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VOICE

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

VOL 39. ISSUE 49

80p

16th April to 22nd April 2011

Hazare's protest unites India against corruption

Anna Hazare breaking fast after five days

It took over 90 hours of fasting by veteran social activist Anna Hazare and support of billions from India and all across the world to convince the Government of India to

adopt the Lokpal Bill that Hazare and several other social activists were demanding.

In order to protest against the number of scams that have taken the

entire Indian society in its vice grip, Swami Agnivesh, Kiran Bedi and Sri Sri Ravisankar, Mahamood Madani, Archbishop Vincent M Concessao, Syed Rizvi, Mallika Sarabhai, Justice D S Tewatia and others decided to fast till death with Hazare. Besides former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev, actor Amir Khan also expressed his solidarity with Hazare and wrote a letter to PM Manmohan Singh.

In the last few weeks, India has witnessed thousands of people, young, old and from all walks of life join the campaign, 'India Against Corruption'.

Hence the government was forced to invite a 10member joint committee of ministers and social activists, including Hazare, to draft an effective Lokpal Bill.

Continued on page 26

Cricket legend, Kapil Dev visits UK Read more on Page 4

The 'smilers' that launched a mighty frown

Subrata Roy, Managing Worker and Chairman of the Sahara Group

On Tuesday 5th April the Sahara Parivar from India held a grand reception at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane to showcase British stamps that it said had been issued by Royal Mail to honour group chairman Subrata Roy. The stamps were unveiled by Mrs Cherie Blair, wife of Britain's former PM Tony Blair.

Continued on page 15

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

one to one

7) What are the best things about being a commentator and not a player?

Keith Vaz MP with

Kapil Dev, Commentator and former Indian Cricketer Kapil Dev, the Haryana Hurricane and former Indian cricket captain is regarded as one of the greatest all rounders to have played the game of cricket. Named by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002, Kapil captained India in their maiden Cricket World Cup victory in 1983. A high-class batsman and a genuine strike bowler, Kapil Dev is the only all-rounder to be listed in the all-time top 10 wicket takers and top 10 run scorers for his country.

A right-arm pace bowler noted for his graceful action and potent outswing, Kapil was India’s main strike bowler throughout most of his career and holds the record for the most Test matchwickets between 1994 and 1999. His aggressive batting helped India in many difficult situations by taking the attack to the opposition. He is the only cricketer to have scored 5000 runs and taken 400 wickets in Tests.

1) What inspired you to take up cricket?

In India we don’t need anything to inspire the country to play cricket.

When I was at school, everybody played cricket. You start playing a little bit, and come to know the game. At that time it was the fashion to listen to cricket radio commentary and all of these things. We had a lot of holidays playing cricket. I would spend three days, four days at a time playing cricket.

2) What are your proudest achievements?

It is difficult to say what my proudest achievement is. I think representing the country is the most important thing I’ve done. Once you represent your country then all your other things, winning the world championship, your world

record, all these things come secondly.

Representing the country led to all my other greatest achievements.

3) How did you feel when India won the World Cup this week?

I felt great, I was crying.

I saw that the young boys, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh and all the others were crying. It just gave me such great happiness to see them, to see how passionate they were. Whilst playing the game, and even after winning you could tell the players felt just like us watching them.

4) How did you feel when you won the World Cup in 1983?

It was 28 years ago, so it is difficult to remember too much but it was a great time. We were celebrating, I know that

It is very easy just to talk! You can pick up on other people’s mistakes.

It is very comfortable to criticise others when you are watching but when you are playing it’s a totally different thing. Playing is always great and fun, but while talking on television it is easy to pick up on mistakes or praise people.

They are two different things.

8) And the worst?

I always feel it is so easy to criticise, you forget you have made so many similar mistakes yourself. When I put my head on the pillow at night I think of all the same mistakes I have made myself.

much. At that time, cricket wasn’t the great cricket we know today but we were a group of passionate boys who just wanted to have a great time in life. In between it happened that we started playing good cricket and we beat everybody. Only today do we realise how big a thing we did in 1983. It was a very emotional time because beating West Indies at that time was the biggest thing in our life. It was a great moment. We bought a change to sports in our country.

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

I think convincing people to take sports seriously, that sports could be a career, that one could make a life out of it. That was the difficult part.

Parents didn’t want their

New rules for migrant church weddings The tradition of reading church banns is to be dropped for migrant weddings as part of a new drive to combat bogus marriages. In future any non-EU citizens wanting to marry in the Church of England will have to apply for a “common licence” and pay a ￡100 fee.

The licence has to be signed off by a bishop and only after

People

you throughout life

stringent checks by the local vicar, including a home visit and verifying documents. The rules will apply as much to citizens from the likes of America, Australia and South Africa as countries that pose a risk of illegal immigration.

And if there are any concerns, information can be passed on to immigration officers.

kid to go and play cricket and that’s what we changed. Now people want their kid to go and become a sportsman.

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

It’s a very difficult question to answer because when you succeed in your life there can’t be one person you can pinpoint. You have a coach, parents, siblings, teachers, friends, sister-in-law…

Every important person who comes into your life has achieved things, even my college grounds-men and the grounds-men who used to help us out. All these people have made so much difference to me. I would never like to give credit to one person. Your mum, your wife, your close friends – people go on changing and helping

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

Being a sportsman I would like to see every school have 40% playground or playing facilities. Education is very important in our life, but health is as important as anything else. We put so much pressure on education we forget to look after our own health. Also, in my country giving food to everybody is the most important thing, so I would make sure everybody went to sleep with a full stomach.

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

Definitely my family, wherever I go and whatever I do, I like to spend time with my family.

■

Well done to Brent Central MP Barry Gardiner for his vital work in resolving the

Barry Gardiner

crisis over the Sai Baba Temple in Wembley.

The Labour Council has finally lifted the enforcement notice that had been served on the Trustees.

■ The Liberal Democrates have selected a Muslim Candidate-their first- in Leicester South to contest the by election.

Zaffer Haq just missed out on winning Market Harborough at the last election. He had his fisrt big gun visitor Danny Alexander MP the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

■ Don’t forget to vote for the British Soap Awards.

Eastender

Nitin Ganatra

favourite Nitin Ganatra also known as Masood is up for the top spot.

As they say "every vote counts."

60 girls groomed for sex at takeaway shops A gang of men who groomed 60 schoolgirls for sex has been uncovered by police investigating the disappearance and murder of a 14-yearold in a northern seaside town, it was claimed.

Officers investigating the unsolved disappearance of Charlene Downes in Blackpool in 2003 discovered

that dozens more 13 to 15 year old girls from the area had fallen victim to grooming or sexual abuse, it was claimed.

An unpublished police report identified 11 takeaway shops in the town centre which were being used as "honeypots" where the nonwhite men preyed on young

white victims, who were given food, alcohol and cigarettes in return for sex.

Earlier this year a Home Office inquiry was launched amid reports of a similar trend of crime across the north of England and the Midlands involving gangs of mainly Muslim men and young girls.

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

COMMENT

Cameron has case to answer British (and the West's) ties with Islamabad have not been smooth sailing this past decade, especially after the 9/11 bombing of New York's Twin Towers by Islamist terrorists with a Pakistani footprint. Mr Cameron and his team met with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad recently. Presumably anti-terrorist cooperation between the parties was high on the agenda. Mr Cameron uttered soothing words to his hosts on the need for an Arab Spring in the country, one that would draw Pakistan into the corona of democracy and human rights observance.

He struck a self-abnegating note when he referred to the British Empire's sins of omission and commission in far-flung corners of the globe: music Pakistani ears there was an oblique hint that Britain bore responsibility for the Kashmir imbroglio. Whatever the choice of words, the exercise raises false hopes in Islamabad circles of external intervention in the diplomatic logjam with India over the future of the disputed territory. No third party role on Kashmir is acceptable to New Delhi or Indian opinion, so the ploy will go the way of others before it - into the dustbin.

To sweeten whatever was on the table, Mr Cameron offered Pakistan an education aid package of ￡650 million. This surely is an extravagant sum in a time of recommended belt-tightening austerity for the British people. Christina Lamb, who has been reporting Pakistan for The Sunday Times since 1987 and has written an acclaimed book on the country, penned these visceral lines in her paper: “When David Cameron announced ￡650 million in education aid for Pakistan last week, the same thought occurred to many British people as it did to me: why are we doing this?

“While we are slashing our social services and making our children pay hefty university fees, why should we be giving money to a country that has reduced its education budget to 1.5 per cent of GDP while spending several times as much on defence? A country where only 1.7 million of a population of 180 million pay tax? A country that is stepping up its production of nuclear weapons so much that its arsenal will soon outnumber Britain's?”

Ms Lamb cites Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican Congressman from California who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has been dealing with Pakistan since his days in the Reagan White House. Now, disillusioned, he remarked, “they were playing us for suckers all along.....Pakistan has been getting away with murder..... We were snookered. For a long time we bought into this vision that Pakistan's military was

a moderate force and we were supporting moderates by supporting the military. In fact the military is in alliance with radical militants. Just because they shaved their beards and looked western they fooled a lot of people.”

All this is very well, but to believe that the US (and the UK) was an innocent conned by a crafty Oriental government would be naïve if not downright foolish. Pakistan has been America's partner of choice from the early 1950s. Its military, which has called the shots in the country since then, was (and is) armed by Washington no questions asked.

Successive US administrations have assiduously certified to Congress that Pakistani governments were not involved in the incubation and export of terror, nor that it was engaged in clandestine nuclear weapons proliferation. As India was the target of such activities at the time, for America it was, apropos of Pakistan, hear no evil. speak no evil. Not even when the Pakistani military massacred some 3 million Bengali-speaking East Pakistanis in 1971 and went to war with India in December that year. President Nixon and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger joined China in support of their common client, General Yahya Khan in Islamabad. Bangladesh, the former East Pakistan will shortly be celebrating the 40th year of its emergence as a sovereign state.

This alignment carried on to the turn of the 21st century, as Donald L Berlin wrote in a 2006 US Naval War College Review entitled India in the Indian Ocean: “.....the United States and China, with the help of Pakistan [sought] to contain India.” The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Today, the US is a prime target for Pakistan-based Jehadis, and it clearly hurts.

As we go to press, comes the following Times of India report from Washington by the paper's US Correspondent Chidanand Rajghatta. It says: “David Headley aka Daood Gilani and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the two Pakistani foot soldiers who allegedly planned and conducted the Mumbais reconnaissance before the 26/11 terrorist carnage have implicated the Pakistani government and its intelligence agency ISI in the attack. In court documents that have surfaced ahead of his upcoming trial in Chicago, Rana says his acts of providing material to terrorists in the Mumbai attacks as alleged by US prosecutors 'were done at the behest of the Pakistani government and the ISI, not the Lashkar terrorist organisation.” The documents also cite Rana invoking his friend David Headley's Grand Jury testimony in which the latter too implicated ISI.” This sordid drama is no place for innocents.

Indian links with UK that truly matter Tata is Britain's largest manufacturer. Corus Steel, luxury cars such as Jaguar and Land Rover, the software Tata Consultancy Services and Tetley Tea boast a common brand: Tata is now a global company and growing. It is not the only Indian footprint in the British economy. There are others, especially in the pharmaceuticals sector. One of India's largest generic medicines groups, Dr Reddy's, has inaugurated a new headquaters for its expanding Cambridge-based subsidiary Chirotech, an affirmation surely of the company's belief in the UK as Europe's most attractive location for life sciences.

Dr Reddy's has pledged further investment in Chirotech, a specialist biotech company on the Cambridge Science Park. Chirotech has increased its workforce by a third to 40 since the acquisition in 2008 and will have the space to double the staffing on the new site. This decision marks an encouraging boost to Britain's medicines sector.

The industry has suffered substantial job losses in research and development from AstraZeneca, GlkaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Pfizer. These

multinational companies have stressed that their decisions are the result of global restructuring and was no reflection on the UK. Nevertheless, there is growing concern that the UK is failing in its bid to remain an international centre of innovation and research in the field.

Returning to Dr Reddy's, the firm's chief executive, G.V.Prasad, said: “After a time focused on acquisitions, we are now building our technological edge again.” The UK may be expensive, but it had the talent, he explained. The group having scoured Europe had settled for Britain because of the proximity of universities and biotech companies as well as the shared use with India of the English language.

Chirotech has already applied its technologies to substantially reduce manufacturing costs for its Iindian parent's products. Mr Prasad said that Dr Reddy's was repositioning itself as a “centre of excellence” in chemistry for the group.

Industry, services, science and technology are the sinews of the Indo-British partnership of the future.

www.abplgroup.com

Thought for the Week Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.

- Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

Steve Pound, MP Ealing North (Labour)

Retirement age: April 2011 The approach of one’s senior years should be a time of peace and calm reward for a lifetime of work. It should be a time to delight in the growing family, to make those journeys that you were never able to before and maybe it is a time for a deepening spirituality and a look over the human horizon to the next turn of the wheel of life.

What the gathering shades of evening should never witness is the terrible anxiety and distress that the inchoate slew of contradictory policies currently swirling chaotically from the think tanks and Old Etonian dining clubs that inform the current Liberal Democrat/Conservativ e government.

Put simply and accurately the policy of the coalition was – at last week – for every citizen to work longer for a lesser pension.

A ferocious outburst of opposition from every group representing older people has forced the latest in a long line of “u-turns” from this muddled and divided coalition government.

On the 11th.April 2011 two senior Tory cabinet members were hurriedly drafted into the squad for damage limitation.

Interrupting a “Keep the Pound” rally in his Yorkshire constituency William Hague was forced to defend the latest mess and muddle by claiming that the highly complicated proposals were “not complicated”!

Meanwhile David Willets was trying to justify slashing all specific age related benefits such as the winter

fuel allowance (already cut by a third); TV licences, and free eye tests etc etc.but stating that they would be taken away on Monday only to reappear on Tuesday as part of the general state pension.

I don’t usually pray the Liberal Democrats in aid but Lib.Dem MP Professor Steve Webb – who has forgotten more about pensions than his coalition partners ever knew – describes the new proposals as “a complete shambles”.

At the heart of the matter is a very specific question – should the state value and reward the contribution of those who have worked all their lives and who have contributed so much to the economy and to society.

Yes – the population is aging and, yes, pension costs as an element of national expenditure are rising but we’ve known this for decades.

Equalisation of retirement age between men and women may be unpopular but it is defensible. Shrinking the pension, extending the working life and forcing our seniors to face the thought of work without rest is utterly indefensible and no decent Tory or Liberal will have anything to do with this vicious and destructive insanity.

Work until you drop is not a political philosophy but an entrenchment of the wealthy and privileged few contrasted to the awful prospects facing those whose life’s work involved something a little more strenuous than working in the boardroom of Daddy’s stock broking firm.

Honour Anna Hazare Anna Hazare is many things, but it is as a citizen of democratic India that he decided to make his voice heard in every corner of the country. And he did so most successfully, for his message that corruption had become deep and endemic, that it had to be tackled by all the people and not by the government alone. It was his hunger strike, however. that forced the powers that be in Delhi to take notice because many millions of Indians had done so already and

more were joining their ranks. This was an arousal of the public conscience, of the need to say enough is enough. The Hazare message was tweeted by millions and the groundswell forced the government to promise remedial measures to confront the scourge.

Corruption will not, of course, disappear overnight but the bugle call to action has been sounded and the first step in a long march has been taken.

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

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LEICESTER VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Kapil Dev visits Leicester Cricketer of the Century. More recently, in March 2010 Dev was honoured with a place in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, cementing his position in cricket history forever.

Kapil also recognised how the face of the sport has changed in the Students at Soar Valley College and Keith Vaz MP ecstatic last two decades. to see Kapil Dev in action “It is much bigger than when I played that even the big names of cricket – much better also," said Kapil. With suffered the same treatment while the previous eras dominated by West they faced Kapil Dev. Indies and then by Australia, India College Principal, Mel Berry said, will now be looking to dictate their "To have somebody of the stature of dominance in all the formats of the Kapil Dev to officially open our crickgame. On the current Indian team, et pitch is a real honour for the Kapil Dev reveals, “India have the school and the community. we players and potential to be able to all feel very proud and prividominate, but we will have to wait leged." and see whether they can do it. It is Former Indian Captain was fabulous, though, what the young in the celebration mood followplayers have achieved.” ing his country's triumph in the Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, who World Cup as he said, "It was invited Kapil to Leicester as his unbelievable. It is very rare that guest, said, "I was overwhelmed by you see a team who are the the fantastic warmth of the reception favourites come out and win a that Leicester gave Kapil Dev. It is tournament.I'm thrilled about it. long time since I've seen so many I have never seen so many people come out to greet an individhappy faces back home at the Kapil Dev received greeted by Leicester ual. But after all, Kapil is a global community while photographer Vipul Rao same time." caught on camera cricketing icon and he got the In 1983, Kapil Dev became Leicester welcome he deserved." the first Indian skipper to lift the Keith Vaz MP to initiate the training.

Before visiting Leicester, Kapil World Cup by defeating West Indies Dev was honoured in London, where Kapil Dev grabbed his favourite in finals at Lords. He remained the he was awarded the Next Step weapon; the cricket ball and took a only Indian captain to do so for 28 Foundation’s Global Diversity Award short run-up to bowl it to the years but MS Dhoni has now fol2011. Only the second sportsman to Principal. Not many were surprised lowed his footsteps by yet again conwin it as he joins likes of Rev. Jesse to see that Kapil Dev shattered the quering the cricketing world. stumps in his very first delivery. But Jackson, Amitabh Bachchan and In 2002 Kapil Dev was named by Berry can console himself knowing Lewis Hamilton. cricket almanac Wisden as Indian Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev inaugurated Soar Valley College's new cricket pitch and uprooted a few middle stumps giving glimpses of the magic that still resides within him.

Global cricketing icon Kapil Dev was bowled over with hundreds of people bringing traffic to a standstill on Leicester’s famous Belgrave Road when the star drove through with Leicester East MP, Keith Vaz. Kapil Dev also engaged in a questionanswer session with more than 300 fans at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre. Moved by the hearty welcome, Kapil Dev said, “I knew Leicester has a vibrant Indian community but I didn't expect so many people to come out to see me. It was a wonderful feeling."

Kapil, who had spells in county cricket with Northamptonshire and Worcestershire, was invited by the college's Principal Mel Berry and

Leicester City Football Club revive championship hopes City returned to their rampaging best at home as they closed to within five points of the Championship play-offs with a thumping 4-0 win over rivals Burnley.

Aanholt rounded off the scoring in some style with a splendid fourth nine minutes from time.

It could comfortably have been more as SvenGoran Eriksson's men

Kamara's performance was outstanding - the Senegal international tormenting Burnley for 73 minutes before being replaced, and making two telling contributions that effectively settled the contest.

As well as only a second clean sheet in nine outings, the result highlighted City's comprehensive return to form in front of goal, where they have now hit seven in their last

two games. A joy to watch for Foxes fans but a sense of serious concern for Eddie Howe's visitors, Kamara's threat was constant. Too skillful to crowd out and too quick to stand off, Burnley did neither and Kamara ran riot.

LCFC will next host struggling Crystal Palace knowing another victory could provide the momentum they need to ignite their end-of-season charge.

MP's expenses revealed

LCFC return to winning ways with 4-0 victory over rivals Burnley

Home debutant Diomansy Kamara set them on their way with his first goal since arriving on loan from Fulham in the first half, before winning a penalty early in the second that allowed Paul Gallagher to make it two.

Gallagher rifled home a 30-yard third as City began to enjoy themselves in the gorgeous April sunshine.

And on-loan Chelsea full-back Patrick Van

threatened to run riot in the closing stages - Richie Wellens hitting the woodwork and Gallagher denied a hat-trick by Clarets keeper Brian Jensen.

But the impressive way his side dismantled a fellow top-six chaser will have pleased the Foxes' Swedish boss, as City head into the campaign's final six games with their promotion hopes still alive.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority released a document in the public domain to reveal the expenses claimed by the County's MPs. In the last two months of 2010 Leicestershire MPs claimed a total of £84,806 for their second homes, travel and office expenses.

Leicester West MP Liz Kendall claimed £9,684, Leicester East MP Keith Vaz claimed £7,404 and Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby claimed £8,535.

In the county, South Leicestershire MP Andrew Robathan claimed £2,230, Harborough MP Edward Garnier claimed ￡10,117, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan

claimed £10,972 and North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen claimed £11,113.

Charnwood MP Stephen Dorrell claimed £3,340, Melton MP Alan Duncan claimed £9,592 and Bosworth MP David Tredinnick claimed £11,819.

The money was paid out under the new scheme of claiming expenses which has been made far stricter, with MPs unable to claim above a certain limit for rent and mortgage. They are also unable to claim for luxury goods and furniture or decorating, and must provide adequate documentary evidence with every claim.

In brief

Punjabi night The Global Punjabi Society UK held a dinner and dance event in Leicester.

More than 200 guests attended the event, including the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Nalin Surie. The event took place at the Stage Hotel,on Leicester Road, Wigston.

Other guests included MP Edward Garnier and Baroness Sandip Verma.

1,000 Scouts march for St George's Day More than 1,000 Scouts, Cubs and Beavers took part in a parade to celebrate St George's Day. Groups from around the county gathered at Leicester Market on Sunday. Many carried flags and banners representing their groups as brass bands and drummers set the pace.

The group split as it left the market, one group headed for Leicester Cathedral and the other for Bishop Street church.

Sewa Yatra 2011

Shree Bharatiya Mandal, Ashton U Lyne, Lancashire (Indian Association, Tameside) is organising a cycle ride from London (Shree Hindu Mandir, Ealing Road) to Ashton U Lyne, Lancashire (Ambaji Temple) commencing from 22nd April and finishing on 25th April. There are 9 volunteers taking part in the ride and will pass through Milton Keynes, Leicester and Ashbourne in Derbyshire. The aim of the ride is to raise funds for Willowwood Hospice and equipment for Tameside General Hospital.

People can donate through www.SBM.org.uk/sewayatra.

Councils face penalty over excess use of energy The city and county councils are facing charges of hundreds of thousands of pounds a year unless they can find ways to cut the amount of energy they use.

The Government's Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme that will come into action next year will mean large public and private sector organisations will have to make payments for each tonne of carbon they produce.

Officials have calculated it will cost each authority £750,000 annually when the payments come into force in a year's time, based on the current level of energy used by its schools, offices, libraries and street lights.

Leicester City Council is looking at ways to reduce its energy use, both to cut its annual £3.1 million fuel bill and lessen the CRC penalty.

Under the CRC scheme, any organisation, public or private sector, that uses more than 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) per year of energy will have to pay a charge of £12 for every tonne of carbon it produces.

1,000 job openings for East Midlands Airport Up to 1,000 jobs will be on offer in and around East Midlands Airport this year, according to its bosses.

The jobs will range from aircraft engineering, management positions to catering and also in many other departments.

The airport is working with more than 100 companies in Castle Donington and the Jobcentre Plus service to set up a job club to help fill the positions.

Dawn Price, East Midlands Airport employment network manager, said, "Around half of the jobs are in passenger services and the other half are in the cargo side of operations around the airport."

Since January, about 200 jobs have been filled in catering, baggage handling, security, hospitality, customer services and many more. The airport, in Castle Donington, is also linking with Derby College to set up an apprenticeship scheme for budding aircraft maintenance engineers.

The first meeting of the new jobs club will take place at the airport's training rooms on May 29.

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

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Less than 1p a minute to call mobiles in India 3000 minutes to 3 mobiles or landlines from your mobile for just ÂŁ10.21 a month

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Lord Parekh brings interesting insights on Britain's financial crimes and UN's mediation in Libya

By Spriha Srivastava

Rise of democracy The entire episode of Anna Hazare’s fast unto death and eventually the success of the Lokpal bill has brought the realisation that democracy still exists in India and the voice of the people is the strongest. I have been following the entire chain of events and was overwhelmed to see the amount of people who came out to support the 72-year old social activist who reminded all of us of Mahatma Gandhi.

From the corporate offices to universities to the bollywood industry, everyone triumphed Anna Hazare’s efforts. Even political leaders like Narendra Modi thanked Hazare on his blog, a day after Hazare endorsed the development model in Gujarat.

Modi wrote on his blog that he feels “fortunate and grateful” for his blessings. However he also warned Hazare that he would now be subjected to criticism by groups that are “anti-Gujarat.” I am... afraid that this group will put you in trouble. May God give

you strength,” he wrote.

However Hazare now has the support of many fellow citizens who strongly believe in bringing an end to corrupt

practices in the country.

Corruption seems to be slowly eating up our system, our economy, our growth and there has to be an end somewhere. I asked couple of Indians living in London what they thought of the entire chain of events.

Anmol, a student in University of London says; “I was extremely happy to see this mini revolution in India. We tend to take things for granted and then keep blaming the system for

everything. What Anna Hazare did, we should have done long time back. And it is also a lesson for the youngsters in our country that when a 72-year old can decide to take up such a big step, why can’t we do the same?”

However, Vatsal Parikh, an Indian living in the UK thinks there is still a lot more to be done. “Well, I may be a cynic and not sure how far these things go but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

We needed a hero to fight against corruption and that is what Anna Hazare has given us. At the same time, I will refrain from calling it anything like 'success' right now.”

Even a small step to fight corruption is big for us, given the gravity of the situation. However we just need to ensure that this doesn’t stop and more and more people come out to fight this out. It is only then that we can think of cleaning our system and being called a true democratic society.

Thank You, but no thank you Last weekend I very enthusiastically tried to catch the first day first show of “Thank You.” I have been extremely apprehensive about Akshay Kumar starrers ever since I saw Tees Maar Khan in January, followed by Patiala House. And this one was no different. Somehow the script immediately reminded me of “No Entry” and “Masti” which were actually much more entertaining.

Surprisingly “No Entry” and “Thank You” both belong to the same director - Anees Bazmee and I kept wondering why would he need to go back and remake one of his films that is not very old. The film surely has some interesting and hilarious moments and good music but overall the script is not very strong.

The story has three irresponsible husbands with dedicated wives who do little more than shop and worry about their husbands having affairs. The first one – Vikram played by Irrfan Khan keeps advising

employee Raj, played by Bobby Deol on women.

Vikram likes treating his wife (Rimi Sen) like a servant.

