without the aid of a foreign army, they said. The claimants will rely on a paragraph in the letter in which the authors express their gratitude to the Maharaja for adopting them as his own heirs. "It is impossible for us to express the real sense of indebtedness for the honour of making us son as Y.M (the Maharaja) has been graciously pleased to confer to make us. It is the

highest of all honours in the world," they wrote.

Following his exile at 15, Duleep Singh had been raised by guardians in Britain as an English and Scottish gentleman, encouraged to convert to Christianity, and to forget his Indian origins. He lived in Castle Menzies in Perthshire where his dandyish taste in clothes and love of shooting won him the nickname the 'Black Prince of Perthshire'. He was set up with a shooting estate at Elvedon, Suffolk and later sought in vain to become a Tory MP. But according to Campbell, he rebelled in 1887 and made contact with the Sandhanwalias.

"He rebelled against his Empress and entered into a bizarre conspiracy with a right-wing Moscow newspaper magnate, Irish nationalists and Sikh patriots (the Sandhanwalias) to reclaim his birthright. As

well as the empire of his father, the great Ranjit Singh, which stretched from the Indian Ocean to the Himalayas, it included the Koh-I-Noor diamond.

Duleep claimed he'd been tricked out of it by Queen Victoria. He referred to her as 'Mrs Fagin," he said. The Sandhanwalia's legal battle for the diamond and their last emperor's body to be returned will begin in Chandigarh's civil court.

"The great-grandfather of Duleep Singh and the Great-grandfather of the Thakur were from the same family, but he [Duleep Singh] also adopted them as his sons. Our property was confiscated

by British rule. This letter establishes us as the rightful heirs of Duleep Singh and we want to get back his remains and his other belongings to the Golden Temple," Jaswinder Singh Sandhanwalia informed the media.

Hail for the Asian Economic Secretary in an almost all white Cabinet Continued from page 1 This is a significant achievement for the Pakistani MP, who is amongst only a handful of ethnic members that were chosen.

Javid, who is MP for Bromsgrove, was born in England and studied Economics and Politics at Exeter University.

He joined the Conservative Party in 1988 and has been an active volunteer ever since. At the age of 25, Javid became a Vice President of Chase Manhattan Bank. He was then headhunted by Deutsche Bank in London to aid with building the business in developing

countries. In 2009, Javid left Deutsche Bank and decided to go into Politics, which was his way of giving back to the community. He is a specialist in helping to raise investment in developing countries and is considered a global leader in this field.

While he is celebrating his promotion however, the eradication of women in the Cabinet has raised serious questions.

Especially after the demotion of Baroness Warsi from Conservative Party Chairman to Senior Minister of State. Her rather desperate unsuccessful plea to remain in her position only ended in a short statement depar-

ture via twitter.

New recruits to the backbenches

Other ethnic members, not only women, have been summoned to the backbenches. It is sad that Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire is amongst them. Vara was a minister serving as a government whip since the General Election of 2010, but now retreats to serving his party as a backbencher. He said: “It has been an enormous privilege and honour to serve in both these capacities and the Prime Minister was very generous in thanking me for all that I have done”.

Despite his gratitude however, it has left no Indian MPs as Ministers which is surprising due to the significant number of strong Asian MPs in the government. Does this raise the question of the potential of Asians within government, as we now do not have a significant majority on behalf of the Asian community? Will we share the same fate as the Asians who were expelled

by Idi Amin? These questions are will only be answered as we watch the Cabinet's activities unfold over the next few weeks.

We can only hope that nothing will change.

For more, see 'Dull it Isn't' on Page 6

How FFLV has changed Vrinda’s life

This little girl’s name is Vrinda and she came to the Sandipani Muni kindergarten when she was only five months old.

Her health wasn’t as it should be when she came here: she was malnourished and very skinny.

Vrinda’s mother stopped producing breast milk and she could not afford powdered milk. Her mother is also a teacher at the Sandipani Muni School and she left Vrinda at home with her mother in law, while she was working.

Unfortunately, Vrinda’s grandmother neglected her completely, just because she was the second girl in the family.

But what did her mother had to do?

She had no choice!

Luckily we found out about this girl and adopted her, so that we could take care of her. Beside that we also found a great lady who was willing to provide Vrinda breast milk and gave her daily nutrients.

At this moment Vrinda is just over one year old and still goes to the kindergarten of FFLV. She has turned from a malnourished poor baby into a beautiful healthy young child!

Food For Life Vrindavan This story of Vrinda is only one of the many stories of children FFLV helped. India has many

poor children and women and the organization FFLV is committed to help these people. For example, we provide education for 1500 poor children in and around Vrindavan, give them breakfast and lunch for six days a week and take care of the medial assistance for the children.

Because of the many donors and volunteers we are able to help these children. We want to thank you for your support and we hope that more people will support FFLV.

In Focus Rajasthan couple seeks mercy killing for paralysed kids In a tragic case of poverty and illness, a couple from Sallada village in Udaipur wants the state government to euthanize their two children who are paralysed and bed-ridden. Barely able to make ends meet on their daily wages, the couple says it is not possible for them to feed and take care of these children who have a disease which has not even been diagnosed properly by doctors in the area. Ramila Devi, 30, and her husband Ganeshi Lal have an eight-year-old daughter Bhumika Kumari and a four-year-old son Tanish. Both suffered a paralytic attack about two years after their birth and became "completely bed-ridden". "We have written a letter to the district collector and requested him to give permission for the children's mercy killing," said Ramila.

In past two years we have sold all our jewellery and immovable assets. It is now impossible to pursue the treatment. We tried to look for financial aid but our efforts failed to bear fruit," she added. Senior authorities have been intimated about the family plight.

