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16th January to 22nd January 2016

Vol 44 | Issue 35

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Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

Priti Patel completes 3-day successful visit to India

Delhi waits concrete evidence from Islamabad over steps taken against the handlers of Pathankot attackers

The most awaited IndiaPakistan foreign secretary talks scheduled for January 15 seem to be on the rocks in the wake of the Pathankot airbase attack.

While Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif quickly set up an inter-agency investigation team to probe the leads India provided it regarding the perpetrators of he attack, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has hinted that the talks may be called off.

Pak authorities even carried out raids in Gujranwala, Jhelum and Bahawalpur districts, during which an unspecified number of people were arrested, said intelligence officers. Sources said the raids were seen as “positive signs” by the Indian establishment.

India had shared the identity of four Jaish-eMuhammad handlers suspected to have guided the Pathankot attack, and furnished their phone numbers that showed up in

Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Chaudhry

intercepts of their conversation with the fidayeen who attacked the base. The four handlers have been identified as Abdul Rauf Asghar, brother of Jaish chief Maulana Masood Azhar, Ashfaq Ahmed, Haji Abdul Shaqur and Kashim Jaan. Maulana Masood Azhar has been named as the mastermind of the Pathankot terrorist attack. India later shared a fresh batch of evidence against the handlers, including transcript and picture Markaz where the attack was planned. “The

terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase has once again put renewed focus on the challenge posed by cross border terrorism. The ball is in now Pakistan's court. The immediate issue in front of us is Pakistan's response to the terrorist attack,” the India's Ministry of External Affairs said.

However, recent reports in the Pakistani media claiming the phone numbers used by the Pakistani handlers were “unregistered” did not go down well in New Delhi's throat. A source said, “According to our information, Pakistan's telecom rules do not allow phone numbers to be activated till biometrics are captured.

How is it possible that the numbers are unregistered?”.

Government sources said the “assessment” of the action being taken by Pakistan will be done by the security establishment under the NSAs' watch before it is decided whether foreign secretary S Jaishankar travels to Islamabad on January 15.

Continued on page 26

See Pages 16-17 and 18 for EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL & TOURISM Stories

Sushma Swaraj and Priti Patel

Rupanjana Dutta & Nilesh Parmar

Britain's Employment Minister and Champion of Indian Diaspora, Ms

Priti Patel's 3 day visit was met with warm responses in India, as she covered 3 cities including Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Continued on page 8

Indian court jails 6 Britons for 5 years on firearms charges

An Indian court in Tuticorin on January 11 awarded five-year jail terms to 10 crew members and 25 security guards – 6 of them Britons – of a ship that

illegally sailed into Indian waters three years ago loaded with arms and ammunition.

The ship, MV Seaman Continued on page 26

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ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

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to

Ranjit Banwait

Ranjit Banwait is the Leader of Derby City Council, having represented Boulton Ward since 2006. In May 2014 he became the first ethnic minority leader in the city's history.

The son of a postman and a school cleaner, Ranjit is proud to trace his ancestry back to sugar-cane farmers in the Punjab. As a second generation migrant, he was the first member of his family to attend university, graduating from the University of Kent with a degree in history. After a short period in London, Ranjit moved back to Derby where he lives with his wife and young family.

As a self-described conviction politician he has never been afraid to court controversy. In his time as Leader of the Council, Ranjit has earned a reputation as a vociferous champion of working people and an outspoken critic of Government cuts.

In 2015 he launched a 15 Year Vision for Derby, with the intention of tackling some of the city's biggest issues. These included encouraging the cohesion and integration of new communities, promoting inner city housing renewal and detailing an ambitious programme of city-centre and community regeneration projects.

1) What is your current position?

I am currently the Leader of Derby City Council with responsibility for policy and strategic services across the authority. My role involves liaising with key stakeholders across the city and ensuring public services in Derby are fit for purpose, despite the enormous financial challenges we are currently facing.

2) What are your proudest achievements?

My proudest achievement was when I became the first ethnic minority Leader of Derby City Council. Councillors from a range of backgrounds have long been well represented on the

authority, but it is an enormous privilege to take a leading role in representing the city of my birth.

3) What inspires you?

I am passionate about history and I take my greatest inspiration from the unsung heroes of the civil rights movement. I admire those who took enormous personal risks to secure the rights and freedoms we now take for granted. I am certain that I would not be in the position I am today without the sacrifices made by those brave individuals.

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

The greatest obstacle I have faced in my career is austerity.

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

The greatest influence has been my friend and Labour colleague, Chris Williamson. Chris was the Leader of the Council when I was elected in 2006 and subsequently became the Member of Parliament for Derby North between 2010 and 2015. His help, advice and principled stand against austerity have inspired my own political career.

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

The best aspect of my role is helping the people I represent in Boulton Ward, who are ultimately my boss. As a councillor you are often approached by residents who have exhausted conventional means of support or redress, who turn to their elected representatives as a final resort. When you are able to help those people it is incredibly rewarding and pushes you to work harder in future.

7) And the worst?

I did not seek election to dismantle cherished local services,

ple in London have joined Uber including chefs, tandoori chefs, waiters, managers- even the owners of restaurants. We do not have the profits we used to and now a lot of people value the freedom of that life. They do not have to have the headaches of running six people in a kitchen, and if your food is not consistent, you are responsible. In a cab com-

Oil Khan, vice-president of the Bangladeshi Caterers' Association

pany you just go there and drive the car.”

Bowie spellbinds one final time The multi-talented musical artist, David Bowie (69), passed away on 10th January 2016, after discretely suffering from cancer for 18 months.

Bowie spent his whole career redefining the art of

pop music. In his latest and

last video, he turned his own death into a spellbinding performance.

The artist released his final album, Blackstar, on Friday 8th January, which gave hints to his soon to follow demise.

Supermarket colas cheaper than water Amid the growing concerns of obesity and the over indulgence of daily sugar intake by children, it has now emerged that supermarket own-brand colas are much cheaper than some bottled water.

Aseem Malhotra, cardiologist and science director of the campaign group Action on Sugar said, “Supermarkets have a responsibility to give shoppers more healthy choices and should not be promoting cheap sugary drinks.

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my time comes, I will have left public services in Derby better equipped to deal with the challenges they face, namely rising demand and ever diminishing resources.

Local authorities have been pushed to breaking point since 2010, with Derby City Council already having delivered £116 million of savings with a further £45 million required in the next three years. These will be impossible to deliver without the closure of public services – a position that is both political and electoral suicide.

Mobile taxi app partly blamed for fading curry trade It has been reported that the mobile taxi app, Uber, has been somewhat blamed for the worsening state of the UK curry trade.

Many chefs, restaurant owners, managers and waiters have been recruited

by Uber, which has led to the worsening of the trade.

Vice-president of the Bangladeshi Caterers' Association (BCA), Oli Khan stated, “A lot of peo-

AsianVoiceNews

but that is exactly what I have been forced to do as a result of draconian cuts to council funding. We are reaching a point where councils will no longer be able to fulfil their legal obligations, let alone provide the services that make our towns and cities attractive places to live. As a Labour councillor, I have been forced to make decisions I would not otherwise contemplate.

8) What are your long term goals?

As a councillor, my long-term goals rarely extend beyond the next set of local elections. But I would like to think that when

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

I believe austerity is destroying the country we know and love. There is more than one way to reduce the deficit and slashing public services is not the answer. We need to invest in our economy to create growth and prosperity. It is refreshing to see that sentiment finally being expressed in mainstream politics, but I fear that things will get much worse before they start to get better.

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

I have many historical heroes but I would have to choose Steve Biko. While the extent of his legacy would not be realised until many years after his untimely death, his philosophy that political freedom could only be achieved if blacks stopped feeling inferior to whites was enormously influential. I would like to show him how his sacrifice was not in vain.

Cameron supports 'tiger mums' In quest to tackle child poverty, Prime Minister David Cameron stated that he is in favour of adopting a disciplinarian approach to parenting, as well as appreciative of “tiger mums”.

Cameron has insisted that “children thrive on high expectations”. He also chastised schools who has the approach of “:all must have prizes”.

His parenting comments is very likely to draw controversy, however, the Prime Minister stressed

David Cameron

the importance of hard work. He said, “It is, in fact, what the tiger mothers' battle hymn is all about:

work, try hard, believe you can succeed, get up and try again. It is... the precise opposite of the 'all must have prizes' culture which permeated our schools under the last government and for so long. Put simply, children thrive on high expectations. It's how they grow in school and beyond.

For too long this has been the preserve of the most elite schools. As we reform education, we'll make sure that all kids are exposed to the very best that schools do.”

Anjem Choudary's trial postponed Radical preacher, Anjem Choudary, was to go on trial on Tuesday 12th January, for allegedly inviting support for Isil on social media; however, the trial has now been postponed to Monday 7th March.

The charges allegedly took place between 29th June 2014 and March 2015. Choudary denies the charge.

Choudary is currently on bail until the trial. The trial is expected to take up to four weeks.

NHS rehire redundant staff The NHS has paid over £90 million in redundancy to staff only to rehire them. Many patients'

leaders as well as doctors vented their anger at the taxpayer-funded deals during a period when the

health service is troubled and hospitals are in the process of overspending by £2.2 billion.

Women have to wait longer for a brain tumour scan

This seems to be a clear example where private

profit is trumping public health.”

According to a report, women are twice as likely in comparison to men to wait over a year in order to be diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The Brain Tumour Charity conducted a study

which found that 30% of women had not been diagnosed in the last year after they first consulted their doctor with the symptoms, where as only 15% of men were not diagnosed.

C MMENTS

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Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Never fear to negotiate India should never fear to negotiate with Pakistan but should negotiate from fear: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was right to do so. What went awry with his latest endeavour were the tactics surrounding his decision and not the deed. The cloak-and-dagger publicity, the sudden descent on Lahore for a birthday bash at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif household and the high octane rhetoric on a purported ‘breakthrough’ when no such thing had occurred was brutally exposed. The serious intent behind the exercise evaporated as soon as the Pathankot jihadi attack got underway.

Lahore diplomacy was perceived as a BJP gimmick, where it should have been viewed as a matter of the gravest national interest. Indian politicians and the country’s political class expect high powered diplomacy to be televised entertainment, as it was with Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ‘peace’ journey to Lahore in early 1999, until it ended in a vale of blood and tears in Kargil. The hijack of an Indian Airlines plane to Afghanistan and an audacious assault on the Indian Parliament followed in due course. Pathankot, true to form, should not have come as a surprise. That it did bears witness to the void that exists in India’s Pakistan policy is scarcely deniable.

So how should India go about framing a policy that works The first thing to do is set out a realistic timeline in the light of past failures. That said, the country must be prepared for the long haul:: nothing below 50 years.

Anything less is best regarded as a bonus. This should be followed by serious reading on the subject. It would be wiser to peruse Hussain Haqqani’s two seminal titles: Pakistan between Mosque and Military, and Magnificent Delusions, a study of Pakistan-US

relations; Christine Fair’s Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Army’s Way to War, and Ahmed Rashid’s Pakistan on the Brink, to be followed

by Andrew Small’s The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia’s New Geopolitics.

Having read these works and cogitated on their contents, Indian policymakers in the bureaucracy and outside should set out the options before India, beginning with a list of areas where India is best positioned to apply its strength on Pakistani vulnerabilities.

Second, India must bring China and the US, Pakistan’s two principal benefactors, into the loop. For instance, it could be pointed out to Beijing that in the event of a Pakistani nuclear attack on India, the Indian second strike response would likely include Chinese cities as well, hence it was in China’s interest to keep its Pakistani client in check. As far as the US is concerned, India should concentrate on a calibrated media blitz in America itself, targeting Congressmen and Senators signing up to military deals and cash flows to Pakistan, emphasizing Pakistan’s role in Jihadi terrorism in America, including 9/11.

The Pathankot situation and the aftermath, it now transpires, reveals the Pakistani military telling Nawaz Sharif that it would not interfere with Kashmir-based jihadi operations against Indian targets. Bruce Riedel, the former security advisor and CIA analyst in the George W Bush and Clinton administrations, has said the jihadi attack in PPathankot bore the signature of the Pakistan military’s Inter Services Intelligence directorate (ISI), thus endorsing the findings of the Indian intelligence agencies. How ISI machinations are handled is the Pakistan government’s responsibility.

North Korea raises the nuclear stakes North Korea, long perceived as a rogue state by the international community, claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb. Whether hydrogen or atomic, each is massively destructive. India has joined the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in condemning the North Korean action. North Korea acquired its nuclear weapon technology from Pakistani rogue scientist, Abdul Qadir Khan, who purloined the technology during his time working at the Dutch centrifuge plant in Holland. He subsequently set up a clandestine network for its export with the full knowledge and cooperation of the Pakistan government, with the US a passive spectator, hence culpable too. Pakistan supplied North Korea with the technological know-how for a nuclear bomb and was rewarded with North Korean missile technology. Pakistan and China (as the source of a readymade bomb to Islamabad) were thus proliferators, not that anyone would notice,

such being the thunderous silence from Washington. The chickens are now coming home to roost.

However, the original sin of the nuclear bomb rests squarely with the US decision to drop the atom bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, not to bring the war in the Far East to an end and save lives, as the American narrative would have us believe.

President Harry Truman sanctioned their use in the delusional belief that Russia was too backward to reply in kind with a bomb of its own. So began the arms race and Cold War. Truman’s reversal of President Roosevelt’s wartime Grand Alliance between the US, UK and USSR had disastrous consequences.

Anthony Eden Britain’s Foreign Secretary during this period was to remark later: ‘Had Roosevelt lived and retained his health he would never have permitted the present situation to develop. His death, therefore, was a calamity of immeasurable proportions.’

Indian American scientist honoured US President Barack Obama is to present the National Award Medal of Science to Professor Rakesh Jain (and 15 other scientists) of the Harvard Medical School and director of the tumour biology laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor Jain took his first degree at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, before moving to the United States, where he earned his PhD degree at the University of Delaware.

A White House announcement described the medals as ‘our nation’s highest honours for achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and technology….Their work is a testament to American ingenuity.’ Professor Jain is a member of National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences.

He is one of America’s foremost ontology specialists.. He has done India and America proud.

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My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.

- Jane Austen

Islam and America As the US elections heat up and focus on a President Donald Trump to ban Muslims from entering America, Islam has always been a part of America's story.

The first nation to recognize the United States was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, the second ever American President, John Adams wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims."

Since the founding of America, American Muslims have won Nobel Prizes, built the tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend the Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of the Founding Fathers of the United States -Thomas Jefferson -- kept in his personal library.

Indeed, the United States elected as President, as the most powerful man in the world, the son of Muslim, a man named ‘Hussein Obama’.

In America, the 7 million American Muslims enjoy income levels higher than the average American.

Imagine that – flourishing in the home of what the Iranian leader called the Great Satan. As that man, President Obama said, ‘The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.

Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism -- it is an important part of

promoting peace.

I heard of a year ago 24 Egyptian Christians beheaded by ISIS for being Christians.

Thousands marched in London against the deaths of Muslims in Gaza. But why not against the killing in Syria, or of Christians, or of Hindus in Pakistan?

There is not the same outrage. It was the West, not Turkey or Saudi Arabia that backed action in Syria. Or what about Muslim deaths in Bosnia – it was Nato jets protecting Muslims then.

Everywhere in recent times, Islam has both flourished under, and been protected by, the flag of the West.

Now at last, Egypt, Jordan realise there will be no peace until their own house is in order.

This is a clash of civilisations – the clash of the civilised against the uncivilised.

An England cricket player wears a protest band on his wrist against what is happening in Gaza, but not in Syria.

Truly the concept of Islamic Brotherhood can be so much more greater than this, to enforce the peace, that ‘Islam’ means around the world.

The Holy Koran tells us: "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

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Pravasi Bhartiya Divas celebration evokes huge response

Anand Pillai

Shailesh Vara MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions and at the Ministry of Justice, said this is India’s century. There is no two ways about it that India will be a global force to reckon with.

The only issue is when?

Mr Vara was speaking at a reception hosted by the Acting High Commissioner of India, Virander Paul, to celebrate the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2016 at India House on January 9.