Vikram plays an abusive partner, and at one time, the film shows him take off his belt to strike her which is extremely disturbing. Raj is a skirt-

detective to keep an eye on the husbands but meanwhile ends up falling in love with one of the wives.

Quite cheesy isn’t it?

Well, most of you would have seen it already and I am sure many are planning to go catch it over the weekend. Just ensure

chaser who keeps fooling his wife, played by Sonam Kapoor.

Suniel Shetty plays the third friend who has been caught cheating by his wife, Celina Jaitley, several times, but refuses to be faithful. In all this enters Akshay Kumar who has been hired as a

you go without any expectations and you will have a good laugh.

At the end of the day, it is a bollywood film with hilarity and good dialogues which will keep you amused. But anything more than that Thank you, but no thank you!

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

By Rupanjana Dutta Lord Bhikhu Parekh made some thought provoking comments in debates at the House of Lords on Thursday 17th March and on Friday 1st April.

While on 17th March he discussed Britain's looming financial crime- especially in the city, money laundering and tax evasion or tax avoidance, while in the second debate held on 1st April he spoke elaborately on Libya and the approach, mediation or interference of the West and the UN towards the current situation in Libya.

Financial Crime Legislation While talking about the financial crime legislation, Lord Parekh spoke about bribery, money laundering, tax evasion and tax avoidance prevailing in Britain. He concluded the debate with a few suggestions.

Though Britain perhaps fairs better than other European countries in case of bribery, but acording to Lord Parekh, the number is perhaps lower in Britain since the Government does not prosecute them. He suggested that Britain should have put the Bribery Act 2010 in practice by the end of last year.

He added that the British tax system has many easily exploitable loopholes. "For money laundering, we seem to provide more tax heavens than most of other countries and some of those funds find their way into the City of London...I have never understood the distinction between the things called tax avoidance and tax evasion...(ethically)," he said.

Bhikhu Parekh stated that a clear difference between the terms tax avoidance and tax evasion is required and tax avoidance could not be legitimate over tax evasion! "...People simply cannot understand how can we have designed a system in which people earning billions and billions of pounds can get away without having to pay our tax, while a small man earning no more than ￡30,000 or ￡ 40,000 has to pay an enormous amount of tax.

How could this system continue?" he added.

Speaking more on money laundering, Lord Parekh mentioned that any tyrant can plunder his people, collect billions since he knows that he has stacks of money shelved somewhere, so that if he is thrown out of the country, he still quietly continues enjoying his quality of life. He blamed the existing system to have enabled such instances occur.

Concluding the

debate Bhikhu Parekh made a few general suggestions such as: rigorous monitoring with an enforcement mechanism and transparency on how government and multi nationals conduct businesses as the key to avoid financial crimes, but specifically speaking, he had two more suggestions to offer.

First he stated there must be a way of naming and shaming those who avoid taxes, even when that is done by exploiting existing loopholes and Second, there should be a declaration of compliance for every major government and multinational transaction: that no form of bribery or corrupt practice has taken place in the execution of that project.

UN, Anglo French intervention and Libya Lord Parekh criticised the operation that the UN or the West have conducted on Libya so far, supporting the emotions of China, India, Russia, Turkey and Germany.

While he was amazed at the US distancing itself from the operation, he was stunned by the Anglo French domination. He requested the House of Lords to voice outside the chamber and narrated history of the Resolutions of 1970 and 1973 and legitimacy of the resolution in the lights of the events in Srebrenica and Rwanda.

He spoke about the implications of the 1973 Resolution- as follows: "First it allows to protect the civilians under threat.

Simply an assumption that Colonel Gaddafi has arms stored away somewhere does not entitle us to act on it.

Secondly, Resolution 1973 commits us to respecting the, "sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity" of Libya, Thirdly the resolution excludes "a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory" and Finally, Resolution 1973 stresses the need to facilitate dialogue with a

Lord Bhikhu Parekh

view to securing 'the political reforms necessary to find a peaceful and sustainable solution.' " He further criticised the act of Britain in interpreting the resolution through 160 aerial missions- that would have killed civilians too! He insisted the rebels should have acquired a peaceful method like in Egypt, Yemen and Tunisia.

Lord Parekh added, "The United Nations is in danger of being discredited because it is being seen as supporting a particular group of powers rather than representing global opinion."

He offered 3 suggestions to restore peace and civil liberty in Libya: "First ask Col Gaddafi to pull back all his troops from Ajdabiya, Misrata and Zawiya and restore the flow of water, gas and electricity to those areas.

Once done our interventions should stop.

Second, as Resolution 1973 makes clear, the Secretary General of the UN and the ad hoc high level committee of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union are supposed to negotiate a settlement.

Rather than trying to take over these affairs, we should expect these two bodies, regionally concentrated, to deal with the matter and perhaps ask Egypt and Turkey to play an important role.

Finally, since all this is being legitimised in the name of the Resolution 1973, who is going to interpret the resolution?

Or authorise to accept it or party to it? United Nations should refer it to the ICJ or if that is not possible, UN should set up a body of expert jurists on the matter and their interpretation of the resolution should be binding, not the kind of interpretation that a particular interested party might choose to put upon it."

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Law Society hosts successful Minority Lawyers’ Conference Rupanjana Dutta

This year the Minority Lawyers’ Conference was held in a gala way at the Law Society on 9th April 2011. While the country basked under the sun and Britain enjoyed a mini summer barbecue, the conference was filled with people from the legal world keen on learning more about the future of their profession in the coming years. The conference was preceded by a dinner and an awards ceremony held at the Law Society on the 8th of April.

Dinner & Awards ceremony The Minority Awards Dinner started with a reception where the solicitors and their guests got chances to introduce each other over drinks followed by a welcome speech by Nwabueze Nwokolo and Sundeep Bhatia, Law Society Council Members for Ethnic Minorities.

Before the awards started, a 3 course seated dinner was presented, while wine and juice flowed without hindrance. While people enjoyed the vegetarian starters and mains, the non vegetarian guests enjoyed a choice between fish and lamb. It finished with a white Chocolate Mousse, studded with apricot jelly and seasame seed wafers.

After the dinner the award ceremony commenced with Razi Shah, Director, Appleby Shaw Solicitors & part-time Judge, winner of the award category 'Against All Odds'. The joint winners of the category 'Encourage Minority LawyersMentoring' were Daniel Bazuaye and Sandie Okoro.

The Advocacy in the Face of Adversity award went to Muhammad Abdul Miah Khan while Kuljit Lally became the winner of the category 'Embracing Razi Shah Change'.

While nobody had a prepared thank you message, it was a pleasure to hear the speech made by Razi Shah, who cracked up the audience with his timely jokes.

Daniel and Sandie explained to the audience, the problem with the current economic situation as the students suffered from the lack of opportunity.

Minority Conference 2011 This year’s Minority Lawyers Conference on 9 April had a packed agenda of high profile and influential speakers that promised to be an invaluable experience for members of the profession who wished to explore practical and relevant issues that impact black, minority and ethnic lawyers.

After registration and refreshments where copies of Asian Voice were distributed to the participants, the solicitors made way to the hall, where a welcome address was given

by Nwabueze Nwokolo and Sundeep Bhatia, Law Society Council Members for Ethnic Minorities.

While Nwabueze mentioned about common issues like progress of lawyers into becoming judges, security issues of minority lawyers, ethical balance etc, Sundeep Bhatia spoke about more relevant matters concerning the ethnic minority in

that included issues like Judicial Appointments, Personal and Career Development, Politics of fear- A European Phenomena, Alternative Business Structures, Globalisation/Emerging markets and Access to Justice/Legal Aid. They included speakers like Mrs Justice Dobbs DBE, High Court Judge, Tan Ikram, District Judge, David McGrady, President, ILEX, Kuldip Singh QC, Serle Court Attorney General Rt Hon Chambers, Colin Cook, Senior Dominic Grieve, MP Clerk, Garden Court Chambers, today's time.

Razi Shah, Director, Appleby Shaw He stated that often British Solicitors & part-time Judge, Shalini Asians face a deadlock in the law Sequeira, Learning and firms basing on their race, where Development Manager, Addleshaw they cannot reach beyond a certain Goddard, Semaab Shaikh, level of progress ladder, which forces Broadway House Chambers, Ismet them to start up their own small Rawat, Executive Member, firms. But with legal aid being cut Association of Muslim Lawyers, down- they will face the wrath of Abid Mahmood, this economic meltdown.

Head of He also spoke about the Immigration, No 5 Alternative Business Chambers, Dr Tariq Structure, opportunities for Ramadan, Professor students and the rising popuof Contemporary larity of India and China- how Islamic Studies, these subcontinental cultures Oxford University, have recently gained imporCourtney Griffiths tance in Britain!

QC, Joint Head of The Attorney General Chambers, Garden Dominic Grieve opened this Court, Nwabueze year's event with a keynote Nwokolo, Chair, speech. Rt Hon Grieve in his Sundeep Bhatia Black Solicitiors speech spoke about the deficit Network and in the treasury and challenges ahead Conference Co Chair, Alan Kershaw, of us- including in the legal area.

ILEX Professional Standards, However he added, that anybody Gelega King, 2 Bedford Row, Nick with the right aptitude can become a Jarrett-Kerr, Management lawyer and survive the challenges.

Consultant, David Middleton, Legal He also spoke about the market Director, SRA, Shams Rahman, assessments and introduction of Payne Hicks Beach Solicitors, alternative businesses structuresElikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Oxford that are to be launched when the & Beaumont, Kim Hollis QC, 25 government is technologically fully Bedford Row, Akin Williams, ready. He also spoke about the govPartner, Williams Law, Dorett ernment's support towards diversity, White, Member, Black Solicitors as 20% of the judges in the UK are Network, Lucy Scott Moncrieff, female, out of which 8% are BMEs. Deputy Vice President, The Law He is optimistic that "one who can Society, Susan Silver, Vice adapt will prosper."

President, ILEX, Peter Herbert His speech was followed by a DBE, Member, Direct Access, Bar Q&A and a discussion in Council.

Liberalisation of Legal Services, Before the evening drew to a which was chaired by Sundeep close, a feedback and Q&A was Bhatia, Co Conference Chair. He organised, and the evening ended was joined by Michael Todd QC, with a closing remark by Nwabueze Vice Chairman, General Council of followed by a reception. the Bar, David McGrady, President, Law Society President Linda Lee ILEX, Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, said the conference was essential for Deputy Vice President, The Law creating lively and topical debate Society. surrounding issues faced by BME They spoke about how they see lawyers, including career developliberalisation making a difference to ment and entering the Judiciary. the profession and the main opporThe biennial conference, was tunities and threats of "Embracing organised jointly by the Law Society, change".

Bar Council and ILEX, an established feature of the legal calendar Post Lunch seminars and celebrates the achievements of Black and Asian lawyers.

Followed by the networking lunch, (The formal photographs from the conference was divided into 6 the events will be published in the separate seminars and workshops forthcoming issues of AV)

7

Shrien Dewani moved from the Priory Hospital after medical reaction Shrien Dewani has been removed from Priory Hospital after an alleged argument with another patient following a bad reaction to his medication, it was revealed on Tuesday by a national daily.

Shrien, pictured, was allegedly transferred to a secure mental health hospital following his behaviour over the weekend.

The British businessman was on bail at the Priory in Bristol pending his extradition hearing.

Police would not say whether Dewani, 31, attacked anyone or was attacked himself. A source close to him told a national daily: 'He had a reaction to his medication, which meant he was loud and noisy.

There was no fight or argument but one female resident allegedly got in a heated discussion with him and was taunting him and saying, 'You should go back to South Africa'.'

He gave himself up to police on Sunday and appeared at Bristol

Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where a district judge ruled he should be moved to Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke in Somerset.

Dewani, from Westbury-on-Trym in Bristol, is said to be suffering from severe posttraumatic stress syndrome after the shooting of his wife Anni Dewani, 28, in Cape Town last November on their honeymoon.

His symptoms were said to have dramatically worsened last week after he reacted badly to his anti-depressants, culminating in Saturday night's incident.

Nurse gave toddler MMR jab without mother's consent permission.

A nurse gave a toddler the She claims the nurse MMR jab even though his did not mention it when mother refused her conquestioned which jabs the sent in order to meet govchild would be receiving ernment immunisation targets, it has been claimed, according to a report by the Daily Mail.

Robina Siddique alleges that nurse Rashiela Parekh gave her three-yearold son the combined injection against her wishes.

The housewife has made a complaint after Mohammed Raees Ali was given the vaccine in Alum Rock, Birmingham.

Robina Siddique with son Mohammed Raees Ali The MMR jab sparked controversy that day. over an alleged link to Ms Siddique has made autism and bowel disease. official complaints to the Although research backing the claims was found surgery, Birmingham East to be flawed and and North the government Primary Care ruled it is safe for Trust and the children, some Nursing and concerned parents M i d w i f e r y are still opting to Council over the pay for separate nurse and her measles, mumps actions on March and rubella vacci11, claiming it nations. was done to meet Ms Siddique targets. said she made the A spokes'conscious deciwoman for Pak sion' not to give Nurse Rashiela Medical Centre, Parekh where the child her son the injecwas immunised, tion when he was said: 'Due to patient confi13 months old. dentiality, we cannot comThe 28-year-old mothment on an individual er-of-one from Yardley, case.

Birmingham, said that 'The complaint has when she took her son for been referred to the prithe diptheria, tetanus and mary care trust and we polio vaccine, the nurse will cooperate fully to any also gave him the MMR injection without asking formal complaint.'

8

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Dee Katwa

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Midland Voice Contact: Dhiren on 07970 911 386 or dhiren.katwa@abplgroup.com

Forty years on....Bangladeshis mark their freedom Native Bangladeshis, most of them now prominent British citizens, came together at Birmingham’s Council House to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their home nation, Bangladesh. I was among the 100plus guests.

The evening began with the Bangladeshi national anthem followed by a welcome address by Faisal Ahmed, the Birmingham-based Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh. He paid a glowing tribute to the unsung heroes and

valiant freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for their country. Then, he introduced Dr Sayeedur Rahman Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in London, who praised the achievements of the Bangladeshi community in Britain. A tired-looking Dr Rahman, unlike

£1m spend on consultants Birmingham City Council has been accused of squandering more than £1 million on just three consultants.

The trio were drafted in to work on “short-term projects” which ended up lasting six years. One, Asha Patel, was taken on in April 2005 and racked up 1,426 days’ pay. The second, Nigel Christie, was brought in to consult in July 2009 and completed 185 days of project work. The third, Bob Pringle, arrived in June 2008 and worked for 606 days, reports the Birmingham Mail. Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood (Lab, Perry Barr) said: “It is disgusting and hypocritical at a time when the coalition Government is asking everybody to tighten their belts.”

Men jailed in £45m VAT fraud Six fraudsters from Birmingham have been jailed for their part in a massive VAT fraud which netted them £45 million. They operated six companies which they used to buy and sell mobile phones and CDs from abroad before re-exporting them and claiming back VAT which had not been paid. The conspiracy was uncovered by a six-year investigation by HM Revenue and Customs. Bhabdeep Singh Chahal, 31, got 14 years. His cousins Charanjit Singh Chahal, 34, and 31-year-old Jaspal Singh Chahal, got 15 and 10 years, respectively. Harbans Singh, 46, was jailed for four years. Jagprit Randhawa, 33, received 10 years and Satnam Singh Sohal, 32, got four years. The men were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court last Wednesday.

Cook book of Hope Funds raised from a charity dinner have given a further boost to the cost of building the new Marie Curie Cancer Care hospice in Solihull. The event was organised by Jackie Brooks and Dina Hunt, who both work at the hospice. Work on the £7 million state-of-the-art hospice is due to begin next month. Jackie and Dina have compiled The Marie Curie Cook Book of Hope in their pursuit to raise more funds. Readers wishing to buy a copy, £5 each, please email Jackie.

Brooks@mariecurie.org.uk or telephone 0121 254 7800.

New renal unit Britain’s largest dialysis unit has opened in Castle Vale, Birmingham. The state-of-the-art facility, pictured, which is an extension of the haemodialysis services at Heartlands Hospital, and has 30 dialysis stations, will serve over 200 renal failure patients a week. Vijayan Suresh, clinic director for Heartlands renal services, said: “The new unit also offers holiday dialysis for those travelling from other areas, who still need to undergo vital treatment.”

his upbeat and modest junior colleague Mr Ahmed, also heaped praise and credit on his countrymen and women for their tolerance and patriotism. Then, as the flag of Bangladesh was hoisted, all eyes were fixed in this direction and the moment was applauded.

Distinguished guests included Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Paul Sabapathy, Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Len Gregory and Lady Mayoress, Assistant Director of Asylum at UK Border Agency Dewan Choudhry, engineering giant Arup’s Asian representative in the Midlands, Kulwinder Rayat, West Midlands’ Chief Fire Officer Vijith Randeniya, Chief Executive of charity Birmingham Rathbone, Chris Bates and several councillors. One senior Cabinet Member left the

event feeling disappointed as his name was not mentioned by Mr Ahmed in his vote of thanks, despite his support to the community. Mr Ahmed said he was not the only councillor guest not given a mention.

All upstanding guests were then invited to a meal.

Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh came into being in 1971, when the two parts of Pakistan split after a bitter war which drew in neighbouring India. In the UK, the Bangladeshi population stands at just over 283,000, of which almost 23 per cent live in the London borough of Tower Hamlets.

Outside London, the largest Bangladeshi communities live in Birmingham, Oldham, Luton and Bradford. Birmingham has an estimated 25,000 Bangladeshi population.

College scoops award Dudley College has been awarded the Training Quality Standard mark for its work providing training services to the public and private sector. Dudley in the West Midlands has a 200,000 population, of which around six per cent are from BME communities.

Pink Pride Well done to Ashley Thomas, recipient of the Future Generations Leader Award. The accolade was bestowed on Ashley, 27, by Afiya, the BME health inequalities charity.

Ashley, pictured, was recognised for his work on Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme which looks at developing good practice on sexual orientation issues in the workplace with British employers.

Collection in memory of Chetan A group of Birmingham students have raised £550 for the British Heart Foundation in memory of their friend Chetan Patel - pictured. The learners from University College Birmingham collected the cash by selling a total 700 cupcakes and muffins in just one day, using low-fat and low-salt recipes devised by the college’s food lecturers. Chetan “a popular, enthusiastic, kind and fun person” died from a heart condition in January. His friends have also planted a magnolia tree in the grounds of the Maltings halls of residence, where Chetan lived during term time.

Killer locked for 30 years The “cruel and savage” murderer of Birmingham taxi driver father-ofthree Mohammed Arshad, pictured, has been jailed for a minimum 30 years. A jury at Worcester Crown Court took four hours to convict debt-ridden Andrew Bayliss, 29, of murder. Judge McCreath paid tribute to the dignity and courage Mr Arshad’s family and friends, many of them who were in tears, had shown as they attended the trial.

News in Brief Finance boss to step down West Bromwich Building Society chief executive Robert Sharpe is to step down after less than three years at the helm. Mr Sharpe, 61, pictured, who lives in a £2.4mn luxury mansion in Cobham, Surrey, will be replaced by Jonathan Westhoff, currently deputy chief executive.

Hayfever remedy Two in ten Brummies suffer hay fever and can now get symptoms and treatment options from NHS Direct at www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect

New skyline for Airport A new state-of-the-art control tower is to be built at Birmingham Airport at a cost of £10 million. Work on the new 115ft landmark building will start next month but it will be two years before it is operational because of the complexity of the new equipment being installed in it.

Tweets are the future The power of Twitter should not be underestimated, according to Channel 4 news presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy. “I can’t think of an example when I have been contacted by a PR on Twitter about something I have then wanted to cover,” said GuruMurthy, pictured, who turned 41 this month, and is ranked the 19th most influential journalist on the social networking site.

New school application Birmingham-based Guru Nanak Nishkam Education Trust wants to convert a row of listed buildings into a new school. The trust has applied to create a 400pupil primary school at one to 11 Soho Road, Handsworth.

Mirror, mirror on the wall Seventy-one per cent of men from Birmingham do not want their wives or girlfriends to age like their mothers, according to a new poll by Aldi, the low-cost supermarket chain. Meanwhile, 55 per cent of women in Birmingham said they would like to look like their mum when they reach her age.

Mum in a trillion A great-great grandma celebrated Mother’s Day with her staggering 119strong family. Only child Una Wright, 84, pictured, from Hall Green, Birmingham, has 51 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren, as well as 12 kids of her own. Una’s youngest child is John, 39, while her oldest, also called Una, is 61. Una’s husband, Victor, of 43 years died 22 years ago.

Caught in bed A married man threatened to cut another man’s head off and put him in a wheelie bin after discovering him in bed with his former mistress. Bret Harrison, from Derbyshire, who had a previous relationship with the woman, went to her home and found her with another man. The 33-year-old told him: “I will cut off your head and put you in a wheelie bin.” Harrison admitted assault and received a community sentence.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Ethnic representation in Olympic 2012

Baroness Uddin to face ban?

The Labour peer Baroness Uddin, pictured, is facing fresh censure from the House of Lords over her failure to pay back a penny of the £125,000 she owes the taxpayer for cheating on her expenses.

The Lords authorities allegedly have sent a string of letters to Uddin demanding repayment of the cash following her 18month suspension from the Lords last October.

However, Uddin, Britain’s first female Muslim peer, has argued through lawyers that she does not have the means to pay the money. The case is now expected to be referred back to the Lords privileges and conduct committee which will consider whether to impose

fresh sanctions.

Lord Strathclyde, leader of the Lords and a member of the committee, has warned that Baroness Uddin could face a further ban if she refuses to pay, as reported by a national daily. Her fellow peers may also be called on to take a vote in the house condemning her behaviour.

Aylesbury man admits mother's stabbing murder Court.

T h e court was told a 16year-old, who has not been named for legal reasons and denies murder, was "complicit" in the attack.

Shahzad was warned he faces a life sentence.

The case was adjourned for the day and will continue on Thursday.

A man has admitted murdering his mother at her home in Buckinghamshire.

U s m a n Shahzad, 21, pictured, was due to stand trial accused of stabbing businesswoman Assia Shahzad, 40, of Wendover Road, Aylesbury, on 9 October 2010. But he changed his plea to guilty at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court, sitting as Aylesbury Crown

Kartik.S.Raval Preparations for the Olympic Games 2012 are well under way and steps are taken to make sure that the groups of people involved portray the multi-cultural face of the capital. With more than 1 million people already involved directly or indirectly, the sporting event will surely witness one of the highest level of participation in the history of the UK. 0In an interview with Asian Voice, Sebastien Coe, a former English athlete, Olympic gold medalist and the Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games revealed his plans to ensure there is a fair representation of the members of the ethnic community in the large scale preparations that are going on and also once Olympic 2012 kicks off.

“We are looking to maintain at least 15 to 20 percent of ethnic representation in work force that will be engaged in making London Olympics a success. Private organisations are already informed about the incentives that they will receive if they are able to maintain this fair representation in their employment for the Olympic games and subsequently are encouraged to do so”, said Seb Coe. He agreed that Sydney Olympic was one of the best in the game's history but also promised that 'London Olympics will be bigger than that.' With debate on multiculturalism very much in the limelight, Seb Coe who was the head of the London bid for Olympic games agreed that global sporting events like these can provide the right platform to bridge the gap between different communities.

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Race fears erupt after council votes Britain's first BNP mayor A town just three miles from the scene of major race riots is set to become the first in the UK to have a BNP member as its mayor.

Councillors have voted overwhelmingly for John Cave to take over as civic leader of Padiham, Lancashire.

But critics have warned the appointment reflects poorly on the town and argued that he cannot serve the whole community without 'rejecting his party's philosophy.'

Councillor Cave, pictured, has previously claimed that party politics were behind those who opposed his selec-

tion.

He will become Deputy Mayor in the next civic year and take the chains of office 12 months later.

He says he is proud to serve the town, which is situated about three miles from Burnley and has a population of around 9,000.

British Rugby Association's Asian Barbarians to Light Up Thornton Heath Streatham-Croydon will play the British Asian Rugby Association’s Asian Barbarians on Good Friday April 22nd at their Frant Road ground in Thornton Heath as part of their 140th Anniversary celebrations. The visitors will number in their ranks several International players from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as some of the top Asian players currently playing in England. The 140th anniversary is a big chance for Streatham to

connect with the local community to grow strong links that they hope will benefit both the local area and un-earth some local talent that can help propel the club back to the London leagues over the next ten years. As such there will be free admission to the game and free coaching lessons for the over 16’s. Local businesses that would like to get involved can contact the club at Streatham-croydon@hotmail.com and on 07940 757897.

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YOUR VOICE Family Planning

India’s population rose by 181 million persons over the past 10 years from 1 billion to 1.2 billion [AV 9 April p29]. While the rate at which it is growing is less than the previous six decades, there is still an urgent need to continue educating the nation on smaller families.

The forecast by 2045 is 1.4 or 1.6 billion depending on how successfully the Indian Government handles this issue.

One key is literacy of women; another is male sterilisation.

The national average in India is now 2.6 children per woman. A national policy adopted in 2000 called for the country to reach the replacement fertility of 2.1 by 2010. That has not happened.

Population growth varies by States. In Kerala, it is 1.7. Whereas in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where 50% of women are illiterate, and where many marry under the age of 18, fertility rates still hover between 3 to 4 children per woman.

Sterilisation is the dominant form of birth control in India today, but the vast majority of procedures are performed on women. Indian Government is trying to change this. A no-scalpel vasectomy costs far less and is easier on a man than a tubal ligation is on a woman.

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

Elections in Tamil Nadu Elections are being held in India in five Indian states namely Assam, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Puduchari and West Bengal.

State election in Tamilnadu is unique in the sense that national parties are not involved. BJP has no base in the state and the congress party has lost its support since it has not produced any nationally known leaders after Kamaraj and Venkataraman.

The contest in this election in Tamilnadu is between two Dravidian parties DMK and AIDMK. Corruption is the principal issue and the 2G spectrum scam is a major issue in urban, as well as many rural areas, but can the electoral freebies offered by the DMK become more persuasive for the voters. The answer is probably no, since the AIDMK is also offering Laptop, Mixer Grinder, first 20 Kg rice free, free bus passes for students and senior citizens, ceiling fan, family insurance, 600 litres of pure water per family every month, marriage allowance worth Rs 25000 with 4 gram gold, a cow for all poor family and so on. The list is exhaustive. The only thing the parties do not provide is a free car.