Fisherman survives 30 hrs at sea as boat sinks Sheer grit and physical endurance led a fisherman from Dandi village in Valsad to survive for more than 30 hours in seawaters after his boat sank. Ashwin Tandel (35) is being treated at a Navsari hospital and is believed to be the only survivor from a boat of nine fishermen, including his father and brother, which sank. He told the police that he swam with the help of freezer door after his boat sank. His father had planned to go fishing in his boat ‘Krishna Prasad’ with his two sons, after around three hours into the sea, the boat engine developed a technical snag. As the boat started sinking, the fishermen tried to catch whatever floating material they could find. He found a freezer door, while Yogesh found a wooden board. Both struggled for several hours and after a few hours Yogesh disappeared. Ashwin somehow managed to reach Vansi Borsi.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

27

Britain hailed for greatest Paralympics of all time

Wounded war heroes, aerial motorcyclists, disabled dancers, a wacky motorcade, Jay-Z, Rihanna and a hitsladen performance by Coldplay brought the curtain down on 11 days of Paralympic sport last week in a closing ceremony celebrating the festival spirit of Britain.

One of the nation’s bestselling bands provided the soundtrack to the three-hour show, which culminated in a spectacular finale of fireworks cascading up the Thames to the Houses of Parliament bearing the message: “Thank you, London, thank you, UK.” Sir Philip Craven, the president of the International Paralympic Committee, declared that the Games had been “unique” and proclaimed them to have been “the greatest Paralympics ever”.

Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of London to cheer a parade of the British Olympic and Paralympic teams. As the final moment of the final night of the London 2012 experience, Britain’s Jonnie Peacock, the 100-metres Paralympic champion, and Ellie Simmonds, who won two gold medals in the pool, extinguished the flame.

The fourth and final London ceremony, entitled Festival of the Flame and linked to its three predecessors by Shakespeare’s The Tempest, focused on Britain’s pagan traditions, influenced by harvest and fire that have evolved into modern-day carnivals of film, comedy and literature.

Set around three circular stages representing a sundial, winter and summer, Kim Gavin’s artistic vision travelled through the four seasons starting with autumn

introduced by Yellow, one of Coldplay’s earliest, most anthemic songs, and ending in summer, where Rihanna joined the London-based band to perform her hit single We Found Love on a swing above the stage.

However, before the frontman Chris Martin could unleash a series of his greatest hits, including Clocks, Viva la Vida and Paradise, protocol demanded the raising of the Union Flag. It was carried in by 13 military personnel before Captain Luke Sinnott, who lost both legs in a landmine blast in Afghanistan in 2010, climbed to the top of the flagpole to hang it. Celebrating his 32nd birthday, he hopes to compete in the sailing in the Rio 2016 Games.

The Earl of Wessex and Sir Philip Craven arrived in the stadium in a custom-built car driven by Captain Tony Harris, an Afghanistan veteran and amputee, through an avenue of 54 drummers. The limousine was a hybrid of a 1930s gangster car and an Afghanistan military vehicle stripped of its bulletproof glass and armour plating.

After arriving on the front of a “human endeavour”

machine, Lissa Hermans, a blind and autistic singer, led the 80,000 spectators including 4,200 athletes seated around the field of play - in a rendition of the National Anthem.

To Coldplay’s Life in Technicolor, plus the Urban Voices Collective, 164 Paralympians - one from each competing nation - and 164 flag escorts created a heart shape burnt into the ground.

Sarah Storey and David Weir, with four gold medals each from the Games, carried the flag for Britain.

At several points the show marked the work of the military charity Help for Heroes.

Lance Corporal Rory Mackenzie, 26, a South African serving in the British Army’s medical corps who lost his leg in a bomb blast in Iraq in 2007, delivered the opening speech.

“Although we have many differences,” he said, “there is one quality we all share: human spirit. We have all been touched by the triumphs and drama of the Paralympics.”

The show paid homage to the eccentricities of Britain, including crop circles. A Terry Gilliam-esque scene entitled

Truck Invasion, played out to a new song by David Arnold based on Coldplay’s Politik, took the audience on a procession of Mad Max-style vehicles including a clamposaurus, a hydraulic metalcrunching dinosaur.

Much of the success of the Games was due to the 70,000 volunteers, including 1,336 in the Closing Ceremony cast, and Sir Philip hailed their “irrepressible smiles and fountains of knowledge”. He thanked the Paralympians for their “feats of speed, endurance, dexterity and skill many did not think possible”.

“The Paralympic Games,” he said, “have truly come home and found their pathway to the future here in London.

“The Paralympic spirit which saw its first sparks of life in Stoke Mandeville some 64 years ago has followed a super-charged and surreal existence over the last 12 days. This has made the London 2012 Paralympic Games unique and without doubt, in my mind and those of the athletes - the greatest Paralympics ever.

“This is an event absolutely no-one wants to end, we know that. These Games have changed us all forever.

“I have to end with a big, big thank you to the people of this great city of London, and the entire population of the United Kingdom, thank you.”

After the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, handed the Paralympic flag to Eduardo Paes, his counterpart in Rio de Janeiro, Lord Coe, chairman of the London Olympic Organising Committee, said: “In this country, we will never think of sport the same way and we will never think of disability the same way.”

Olympics athletes take out rally in London

The athletics of Olympics and Paralympic held a procession through the streets of London to thank the public.

Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time gold medalist, said that the procession was an opportunity to thank the public and "give them a little wave."

Sir Chris Hoy said: "It's an opportunity for the athletes to thank the public. This is not for us it's for them.

They have made the atmosphere, in the streets and the pubs. It's our chance to give them a little wave and thank them. My rivals from foreign countries said these were the greatest Games."

He added they were more successful than the widely hailed Sydney games, saying: "We've taken that mantle from the Aussies." "It's been great," he said. "I'm an optimist and I thought it was going to be great but it was way beyond my expectations.

It's been unforgettable."

Laura Trott, the double gold medallist, said she was "sad" the Games had come to an end.

"It's been run so well, and

so exciting. Everyone is so happy. It's a nice buzzing feeling. I didn't want it to end." She added she wants to beat Hoy's record haul of six Olympic gold medals, to which the Scot replied: "I'm going to let her tyres down."