Mr Vara, who was the chief guest, said, “We have to recognise that perhaps 30 years ago if I had spoken about Indian community I would have probably said Indians are in every corner of the world, I would probably have said in every corner of the world there is an Indian running a corner shop, but what I would say now is that in every corner of the world there is a corner shop, but there is probably an Indian who owns the warehouse that supplies the corner shop and there is probably an Indian manufacturer who supplies the warehouse that supplies the corner shop and there is probably an Indian financier who paid for the financing of the manufacturing organisation.”

He said in Britain there are people of Indian origin in all spheres – be it public service, business, professions, media, academia, arts, culture. They are in every field.

He said, “All data will show that the contribution made by Indian community in Britain to the exchequer by way of taxes exceeds the proportion that they have as part of the electorate. There are people who hold high office and positions in every sector.

I am a minister in her Majesty’s Government and I am proud to be a minister.

And I am Indian origin. And that is why when India progresses it concerns you, people like us, all of you, me to help her as she progresses on to the global stage.”

He added, “UK is our country. We have made this our home out of choice and we are 100% loyal to Britain.

But we also have deep affection for the country of origin.

And so it is for Indians throughout the world” He said the Wembley extravaganza was an extraordinary event during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s UK visit. He added that he and his colleagues, were actually taking notes on “how to win the next election” and “what we could learn” from Modi's historic speech. It was a rock star treatment for an Indian politician. Britain has not experienced this in the past. But what was also significant was there was follow-up in terms of trade, connections and contacts.

He gave credit to Mr Manoj Ladwa, India Inc. CEO, for the success of the Wembley event. Mr Vara

said, “Manoj was the backbone of the event.”

On the occasion, Mr Ladwa said social media should not be seen as an alien thing. In fact, it is the “in thing”. The need is to recognise and capitalise on the power of social media.

“Today my 75-year-old mother has a Facebook account and the social media has opened a new window of opportunity to her to connect with her grandchildren, in particular, and the world outside. So social networking is no longer considered the domain of the young,” said Mr Ladwa.

“Whether it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi or David Cameron or President Barack Obama, all have Twitter accounts and are highly active. They have used social media to their advantage. They use social media to invite ideas or suggestions or as a weapon to broadcast their vision,” he said.

Shailesh Vara MP

The reach of social media is beyond imagination. Today social media breaks the news before you read it in newspapers or watch it on TV, he added.

Mr Ladwa said the Indian overseas students should make use of the opportunity provided by the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre to do internship with top Indian corporates. The internships are a window to gain experience about Indian work culture and an opportunity to connect with their roots in India.

Sanam Arora, President, National Indian Students Union (UK), in her presentation said India should leverage the experience and expertise of the highly skilled diaspora by enabling an environment that allows recruitment of highly qualified academics, business people and entrepreneurs who will use

In Brief

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Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Virander Paul

their expertise to expedite the mission to catch the Make in India and Skill in India initiatives promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and leading to the development of new technologies and high tech industries in India.

She said there is a need to introduce lateral thinking in schools and that’s possible only if teachers teach that way. Now that applies the best of both worlds approach.

Members of the diaspora who are subject matter experts are the most ideal people to take on this task – with their Indian background and their western experience. Training delivered by these diaspora experts in specialised fields on the ground has a more targeted and demonstrable effect than short term training courses where typically trainees are sent abroad for a week or so to be trained.

More often than not such courses are expensive, they are temporary in nature and are not self-sustained. In contrast, on the ground expertise deployed in a targeted fashion will be much more effective, cost-efficient, self-sustainable and practical, she added.

Amarjeet S Bhamra of Ayurvedic Bodywork Consortium said traditional medicines are India’s most ancient contribution to the world. He said, “The World Health Organisation itself says that 700 million people still rely on traditional medicines, but the European Union somehow thinks this is not good and they have now banned all ayurvedic medicines that come into UK.” He urged to look at India as a potential possibility where people’s health care can be taken care of by some of the best ayurvedic doctors and traditional medicine

doctors in India.

Lord Raj Loomba said India is building smart cities, increasing trade relations with most of the world, but India should also pay attention to stopping domestic violence, trafficking, raping and should provide security to women in India.

Bob Blackman MP said the relationship between India and the UK is becoming stronger than ever. Be it the field of trade, education or finance. India and the UK are united. The relationship between India and UK should be similar to the one between the UK and the US. He said Indian students are choosing the US for education and are not coming to the UK. That should change.

They should come to the UK. “We should make UK the destination of choice for Indian students.”

He said the relationship between the two countries is so strong that Prime Minister David Cameron has visited India more than any other country during his premiership – the only exception being Belgium (Brussels) for obvious reasons. “If the European Union stops certain goods coming from India, that’s another good reason I would say why Britain might want to leave EU,” he said it in a lighter vein, much to the delight of the jam-packed audience at India House. He said we should make sure British Parliament listens to the voice of Indians and acts on behalf of the Indian population.

In praise of Modi at Wembley Stadium, he said, “Any man who can hold an audience of such magnitude in the bitter November cold for one-and-a-half hours, it is quite remarkable.” Modi had addressed over 60,000 people at Wembley Stadium on November 13, 2015.

Earlier, Acting High Commissioner of India, Virander Paul, said henceforth the “big” Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) event in India will be held once in two years, while it will normally be held in the Indian missions in various countries.

January 9 was chosen as the day for PBD as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the “greatest Pravasi”, returned home from South Africa to lead India’s freedom struggle. He said the webcast by External Affairs Sushma Minister Swaraj on the day was watched here.

He gave a brief overview of what Sushma Swaraj said – like merging of the Indian overseas affairs ministry with the External Affairs Ministry and initiatives of Narendra Modi Government such as Make in India, Skill in India, Digital India and Aadhar card for overseas Indians.

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Remorseful thieves give themselves in

Guilt usually does make one redeem themselves; or so it was in the case of two thieves, Michael Dehal (28), and Stephen Monaghan (50), who gave themselves to the police. Blackpool magistrates' court heard how the duo had broken into a beauty firm in Lancashire, in June 2014, and stole hairdryers, hair straighteners, clippers, and much more; a robbery of items worth £60,000.

However, the pair, who are from Bradford, decided to give themselves in after they felt ashamed when they got to know that another man was being blamed for the robbery. They contacted Lancashire police and admitted to the burglary.

500 years of the Royal Mail

Royal Mail has been providing their loyal service for 500 years. It was conceived by Henry VIII, who knighted Brian Tuke to be the Master of the Posts, in the year 1516.

To mark the 500 years of ongoing service, the company has created an online gallery of 500 objects, events and people that informs about their past services and the impact they've had across the world and in society.

MP of Monmouth lambasts Archbishop

The Archbishop of Canterbury was lambasted by the Conservative MP for Monmouth, David Davies, of the his call for Britain to be more receptive of refugees. Davies stated on his website, “How wonderfully saintly it must feel... [to condemn] the wicked politicians and bigots who worry about mass migration without having to take difficult decisions yourself.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury was also called a “dinosaur” after he quoted biblical floods to reason that climate change is not a new development.

Ruby Wax releases book on depression

Depression can be a slow, silent killer if not diagnosed and treated at the right time. One of the most popular television personalities, Ruby Wax, has experienced episodes of depression in her life, which she talks about in her new book, A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled.

Ruby Wax detests depression being termed as a mental illness. She said, “It's just illness.

Mental health is physical. It's your brain, which is a physical part of you. You either have a disease of you don't.”

2016's top new year's resolution is losing weight

The Financial Times revealed a chart on a survey for the top new year's resolutions in the UK for 2016. The top new year's resolutions were to lose weight and get fit with 35% and 31% respectively. The new year's resolution of finding new employment was merely 11%, while reducing the intake of alcohol was only 8%.

More spies employed to fight cyberterror

The spy agency, GCHQ, has employed thousands more members than they have publicly disclosed, as it endeavours to include cyberthreat from terrorists, hostile states and organised crime.

According to an official report from the previous year, the Spy centre had employed nearly 5,700 full-time staff and officers at its headquarters in Cheltenham, as well as their satellite stations across Britain. GCHQ has promised more transparency about its work.

Those at risk of cancer refuse to amend lifestyle

Research has shown although there are people who are at high risk of developing cancer, they refuse to alter their unhealthy lifestyles.

A survey conducted by Merseyside NHS Trust and the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, of more than 2,000 people, found that 60% refused to give up sunbathing or going to tanning beds, 80% os smokers stated that they would not give up cigarettes, 51% refused to lose weight to reduce their risk of cancer, and 59% were not willing to drink less alcohol.

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Sarna takes charge as the new Indian High Commissioner in the UK

Indian HC celebrates Pravasi day The Indian community in the UK is one of the largest diaspora community. And that was quite evident when Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to London in November. An entire stadium full of Indians came out, braving the cold weather to hear their Prime Minister. What could be a bigger example of a strong and well-knit community overseas?

In order to recognise the community and their hard work, the Indian government celebrates Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas every year on 9th January.

Established in 2003, it is sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region of India. A celebratory event is held on 7–9 January each year in an Indian city: a forum for issues concerning the Indian Diaspora is organised and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are given.

The 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7–9 January 2015 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Theme for 2015 year was "Apna Bharat, Apna Gaurav".

This year, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj addressed all Indian missions and posts abroad. Her speech was broadcast live on Youtube around the world for the Indian community.

In London, the Indian High Commission cele-

brated Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas at India House. A select group of members from the Indian community were invited and a number of presentations were made about how India and UK can work together in order for better exchange of knowledge and skills.

Acting High Commissioner Virender Paul welcomed the audience and thanked the Indian community for their efforts in bringing the two countries closer. Also present at the event was Virender Sharma MP, Shailesh Vara MP and Lord Raj Loomba among others. A number of interesting presentations were also made by Pratik Dattani, head of FICCI in London, Manoj Ladwa, the man behind PM Modi’s Wembley event, Sanam Arora of National Indian Students Union, UK among others. Topics included economic relations between India-UK, healthcare projects in India and skills-transfer between both the countries.

Wazir crumbles but BigB is a hit Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar-starrer Wazir has missed the mark in terms of collecting money at the box office but what the audience is going gaga about is Big B’s performance.

Wazir tells the tale of two unlikely friends – a wheelchair-bound chess grandmaster (Amitabh Bachchan) and an ATS officer (Farhan Akhtar).

Both are brought together by grief and a strange twist of fate as part of wider conspiracy that has cast a dark

shadow over their lives.

While the film has some interesting twists and turns, it fails on many levels. But if you are a Big B fan, then add this to your list for his flawless acting.

While Wazir is the first Bollywood film I saw this year, it does make me think if Bollywood films are now more about making it to the 300 crore club or performances? Gone are the days when we went to a cinema for its story.

The film industry is extremely star-driven and the trend has been changing more and more. In the past decade or so, one can literally count on their fingertips, stories that have created a stir. But then, as film-makers say these films target only a handful of viewers. Not everyone is interested in watching a social issue film. But no, my point here is not about social issue films. Why can’t we have original fictional stories too? For instance, a film like Sarkaar or a film like Vicky Donor are two extreme but they both deal with excellent stories in their own way.

Last year, films like Bajirao Mastani and Masaan made it to the top of the lists because of both good stories and brilliant acting. But such films are very rare. Brings us to a very interesting question – Is cinema a necessary evil for our society? I have always believed that cinema is a very strong medium through which one can send a message across. But is that the case with Bollywood films now? Or are they more about hitting targets and entering ‘elite clubs’? One for us to ponder over.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Pastor found not guilty after allegedly branding Islam as 'satanic' Evangelical Pastor James McConnell (78), from Newtownabbey, was charged for a controversial sermon in where he allegedly labelled Islam as being “satanic”. However, the pastor was found not guilty.

At Belfast Magistrates' Court, District Judge Liam McNally stated, “The courts need to be very careful not to criminalise speech which, however contemptible, is no more than offensive. It is not the task of the criminal law to censor offensive utter-

ances. Accordingly I find Pastor McConnell not guilty of both charges.”

It is said that the pastor had allegedly described Islam as a “doctrine spawned in hell”, and that he did not trust Muslims.

After walking out of court as a free man, the pastor said, “I am very happy. The only regret I have is the response from the Muslim communitythat I was out to hurt them.

There was no way I was out to hurt them- I wouldn't hurt a hair on their head.

But what I am against is

Pastor James McConnell was found not guilty at Belfast Magistrates' Court

their theology and what they believe in.”

since October 2002, and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving spokesperson of the Ministry.

He served two prime ministers, three foreign ministers and four foreign secretaries, till the end of his term in September. He was a former Indian Ambassador to Israel and has served as a diplomat served in Moscow, Warsaw, Thimphu, Geneva, Teheran and Washington DC.

OCHS Academic Director leaves for Singapore After providing over ten years of invaluable service at the heart of Hindu Studies in Oxford, the Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS), Prof.

Gavin Flood, will be leaving Oxford University, to take up a chair in Comparative Religion at the National University of Singapore.

Prof. Flood has produced three books, The Truth Within: A History of Inwardness in Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism; The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation; and The Importance of Religion: Meaning In Our Strange World. He was also the Consulting Editor of the Journal of Hindu Studies, and was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2014.

Prof.

Flood expressed, “I leave the OCHS in excellent health and with great potential.

There is a core of young scholars ready to take on the mantle of Hindu Studies at Oxford and I look forward to seeing their progress. I am to remain in close contact

OCHS Director, Shaunaka Rishi Das

with the OCHS and look forward to coming back for conferences, research projects, and to see old friends.”

Shaunaka Rishi Das, OCHS Director, stated that Prof. Flood “embodies rig-

Prof. Gavin Flood

orous scholarship with the virtues that implies. He has been a kind friend to staff and scholars at the Centre and an excellent guide to his students. He has played a vital role in setting and achieving our high academic standards.”

Tenants need not leave until evicted, says Council Things may just become a tad more difficult for landlords as tenants have been advised by the Council to not leave the property until they receive an eviction order.

This is the Council's respond to tackling the housing crisis in Britain.

The eviction process will take up to four months and will cost the landlords hundreds of pounds.

The Royal Family engagements 2015 has been a very eventful year for the Royal Family. Tim O'Donovan, conducted a survey of the official engagements in which the Royal Family had participated in during 2015, as reported in the Court Circular. O'Donovan shared the results with The Times newspaper. The results are as follows:

The chart shows the Royal Family's engagements in 2015

Source: The Times

Spriha Srivastava

HE Navtej Sarna has taken over charge as the new High Commissioner of India in Britain. He addressed his colleagues at the Mission on Monday at the famous Gandhi Hall.

Sarna's first public event will be the Indian Commission's High Republic Day celebration, to be held in Grosvenor Hotel at London's Park Lane on 29 January.

Before holding his current post, he was Joint Secretary for external publicity at the MEA,

UK Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

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EXCLUSIVE

A journey from Calcutta Street to London's heart 26-year-old Kolkatan becomes the first woman and chef to open a Bengali restaurant in the City

Rupanjana Dutta

26 Year old Shrimoyee Chakraborty is all excited to be the first Bengali woman from Kolkata to open her own restaurant as the Chef in London's City area. Known as the Calcutta Street, the restaurant will be open on 7 March 2016, at 118 Bricklane, opposite Old Truman Brewery.

Bricklane that is home to many Bangladeshi restaurants, that are often passed off as Indian, is known to be a curry paradise. Literally stone throw away from London's financial district, especially Liverpool Street and the trendy Shoreditch and Hoxton, the restaurant promises to be a new 'talk of the town' and 'must go' for foodies.

Shrimoyee, popularly called by her friends as Shrim, a bubbly and attractive character, is an inspiration for younger generation, especially young and creative women. With a 'can do' attitude, she started this journey as a pop-up in last March, the first being on 7 March 2015 in a pub at London's Camden Market. At a reasonable price, she offered a three course authentic home made Bengali food, and that was just the beginning of the journey. She then had several pop ups all across central London and the City, all sold outeven themed ones.

This middle-range restaurant (£35 for two) is going to make authentic home made Bengali cuisine from Kolkata available for everyone like never before.

From phuchka to pach meshali sobji to dab chingri to paturi to to rosogolla and mishti doi, the menu currently includes 21 Bengali main dishes.