Tamilnadu was once seen as leading state in terms of governance. Under DMK’s rule it has fallen behind Bihar in perception. Burglary and kidnapping of young children have become common feature. Chief Minister Karunanidhi is too old and his family is one of the richest in India owning newspapers, cable television, theatres, colleges, film production company and real estates.

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Anna Hazare’s miracle by fasting for indefinite period

Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill

Torture and violence in Kenya

Anna Hazare’s indefinite fast against corruption and its success in 4 days is miraculous. It has dented the myth that corrupts are invincible. Eradication of corruption will need sustained and repeated campaigns to constructively utilise national socio-economic energy.

We must assure that one corrupt regime is not replaced by another.

Even though India’s US-$1.4 trillion loot hidden in secret accounts exceeds the total hidden by all countries of the world, some Indians suffer in poverty.

Shri Hazare is right to boil and be drastic.

Government has capitulated due to impending elections. Discarding Anna’s demands by UPA, might have resulted in one more nail in coffin, especially after four irreparable scandals.

Due to tentacles of corruption being rooted at highest echelons of power, Lokpal Bill is discussed 10 times in the Indian Parliament since 1969, shoved to committees, perpetuating corruption.

Efforts by JP in 1973 and Baba Ramdev in 2011 failed.

This campaign is reminiscent of anti corruption measures in Hong Kong, and uprisings in Arab countries. In Annagiri’s campaign, there was no grudge, violence, or character assassination. The whole exercise was like push which might have ended in a shove.

Kusoom Vagdama (letters Saturday 2 April) has never been a friend of the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill and it is sad to see her still raising objections to them 9 years after they were opened by the Queen. Some of your (AV) readers may be misled by her complaint to use her words “that it is unbelievable as it is unacceptable that we now have the names of the donors who paid with their money prominently carved, over shadowing the names of those who paid with their lives”.

No one should be misled by this.

There are no names of donors displayed on the Memorial Gates and no donor asked for their name to be displayed.

Instead of claiming that it would be a magnanimous gesture of sensitivity to have these names “wiped out”, Kusoom Vagdama hopefully will be persuaded to actually visit the Memorial and see for herself that her anxieties are without foundation.

With the revelation of secrets about torture and violence used by the British colonial officers in Kenya, comes the painful reminder of the massacre in India at the Jallinwallah Baag at Amritsar on April 13, 1919, exactly 92 years ago this week.

There Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, who was born in India, slaughtered over 530 unarmed and innocent men, women and children within minutes. The cruel irony of the killings was that only 5 months before world war I had ended in which 53,000 soldiers had died defending Britain, say nothing of the 64,350 wounded, 2,937 missing and 825 prisoners of war.

This is not the case of opening old wounds but of some wounds that will just never heal. Reading about the appalling treatment of the Mau Mau is not without a sense of sadness and understanding of their painful experience.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Keep up the good workAV & GS I would just like to send you and your team a note of appreciation from me and my family. We have been reading Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar for many years.

It is of good quality and is always improving, and we find the articles very informative and inspiring.

We eagerly dip into it every week to see what new things we can learn about.

Keep up the good work.

Shushma Patel Via Email (Thank you for your email. It is very inspiring to hear from a reader how much she enjoys our papers and other magazines. Please let us know if you think we can improve any section or we can cover some other areas.

- AV) The winner of the election in Tamilnadu is going to be manufacturers of white goods and appliances in Tamilnadu. What is the point in providing grinders and mixer while the cost of vegetables and food grains are rising and they are out of reach of very poor people.

Baroness Flather Via Email

Mahavira Jayanti

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Our self-inflicted wounds

Lord Mahavira, Jainism’s 24th and last Tiranthakara (prophet) was born most probably in the year 599 BC. Therefore, according to my calculations, if we add 2011 (the current Christian year) and 599 together, we arrive at the figure 2610. Hence Mahavir Swami was born 2610 years ago. The exact date is given in the Jain scriptures as the thirteenth day of the bright half (ie when the moon was waxing) of the month of Chaitra. In the European calendar, this usually falls in the month of April. The festival to commemorate this, known as Mahavir Jayanti is an occasion for great celebration. Jains gather together to hear Mahavira’s message of Ahimsa (non-violence in the strictest possible sense), Satya (adhering to speaking of truth), Prem (love) and Karuna (kindness) expounded, so that they can follow his teachings and emulate his example. This year Chaitra Sud Teras falls on 16 April. So Mahavir Jayanti will be on that day.

In India, Jains celebrate this religious event by visiting sacred sites and worshipping the Tirthankaras. We in the UK cannot easily visit sacred sites like Shatrunjay (near Palitana), Sammetshikhar, Pavapuri, Girnar etc therefore we celebrate Mahavir Jayanti locally at Jain temples and assembly halls by singing prayers and exchanging good wishes on or around the day of Mahavira’s birth. We, members of Shree Jain Sangh East London and Essex, will celebrate Mahavir Jayanti on Sunday, 17th April at Upton Centre in East London.

It was interesting but some what depressing to read various letters in last week’s AV, on proposed caste law that many Hindus believe is a mischievous instigation by the Christian evangelists seeking recruits from the Hindu community. It is unfortunate that some Hindus, albeit a tiny minority from the so called low caste fall for it, let themselves used like a ventriloquist’s dummy.

I have yet to come across any one, at least from the younger generation who believe in caste, creed or social standing in this country. Some of the ideology, term used by Bharat Parmar, perhaps to make an impact, such as Suthar, Darji, Mochi and Bania is out-dated, obsolete and derogatory.

We would like to use modern, selfrespecting caste names like Vanik, Vishvakarma, Rajput, Raghuvansi and Prajapati, although I rarely come across any one who would ask me my caste or creed.

It would be interesting for Bharat to know that we call ourselves East African Asians. We came here penniless. Yet today we are one of the most prosperous communities among ethnic minorities and our children are one of the best educated youngsters. It is time to stop walloping in self-pity and create a positive outlook and work ethic second to none that other late comers like Sri Lankan Tamils are adopting, following into our foot-steps.

Most member of our family is married outside our own Vanik community, so often to what Bharat would call a low caste. Yet they are the most educated, charming and successful members, enriching our family with professionals like pharmacists, lawyers, Charted Accountants.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email

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

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Cricket crazy Indians for the first time was seen so euphoric on Monday morning, as they expected a couple of Oscars. British Indians in the UK, Dharavi slums, the shanty township of Mumbai, a village in Uttar Pradesh and almost the entire Bollywood waited in expectation, glued to their TV sets. They burst into celebrations as one by one, their heroes, the actors of the British Indian film and the music maestro, A R Rahman bagged the top awards in the world of entertainment.

British actress Kate Winslett also won the Oscar after having missed it almost five times earlier.

‘Smile Pinki’, a short documentary on a cleft-lipped Indian girl in Uttar Pradesh directed

by American director Megan Mylan, won the Oscar for the Best Documentary (Short).

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EDUCATION / COUNCIL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

PM: Oxford's race record is 'disgraceful' David Cameron locked horns with Oxford University, where he is an alumni, as he claimed that the university accepted just one black student last year. The Prime Minister called the university's race record “disgraceful” before officials at Oxford quickly pointed out that his facts were wrong.

David Cameron yet again was surrounded with criticism as just recently he was under scrutiny due to his statement on Britain's Colonial past. During a question and answer session with workers at a factory in Harrogate he said, “I saw figures the other day that showed that only one black person went to Oxford last year. I think that is disgraceful. We have got to do better than that.”

As the Prime Minister accused the renowned university of racism, administrators back at Oxford University wasted

David Cameron during his days at Oxford University

no time to state that Mr Cameron had seized on data that referred to a subset of black students who came from Caribbean origin in one single year of entry. The University spokeswoman also went ahead to inform Mr Cameron that in the same year, Oxford admitted 41 British undergraduates with black backgrounds.

The university has urged the Prime Minister to make a public correction selective use of statistics by politicians and

high-profile figures discouraged applications from those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Although PM's office admitted that Mr Cameron should have said “black Caribbean”, it still insisted that his wider argument about Oxford taking too few black students remained in place.

Moreover PM's office defended the statement of Mr Cameron saying that the wider point he was making was that it is not acceptable for universities such as Oxford to have so few students from black and ethnic minority. The Prime Minister also criticised top universities for their poor record on admitting students from state schools, claiming that the numbers had gone down in the past 20 years.

Not only Oxford is urging the PM to make a correction to his statement but even Labour has urged him to spend more time in “checking the facts”.

Schools to pay the price of last minute cuts, warns London Councils Schools across London will be hit by a ￡28.3 million government funding cut, London Councils has warned.

The Department for Education has cancelled the April payment of the School Standards fund weeks after London boroughs have signed off their budgets for 2011/12.

The School Standards Fund provides core funding to London schools to help pay for things such as school dinners and one-to-one tuition and

other extra academical help. The cut means that school funding per pupil is not being maintained at ‘flat cash’ as the Government promised in the Spending Review.

Because some of the funding is targeted towards deprived pupils the cut is likely to have a greater impact on more deprived local authorities, thereby diluting the impact of the pupil premium.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Children’s Services,

Councillor Steve Reed, said, “London local authorities have worked closely alongside schools over the last few years to raise standards and lift attainment in schools.We’re concerned that this sudden and unexpected cut to this vital funding, which goes directly to the classroom, might jeopardise this progress. Notifying local authorities of funding cuts a week before the end of the financial year is simply not acceptable.”

70,000 shortfall in school places According to the London Councils, the shortage of school places across the capital has become critical with a predicted shortfall of around 70,000 over the next four years. The shortage is largely concentrated in primary schools but begins to feed through into secondary schools in the 2014/15 school year.

According to data from 33 London boroughs, the

70,000 shortfall in permanent school places increases sharply over the next four years, from around 10,000 in the current school year to around 18,500 in the 2014/15 school year.

Currently around 11,000 pupils, mainly in Reception to Year 2 classes, are being taught in temporary classrooms such as portacabins because local authorities have received

insufficient funding for permanent school places.

London is short of £310 million to provide all kids the necessary place in school. The low amount of funding provided to London in 2011/12 reflects the fact that the Government did not take into account the existing capacity of schools in an area to meet any increase in pupil numbers.

Universities penalised for recruiting too many students It is irony at its very best as on one hand universities have been fined £8.1million for recruiting too many students while on the other tens of thousands of students are missing out on essentiality of university education.

Some 19 institutions in England were penalised after exceeding strict Government limits on the number of new entrants, it was revealed. Four were

fined more than £1m while another 15 face smaller claw-backs. Also 33 colleges will be docked a total of £500,000.

London South Bank will lose £2.2m, Middlesex is fined £1.4m, Greenwich £1.2m, Manchester Metropolitan £1.1m and Teesside is hit by £900,000 as fines. The penalties were imposed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England as part of a con-

troversial system designed to limit the cost to the taxpayer of sending young people to university.

Institutions face losing £3,750 for each student recruited beyond strict targets.

The move came following unprecedented demand for university places last summer, with more than 200,000 students who applied failing to get on to a degree course.

11

Child sexualisation rampant in UK Kartik.S.Raval Nine out of 10 parents in the UK have raised concerns that their children are made to grow up too early due to the prevalent environment in public places and the negative influence of television.

The conclusion is derived by a government commissioned research into the sexualisation of children which was conducted by Mothers' Union Head Reg Bailey. The research that interviewed 1,025 parents of five to 16-year-olds states that about 40% parents have seen indecent and vulgar things in public places, including shop window displays and advertising hoardings that they felt were inappropriate for children to see because of their sexual content.

Moreover, 41% of parents said they have seen programmes or adverts on television before 9pm that they feel are unsuitable for similar reasons.

Most parents also blamed music videos and celebrity for child sexualisation as they are continuously encouraging children to

act older than they really are.

Other areas of concern included adult-style clothing aimed at young children as well as toys and games that they felt were inappropriate. Due to the alarming rate of increase of commercial and sexualised culture and behaviour, parents

are worried that it is preventing them from nurturing their kids the way they want.

The research is not over yet as now it is looking into ways to cut down on this serious issue of sexualisation amongst the children in the UK. The review will decide whether there should be a restriction on retailers selling sexualised products aimed at children,

such as T-shirts with print “Porn star” or padded bras for fairly young girls.

Some of the other items being criticised include books, pencil cases and other products with the Playboy logo.

A code of conduct on "age appropriate" marketing and a new watchdog are among plans being considered by the review. Mr Bailey is due to publish a full report in May. In 2006, David Cameron ignited a war against High Street stores selling harmful and creepy clothes that sexualise young children. He rightly said that the retailers selling high-heeled shoes, boob tubes, padded bras, bikinis and mini skirts to girls as young as six are harming the society and robbing children of their innocence. But with five years gone the issue is very much alive and growing in intensity and not much is done to protect the kids from this manipulative use of commercial sexualisation.

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Scrutator’s Swaminathan Aiyer's robust analysis (The Times of India April 4) of the encouraging rise in Indian literacy figures, as revealed by the country's Census report, exposed a multitude of myths peddled by the two Communist parties of India and likeminded rabble rousing groups for whom economic reform has meant empowering a rich, self-perpetuating elite. Not so, counters Mr Aiyer. In the last two decades, starting in 1991 when economic liberalisation in India began, literacy has expanded by 21.83 points. In the previous two decades, from 1961 to 1981, it was just 13 points. Mr Aiyer writes: “Literacy is not an elite benefit. It benefits those at the social bottom, giving them dignity, status and income potential.....Clearly literacy has accelerated in the reform era, most of all in the poorest states.....When literacy in any state crosses 70 per cent, it means the vast majority of children are in school, and the remaining illiterates are overwhelmingly adults lacking motivation who tend to stay illiterate.....However, low-literacy states made spectacular jumps. In Bihar, long the worst performer, literacy shot up from 47 per cent to 63.82 per cent, up 16.82 percentage points. Big gains came in other poor, backward states – Uttar Pradesh (11.45 points), Jharkand (16.07 points, Orissa (10.37 points) and Assam (9.93 points)......Happily, female literacy has shot up faster than male literacy.

Phenomenal gains in female literacy have been recorded v in the last decade in Bihar (19.76 points), UP (16.28 points), Jharkand (15.89 points) and Orissa (13.39 points).”

Andhra Pradesh in the south (where progress has long been the highest in the land) lags behind the the rest of the country, Mr Aiyer points out.

The rise in literacy, he continues, “is a consequence of social spending. Forget leftist falsehoods about neglect of social spending. New Delhi's social spending (mainly on education and health) was just 1.28 per cent of GDP in 1992-93, but has skyrocketed over the last two decades to 7.27 of GDP.....In sum, the [economic] reform era has sparked an explosive growth in social spending, which has led to much larger decline in illiteracy and infant mortality.....[Despite the myriad shortcomings that plague the administration] the news from the census is heartening,” concludes Swaminathan Aiyer.

Catching up with US Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Professor CNR Rao FRS, told students, during a special lecture at the Agriculture College near Hassan in Karnataka, to work hard to improve the quality of research.

Professor CNR Rao FRS

Referring to China's reported goal to beat the United States in scientific research by 2013, Professor Rao, an internationally acclaimed chemist, said that, while China might beat the US in the number of research papers it produced in a year, it would take it 50 years to meet the standards of research in America. However, India had the potential to meet US standards, provided talented people got the opportunities to fulfill themselves (The Hindu April 1).

Meanwhile, The Times of India reported from London

(March 28) that one of Britain's top industrial designers Sir James Dyson had alleged that Chinese students in UK universities were stealing scientific and technological secrets and passing them on to their country.

“They [Chinese students] go back home taking that science and technology knowledge with them and then they start competing with us. It is mad. It is madness,” he told the British Universities Minister David Willets, who said he would carefully study the evidence presented to him.

The Universities chief executive Nicola Dandridge said: “We are very aware of this is going on and we are taking it very seriously.”

Electronic engineering and computer sciences were suspected to be among the two sectors where most technology is being stolen. According to Sir James Dyson, many Chinese students continue to do so even after leaving the UK. “Bugs are left in PCs so that data continues to be transmitted after the students return home,” he said (The Sunday Times reporters Robert Watts and Jack Grimston first broke the story on March 27).

Indian firms create US jobs The Hindu newspaper (April 1) states that Indian companies in the US, through their acquisition of local firms, saved 2,585 American jobs that were earmarked for closure during the global econom-

ic crisis, quoting a Confederation Indian Industry (CII) report, which also averred that 35 top Indian companies in the US employ over 60,000 people across 40 states and over 80 per cent of the workforce was locally hired.

Releasing the CII survey, Indian Roots American Soil, at a star-studded meeting at Washington's Capitol Hill, the Indian Ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, said: “Indian businesses have cooperated with US companies in developing globally relevant products, processes and technology solutions.” She noted that these companies, which spanned a

to interact with members of the US Congress.

Ms Pasricha told reporters that Congressional leaders were becoming aware of Indian companies' footprints in their respective districts, and this awareness would improve the prospects of Indian companies wishing to invest in US states in the future.

Nuclear plants in full capacity The Indian Express states (April 6): “The benefits of the landmark civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States are begin-

Former Indian Air Chief Marshal Dennis A. La Fontaine, who died in Hyderabad, news which we received as we went to press

Cricket as leveller

Tarapur nucleat plant near Mumbai

Sreeram Chaulia's Asian Times (Hong Kong) piece on the social significance of India's cricket World Cup success is well worth a read.

Victory, which was achieved in a gruelling tournament of 41 weeks underscored the team's character and will to win, and reflected the 'India rising story,' says the author.

National self confidence received a shot in the arm.

“This 'feel-good' sentiment despite daily frustrations has not been limited to the privileged elite, but has percolated deeper and driven a generally observable quest for selfimprovement and material gain. Travels into India's poorest villages ....and urban slums show a strange resilience and collective will not just to survive but to rise out of misery and script a more hopeful future.....it was the masses of India who took to the streets as the national team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The slumdogs felt that they had arrived....Historian Boria Majumdar has shown in his classic Twenty Two Yards to Freedom, how cricket has been a means to cross class barriers” and become an instrument of India's democratisation, its willingness and capacity to provide a level playing field for all its citizens on life's great journey.

range of sectors from services ning to show in the performto manufacturing, had not only ance of India's nuclear power generated and sustained thouplants. With international consands of direct and indirect trols on uranium imports by employment in the US, but had India finally gone, there has also “contributed to the global been a sharp spurt in nuclear competitiveness of US compapower generation this nies.” year.....Every one of the counThe CII survey showed that try's nine nuclear plants that President Obama's visit to were under IAEA safeguards – India in November last year and thus eligible to use importhad produced a plethora of ed fuel – is now running at 100 Indo-US commercial deals valper cent capacity.....The curued at $14 billion, with $9.5 rent situation is in sharp conbillion in increased US trast to the one a couple of exports, leading to the creation years back, when, faced with of 53,670 American jobs. acute shortage of domestic These results, it was hoped, uranium, nearly all reactors would dispel fears in the US were running at less than half Congress that US jobs were their capacity.” Those who led being lost through outsourcing the opposition to this landto countries such as India. mark Indo-US accord, such as Expressing optimism on the the pro-China Communist Indo-US relationship, Party of India (Marxist), or Republican Senator John CPM, for short, and its rightCornyn from Texas, co-Chair of wing Hindu nationalist bedfelthe Senate India Caucus, said: low, the Bharatiya Janata Party “The relationship between the (BJP), should be chewing the US the world's oldest democracud. cy – and India – the largest democracy – has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.Trade in goods and services between the two countries has grown exponentially.

Kiran Pasricha, Deputy Director General of CII, underscoring the fresh perspective the survey had provided, said: “This is CII's first major attempt in bringing together Indian companies with operations in the US, as a group, Indian cricket fan celabrating the world cup victory in Delhi

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

13

Lecturer accuses BMI for racism

Brixton Mayhem London stood still on 11th April 1981, also known as Bloody Saturday, as it witnessed one of the largest racial outburst in the history of the UK. The Black community clashed with the police as Brixton went up in flames and hundreds of rioters, policemen and members of public were left severely injured.

Thirty years back, Brixton was an area enduring severe social and economic problems; the local community was suffering high unemployment, low wages, poor housing, and had access to very few amenities, all of which contributed to a higher than average crime rate.

At the beginning of April, the Metropolitan Police began 'Operation Swamp 81' as plain clothes police officers were dispatched into Brixton, and within five days almost 950 people were stopped and searched on the basis of 'suspicion' of wrongdoing through the heavy use of the 'Sus Law'.

This increased the tension between the police and the community which eventually lead to one of the darkest day.

As a consequence of the Scarman report a new code for police behavior was put forward in the Police and Criminal Evidence

Act 1984;and the act also created an independent Police Complaints Authority, established in 1985, to attempt to restore public confidence in the police.

The racial tension did not curb down after the Brixton mishap and aftermath fhad ollowed between 3 and 11 July of that year. There were more unrest fueled by racial and social discord in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Southampton, Halifax, Bedford, Gloucester, Wo l v e r h a m p t o n , Coventry, Bristol and Edinburgh.

Headlines in New Life on 17 April 1981:-

nities.

Two Iron Maidens The British Prime Minister, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, who was on a five-day official visit to India gave a press conference to the members of Indian Journalists Association on 9thApril. Mrs Thatcher said, “Can I just say at the beginning that I am very much looking forward to the visit. India is so important and Smt. Gandhi is such a world statesman, that one does not need to give a special reason to visit India.”

Editor & Publisher of New Life and now Asian Voice, CB Patel accompanied Mrs. Margaret Thatcher in her visit to India as she looked forward to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Baroness donates Nehru Award sum to Amte Baroness Barbara Ward Jackson of the UK, recipient of Jawaharlal Nehru Award for I n t e r n a t i o n a l Understanding for 1980 had donated the prize money of Rs 100,000 to Baba Amte, the noted social worker in the field of leprosy. Baba Amte who had already donated Rs 300,000, decided to utilise that money for the upliftment of the tribals in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.

British Nationality Law: Labour's alternative to the Tory Bill

Brixton Inferno The weekend's toll of Lord Scarman headed the violence and destrucenquiry into the mishap tion in Brixton was Roy Hattersley MP, Subsequently Lord heavy. 178 policemen Shadow Home Secretary Scarman was appointed were injured, some very and Joan Lestor MP by then Home Secretary seriously, 163 persons pledged that 'The Tory William Whitelawon 14 arrested, hundreds of Nationality Bill was April 1981 to hold the rioters and innocent racist and sexist. The enquiry into the riots. members of the The Scarman report public hurt, 26 published on November b u i l d i n g 25, 1981 stated that destroyed and Operation Swamp millions of 81was conducted by the pounds worth of police without any condamage caused. sultation with the comBut the damage munity or the home-beat to the community officers.

Liaison relations in the arrangements between borough and perBrixton caught in the police, community and haps elsewhere local authority had colgrip of chaos proved to be the lapsed before the riots most telling casuand according to the alty of all.

Labour Party was fightScarman report, the There were scenes of ing it tooth and nail and Metropolitan police was mayhem never seen line by line. If it becomes 'inheritantly racist' and before in London. There law then the next local community miswere already warnings Labour Government will trusted the police about it in Birmingham, repeal both the Bill and because of their discrimManchester and Cardiff, its equally racist predeinative methods of policall of which largely concessor, the 1971 ing. stituted of black commuImmigration Act.'

Dr Ashok Malhotra, lecturer at Edinburgh University has made a complaint of alleged racial harassment against BMI flight attendant after being told not to sleep with his hands covered as "a matter of security", as reported by a local media.

Malhotra, 32, was told he would be escorted off the BMI Baby plane if he did not keep his hands visible at all times. He was born in the UK but is of Indian descent and said that he would not have been treated the same way if he was white,

and has been backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland.

A flight attendant allegedly woke him after he had covered his head and hands with his jacket, saying his actions had "disturbed" other passengers. Dr. Malhotra said, "The flight had taken off and I had got to sleep when I was woken up by the air stewardess who said: 'Can you take this off please, the other passengers are very disturbed and I'm not comfortable with it either due to security reasons.”

TB on the rise in and around London detailed in a report on the modern TB situation in London, as well as the UK as a whole. The report’s author, Professor Alimuddin Zumla of University College London, attributes the rise to people living under “Victorian” conditions, with poor housing, inadequate ventilation and overcrowding in certain deprived areas of London.

Professor Zumla has called for the implementation of a London-wide strategy to help control the disease.

London is “the TB capital of Europe”, The Daily Telegraph has reported. The newspaper says that Britain is now the only nation in Western Europe with rising levels of tuberculosis, with more than 9,000 cases diagnosed annually. In London, where 40% of UK cases are reportedly diagnosed, the number of cases has risen by almost 50% since 1999, up from 2,309 in 1999 to 3,450 in 2009.

The Guardian has also discussed the rising prevalence of the disease, which was

Incidents like these are continuously raising fears that passengers of Asian or Muslim appearance are being discriminated against by some airline staff because of heightened tensions over terrorist attacks. The Civil Aviation Authority, which regulates airlines, says there are no rules disallowing passengers from having their heads or hands covered during a flight. "I would like a personal apology from the air stewardess and for them to accept that this was abusive behaviour," added Dr Malhotra.

Indian restaurant face £20,000 fine Nas Nabi, owner of K2 restaurant in Bathgate, Glasgow is fearing that his business might be made to shut down if forced to pay up UK Border Agency's (UKBA) fine of £20,000 for employing illegal immigrants twice in five months. An Indian man was found working illegally at the restaurant in UKBA's latest raid and steps are being taken to deport him. In November UKBA found another man working illegally at K2 and he has already been deported.

Mr. Nabi said that the earlier incident was a genuine mistake as he failed to ask for a passport and documents from his new employee while he has denied any failure in the current situation as according to him, the man was still not his employee and it was his first day when he was supposed to bring in the documents.

Finance Banking and Insurance Magazine (FBI) Look out for the 2011 Edition &

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COMMUNITY

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Imperial Golf estates plans to put Punjab on the global golfing circuit The Imperial Golf Estate plans to put Ludhiana, Punjab on the global golfing circuit as a Championship Nicklaus Design course may attract international players and golf tournaments, making Punjab a golfing destination. Punjab has a very rich sporting tradition, and in the past decade or so, has produced great golfing talent, such as Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar, who are ranked number 2 and 3 respectively in India.