Team GB's cycling stars

Britain's most successful Olympic sailor, and triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee.

The first float included Mo Farah, the Olympic 5,000 and 10,000m winner, followed by heptathlon gold medallist Jessica Ennis.

Sir Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny, Laura Trott and Victoria Pendleton were in float seven of the parade, followed by double equestrian gold-medal winner Charlotte Dujardin, rowing champion Katherine Grainger, Ben Ainslie,

Mo Farah described returning to London as "very special" and said he thought the Games had changed the country's attitude to sport.

He said: "It means a lot to go back to London, where the Olympics happened, to say

thank you to all the people and enjoy that moment.

"The Olympics has never gone as well as this, in any country, and London has definitely changed a lot and hopefully we can cheer people on and get them to join the sports.

"For me growing up as a kid, it was all about football but that's definitely changed.

There's a lot more people running and enjoying taking part in different sports.

"It's going to change, it's not just going to be football, it's going to be athletics as well.

The Olympics has put good memories in people's heads."

Meanwhile Jessica Ennis revealed she has already back in training following her success at the Games.

The Sheffield-born athlete said she had been on holiday in Mauritius but had returned to training for a "small session".

She added that she was disappointed to see the Games come to and end.

"It's so sad," she said "It's such a sad feeling when the torch goes out".

Oscar Pistorius loses 200m Paralympic race

At the London 2012 Games, South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius wowed the world when he became the first double amputee ever to compete in an Olympics. When it comes to the Paralympic Games. Over the weekend he lost his T44 200-meter race, a race he was expected to win as handily as Usain Bolt did in his recent Olympic runs.

(T44 is a classification of relative levels of disability.) Pistorius placed second to Brazil's Alan Fonteles Cardoso Oliveira, finishing just .07 seconds behind Oliveira's 21.45 seconds. Pistoris was, until this point, undefeated in 200m races in high-level competition, so a bit of surprise and shock was understandable. He calmed down a bit later on, acknowledging that Oliveira had run by the rules as established.

Medal Table Country Gold Silver bronze Total China 95 71 65 231 Russia 36 38 28 102 Great Britain 34 43 43 120 Ukraine 32 24 28 84 Australia 32 23 30 85 United States 31 29 38 98 Brazil 21 14 8 43 Germany 18 26 22 66 Poland 14 13 9 36 Holland 10 10 19 39 Iran 10 7 7 24 South Korea 9 9 9 27 Italy 9 8 11 28 Tunisia 9 5 5 19 Cuba 9 5 3 17 France 8 19 18 45 Spain 8 18 16 42 South Africa 8 12 9 29 Ireland 8 3 5 16 Canada 7 15 9 31 New Zealand 6 7 4 17 Nigeria 6 5 2 13 Mexico 6 4 11 21 Japan 5 5 6 16 Belarus 5 2 3 10 Algeria 4 6 9 19 Azerbaijan 4 5 3 12 Egypt 4 4 7 15 Sweden 4 4 4 12 Austria 4 3 6 13 Thailand 4 2 2 8 Finland 4 1 1 6 Switzerland 3 6 4 13 Hong Kong 3 3 6 12 Norway 3 2 3 8 Belgium 3 1 3 7 Morocco 3 0 3 6 Hungary 2 6 6 14 Serbia 2 3 0 5 Kenya 2 2 2 6 Slovakia 2 1 3 6 Czech Republic 1 6 4 11 Turkey 1 5 4 10 Greece 1 3 8 12 Israel 1 2 5 8 UAE 1 1 1 3 Latvia 1 1 0 2 Namibia 1 1 0 2 Romania 1 1 0 2 Denmark 1 0 4 5 Angola 1 0 1 2 Bosnia & Herzegovina 1 0 0 1 Chile 1 0 0 1 Fiji 1 0 0 1 Iceland 1 0 0 1 Jamaica 1 0 0 1 Macedonia 1 0 0 1 Croatia 0 2 3 5 Bulgaria 0 2 1 3 Iraq 0 2 1 3 Colombia 0 2 0 2 Argentina 0 1 4 5 Portugal 0 1 2 3 Chinese Taipei 0 1 2 3 Malaysia 0 1 1 2 Singapore 0 1 1 2 Cyprus 0 1 0 1 Ethiopia 0 1 0 1 India 0 1 0 1 Saudi Arabia 0 1 0 1 Slovenia 0 1 0 1 Uzbekistan 0 1 0 1 Venezuela 0 0 2 2 Indonesia 0 0 1 1 Sri Lanka 0 0 1 1

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travel & WoMEN

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

women achievers Tarla Dalal - the pioneer for women chefs

By AV Correspondent

he capital of Oman, Muscat, is attracting more and more tourists T because of its stunning resorts, beaches

and sights. Before it becomes as popular as Dubai it is worth considering a holiday there, as they are incredibly affordable for the luxury you will experience.

The local landscape has breath-taking natural scenery and coupled with traditional Omani hospitality, a trip there will be unforgettable. Some must-see sights include the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Bait Al Zubair Museum, Sidab Harbour and Al Alam Palace. To explore the essence of Muscat, a visit to the Muttrah Souk (market) is essential.

Historic tombs, monuments and forts are easily accessed, and tours to the Wahiba Sands or Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams mountains can be arranged. Also a haven for water-sports enthusiasts, Omani waters are home to some of the most amazing marine life in the world. 5 nights stay with flights and hotel start from £595pp if you book with Brightsun Travel, who offer competitive deals and a price match promise (travel dates apply).

A fantastic 5* resort to choose is the Chedi Muscat, an exclusive beach resort.