Calcutta Street restaurant has been started with investments from 5 investors as of now, including Shrimoyee herself and another Indian, is shaping up well, bringing old Kolkata living room charm into one of London's most sought after location. Inspired by Satyajit Ray's true image of an old Kolkata parlour (or living room), the interior will be done by Sanket Avlani from the Taxi fabric and the very classic and true vintage windows, doors, fans, chandelier (and may be an arm-chair) are donated by Paromita Biswas from the famous Dasghara Biswas family in Hooghly, West Bengal.

The restaurant will not just stick to elaborate dinner menus, but will cater to the rushing office lunchers too, with special dishes of the day that will be quick, yet be filled with the warmth and traditions of Bengal.

Shrimoyee grew up in Jodhpur Park (an upmarket area in South Kolkata) with mother Shrabani, who is a well known Rabindrasangeet singer and father Tarun, a businessman who runs a chain of research and diagnostic centres called Mediclue and not to forget her

younger brother Shrijit. She studied in Ashok Hall school, and then went to Sophia College in Mumbai.

After graduating with a degree in Mass Media she landed in Manchester to study Msc in Global Business Analysis, at the Manchester Business School. After a few, but important stints at different places, 5 and a half years later, here we have Shrimoyee, opening her first ever restaurant in the heart of London.

Speaking to Asian Voice exclusively, Shrimoyee said, “When we talk about Bengali food in Britain's restaurants, it's never the Bengali food we grew up eating in Kolkata. So I wanted to bring authentic home-made KolkataBengali food to Britons. 7 March will be an exact year from my first pop up.

I followed my dream and am very excited that this journey has been successful so far.

“As you may know there are very few women chefs in the world, let alone in Britain. So to motivate, I also intend to give more and more opportunities to women (not necessarily Indian) to join me in the kitchen of Calcutta Street, as sue chefs. It is my small contribution to those who spend their lives at the back of the house. This is our turn to come in the front and prove our potentials as professional cooks.”

Will her proud parents join her on the opening night of her restaurant?

Shrimoyee added with a smile, “I hope so. I mostly hope my grandfather Sunil can, who has been a great inspiration for me and my Calcutta Street journey.”

7

Heavily pregnant MP called "discourteous" Heavily pregnant Tulip Siddiq, the Labour MP for Hampstead & Kilburn was labelled as “discourteous”

by Eleanor Laing, the Commons deputy speaker, who went on to say that Siddiq “made women look bad” and told her to not “play the pregnancy card”, after she had left the camber to eat.

This incident occurred on Wednesday 6th January and according to Hansard records, Tulip Siddiq had entered the debating chamber at 12:45pm. She delivered a speech at 2:30pm and left to eat at

'Three strikes and you're out' policy Under a government backed scheme that is supposed to help with affordable insurance in flood-prone areas, homeowners could face a “three strikes and you're out” policy.

In April, Flood Re will be launched, which will be funded by all homeowners via a supplement of insurance policies. The supplements of insurance policies is said to be an average on £10.50 annually, and is meant to provide subsidised cover for 350,000 houses which are at risk of flooding.

2:45pm.

It is alleged that Eleanor Laing said, “People will think that women can't follow the conventions of the House because they're pregnant...

If one makes a speech in the Chamber, it is courteous and required by the rules of the House that one stays in the Chamber- certainly for the following speech and usually, for at least two speeches thereafter. The people who have not done so today know who they are.”

During her campaign for the deputy speakership

Heavily pregnant MP, Tulip Siddiq, was called "discourteous" for leaving the chamber to eat

two years back, Laing was in support of making a more family-friendly parliamentary timetable.

Mild winter baffle hedgehogs The unpredictable winter weather may not just prove problematic for people, but for British hedgehogs as well.

Between midNovember and midMarch, hedgehogs usually hibernate; they may have not done so yet due to the mild winter.

Police pay telecoms £37m to access customers' details It has been disclosed that the British police forces have allegedly paid telecoms companies over £37 million in order to access personal details and call records of customers since 2008.

It has also emerged

that about 34 police forces and authorities had allegedly paid up to £7 million in 2014, and companies such as Virgin media and Vodafone are among those companies that were asked to share users' details.

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Women dominate university courses Women have proven to be equal to their counterparts for several years; but it may not be farfetched to claim that women are now overtaking men in many aspects.

According to figures published by UCAS, women dominate two thirds of university courses.

The figures show that there are 66,840 more women on degree courses than men.

The number of young women enrolling in higher education is on a constant uprise.

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UCAS figures reveal that there are more women than men in higher education

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Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

As I See It

CB Patel

Hindus and Tolerance Brent Indian Association (BIA) was established in Ealing Road Wembley (also known as Greater Gujarat) some 50 years ago.

BIA caters for the needs of various services for local Indian community irrespective of caste or religion. It is not funded by the local council or any religious organisation as such. It manages to serve thousands of people every year and depends on community support – predominantly Hindus, Jains and Sikhs.

It has been very fortunate to have an active and dedicated team of voluntary workers led by determined executive committee headed by Ms Anita Ruparelia as the chairman. * On 20th December a dialogue was organised at BIA on Prime Minister

Narendra Modi's recent UK visit and Indo-British relationship (See Asian Voice, 26th December issue, page number 16). A vegetarian dinner was served on the ground floor – Assembly (Prayer) Room.

I was sitting near a corner where I saw a clean table with Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh deities along with Islamic and Christian presence displayed prominently. It was like a Ghar Mandir, place of worship. I was delighted and most

impressed with the ethos of BIA as well as the Hindu community that though 95% of their clients are from Indic faith tradition and almost entire funding comes from them, they had such a large heart and universal faith to have Christ, mosque as well as other religious symbols on the table.

I was reminded that this is the spiritual heritage of India. That's how India has remained a multi-faith and multiracial icon surrounded by intolerance, extremism and violence.

May this India live forever.

As British Indians we cherish and take pride in our value and traditions.

*(http://www.brentindianassociation.org)

Priti Patel completes 3-day successful visit to India

Continued from page 1

Delhi from 7 to 9 January.

Speaking at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi alongside the Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, she commended the vibrant contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.

"Two years ago, Prime Minister David Cameron appointed me as his Diaspora Champion for the Indian community in the United Kingdom.

"This role was the first of its type – unique in the UK and anywhere in the world. It is evidence of the personal commitment that our Prime Minister places relationship the on between Indian and the UK, and, importantly, our people-to people links…

“As the Indian diaspora champion, my personal ambition is to continue to increase engagement and dialogue with the Indian community in the UK. I want to develop even closer the long-standing relationship between our nations.

She said that since 2006, the UK has had 25,000 exchanges of academics, staff and students under the UK India Education and Research Initiative.

"We are also collaborating on developing smarter, greener cities. was I "Yesterday, delighted to attend the launch of the roadmap for a low carbon and climate resilient Kolkata with the Mayor of Kolkata, Mr Sovan Chatterjee. British and Indian experts have worked together on this unique programme that will create one million

green jobs, attract investment and cut carbon emissions in this city.

"This is another example of where the two of us can work together to make a real difference.

"Of course, the economy is also a priority for both our countries. During Modi’s visit, we announced more that £9billion in commercial deals and bilateral investment, which will also underpin our growing relationship.

"And Prime Minister Modi announced the Government of India’s intention to launch the first Government backed rupee bond in London to fund infrastructure railway development.

"So these are just a few examples of where we are working together, government to government."

Global Summit and Meeting 'Didi' Priti attended the West Bengal Global Summit from 7 January till 8th, following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's visit to the UK in summer 2015, where no fewer than 25 MoUs were signed. Many British businesses are also newly entering the Bengal market as well as companies strengthening their existing presence in the state. Some UK businesses have also set up their headquarters in Kolkata - such as Hargreaves, a major mining company - and others rapidly expanding their base - like UK facilities company management OCS which now employs more than 900 people in West Bengal.

“During 34 years of communist rule West tremendous Bengal’s potential –a wealth of nat-

ural resources; a creative and highly educated workforce; a hugely strategic geographic location – unfulfilled. remained Although the connections between the UK and West Bengal were historic, they offered little for our shared future.

The Honourable Chief Minister’s tenure has offered us an important opportunity to change that, just as she has set about to change West Bengal itself,” Patel told Asian Voice.

British Deputy High Commission inauguration in Ahmedabad Minister Priti visited Ahmedabad on January 7, for a few hours in which she inaugurated the British High Deputy Commissioner's office and, met with Governor O.P. Kohli. The Ahmedabad High Commission, is the fourth Indian mission, after Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Also present at the inauguration was member BJP Kheda Devusinh Chauhan.

“Coming to Gujarat to High the inaugurate Commission was important to me. The opening of a High Commission in this region is a significant step connecting towards Gujarat and Britain. This is major news for every one of us. The British government was keen on establishing this organisation. This mission will not only boost the cultural and historical ties, but also help promote mutual cooperation,” she said.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, she said, “Indian families have struggled to find a place in

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

MI5 wanted to recruit jihadi suspect The ghastly video of five masked jihadi gunmen shooting 5 alleged spies caused a global outcry, especially in Britain as one of the main suspects was suspected to be 32-year-old Siddhartha Dhar, from Walthamstow, east London.

Many errors have emerged that had occurred while monitoring Dhar, also known as Abu Rumaysah, when he was granted bail for alleged terror offences in 2014. It is said that the Scotland Yard had written to Dhar, politely requesting him to hand over his passport weeks after he had escaped and travelled to Syria. They had failed to seize his documents, even though Dhar had declared that he wanted to join Islamic State.

What seems to be even more astonishing is that British intelligence officers had tried to contact Dhar to recruit the former bouncy castle salesman, prior to his

Konika Dhar Siddhartha Dhar

arrest for alleged terror offences. MI5 officials had warned him that he was very likely to either be in jail or dead if he did not comply to becoming a double agent for them, gathering intelligence against terrorist suspects.

Dhar, however, was arrested soon after and escaped to Syria with his wife and kids, while being on bail. He had been arrested six times on suspicion of terror-related offences prior to his escape.

His escape has led to many questions being raised to the authorities on how one managed to escape

security and travelled his way to Syria via Paris. Dhar had taunted the British authorities once he arrived in Syria. He posted images of himself on Twitter, where he was seen holding an AK-47 in one arm, and holding his baby son on the other.

In a message to his sister last year, Dhar had supposedly declared, “I'm prepared for death”. His sister, Konika Dhar, remembers her brother as someone who was very patient. She is unable to adjust to the man he has become after leaving his Hindu upbringing and converting to Islam.

Style Savita- Inspiring you to 'Love The Way You Look' Style Savita, founded by Abhi Patel, is an exclusive and affordable handmade Indian jewellery brand which recently launched a chic online boutiqueStyleSavita.com. The company's core purpose is to shape the perception of real beauty and inspire you to 'Love The Way You Look'.

Fashion blogger and entrepreneur, Abhi Patel, tells her story behind the brand. “Savita is my grandmother who has been an inspirational role model in my life – teaching me values and guiding me with

principles. I am the person today because of my grandmother’s traits of an independent, courageous and confident woman. In the same way Savita has inspired me, I want to inspire women across the world, make them feel beautiful and give them a voice through Style Savita.”

She further added, “I am so elated about launching a business with values for consumers, the community and collaboration with complimentary brands and individuals.”

Style Savita pledge 5%

Abhi Patel, founder of Style Savita

of profits through their Stand With Savita initiative to support a number of organisations who help vulnerable women and children and give them a voice to stop trafficking, exploitation and abuse.

British couple's Dubai property repossessed A British couple, Prakash and Rama Suchdev, were left devastated after selling their London business in order to purchase a Dh1 million flat in Dubai, only for it to be tangled in a conflict between the broker and developer.

The apartment purchased by the couple in Dubai Marina, was repossessed by Dubai Courts.

The one-bedroom property is among 35 others in the building which have the British society. True, the community has mixed with British traditions.

Culture and tradition hold an importance place here.

However, it needs to participate more. You will find Punjabis, Gujaratis and people from different Indian societies in councils across Britain, which is admirable and welcome.

There still is a lack of public participation and that needs to be encouraged. I am one of the best examples of how far Indians can come. I had an interest in politics and the public, which is why, I started initiating myself from a very

Suchdev is aghast. “We have been caught completely unawares. I ran a small retail store in London, but when I developed a heart condition five years back, I sold it off to buy this apartment, hoping to get a steady return on investRama and Prakash Suchdev standing outside the tower, in ment. I had never imagDubai, where they purchased ined it would all go so their flat horribly wrong.”

Asian Voice tried to been repossessed in the contact the Suchdevs but similar manner. they were unavailable.

60-year-old Prakash young age. We can all see where the engagement and the hard work got me. The Indian community accounts of 1.5 million people in the country. I am proud that I represent them in the office.

Stating on how committed David Cameron is on strengthening ties between India and Britain, she said, “The fact that Prime Minister David Cameron in his tenure has already visited India three times, is proof itself of how eager he is to establish relations with the country.

Keeping the Indian youth in mind, British govern-

ment has put special stress on skill development.”

Patel strongly rubbished stories on how tough regulations make it difficult for Indian students to attain a visa. She said, “There are several colleges in the UK that exploit students from countries like India. To find a solution to this issue, we have framed a set of policies that would help students choose a proper path, the right visa and, acquire quality education.

“There are no set restrictions and limits on the number of students who wish to study in British universities...”

UK Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

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Leading Lights

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

The Entrepreneur Taking Beaufort Securities Stratospheric Tanvier has over 25 years' experience at investment houses like Merrill Lynch.

Tanvier was appointed Beaufort Securities' Chief Executive Officer in 2012.

He brought the first Global Depositary Receipt (GDR) market from India.

A Global Depositary Receipt is a certificate (like a share certificate) issued by a depositary bank which purchases shares in foreign companies. The GDR certificate itself represents the ownership of an underlying number of shares in the foreign company and is often used as a method of investing in companies from emerging markets by investors in developed markets.

Tanvier worked as part of the team at Merrill Lynch that developed and launched one of the first Indian GDRs, promoting it to UK institutional investors and High Net Worth individuals.

Tanvier’s biggest passion is food; thus his

Tanvier Malik

involvement in the UK’s first fine dining India restaurant, the Cinnamon Club, for which he raised funds via a group of likeminded investors.

The initial investors in the Cinnamon Club were a syndicate of a group of Tanvier’s friends working in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and Nomura. There were 20 individuals

involved and between them a total of £2 million was invested. It was the first deal Tanvier brokered on his own through the newly established Beaufort.

But it wasn’t too hard to persuade the investors, apparently, after a road show in the Red Fort Indian restaurant.

In 1998, The Cinnamon Club was ostensibly the only Indian restaurant in Soho.

Everyone at the event shared a passion for food and of the 20 people there 12 committed to invest immediately, with one even offering to underwrite the entire venture. The launch night of Cinnamon Club was a star-studded affair, with one investor friend of Mick Jagger managing to get him to come along.

Oscar-nominated actor John Malkovich was reportedly also present as he was in London at the time promoting his latest film. There were also a number of prominent Bollywood stars.

Under Tanvier’s stewardship Beaufort Securities has grown to be one of the largest corporate brokers within the Small and Medium Enterprise space.

Tanvier is also Chief Officer of Executive Beaufort International Associates plc.

Beaufort Securities describes itself as different from traditional stockbrokers due, in part, to the use of technology to deliver its services. There is also the of its website use (www.beaufortsecurities.co m), email and social networking channels to deliver original research in a timely manner, as well as providing live access to clients to view their portfolios 24/7.

The company arranges investor events through the year, providing private investors with the rare

9

The firm’s Capital opportunity to meet the Markets department has senior management of the grown. It now provides listed companies they brokerage services to over invest in face-to-face and 40 AIM-listed companies. to pose their questions.

It also ranks number one Beaufort Securities broker for mining compamay well be suited to the nies on AIM, based on the Asian market. Here’s why. number of Basic Materials Beaufort has evolved brokerage clients it repreover the last 20 years withsents. (according to AIM out losing its entrepreneurAdvisers Ranking Guide). ial drive. It adapts to new Tanvier want to grow opportunities. It is flexible the business. Most of the and accommodates the firm’s new clients come to demands of clients. Its via referrals and recomteam of brokers is multimendations, and we will ethnic, multi-lingual pronot jeopardise our existing fessionals with an underrelationships. standing of various culBut there are chaltures.