“We are definitely hoping to host international golfing events in the future at this Golf Estate and who knows, we get to see Tiger Woods teeing with Jeev Milkha Singh here someday,” said Mr Vijay Chowdhry, Director, Imperial Golf Estate at a press briefing at Crowne Plaza London-St. James on Thursday, 7 April, 2011.

Mr Kapil Dev, legendary Indian cricketer, who was also present at the press briefing, talked about The Imperial Golf Estate and its role in the promotion of golf in the country.

He said, “We must encourage such projects work towards the upliftment of society. Bigger organisations

On the 17th April this year, I will be embarking on a first time experience of a gruelling run over 26 miles for the London 2011 Marathon. I have been training for some time now and feel fairly confident that I will finish the course. However two weeks is a very short time and there are still the last minute nerves of undertaking such a huge challenge.

The route will take me from Lewisham to Buckingham Palace, through the city of London, crowds of people will be cheering us on towards what I am hoping will feel like a huge achievement at the end.

I will be running for Oxfam where I also work as a press officer.

My role involves raising awareness of what the charity is doing through newspapers, TV, radio and online.

As I push myself to run most evenings during the week covering huge amounts of mileage that I never thought possible a few weeks back, what drives me most is what the money that I am raising will be going towards.

Directors of The Imperial Golf Estate, Silverglades, BCRE and IL&FS receiving an award from Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP similar to the Imperial Golf Estate cally sweat it out and play,” he said. need to make the effort to encourage Spread over 280 acres of land off sport academies in all parts of our the Ferozepur Road, the facility country,” he said. when completed will have beautiful“I am confident that golf is going ly designed villas and homes dotting to get much bigger in our country the fairways and the greens. and younger generations need to be In addition to bringing enormous given great international level faciliemployment opportunities to ties in sports to encourage the Punjab, this project will also encourimmense talent we have in India. I age young people to take up the also wish to encourage the new gensport through the Imperial Golf eration to not spend all their time on Academy & Driving Range, which is already functional. computers, but to go out and physi-

I will be raising ￡2,000 for Oxfam to help people in places such as Sri Lanka. There the money will be spent helping 1,500 farmers Jonaid Jilani earn 20% more from their dairy products, by providing machinery, training and mentoring, and by helping people to introduce new products like pasteurised and sterilised milk.

But Sri Lanka isn’t the only country that will benefit from my sweat and blisters Oxfam will use the money to help farmers in Ethiopia, Honduras, Sri Lanka and Tanzania to earn more to support their families.

The fundraising itself is almost like a marathon. Friends, family and work colleagues have been extremely supportive. From cake sales at work to fun quiz nights, so far I have raised ￡500 – just a quarter of my target, but I feel confident I will

reach my goal.

Many find the fundraising just as challenging as the training itself and the good thing is many of my colleagues at work are also running, which helps in terms of sharing training and fundraising techniques and generally motivating each other.

Oxfam is the official charity of the 2011 Virgin London Marathon and we are the first international development organisation to be given this role. As well as 550 runners taking part on behalf of the charity, many celebrities will also be running for Oxfam. And any Virgin London Marathon runners who are not already raising money for a particular charity can still sign up to fundraise for Oxfam's work at www.oxfam.org.uk/Running/Races/ London-Marathon The road ahead seems very very long, but with the motivation of others and knowing that the money raised will go to help those in need, I can definitely see the finish line.

For more information on Oxfam and running see: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/running

An evening with Mumbai Jazz ‘Bombay Jazz’ was a group of four international musicians performing global jazz. They debuted in India in 2003 to critical and popular acclaim and a whirlwind tour of Europe in 2004 and the US in 2005 solidified the group’s creative reputation.

The group – now ‘Mumbai Jazz’ following a line-up change – are looking forward to performing together for the first time in April. Their music explores the melodic richness of raga, the dynamic rhythmic interplay of Indian classical music, and a harmonic range rarely heard in east-west fusions of any kind.

Fund raisal mehfil A fund raising mehfil night organised by Inner Joy Foundation on Saturday 2nd April.

The artists for the evening were: Vijyalaxmi Kara, Nawaid Jawaid, Himat Gami, Hanif Khan, Sunil Yadav, Kiran Patel and Bansi Chudasama. The IJF managed to raise over £2000 for the charity.

State Bank of India joins Piccadilly Circus

Running the 2011 Marathon

By Jonaid Jilani

News Brief

Ronu Majumdar

Larry Coryell

Each member of the quartet is an accomplished performer and improviser, with everybody contributing his own spices to the fragrant mix.

The musicians include Larry Coryell, who has performed alongside Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix and has

toured India with L. Subramanium and Shakti. He was in the original Bombay Jazz line-up, alongside worldrenowned flautist and Grammy nominee Ronu Majumdar, who has performed bansuri with Pandit Ravi Shankar, Beatle George Harrison

and guitarist Ry Cooder.

Viram Jasani of the Asian Music Circuit (AMC) said “we have a fine reputation for innovative productions and Mumbai Jazz is a great example of this. Working with Larry and Ronu, we recommended that two flutes could sound beautiful with the lyrical and virtuosic guitar.” So a second flautist (the American-Dutch Ned McGowan) was brought in, and Indian percussionist Rajesh Rajbhatt completes the line-up, who will be playing the pakhawaj.

Mumbai Jazz is touring this April: full details on www.amc.org.uk.

State Bank of India has recently started advertising on the iconic multi-media screens at Piccadilly Circus in Central London.

Located above Barclays bank, its presence is indicative of the ongoing success of Indian companies in the UK. The advert runs for ten seconds, twice per minute, displaying the SBI logo, slogans and website. Please find a photo and video attached.

State Bank of India currently has eight branches across the UK - in the City, East Ham and Golders Green in London, Birmingham, Harrow, Leicester, Manchester and Southall - and will shortly be opening two additional branches in Wolverhampton and Coventry.

The bank offers a number of high-interest, bestbuy savings accounts and is set to launch a mortgage product in the UK this year.

Taste of Africa in Britain

Meena Jasani President Lioness Club of London Greeen, Lion Brinder Nandra, Kaushik Lakhani, CarEducation Trustee, Bharatbhai Solanki, CarEducation and Lioness Members

On 25th March 2011 The Lioness Club of London Golders Green under the Leadership of Lioness President Meena Jasani in corroboration with CarEducation Trust under Trustee Kaushik Lakhani, transformed The VIP Lounge in Edgware into a mini Africa with African ambience, food and dancers in grand style to raise money for a Mombasa disabled girls’ rehabilitation centre, Kowolo hospital in Kampala and a school in Lugazi. Over 360 guests attended which included dignitaries like Mr.C.B. Patel and Kokilaben of Gujrat Samachar, thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Total raised was over £15,000.

The Lionesses and CarEducation work selflessly to raise money for the less fortunate and their families making a big difference to their lives.

Arvind Ruparaliya and Miss Paula Bridges, Head of 12 Northolt Scouts with young scout members and others

The young members of 12 Northolt Scouts Group visited Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford on 6th April 2011.

They had a good time as they learnt a lot about the Mandir, the Hindu culture and Jalarm Bapa.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel’s

The Entrepreneurs are the new Freedom Fighters Dear Prime Minister, God bless the dreamers and the entrepreneurs. For your predecessors to lose America would be considered a misfortune. To lose India too, would seem to be the act of madness. So it is in 300 years Britain lost the world’s largest economy today – the USA – and the world’s largest economy then at the height of the British Empire – India.

Having lost an Empire, it now stands to self-destruct unless the lessons are headed urgently. After all you Prime Minister state the entrepreneurs are needed to save the country and protect its future.

Recently it was a few wealthy people, some Indian, who threatened to leave Britain because their values as business people and entrepreneurs were under attack.

They said they were being too heavily taxed and attacked through the domicile system. Some left.

Now it is the biggest business corporations threatening to leave Britain for the same reasons; they work hard to create profits but are not being respected.

I used to disagree with them. Feeling they were unpatriotic. I have changed my mind. I have experienced firsthand what it means when you are not respected by the British Establishment as an entrepreneur, as a business.

When you are belittled as an ‘aspirant’ with dreams. When income you generate goes from your industry to the lazy and idle. Those who can work, but spend more industry finding excuses than jobs. The perennially ill, conspiring with doctors for false medical reports. Anything to avoid working for income, preferring the indignity of a handout than the honour of paycheck.

When will the British learn the lessons America and India taught them. Just to be clear – the American and Indian declarations of Independence although 200 years apart were fundamentally the same. Both countries were being economically ruined by the British. Both had values the British neither shared nor understood. The American’s Declared Independence to pursue their American Dream.

A Dream. Dreamers. And today, the greatest entrepreneurial nation on the planet, the USA, supports the global economy – 10 times economically larger than its nearest rival. So Britain lost the dreamers and entrepreneurs. And this is the Indian Declaration of Independence delivered on January 26th, 1930 by Nehru: “We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth. We believe also that if any government deprives a people of these rights and oppresses them the people have a further right to alter it or abolish it. The British government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally and spiritually. We believe therefore, that India must sever the British connection and attain complete independence.”

And this is the American Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.’

So Prime Minister – you need to change the attitude of the British Establishment to entrepreneurs and dreamers.

Create the British Dream. Otherwise, it’s not the Indian leaving you will have worry about, or the big corporations leaving, but your fellow entrepreneurial Britons too.

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15

Asian theme set for UK cultural fest Kartik.S.Raval This year the worldfamous annual Edinburgh International Festival will revolve around an Asian theme with more than eight Indian personalities already invited to perform in Edinburgh between August 12 and September 3.

(L to R) Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Shashi Tharoor and many more will appear at Edinburgh International Festival Cultural enthusiasts will be able to see the likes series of debates called Continental each other over years of building of sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar, Shifts. longstanding relationships,” said sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, In keeping with the festival’s Mills, who has directed the festival Bangalore-based classical dance long-term goal of not being Europefor five years and is currently in group Nrityangam Dance Ensemble centric, festival director Jonathan Mumbai to launch the festival proand Rajasthani folk musicians Lakha Mills has chosen Asian culture as gramme in India.

Khan, Kadar Khan and Bhanwari the theme for the 2011 festival.

The Edinburgh Festival, founded Devi. in 1947, is one of Europe's most pop“Though Indians have performed Also Indian writers and intellecat the festival before, this year is speular and reputed cultural festivals tuals Shashi Tharoor, Tarun Tejpal cial because it is about the influence that draw more than two million and Shoma Chaudhury will give that Asia and Europe have had on people to the city every year. talks on a changing India as part of a

The 'smilers' that launched a mighty frown Continued from page 1 Subrata Roy, 62, whose business empire bought the five-star Grosvenor House in Park Lane for £470m last December, added that he was moving the centre of his operations to London.

According to the invitation by Swapna Roy, his wife, the event was held to celebrate Royal Mail's honour to Subrata Roy for his contributions through the inauguration of some special set of stamps, bearing his image. Amid the splendour of launch, Mr Roy had reportedly told the guests: “I don’t have voice to express my heartfelt gratitude to Royal Mail for issuing the special stamp. I don’t think I deserve it. I will try to come up to the expectation of such a great honour.”

But, to the embarrassment of all, it has now emerged that anyone can order a sheet of such 20 stamps in which their own photographs appear next to a genuine stamp at a cost of £15!

In fact it can be bought online via the Royal Mail's website and are known as 'Smilers'. It is believed these stamps were bought through an agent in India, and Sahara Group purchased a total of 10,000, the Sunday Times has reported.

When the Indian journalists present in the UK sought clarification from the officials of the Sahara Group about these

stamps, the officials allegedly responded aggressively. Not only that, an Indian TV reporter was allegedly asked to speak to her colleague in India in order to be talked out of pursuing the story.

Another newspaper correspondent was allegedly told that he should not mess around with Sahara! The incident was taken to the executive members of Indian Journalists’ Association in a meeting on 8th April.

IJA President Ashis Ray has issued a letter to Subrata Roy, urging him to look into the 'mishandling of the Indian media' by the officials in London.

The evening of 5th April was also marked by the presence of many local

dignitaries including 15 members from the Houses of Parliament such as Lord Dholakia, Baroness Shreela Flather, Lord Swraj Paul, Lord Loomba, Lord Gulam Noon, Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP, to name a few.

Asian Voice approached some of the peers and MPs for their comments on this controversial inauguration of the stamps.

Lord Dholakia told Asian Voice, "I had no idea about all this controversy.

It was a perfect reception and I had gone to the event only to support an entrepreneur like Subrata Roy, who has done so much of good work!"

Lord Gulam Noon told Asian Voice, "Subrata is an entrepreneur of par excellence. Not only a successful businessman, but he has done so much for the charities. A man so wise, had he known the reality of these stamps, he surely would not have gone this way! It is not a nice thing to condemn him. Mr Subrata Roy is a good man, but on this occasion he was wrongly advised!"

According to a national daily, Cherie Blair told an Indian business journalist present on the evening: “I have no idea about how you get stamps issued or produced by Royal Mail here at all, but I do think it is an amazing achievement, all that the company has achieved.”

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16 Asian Voice Saturday 16th April 2011

Pak PM Gilani is a big Ash fan

Priyanka to act in Mani Ratnam movie?

Mani Ratnam's on-screen adaptation of Kalki's epic novel 'Ponniyin Selvan' is getting bigger and better.

After making several films with elements of history or mythology, this time the ace director is planning a full fledged adaptation of the novel.

Vijay will play the courageous warrior Va l l a v a r a y a n Vandiyatheyan and Mahesh Babu will play King Aditha Karikalan.

Arya will be Arulmozhi

Varman in the film, which also has Anushka Shetty as Mahesh Babu's younger sister and Vijay's love interest.

Now the latest buzz is that the director has approached Priyanka Chopra to play a prominent role in the film.

'Ponniyin Selvan' is widely regarded as the greatest novel ever written in Tamil. It deals with the fortunes of the Chola Empire during the 10th century.

Call it Bollywood, Kollywood or Tollywood, Hansika Motwani is everywhere. At just 19 years of age, Hansika is already one of the most sought-after actresses down South. Though her last Bollywood release ('Money Hai Toh Honey Hai') is now nearly three

years old, she still has a sizeable fan base there, thanks to Himesh Reshammiya's 'Aap Ka Surroor'. Hansika is now one of the biggest names in Tollywood, and is all set to storm Kollywood with 'Mapillai', which would hit the screens on April 8.

Hansika Motwani hot with all the ‘Woods’

Vivek’s 25 years in Tamil cinema

He began with a small role in ‘Manadhil Urudhi Vendum.’ He was introduced by the famous K. Balachander. Vivek, the actor has laughed his way into the hearts of his millions of fans. He began his stint with minor roles way back in 1986 and now

after 25 fantastic years has a stable, unshakable place in Tamil cinema as well as in the hearts of the people of Tamil Nadu.

The actor revealed that he was 25 years old in Tamil cinema during the audio launch of his upcoming film ‘Mappillai’ starring Dhanush and Hansika Motwani.

Vivek’s previous film with Dhanush was ‘Padikadhavan’ and the comedy track in the film was received very well.

The best part of Vivek’s comedy is that the actor beautifully infuses contemporary issues in his comedy also providing a solution which goes right into the mind of the viewer and makes him think.

Pakistan prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is apparently a big fan of Bollywood actress Aishwarya RaiBachchan. He has reportedly confessed, time and again, that he is a great fan of the doeeyed beauty. Not only that, Gilani has also apparently written about his admiration for Ash in his book that he wrote when he was imprisoned during the regime of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

"Gilani has clearly written in his book, Chah-e-Yousuf Saay Sada, that he used to watch Aishwarya's movies on his laptop while he was in prison (during 2001-06) during the Pervez Musharraf regime. Since then, he's been an ardent fan of the actor. It was discov-

ered that while doing our research in scheduling his meeting with the then external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee in 2008," says a former Pranab Mukherjee aide.

Aishwarya's films had earlier played a part in diplomacy in 2008, when Pranab visited Pakistan. He had carried a DVD box of Ash's movies. "It was a pleasant surprise for Gilani who has always listed Aishwarya and Shahrukh Khan as his favourite film stars. He was very happy and described it as a 'pleasant surprise' when he opened the box," reveals the aide. Ash and Gilani has not met till now though the Pakistani PM was in Mohali to watch the cricket match between India and Pakistan.

Getting into Bollywood not easy: Caterina Lopez Caterina Lopez who shares her lineage with Jennifer Lopez has found it difficult to make a mark in Bollywood.

Caterina, a trained salsa and hip-hop dancer, makes her entry into the Hindi film industry with an item song in the film ''Bhindi Baazar Inc'', which stars veterans like Kay Kay Menon and Shilpa Shukla.

"It is not easy to get into Bollywood. The audition was tough and being an outsider, I found it difficult to master the dance moves, especially the hand gestures but I am getting the hang of it now," said Caterina.

The 23-year-old actress who is planning to take up classes in Hindi, is keen to have a long association with Bollywood, unlike many other stars who fade away due to the language barrier.

"Trust me...I am making an effort to learn Hindi and want to act the proper way

instead of being dubbed. That is my goal. I am taking tutorials for Hindi. It will be for 5 days a week. I am trying hard to make my mark and I hope the Indian audience accepts me," adds Caterina.

Unlike her cousin Jennifer Lopez who is a pop diva, Caterina is reluctant to try her hand in singing and admits she is more passionate about dancing and acting.

"I have no plans to sing, it is not my cup of tea. I am more into dancing and acting," says the debutante.

"Right now I do have some Hollywood projects but I am not allowed to speak about it.

Some really good stuff is lined up," says Caterina.

Though she is not familiar with many Bollywood stars, Caterina is really keen to work with Akshay Kumar. "I want to work with Akshay Kumar. He is a great actor and I think we will have a good screen chemistry," she says.

Freida Pinto reveals her beauty secret “Slumdog Millionaire” star Freida Pinto has revealed the secret of her flawless skin drinking "vegetable juice".

The Mumbai-born actress, who is the face of L'Oreal make-up and has been on the cover of many a fashion magazine, insisted her concoctions, which she makes with fresh vegetables and coriander, improve her complexion, reported Daily Record. "I make loads of fresh vegetable juices with coriander or pepper so that it's tastier.

The concoction makes my skin glow and is good for the digestive system too," said Pinto.

Salman Khan demands 200 mn to work with Yash Raj After the huge success of ‘Dabangg’, Salman Khan has become a hot property and he is in the wish list of most B-Town directors.

Buzz has it that the flamboyant star is considering working with the Yash Raj banner but on his own terms.

A magazine has reported that director Kabir Khan is hell bent on having Salman on board for his next flick for the big banner. And Sallu is ready to keep his differences with the Yash Raj scion Aditya Chopra aside and do the film with the director.

However, the handsome superstar has quoted a whopping Rs 200 million for the film. Moreover, the actor has bluntly refused to work with Kabir, if Sallu’s ex-ladylove Katrina Kaif is paired opposite him.

This Khan of Tinsel Town is probably the only actor who can make people dance to his tunes. And even the directors and producers are more than willing to do anything for the magnanimous star.

AKShAy KuMAr wants to keep his remuneration a top secret 'Never ask a woman her age and a man his salary'. However, when it comes to the world of glamour where a celebrity's life is out there in open with millions dying to know what happens behind the scenes, the golden rule is pretty much kept aside consciously. An actress' age is always under scrutiny and an actor's remuneration a hot topic for discussion.

"The same is happening for Akshay Kumar as well whose compensation has traditionally been the centre of attraction, ever since he came into the topmost bracket of actors", says a trade insider, "There have been countless speculations around what he is getting paid for the sequel to Ekta Kapoor's “Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.”

While some state that the amount is around Rs 150 million, many have even pegged the amount to be in excess of Rs 200 million. There are also rumours in the air that just like many of his recent films, even ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2’ would have Akshay in a part-

nership mode with the producer."

Akshay is expectedly not too pleased with all the loose talks and refuses to go on records about the amount he charges. "I would never even consider setting any records straight or even think to speak about any such numbers in any way, shape, or form, especially if it was just to satisfy anyone's curiosity.

When I wouldn't want the world to be walking into my home, why would I want them walking into my accountant’s office."

Akki says, “Please do not find me rude if I don't really want to discuss my salary with anyone. This principle goes for all my work. Trust me when I say this that I do not discuss my financials even with my mother, wife or my sister the three people who are closest to me.

Reason being that it neither matters nor makes a difference to anyone other than my producer and myself. Even celebrities have their personal lives and there are some things that are best kept private, one should understand that."

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

17

Beard…it’s just that I’m lazy shaving it: Abhi “You call it a look ! I will say that the beard is the result of my morning laziness,” I don’t style it or fashion it, it’s just there.

While his trademark beard is catching fast among youth, he is simply cool about it. Abhishek Bachchan was in Ahmedabad for promotion of his new film “Dum Maaro Dum.” Dressed in urban sexy pink his fashion had Dum. “Goa Ane Ka, Khane Ka, Pine Ka…..Par Dum Nahi marne ka….” But “Yeh film tau dum maregi.”

bribe or offer one. I appreciate Anna Hazare’s efforts, he has proved that even impossible things can be made possible with team efforts. My support will always be there for such anti-corruption movements.”

Abhishek has sung a hip-hop song "Thayn Thayn", composed by Pritam Chakroborty. The lyrics talk about dealing with corruption and changing society.

Considerate that he is, he is asked about handling his star status. “Oh!

One more chance for Shraddha Kapoor to prove her mettle Shakti Kapoor's daughter Shraddha, who made her debut with "Teen Patti", has got another chance to prove her acting prowess. She has bagged lead role in "Luv Ka The End" and says it gives her another opportunity to prove her acting skill.

"I didn't consider my first film as my launch pad. People exaggerated that a star kid is being launched. I am not a rocket that I would be launched repeatedly. Honestly, in my first film, I got an opportunity to show that I can act and this is second one," Shraddha said. Y-films is launching a new face, Taaha Shah opposite Shraddha in "Luv ka The End", which is slated for release on May 6.

There was no dearth of big names in the cast of director Leena Yadav's "Teen Patti" - from Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan to Hollywood veteran Ben Kingsley were present in it, but they couldn't turn the movie into a profitable box office venture.

"I met people who had never heard of 'Teen Patti'. It hurts. I was

really low when it didn't do well.

First film really matters. If first film doesn't work, it's very difficult to get your second film," said Shraddha.

"In fact, after 'Teen Patti', I auditioned for another film and I was finalised for it. But then someone else was taken for that part. I cried a lot," she added. Shraddha did everything possible to come out in flying colours through the audition of "Luv ka The End".

"Luckily, I have got an opportunity to work in the film. I thought either you cry or do something about it. When I got a call for the audition, I made sure that anyhow I have to get it. So I worked very hard, I worked harder than I expected myself to do," said Shraddha.

Y-Films, a youth films studio of Yash Raj Films, will give opportunities to fresh crop of directors and actors. It is ready with three films "Luv Ka The End" and "Virus Diwan" - both directed by Bumpy and "Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge", which is directed by Nupur Asthana.

Deepika turns down `40 mn offer Bollywood actress Deepika Pudkone has turned down a Rs 40 million offer to perform at a private party in London.a Punjabi family settled in London.

The offer from a wealthy Punjabi family settled in London was specific. She was to dance on her “Dum Maaro Dum” item number.

“Since Dippy was sporting an extremely sexy look in the song, they wanted her to wear the skimpy shorts and perform the same moves, " reveals a source.

A source from London reveals, "The DMD song has been playing in night clubs. The family who made the offer is extremely rich and wealthy and from Knightsbridge. They were ready to pay her a bomb just for one song. The actress initially thought it was a joke, but when the proposal came in the form of a letter with the amount cited, she was shocked.

Deepika is in demand with her new item number. She has had many such offers in the past, but has always refused them."

Director Rohan Sippy, Abhishek and Rana Daggubati

So what’s the USP of the film? Abhi replies “I will not name one, it’s several.

I think coolest one liners will work wonders. But my real USP is all of you.

My audience matters the most.” When people demand him to say “Ahmedabad rocks,” he replied, The production team of this film is from NID, Ahmedabad.”

And he speaks a dialogue “ Goli voh log chalate hai Jau dimaag nahi chalata”. This is the dialogue of “Dum Maro Dum” in which plays the role of brave a cop Kamat.

So as a cop what would he be doing for fighting corruption?

“Neither as a police or in my real life I would take

I am not God, but just one another human being.” “Ham bhi mehnat karte hai, sham ko ghar aah ke thoda dal-chawal khake sau jate hai”.

He has special regards for fans in London. He says that he does not much chance to holiday in London, but whenever he is working there, he has enjoyed his stay in London.

'Dum Maaro Dum' is an upcoming thriller directed by Rohan Sippy and stars Abhishek Bachchan, Rana Daggubati, Bipasha Basu and Prateik Babbar.

Deepika Padukone will be seen doing an item number in the film set for release on April 22.

- Purvi Apurva Shah

Photography bug bites Vidya Balan Vidya Balan has always been fond of photography. It has become something of a passion over the last two years. It began as a hobby while shooting for Salaam-E-Ishq. According to a source, "She gets snapping when she travels to shoots and other professional commitments. Though she has over 500 pictures saved, she is still undecided whether she wants to have an exhibition or not. She has only told close friends and family about it.

An exhibition entails lots of time and planning, something she doesn't have at the moment." It all started when she started using a camera phone. "Vidya recently bought an expensive digital camera and has graduated to using that. She has been reading up on photography. Her friends have been encouraging her to take it up professionally, but she's too busy now."

18

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Essar seeks RBI nod for Vodafone deal Ruias to honour all obligations in tandem with regulatory approval

Dear Financial Voice Reader, My open trades this past week: I am long the Euro over the Dollar. I see the Dollar weakening for the rest of the year. But we are currently going through a phase of short-term correction of the year’s trends. So expect in this week stocks and commodity prices to fall as you read about people buying bonds. They will tell you about oil declining because of the IMF report that global growth is weak.

Don’t fall for it. It is a buying opportunity. As the Dollar falls, those commodities priced in Dollars have to rise in price ie gold and oil. Why will the Dollar fall?