Designed in the style of traditional Omani architecture, the rooms and suites have magnificent views of the Gulf of Oman or the majestic Haajjar mountains. They also offer exclusive access to turquoise pools, bordered by cosy cabanas, a water garden and a private stretch of beach. The resorts boasts excellent restaurants offering Mediterranean, Asian, Indian and Arab fare, while the Beach Restaurant serves seafood. In addition, a lobby lounge and poolside cabanas are also available for food and drinks. For a special occa-

sion, you can enjoy a romantic beach dinner overlooking the Gulf of Oman with tailor-made menus served by a private waiter. The resort also offers a spa, library, boutique shops and a fine arts gallery. With 5 night packages for flights and hotel stay at the Chedi Muscat from just £739pp, this is a deal not to be missed.

Another excellent 5* hotel to consider is the Al Bustan Palace. Set against a dramatic mountain backdrop with breathtaking views of lush green gardens and an expansive private beach, the rooms reflect local traditions and art deco influences, exuding the richness of Arabian culture, art and history. Al Bustan Palace also offers 50 luxurious suites, each with an exclusive butler service.

The hotel's restaurants offer everything for the adventurous palate and the resort boasts wonderful recreation facilities including a water sports centre offering sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling, a tennis village and a children's playground. 5 night packages for flights and hotel start from just £805pp.

The best way to get to Muscat is with Qatar Airways, who fly there daily from London. Qatar Airways has won Airline of the Year 2011 and 2012 and is part of an elite group of airlines which have a 5* rating by Skytrax. With outstanding inflight service and facilities on its modern fleet, once you’ve flown this airline you won’t want to fly another.

To take advantage of any of these excellent offers or many deals to the Middle East, visit brightsun.co.uk or call Brightsun Travel on 0208 819 0486, where their experienced friendly consultants can book your holiday, arranging everything under one roof including flights, hotels, transfers, tours and insurance.

Cooking has been redefined by her. Be it healthy food or not so health conscious food, cooking as a profession and that too a glamorous one has been defined by none other than Tarla Dalal. She not only authored several books and hosted television shows on cookery and has been mainly responsible to taking Gujarati food to a new level, especially for the diaspora.

Before Tarala Dalal, cooking was just an occupation for the housewives who were to cook for their families in their kitchens.

But Dalal gave the option for women to step out of their homes and making cooking as stylised profession. With the advantage of being a Gujarati origin but never having stayed in Gujarat, she ensured that Gujarati food was not just treated as another vegetarian variety but treated as a delicacy. Through television shows she popularized Gujarati cuisines.

Cooking no longer seemed to be a boring profession - it was rather seen as a hobby and now a well defined and well paid profession. The credit for bringing women out of their kitchen and encouraging cooking contests and recipe masters was indeed a brainchild of Dalal.

She has also been a noted writer on food, chef, best-selling cookbook author and host of cooking shows like ‘Tarla Dalal Show’ and ‘Cook It Up With Tarla Dalal.’ Her first cook book, “The Pleasures of Vegetarian Cooking,” was published in 1974, and since then she has written over 100 books and in all sold more than 3 million books. She also runs the largest Indian food website, and publishes a bimonthly magazine, Cooking & More. Her cooking show is broadcast all over South East Asia, India, the Gulf, the United Kingdom and United States of America. Though she writes about many cuisines

and healthy cooking, she specializes in Indian cuisine, especially Gujarati cuisine. She was awarded the Padmashree by Government of India in 2007. Born and brought up in Pune, Tarla Dalal married Naveen Dalal in 1960 and moved to Mumbai after her marriage. She started taking cooking classes from her home in 1966, and this led to the publication of her first cook book in 1974. The book was an instant success and went on to become a classic in cookery books, and sold over 1,50,000 copies.

Today, she has authored over 100 books, which have been translated into Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Dutch and Russian. She also conducts cooking classes and published cooking magazines.

In 2007 she started her ‘Total Health Series’ cook books series. Her range of ready-to-cook mixes, 'Tarla Dalal Mixes' was acquired

by International Bestfoods Ltd (IBL) in 2000.

A curry that can beat bugs

A top telly chef Anjum Anand has created a coldbusting curry that she claims can ward off illness.

She said Vitamin C-packed ingredients like pomegranate seeds and fenugreek leaves have healing powers. Her dish also contains garlic, cinnamon and chillies which can fight infection. Nutritionists have backed up her claims and are urging Brits to make the spicy dish at home.

Anjum, 41, who presented BBC2’s Indian Cooking Made Easy, said: “Spices in food are like medicine in Indian families and I wanted to make a simple, immune-boosting dish.

Nutritionist Maria Bez, based at the private practice Nourish, said: “This curry is packed with important vitamins and minerals which can support the immune system and can also help stave off

Ingredients: 3/4th cup skinless dried black beans (urad), 4 cups Flour (atta), 1 green chili chopped, 1/2tsp Salt, Oil for deep frying, 1tbsp anise seeds (Saunf), 1tsp coriander seeds, 1tsp white cumin seeds, 1/2tsp red chili powder, 1/4th tsp asafoetida powder.

Preparation: Soak the beans in water overnight then rinse and drain.Sift the flour and gradually add enough water to make soft dough. Cover the dough with damp cloth and leave for 30 minutes.

Grind the drained beans with the chili powder, salt and spices to make stuffing. Mix well and divide it into 16 equal portions.

Divide the dough into 16, using wet hands, and

coughs and colds.” The vegetarian dish also contains ingredients such as butternut squash and Japanese eggplant.

leaves, crushed between your fingers, 2 rounded tsp. coriander powder, 1 tsp. garam masala powder, ½ small red bell pepper, cut into fine strips, 2 tbs. single cream, Handful of fresh pomegranate kernels. Salt to taste.

Method: Fry ginger and garlic in oil for one minute, add green chillies, tomatoes, coriander and garam masala powders and salt. Cook veg in boiling water in a separate pan. Simmer sauce until tomatoes have reduced down. Add cooked veg to sauce, with starchiest like potatoes first, and stir.

Add red pepper strips, ginger julienne, dried fenugreek leaves and 150ml water into the sauce and bring back to the boil. Add remaining ingredients and stir, then serve and garnish with coriander and pomegranate kernels.

Recipe: You will need 2 cups of the following veg.