Beaufort has lenges ahead. proven its expertise Tanvier said, in the SME mar“The wider ket and is able to present clients Our success also economic situis with groundbrings its own ation always a level investchallenges. major focus. ment opportuKeeping up with The anticinities with the potential for the growth of the p a t e d increase in significant business is one. interest rates is returns. obviously going T a n v i e r to have an impact wants to make on the UK markets Beaufort Securities during 2016. Identifying the number one stockbroinvestment opportunities ker in the UK for retail and for our clients in uncertain corporate clients. market conditions is a 2015 was a successful challenge for our experiyear for the company. Not enced team of analysts. only did it win the title of Our success also brings ‘Financial Services its own challenges.

Company of the Year’ at the Keeping up with the Asian Achiever Awards, growth of the business is but it also won the title of one. Beaufort’s workforce ‘Best Advisory Stockbroker’ has double in size over the at Shares Awards for the last two to three years and second year running. we expect that kind of Beaufort won four separate growth to continue.” awards that year.

A RETROSPECTIVE

TUESDAY 26th JANUARY, 7pm CADOGAN HALL Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ Mahatma Gandhi is a legendary and much loved figure around the world. His ideology was based on the foundations of truth, nonviolence and service to humanity. Reflect on his life through a presentation comprising of rarely seen short films, audio recordings and much loved Gandhian bhajans.

PRESENTED BY Birad Yajnik, noted Gandhian author and curator RENDITIONS OF DEVOTIONAL SONGS PERFORMED BY Swati Natekar, Unnati Dasgupta, Sunil Jadav, Jonathan Meyer, Siddarth Singh & Amardeep Sarl.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW Cadogan Hall Box Office 020 7730 4500 www.cadoganhall.com

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READERS’ VOICE

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Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Violence in one’s own country UK has seen lot of immigration in its history from many parts of the world. The reasons can be various like persecution, being deported or economic but still all were welcome here and offered security. The first generation immigrants all faced difficult but similar situation and still most managed to improve quality of their life compared to the life in the country they left. They were happy and loyal to the country that offered them refuge.

However what is worrying now is the second generation who have not faced difficulty like their parents are being radicalised from a particular community. The perpetrators of all the terrorist attack reported recently in Europe say they carried out in name of “Allah”. This obviously puts the whole muslim community in dock.

Recently Subhash Thakrar mentioned what if the radicalised person is from Hindu community?

Something one cannot even imagine. However a muslim convert Abu Rumasayah known as “Jihadi John” was referred by Hindu name of Siddartha Dhar. This is a wake-up call for Hindus as the teachings we give to our off springs is always of peace and must ensure it is engrained in their future behaviour. Otherwise it would not be long before media reports Hindus as Jihadi.

Suresh P Shah By email

Karm is the Dharm

Anyone who is born will die but while anyone is living he or she must do truthful action only. Doing it is in the person's hand 100% but the result is due to action in the past lives. the result can come as either good or bad which is due to the person had done in the past lives.

But doing good and truthfully is in our hand 100%.

Somebody can do bad and the result comes good but the result which comes is due to past lives. When someone dies then all the good and bad actions will come to the next lives.

Good and truthful action is called karma and bad actions are called vikarma. According Karma the life come to better life next time or as Vikarma the person will go to bad life.

I do receive God’s krupa in my heart that if you do karmic actions but do not wish to receive the result then after death it become moksh.

Every person must do good and truthful action only till the death. One thing I do feel that it is most right to remain vegetarian.

Kantilal T Pankhania By email

Antibiotics

Winter’s epidemic floods hospital A & E with overworked doctors that may lead to fall in standard.

Recently elderly family member having bad attack of flu visited “Walk-in” Centre. He was prescribed pain killers which one could buy over the counter, in spite of having bad upper respiratory tract infection, clearly in need of antibiotics. After weeks of misery, the infection spread to chest and was prescribed Amoxicillin which did not work, ultimately having to take much stronger combination of antibiotics with severe side-effects.

There was time when antibiotics were prescribed indiscriminately, thus reducing its effectiveness.

Perhaps pendulum has swing too far to non-prescribing, to the detriment of elderly.

So often patients’ concerns are dismissed without merit, send home with ineffective painkillers. Young people are even more affected as they are presumed to have strong immune system capable of fighting infection without drugs, forgetting that each patient is individual with special need.

Kumudini Valambia

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Jainism - the great faith

It’s interesting to note the small Jain community’s generous philanthropic work and contributions for India by Dinesh Sheth in A.V. of 26.12.2015.

Jainism branched away from Hinduism on two main doctrines.

Compassion for all creatures, small or big and therefore not to kill them strictly for consumption or otherwise. Secondly, non-violence in speech, deeds and thoughts.

Nearly all Jains are vegetarians; many are even vegans. Jains strongly believe that you are what you eat and your food shapes your thoughts. Needless to say, Jains are peace-loving, industrious, mild-mannered, and humble people with great entrepreneur skills. They have enriched India culturally, economically and spiritually and no doubt will continue with their endeavour.

Niranjan Vasant London

Divide & Rule

I note that both AV and GS have started the practice of publishing monthy calendars from last week. I very much hope that this will not replace the pictorial and glossy twelve monthly calendar which we receive every year. I do voluntary work for a couple of local organisations and it falls on me to plan for various events during the year and make bookings for halls and inform the membership of the dates and venues for the functions we will be celebrating. The calendar clearly shows the dates for all Hindu, Jain Sikh, Muslim and Christian religious festivals like Diwali, Paryushan, Mahavir Jayanti, Jain Varshitap, Ayambil Oli and Maha Shivratri, Holi, Makar Sankratri and others. It also gives additional information regarding India’s Republic Day and India’s Independence Day together with dates for Poonam and Amas. These are all shown with appropriate pictures or photos so that it is easy to identify them and make appropriate planning. The calendar is free to subscribers and comes in addition to the periodical supplements which we get from time to time.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

New Year resolution

On New Year Eve more than one hundred women and girls were sexually assaulted in Cologne, Germany, by a large number of young men. Apparently 50% of them were Muslim migrants. For political reasons they were identified as ‘refugees’ rather than Muslims. Some time ago in Rotherham, Rochdale, Oldham and in other areas of England over one thousand vulnerable girls were subjected to systematic physical abuse and rape for a long time mostly by Muslim men. For political correctness they were identified as ‘Asians’. The term Asian includes not only Muslims but also Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and even those of no-religion. There is a need to address this political correctness.

The Home Office record published some time ago showed that British Hindus are the most loyal and advanced citizens of the UK with lowest crime and proportionately lowest prison population. It is time for Hindus to decide if they should take step to rectify this situation knowing it is a very difficult and complex problem for the British authority and media to handle. Perhaps the way forward is for all Hindu organizations in the UK to come together, discuss this subject and make joint peaceful representation to Her Majesty’s Government and the media people explaining why it is wrong to put Hindus in the same group with Muslims. It is important that ‘a spade must be called a spade’. Unless that is done the perpetrators of illegal and unsocial activities get indirect encouragement to carry on with their wrongful habits.

Jatindra Saha By email

Terrorist attack

I strongly urge the leaders of the two nation India and Pakistan let's not fight on the peace of bones thrown by their British master and get united for the vested interest of the peoples of the two nation not in the vested interest of others?

And try to create a healthy and pleasant environment between the two nation and it's neighbouring countries and stop behaving like their British colonial master and stop bullying and intimidation against Nepal and others?

British, like a clever fox, create fight between the tiger and bear and eat the heart away by their "Divide & Rule " mantra.

Tony Blair is larger than the poodle - George Bush Jr/Gulf War. And dream of an "Akhand Bharat" before the British raj in India/excluding (Nepal)?

Yam Gurung (rtd) By email

Terrorists’ attack on Pathankot Airbase is dastardly act that has shocked the world.

Seven javans have lost their lives and their families have lost wage earner. It is clear that attackers were Muslims, crossed the border from Pakistan; that they were trained in Pakistan and handlers who directed them were in Pakistan at the time of attack. India has submitted irrefutable evidence to Pakistan.

Yet it is pathetic that some portion of media has downplayed the gravity of situation and perverted course of investigation. They have alleged that terrorists used route followed by drug smugglers, and some Indian officers had connived with drug smugglers and indirectly aided terrorists. Deflecting the blame to the victims rather than culprits is unfair and an insult to personnel and the India. Allegations that America forcing Pakistan to investigate and Pakistan’s P.M. promising investigation is charade to placate India. Strong Pro-Pakistani lobby exists in New Delhi, and in American Senate which is a hurdle for India against resorting to any punitive action towards Pakistan.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

Why I chose to settle in the UK

I was inspired to read Lord Dolar Popat’s article ‘Britain is a Christian country and we should be proud of it’ (AV 26 December 2015). I agree with all that he has said and commend him for putting it so accurately. To my mind, only a true, selfless Hindu like him can appreciate the intrinsic values of both Christianity and Hinduism and how well they interact with each other. In fact, I would go so far as to say that what Lord Popat has done in his brilliant article is to summarise precisely the deep essences of Christianity and Hinduism!

Many people wrongly attribute politics to Christianity, and brand it as an aggressive, superior ideology. But, coming from Kenya, what attracted me most to settle in the UK (rather than in India for which I had a choice) was my preconceived notion of fairness, justice and a sense of orderliness and security which I expected to receive from the indigenous community, this notion emanating from, what Lord Popat calls it, cultural Christianity. During the last 50 years I have been in the UK, I had had the opportunity to do readings from the Hindu scriptures at the local Bolton Parish Church. I carefully selected those readings that depicted common Hindu and Christian values, without any leanings. The readings were very well received.

Uttambhai D Mistry Bolton

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Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

11

Girl Power: 11-year-olds beat Einstein and Hawking's IQ Rupanjana Dutta Eleven-year-old Kashmea Wahi, an Indian girl in Britain has cleared the Mensa IQ test with the highest score of 162 and is one of the youngest to achieve that, making her cleverer than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Anushka Binoy, who is also an 11 year old Indian girl, has scored the same to get into the high-IQ society Mensa.

Mensa is the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world. It is a non-profit organisation open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardised, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test.

Both Kashmea and Anushka were surprised that others in the exam hall were mostly much older than them.

Kashmea Wahi Kashmea, is in year 6 and goes to Notting Hill And Ealing Junior School, based in West Ealing, which is a top rated independent school in the UK. Older of the two siblings, her brother Krishang is only two and a half and Kashmea loves him to bits.

What else she loves?

She adores Net Ball- and plays in her school team, also plays competitive Lawn Tennis and has competed in National level Chess tournaments, winning quite a few medals and trophies.

While her favourite subjects are Maths and ICT, she also loves creative writing, but wants to go to Oxford to study Maths.

She is very keen to learn software coding to create an app and in fact with inclination towards computers and programming the child prodigy at the age of 9, decided to try her at Java and hand Objective C, to explore if it thrills her.

Speaking about her test, Kashmea at an exclusive interview told Asian Voice, “I did not prepare any extra for this test. The test is about using more of using logic and common sense and I used whatever I have learnt at school.”

Once someone passes the test for Mensa, they are invited to join the society and pay to become a member. Becoming a member means invita-

Kashmea Wahi

tions to different events which range from intellectual and academic talks to paint-balling and murdermystery events.

Born in Mumbai in 2004, Kashmea moved to London in 2008 with her IT Consultant parents, dad Vikas Wahi, originally from Delhi and mom Pooja-Gadoo Wahi, originally from Kashmir (both currently working at the Deutsche bank).

She proved to be one of the brightest, not only in sports and other extracurriculars, but always achieved top grades in aca-

Exams to be rescheduled to accommodate Ramadan morning or afternoon.”

GCSE and A-level exams The leader of the are to be rescheduled keepLiberal Democrat Party, ing the holy month on Tim Farron, supports the Ramadan into account.

Many Muslim students proposed move in examifast during the summer for nation dates. He said, “The Ramadan which usually idea that this is an attack coincides with the exam on British values is ridicuperiod, which can have an lous and depressing. impact on their performRather than seeking to ance and their overall divide people by their faith, grade. we should see this move as A spokesperson for the an opportunity for incluJoint Council for sion and understanding.

Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron Qualifications (JCQ), This is a simple reschedulis in favour of changing the which represents exam ing of some school exams, exam dates boards stated, “The small recognising that a number Where possible, large entry window in which examinaof students will be observGCSE and GCE subjects tions can be taken, the ing Ramadan. As a person are timetabled prior to the large number of candidates of faith myself I think it is commencement of taking examinations and entirely reasonable and Ramadan and considerathe diverse range of subdecent to consider such tion given to whether they jects available to candithings when planning are timetabled in the dates, places significant exam dates.” limitations on the changes that can be accommodated for any one group.

However, JCQ meets the needs of various groups as far as possible.

JCQ and the qualifications regulator Ofqual have previously met with Muslim groups to discuss the timetabling of examinations in light of Ramadan moving into the Examination period are being proposed to change to suit examination period. students observing Ramadan

demics. Since her results accrued without much effort and in spite of the little time she spent in the company of her school books, the achievement was oppugned by the astounded parents, who acknowledged her natural ability in sports, but were unappreciative of her impressive intelligence level.

Perhaps peeved by the lack of appreciation, in November 2015 around her 11th birthday, Kashmea started fidgeting with her iPad and after half an hour of meandering

through a few pages, zeroed in on the Mensa webpage; she had found a way to attest her abilities.

The Mensa Cattell III B Test is unquestionably a highly respected international evaluation process and achieving a top score puts both Kashmea in the league of top 1% people in terms of level of intelligence quotient; hopefully, enough to put all concerns and questions about her studies to rest.

The girl isn't too concerned about the future and enjoys each day as it comes. Besides achieving top grades each year, she was instrumental in her school team making it to the 3rd place in the

Oxford Maths challenge in 2015.

How does she plan to celebrate her Mensa success? The cheerful girl added, “Probably by going horse riding. I simply love it.”

Kashmiri Pandit community applauds

Lakshmi Kaul, Founder, Kashmiri Pandits Culture Society in the UK said, “I am extremely delighted to note Kashmea's brilliant score at the Mensa test.

She makes the entire Kashmiri (Pandit) community and the Indian diaspora very proud. I wish her the very best for a bright future ahead.”

Anushka Binoy On the other hand, Anushka, from Isleworth, west London, says she loves creative writing and wants to join the Mensa's specialist group.

Elder daughter of Binoy Joseph and Sheena Binoy, a very clever Anushka is a student of Mary’s Catholic St. Primary School, Isleworth. She also enjoys violin, dance, swimming and tennis.

Originally from Kottayam, a district of Kerala, Anushka’s family

has been living in Isleworth in London since 2007. Anushka has a younger sister, Andrea who is 3.

More than 40 schools across the UK have entered children for Mensa membership last year. In fact Heathland School in Hounslow had succeeded to get in a record number of students into Mensa.

Many of its students are Brit-Asians, including the head teacher Harinder Pattar.

12

MEDIA WATCH

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Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Newspapers which had carried salivating headlines on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cloak-and-dagger peace process with Pakistan had changed their tune following the jihadi terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force station at Pathankot, in Punjab, about 25 miles from the Pakistan border. The Telegraph frontpage headline referred to a perceived ‘botch-up’ (January 4), which was an exaggeration. The purpose of the assault was to destroy the warplanes and other assets based there. Not a single such item suffered even minor damage. But three Indian personnel initially died in the encounter together with six jihadis.

US dares not say its name ‘The US “strongly” condemned the terrorist attack in Pathankot, ‘stringing together a bunch of weasel words that did not zero in on the perpetrators and the country of origin of the terrorists,’ wrote Chidanand Rajghatta in the Times of India (January 4).

Having been his paper’s US Correspondent over a number of years, experienced in American ways, there was no cause to be surprised. All terrorist may be bad but some are better than others, hence acceptable and worthy of US cash and arms flows.

Christine Fair tweet

Rajghatta quotes a tweeted comment by Christine Fair, an academic at Georgetown University, Texas, which read: ‘I cannot understand why my country keeps coddling this terrorist state.’ Having written the best book on the Pakistan Army and its workings – ‘Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Army’s Way of War’ - she is too intelligent not to know how deeply embedded the US and Pakistan have been, and continue to be. Their relationship stretches over the past 60 years and more.