Because the deficits are getting more out of hand than before. And it’s a good thing for US exports and so US growth. Further, the Americans will be slower to raise rates than Europe, because they are more focussed on growth and less on deficits – as shown by their mentality. All reasons why the Dollar will fall. Probably it will be $1.8 to the £ this year.

And for you India watchers out there – the mighty Goldman Sachs have returned to being positive on the Nifty Index again. In terms of the valuation of the Nify it is can easily appreciate 15% from here – but the issue is by when? Will it be in 12 months? My money is on yes.

And now for the UK market. My money is on up rather than down. Sure we could always go to as low as 5600, our low point of the year so far, but 6100 is on the cards this year. In fact 6300 is on the cards this year. We are at 5960 as I write.

Individual stocks? One of the UK’s largest companies is Man Group. They are an investment firm, making their money from following stock market trends. I have an up bet on them. They are at 240p, they were touching 320p this year. 200p is a strong base. So I am looking to a 300p bounce on this one. I can’t see anything fundamentally wrong with the company – quite the reverse.

As for World Stock markets so far this year. The Emerging Markets of Mexico and Brazil are down, but it’s time to get back in. Money is starting to flow back into them. Taiwan is another one. In fact I like the Asia Pacific region as a whole. Tokyo has done the worst of course this year – down 7%, and Shangai the best – up 7%. I would think a basket which follows the Tokyo and Shanghai indices will do very well. India is off 7% but expect it to recover that this year.

What about Europe – all major European Indices are up this year so far. The Spanish being up 10%. But I think profits will be taken off the Spanish market despite the relief they’ve not needed a bailout…yet.

Of course I am not painting a picture of love and sunshine. I wouldn’t want to be near retail stocks for instance.

My blog is at www.alpeshblog.com and www.alpesh.tv you can see my latest TV commentary.

Alpesh.patel@tradermind.com

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The Essar Group has sought permission from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transfer 10.97% Indian shareholding in telecom joint venture Vodafone Essar Ltd to the foreign partner at a predetermined price of $1.2 billion, said sources familiar with the development.

RBI's decision will now be crucial in the tussle over valuation between the two partners, as the changed valuation methods stipulated by the banking regulator could fetch the stake a higher price, they added.

In a bid to stall aggressive overseas acquirers, RBI issued new guidelines last year making it mandatory to value the shares of India's privately-held firms under discounted cash flow method (as against comptroller of capital issue formula used in the past).

This would fetch Essar's 10.97% stake at least $500

million more than the predetermined value, sources said. Last week, Essar agreed to offload its entire 33% joint venture stake, including the Indian shares, to the foreign partner at predetermined price of $5 billion.

“It will be interesting to hear RBI's call on this one. At the moment, we do not know what happens if the regulator decides not to allow the share transfer at predetermined price,” said one source close to the Essar Group. Another source said the valuation of the stake in question would definitely be higher under the discounted valuation method, at least around $1.7 billion.

There are several other commercial arguments between the partners, which include a potential $750 million payout linked to VEL's 3G services. In 2010, Essar sought addi-

tional value from Vodafone linked to the 3G services, which the latter agreed to consider if the Ruias of Essar group decided to sell only a partial stake in the JV. But it is not clear what happens to the negotiated amount after Essar decided to exit completely.

Essar, on its part, believes the current dealmaking should include this since it was offloading shares when telecom valuations were depressed tracking more than anticipated 3G roll-out costs.

Sources said Vodafone and Essar have been sparring over at least ten such arguments while discussing valuations, which are still hurdles in the way of an amicable deal.

Vodafone Essar Ltd is a four year-old joint venture in which the British telecom giant owns a majority 67% stake. Essar can

Cairn extends deadline for Vedanta deal

Cairn India has extended by a month the deadline for completing the proposed sale of its sake to London-listed Vedanta Resources of Anil Agarwal.

Cairn Energy extended the deadline from April 15 to May 20 a day after the government of India referred the $9.6 billion deal to a ministerial panel.

The company management did not seek fresh approval from its shareholders for extending the deadline.

Ever since the deal was leaked in the UK media in August last year, Cairn Energy and its CEO Bill Gammel had repeatedly said the April 15 deadline

for completing the transaction, as envisaged in the initial agreement with Vedanta, was sacrosanct and would not be extended.

Market analysts said the fact that Cairn Energy did not go back to the shareholders means the company was prepared for a long haul to see the deal through and may have been trying to put pressure on the government by say-

ing they would not extend the deadline.

British prime minister David Cameron had also written to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to say that the CairnVedanta deal, among several other transactions, were facing “regulatory hurdles”, which was not conducive to improved bilateral business ties.

Singh too had asked the oil ministry to take a call on the deal by January.

The Cabinet’s panel on economic affairs had referred the deal to a ministerial panel under finance minister Pranab Mukherjee after sharp differences arose among ministers on how to clear the deal.

Shashi Ruia

offload its entire shares through a combination of ‘put’ and ‘call’ options by May 8, 2011. Essar's 22% shareholding is held offshore, while the remaining is with an Indian firm Essar Telecommunications Holdings Pvt Ltd, the valuation of which is a bone of contention between the two estranged partners.

JLR aiming to be number one premium player in India Tata-owned Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) wants to be number one premium player in India. It has taken an aggressive stance in the Indian market and is planning big-ticket rollouts. JLR sees India as a home market because of the Tata ownership and therefore just like in the UK, they are now aiming for market leadership across all segments of the luxury or premium car market in India. In fact, the company's management views itself as 'having a responsibility' to overtake traditional rivals

Air India’s turnaround plan gets bankers’ support The Air India management has prepared a detailed report to enhance its revenue, cut costs and to become operationally profitable in four years. Nearly 20 of its lenders expressed support to it by indicating that they were willing to consider recasting its entire Rs 400 billion debt.

At a meeting, the airline management made a detailed presentation on the plan saying it has set a target of enhancing revenues by Rs. 50 billion and slash costs by Rs 40 billion per annum.

Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav shared with top executives of banks details of the turnaround plan and the financial re-structuring plan which aims to make the cash-strapped carrier operationally profitable by 2015, senior officials said.

The bankers would form “a small group from within the consortium to move forward in this mat-

ter,” they said.

The airline is saddled with a debt of about Rs 400 billion of which Rs 180 billion is working capital loans taken from a consortium of banks, while the balance Rs 220 billion worth of loans is towards payment of new aircraft ordered.

“It was the first meeting that all the lenders had with the AI management.

SBI Caps and Deloitte made a presentation and we have to get back to them with our views.

Hopefully, we will have the second meeting soon,” Bank of Baroda (BoB) General Manager Arun

Tiwari said.

SBI Caps was mandated last year by a consortium of nearly 10 lenders to thrash out a turnaround strategy for the ailing national carrier. Asked about their response, another BoB officer N Ramani said “almost 90 per cent of the proposals are fine with us and we are keen that the airline is back to good health.”

On whether the proposal is to recast only the Rs 180 billion working capital loan, he said “this is not a piecemeal proposal.

Whether working capital or other loans, these have to be serviced. We have no

problem in restructuring the entire Rs 400 billion debt of the national carrier because despite challenging times, they have not defaulted on a single payment to us so far.”

Observing that many more rounds of meetings would be held between the bankers and the airline management, Punjab & Sind Bank General Manager H P Singh said “once we lenders and the company management agree on the final proposal, it will go to the government and RBI and then we will have the turnaround plan rolling”.

Seeking the support of the consortium of bankers, Mr Jadhav said the turnaround plan included equity infusion, conversion of short-term loans to longterm ones, reduction of interest rates, operationalisation of MRO and Ground Handling subsidiaries and resolving integration and merger issues.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

19

Making Money Is Only Half The Story

Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director Sow & Reap A Property Investment & Financing company.

We have many clients who approach us for investing into Central London properties and they successfully work with us and purchase either high yielding properties or ones aimed at capital growth . When looking at their situations, we can help get a solid return on their monies. But the biggest issue many of them are facing is not the return on their money. The biggest single issue is one of Inheritance tax.

The current rates have been frozen at £325,000 per person and the plans are to freeze them until April 2015. Many of the Asians we work with have worked hard to be in a position where they are sitting on a mortgage free residence in addition to having some property and other investments for the future which will ease their next generation into life so they do not have the same financial struggle they did.

However the general reaction to IHT planning is to simply put their head into the sand. The chances are by the time many of them die their residential properties will soak up all or most of this allowance. Leaving their savings and property exposed to 40% tax.

Now we are not Tax experts, nor do we want to be. Our business is property. When servicing clients we advise on the property and the best way of financing the property ,but it’s a little bit like selling shoes and not shoe laces. The Tax aspect is something which we have a basic understanding of, both income and capital gains . IHT seems to be the biggest threat in years to come.

Accordingly we are partnering up with tax specialists and companies which arrange off shore structures where our clients can go to ensure their position is water tight. This could be off shore or onshore depending on the comfort level of the client. The main point we look at is whether the advice is guaranteed, this normally means there is an insurance policy in place to cover the cost of any investigations. There are many solutions even onshore for those who are uncomfortable in going offshore for example one which involves setting up a trust whereby the donor can exercise some control on the original gift and then give away any future growth. This may also be beneficial from a cost point of view as setting up and maintaining the offshore structure may prove too expensive.

It is very easy to give clever advice and then not take the responsibility for any investigations which may arise. Once the vehicle is set up we will then take over and arrange the funding for the property in the appropriate vehicle, this can be in an offshore trust where we have lenders who are happy to lend and do the due diligence required.

Many accountants shy away from the more aggressive tax saving techniques, this is I suspect more to do with some of these structure being outside of their comfort zones than the best way to minimise tax for clients .

It seems this will affect even modest working class people if not addressed and dealt with early on.

On the capital gains side the recent budget reinstated the prevailing

Chance to invest below the 3% threshold in top location

Amazing Opportunity In A Prime Location l Extremely spacious 3 bedroom flat in a period building in Paddington available at £750,000.

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2 bedroom flat in Ladbroke Grove, W10 4 Spacious and nicely decorated 2 bedroom flat in Ladbroke Grove near Portobello Road 4 It is a strong location, with nearby Regents Canal, the greenery of Meanwhile Gardens and proximity to Notting Hill. Peaceful surroundings combined with a vibrant atmosphere a stone throw away.

4 It makes it perfect for professional sharers or a family.

4 Below stamp duty threshold therefore entry costs low 4 The flat can be rented straight away with no works required 4 Private rental achievable in the regions of £325-350pw

system which is that capital gains will be taxed at the income tax rate the individual is on, which is 18% for basic and 28% for higher rate layers.

This then begs the question why would a higher earner sell a property to realise their gain. For example if a property has increased in value by £100,000, by selling you would incur agents fees of 2.5% + vat plus legal fees lets say £1,000. This comes to £4,000. So you’re left with £96,000. Take off the tax at 28% and allowing for the annual allowance of £10,600 which will reduce the burden to £16,280, this leaves you with £79,720 You can also remortgage to release your gain at 80% LTV. Then you will release £80,000 and you pay no capital gains tax and you benefit from holding the property which hopefully means further growth and continuous income. The component you would have paid to the tax man will instead be a piece of the property which is growing for you.

Capital Gains Tax is only liable at point of sale, if you don’t sell you don’t pay. Contrary to popular belief you don’t ever have to sell property, it can simply be passed down generation after generation especially if the correct structure is in place.

l This means that the price per square foot is only £595 – an exceptionally low value for such a property on this street.

4 Income producing property - Low service charge and other outgoings allow the flat to produce producing a yield of around 9 to 10% PA 4 This flat ticks all the right boxes for a perfect BTL investment low outgoing and high income it won't stay around for long

l There are some costs associated with purchase and resell – adding them all up raises the price to a maximum of £740/sq ft – still a great price. l Our research showed the lowest price on the market for this street was £807/sq ft but agents confirm that for this property, nicely finished, £850/sq ft should be easily achievable – pure gain with very little effort!

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opportunity will disappear we only managed to get it of our friendly relationship of the estate agents.

l Quick decision required!

Tips of the Week l Why sell a cash cow better to refinance instead l If you own a joint property it may be better to change ownership to tenants in common, its inexpensive to do so and it could save you £100,000’s

20

finanCial voIce

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

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

Maria Fernandes

Cometh the Hour…

maria@abplgroup.com

The twilight zone Recently I met a very well dressed, educated and well spoken gentleman who sought advice about his immigration status. If you met him on the street you might mistake him for a banker or corporate executive. In fact he has impressive qualifications.

He had come to the UK several years ago as a visitor and had used a representative to apply for an extension which was doomed to fail. Then the familiar story of him being introduced to 2 extortionists who provided him with false papers.

He has spent the last 10 years in a big company rising up in the ranks. He works hard, has never taken a day off and he is

much admired by colleagues. However every few weeks he receives calls from these 2 parasites with unspoken threats. He willingly parts with cash. He is only one of their many victims.

It is arguable that he put himself in this invidious position and that he could always go back.

However his parents have died and he was unable to return when he should have done. Now it seems that there is nothing to go back to. He has not married because of his status, unable to bring himself to disclose this to anyone.

Accordingly there is no strong human rights family claim that he can raise.

His colleagues rely on

him but if they found out his status he would lose his job. He lives in fear of the knock on the door.

Illegal immigrants live from day to day in this twilight zone unable to make progress. Whilst we fritter our lives on mindless concerns there is someone at the twilight zone worrying about what the next day will bring.

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

Six Indian-Americans in Forbes Midas 100

Six Indian-Americans figure in The Midas 100, Forbes' list of venture capitalists who bucked the trends of shrinking firms and declining returns to "create wealth and fund the new ideas that keep US economy vibrant."

Topping the US business magazine's list of 2011 Top Tech Investors is Jim Breyer, whose Accel Partners' early $12.7 million bet on Facebook now worth $5 billion with a 10 per cent stake makes Accel Facebook's second largest shareholder after Mark Zuckerberg .

Among the Indian Americans, San Francisco based Aneel Bhusri "the enterprise software guru", who worked as vice chairman at PeopleSoft before joining Greylock in 1999 is ranked number 15.

He notched big returns in 2007 when storage software outfit PolyServe sold to Hewlett-Packard for $200 million, and software vendor OutlookSoft was acquired by SAP. California based Rob Chandra comes next at number 26. "Three-time

consecutive Midas member saw seven of his portfolio companies go public in the last three years, many in India where Chandra helped launch Bessemer's operations," Forbes noted.

Massachusetts based Sunil Dhaliwal follows at number 49. He led Battery Ventures' investments in CipherTrust (acquired by Secure Computing for $271 million) and Netezza, which went pub-

ment in software outfit RealPage, which went public just a few months earlier (current market cap: $1.67 billion), Forbes said.

Ranked 71st is Indianborn engineer Vinod Khosla , who raised $1.1 billion in the teeth of the recession (summer 2009)-the most raised by a venture firm in three years, Forbes said.

He "immediately started deploying capital into his 'imprudent science experiments,' everything from wood-based biofuel and new types of batteries, engines and lights to water purification, greener glass and clean cement." it said.

Passion for social entrepreneurship led to an investment in SKS, the Indian microfinance lender he funded in 2006 and went public last August.

Sameer Gandhi ranked 81 brings up the rear.

Gandhi joined Accel Partners Accel from Sequoia in 2008, where he invested in media and tech firm Gracenote before it sold to Sony for $260 million in 2008.

lic in 2007 before IBM took it off the market for $2.9 billion last year.

Two notches down Waltham, Massachusetts based Neeraj Agrawal at 51 led Battery Ventures's investment in Internet media company InternetBrands, which sold to Hellman & Friedman for $640 million last December.

Agrawal led invest-

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“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur.

You take the front line when there is danger.

Then people will appreciate your leadership” Nelson Mandela. As MS Dhoni hit the winning runs last Saturday he made a statement about his leadership which resonated across the cricketing world. While there are those who feel that no sport should be taken too seriously as ‘it’s only a game’, the fact remains that sports embodies much that is good about human achievement.

In India, cricket is the one unifying force which brings the whole country together – something which politics and religion has been unable to do. Such ‘adulation’ brings with it an extreme pressure. Dhoni admitted as much after the tournament, he described how some of the players could not eat and others could not hold their food down

due to the anxiety. It is rare to hear a sportsman speak about this aspect of sport and in doing so Dhoni gave an insight into the difficulties of dealing with expectation and hope.

It is said that you can find out how a person truly is if you can see them when they are on their own. For leaders, however, the exact opposite applies. Leaders are judged by what they do in public, how they deal with the scrutiny of public glare or the manner in which they conduct themselves when the chips are down.

Dhoni exemplifies a lot of excellent leadership qualities. Almost everyone who knows him praises his ability to think clearly in pressure situations and to make decisions based on logic rather than emotion.

When the game hung in the balance, he walked in ahead of the man of the tournament Yuvraj Singh, and calmly led his team and country to victory. It

By Amit Patel

was that moment which defined everything about the leader who is MS Dhoni. It was a gamble which could have backfired, for had India lost, Dhoni would have undoubtedly been vilified and many would have called for his resignation.

He admitted as much when he said that he was partly motivated by the fact that he knew the consequences of losing.

But rather than hiding behind others, he knew that as captain, the responsibility was his to be the one who was stand up when others were falling around him. While some say he showed great self belief, I think it was actually a display of great courage. When times are hard, leadership is not just about inspirational messages and making difficult decisions, it is about leading from the front. As coach Gary Kirsten said, ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man.’

BoB chief M D Mallya becomes chairman of IBA

Mr M D Mallya, chairman and managing director of Bank of Baroda, has taken over charge as the chairman of the Indian Bankers’ Association (IBA). He succeeds Mr O P Bhatt who superannuated on 31st March, 2011 as chairman of State Bank of India.

Mr Mallya, who was recently awarded the Business Standard ‘Banker of the Year’ for 2010 by Indian prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh for the bank’s excellent performance for the last couple of years, took over charge of BoB in 2008 when the financial sector all over the world was in turbulence. He not only steered the bank out of the storm, but brought about good growth during this period.

BoB’s profits grew 55 per cent in 2008-09 and 37 per cent in 2009-10. The Bank’s global business crossed $ 108 billion as on December 2010. At the peak of the crisis, the bank

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Mr M D Mallya

contained its incremental delinquency ratio at 1.13 per cent (for 2009-10), with a provision coverage ratio of 74.9 per cent as on March 31, 2010.

For Mallya, “cautious aggression” and “stable growth with quality” were key words that helped him steer a steady course through the mayhem. In an interview with

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Business Standard when Mallya was asked if BoB’s risk appetite was less than its strength, the CMD said: “…look at our growth of 28 per cent (credit). Where is the conservative approach in that? We are aggressive, but cautious.” So, Mallya played with a straight bat, unlike those playing to the gallery with flamboyance, and it paid off.

Under his leadership, the Bank also bagged ‘Bank of the Year Award 2010’ (for India) awarded by the prestigious Banker magazine of UK, a Financial Times publication. Recently the Bank also walked away with the Best Bank 2010 Award by Business India in recognition to its consistent performance. The Bank has made remarkable progress in business performance beyond the Industry average and significant progress in technology implementation, financial inclusion and international operations.

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

21

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

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

A look at last week in the Currency Markets We began the week in the UK with all attention turning to the BoE interest rate decision on Thursday and whether the bank would finally make a move on rates in 2008. Before the decision there was a string of data at the start of the week, PMI services was the first to release these figures, were expecting a slight increase on the month, from the month prior. These figures were released better far better than expected and saw Sterling trade at its highest level against the US dollar since March 24th at 1.6278 and 1.1473 with the euro on renewed expectations of a near term rate rise in the UK. Midweek saw both industrial and manufacturing figures released before the BoE rate decision, these numbers were slightly worse than expected but with all eyes turning to the rates decision at 12pm they had little effect towards sterling. As expected the BoE left their bench mark rates unchanged at 50bps even in the face of growing inflation and lower GDP. Sterling did sell off only so slightly against its major counterparts as expected before recovery in afternoon London trade, trading as high as 1.6350.We ended the week with Sterling still moving on an upward trend against all of its counterparts with UK PPI being

the only piece of data being released on Friday. These figures came out far better than expected and saw sterling trade at a 15 month high versus the US dollar, being that PPI is an inflationary figure any good numbers will be seen a sterling positive and will give the notion the we could possibly see further rate talk being spoken about.

Earlier this week we noticed that a rate rise in Europe seemed to be priced in the markets and if the ECB didn’t follow the Euro may of lost its recent gains. On Tuesday we saw a string of European data from the euro zone, firstly from European retail sales which were expected to come in better than the month prior given. This could have been a reason for the ECB to re think there view on interest

rates, however being that both figures came out lower it reiterated their stance on higher rates to combat inflation this did see euro come off against the pound and US dollar. As well as this we had PMI from Germany and the euro zone were the second piece of data released, German PMI were released in line with last month’s figures, however European PMI came out slightly better yet being that all investors focus is being turned to Thursday ECB interest rates figures and these figures had little effect towards the euro. On Wednesday the question was with Portugal on the brink of taking a bail out and with only two of the big economies in Europe holding the forte was a rate increase the right thing to do? By mid week it was a quiet

day in the markets in Europe with no economic data still focusing on the expected rate hike on Thursday. On Thursday The main news of the day was the interest hike in the Euro zone. The low level of 1% was increased to 1.25%. However later in the afternoon when Trichet announced that it wasn’t necessarily the first of many we saw the Euro fall a bit against the USD. This news came alongside the announcement earlier in the day that Portugal was asking for a bailout. The question now is where will the Euro go?

It certainly seems that there will be some volatility created from both the rate hike and Portugal’s impending bailout.

The week began quietly in the US with the first potentially market moving data coming in the Form of the FOMC minutes late on Tuesday. It was expressed that the poor state of the housing and employment sectors in the US were lengthening the economic recovery in the US. These sentiments were answered the next day with initial jobless claims figures coming out better than expected and causing the USD to strengthen slightly against major counterparts. This was the last piece of action for the USD as no key data was released on Friday.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 12th April 2011 @ 3pm GBP - INR = 72.001 USD - INR = 44.16 EUR - INR = 64.08 GBP - USD = 1.63 GBP - EUR = 1.12 EUR - USD = 1.45 GBP - AED = 6.00 GBP - CAD = 1.57 GBP - NZD = 2.07 GBP - AUD = 1.55 GBP - ZAR = 10.91 GBP - HUF = 298.98

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

22

Pakistan-Bangladesh-Sri Lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Cameron urges India, Pak to strengthen peace process

British PM also announces major aid for education in Pakistan Islamabad: British prime minister David Cameron has urged India and Pakistan to strengthen their peace process and trade relations, saying the time is ripe for the two countries to replace the mistrust of the past with opportunities for mutual progress.

Mr Cameron who made a flying visit to Pakistan last week had wide ranging talks with Pakistani president Zardari. "The dialogue process between Pakistan and India has resumed and our Prime Minister had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Mohali and we have decided to make determined efforts to move the relations forward across the board," Zardari was quoted as saying to Cameron.

During the meeting with Zardari, Cameron discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, the Pakistan-Britain strategic dialogue, the fight against militancy, regional issues, trade access to EU markets for Pakistani goods,

British Prime Minister David Cameron greets Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari

collaboration in trade and investment and education.

Zardari said the two countries should gear up to achieve objectives in the bilateral Enhanced Strategic Dialogue. Mr Cameron announced that over the next four years, British aid for education in Pakistan could reach £650 million.

Britain’s has allocated £250 million for education in Pakistan. The major increase in school aid could lead to four million Pakistani children attending school for the first time, officials said. It

would also make the country the biggest single recipient from Britain’s growing aid budget.

Despite protests from some Conservative MPs, Mr Cameron is increasing aid spending, even as other departments in Britain see their budgets cut. Pakistan spent barely 2 per cent of its annual budget on education, but more than 15 per cent went on defence.

Mr Cameron insisted that the support for education in Pakistan was in Britain’s long-term interests because illiteracy and

Pak demands drastic cut in CIA and US agents on its soil

Islamabad: Pakistan has demanded a drastic cut in number of CIA agents and special forces personnel operating on its soil and a halt to drone strikes in the country's restive northwest, in signs of near collapse of intelligence cooperation between the two nations.

The demand for scale back of its intelligence presence in Pakistan is the immediate fallout of a row between the two countries over the arrest of CIA officer Raymond Davis, Strangely, the Islamabad's clamour is not coming from the civilian government but personally has been ordered by the country's powerful Army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the daily said quoting top US and Pakistani officials.

The Pakistani demand came as its intelligence chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha had four hours of meeting with the CIA Director Leon Panetta and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff here. The meetings were described as "productive" by a CIA spokesman.

Though the spokesman Marie Harf said that the cooperation between the two agencies remained on "solid foot-

ing", the Pakistani general reportedly cut short his visit abruptly to return home.

Both the US and Pakistani officials did not give any reasons for Shuja curtailing his talks here.

Quoting Pakistani officials, NYT said that Kayani had asked for 2540 per cent reductions in the number of US special operations troops in the country, most of whom are training the Paramilitary Frontier Corps in the troubled northwest region bordering Afghanistan, which is home to al-Qaida and Taliban militants.

Pakistani officials say that about 335 American personnel - CIA operatives, contractors and special forces men - had been asked to leave Pakistan.

poor schooling were a “root cause” of Islamic extremism and terrorism.

But he conceded that the move would be controversial, and admitted that corruption and waste in Pakistan made it harder to justify British aid payments. “The British people want to know every penny we give is going to the right places,” he said in a speech at a university in Islamabad.

“I need to convince them that it is. But my job is made more difficult when people in Britain look at Pakistan, a country that receives millions of pounds of our aid money, and see weakness in terms of government capacity and waste.” Mr Cameron said the answer was for Pakistan to tighten its tax code, ensuring more people paid more tax.

Many of Pakistan’s richest people “are getting away without paying much tax at all.”

Privately, even British diplomats were uncomfortable about the large increase in aid to Pakistan.

Mohali match improved Pakistan-Indian ties: Gilani Islamabad: The cricket World Cup semifinal match between India and Pakistan in Mohali has proved to be a catalyst for improving ties between the two countries, says Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Gilani made the remark at a reception hosted by him in honour of the national cricket team, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

He said the semifinal played between Pakistan and India had brought the two governments and two nations closer.