Halved baby potatoes, quartered courgettes and auburgines, wedges of butternut squash, sliced carrots and green beans, 5 tbs. vegetable oil or a mix of butter and oil, 4-5 green chillies, whole but pierced with the tip of a knife, 15g peeled ginger (half sliced, half grated), 2 large ripe tomatoes, quartered and blended until smooth , 2 tsp. dried fenugreek

Dal Kachori

smear each portion with a little oil. Flatten and roll out into 2inch round.

Wrap one portion of stuffing in each round and roll into a smooth ball, using greased hands. Flatten and roll into a 3-4 inch round.

Heat plenty of oil in a deep frying pan or a kadhai. Now lift the rolled kachori and carefully slip it into the hot oil. Immediately start flickering hot oil over the top of it with a spatula so that it

will swell up like a ball. This should take only a few seconds. Flip the kachori over and cook the other side until golden brown. Serve the dal kachori hot with chutney.

HealtH WatCh

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Sleep talking can be scary and fun, depending on what the person says or who witnesses the sleep talker's babble. Sleep talking, formally known as somniloquy, is a sleep disorder defined as talking during sleep without being aware of it. Sleep talking can involve complicated dialogues or monologues, complete gibberish or mumbling.

Causes of sleep talking: Sleep talking is usually short lived and can last for as short as one month to one year depending on physiological and psychological changes.

These are the major causes of sleep talking:FeverDepression-Stress—hereditary-Sleep deprivation Alcohol-Medication.

Facts about Sleep Talking: The sleep talker is unaware about the conversation. Sleep talking is more closely associated with children than with males. 50 percent children

Male circumcision cuts STD risk

Male circumcision cuts STD risk. Leading paediatricians in the United States have said that the health benefits of circumcising baby boys outweigh the risks associated with the procedure. This may reignite debate on the controversial subject, which has pitted faith groups against opponents of religion who have described the operation as little more than genital mutilation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, (AAP) which had previously opposed the routine circumcision of newborns, said parents should decide and urged insurance companies to pay for it. "The benefits of newborn male circumcision justify access to this procedure for those families who choose it," the Independent quoted the academy a saying.

The recommendation follows after research showed that circumcision reduces the chances of contracting sexually transmitted infections including HIV. And it is also claimed that the procedure can lower the chance of urinary tract infections and penis cancer. It is estimated around 30,000 boys are circumcised each year in the UK. The procedure involves removing the tip of the penis reducing germs which growth underneath the foreskin. The AAP concluded that bleeding and infection as a result of the surgery were rare. But opponents argue that the foreskin is highly sensitive and plays a vital part in lubrication during sex.

tend to sleep talk and 5 percent occurs with adults. Males are more likely to sleep talk than females. The language and speech changes when the person is sleep talking.

The conversation may not make sense or it could be linked to past experiences and relationships.

Sleep talking may be associated with: Sleep terrors, sleep walking, confusional arousal, apnea, REM sleep behaviour disorder, psychiatric disorders and nocturnal seizures.

The treatment for sleep talking depends on the cause. A physician should be consulted before taking any major step. The sleep talker may need psychiatric help depending on the trauma. Avoid alcohol and medication if it is affecting this sleep disorder.

Bottom line: Sleep talking is not a long term problem, medical help will put this problem to rest.

If you have always liked to reach for that glass of ice tea, preferring that to a beverage, think again. For, a study indicates that drinking iced tea can contribute to the development of painful kidney stones, due to its high concentration of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that could result in the formation of kidney stones.

What the researchers found: "For people who have a tendency to form the most common type of kidney stones, iced tea is one of the worst things to drink," Dr. John Milner, an assistant professor in the department of urology at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, said in a news release. Researchers went on to explain that the

Workers who compensate for spending hours in front of a computer screen by using ergonomic chairs, standing desks and good posture are still likely to suffer from back, neck, wrist and shoulder injuries, along with increasing their risk of suffering from heart disease, obesity and diabetes, doctors have warned.

According to new research from the University of Sydney has found, the increase in use of computers has almost negated the benefits of improved workstation design and posture.

“Workstation design has come a long way since the ‘80s and they are good changes,” the Age quoted Karin Griffiths, lead author of the study, as saying. “But what I also found was the proportion of people reporting symptoms has not changed much despite this … [and] is not enough to keep up with health issues that arise from paperless, ITdominated offices,” Griffiths said. The survey of nearly 1000 workers across six government departments found that about 85 per cent of people who spent more than eight hours a day working at a computer experienced

‘Chair disease’ ups injury and illness risk in office

neck pain. The study also found that three-quarters of participants reported shoulder pain and 70 per cent reported lower back pain. “``I know the amount of money organisations are putting into improved workstations and ergonomics, and it’s not that those changes aren’t important,” Griffiths said. `The problem is nearly everything can be done at the desk now - communication, library research,

file retrieval, even meetings. It doesn’t matter how good the chair is, it is not going to address the health problem of what some researchers are calling ‘chair disease’,” she said.

She concluded that long hours of computer work may also contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, with people in senior or managerial positions hit the hardest because they worked at a computer most.

because it is low in calories and tastes better than water. However, in terms of kidney stones, they might be doing themselves a disservice," added Milner.

Nutritionist says...

Ice tea may not be all that much low in calories, says nutritionist Dr Priya Karkera. "This is because one tends to add sugar to it. I also feel that ice tea can be a contributing fac-

tor to kidney stones and is avoidable to be had on a regular basis." She also recommends that those who are at risk for kidney stones should reduce certain foods that contain high concentrations of oxalates, including spinach, chocolate, and nuts. Salt and meat are extremely harmful. Drink several glasses of water as well one glass of barley water a day can help, she advises.

Beverages that can help: Lemon juice is a good drink to keep the kidneys hydrated, as the citrates present in lemonade inhibits the growth of kidney stones. "Drinking several glasses of water as well one glass of barley water a day can help," advises Dr Karkera.