Jihadi handlers

Indian Army soldiers arrive at air force base in Pathankot

The stand-off lasted some 17 hours. An organization calling itself the United Jihad Council based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir claimed responsibility for the attack, thus far, are the basic facts, but more are certain to follow as the dust settles. So it proved. When the last building at the site was blown up by an Army demolition squad, to flush out final pocket of jihasdi resistance, four corpses with suicide vests were discovered among the scattered debris, which would suggest that the total terrorist death toll was 10. (Telegraph January 7)

Security breaches

There were, however, security breaches that will need to be addressed. How were the jihadis able to infiltrate the border, and were they undetected? What was the reason for the delay before the full strength of anti-terror squads brought into play? Should there be a unified command for such anti-terror operations?

Serious questions have been asked as to why NSG commandos were flown from Delhi, when crack Army units in the vicinity could have acted without loss of precious time. (Times of India, Hindu January 6)

Well trained. Well armed

According to Indian sources in the field, the jihadis were well trained, with a considerable stock of ammunition and weapons. The source told the Hindu newspaper (January 5) that the training came from a ‘professional armed

force in Pakistan.’ Pakistan has offered to cooperate with India, if India supplied ‘ evidence’ available to it on the terrorist group, a standard statement after all such cases, including the 26/11/2008 attack on Mumbai. (Hindu January 5)

Consultations

The Indian Prime Minister has been closeted with the country’s intelligence chiefs, but the outcomes will be interesting when they emerge in the public space.

So, too, was Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, who called in retired diplomats with considerable knowledge of Pakistan such as Shyam Saran, Shiv Shankar Menon, G. Parthasarathy and Satyabrata Pal et al. The current Foreign Secretary, S. Jaishankar was also present. Possibly a case of shutting the stable door after the horses had bolted (Times of India January 4)

Indian intelligence has monitored intercepts of conversations between the jihadis and their military handlers in Pakistan. They have also got DNA samples of the jihadis and much else that is incriminating evidence.

Intelligence sources have enough proof of the jihadis having made a dry run at Pakistan military bases. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appealed to Narendra Modi to keep faith with the promised India-Pakistan talks.

America, with its well known double standards has dittoed its Islamabad’s client’s appeal. ((Hindu, Times of India January 6, 8)

Restive Army

All, clearly, is not well in the Indian establishment. The India’s Army chief General Dalbir Singh has issued a robust statement: ‘As a defence officer , I can say that India needs to change its security policy towards Pakistan.

Jihadi handlers

‘Jihadis made dry runs at Pakistan air base.’ This headline in a Times of India report (January 6) told of Indian intelligence intercepts and other evidence of a jihadi-Pakistani military axis were unearthed The plot thickens with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif calling his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi from Sri Lanka, where he was on a visit, to appeal that the India-Pakistan talks should continue. The United States with its accustomed double standards on terrorism lodged a similar appeal.

needs to let the Army act against these terror groups We have always been lenient and soft towards Pakistan, but in return we have only been rewarded with attacks,’ he said. Lt General Mukesh Sabberwal said India had still not absorbed the lessons of the 26/11/ 2008 attack on Mumbai or the the more recent jihadi attack on Gurdaspur several months ago (Times of India January 6)

India to acquire Japanese planes

The Indian Navy is set to acquire 12 prized Japanese amphibious US-21 Seaplane Mark II aircraft from ShinMaywa Industries.

India and Japan signed an agreement for their export to India.in a deal worth $1.65 billion. The agreement also provides for enhanced joint research between the two countries and technological cooperation. (Business Line January 4)

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SMEs response Small and medium-size enterprises (SME) companies are upbeat with dedicated platforms witnessing fund raising worth Rs 252 crore. ICICI Securities’ Executive Director, Ajay Saraf, said: ‘The retail investors on an average made a 17-20 per cent return in the current fiscal year.

The trend of blockbuster response from retail investors in recent listings can be anticipated to continue in the forthconing issues.’ (indu December 26, 2015)

Science Congress derided

The recently concluded Indian Science Congress at Mysore has been dismissed by Chemistry Nobel laureate Venkataraman Ramakrishnan as a circus, which

India, Russia energy pact

Indian and Russian companies ONGC Videsh Ltd and Rosneft have signed an agreement by which the former will buy a 15 per cent stake in the Russian oil major’s subsidiary Vankoneft for $1.25 billion. Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said: ‘We have a very privileged strategic relationship with Russia…Russia is an old and trusted partner of India.’ (Business Line December 23, 2015)

Tata in Russian energy deal

Tata Power has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Development for Russian Far East to explore and develop investment opportunities in the energy sector, ‘The MoU reflects the mutual intentions of the parties to cooperate for the purpose of realization of investment projects in the energy sector across the Russian Far East,’ said Tata Power in statement in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Cooperation

Under the agreement, Ministry of Development of Russian Far East will cooperate with and support Tata Power at all stages of investment projects, including assistance to the company’s communications with the Federal and regional authorities, state-owned companies and the private sector.

(Hindu December 26, 2015)

Venkataraman Ramakrishnan

he swore never again to attend.

He referred scathingly to last year’s session when certain speakers indulged in absurdist fantasies of atom bombs and aircraft in the Mahabharata. Several Indian scientists were equally dismissive, arguing for abolishment of the event.

Bhargava take Manjulal Bhargava, field

Medal winner (regarded as the Nobel prize for pure mathematics), the distinguished Indian mathematician at Princeton University thought differently.

Mobbed by young Indians who, after interacting with him, wished to take up mathematics as a career, he said the experience was wonderful. Something great had been achieved, after all.

Specialist scientists had their specialized conferences, but an open meeting, he said, had its own attraction.

Companies raise Rs 13,6000 crore

Dalbir Singh

Every time Pakistan bleeds us by a thousand cuts….We just talk about it for a few days, we let it go as business as normal,’ he said.

Retired Brigadier J.S.Sandhu echoed General Singh’s remark. ‘ The government

About 21 companies registered on the Bombay Stock Exchange raised Rs 13,600 crore in 2015 – Princeton Mathematician Manjulal Bhargava the highest in five years Professor Bhargava was a – and an impressive pipeline consultant in the newly released worth Rs 14,000 is already in film on the life of Srinivasa place for 2016. Adding to the Ramanujan and his relationship depth of the IPO market, compawith his Cambridge contemponies from diverse sectors such as rary G.H. Hardy. (Times of India, renewable energy, QSRs, logisJanuary 4,7) tics, pharmaceuticals, electronics.

UK Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

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Cllr David Perry Leader of Harrow Council

Deprived pupils ‘more likely’ to get an Oxford interview

Keeping our residents safe over winter Given the stories last year of Northwick Park Hospital having the highest A & E waiting times across the country I know many residents are concerned about how our local NHS in Harrow will be able to cope during winter.

The first thing to say is to recognise the amazing work our doctors, nurses and all staff across our NHS do day in day out. All this hard work is in the climate of our local heath service being severely underfunded compared to other parts of London, and across the country.

On top of the healthcare provided by the NHS, Harrow Council also spends over £50m each year on healthcare, transport, and respite care, amongst other support, for older people, people with a disability and their carers.

We do much of this work in partnership with the local NHS. As I’m sure many residents can appreciate, with both Harrow Council and our

local NHS receiving disproportionately smaller budgets compared to other parts of London on top of the £83m of cuts imposed on us - it’s becoming harder than ever to provide the healthcare that residents should expect.

However, we aren’t taking these cuts and insufficient funding settlements lying down.

With neighbouring councils we have formed an Independent Healthcare Commission to look at the re-organisation of the NHS in North-West London. The results were damming; with over £35m spent on consultants and the potential closure of two hospitals just some of the damaging findings.

We will be taking our findings to government to ensure that the changes they want to make to our NHS are value for money and mean that none of our residents are put at risk from the squeezing of NHS budgets and cuts to Harrow Council.

Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to get an interview at Oxford University, its head of admissions had said.

Samina Khan also said bright children need to start preparing for getting into Oxbridge from the age of 11, according to the head of Oxford admissions.

Asked if a pupil's predicted top grades was more likely to get an interview at Oxford if they came from a disadvantaged home or low-performing school, she said: “You are more likely to be looked at and shortlisted for an interview. All those indicators are giving us information about your academic journey in a particular context,” the Telegraph reported.

However, she explained this is the case when the university reaches a threshold point when it becomes more difficult to select one pupil over another just based on their grades.

India key source of ‘contract cheating’ at UK varsities Thousands of students at British universities have been using Indian expertise in information technology in a growing phenomenon called “contract cheating”, whereby course assignments are contracted to freelancers and others online for a fee.

The phenomenon –

first reported in academic circles in 2008 by acaThomas demics Lancaster and Robert Clarke based at Birmingham City University – has become more sophisticated over the years, making it difficult to detect through usual plagiarism detection software.

One “contractor” based in Kolkata has made over 200 postings and records indicate that assignments from UK, the US, Australia, India and Sri Lanka have been processed, Clarke said.

Many such “contractors” are associated with online essay-writing services available for a fee.

Care Proceedings, Mental Health and the 26 Week Rule

Care (and Supervision) Proceedings are issued by Local when Authorities they are concerned that there is a significant risk of harm to any child(ren) in a family and they feel an order must be Kirsty Richards, made in favour of a Director Local Authority to (Barnet Branch, avoid the occurrence Duncan Lewis) of any such harm.

These proceedings are governed by sections 31 and 33 of the Children Act 1989.

When families are faced with these types of proceedings it is an incredibly stressful and emotional time as there is surely nothing more serious than the threat of having your children removed from your care.

These proceedings are arguably even more difficult to manage for parents that suffer with mental health issues and there are a number of issues arising from this.

One issue in particular that I wish to focus on is the 26 week deadline in which these proceedings are supposed to be concluded.

There can be applications made by any of the parties to proceedings to extend the court timetable beyond that 26 week deadline if it is in the interests of justice to do so. A Judge can only extend the timetable by periods of 8 weeks at a time.

In all proceedings concerning children the court’s primary concern is the welfare of any children involved. The Judge dealing with the case must also have regard to the principle against delay to any court proceedings as it is generally considered that delay will likely prejudice the welfare of the children.

Herein lies the basis of the problem faced by any parent with mental health issues. It may be that a parent has not previously had the benefit of any legal representation prior to the issue of care and supervision proceedings. It may be that there has not been any formal assessment in respect of mental health issues prior to

13

the issue of proceedings and it may be that no treatment or therapy has been identified for that parent.

That can mean that by the time of the Case Management Hearing, the solicitor representing any parent with mental health issues will have to consider whether to make any formal applications under Part 25 for assessment by either a psychologist or psychiatrist (or both). However the Court will only grant such applications if the assessment is necessary and the court must have particular regard to the considerations set out in statute. Those considerations include whether any assessments have already been carried out pre-proceedings and/or whether any evidence can be provided by another party, such as the local authority or appointed children’s guardian. When a parent has mental health issues, there is a need to consider whether any evidence already prepared by the local authority was carried out by a social worker with the appropriate expertise.

It is therefore essential to make sure than any evidence put before the court in respect of parenting skills, takes account of any identified mental health issues. If that has been overlooked, there are likely to be grounds to argue for further assessment of the parent by an appropriately skilled Expert.

Time is of the essence in these proceedings and if you are a parent or know a parent that is involved with the local authority and they have mental health issues, it is vital to ensure that legal representation is in place as early as possible.

Otherwise there is a risk that by the time court proceedings are commenced, specialist assessments will not be granted by the court if there are grounds to say that any delay to proceedings will impact the children.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors have a strong team of solicitors that specialise in how to best put a case forward for parent/s with mental health issues. Get advice early for the best possible chance of keeping your family together with the appropriate support in place going forward.

India to provide internship scopes for global Indians India is offering a unique opportunity for Indians studying post graduation abroad including the Indian diaspora all across the world, to work with the stalwarts of several industries in India.

The India Corporate Internship initiative has brought together 23 top Indian Corporates like Apollo Hospitals, Blue Star, Flipkart, Forbes Marshall, Godrej, Infosys, Kirlosker Brothers, TATA Chemicals, TATA Consultancy Services, TATA International, TATA Trust, Trent, Wipro, etc to offer over 60 short term (2-6 months) paid internships to students of Indian Origin from top international Universities.

The initiative offers an opportunity for overseas Indian students to experience the global work culture of top Indian companies, work in a multicultural environment and connect with their roots in India. It

will offer a platform for Diaspora students too to enhance their profile value through challenging projects.

Students will have an option of working in diverse sectors like Aerodynamics, Automotive, Banking & financial services, Healthcare, Incubation centres for Indian start-ups, IT (software & services), Manufacturing (heavy engineering, consumer durables, infrastructure, etc) Power (distribution & systems) Retail & e-commerce, Social Enterprises, etc.

The offer precisely includes: l paid internship programme for 2-6 months l multidisciplinary opportunities. l scope to enhance skills, experience and knowledge and will be available from summer 2016.

The opportunity means a scope to work in: l India, one the fastest

growing large economies in the world. l to re-connect with your roots and work in a dynamic multicultural environment. l work in one of the biggest global markets.

To be eligible you have to be: l Indian-origin/students of Indian heritage/descent and NRI students pursuing Post Grad programmes outside India in Management/Engineering/ Science & Technology l The programme includes stipend and accommodation. The participant has to pay for her/his own airfare.

There are certain other terms and conditions- but they vary from opportunity to opportunity.

Places are limited and the internships commence in Summer 2016.

For more information or to apply see: http://www.oifc.in/indiac o r p o r a t e internship/about.

When Londoners took their pants off Many Londoners were left aghast, amused and astonished by the sight of halfnaked passengers travelling on the Tube. On Sunday 10th January, many underwear-cladded people boarded trains across London, participating in the annual No Pants Tube Ride.

Many Londoners participated in No Pants Tube Ride

Liberated: A passenger travels sans her trousers

This bewilderingly peculiar phenomenon started off in America, in 2002, when seven men had taken off their trousers and rode the New York subway as a joke. On Improv Everywhere's website, the organisers stated, “The idea behind No Pants is simple: Random passengers board a subway car at separate stops in the mid-

dle of winter without pants. The participants behave as if they do not know each other, and they all wear winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. The only unusual thing is their lack of pants.”

This trend took place in 60 countries this year, including countries such as Czech Slovakia, as well as in Australia.

India Connect

14 COMMUNITY

www.asian-voice.com

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

London Mayoral Election: the Campaign begins

A revised visa fee structure for UK nationals A revised visa fee structure for UK nationals would come in effect from January 4, 2016 as per the details tabulated below.

Yogesh Patel On my way to Morden on London the Underground, recently, I ran into Sadiq Khan. I had only five minutes before we reached Tooting Broadway station. The time was against me including the fact that he doesn’t care about the poets or poetry like most politicians. His canvass is obviously bigger in capturing voting blocks. To be fair, I do not think Zac Goldsmith either cares about the cultural and poetical issues tied together.

So as a journalist, I provoked him into quick response straightaway by asking him if he was Sajid Javid: A reason for any well-known person to react if annoyingly called a different name!

After the pleasantries of introduction, I jumped into my primary question with which I have annoyed previous mayoral candidates: If London has such a diverse community and so many expats making thousands of journeys every day, at a simple level why are the tubes not featuring poetry from this ticket paying diaspora on the London Underground? The reply from the politician was, ‘Yes, indeed! Need to think on this.’ Well, that is where it gets left abandoned. Will there be a suggestion or any action from Zac Goldsmith on this? I doubt it.

Labour Party is now ridiculously radical and Sadiq Khan has a duty to clarify, boldly and publicly, where he stands with Jeremy Corbyn and remain honest to it as his personal integrity in future. To crucify Zac Goldsmith on using the word ‘radical’ stretching its associating with just Muslims is a ridiculous suggestion. His own sister, Jemima, after all, was a Khan once, and her children still are. So anyone wanting to vote along a racial line will be wrong.

We all know the language changes or evolves harbouring some new

contextual references or associations to the words.