'It is not the question of winning or losing by one country; In fact the winner is the cricket and the people of Pakistan and India,' he was quoted as saying.

Mush says comeback plan is still in place

Islamabad: Dismissing reports that he has dropped plans to return to Pakistan after the military here refused to provide him extra security, former president Pervez Musharraf has said he had never made such a request to the army and insisted that his plans to come back were intact.

"My comeback plans are very much intact. I don't need any extra measures for my protection and the government, not the army, is responsible for

Pervez Musharraf

that," Musharraf, who lives in self-exile in Britain, told the Express Tribune newspaper.

He rejected reports

that the Pakistani military leadership had refused to provide him extra security to counter threats to his life from al-Qaida and Taliban and turned down his request to use its influence to prevent his arrest for his alleged involvement in the killing of former premier Bhutto and Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti.

"I have never made any such request," Musharraf said. A spokesperson for the former army chief also contradicted the media

reports, saying they were untrue.

"Musharraf...will return when he has to...We will decide what time suits him to be in Pakistan again," said Fawad Chaudhry, who is associated with Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party.

Musharraf has repeatedly said he plans to come back to Pakistan to lead the APML in the next general election scheduled for 2013 though he has not set a date for his return.

In foCuS For helping Times Square bomber Pakistani man to plead guilty Washington: A Pakistani man, who had supplied about USD 5,000 to Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad, has agreed to plead guilty to charges against him and will be deported under a deal reached with prosecutors here. Aftab Ali will admit in court to charges of unlicensed money transmitting and that he lied to federal agents about his immigration status, according to documents filed in US District Court in Boston on April 6.

Ali, 29, was arrested during investigation into the failed May 2010 Times Square bombing attempt.

Under the deal with prosecutors, Ali would plead guilty to the charges of "unlicensed money transmitting and immigration document fraud," be sentenced to time served and pay a USD 200 fine.

India will press Lanka for equal rights to Tamils: Sonia Gandhi Chennai: Reaffirming India''s support for the Sri Lankan Tamils, Congress president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said New Delhi would continue to press Colombo for constitutional amendments to ensure equal rights and status to ethnic minorities in the island nation. "In our neighbourhood, there is no issue closer to our heart than the Sri Lankan Tamils'' issue. There was significant progress last year and India had committed and provided large sums of money for their rehabilitation," Sonia said here at a joint election rally with DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. In her first campaign meeting for the April 13 Assembly polls, Sonia Gandhi said India will continue to do whatever it could for rehabilitation of Tamils displaced in the war against LTTE.

Sri Lanka PM says LTTE international network still active Colombo: The international network of the defeated LTTE is still active looking for opportunities to revive the terror group, Sri Lankan Prime Minister D M Jayaratne has said. Jayaratne was speaking at the motion to extend the state of emergency by a further month. "The international network is active and is trying to revive the group", Jayaratne told the Lankan Parliament. He said certain elements who want to challenge the island's sovereignty and territorial integrity were also backing the efforts to revive the group. Jayaratne said some of the rehabilitated and released former members of the outfit have been rearrested on suspicion of action to revive the group locally. Over 6,000 of them had been rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society, Jayaratne said.

Pakistani brothers arrested over 'cannibalism' Islamabad: A court in Pakistan's eastern city of Sargodha has extended the remand of two brothers accused of stealing corpses from a graveyard and then eating them. The police had arrested earlier this week two brothers, Arif Ali, 40, and Farman Ali, 37, for allegedly digging up newly buried corpses and eating their flesh. The brothers practicing cannibalism was discovered after a body of 24-year-old deceased woman, named Saira Parveen, was found missing from her grave in Darya Khan town of Sargodha district.

Saira's family became suspicious after visiting her grave and found as if it had been dug up and then untidily built up in haste. After digging the grave to check the corpse, it was found missing. Her family lodged a complaint with the police and the subsequent police probe led to the arrest of two brothers. The police recovered the remains of Parveen's body from their house.

400 suicide bombers being trained in Pakistan Islamabad: Four hundred suicide bombers are being trained to wage a carnage against the nation, a teenager arrested as an accomplice to Pakistan's deadliest suicide bombing of the year said. Umar Fidayee, 14, said that the would-be bombers were being trained in North Waziristan, the premier al-Qaida and Taliban fortress in Pakistan's tribal belt where US officials want Pakistan to flush out militant strongholds. He made the remarks in an interview aired from his hospital bedside, where he is being treated after detonating a hand grenade in the April 4 attack in Dera Ghazi Khan that killed 50 people at a 13thcentury Sufi shrine. The teen appeared to express remorse and lifted the lid on harrowing details of his training at the camp in the Mir Ali district of North Waziristan, which lies on the border with Afghanistan.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

In focuS Indian teachers most sought after in Singapore Singapore: Indian teachers are most sought after in Singapore schools with increasing number of teachers being recruited to teach not only Indian languages but also other subjects. Over 70 teachers from India have been hired in the past four years and another 10 teachers from the country are set to teach in the city schools later this year as the education ministry seeks out international educationists to boost its teaching force. "It's logical to hire from India because they are culturally much closer to us," Singapore's Academy of Principals dean Belinda Charles was quoted as saying by local newspaper reports. Kolkata-based 'Academy for Professional Excellence', a recruitment agency for Singapore's Education Ministry since 2006, had recruited eight teachers in 2007 and the number increased to 30 in 2009 and 25 last year. Most of the teachers were from Kolkata. The paper, citing the education ministry, said the numbers of international teachers still remain small, under 2 per cent or less than 620 of the 31,000strong teaching force in Singapore.

US offers $5 million for info leading to militant Ilyas Kashmiri Washington: US officials have offered a reward of up to USD 5 million for information on Mohammad Ilyas Kashmiri, head of a Pakistani group linked to al-Qaida and suspected of launching a 2006 suicide attack on the US consulate in Karachi. The state department said Kashmiri is the commander of the terrorist organization Harakat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HUJI), which supports al-Qaida and that the group has led training camps for the launching of several attacks in India and Pakistan.

The group is believed to have ordered the March 2, 2006 suicide bombing at the US consulate in Karachi that killed four people, including US diplomat David Foy, and injured 48 others. In January 2010, a US federal grand jury indicted Kashmiri for terrorism-related offenses in connection with a plot to attack the Jyllands-Posten newspaper in Denmark following uproar over cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

Millions of ‘lost’ cash found in Japan’s tsunami hit coastal areas Tokyo: Rescue workers and Japanese citizens have handed over millions of ‘lost’ cash to police, which they have found while carrying out their tasks in the mudcovered coastal areas in north-eastern regions of the country that were devastated following the March 11 earthquake-cum-tsunami. Police and local governments are looking out for the owners of the assets, but survivors are urging them to use the money for reconstruction works till the owners were found. Under Japanese law, people who find money can keep it if the original owners do not come forward within the threemonth custodial period.

Indian relief team begins work in Japan Tokyo: An Indian relief and rehabilitation team, consisting of 46 specialists from the National Disaster Management Authority, reached Rifu-cho in Japan's quake-and-tsunami-hit Miyagi prefecture on a 10-day aid mission.The mission's mandate, as agreed to by the two countries, covers the clearance of debris, repairs, emergency medical assistance and the distribution of relief goods. Ambassador Alok Prasad said the team's mandate was determined entirely “according to the priority indicated by the Government of Japan”. India had already delivered 25,000 blankets and 10,000 bottles of drinking water. High-energy biscuits would now be distributed to children during the disaster managers' 10-day stay north of Sendai as a fully self-contained team that would not draw upon local resources for its upkeep.

United Nations forces rescue Indian envoy to Ivory Coast New Delhi: Indian Ambassador to Ivory Coast Shyama Jain has been rescued by the United Nations forces. All the embassy staff has also been evacuated from the civil war torn country.Shama was trapped inside her home for several hours on Thursday because of heavy firing between opposition forces and those loyal to deposed president Alassane Ouattara. She was rescued in a daring operation by UN forces after many hours, She is expected to come back to India soon. Civil war has broken out in Ivory Coast with forces loyal to Ouattaro fighting Laurent Gbagbo's supporters.

Gbagbo has refused to resign as the president of Ivory Coast even after losing the elections held in November 2010. Ouattara's supporters have reportedly surrounded a bunker where Gbagbo is reported to be hiding.

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Rana, Headley implicate Pak, ISI in Mumbai attack Washington: David Headley aka Daood Gilani and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the two Pakistani expat foot soldiers who allegedly planned and conducted the Mumbai recce before the 26/11 terrorist carnage have implicated the Pakistani government and its intelligence agency ISI in the ghastly attack.

In court documents that have surfaced ahead of his upcoming trial in Chicago, Rana says his acts of providing material support to terrorists in the Mumbai attacks as alleged

by US prosecutors ''were done at the behest of the Pakistani government and the ISI, not the Lashkar terrorist organization.'' The documents also cite Rana invoking his friend David Headley's grand jury testimony in which the latter too implicates ISI. The startling disclosures, which forms part of Rana's defense, came even as ISI chief Shuja Pasha is visiting Washington DC with a laundry list of demands as the US tries to

David Headley

Tahawwur Hussain Rana

repair ties which have been severely damaged by the Raymond Davis episode. The US effort comes despite growing disquiet about ISI's role in fomenting terrorism. Still, the Obama administration is scrambling to control fallout from the court proceedings in an effort to save its ally from being publicly exposed as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The latest legal developments are not helping; in fact, they come at an embarrassing time for both sides.

The disclosure that Rana and Headley are implicating the Pakistani government and its intelligence agency in the

Mumbai attack came about indirectly when an Illinois district court rejected Rana's attempt at what is known as a ''Public Authority Defense,'' in which the defendant essentially argues that he did something at the behest of a government or its official authority.

Proposing such a defense, Rana told the Illinois court that ''he acted pursuant to his actual or believed exercise of public authority on behalf of the government of Pakistan and the ISI.'' This defense, Rana argued audaciously, would give him immunity from criminal proceedings in United States courts under the

Five Indian Americans named Truman Scholars

Houston: Five IndianAmerican students have been named 2011 Truman Scholars by the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation.

Ishan Nath from Georgia, Anjali Bipin Thakkar from California, Veena Irene Patel from Iowa, Niharika Sanjay Jain from Louisiana and Aditya Attiguppe Ashok from New Hampshire are among 60 students from 54 American colleges and universities who will receive the award, which provides up to USD 30,000 for graduate study to students committed to careers in public service.

The award is one of the US' most prestigious national fellowships,

given annually to college juniors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential and who are committed to careers in government, nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or other public service.

They were selected on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability and likelihood of' making a difference. It provides them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training and fellowship with other students, who are committed to making a difference through public service.

The 60 scholars were selected from among 602 candidates nominat-

ed by 264 colleges and universities.

Each selection panel interviewed finalists from a 3-4 states region and generally elected one scholar from each state.

Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counselling and special internship opportunities within the federal government.

Recipients must be US citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be in the top quarter of their class, and be committed to careers in government or the not-for-profit sector.

Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act because ''the ISI has authority to act in India to protect Pakistan's national interests'' and he was acting at the behest of the ISI. While noting Rana's argument ''that he is entitled to a public authority defense because he acted under the authority — whether actual or apparent — of the Pakistani government and the ISI,'' the court rejected the defense saying, ''Defendant cannot rely on the authority of a foreign government agency or official to authorize his violations of United States federal law.''

While the court rejected Rana's attempted defense on technical grounds, his implicating of the Pakistani government and its intelligence agencies strengthens the widely held view in India and elsewhere that Islamabad's reluctance to act against the perpetrators of attack points to official patronage of terrorism.

Indian doctors to offer free medical services in Zambia Lusaka (Zambia): About 20 doctors from India would visit Zambia later in April to conduct free medical services as part of a programme aimed at helping the African nation tackle a shortage of health workers, an official said.

The Indian doctors will be based at the country's highest referral hospital - the University Teaching Hospital in the capital city of Lusaka.

The team which includes dentists, orthopaedics, gynaecologists and plastic surgeons would work under the auspices of international humanitarian organisation, the Rotary International District.

More than 1,000 defy Egypt army order to quit square Cairo: More than 1,000 protesters ignored an army order to leave Cairo's main square on Sunday, extending into a third day their calls for a quick move to civilian rule and a deeper purge of corrupt officials.

Barbed wire blocked roads into Tahrir Square, the centre of the protests that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11 and a major thoroughfare in the trafficchoked capital.

Protesters cried "revolution, revolution" and brandished an effigy of Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads the military council now ruling Egypt and is also defence minister, as he was under Mubarak for many years.

"What is wanted is a civilian council," read one

More than 1,000 defy Egypt army order to quit square

slogan.

"The people demand that the field marshal be toppled," the protesters cried.

A dozen armoured personnel carriers full of troops waited near the square but out of sight.

Egypt's army rulers have enjoyed broad support since taking control on Feb. 11, but complaints against them are growing - although they have prom-

ised free, fair elections for a new parliament in September.

A hard core of protesters say the army is colluding with remnants of Mubarak's network and thwarting popular demands for more of his lieutenants to face trial.

Hundreds of thousands packed Tahrir Square on Friday in one of the biggest demonstra-

tions since Mubarak was ousted.

Soldiers and police used tasers and batons to try to drive out the protesters. Medical sources said 13 men were wounded by gunfire and two died late on Friday.

The army backed out of the square after failing to remove all the protesters, and later announced that it would clear the square on Saturday night.

"But nothing happened," said Ahmed elMoqdami, 25, who said he was in a group representing the youth of Upper Egypt.

"We will continue the sit-in until our demands are met," he said. "First of all, the field marshal must go. Mubarak must be put on trial and a civilian council must be formed for the transition period."

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INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Between The Lines

By Premen Addy

Bengal politics in Britain: Logic, Dynamics and Disharmony

By Faruque Ahmed, A Lulu Publication, North Carolina, USA This book has a broad canvas, encompassing the entire linguistic and cultural landscape of Bengal, a single province in British India, but divided today by a political frontier on the one side of which is the sovereign Republic of Bangladesh, with Dhaka as it capital, on the other lies West Bengal, a state within the Republic of India, whose administrative and economic hub is the city of Kolkata.

However, the focus of this work is Bangladesh.

So, while there is passing reference to the Bengal of the British era and its seminal figures who helped seed an all-India nationalism that is the bedrock of contemporary India, the work concentrates on developments that followed the Partition of the Subcontinent into Islamic Pakistan and the liberal secular India, the former established as a homeland for the Muslims of the region.

East Bengal with its Muslim majority opted to become a constituent of Pakistan and was called East Pakistan. Political power and economic wealth lay in West Pakistan, whose hub was Punjab. The country's first capital was the port city of Karachi. A new capital called Islamabad was constructed in the

environs of Rawalpindi, in Punjab, and was officially opened in 1967.

East and West Pakistan were separated by 1,000 miles of Indian territory, the linguistic and cultural divide between the two halves transcending their original Islamic solidarity as political and social tensions deepened and eventually tore the country asunder. That was to come in 1971-72, so the history of East Pakistan lasted a few months beyond 24 years. The Bengal politics in Britain, which the author narrates and subjects to close critical scrutiny, refracted the fraught, internecine politics - of both left and right - of Pakistan itself.

There were different, yet complementary, dimensions to Bengali politics in the Pakistan period. Cultural activities reflecting pride in the Bengali language and its hugely enriching literature led to a socialist critique of social and economic deprivation in East Pakistan in particular and Pakistan as a whole.

There were community meetings and writings on these issues, these multiplying as immigrants from East Pakistan swelled the numbers already settled in the UK. Those belonging to the liberal-socialist spectrum blended well with similar minded Britons and others whose politics were fashioned by a secular internationalist outlook.

There was much talk of the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, Vietnam and the Palestinian struggle against Israel.

But this wasn't the whole story, as Faruque Ahmed rightly relates.

There were entrenched elements of the right who were stubbornly loyal to the concept of a Muslim Pakistan, were plagued by its inner demons and insecurities and opposed the liberation struggle and the establishment of a sovereign Bangladesh.

Hostility and suspicion of India were paramount in these circles, attitudes that resonated in the sectarian pro-Chinese left by virtue of Beijing's alignment with Islamabad.

Maoist far left and Islamist hard right joined forces through circular reasoning on a shared platform of viscerally opposition towards Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter, the present prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, and their perceived supporters, the 'social imperialist' Soviet Union, and its allies India and Vietnam.

Mr Ahmed has used a wealth of local Bengali documentation in British libraries in London and elsewhere, which he has lucidly rendered into English, to bring this kaleidoscopic tale to life.

His endeavour has clearly been a labour of love and devotion and deserves appreciation.

Lord Mahavir’s teachings still relevant

Lord Mahavir’s teachings, “It is better to win over self than to win over a million enemies” is still relevant.

Mahavir Jayanti is dedicated in the name of Vardhman Mahavir, on his birthday which falls on 13th day of the rising moon of Chaitra (April 16).

Founded in the 6th century BC, Jainism is one of the most significant religions of the world. The foundation and formation of the religion rested on 24 prophets (Tirthankaras) who arrived in the world to deliver the message of peace and tolerance.

Mahavir was the last and the greatest Tirthankar.

He was born at Kshatriyakund near modern Patna in Bihar.

Mahavir Swami was the son of the King Sidharth and Queen Trisala.

Mahavir Swami was a prince of the Kundalpura, he left his parents, relatives, friends and money and went to the jungle for a long time and became a monk. His life was marked by simplicity, truthfulness

and honesty. When Queen Trishla was expecting baby she had 14 beautiful dreams (some believe 16 dreams).

When the learned scholars were asked about the dreams they said she was going to have an extraordinary child, one who will show the path to true happiness to humanity.

During his birth, several gods and goddesses descended from the heavens to pay homage to the Tirthankar. And Mahavir was born. Later at 30, he renounced the material world, and sat for meditation. After 12 years of meditation under an Ashoka tree, he attained the ultimate enlightenment. He was given name of Mahavir.

On this auspicious day, Jains in Gujarat visit the ancient shrines located at Girnar and Palitana.

Vaishali, the birthplace of Lord Mahavir witnesses a grand celebration during the occasion. Pawanpuri in Bihar and the Parasnath temple in Calcutta also observe the day with great earnestness.

Jain temples all over the country are decorated with flags to mark the birthday of Lord Mahavir.

In the morning, the idol of Lord Mahavir is given an 'abhishek' (ceremonial bath) in every temple.

Thereupon, the deity is placed in a cradle and carried in a parade. At many places, lecture-sessions are held to preach the path of virtue that Lord Mahavir showed. Donations are collected to save cows from slaughter.

Types of donations: Gyan daan: Sharing of knowledge, Abhay daan: Protecting people from bad actions, Aushad daan: Donating medicines, Ahaar daan: Giving food

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

The Birth of Jarasandha

We discussed about Jarasandha, Hamsa, and Dimbak in our last article. Before killing the Jarasandha within us, both the other warriors must die first. They are killed by our continuous effort of self-observation.

Dimbak means a young child – it comes from the Sanskrit root ‘dip’ meaning to gather or heap.

Hamsa comes from the root ‘swan’ meaning to laugh or open up. All of us have a weakness wherein we like to laugh at and expound other people’s weaknesses. As we grow in our power of observing we are able to collect and see people’s weaknesses. We also like to talk about them when we have an audience.

This process of collecting people’s weaknesses is called Dimbak and that of making fun of them is called Hamsa. Hamsa and Dimbak had already died before Sri Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna set out to kill Jarasandha.

In our last article we saw how Sri Krishna extolled the power of Jarasandha.

Then, Yudhisthira tells Sri Krishna “We are totally dependent on your intelligence, strength and power. If you yourself feel incapable of defeating Jarasandha, then how can I call myself powerful? You are all powerful and mean everything to me, so how can I even think of defeating him.”

At this Bhimasen said, “If a king does not act because of his fear, then he surely is headed for self-destruction. With the power of his will even a weak king can defeat a powerful one. Just out of fear, how can we not start a campaign against Jarasandha?”

To this, Sri Krishna replied “Only a naïve fool will start on a mission with no concern of the consequences. We see that all the great kings, even with their immense wealth and power, worship Jarasandha.

But Jarasandha does not have the maturity to digest this. He treats these very kings that worship him with cruelty and contempt, and here lies his weakness. These kings, in turn, wish him dead. He has a wish to sacrifice the lives of a hundred kings to the Lord Pasupatinath. Out

86 kings he has already imprisoned, only 14 remain. Once he performs this sacrifice, he will become invincible. If you want to become emperor, we must act quickly and kill him before he is able to capture another 14 kings. I am sure that fighting him together Arjuna, Bhima and I can defeat him.”

Arjuna added “The strength of will is second to none; through will we become powerful and defeat our enemies. If we can perform the auspicious yagna of defeating Jarasandha and freeing the kings he has imprisoned, we would have performed the greatest deed of our lives. We are quite capable of making you the emperor and so we must go quickly and fight Jarasandha.”

Sri Krishna reiterated that “Arjuna is right; none had become immortal without fighting. For any effort to be successful there has to be a proper planning based on an apt strategy and also there must be right and timely execution of the plan. Then the enemy can be vanquished. But if one strikes just out of bravery, without a proper strategy and with no regard to execution or time, then even the one who has been destined to win the battle will lose.

So let us plan our action in such a way that our weaknesses remain protected but we are able to exploit our enemies. Just like a river in flood can uproot any tree, so we too will defeat our enemies. There is no way we can beat Jarasandha when he is with his army.

So, in disguise, let us quietly enter his palace and challenge him to a hand to hand duel, in which I am sure Bhima will kill him.”

Yudhisthira asked Sri Krishna “O Janardhana, who is this Jarasandha?

Where has he got his strength and enterprise from? You yourself are like a fire and he a moth who has touched the fire and still not been burned.”

Sri Krishna explained that there once was a great king of Magadha, called Brihadratha. He

was as powerful as Indra, had the lustre of the Sun, was merciful like the earth, possessed the anger of Yama, the God of Death, and was equal in wealth to Kubera. His fame and enterprise encompassed the four corners of the land. He had married the two beautiful daughters of the king of Kashi. He had promised his wives that he would treat both of them equally and would never favour one over the other.

The king’s youth was spent in enjoyment with his two queens but still he was not blessed with a son to continue his lineage. For the sake of a son, he performed many charities and yagnas. He then heard that a great rishi of the Gautama line, the son of Kakshivan called Chandkaushik had come to Magadha. The king with his two wives went and paid his respects to the sage. The sage granted the king a boon and he asked for a son. At that time, the sage was sitting under a mango tree. He closed his eyes and went into deep meditation and a mango fruit fell in his lap. It was full of juice and untouched by the parrots that lived on the branches of the tree. The rishi blessed the fruit and gave it to the king.

At an auspicious time the king gave the fruit to his two queens. They cut it into equal halves, each eating one. After some time, both became pregnant and the king was overjoyed. In due course each of the queens delivered half a child. Each half body had one eye, one hand, one leg, half a stomach and half a mouth. The queens were shocked and started shivering when they saw this terrible sight. They decided to throw away both the pieces, which were alive.

They asked their maids to leave them in the forest outside the palace.

We will continue the story of the birth of Jarasandha in our next article.

The author can be reached by emailing 3srb@live.com (Edited by Chintu Gandhi)

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

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

25

Search panel to finalise Ratan Tata’s successor soon The search to find a successor to Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata has entered the final stages, said R K Krishna Kumar, a member of the search panel. “It is not an easy task but we will identify the next chairman of Tata Sons within a few weeks by the end May or early June,” Mr Kumar said.

In India’s business capital of Mumbai, the search has triggered a frenzy of speculation about

Rahul Gandhi is an Amul baby: Kerala CM Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on Sunday hit out at Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's comment on his age by calling him an 'Amul baby'.

Gandhi, at an election meeting on Saturday, pointed out that if the Left came back to power, then at the end of its five-year term the state would have a 93-year-old chief minister.

Achuthanandan is 87 years old. 'Is it my fault that I am 87 and even at this age I am going on like this?

Please remember that when I was in Class 7 my father passed away and after that I could not continue my studies. At the age of 16, I was involved in fighting the British. Please tell me where was Rahul Gandhi (politically) before he was 40 years.

whether the panel will plump for an internal or external candidate. “It needs to be someone with ambition and the ability to implement,” said a journalist in Mumbai.

Among the names being considered are Arun Sarin, the former chief executive of Vodafone, and Indra Nooyi, the chief executive of PepsiCo. Favoured internal candidates include R Gopalakrishnan, a direc-

Ratan Tata

tor at Tata Sons and a former executive at Unilever, as well as Noel Tata, Ratan Tata’s half-brother.

Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, Tata Group has grown dramatically in size over the past 20 years, with a string of acquisitions in India and overseas.

When Ratan Tata was appointed in 1991, the group had revenues of $2 billion and was overwhelmingly focused on the domestic market. The

income of last year this was nearly $70 billion, with 60 per cent generated outside India.

Under company rules, Ratan Tata has to retire when he turns 75 in December 2012, giving him 18 months to groom his successor to run Tata, which has had only five chairmen in its 140 year history.

Tata Sons, the holding group which oversees about 90 different compa-

nies in sectors from hotels to car making, established a committee to decide on Mr Tata’s replacement last August.

The other members of the selection panel are Tata Sons director Cyrus Mistry, NA Soonawala, a former chairman of Tata Sons, Shirin Bhattacharya, a lawyer, and Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, the founder of the Warwick Manufacturing Group.

Gujarat’s mango growers find better alternatives AV Correspondent Amreli and Junagadh districts were the main production centres of Gujarat’s famous Kesar mango. But now there are fears that it could cease to be the largest production regions of the state as more and more farmers are switching over to cash crops.

While the farmers in Junagadh are fighting against climate change which they believe was eating into their mango productions, their brethren in adjoining Amreli district are fast switching over to other cash crops. Amreli district, about 200 km from Ahmedabad is seeing farmers getting dissuaded from growing mangoes and shifting toward a more

profit making venture.

These farmers now want to shift toward the production of cash crops, which needs less investment and more yield.

Some of the farmers in this district have now shifted to growing cash crops like cotton. Many of them have cleared mango orchards and are planting cotton plants.

In as many as 20 villages in Amreli, farmers have cleared their orchards to make way for production of other cash crops. They cite meagre margin of profit and low productivity as

the reason for replacing mango trees with cash crops.