Can iced tea cause kidney stones? drink contains high levels of oxalate, a chemical that leads to the formation of small crystals made of minerals and salt found in urine. Although these crystals are usually harmless, the researchers cautioned they could grow large enough to become wedged in the small tubes that drain urine from the kidney to the bladder. "A lot of people choose to drink more iced tea,

Infants given anaesthesia may face learning difficulties Children who are given anaesthetic before the age of three are at a higher risk of developing learning difficulties, according to a new study.Researchers led by the University of Western Australia found that children exposed to anaesthesia before the age of three were twice as likely to develop language impairment and three times more likely to have problems with abstract reasoning in childhood.

The study analysed longterm effects of anaesthesia on young children - using the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, which is studying 2868 children born in Western Australia between 1989 and 1992.

"We looked at 321 children from the Raine study

who were exposed to anaesthesia for surgery and diagnostic testing before the age of three and found they were about twice as likely to develop a significant language impairment and three times more likely to have problems with abstract reasoning by the age of 10, when compared to children who were not

exposed to anaesthesia and surgery," Professor Reglivon Ungern-Sternberg from the university said.

"But the study does not allow us to determine if the cause of these increased impairments were due to anaesthesia, surgery or the medical condition that required the intervention," she added.

"Parents should consult their surgeon to see if the procedure is necessary.

Any concerns regarding anaesthesia and potential anaesthetic implications for their child should be discussed with their anaesthetist before surgery," she said in a statement. The study was published in the US journal Pediatrics.

29

Sinus symptom decoder With winter hitting you in short time, your sinuses will soon shout for pain relief measures. But before you hit the drugstore, check to see which nasal cavity is making the most noise and how best to silence it.

Headache Why it happens: Inflammation causes mucus-and pressure-to build up in these areas.

Your defence: Go to your ENT specialist for a proper suction cleaninga doctor can use any normal suction to clean out the mucus, says Dr Rahul Garg, Consulting ENT specialist for Umkal and Columbia Asia Hospitals.

Congestion Why it happens: Turbinates, spongy bones within your nose, swell and block mucus flow.

Your defence: Folspre, sinus spray. Aim toward the inner corner of the corresponding eye to target your lower turbinate, which is the site of most congestion.

Postnasal drip Why it happens: Mucus is always dripping down our throats, but this flow doesn't become annoying unless it thickens.

Your defence: Go heavy on the hydration.

Water can help thin out the mucus, making the drip less noticeable.

Loss of smell Why it happens: Swollen turbinates can block the nerves in your nose that register smell.

Your defence: Reduce the swelling with a decongestant, like Nasowryl or Otrivin, says Dr Garg.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both men and women.

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

CB Live is the only Gujarati live programme in UK on Television This week Mr Anil Bhagi from Skylink Tours and Travels will speak about the new year pilgrimage brochure with Advertising Manager, Gujarat Samachar, Alka Shah.

Kokila Patel, Managing Editor, Gujarat Samachar will speak to Chairman Vijay Poddar, Trustee Subhash Thakar, (VP, Taj Hotel Group) and Trustee Shilpa Shah, from Sarvam Trust, which is a part of Sri Aurobindo Society and works towards education of children, welfare of women, regardless of their faith and community.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

Don't take short-cuts in legal or official matters. It will be only too easy to feel exasperated by bureaucracy but you won't be doing yourself any favours if you lose your cool. This is a fine time for you to get away from the mundane realities of life and relax. Some of you will probably go abroad.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

7pm to 8pm Every Thursday

CB LIVE Every Thursday on MATV (SKY 793) 7pm to 8pm For more information email: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk or call Alka Shah on 07944 151 893

10 years of Metropolitan Police Hindu Association It has been 10 years since the Metropolitan Police Hindu Association (MPHA) was formed to provide a bridge between the Hindu personnel, Hindu community and the Metropolitan Police Service. Since its inception the MPHA has been consulted on a number of important policy decisions, not just in the MPS but by UK wide police forces, that has helped shape the police of today.

The association has worked hard over the years towards protecting their members’ interests through representation, negotiations and improving recruitment, retention and progression. The association also works in partnership with various police departments and boroughs to develop and implement police strategies that affect the Hindu community. They have issued Advisory notes on issues like Dress Code, Police entry into Hindu places of worship. They provide support to Hindu

organisation during their events for example Chariot processions, Diwali in Trafalgar Square and Family fun days.

A professional service to their members and the Hindu communities is of paramount importance for the MPHA volunteers and the executive committee members. A lot more could be done to address the issues in an effort to further improve the equality, fairness and professionalism within the Police. You can send your comments to mpha@met.police.uk or email Mahesh.

Nandha@met.police.uk (the founder chairperson).

To celebrate this anniversary, the Hindu community of Harrow are holding Multi Music Show on Sunday 23rd September 2012 at Masefield Suite, Harrow Leisure Centre, Harrow, HA3 5BD from 4pm.

Money raised through tickets will go towards the charity Harrow Age UK.

Coming Events l Saturday, 22nd September 2012: A Musical Evening with Children's Bhajan Programme From 8pm to 10pm. For more details contact Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford on 0208 578 8088 / 9285 l Little stars in concert: Saturday, 22nd September 2012. 8pm to 10pm. Contact Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford on 0208 578 8088 / 9285 l 16 September, 2012: Shree Jignyasu Satsang mandal and Shree 108 Hanuman Chalisa. Social Club Hall. Northwick Park Hospital. Harrow.