But to suggest that the term ‘radical’ is de facto a term associated with Muslims is a preposterous suggestion. For Jon Snow, as an example of most of the liberal press in Britain trying to be politically correct, to imply Zac Goldsmith cannot use the term radical, is totally unacceptable.

For Sadiq Khan to endorse such politicisation of words would be not to be impartial and inclusive of all communities. Corbyn represents a radical face of the Labour Party. Sadiq Khan is part of that clan. So where does he stand?

With the train approaching fast to Tooting Broadway, that was exactly my next direct question. Khan is a seasoned politician, relaxed, and comfortable in his skin. He was obviously talking to a Patel who by tradition are not very radical (that term again).

Hence, the reply may have been tailored for me. Still to his credit, very painfully he explained to me (albeit, not an answer for Jeremy Corbyn’s ears), he was more in the centre but slight to the right, though not quite to the centre right. Was this an honest answer? What does it mean in terms of policies? What would it mean if he fails to agree with Jeremy Corbyn?

What will he be in disagreement with him? Will he challenge the Tube strikes or cower to the unions using commuters as hostages?

He says he is for Gatwick and not Heathrow for the new runway. It is not just about saying yes or no to please some factions to win the vote. How he will incentivise businesses and

people losing out to compensate is the key? Here is one example; can he offer to make the Gatwick Express free for the elderly allowing them to extend their senior citizen pass? What attractive alternative will he offer to the travelling business community coming over for a quick business, a meeting?

Until the Gatwick connection can be put on par with a journey to Heathrow - the time, speed, costs, and ease all thrown in - it will not make it an attractive cost effective alternative.

Costs in terms of time and money may not be important to the mayoral candidates, but for businesses and people wanting a cost effective, convenient fast getaway they are.

Currently, Khan is advocating extra costs or administrative burden on businesses with various social excursions while in reality businesses are looking for less burden altogether. It is debatable how business friendly in the reality his policies will be. It is early still, but Zac Goldsmith needs to come up with some strong policies too. For this election to be electrified, he needs to connect himself more to various blocks like Khan is. The candidates also are failing to address the threat of terrorism.

You will have to judge yourself as it approaches May 2016. Labour is the protest vote at the moment, and Zac Goldsmith has a mountain to climb. Let us hope not the racial one!

Asian Voice would like to know your opinion on the upcoming London Mayoral election. Please email your reply to the Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice, CB Patel: cb.patel@abplgroup.com

As a co-editor of Skylark, Yogesh Patel has published international contemporary poetry since the seventies. Currently, he runs Skylark Publications UK, and a non-profit Word Masala project to promote writers and poets of South Asian diaspora. Recently he launched a South-Asian ‘Poet of the month’ e-zine series.

Yogesh is also a founder of the literary charity, Gujarati Literary Academy, and has served as its president. He was a Fellow of the International Poetry Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of London and has four LP records, two films, radio programmes, children’s books, fiction and non-fiction books, including poetry collections to his credit.

Apart from being a recipient of the IWWP award, the International Scottish Diploma for the excellence in poetry, and a Hon. Diploma from the Italian University of Arts, he has won the Co-Op Award for the poetry on the environment.

By profession, Yogesh is a qualified optometrist and an accountant.

A short list of his work and achievements is listed at www.patelyogesh.co.uk

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Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Victim: Murli Mirchandani onment. He was also ordered to repay his victim and taxpayer £38.6 million.

This proved to be Britain's biggest private prosecution which was pursued on behalf of entrepreneur Murli Mirchandani, who was the prime victim in the scam. Defence barrister, James Woods QC said that Somaia has only 20% survival chances in the next five months due to his heart and kidney ailments. He said, “His life expectancy is short and he is already serving an eight year sentence. When it was imposed there was a mere modicum of possibility he would be alive to the end of the sentence and be released.”

Dilip Shah was also one of Somaia's victims.

Brent leaders urge government for better funding

Were there other qualities possessing an awareness of justice already being mentionedthat kept you fighting as a young girl?

I was always headstrong- I knew what I was experiencing wasn’t right. The amount of physical and emotional abuse I endured was immense and thinking of all the women who had suffered – died- in the name of honour meant I was never going to sit back.

Sameem Ali Face to Face with Honourbased Violence

Sunetra Senior

Cllr Muhammed Butt

Cllr Michael Pavey

Ahead of budget meetings, leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt, and deputy leader, Cllr Michael Pavey made their way to Whitehall to argue for a better funding deal for the residents of Brent.

While arguing for Brent, the Councillors demanded why Westminster City Council receives government funding of £255 per person, where as despite having similar levels of need, Brent receives £176. Cllr Butt stated, “Central government cuts have hit local councils harder than any other area

of the public sector. The Chancellor recognises that local authorities, such as Brent, provide essential services to local people but he refuses to provide the necessary funding to deliver those services.”

The deputy leader added, “The government has cut £1.3million this year alone from our public health funding, and I was glad to be able to look the minister in the eye and tell him that it’s not on. Brent people are being let down by this funding settlement and enough is enough.”

Kidney ambassador honoured The honorary Consul for India in Wales has been recognised for his pioneering work for organ donation in Wales and the UK. Raj Aggarwal, 66, who is Chairman of Kidney Wales Foundation, won the Wales Online Award.

He recently won victory in his campaign for the introduction of the principle of assumed consent for organ donation which was introduced as law in the UK last month.

The crucial opt-out rule will positively impact on waiting lists for organ donors and will help save lives. Pharmacist and entrepreneur Mr Aggarwal,

Raj Aggarwal pictured, said: "It was an unexpected but very pleasant surprise to get this award. I'm extremely pleased that with the introduction of the "soft opt-out" law for organ donations, many more organ donations will be available for those who are in dire need."

15

Please tell us a bit more about your Journey?

I actually met the person who looked after me when I was in the children’s home at age my head 7, and they mentioned that remains above they were not surprised at my position; I’ve always the surface been outspoken about justice. I think one person and I use that can make a difference.

You can inspire others to hope to run to freedom, and that’s inspire what I teach. Though my experiences were horrific, and there are moments when I still need to gasp for air, my head remains above the surface and I use that hope to inspire.

Tycoon may never get out of jail

Ketan Somaia It seems like the business tycoon, Ketan Somaia (54), may end up spending his last days in prison due to a kidney disease. He has dialysis three times a week.

Somaia was jailed in July 2014, for masterminding scams on investors. It is said that he had allegedly defrauded investors by pursuing them with luxury trips on private jets, as well as champagne parties.

He had allegedly taken his victims to all-expensespaid trips to South Africa, Dubai and Kenya, as well as boasted about having connections with the elite Hinduja brothers.

Somaia was convicted of nine counts of fraud at the Old Bailey, where he was sentenced to 8 years impris-

TLIGHT

Although soft-spoken and composed, there is a raw power in the responses of Sameem Ali, Manchester (Moss Side) Labour Councillor: “I was taken out of school and forced to marry, to have my first child at 14” she shared with us, “but an underlying drive for justice has always spurred me on.” The survivor of an honour-based killing attempt – the police made a timely arrest of the men who were hired to kill her, shortly after her escape from home – the young fighter has since been campaigning, having worked with vulnerable girls in hostels and safe houses in Pakistan, as well as raising awareness in her local constituency. Her extensive and uncompromising biography ‘Belonging’ was critically acclaimed, praised for its poignant yet unaffected account, while the screenplay of her life-story, ‘Honour Me’, which she co-wrote with director Alex Tweddle, won the Special Jury Award at the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Short Film Competition. Just as well Ali should possess a strong gift for communication; when it comes to combatting such brutality, as the writer herself emphasised, the most effective weapon is unapologetically enlightened dialogue: “in fact the rights for ‘Belonging’ were bought last year in India” she started off, “it has been translated into Hindi and it’ll target the issue more deeply at the cultural grass-roots. Women will be encouraged to speak out.” With the shockingly ambivalent reception of ‘India’s Daughter’, the documentary which publicly interrogated the 2012 gang rape of a physiology student in Delhi, and brought to light the veiled nature of sexual predation at large, Ali’s literary news is a welcome revelation.

Tell me about your current work as a councillor in the district?

I work with schools to instil confidence in children so they are encouraged towards projects of their own. I’m a governor of one of the institutions in the area and recently became a UNICEF member. Confidence building gives youngsters the tools to tackle life.

Do you have projects on the side?

Tackling the issues of forced marriage and honour-based violence through training of the police; traditionally there is the mind-set of putting cultural sensitivity first, and this can obstruct the path to justice.

You wouldn’t be tentative if someone was robbing a bank. I’m training them to push past that.

Multiculturalism is about involving everybody in a universal understanding.

Is community work and politics a future hope for you?

Yes! I love having the opportunity to shape the minds of those who have a hand in the future: teachers, politicians.

I also lecture at universities myself on the issue of domestic violence- how to spot the signs, how to deal with it.

Can more be done legislatively to combat honour killings as a specific crime?

I can drive policy and legislation, but unfortunately the whole element of segregation within communities has to improve before we can tackle it wholeheartedly. And that’s about dialogue— discussing it and not ignoring it- especially through the platform of schools.

They are well-positioned: they can identify the children who are victims and report. However often they are afraid, lest there be scandal. But that’s just it, it can’t be taboo. We need to remove that shame element in rape and abuse; otherwise the perpetrators get away with it. Mums too know what is happening and won’t bat an eyelid.

Yes, you have mentioned in a previous interview that you felt your mother had lived a controlled life, and couldn’t see the harm being done. How do you think we can approach communities so indoctrinated?

The community does clam up when it comes to issues of abuse. That’s why instilling confidence in children is important. They can then go back and talk to their parents, encouraging change from within. And we need to give them support from the public sphere to do that.

What is your advice to girls who suspect they might be in an abusive environment?

Contact somebody immediately because you are not alone. There are child protection officers in schools and the wider community. I want to dispel the miserable myth painted that if you do report violence, people will find you, and you’ll be taken into care and neglected. Far from it: you can live a free and successful life because you are away from the pain.

Finally, was writing the way that you continued to express yourself?

Absolutely- it was therapeutic. It was proof that those dark clouds can be removed but I had to be ready to meet myself half way. At first there were more tears than words. It was the first time I’d really thought about what had happened to me.

I had to write in third person for the first few years, before I could use the pronoun ‘I’. That’s the main hurdle: acceptance.

W

www.sameemali.com

INSPIRING EXPERIENCE

16 TRAVEL SPECIAL

www.asian-

AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

May whatever be the size of your pocket, a travel bug is unavoidable for the sheer thrill an and then set a foot in the direction you please. We are presenting here a list of best valued also etched out a few places in India

5 Best Value Destinations

Rupanjana Dutta

Travelling is an expensive affair. But it does not necessarily have to be so. Our research shows top 5 destinations that could be enjoyed staying within a shoestring budget.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Tallinn, Estonia

How to get there: Flights are available from London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester.

Budget: £40-50 per day/person (includes everything) Best Time to visit: Spring/Autumn.

Things to see: Medieval Old Town, Old town square, Town hall, Muurivahe street, St Olaf's Church with high tower, St Nicholas' Church Toompea castle Activities to try: Extreme swinging, or kiiking or hiking in the rural areas.

Food you must try: Cafeteria style dumpling restaurants. You can fill your bowl with any number of dumplings and sauce and then pay for your food by the weight. Less common, but also good, are the pancake options.

Similar in style, you load your pancakes high with any number of sweet or savory toppings and enjoy a filling and satisfying meal at a low cost.

Wifi available in plenty across the country.

Quebec City, Canada

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How to get there: Flights available from most of the major airports in the UK B u d g e t : £25/day/person Best time to visit: Dec- April Things to see: Jade Emperor Pagoda, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Opera Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Temple, Khan Van Nam Vien Pagoda, Reunification palace, Mariamman Hindu temple, Ho Chi Minh city zoo, Ho Chi Minh Central Post office, Notre Dame Cathedral Outskirts: Angkor Wat, Halong Bay Food to try: Pho (noodle soup), Banh Mi (baguettes), Com Tam (dish made out of broken rice), Bun Thit Nuong (Vietnamese cold rice vermicelli noodle dish), Hu Tieu (Noodle Soup, but the noodle is made from tapioca)

How to get there: Flights available from most of the UK major airports Budget: £72 / person / day Best time to visit: June- September, December-February Things to see: Old Quebec town, Fortification of Quebec, Quartier Petit Champlain & Place Royale St. Lawrence River & Vieux-Port de Québec, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, Montmorency Falls Park, Plains of Abraham, Wendake, Parliament Hill, Île d’Orléans, Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, Chemin du Roy, Le Massif de Charlevoix Food to try: Poutine (Piles of fry, gravy and cheese curd), Bagels (smaller and denser than New York), Tire sur la Neige (maple candy), Cheese in Eastern townships, Shish touk (local version of shawarma), Tourtiere (pie)

Dili, East Timore

How to get there: Flights available from most of the UK major airports Best time to visit: April-July B u d g e t : £50/day/person Things to do: Snorkelling & hiking on Atauro Island, Sunset on Atauro Island, Digging the Beach Road scene, Hiking Mt Rameau, São António de Motel Cristo Rei, Diving with dugongs, Resistance Museum, Rural life at Taibessi Market, Browsing textiles at Tais Market, Hash House Harriers Food to try: Batar daan (A popular dish of corn, mung beans, and pumpkin), Budu (A sauce of tomato, mint, lime, and Spanish onion), Ikan sabuko (A Spanish dish in tamarind marinade with basil and capsicum), Tapai (A fermented rice dish. It is sweet, sour, and slightly alcoholic), Caril (A mild curry with a roasted capsicum and coconut paste), Feijoada (A common dish of former Portuguese colonies)

Costa Rica, Caribbean

How to get there: Flights available from most of the UK major airports Budget: £48/day/person Best time to visit: December- April Things to see: Monteverde and Santa Elena, Volcán Arenal, Volcan Poas, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Reggae in Puerto Viejo, Parque Nacional Tortuguero, Mal País & Santa Teresa, Central Valley thrills, Playa Sámara, Montezuma, Cerro Chirripó, Bird, Fish and Turtle watching, Reserva Rara Avis, White water rafting, Surfing Food to try: Gallo Pinto (Rice and beans with scrambled eggs and a sausage), Casado (Rice, beans, fried plantains cabbage and tomato salad), Ceviche (Seafood dish), Tamales (Masa- a starchy corn-based dough, mixed with vegetables, cheese), Tres Leches Cake (Sponge cake/butter cake soaked in 3 types of milk)

ES WITHIN YOUR REACH TRAVEL SPECIAL

-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

17

nd excitement it brings. What is most important is to take care of your budget and security and uncommon destinations. There is a little on safari, health, wellness tours and we have a that we would like to recommend.

S A F A R I S

The thrill of spotting a tiger behind a thick bush or witnessing wild elephant ambush, after spending 18 hours in a national forest for three consecutive days is a joy well known. Safaris are quite popular among families and adventure lovers, and definitely worth a shot for sceptics. Go for a safari experience, if you like some adrenaline rush. Top 5 safaris in the world one mustn’t miss:

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The sight of 1.3 million blue wildebeest is almost overwhelming, especially when they are joined by more than 200,000 plains zebras and hordes of antelopes.

Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s premier leopard-spotting zones too, while lion prides, spotted hyenas and cheetahs feast on the plentiful prey across the savannah of the Serengeti and Kenya’s adjacent Maasai Mara.

Size: 14,763 sq km Getting there: Scheduled and charter flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara and Mwanza.

Drive from Arusha, Lake Manyara, Tarangire or Ngorongoro Crater.

Pench Natioal Park, India

With the population of tigers now restored in India, this part of India has more than one attraction. Reputedly the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, this reserve’s undulating teak forests are classic tiger-tracking territory.

Add Sloth bears amble through the trees, Leopards also lurk here, dholes (Indian wild dogs), gaur and wolves, the excitement of spotting them is beyond imagination.

Size: 757.85 sq km.

Getting there: Nagpur is the nearest Airport only 88 Kms. by road 2 - 3 hrs • Jabalpur is also another Airport only 200 kms. by road from Pench, Jabalpur well connected with Delhi and Mumbai, other main cities of India.

When to go: February to June although cool season (October to February) is much more comfortable and still very good for wildlife.