If farmers of these villages are to be believed then over 6,000 mango trees belonging to four farmers have already b e e n chopped off the last t h r e e months.

One of the farmers K T Gajera said, ``One reason is that mango does not yield the kind of profit that cash crops do and the labour required to harvest mango is also not available in villages.’’

Gajera says that the maintenance for cash crops is also low and the profit amount is high.

The cash crops preferred by farmers are cotton, groundnut and tuver.

The trend is alarming as experts disagree with farmers.

Agriculture expert Arjun Mehta says that cash crops were totally market driven. “If there is demand for these crops for one year it is not necessary that they would continue to remain in demand for the next few years as well.’’ He, however, said that the farmers were preferring to shift focus as there was no labour cost involved and they did not have to invest much on the field in terms of plant protection.

Another farmer Arvind Gajera who owns 11 acres says that they were ready to outsource the field job to tribals but by growing

mangoes they were just able to earn an amount of Rs 160,000 in last year’s season whereas the farmers assume that if they shift to cash crops on the land then they would earn at least Rs 700,000 to 800,000 per season. “If the demand for crops like tuver and cotton are more then the income levels of farmers are expected to be on the rise,”’ said Gajera.

Another farmer Dhiru Gajera pointed out that for this season he would retain half of his mango trees in the 11 acre land and half of it would be utilised for cash crops.

“If income for mango continues to be the same as that of previous year then I would prefer to switch over to cash crops like some other farmers in the village,’’ said Gajera.

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26

InDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Census shows rapid urbanisation in Gujarat In foCus Population growth in Gujarat cities dips to 19.17% from 22.66% in 2001. Had growth rate stayed at 22.66%, the count would’ve been 6,21,53,069. Urban population is 42.6%, a sharp rise from 37.4 %.

Diamond city Surat’s population grew from 28.12 lakh in 2001 to 44.62 lakh in 2011 - a phenomenal rise of 58.68%. Another city, which witnessed rapid growth in population, is Rajkot - 28.21% while Ahmedabad’s population rose by 23.12%, from 45.25 lakh to 55.71 lakh. Gujarat has also become more urban with the population in cities growing from 37.4% in 2001 to 42.6% in 2011.

The growth in rural population has dropped from 62.6 per cent to 57.4%.

State census 2011 figures were released by chief secretary A K Joti last week. Additional chief sec-

Indian returns home from Pak after 27 years Returning to his country after 27 years, Indian national Gopal Das last week came home to an emotional welcome by his elder brother and sister who had last seen him as a young man. The 52-yearold Das was set free after Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari remitted his sentence on humanitarian grounds following an appeal by the Indian Supreme Court.

Das crossed over to the Indian side of the border from Pakistan at the Joint Checkpost after being freed by Pak authorities.

retary (planning) V N Maira attributed the spiral in Surat’s population to “immigration” from other parts of Gujarat as well as other states of India.

Population of Ahmedabad and Rajkot includes the freshly merged areas in the municipal corporation limits.Vadodara’s population rose by just 11.8% while Bhavnagar grew by 14.67%.

Surprisingly, Kutch, a district devastated by the killer earthquake on January 26, 2001, has witnessed a big rise in population, suggesting increase in industrial activities, particularly in areas near Kandla and Mundra

ports. Kutch’s population rose by 32.03 per cent in the last one decade, from 15.83 lakh to 20.90 lakh.

Similarly, Ahmedabad’s peripheries have grown sharply because of industrial development and urbanisation. Ahmedabad district’s population rose by 42.19%. The migration theory has failed to explain the population rise in Dahod district, where the tribals move to other parts of the state looking for jobs. The district witnessed 29.25% increase in population.Another backward district, Banaskantha, also saw a 24.43% rise in population.

Failure of family welfare programmes, apparently, was one of the main reasons for the population growth in some backward districts.

Literacy rate shoots up In the past decade, nearly 1.21 crore more Gujaratis learnt to read and write. The jump in literacy rate in tribal districts too is remarkable. Literacy in tribal district of Dahod rose by nearly 15 per cent while Dangs saw a 17 per cent growth. In backward district of Banaskantha, literacy rate rose to 66.39 per cent from 50.97 per cent in 2001. Tapi also posted 69.23 per cent literacy — a gain of 12 per cent from 2001. District-wise literacy figures show that 18 districts have a higher percentage than the all-India average. Urbanised Ahmedabad and Surat top the list of most literate districts with 86.65 per cent literacy in 7 and above age group.

Gujarat to get 11 new airports The Gujarat government has decided to establish 11 new airports and commence refurbishing work at 10 defunct strips in the state. Dwarka, Ambaji, Palitana, Ankleshwar, Dahej, Morbi, Rajkot, Parsoli, Rajpipla, Dholavira and Dholera (Federa) will have one new airport each. The pre-feasibility study at Ambaji, Dwarka and Palitana has been handed over to the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

Of the three, the study for Dwarka has already been completed. “We have completed the study at

Dwarka and have also finished surveying Palitana and Ambaji. We have studied the 30-year wind pattern and other parameters for setting up an airport. We will now take up study at Ankleshwar and Dahej,” said a senior AAI official. The government has already initiated the process of land acquisition for the new airports at Dwarka, Ambaji and Palitana. Apart from the 11 new airports, the state

already has nine airports under the AAI, one each at Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Bhavnagar, Porbander, Rajkot, Kandla, Deesa and Keshod. There are three more airports under the Indian Air Force at Naliya in Kutch, Bhuj and Jamnagar. “The state government has also decided to move a proposal to start the 10 nonoperational airports in the state which include the ones at Deesa, Kandla and Keshod. We won’t have to seek permission again to start these airports, said official.

Hazare's protest unites India against corruption Continued from page 1 However, Hazare, has threatened to resort to a similar movement if the bill failed to become a law by the next session of Parliament.

Support from Indians abroad: Indians especially in Canada and Britain have stepped forward in support of Hazare, demanding the enactment of Lokpal bill to eradicate corruption in India.

In Britain, Indians gathered at the Hindu temple in Cleveland to show their support. A pooja was also held for the good health of Anna. In London, a candle light vigil was planned in front of the Indian High Commission, Aldwych on 8th April 2011.

Reforms in India Sharad Pawar was the first to resign from the Cabinet after Hazare illustrated him as one of the most corrupted Indian ministers.

Hazare had also severely criticised Kapil Sibal, another Cabinet member, seeking his resig-

nation for the role he played in 2G scam. In his reports Anna stated that Chief Ministers Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar should be idealised for their efforts on rural development. He explained that he did not view them on basis of the political parties that they represented,

but as a whole on their contribution to the society.

Sibal, however, clarified that the scope of the Bill was different from the problems of a common man. He insisted he was on the same page as Anna Hazare on the proposed legislation.

Hazare's praise of CM

Narendra Modi fetched a prompt 'thank you' from the Gujarat Chief Minister himself. He also said that Anna's bold move could attract him life threats.

Citizens of India see Hazare's victory as their own. They now wait in anticipation for the bill to be implemented as a law.

Petition in support of Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption Corruption is manifested in every fold of the Indian society. Financial crimes like bribery, tax evasion or avoidance have become very common.

Bribes are often demanded by the government officials and politicians, who are responsible for the state's advancements. Those involved in scams, posing harm to the nation's peace, prosperity and progress, go free without any punishments. Not enough has ever been done to cleanse the corrupted Indian system.

Only recently such issues have been given adequate importance by

the judiciary and the media after the renowned Gandhian Anna Hazare started his hunger strike for the enforcement of the Lokpal Bill.

Lokpal is highest institution in India to investigate corruption at higher places in Government.

This was pending since last 42 years. The Lokpal Bill provides scope for filing complaints against the corrupted.

Millions had joined the hunger strike of Anna Hazare including Swami Agnivesh, India’s first IPS officer Kiran Bedi, Eminent lawyers fatherson Shanti Bhusan and

Prashant Bhusan, Information Rights activist Arun Kejriwala, Baba Ramdev and Supreme Court Justice Santosh Hegde, to name a few.

But the Lokpal Bill is yet to become a law. It can only be a success if the Indians living worldwide unite to eliminate the corruption that has captivated the entire Indian society.

Though physically not in India, we support India's cause and unite globally to declare a fight against corruption. Let us know what you think. Email us at kartik.raval@abplgroup.com.

Surat inspires Japan

Speaking at the inauguration of the Surat Auto Expo, Naoyuki Maekawa, director-general of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), said that the Japanese took inspiration from Surtis who bounced back from the devastating floods of 2006. "Auto makers in Japan are recuperating from the devastation wreaked by the earthquake and tsunami. The auto component manufacturing hub at Fukushima was badly hit, but we are taking lessons from the Surat floods in 2006 when the city rose like a phoenix in a month's time." According to Maekawa, India's automobile industry has achieved a high growth rate compared to other Asian countries and it is likely to increase further in the coming years.

Japan has a big presence in the automobile market in India and the partnership is expected to grow.

Orissa mine owner top taxpayer

KJS Ahluwalia, a mine owner in Orissa, is India’s top taxpayer in the individual category for 2010-11. Two other mine owners from the state, Prasanta Ahluwalia and Indrani Pattnaik, also figure in the top 10 taxpayers' list. Income tax officials in Rourkela said Ahluwalia, owner of an iron ore mine and a mini steel plant in Keonjhar, paid Rs 500 million as advance tax in the last quarter. He paid a total tax of Rs 950 millione, making him the highest taxpayer ahead of some of the richest men in the country, including Mukesh Ambani and Azim Premji. Ahluwalia's younger brother, Prasanta Ahluwalia, ranked sixth in the list of top taxpayers. He paid an advance tax of Rs 220 million, taking his total tax in the last fiscal to Rs 440 million.

Prasanta owns one iron ore mine in Keonjhar district with a Rs 3.50 billion turnover. Indrani Pattnaik, sisterin-law of Congress leader Niranjan Pattnaik, ranked fourth in the top tax payers' list. She paid Rs 640 million advance tax. In 2009-10, Indrani had paid Rs 750 million tax and was the third highest tax payer.

India to get Swiss bank info for cases dating from Jan 2011

India can get information on secret bank accounts from Swiss authorities for cases dating from January 2011, once the revised taxation treaty between the two countries is ratified by the Switzerland Parliament. "In this case, because you (India) wants to find all the tax evaders. I think we have conceded in the negotiation of DTAA, that India will get information effective from January 1, 2011," Swiss Ambassador to India Philippe Welti told PTI. "It was negotiated and approved by both Indian and Swiss governments," he said. The revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Switzerland is awaiting ratification from the Swiss Parliament, which is expected to happen by end of this year.

2G scam: PAC summons cabinet secretary, PM's secretary

Stepping up the pace of its inquiry into the 2G telecom scam, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has summoned cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar and principal secretary to the Prime Minister T K A Nair on April 16. A day earlier, the committee will speak to CBI chief A P Singh, attorney general Goolam Vahanvati and law secretary D R Meena. According to the CBI chargesheet in the 2G scam, the telecom ministry had overwritten a significant portion of the January 10, 2008 press release for spectrum allocation after taking Vahanvati's opinion. Vahanvati, as the then solicitor general, had also given a legal opinion to the department of telecom in early 2009, saying there was nothing on record to show that Swan Telecom was acting as a front for Reliance Telecom. His opinion had come on a reference given by the Prime Minister's Office, based on complaints from various people including Subramanian Swamy that Swan was a front for Anil Ambani's Reliance Telecom, and Reliance had thus violated rules on cross-holding in telecom sector.

Chandrayaan-2 to cost Rs 4.26 bn

ISRO will spend Rs 4.26 billion for the country's second unmanned moon mission -- Chandrayaan-2, a senior scientist of the space agency said on Saturday. This is an additional Rs 400 million from Rs 38. billion spent earlier on the first mission, Project Director Mylswamy Annadurai said. Chandrayaan-2, which is expected to be launched in September 2013, is a lunar landing mission, while the earlier one (Chandrayaan-1) was only an orbiter, Annadurai said. ISRO had terminated Chandrayaan-1 odyssey on August 30 2009, a year after it was launched in October, after it failed to re-establish contact, lost the previous day, with the lunar craft. The second mission, which will have an orbiter, a lander and a rover, is planned to be launched onboard Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Women & history

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Any ques tions

Life style

write t om amta@ abplgroup.com

By Mamta Bhatia, Psychologist

Believing in yourself is the first step to happiness This week we are focusing on how you can continue to feel great about yourself by being your own best friend.

Firstly, you must stop relying on the approval of others to justify who you are, what you are and how you choose to live your life. When you use other peoples judgements of you as a barometer of your own self worth you are at their mercy.

Humans have millions of opinions, which mean they are prone to being fickle. No one knows you better then you. Know that it is impossible to make everyone happy and in your authentic pursuits to do this ultimately you become tired as energy is given to others rather then yourself.

Revise your strengths and stand up tall.

We all have faults, no one is perfect, and we know this. Build on sharpening you strengths and feel god about them.

Be clear on what and who you are. One creative way of defining you is by writing a commercial about yourself as if

you were a brand. Make the choice to have confidence to discover your strengths. This helps you identify and capture your plus points in a fun way.

Email us your commercial; the strongest most positive wins a prize!

Make a note to yourself that when you change or try a new way of thinking about you, often it can be difficult to accept this change, even if it is positive. This simply has to be lived through if you truly want to see and feel a positive change. It is up to you to analyse whether you are 100% happy with the way you are, or not.

However, it is so important to really trust that any upheavals we encounter happen for a good reason and come to us to make us stronger.

Crises are opportunities in disguise, don’t let them dent you confidence and erode your sense of self because you are all you have.

The best way to deal with self doubt is through activity. What actions can you take to manoeuvre yourself out of this state

of negativity and progress positively into a place of calm? Think about what is in your gift now, try to keep your thoughts and energy focused on the present. Looking far too forward or too far back will loose the structure needed to be confident.

Develop your resilience and notice what you say to yourself and what you choose to take in from others, ensure you have the right energy around you. Watch the company you keep and be selective about whom you take advice from. Surround yourself with triggers of inspiration and strength.

Draw from these sources to add to your pot of confidence and esteem.

This summer I am running a one day Impact Boot Camp focusing on how you can get attuned to yourself, being the best – regardless of what life throws at you. If you are interested in finding out more for you, your organisation or want me to come to your city to run this do get in touch mamta@thinkspalondon.com. Good luck!

Get wed the Parsi way Parsi Lagan or Wedding is unique and different like the community itself.

Restricted to their own community and bound by age- old traditions it is marked by vibrant and joyful customs that spread over a couple of days.

Unique and interesting rituals begin from the time of engagement and culminate with a lavish post wedding reception where one gets to enjoy the rich Parsi culture in the form of good music, wine and dining.

Rupia Peravanu: Rupia Peravanu marks the unofficial engagement when both the families acknowledge the acceptance of the marriage alliance. On this day, ladies from the groom's family pay a visit to the bride's house. The bride is presented with a gift of silver coins with the usual shagun. Refreshments are served and the grooms family return home.

M a d h a v s a r o : Madhavsaro ceremony is observed four days before the wedding. The families of the bride and the groom each plant a young tree in a pot, amidst recitation of prayers by the family priest and place this at the entrance of their homes.

This is generally a mango plant and is treated as a symbol of fertility. The soil in which the tree is planted is mixed with chips of three types of metals (usually gold, silver etc), paan (betel leaf), supari (betel nut), haldi (turmeric) and dry dates. The plant is watered every morning till the eighth day after the wedding and then trans-

planted elsewhere.

Adarni: The third day before the lagan, is regarded as the day for gift exchanging. On this day the groom's family visits the bride's home to present her with all the gifts like clothes and jewellery. The ritual is known as Adarni.

Supra nu Murat: Supra nu Murat is close to the Hindu mehndi-haldi ceremony and is organized a day before the wedding.

Carrying out the tradition, four married women are given a supra each, containing auspicious items

like paan, supari, haldi, dates and a piece of coconut. While singing ritual songs, these supras are exchanged seven times among the women crosswise, length-wise and breadth-wise. A fifth lady sits in the middle with khalbatto and dry turmeric. After the four women finish passing the supras, all five join hands to beat the turmeric along with some milk in the pestle and this paste is applied by all to the groom and bride along with a showering of blessings.

Nahan: Before the marriage ceremony, the bride and groom go through the Nahan ritual. This is done for the purification of the body and soul wherein the family dastur symbolically bathes and purifies the man or woman. Tradition goes that after the Nahan ritual has been performed the bride and groom cannot touch any person outside the family or caste.

The bride then dresses in her madhavate - the white, ornate wedding saree given by her parents, while the groom wears the traditional Parsi dagli and feta a white kurta like garment and a black cap.

By Swati Bhan

27

By Dr Anil Mehta

Chatsworth house

the Jewel of the Peak District

Chatsworth House

decorative art, priceless paintings of Old Masters (Rembrandt, Van Dyke, Reynolds), furniture, tapestries, silver, porcelain, books – you name it.

There are several noteworthy highlights such as state apartments with ornate decorations and painted ceilings, a stunning chapel decorated with art and marble, great dining room, and a huge library. Each room is more intimate and more richly decorated than the last.

Sculptures from classical (Italian) times to the present are displayed in the grandeur of the painted hall, the state apartments, library, and in a lively sky-lit sculpture gallery itself. Most of them are in marble. There is even a niche for a Jain Tirthankara.

Chatsworth is one of England’s best loved houses. It owes much of its popularity to its setting with gorgeous gardens and a rolling countryside. It has been used as a location for films such as Pride and Prejudice (2005) and The Duchess (2008). The latter is based on the life of Georgiana, the former Duchess of Devonshire. The House is surrounded by vast landscaped gardens which are famous for their sculpture, fountains and the Great Cascade Water cascade (stepped waterfall) with the domed temChatsworth House is the seat of the ple at the top. The grounds were Dukes of Devonshire since the 17th cendesigned by renowned landscape gardener Capability Brown in the 18th century. The original house was damaged tury and the garden buildings (conservaduring the Civil War (1642-51) and tory, Emperor Fountain etc) by Joseph rebuilt in classical style by William Paxton (architect of London’s Crystal Cavendish the 1st Duke between 1686 and 1707 employing the leading artists Palace) in the 19th. and craftsmen of the day. The House and The 100 acres of parkland also conthe gardens were further upgraded by tain an enormous Emperor Fountain successive dukes according to their capable of throwing a water jet 150 ft in tastes and preferences in the 18th and the air, the scenic Seahorse Fountain, a 19th centuries. Currently it’s home to the maze and a collection of contemporary 12th Duke and Duchess. Sumptuous pile sculpture. One of the wonders of the garden is the magical Willow Tree Fountain of yellow stone, the House has over 200 (made of brass and pipes but exactly rooms and magnificent gardens set in looking like a willow) in which water expansive parkland. Queen Mary of gushes out from ‘leaves and Scots (1542-87) was held as Queen Elizabeth I’s prisonbranches’. There are picnic er in this house at various areas, farmyard and adventimes between 1569 and ture playground for chil1584. Notable visitors dren, gift shop and a cafe. included Queen Victoria Also, special events such as and Prince Albert, and King horse trials, flower shows, George V and his wife Mary. antiques road shows etc.

Behind the vast classical take place during spring and exterior of the Chatsworth, summer. The gardens can be lies splendid interiors lavvisited separately from the house. ishly adorned with painted In conclusion and carved decorations.

Chatsworth is one of the The immense variety of country’s greatest treasure treasures is seen in 30 or so houses and offers a fascimagnificent rooms of three nating and unforgettable floors. Also the top floor provides marvellous views experience. It’s open every of the park outside. The day from mid-March to House contains Europe’s Christmas (there is an entry finest collection of fine and charge).

Jain Tirthankara Peak district in Derbyshire is one of the most scenic parts of Britain and a popular holiday destination. In addition to glorious countryside, it’s dotted with some interesting historical villages, spa resorts, and superb stately houses, most memorable of which is Chatsworth House, some 15 miles south of Sheffield.

One of the most palatial of English country houses, it’s often called the Palace of the Peak or Jewel of the Peak District. From the house and gardens to the countryside around it, it’s vast. The House and the gardens have attracted visitors from all over the world for many generations. It is unrivalled for its superb collections of paintings, furniture, and sculpture and even referred to as ‘National Gallery of the North’

28

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

This week it is the turn of culture, music, entertainment and yoga. Bankim Pathak and Anila Gohil are very well-known singers in India and abroad for more than 30 years.

Geeta Desai, now a resident of USA has come specially for 'Raga Unveiled- History and essence of Indian classical music'. See Asian Voice (Pg 6) or Gujarat Samachar (Pg 43) dated 9 April.

Kokila Patel, Managing Editor, Gujarat Samachar will discuss the treasure of Indian art and culture with these three talented individuals.

If you do not have a tv, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

To ask questions please call on: 020 8963 1001

For more information e-mail: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Don't miss !!!

Only on CB Live - MATV Sky 793 - Thursday 7:00pm to 8:00pm

WIN CD SOUNDTRACKS TO DUM MAARO DUM

To celebrate the forthcoming release of Twentieth Century Fox’s edgy thriller ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, Directed by Rohan Sippy, ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ features Bollywood luminaries, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Prateik Babbar alongside heavyweight of the Telugu film industry, Rana Daggubati.

For your chance of winning correctly answer the following question: In which famous international tourist hotspot is ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ set?

1) Sydney 2) Goa 3) Liverpool The winner will win a CD soundtrack to Dum Maro Dum. Please email your correct answer along with your full name and address to aveditorial@abplgroup.com by Monday 18th April, 10am. The winner will be chosen on the basis of lucky draw from the correct answers.

Ora celebrates Thai new year London’s fine dining Thai restaurant Ora, introduces for the first time in the UK – an award winning Thai puppet show, favoured by the Thai Royal family to celebrate Songkran (Thai New Year) this April.

Traditionally, Songkran is celebrated with the throwing of water, but with April showers, there is only so much water one wants to see. Instead, from the 12th-16th April, Ora will mark the end of

the dry season with a series of festive dinners showcasing some of the finest puppeteers in the world, which are as unique as they are authentic.

From 6.30pm enjoy a series of dramatic plays and dances from the traditional to the more contemporary whilst indulging in a special three-course set menu, which showcases a host of signature Thai dishes.

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Editorial Executive: Kartik Raval Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter 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 Advertising Managers: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Media Consultant: Rovin John George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Business Development Managers: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 - Email: george@abplgroup.com Nikhil Gor - Email: nikhil.gor@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4009 - Mobile: 07875 229 200 Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Saroj Patel Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com

Coming Events l AMC presents the Art of Dhrupad, AMC presents Friday 8-15th April. 10am-5pm, Bradford Road, London W3 7SP. l AMC presents Mumbai Jazz, Thursday 14th April 2011, 8pm, Gateshead Old Town Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne l "Ramayan Katha” to be recited by Shree Rajubhai Shastry of Mathura, Venue & Date: New Mandir till Sunday 17th April 2011, Time: Weekdays – 3.00 pm to 8.00 – Sat/Sun 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 6pm.

Contact: Jyotiben Patel - 07960361416 l Shree Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday 16th April.

Seaview Buildings, Opposite Splott Market, Lewis Road, Ocean Park, Cardiff. 9.30am onwards. l Redbridge Asian Mandal general meeting and election to be held on 19th April 2011 from 1.00 to 4.00 pm.VHP Temple’s New Hall, Albert Road.

Contact: Odhavji Magudia 0790 552 8645 l Lohana Community of East London will celebrate Ram Navami on Saturday 16th April 2011 from 9 am till 5 pm.

Loxford School, Ilford IG1 2UT. Contact: Nalinbhai Raichura Tel: 01708 523 412 l Nehru Centre, South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF, Contact: 020 7491 3567 a. Mon 18 April 6.15 pm , Exhibition of Paintings : Tantra – The Void Space

by Papia Ghoshal b. Tue 19 April 6.30 pm Film : Ghare Baire (140 min) c. Wed 20 April 6.30 pm, Music : Rabindra Sangeet - by Abhijit Ghosh

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 Much enthusiasm goes into professional ambitions right now, but you need to be your own boss in many ways. Circumstances will make you more determined to place your lifestyle on a foundation of greater security.

Far-reaching change begins to gather momentum.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

You often suppress your emotions and this can manifest as irrational moods that others find hard to understand. Strengthen close ties of affection, sort out emotional differences and proffer the olive branch to anyone who may have caused you pain in recent months. At home, try not to upset anyone around you.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Your horizons are most certainly expanding. Your philosophical thoughts will make your mind run wild. With Jupiter transiting your house of gains, there will be many opportunities. Your financial affairs are looking up. Do not miss out on ways to better yourself in the coming weeks.

It is essential that you adopt a very open attitude now for this is a time of lucky opportunity and a chance to greatly enrich your working life and at home. New windows on the world are about to open and this will have a huge impact on you from now into the future. There is a rather secretive aura surrounding new romance.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 You should enjoy a very popular phase in your life where everyone wants to invite you to parties. This will give you a chance to meet people of your own calibre and pursue any romantic liaisons that might present themselves. Your career is going from strength to strength - take advantage of this phase.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

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

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

An exchange of opinions ought to prove very enlivening at this time. An influence that should help to enjoy the 'nicer' side of others brings out the best in friends and partners alike.

A wind of change may be in the air; attention should turn to the wider world and benefits come from broadening of horizons and mental stimuli.

Play your cards right and you can pull strings in you favour.You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. Developments during this week are likely to make you feel rather restless, perhaps because you have allowed yourself to fall into a routine that is now becoming jaded. If so, then the hint of change will be extremely welcome.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 It would be a mistake always to blame the other person if your experience and expectations of love turn out to be disappointing. It is said that if you do not learn from past experience you will be condemned to repeat it until you do learn. You now have an excellent opportunity to sort out where things may be going wrong.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 There are subtle transformations taking shape in you life and a feeling of helpful influences in the background. There is much to suggest that you are in tune with your inner self and in touch with those hidden forces which often seem to take a guiding hand in one's life. Focus on essentials and establish a solid foundation.