11am- 5pm Hanuman l Shree Bavis Gam Patidar Samaj (UK) presents A Family Friendly Summer Funday -Barbeque on Sunday 16th September 2012, From 2.00 PM till late. Best Western The Watermill Hotel, Hamel Hempstead , HP1 2RJ. Kiritbhai:07828 213 772 l Mr Jagmohan Singh on 11th July 2012 at New Delhi. The condolence meeting will be held at the Radisson Blu Portman Hotel - London on 23rd September 2012 from 4 PM - 6 PM by his wife Sharanjit Kaur and son Manu Jagmohan Singh and everyone from the NRI Institute and the Global Punjabi Society l AMC presents an evening of Ghazal, Thumri, Bhajan and Indian classical by Swati Natekar, 29 September, 7pm. Museum of Asian Music, 1 Bradford Road, London W3 7SP. Contact 0208 742 9911

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief Operating Officer: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email: accounts@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Business Development Managers: Rovin J George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Nihir Shah - Email: nihir.shah@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4089 - Mobile: 07875 229 111 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel/Fax: +91 79 2646 6061 Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (M) +919426636912 Email: nilesh.parmar@abplgroup.com Consultant (P.R): Kamlesh Amin Tel: +91 922 710 4308 Email: kamleshamin123@yahoo.co.in Consulting Editor (BPO): Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Tel: +91 79 2630 4142 Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 205 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel / Fax: +91 79 2646 5960 (M) +91 9913346487 Email: horizon.marketing@abplgroup.com Neeta Patel, (Advertising Manager) (M) +91 98255 11702 International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group(South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 222471 4122 Email: jainmedia@eth.net

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TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

The planetary activity in your chart signals a time of mixed emotions as well as personal issues to be dealt with.The accent’s very much on relationships. The outlook remains optimistic, so don't be afraid to act if your instinct tells you it's time for change. Professional and financial pressures will begin to ease.

You need to pay more attention than usual to your everyday work dairy. Meetings, work hours and organised breaks could play havoc, unless you're prepared to re-group on the spur of the moment. Try to be meticulous but flexible about your schedule. Play your cards right and you can pull strings in you favour.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

You will find added scope and greater incentive to push full steam ahead with your cherished aims.

You must be careful not to tread on other people's toes.

This is the right time to talk things over with your loved one - especially anything that has been worrying you or making you feel insecure. .

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

It is certainly going to be a fortunate time for those already married or in an established relationship. The keynote is emotional enrichment through close interaction with a loved one. Facets of your life that have been a source of restriction and dissatisfaction will begin to loosen their hold.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 The prevailing cosmic pattern packs a powerful punch early this week.

Having such potent energies, make you feel positive and confident in whatever you do. This is not the time to hold back or underestimate your potential if you wish to further an important aim. Some of you will try to get away from the routine chores.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 Relationships are complex at the best of times, but Saturn's motion can make things even more complicated now.

Misunderstandings can plague partnerships or potential romances - be more careful and forgiving. A good time for completing unfinished business and reassessing your future projects.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 Strengthen close ties of affection, sort out emotional differences and proffer the olive branch to your loved one. You often sabotage your emotional interests by keeping too much inside. However, your inner pressure builds up and manifests as irrational moods that others find hard to understand.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Much enthusiasm goes into professional ambitions right now, but you need to be your own boss in many ways. You will be determined to place your lifestyle on a foundation of greater security. Taking a broad perspective on the prevailing cosmic pattern, far-reaching change begins to gather momentum.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Regardless of the limits, you have the capacity to turn the course of your life. Saturn in Libra, the sign of balance, will help you organize your priorities and systematically put them into practice. It is about time you moved beyond your established boundaries of safety. You will find ways to be more financially independence.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Anything or anyone that drains your time and energy should be re-evaluated.

It’s time to use that creative imagination of yours to create grandeur in your life. Don't get too carried away and lose sight of little things that mean a lot to you.

There are a lot of opportunities around you.

The pattern of significant relationships in your life will continue to favour you. It seems that a great deal of mutual benefit will accrue because of various interactions. The underlying trend indicates that deep creative energies are stirring within you and that seemingly insignificant events will play a vital role in the future enrichment of life.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

31

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

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32

Action at a Glance Serena Williams wins at US Open

American Serena Williams won the last four games to beat top ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-2, 2-6 and 7-5 to take her fourth US Open title and 15th Grand Slam title overall on Sunday. Serena had a 9-1 record against Azarenka prior to the final and she hadn't dropped a set in the tournament, losing only 19 games through six matches before Sunday.

"Serena deserves the win. She showed how true of a champion she is," said Azarenka However, Azarenka hadn't dropped a threeset match all season until Sunday, going 120 in matches that went the distance, including victories over defending US Open champion Sam Stosur in the quarterfinals and 2006 champion Maria Sharapova in the semifinals. And Azarenka was even two points away from the championship victory at 30-30 with Williams serving, but couldn't convert. Serena, who turns 31 Sep 26, is the first 30-year-old woman to win the US Open since Martina Navratilova in 1987.

Leander Paes-Radek Stepanek lose US Open final to Bryan brothers: Leander Paes and his Czech partner Radek Stepanek suffered straight sets defeat at the hands of Americans Bob and Mike Bryan in the US Open men's doubles final on Friday. The second seeded Bryan brothers defeated the fifth-seeded IndoCzech combo 6-3, 6-4 to win their fourth US Open title. The 12th Grand Slam triumph for the brothers tied them with Australians John Newcombe and Tony Roche as the most successful doubles combination in the Grand Slams. It was a rematch of their clash in the Australian Open final, won 7-6, 6-2 by Paes and Stepanek, who have won four Grand Slam titles together.The Bryans, winners of 81 doubles titles including 12 Grand Slam crowns, beat the ninth-seeds AisamUl-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-4 in their semifinal on Thursday.