What to do: • Pench Tiger Tour • Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Tour • Pench Weekend Tour • Pench with Kipling's Play Ground • Pench with Tadoba National Park

What to do: Hot air balloon safaris, walking safari, picnicking, game drives, bush lunch/dinner can be arranged with hotels/tour operators. Maasai rock paintings and musical rocks.

Visit neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and Lake Natron's flamingos.

When to go: To follow the wildebeest migration, December-July. To see predators, June-October. The route and timing of the wildebeest migration is unpredictable. Allow at least three days to be assured of seeing them on your visit - longer if you want to see the main predators as we

Kafue National Park, Zambia

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka This national park is famous for leopards.

Densities of the big cat are among the highest in the world, and early morning or evening trips into the park claim healthy success rates.

Asian elephants, sloth bears and more than 200 bird species, including six Sri Lankan endemics, are also worth watching.

Size:1300 sq km Getting there: Drive: Colombo (243km), Kandy To Yala through Nuwara Eliya (245km) Galle to Yala (169km), Arugam Bay to Yala When to go: All year except SeptemberNovember What to do: • Sithulpauwwa: The ancient rock temple • Magul Maha Viharaya: Magul Maha

TRAVLIN

Viharaya is believed to have provided the setting for the marriage of King KavanTissa to Vihara Maha Devi.

• Beach Walks • Bird Watching

STYLE

TOUR

Day 01 – Arrival in Sri Lanka and met by a representative of Travelin Style Events and transfer to Colombo.

Check in & rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner & Overnight – COLOMBO Day 02 – Breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant.

Then commence a city tour of Colombo.

Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner & Overnight – COLOMBO

Day 03 – Breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant and then check out and proceed to Pinnawela.

On arrival visit the elephant orphane including witnessing the bathing / feeding of baby elephants. Then continue to Kandy and rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner & Overnight - KANDY Day 04 - Breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant and then city tour of Kandy including visit to the temple of the sacred tooth relic.

Evening witness a cultural dance performance.

Dinner & Overnight - KANDY Day 05 - Breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant and then check out and proceed to Bentota / Negombo and drop off for beach stay. Rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner & Overnight – BENTOTA / NEGOMBO

Zambia’s largest national park – also among the world’s heftiest – covers 22,400 sq km. In the far north, the Busanga Plains and adjacent swamps are antelope heaven, densely packed with huge herds of red lechwe, plus roan, oribi and others.

Night drives are ideal for leopard sightings galore, and lions here are renowned for their tree-climbing prowess.

Rivers are full of hippos and crocs, while the forests around them host Pel’s fishing owls.

Size: 22,400 sq km.

Getting there: Drive When to go: June to October What to do: Wildlife, Bird viewing

Day 06/07/08 - Breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant and Rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner & Overnight – BENTOTA / NEGOMBO

Day 09 - Breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant and then check out. A vehicle will pick them up and transfer to airport and drop off.

5938

For further details please call Rima on 020 8954 0077 or email: Rima@travelinstyle.co.uk 46 Church Road, Stanmore, Middx, London HA7 4AH

18 TRAVEL SPECIAL

www.asian-voice.com

Health and fitness retreats for 2016 AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

With increasing stress in life, yoga, fitness and spa gateway helps rejuvenating with your innerself as well kickstart a healthy new year. We bring you 5 such awesome breaks for 2016.

Italy: Lefay

On a luxury spa break to the picturesque shores of Lake Garda at Leafy, the spa treatments are stylish.

The retreat combine ancient Chinese medicine with the latest Western techniques. You can take your pick from a range of wellness programmes whether you are looking to get fit, lose weight, boost your well-being or even improve your posture, you are sure to find something for yourself in this eleven acres of beautiful parkland surrounding the resort.

India: Ananda

Set at the foot of the himalayas, Ananda specialises in Ayurveda spa holidays. It is a unique well-

Batangas. Famous for its backto-nature approach, it offers healthy detoxifying treatments, nutritious raw food and emotional guidance and support throughout your stay.

No stay at The Farm is complete without a trip to the award-winning Alive! restaurant which serves only the freshest raw vegan food and detoxifying juices to help you on your wellness journey.

ness retreat that uses healing philosophy and spiritual health to boost your well being. The 21,000 square foot Destination Spa offers a menu of over 79 treatments and with wellness programmes on offer focusing

Philippines: The Farm

The Farm is a luxury wellness retreat set in the verdant

5 Dos and Don'ts every traveller must check

5 DON'Ts

• Don't carry and flash large sums of cash, nor exchange money at dubious-looking places.

• Don't forget to check your visa (if required), take travel insurance and be properly vaccinated.

• Don't visit dangerous locations, or walk in unfamiliar areas.

• Don't leave valuable items in public view -- like passport, iPhone.

• Don’t keep cash, valu-

ables unattended, avoid putting your vehicle and house or hotel keys on the same key ring.

5 DOs

• Be aware of your surroundings, and watch for suspicious people or vehicles. Dress appropriately.

Look more like locals than tourists.

• Use cash substitutes such as traveler's checks or credit cards, and only carry money that is needed.

Thailand: Kamalaya

on detox, yoga and weight management there is something to suit everyone.

• Do lock up valuables in a safe in your room or use your hotel’s safedeposit box services to store them; and lock the windows and doors your hotel room when going out.

• Do make a note of your passport number; credit-card numbers and the phone number to call in case you need to report it stolen and cancel it.

• Do travel with companions while sightseeing or shopping.

Thailand's award-winning sanctuary and holistic spa is in a valley that overlooks the coast of southern Koh Samui and is the perfect destination for a revitalising detox holiday. Kamalaya strives to provide a stimulating

environment which encourages personal growth and long-term health transformation.

Spain: SHA Wellness Clinic

The pioneering SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain prides itself on offering distinctively tailored wellness programmes, and focuses on encouraging healthy habits making it a good option for a weight loss holiday.

It's a beautiful macrobiotic spa - at present, the world's only one which is favoured by celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Kylie Minogue. The food available at SHA is supremely healthy so expect a stringent dietary regime as a part of your wellness experience.

The Mystic Land of India

It is one of the most difficult tasks to choose a place to visit in India because of the options it holds. Here’s a list of the 6 states you must visit In India:

1. Kerala

Kerala is called the God’s own country for a reason.

The state houses everything, beaches, hill stations, religious places and even historical ones. Popular beaches in Kerala include Kovalam, Varkala, Muzhappilangad and much more. It is home to 12 wildlife sanctuaries and 2 national parks. Munnar is a serene hill station here. Kumarakom is famous for its backwater.

How to get here: Flights to Cochin (International) Cost: £100/day/person Best time to visit: September- March

2. Rajasthan

Huge deserts, magnificent palaces and big forts in Rajasthan will seduce the history buff in you.

Dilwara Temples and several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are located here. The must see destinations in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Mount Abu and Ajmer, Ranthambor.

How to get there: Flights to Jaipur (International) Cost: £150/day/person Best time to visit: December- March

3. Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is rightly known as the Switzerland of India. After all, Srinagar, Sonamarg, Leh, Ladakh, Zanskar, Suru Valley, few of the most spectacular places in India are a part of it.

You may go across the globe, but you can never find a place more heavenly than Jammu and Kashmir.

How to get there: Flights to Srinagar (International) Cost: £70/day/person Best time to visit: Jammu: OctoberApril, Kashmir & Ladakh: OctoberMarch

4. Uttar Pradesh

It is the home to few of the most important historical, architectural and religious destinations in India. Taj Mahal, the epitome of love, Varanasi, the oldest city

which is believed to bring salvation, Ayodhya, an important pilgrimage place, Allahabad, one of the holiest cities in India and several more are a part of Uttar Pradesh.

How to get there: Flights to Lucknow, Varanasi (International) Cost: £70/day/person Best time to visit: October-March

5. Gujarat

G u j a r a t attracts close to 19 million visitors a year.

Known for its rich culture and history, and its traditional handicrafts, visitors can find scenic beauty when travelling to the Satpura mountains or the Great Rann of Kutch for example. As the one and only home to the Asiatic Lions, Gujarat is considered to be one of Asia’s most protected areas. It is also the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel.

How to get there: Flights to Ahmedabad (International) Cost: £70/day/person Best time to visit: NovemberFebruary

6. Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is the home to Madurai and Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, iKanyakumari, Pondicherry, Ooty and much more!

How to get there: Flights to Chennai (International) Cost: £75/person Best time to visit: NovemberFebruary

7. West Bengal

The capital city of West Bengal, is Kolkata, also known as the ‘City of Joy’.

The city’s vibrant history and culture includes a highly developed arts, film and theatre scene. West Bengal has also some of the most scenic natural landscapes as it is home to the world famous Darjeeling in the Himalayas, Sundarban forest, and to the beautiful Royal tigers. A visit during the Durgapuja festival is entirely a different experience.

How to get there: Flights to Kolkata (International) Cost: £75/person Best time to visit: SeptemberJanuary

RAsian EALESTATEVOICE Voice | 16th January 2016

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

19

Taking the personal out of the investment

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Just before the year 2015 was over we managed to sneak in a deal prior to boxing day. The property is in a block close to Marble Arch.

The property consists of two bedrooms and is in a block called Park West. There is a possibility of conversion, this would enhance both the rental received and the value of the property. In truth it’s not a block I would choose to move into.

I actually find this particular block horrid, from the carpets to the décor to the smell. However an important distinction needs to be made, this is not for me to live in therefore my opinion in this regard is irrelevant.

The point is will it make money?

Many investors get emotional when purchasing property and this clouds their judgement. There are only a couple of questions which need to be asked, the first is the obvious question as above and the second what shape and time frame will that growth be in?

Meaning, are you planning to sell in the future, or planning to keep as a long term BTL and if so when? Do you want to recycle your money if at all? These are considerations which will influence the mortgage product you choose.

In this situation it has been taken as a long term BTL with a view to holding on to it permanently. The client was already a convert having purchased previously through us. The convincing time was short as he has experienced the growth a property in Central London has to offer.

The first property he had purchased from us was a two bedroom property in Little Venice very close to the canal. The canal stretches from Paddington all the way to Birmingham, and even manages to snake through Wembley. I even managed to cycle to work using it – for one day at least.

These canals were the transportation system for Britain prior to trains. A horse would ride either side of the canal to pull cargo across the country.

When trains came in the early 1900s there was a prolific spurt in house building due to the ease of transportation of material, this was during the time of Queen Victoria. Hence there are a huge number of Victorian properties across London known for their features such as high ceilings, and bay windows amongst others.

After the advent of trains the canals were used as dumping grounds and for waste. They have since been cleaned up and gentrified, and now are very desirable places to live next to. Canals contribute to the uplift in property prices for any properties in the vicinity of a canal.

The property was purchased for £325K at the time. It was a three bedroom ex council property with views over the canal. From memory the client or rather his wife insisted the deal was done on a certain auspicious day. The lawyer who was Jewish kind of got the concept having the same principle amongst his faith.

It was an ideal BTL property with low service charges and a long lease. At this time the rent was very high due to the demand from the DSS sector, which has since been capped.

The property was purchased in September in 2011. It has risen to

Real Deal The

Marylebone, London, NW8 Purchase Price: £600K l l l l

A nice three bedroom flat with a long lease Low service charges Close to the open spaces of Regent’s Park Properties in this location are being sold for around £650 per sq. ft. and above, while this is coming in at around £600 per sq. ft. l Very good buy and hold opportunity

£550K - as a current conservative valuation. This represents an uplift of 70% over a four year and three month period which equates to an uplift of 16.5% per annum. This is impressive, given there is money being made on the rental income as well.

What makes this more impressive is the amount required to complete the purchase was only 25% of the purchase price. This means the amount invested was only £81,250, lets even say £100K with all the expenses. This means now the client has made £225K in four years and three months! This is 225%, which equates to 52% per annum.

This is the beauty of property. The benefit with property is it is mostly purchased with the bank’s money and not yours. Therefore, looking at this again on a return on capital point of view which is the actual return on your money, the returns are very impressive.

Having his appetite whetted for property the investor was ready to take another bite only a year later.

The second property was purchased a year later for £285K supposedly an ex council but it transpired after doing the conveyancing it was not an ex council property, which was strange as all the agents seemed to think it was. The block was originally built for council tenants but due to an oversupply at the time the block was given for private rental, however the stigma stayed attached to the property.

This is a block I actually like, it is surprisingly well maintained and has an open green space in the centre and good security. One of the reasons for the high level of maintenance is one of the residents acts as the managing agent; and most people don’t like to make a mess on their own doorstep!

This property has risen to a current estimated valuation of £575K even higher than the first which means the returns for this property are over 100% in three years and three months. In terms of return on capital the amount invested was £90K with expenses, so £290K was made from £90K, this shows a massive return of 89% per annum.

To put a cherry on the pie both properties are cash flow positive, one bringing in £1,500pm and the other £1,000pm.

One of the reasons for this huge uplift is that they were bought well, and another reason is the location. These two factors were enhanced by the rising market.

Given the previous two deals there is no reason not to replicate this success, in this case it was a case of preaching to the converted.

This property was purchased well before the April uplift on stamp duty and therefore an instant saving of 3% is being made. On a purchase price of £663K this is a saving of £20K, the cost of a new Mercedes! (OK maybe not the new S Class).

Call us now to secure this deal!

0207 993 0103

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in

Central London Property Sourcing

info@sowandreap.co.uk

www.sowandreap.co.uk

27 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8HU

Follow us online:

Sowandreapuk

SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week

l Purchasing property is not a get rich quick scheme, it is a solid investment which will rise steadily into the future. If it was a get rich quick scheme it could just as easily go the other way. l Whether it is a BTL or Buy and Flip deal, the most important aspect is Location. Find a property in a desirable neighborhood where people want to live.

20

ASIANVOICE

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, The benefits of business plans are well known.

And the start of the year is a great time to check your business plan.

When it comes to a trading and investment business plan it’s a little different to most other business plans. But in seven simple steps you can calculate your own plan.

Step 1: What is your risk capital This is the sum of money you can risk without impacting your daily life essentials such as rent, food, mortgage payments? Now many people will tell me this number for them is rather small and ask if it is possible to trade with as little as £1,000.

Thanks to advancements in trading technology you can. But you have to pick the right broker which allows you to trade very small sizes such as little as 7 pence for every point. For instance, I use a major American broker www.alpeshpatel.com/fxcm which allows people I train to practice with such small sums.

Of course the question then is, is it worth it for such a small sum? Well actually it is for a couple of reasons. You should always practice and learn with a small sum and small trade size.

Also if you can consistently make money with any sum, even a small sum, then you can make it with larger sums. You see trading is a scaleable business.

You can scale by trading with more money. It doesn’t make anything else more complicated. You can always find more capital later.

Step 2: Maximum you will lose on any one trade Now you need to pick a number you will not lose more than on any one trade. Some say it should be 1% of your risk capital. I say it should be such a small sum you will not lose sleep over it. What if it was £1!

Just a pound. That way you are learning for as little as £1 per trade.

This ‘stop loss’ or maximum loss is useful as we will see in a second.

Step 3: Maximum loss per trade So now you have your maximum loss per trade – it could be say £10.

Step 4: Win/Loss Ratio You now need to consider your strategy and the number of times you think it will win and lose.

Remember even the best traders in the world win just a little more than 50% of the time. They are no better than a coin you may ask? Well the thing is when they win, they win a lot more than when they lose.

Step 5: Reward/Risk Now we need to know how much reward we will get each time we win. We want a strategy which gives us more when we win than when we lose of course and we know how much we lose on a losing trade.

Step 6: How many trades Many people are busy working and cannot place many trades. For this reason, you need to work out how many trades you will place. For example imagine you do 100 in 6 months – that’s fine.

Step 7: Net profits So then like all plans we crunch the numbers. If we aimed at eventually having one day £20,000 risk capital and lose most £200 per trade and eventually with skill be right 70% of the time and make £300 when we are, then our net profits over 100 trades would be £15,000!

Premji remains 'most generous Indian' Wipro chairman Azim Premji has been named the 'Most Generous Indian' for the third consecutive time, according to China's Hurun Research Institute, which recently released its Indian philanthropy list. Premji's contribution for education through the Azim Premji Foundation more than doubled to £ 2.75 billion in 2015, from £1.23 billion last year.