The need to push ahead with personal interests and to assert yourself with added force will take precedence over everything else for some time to come. Mentally you will be in top form, perhaps feeling quite passionate about expressing your ideas and views. It is certainly a good time to get involved in lively debate.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

Guard against being too impatient and restless. You will need to exercise care in the use of credit. Extra energy and drive will serve you well in getting things accomplished, but try not to come on too strong when you deal with others. There appears to be a more successful trend coming into effect.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

HealTH Watch

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

The big top secrets of health drinks They’re big business, but not all consumers seem to be aware that some socalled health drinks contain more sugar than a bottle of Coke.

Earlier this month, the global drinks giant CocaCola dropped out of an annual list of the world’s top 10 brands for the very first time; having come third in 2010, the company found itself in 16th place, and the fall, analysts said, was in part fuelled by the fact that consumers are increasingly choosing “healthier drinks” over traditional fizzy pop.

The shift in our drinking habits over the past two decades has been remarkable: the global rate of bottled water consumption quadrupled between 1990 and 2005, and today the industry is worth some £2 bn in the UK alone. Over the last few years we have seen an explosion in enhanced waters not only flavoured waters, but also waters with added vitamins and minerals (Vitaminwater), elect r o l y t e s (SmartWater), not to mention waters that promise to aid energy levels, concentration, sleep, sex and relaxation (Neuro drinks).

The predicted growth of the market can be judged by Coca-Cola’s 2004 buy-up of Energy Brands Inc (which makes Vitaminwater), which was the largest purchase in Coca-Cola’s 115-year history.

But are these drinks any healthier than, say, lemonade or cola? Certain flavours of This Water (the flavoured water range that shares a parent company with Innocent) contain 42g of sugar per 420ml bottle (a 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola contains 35g of sugar).

“The nutritional information is clearly stated on all our drinks labels,” says Sarah Smart, This Water’s marketing manager. “This Water drinks are made from pure squeezed juices

from real fruits, spring water and sugar. The sugars found in our drinks are made up of the sugars in fruit juice and sucrose, which is needed to ensure that our drinks taste great - without it, they would taste too sharp. Unlike other flavoured water brands, our drinks will never contain concentrates, colourings or preservatives.” The problem with the enhanced water market is in part one of perception - as consumers, we associate the words “vitamins” and “fruit” and even “preservative-free” with a healthy diet, and give little thought to less desirable ingredients.

In January, the Advertising Standards Agency declared an advert that claimed Vitaminwater was nutritious “misleading“; while the drink promises much by way of added vitamins, including 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C, and while it does qualify as a “low-calorie”

drink by EU guidelines, each 500 ml bottle also contains the equivalent of around five teaspoons of sugar - about a quarter of the consumer’s guideline daily amount.

“We have always been completely transparent that the drinks contain 23g of sugar in each 500 ml bottle,” a spokeswoman said, adding that its flavours and colourings are now “naturally

derived” and that the drink “provides a convenient way to help people hydrate and get more of the vitamins and minerals they may require”.

Of course a drink that promises extra vitamins, not to mention improved focus, sex or sleep, cannot help but seem alluring.

Neuro Bliss, for instance, claims to be “designed to promote happiness and eliminate stress without affecting your energy levels”. It contains LTheanine, an amino acid found in green tea, to aid relaxation and mental function, phosphatidylserine, which “may help to maintain and improve healthy mental performance” and vitamin D3, which “supports healthy bones; may help support cognitive function and immunity”. Should we be sceptical? “For these claims to appear on a label,” explains Bridget Benelan of the British Nutrition Foundation, “they have to either comply with the European Commission approved list, or be going through the process of applying for that approval.” But the EC regulation has only been in place since 2007, and since thousands of appeals have been submitted, it is understandably taking a long time to check them all.

While such drinks can do no harm as an occasional treat, it is the cumulative effect of drinking them regularly, and in large quantities, that could prove harmful: a 2009 study found that Americans now obtain 25% of their calories from liquids.

If people are consuming large quantities of things with high calorie content, then there is reason to worry. If we want something to drink, it’s usually because we’re thirsty, not because we need energy - and it’s unlikely to mean that later we don’t eat something because we’ve consumed calories from that drink.”

By Radhika Madlani

Grow Up! Did you know that the youngest ‘mother’ in the UK is recorded as being just 11 years old? Equally alarming is the fact that the oldest ‘mother’ in the UK is 66 years old. I recently came across these depressing facts whilst watching a documentary on ‘Mothers day’. The documentary celebrated motherhood overall with some interesting interviews from mothers from around the world, ones with the most children, the youngest grandmother in the world etc.

As fascinated as I was to observe the psychological profile of the individuals in the documentary, some disturbing trends started to emerge.

Apparently mothers in their teens felt ‘encouraged’ to start their families early by their own mothers who had them at a young age. The classic ‘monkey see, monkey do’.

Then, you had individuals who had spent most of their adult life ‘having fun’ or ‘chasing their careers’ and decided once the ‘fun’ was over, they wanted to settle down and have children irrespective of the impact ageing parents can have on little children.

What will these children do when their parents ‘pass away’ before they even reach their teens? It

seems planning for the future is not a concern for some ‘parents’.

The piece I was gobsmacked by was a ‘middle aged’ parent talk about how much sense it makes either having children at a young age so you can get your ‘freedom back’ soon enough or having them in later life once you have ‘done everything else you want’. Did this individual deserve his children or should he ‘grow up’? Since when did having children need to fit in with your ‘convenient’ lifestyle?

As a nation, we take the ‘mickey’ out of our American counterparts but are we any better?

America has a craze of giving ‘young adults’ education on ‘parenting skills’. Their theory is that whilst teen pregnancy is unavoidable, they can at least ensure these ‘children’ have the knowledge to raise their own ‘children’. Whilst one half of the country is busy delivering education to young parents so they know how to raise children, the other half is busy trying to prevent young children from falling pregnant in the first place. So, how do we fare in the UK? Well, in the UK, young adults have to pass a theo-

ry test AND a practical exam to demonstrate their ability to drive. The fear is that if they have poor driving skills, they will be a danger to society. There is also a minimum age of 17 associated with how soon a person can apply to drive. The same applies to drinking and smoking.

The minimum age for buying cigarettes or alcohol is 18 yet, children as young as 12 or 13 can conceive children and have no more than an NCT class to teach them how to raise them! How ridiculous!

It is a well known fact that the UK has an ageing population. This means that we rely on the future generations to help support this ageing population of tomorrow.

However, if there are children being raised by ‘children’, what can you expect? So-called ‘parents’ of today are putting a burden on the ‘children’ of tomorrow.

Playing dress up in their parent’s clothes is one thing, parenting children is another! Children should be children and not forced to ‘grow up’.

Quote: “Small children only disturb your sleep, children who never ‘grow up’ disturb your entire life” - Yiddish Proverb

Should you have any comments or want to get in touch with me you can email on avmamaria@gmail.com

Extra stress can lead to memory loss Since some time, you are forgetting things, you do not remember names, dates and what not. Then, its time to recheck your stress level. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have shed new light on how stress can contribute to memory loss in old age.

The study could aid research into treatments for age-related memory disorders.

Many believe that stress is bad for our brains, especially as we get older. Now, researchers have shown how two receptors in older brains react to a stress hormone

called cortisol.

The study found that one receptor was activated by low levels of cortisol, which helped memory.

However, once levels of this stress hormone were too high they spilled over onto a second receptor.

This activated brain processes that contribute to memory impairment.

The study found that high levels of the stress

hormone in aged mice made them less able to remember how to navigate a maze. The memory recall problem was reversed when the receptor linked to poor memory was blocked.

The research helps explain why too much stress over a prolonged period interferes with the normal processes in storing everyday memories.

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Sport

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

IPL Results of 8 matches played till Monday, 12th April Match Date 1 8 April

2

9 April

3

9 April

4

10 April

5

10 April

6

11 April

7

12 April

8

12 April

Teams CSK v/s KKR at Chennai CSK won by 2 runs Brief scores: CSK 153/4 (20 overs); KKR 151/7 (20 overs) DC v/s RR at Hyderabad RR won by 8 wickets Brief scores: DC 137/8 (20 overs); RR 141/2 (18.5 overs) KTK v/s RCB at Kochi RCB won by 6 wickets Brief scores: KTK 161/5 (20 overs); RCB 162/4 (18.4 overs) DD v/s MI at Delhi MI won by 8 wickets Brief scores: DD 95 (17.4 overs); MI 99/2 (16.5 overs) PW v/s KXIP at Mumbai PW won by 7 wickets Brief scores: KXIP 112/8 (20 overs); PW 113/3 (13.1 overs) KKR v/s DC at Kolkata KKR won by 9 runs Brief scores: KKR 163/4 (20 overs); DC 154/8 (20 overs) RR v/s DD at Jaipur RR won by 6 wickets Brief scores: DD 151/6 (20 overs); RR 152/4 (18.3 overs) RCB v/s MI at Bangalore MI won by 9 wickets Brief scores: RCB 140/4 (20 overs); MI 143/1 (18.3 overs)

US sports tycoon takes over Arsenal for $1.2bn US sports tycoon Stanley Kroenke on Monday announced the takeover of Arsenal, making the London club the fifth Premiership side to come under American ownership, joining a rapidlygrowing group comprising Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Sunderland.

Arsenal's bitter crosstown rivals, Tottenham, are also seen to be under American ownership since their English owner Joe Lewis operates from US and Bahamas shores.

In all, with Arsenal's

takeover, the overall foreign-ownership (and coowned ) graph of the 20team Premiership rose to 50%.

Meanwhile, the Arsenal Supporters Trust will not be selling their shares to the new owners after voting "unanimously" to retain a stake in the club.

Arsenal's board has recommended all shareholders to accept the offer, priced at ÂŁ11,750 per share, but the AST vowed not to relinquish their involvement in the club's ownership structure.

Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers by 9 wickets Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu hit unbeaten half-centuries as Mumbai Indians cruised to a nine-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Tendulkar and Rayudu added 110 runs for the second wicket as Mumbai chased down the 141-run target set by the Royal Challengers in 18.3 overs.

Tendulkar hit 7 fours in his 46-ball 55 and Rayudu's 50-ball 63 was studded with 9 fours.

Davy Jacobs gave the Mumbai Indians run chase a good start by hitting a 16-ball 22 before he was clean bowled by Dirk Nannes. Jacobs hit 2 sixes and 2 fours before falling to Nannes.

Earlier, Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard took two wickets each as Mumbai Indians restricted Royal Challengers Bangalore to 140/4 despite Tillakartne Dilshan's unbeaten 59. Dilshan hit 2 sixes and 4 fours in his 52ball knock. Dilshan and AB de Villiers added 91 runs for the third wicket but could not really get after the Mumbai bowlers due to their tight line and length. de Villiers hit a six and 3 fours in his 36-ball 38 before he hit a Pollard delivery high up in the air for the tall West Indian all-rounder to complete the catch to put RCB at 110/3 in 16.5 overs.

In the next over, Malinga clean bowled Asad Pathan to reduce the hosts to 112/4. RCB got

Sachin Tendulkar flicks backward during in the match Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday

off to a poor start as Malinga clean bowled Mayank Agarwal on the first ball of the match with a beauty of a delivery.

Mumbai Indians' wicket-keeper Davy Jacobs took a good high catch to dismiss Virat Kohli off Pollard to reduce RCB to 19/2 in 4.3 overs. The breakthroughs came after Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and chose to bowl.

Both the teams are unchanged from the last match. After winning the toss, Tendulkar said that the dew factor is the one

reason why they are bowling first. Bangalore captain Daniel Vettori said that they would have batted any ways as he expected that the wicket will remain true through out the match and the outfield will also remain the same.

Mumbai Indians, only one of two teams to retain the full complement of four players allowed by the IPL rules, will, after the rolling over of the Delhi Daredevils on Sunday evening, be pleased as punch that three among them delivered in game one itself, with the fourth one's

services barely needed.

Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore: Daniel Vettori (Capt.), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Saurabh Tiwary, Asad Pathan, Cheteswar Pujara, Zaheer Khan, Dirk Nannes, Abhimanyu Mithun.

Mumbai Indians: Sachin Tendulkar (Capt.), Davy Jacobs, Ambati Rayudu, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, James Franklin, Rajagopal Sathish, Harbhajan Singh, Ali Murtaza, Munaf Patel, Lasith Malinga.

Second win Rajasthan Royals Rajasthan Royals executed a well-calibrated chase against an off-colour Delhi Daredevils attack to register their second win in two games and move atop the IPL leader board. Winning score was 152 for 4 while Daredevils were 151 for 6.

The senior players soaked up the pressure - Rahul Dravid set up the chase and Johan Botha anchored it - while the youngsters, Ashok Menaria and Ajinkya Rahane, batted with freedom to keep the required-rate under control. Ross Taylor added the finishing touches with his trademark leg-side lashes.

Indian Premier League IV Points Table (as on 12 / 04 / 2011) Teams Match Won Lost Tied Mumbai Indians 2 2 0 0 Rajasthan Royals 2 2 0 0 Pune Warriors 1 1 0 0 Kolkata Knight Riders 2 1 1 0 Chennai Super Kings 1 1 0 0 Royal Challengers Bangalore 2 1 1 0 Deccan Chargers 2 0 2 0 Kochi Tuskers Kerala 1 0 1 0 Delhi Daredevils 2 0 2 0 Kings XI Punjab 1 0 1 0

N/R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 4 4 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0

Net RR +0.974 +0.648 +2.982 +0.175 +0.100 -0.086 -0.553 -0.629 -0.954 -2.982

Indian Premier League IV Date 13-Apr 13-Apr 14-Apr 15-Apr 15-Apr 16-Apr 16-Apr 17-Apr 17-Apr 18-Apr 19-Apr 19-Apr 20-Apr 20-Apr 21-Apr 22-Apr 22-Apr 23-Apr 24-Apr 24-Apr 25-Apr 26-Apr 27-Apr 27-Apr 28-Apr 29-Apr 29-Apr 30-Apr 30-Apr 1-May 1-May 2-May 2-May

No. 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 31st 32nd 33rd 34th 35th 36th 37th 38th 39th 40th 41st

Match Details Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings Pune Warriors vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Mumbai Indians vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Deccan Chargers vs Kings XI Punjab Pune Warriors vs Delhi Daredevils Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Chennai Super Kings Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals Mumbai Indians vs Pune Warriors Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals, 23rd IPL Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians Rajasthan Royals vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala Chennai Super Kings vs Pune Warriors Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Pune Warriors vs Chennai Super Kings Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Deccan Chargers Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Delhi Daredevils Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab Rajasthan Royals vs Pune Warriors Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab Delhi Daredevils vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala

Venue Mohali Navi Mumbai Hyderabad Jaipur Hyderabad Chennai Hyderabad Navi Mumbai Kolkata Kochi Delhi Bangalore Mumbai Kolkata Mohali Kolkata Mumbai Delhi Hyderabad Jaipur Chennai Delhi Navi Mumbai Kochi Delhi Jaipur Bangalore Kochi Kolkata Jaipur Chennai Mumbai Delhi

Date 3-May 4-May 4-May 5-May 5-May 6-May 7-May 7-May 8-May 8-May 9-May 10-May 10-May 11-May 12-May 13-May 14-May 14-May 15-May 15-May 16-May 17-May 18-May 19-May 20-May 21-May 21-May 22-May 22-May 24-May 25-May 27-May 28-May

No. 42nd 43rd 44th 45th 46th 47th 48th 49th 50th 51st 52nd 53rd 54th 55th 56th 57th 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd 63rd 64th 65th 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd 73rd Final

Match Details Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Pune Warriors vs Mumbai Indians Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Kolkata Knight Riders Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala Kings XI Punjab vs Pune Warriors Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings Deccan Chargers vs Pune Warriors Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Kings XI Punjab Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Rajasthan Royals Pune Warriors vs Deccan Chargers Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Chennai Super Kings vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala Pune Warriors vs Kolkata Knight Riders Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals Kings XI Punjab vs Deccan Chargers Delhi Daredevils vs Pune Warriors Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians TBC vs TBC, Qualifier 1 IPL TBC vs TBC, Eliminator IPL TBC vs TBC, Qualifier 2 IPL TBC vs TBC, Final IPL

Venue Hyderabad Chennai Navi Mumbai Kochi Hyderabad Bangalore Kolkata Mumbai Bangalore Mohali Jaipur Hyderabad Mohali Jaipur Chennai Indore Bangalore Mumbai Dharmasala Indore Navi Mumbai Dharmasala Chennai Navi Mumbai Mumbai Dharmasala Delhi Bangalore Kolkata Mumbai Mumbai Chennai Chennai

SPort worLd

Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011

Gary Kirsten packs his bags after taking India to the top

By Premen Addy

India's acclaimed cricket coach Gary Kirsten has packed his bags and departed for his native South Africa, having achieved the near impossible: taking a demoralised and broken-backed India from the bottom of the heap to the pinnacle of cricketing glory. His predecessor, Australian great Greg Chappell, may have been one of his country's most outstanding batsmen, but managing the Indian team turned out to be little short of a disaster for both parties. He left amid a raging controversy, it being left to the former South African Test star Kirsten to begin his career in cricket management by putting Humpty Dumpty together again. Without fuss and bother he did just that in three memorable years, which have taken India to top spot in the Test rankings, and hold aloft the ODI cricket World Cup as well.

His players swore by Kirsten, and he in turn swore by them. It was clearly a match made in heaven. However, all good things come to an end, and the young family in Cape Town tugged at the coach's heart strings. But India has left its mark on Kirsten and his two asso-

ciates, Paddy Upton and Eric Simons.

Ensconced in the BCCI's cricket centre in Mumbai, Kirsten, fielding questions from a scrum of Indian reporters, said: “I'm honoured by the way I was treated, though I was a foreigner. So were Paddy Upton and Eric Simons. It was incredible to see how the Indians love their cricket and players and that helped being amongst them. I was with them shoulder to shoulder.

It's a beautiful country and I have been to many parts of India. I went to Gulmarg for skiing. I will be coming to India many times. India has major tours to West Indies, England and Australia and the endeavour should be to maintain the No 1 ranking in Test cricket.....As a player I would have loved to win the World Cup which never happened. I guess the second best is to

do this as a coach. It's been an amazing achievement. It's been wonderful to have been part of this win with a special group of cricketers. Man-management is the most important thing. For me it's really understanding the individuals.” His approach to his job, he explained, was holistic, of which the technical aspects of the game were simply a part.

Kirsten described Mahindra Singh Dhoni as the best captain in the world - “he's a leader by example;” he saw a great future for Virat Kohli, was all praise for the new Yuvraj Singh, who had buckled down to climbing the heights as an international batsman and spin bowler, and described Zaheer Khan as the best 135k pace man in the world. Young Cheteshwar Pujara had immense promise as a Test batsman, while pace bowler Ishant Sharma and left-arm spinner Ojha were still on a learning curve.

Kirsten quotes Sachin Tendulkar as saying, “We love playing for Team India, not for ourselves.”

It is this spirit that animates Team India today, said the coach. The players will have a point to prove without his presence as guide, counsellor and friend.

London Marathon on April 17

The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world and is one of the five top world Marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition which has a $1 million prize money. It has been held each spring since 1981.

The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money.

The London Marathon is on Sunday 17 April 2011. Virgin allowed 125,000 applicants this year, out of which 46,698 were accepted. Half -a-million spectators will enjoy watching the race. The course goes past many London landmarks including the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and ends in front of Buckingham Palace. Marathon attracts top athletes and amateur runners as they all try to complete the grueling 26.2 mile course.

The course of the London Marathon is fast and flat, and basically runs along the River Thames on the south side and then the north side after crossing the river by the famous Tower Bridge. The fastness and scenery of the course make the organisers describe it as ‘A Historical Jog Around London.’

Whether you are running in the race or not you can visit the exhibition that serves an opportunity for

fitness lovers. It will be the biggest ever, with major athletic brands and multitude of other exhibitors held every year at ExCeL in London's Docklands from 13th April to 16th.

Before the run, its party time. To help you to have the energy to race, or to cheer on your friends and family, don't forget to visit the Pasta Party. While you eat, you can pick up last minute tips from expert speakers.

Celebrities: Tom Aikens (the youngest Michelin-starred chef), Jonathan Ansell (a singer), Luke Allen-Gale (actor), Sarah Anthony ( stage artist), Ronni Ancona (impressionist, comedian and writer), Jay Aston (a singer, dancer), Tony Audenshaw (plays Bob Hope in Emmerdale), Calum Best (Son of legendary footballer George), Cheryl Baker (TV presenter and singer), Charlie Brooks ( Janine Butcher

on Eastenders), Jamie Baulch (A former international 400m runner), Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard in Emmerdale ), Chris Cogill (actor), Emma Crosby (GMTV presenter), Katie Price (A former glamour model), Kellie Shirley (Carly Wicks in Eastenders) As a fundraising event, there is no race in the world that comes close to the London Marathon. An iconic image of the event is the thousands of runners traipsing the streets to raise money for charity, many in fancy dress.

More than three quarters of competitors now run for a good cause and a third of all entry places are offered by charitable organisations.

Over the last 15 years, this scheme has grown and now includes more than 750 British charities with a total of 15,000 guaranteed places.

In addition, The London Marathon Ltd – the company that organises the race – has produced a total of more than £28 million for its own charity, The London Marathon Charitable Trust. These funds are distributed to help build community sports facilities and develop recreational projects around London. Over the years it has helped nearly 700 projects.

Shane Watson demolishes Bangladesh with record sixes Australia scored a ninewicket victory over Bangladesh in the second limited overs match in Mirpur to seal the series mainly because of an unbeaten 185 from 96 balls by opener Shane Watson. On his way to 185, Watson made a world record tally of 15 sixes.

The target of 230 had appeared a possible, but Watson made such light work of it, that his unbeaten 185 from 96 balls now stands as the highest ODI score by an Australian, overtaking Matthew Hayden's 181 against New Zealand in 2007.

The explosive opener gave a superb display of power-hitting as he also cracked 15 fours in his 96ball knock. West Indies' Xavier Marshall was the previous record-holder with 12 sixes against Canada in 2008. He completed his sixth One-day hundred off just 69 balls, the thirdfastest by an Australia after Hayden (66 balls) and Gilchrist (67 balls).

Bangladesh were earlier struggling at 88-5 before crossing the 200 mark, thanks to wicketkeeperbatsman Mushfiqur Rahim's unbeaten 81 off 80 balls.

Rahim's best came in the closing stages of the innings when he smashed two fours and a six off successive deliveries from paceman Brett Lee.

31

TMS joins hands with ITV to target Asian audience during IPL Broadcaster ITV has joined hands with Targeted Marketing Solutions (TMS) to penetrate into Asian audience during the IPL season.

While the TMS has acquired the rights to sell airtime and sponsorship of Asian brands for the next four years, ITV has signed a four- year deal with Nimbus Communications for the UK broadcast rights for Indian Premier League. Under the agreement, live coverage of IPL matches will be broadcast free-to-air on ITV4 and simulcast live on ITV.com.

ITV4 coverage will be produced by ITV Sport. Matt Smith along with a host of big names from the world of cricket, including broadcaster and journalist Simon Hughes, current England Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood, and former England internationals Alec Stewart, Mark Butcher, Dimitri Mascarenhas and Vikram

Solanki will give expert commentary.

With India winning the World Cup and a huge following for the game amongst the South Asian audience in UK, it has become imperative to market the appeal of IPL on ITV to that Asian audience. “As Leon Barnett, Group Account Director of ITV said: “We are delighted to be working with TMS during the IPL Cricket. TMS has an excellent knowledge of the South Asian advertiser market and we are confident that this association will open up new opportunities during the tournament.”

The IPL has become one of the biggest sporting events in the world, broadcasting to audiences of 145 million last year in India itself and capturing large global audiences across all continents including Australia, USA and across the Middle East.

EPL Matches this week Saturday, 16 April 2011 Birmingham v Sunderland, St Andrews Ground Blackpool v Wigan, Bloomfield Road Everton v Blackburn, Goodison Park West Brom v Chelsea, The Hawthorns West Ham v Aston Villa, Boleyn Ground Sunday, 17 April 2011 Arsenal v Liverpool, Emirates Stadium Tuesday, 19 April 2011 Newcastle v Man Utd, St James’ Park Wednesday, 20 April 2011 Chelsea v Birmingham, Stamford Bridge Tottenham v Arsenal, White Hart Lane

15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 16:00 19:45 19:45 19:45

National Hindu Students Forum (UK)

By Miten Kana

An inspiration for all ages

Gordhanbhai Chavda

Many of us are happy to sit and watch the annual London Marathon from the comfort of our living rooms. Sometimes, after seeing the hard work of the thousands of participants racing for charity or for the competition, we like to set the goal of taking part in next year’s race. Few actually see this goal through to the end.

Even fewer, having completed the Marathon once, will continue to participate in the years the follow. For one person, however, the passion of running has continued to spur him on to do sewa, selfless service, to help a whole country..

At 71 years of age, Gordhanbhai Chavda is one of the few partici-

pants who will be ticking the 60+ category on his application form to take part in this year’s London Marathon. This is the third time he will be running and he will be doing so not for any personal benefit, but to raise money for Oxfam, the official charity for this years Marathon. The money itself will go to a project in Tanzania, which is a place where Gordhanbhai affectionately remembers when it was called Tanganyika.

Having spent over 20 years living in the country, he felt that it was only right that he gives something back. “This is a good opportunity for me to do my little bit to help the people, with whom I lived in my younger days” he said recently.

Not only is he a keen runner, Gordhanbhai was an official at the Dar es Salaam Uhuru Games in 1964, and also helped raise funds to send the first Tanganyika team to the Olympics in Melbourne. These are times and events even our parents would struggle to

remember, but our grandparents would remember fondly.

As the leaders of tomorrow, we should look at Gordhanbhai’s achievement and selflessness as the basis for us to build our own principles. Hindu Dharma promotes the notion of “Healthy mind, Healthy body” and encourages it through pranayam and various other means.

Gordhanbhai is truly an inspiration to a generation of students and young professionals who might sometimes forget to look at the bigger picture, and to remember our roots at the same time. On behalf of NHSF, I would like to wish Gordhanbhai Chavda the best of luck on Sunday 17th April as he lights the path for the next generation of Hindu leaders.

Remember, ‘Swayameva Mrugendrata’ – We achieve by our own efforts.

To support Gordhanbhai or for more information please visit, and donate generously: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GordhanChavda

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Asian Voice - Saturday 16th April 2011