McCullum 91 lifts New Zealand to 1 run victory

Brendon McCullum lifted New Zealand from 2 for 2 with a calculated 91 that highlighted his importance to his side, especially in Twenty20s. McCullum had support from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, but he was almost single-handedly responsible for New Zealand reaching a competitive score with a knock that began watchfully, and then exploded into a frenzy of powerful hits over extra cover, down the ground and over midwicket. McCullum often begins a Test innings with a charge down the track and it was probably the two early wickets that made him play with some caution initially. Rob Nicol and Martin Guptill came out swinging but were bowled by incoming deliveries from Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan, and New Zealand were 2 for 2 in the second over. McCullum broke free in the fifth over, flicking and cutting Zaheer for boundaries. L Balaji, making his T20I debut and playing his first game for India since February 2009, was inside-edged past short fine leg and sliced over point for boundaries in the next over. Williamson, a calm man under pressure usually, ensured he gave the strike to McCullum, who was now in control enough to ward off his usual self-destructing tendencies.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th September 2012

Andy Murray wins US Open, ends 76-year British agony

History-making Andy Murray ended Britain's 76year wait for a men's Grand Slam champion when he beat 2011 winner Novak Djokovic 7-6 (12/10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 in an epic US Open final on Monday.

Murray became Britain's first major champion since Fred Perry claimed his third American title in 1936, the year the Spanish Civil War started and Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected US president.

In a roller-coaster final, which witnessed a 54-shot rally, numerous 30-stroke exchanges, as well as a record-setting tie-breaker, the 25-year-old Murray held his nerve in a knife-edge final set.

The Olympic champion led 3-0 in the decider, dropped serve but broke again for 5-2 when Djokovic called a medical time-out.

But Murray wasn't to be denied, taking the historic crown when Djokovic went long with a forehand on a second match point in what was, at four hours and 54 minutes, the equal-longest US Open final of all time.

Murray had lost all of his four previous Grand Slam finals - to Roger Federer at the US Open in 2008, the 2010 Australian Open and this year's Wimbledon, as

well as to Djokovic in Australia in 2011.

But cheered on by fellow Scots Sir Sean Connery and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, he survived a thrilling fightback by Djokovic, a five-time major winner who had defeated Murray in an epic five-setter in the Australian Open semifinals in January.

It was Murray's 24th career title and his win denied Djokovic the chance to claim the biggest pay-day in the history of the sport, $2.9 million for winning the trophy as well as having the best record in the lead-up tournaments.

Djokovic had spent five hours fewer than Murray on the court in reaching his fourth US Open final, but fit-

ness wasn't an issue in the opening exchanges.

It was a battle to see who could master the vicious wind that suddenly whipped up inside Arthur Ashe Stadium as play got underway.

Both players were broken in the first two games before Murray nipped ahead 3-2 with a break courtesy of Djokovic's third double fault in just three service games.

Murray went to 4-2 despite Djokovic coming out on top in a 54-shot rally.

The Serb retrieved the break for 4-4 before serving two love games going into the tie-break.

The 24-minute tie-breaker, a record for a men's championship match at the tournament, featured a 30-shot rally and a 33-shot exchange

before Murray took it on a sixth set point after a marathon 87-minute set.

Murray, sensing his place in the history books, raced to a 4-0 and 5-2 lead in the second set before Australian Open winner Djokovic, a five-time Grand Slam champion, clawed back to 5-5.

The Scot held for 6-5 and carved out two set points when the Serb sent a wild overhead wide.

Djokovic saved one but handed the second set to his opponent with a misguided forehand which also sailed away on the breeze.

But the world number two wasn't going down fighting.

A year ago, he came back from two sets and two match points down to beat Federer in the semi-finals and, on Monday, he took the third set 6-2 on the back of a double-break.

Comfortably on top after such a sudden and unexpected shift in momentum, Djokovic broke for 1-0 in the fourth set.

He then survived a break point in the fourth game as well as a time violation handed down by umpire Jake Garner to hold for 3-1.

Murray wilted under the barrage as the once-uncertain Djokovic became a sure-footed shot-maker, levelling the final by taking the fourth set 6-3.

Documentary on Yuvraj Singh’s battle against cancer

Australia beat Pak by 94 runs, lose series 1-2

thankful to God for giving me back my life. I wanted to come out stronger and play for India again,” he added.

The cricketer said he worked really hard on his fitness. He also took to meditation to keep his mind calm and focused. But there's still a thought that the cricketer’s return to the team was more an emotional one. “People are bound to say that, as they have not seen how hard I trained at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). But I know how tough it has been... I just want to get back

Australia registered a commanding 94-run win in the third and final Twenty20 International against Pakistan after losing the first two games. A record 111-run opening stand between David Warner (59 runs off 34 balls) and Shane Watson (47 off 32) setup Australia's total of 168 for seven in 20 overs. In reply, Australia's quicks immediately had Pakistan in trouble and they couldn't recover, dismissed for just 73 in 19.1 overs. Pat Cummins snared three wickets for 15 runs while Mitch Starc took struck thrice conceding 11 runs. Australia will depart for the World T20 in Sri Lanka this week.

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh won the battle against cancer in real life. Now, his fans can get to see it on reel. A documentary, ‘Zindagi Abhi Baki Hai’, will depict the 30-yearold cricketer’s fight against the dreaded ‘C’ and how he came out triumphant. The documentary, which will be aired in three parts, will be shown on two prominent entertainment channels in November.

“The documentary is a reflection of what a cancer patient goes through. I wanted it to be documented as I wanted it to be an inspiration for those who live in denial. It is my story. I want everyone to live their life all over again,” Yuvraj said.

There were times when the dashing southpaw felt he would not be able to pull through. “At times I felt the chemotherapy was destroying my body, but at the same time, I also realised that I had to fight it out. When you have cancer, you work towards saving your life and I am

on the field. It will be a huge moment in my life.

I can't wait for the day when India take on New Zealand in the second T20 games since the first T20 was washed out.

Everyday I put up a status message, counting the number of days left. I am just raring to get on the field and bat. It is like a child who has got his first Christmas gift and can't wait to open it...” Yuvraj, who was the man-of-the-tournament at the 2011 World Cup, said.

He, however, was noncommittal on how he would perform. “I don't know... I don't know if I would be making one run or 20 runs, take a catch, take wickets... I am just so happy to be back.

Some months back I could not even climb the stairs, and now I have this chance! I am thankful to my family, friends and the people of India for showering so much love on me. I will carry all those emotions to the field.” The threehour documentary will also capture the T20 series.