Nandan and Rohini Nilekani came 2nd, up

from the 6th spot last year with a contribution of £240.4 million. Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy came in 3rd with a contribution of £132.2 million. Premji is known for giving away money for charitable causes. He had recently urged rich Indians to be more forthcoming in giving away their wealth. His foundation works to improve the quality of education across government schools in eight states.

www.asian-voice.com

UK entrepreneurs may liquidate companies to escape tax rule changes AsianVoiceNews

Many UK entrepreneurs may prefer to liquidate their companies in the next three months to escape the changes in the tax rules.

According to advisers many small company owners were drawing up plans to lock in tax rates as low as 10 per cent when they extract profits from their business.

The liquidations or other forms of corporate restructuring would pre-empt a crackdown on incomeinto-capital tax planning and an increase in dividend taxation that would potentially expose them to rates as high as 38.1 per cent from April.

Andrew Tate, vice-president of the Association of Business Recovery Professionals, said the proposals were expected to trigger a “great increase in

liquidations”. Clive Stevens, executive chairman of Kreston Reeves, an accountancy firm, said there was a sense of urgency for affected individuals, who often ran consultancies or other personal service businesses. “They will have to act pretty quickly. Since just before Christmas our restructuring team have taken a lot of calls.”

Timothy Fussell, head of business tax at Moore Stephens, an advisory firm, said the proposals were likely to hit property developers and other serial entrepreneurs. “It could be a nasty shock for someone who is unaware of these proposed changes.” Anita Monteith, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, said

the proposals would have unintended consequences, fuelling a perception the measures were “very antibusiness”.

Revenue & Customs is taking action because higher dividend tax rates introduced in April will “increase the incentive to arrange for returns from a company to be taxed as capital rather than as income”. It expects the change to bring in £35m in 2017-18.

The increase in dividend tax rates will widen the gulf between income and capital tax rates, which has already been stretched by the availability of the 10 per cent tax rate for those who qualify for entrepreneur’s relief (ER). ER has cost billions of pounds more than originally

India to stay at top in growth: World Bank The World Bank in its report Global Economic Prospects projected that India would remain comfortably the fastest growing large economy in 2016, at a rate more than a percentage point higher than China's. The Bank projected the Indian economy to grow at 7.8% in 2016 and China's to grow at a more modest 6.7%.

The world economy as a whole would grow at 2.9% it estimated, a modest upturn from the 2.4% growth estimated for 2015.

All of these estimates represent a downward revision from the projections made in June 2015, but the downward revision of 0.1 percentage points in India's case is less than the 0.3 percentage point adjustment in the estimate for China or the reduction of 0.4 percentage points in the reckoning of global growth.

With Bangladesh projected to grow at 6.7% and

Pakistan at 5.5%, South Asia will be the world's fastest growing region according to the report.

Among the other BRICS economies, Russia's economy is projected to shrink by 0.7% in 2016 and Brazil' by 2.5%, hit by the slump in global commodity prices while South Africa is expected to see its economy grow very slowly at 1.4%.

While making these projections, the Bank report introduced a caveat saying that "a faster-thanexpected slowdown in China combined with a more protracted deceleration in other large emerging markets is a risk." It said this remained a lowprobability scenario, but if

it did happen there could be a significant contagion risk for the rest of the world.

"Compounding this risk is the possibility of a protracted decline in potential growth throughout emerging and developing economies, persistently subdued growth in major high-income countries, and an escalation of geopolitical tensions," the report warned, adding that a sudden readjustment of expectations about the future trajectory of US interest rates could also play a destabilizing role by combining with domestic fragilities and policy uncertainties in some developing countries.

Looking beyond 2016, the prospects, as the Bank sees it are not very much brighter, with the global economy estimated to grow by 3.1% in both 2017 and 2018, India expected to grow at 7.9% in each of those years and China at 6.5%.

Indian budget to focus on rural economy The Indian government is preparing a strategy to focus on infrastructure, agriculture and restore the health of the banking system as well as specific measures to ease stress in the rural economy when it unveils the 2016-17 budget in February-end. As per the preliminary blueprint that has emerged during the budget discussions, the government wants to focus on these crucial areas to accelerate growth and tackle growing unease in the farm economy. A senior official said, “There will be more attention to irrigation and agriculture. We are working out the numbers.

We will have to address the problems in the rural economy which has borne the brunt of two consecutive droughts,” adding, “This is a very crucial budget for the government.”

He also mentioned that the infrastructure sector will see greater attention as the government is keen to step up investment despite a challenging fiscal situation. The government has allocated £530 million to support micro-irrigation, watershed development and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and has urged the states to chip in substantially in this vital sector. Finance Minister

Arun Jaitley has already signalled government support by backing calls for raising investment in the crucial farm sector and leveraging technology to accelerate growth. The official said, “There have been demands that microirrigation be given infrastructure lending status.

We are looking at several options to step up irrigation,” adding that reviving the farm sector was a top priority for the government. The farm sector growth slowed to 2.2% in the September quarter compared to 2.1% expansion in the same year-ago period.

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

expected, prompting criticism from MPs and speculation the government might crack down on it. But advisers said company owners should not face problems in claiming ER after April if they were liquidating an eligible company that was at the end of its life. One target of the Revenue’s crackdown is “phoenixism”, where a company is liquidated and a new company set up to replace it. It wants to treat distributions as dividends if a shareholder becomes involved in a similar activity within two years. It also intends to stop shareholders using companies as “money boxes”, by retaining more profits than are needed commercially before eventually taking out the profits as capital.

The visa blues

Many of us aspire to go out, explore and see the world.

However, the only obstacle that come between our travelling aspirations and us actually going on an escapade is the all important visa.

Obtaining a visa can be the most bothersome and grievous task for anyone; especially for those who've tried to make ends meet in order to garner enough currency for their trip abroad.

However, this procedure has not been implemented to purposely make your life miserable. It is an essential routine by the governments to control their borders, to regulate the flow of immigrants, as well as to detect any possible threats to security.

It is said that Britain has one of the most tedious visa procedures with high fees and paperwork, with a long and demanding visa application form where one needs to provide their past foreign itineraries in the last 10 years, plus more information.

As exhausting as the procedure and the waiting period for the confirmation of your approval or rejection of your visa may be, it is, no doubt, an essential criteria that one must go through. It should not be undermined as it is a crucial method of safeguarding the country from potential threatening visitors who come to the UK, or other countries, as a quest to commit atrocities. Having said that, not everyone who travels to foreign countries are potential threats; that is farfetched. However, in order to detect something suspicious, it is necessary that we go through all of these procedures diligently.

CURRENCYVOICE

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

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

Growth across the UK service sector dipped last month GBP UK construction companies ended 2015 with a robust and accelerated expansion of overall business activity, thereby indicating a rebound from the slowdown recorded in November. 57.8 In December, up from a seven-month low of 55.3 in November. Higher levels of construction output have been recorded by the survey since May 2013, but the overall rate of expansion remained slightly weaker than seen on average over this period.

Growth across the UK’s service sector dipped last month, suggesting the British economy isn’t growing as fast as hoped. Markit’s UK Services PMI dropped to 55.5 in December, down from 55.9 in November. This still shows robust expansion with firms taking on more business but the Markit report said growth in recent months has been slower than in the first half of 2015.

Nearly GBP 50 billion was wiped off British blue chips on Thursday after China allowed its currency to weaken, rocking global markets and sending commodity shares to their lowest levels in more than a decade. UK mining and energy shares tumbled to their lowest level in more than 11 years, as industrial metal and crude oil prices slumped on concerns that major consumer China's economy is even weaker than anticipated. The commodity-heavy FTSE 100 hit a three-week low, dropping 2.7 percent, wiping 46.6 billion pounds off the index's market capitalisation.

Friday saw UK trade balance figures released in line with forecast at -

21

Foreign Exchange

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

10.6B we did not see much movement in favour of the Pound. On Thursday this week the FOMC are due to meet with no indication to raise rates but will be interesting to see if there is any indication to what the members thoughts are regarding current global macro-economic conditions. As low Oil prices and China’s stock market volatility filter through the global economy.

We could see all 9 members voting for a non-move on interest rates especially as we wait to see how the Brexit scenario pans out.

EUR German joblessness fell more than economists anticipated in December in a sign that economic momentum will continue to be underpinned by household spending. The number of people out of work declined by 14,000 to 2.757 million. Economists in a survey predicted a drop of 8,000. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.3 percent, the lowest level since German reunification.

The number of Spaniards registered as unemployed fell by 55,790 in December, decreasing for a second month as businesses hired staff for the Christmas period. The decline was higher than the 50,000 drop forecasted by economists. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the number of unemployed fell by 1,258. Overall, joblessness declined by 354,203 on an annual basis.

Growth in Europe is picking up.

The composite PMI, which measures manufacturing and service growth across the Eurozone, hit a 4 and a half year high, up to 54.3 from 54.2. Ireland

posted the fastest growth, continuing a strong run. More surprisingly, Italy was the second-best performer, ahead of Germany, whilst France continues to slide.

Last week saw some strong figures for the Eurozone which kept EUR/USD at current levels despite downward pressures from a strong USD. Friday saw Eurozone data releases come out poor but these data releases were all of low significance data.

This week is a quiet one for EUR data again with not too much in the way of significant data releases; this subsequently puts EUR at the mercy of other market pressures such at USD, Super Thursday and the current Oil crisis.

USD U.S. companies added a significant number of workers December, pointing to underlying strength in the economy despite signs that growth slowed sharply in the fourth quarter. ADP said private-sector employment rose by 257,000 last month, the largest gain since December 2014, after increasing by 211,000 in November.

According to Markit US services grew more strongly than expected in December, but were still at their lowest level since January last year. Its services PMI came in at 54.3 compared to expectations of 54 and an initial reading of 53.7. However, it was weaker than the November figure of 56.1. The data suggests that the US Service sector ended the year on a weaker footing, with business activity and incoming new work both expanding at lower rates than November.

The ISM non-manufacturing

report also suggests some weakness in the US economy. PMI came in at 55.3 in December, down from 55.9 in November and lower than the 56 that analysts had been expecting. This was the lowest reading since April 2014.

On Friday we saw a very strong Non-Farm Payroll figure coming in at 292k against a previous figure of 252k.

Naturally we saw the USD continue to rally with GBP/USD continuing its downward trend hitting new 52 week lows.

With the FED meeting towards the end of this month, all eyes will scrutinize any indication as to when the next rate hike is scheduled. Depending on how the FED members discuss the US economic situation and their stance on another rate hike; there is definitely scope for GBP to claw back some ground against the USD and other counter parts. On Monday the US we had the Labour Market Conditions Index (Dec), which came out at 2.9 which is higher than the previous 2.7.

A reading above 0.0 indicates improving labour market activity, below indicates deteriorating activity. So this is positive data for the US, however it is not a huge market mover.

The S&P 500 fell again on Monday continuing its bumpy start to the year with the S&P 500 and the Dow posting their worst five-day start to the year in history. However the dollar did make a recovery towards the end of the day and regained most losses. Crude prices fell 4.3 percent to $31.72 a barrel, while benchmark Brent dropped 5 percent to $31.83 a barrel, which was a 12 year low.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 12th January 2016 @ 4.30pm GBP - INR = 96.26

USD - INR = 66.86 EUR - INR = 72.44 GBP - USD = 1.08 GBP - EUR = 1.32

EUR - USD = 1.08 GBP - AED = 5.28

GBP - CAD = 2.05

GBP - NZD = 2.20

GBP - AUD = 2.06

GBP - ZAR = 24.07

GBP - HUF = 420.99

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22

WORLD - INDIA

In Brief

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Fitbit under scrutiny

LONDON: One of the world's most popular fitness trackers, Fitbit, has been accused of selling devices that pose a potential health risk. In a court filing, two model devices were said to “consistently mis-record heart rates by a very significant margin, particularly during exercise.” In the first trimester of 2015, Fitbit are said to have sold over 3.8 million devices, and 75% were Surge and Charge HR. The product in question, PurePulse, uses LED-based technology.

Margarita Louis-Dreyfus is expecting twin girls in April

BERN: Swiss multi-billionaire businesswoman Margarita Louis-Dreyfus is pregnant with twins at the age of 53. She is the chair of French conglomerate Louis Dreyfus Commodities and owner of the Olympique de Marseille football team. In an announcement made by the company, she said, “Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, Non-Executive Chairperson of the Louis Dreyfus Commodities Group Supervisory Board, is pregnant with twin girls, due in early April 2016. She intends to continue to exercise her duties as chairperson until the birth, take a brief break and return to work full time in late April.” the father is Philipp Hildebrand, 52, the Swiss vice-chairman of BlackRock, the American investment management company. The couple have been together since 2013. He is reported to have a fortune that runs to tens to millions of pounds.

Bill Clinton: Hillary the most qualified White House candidate

WASHINGTON: Making his first public appearance of the presidential primary campaign, Bill Clinton made a passionate endorsement of his wife's suitability. “Everything she touches she has made better,” he said. An audience of over 700 were packed into a college basketball court in Nashua to see the former president, and gave him a standing ovation when he took stage. In the speech which was given in the backdrop of Donald Trump accusing the former secretary of state of “creating” the Islamic State, Clinton carefully refrained from making any direct attacks on Trump. In subtle digs at the front GOP runner, he said, “We don't want to run away from the place we have built in America. America is a place which welcomes all people.”

US varsity to sue AI for defamation

WASHINGTON: The Northwestern Polytechnic University has decided to file a defamation claim against Air India (AI), for allegedly spreading “false information” about the institution. NPU president Peter Hsieh said, “We are absolutely looking into taking legal action, which would include a defamation claim due to Air India's outrageous conduct and the permanent and irreparable damage to NPU's reputation.” Previously, the NPU management had accused AI of unjustifiably “barring NPU students from travelling” to the US.

Sikh attorney appointed top prosecutor in New Jersey

NEW YORK: An attorney of Sikh-American origin has been appointed as the top prosecutor in the most populous county in New Jersey, making him the first South Asian to occupy the post in the state. Gurbir Grewal, 42, has been sworn in as acting Bergen county prosecutor.

In the gathering at his swearing-in, Grewal said he “cares deeply” about the county and is “deeply committed to public service. I want to spend my time here just seeing how I can make this an even better place,” he said. He described his appointment as an “honour and privilege” and said the office of the Bergen County prosecutor in “many real ways sets the standard for other prosecutor's offices throughout the state.”

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Blow to Corbyn on Trident policy AsianVoiceNews

LONDON: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s hopes of reversing the party’s backing for Trident this spring have suffered a big blow, after the party’s general secretary said there could be no change to its policymaking process before September.

Labour official Iain McNicol told MPs at a parliamentary meeting that any changes to the way policy was made had to be agreed at the party’s autumn conference.

This development is a big setback to suggestions that the party’s membership could play a role in policy formation ahead of a vote on replacing the Vanguard-class submarines, which is expected before June.

Trident refers to the Vanguardclass submarines carrying nuclear weapons that are constantly on patrol. Mr Corbyn had said that he wanted ordinary people to have just as much say in his party’s stance on renewing the nuclear deterrent as his shadow cabinet.

During an interview with the BBC's Today programme, in which he also refused to say he would authorise a drone strike on IS terrorists, “Couldn’t Britain play a part in bringing about a nuclear-free world?

Let’s get the discussion and debate out there. I want members to have a big say in it.

Whether that comes as a vote of

Jeremy Corbyn individual members, or a vote at conference, that will be decided.

I have not made up my mind on that. “My whole election programme was based on the need for ordinary people to be able to participate much more in politics, so that leaders don’t go away and write policy, so that executive groups don’t go off and decide what the policy is, ordinary people do.”

He added that “there is a brilliance in everyone who has ideas” and said that there is a need for “a serious, intelligent debate” about the role that nuclear weapons play in the 21st century. Corbyn said he was considering how to change the Labour’s policy on the issue, which currently supports the renewal of Britain’s fleet of four Trident ballistic missile submarines. He had said the party policy will either be determined by an individual vote with members or a vote at party confer-

ence. He told the Today programme, “Any policy has to be comprehensive, it has to start from the basis that we are signed up to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, itself a creation of the 1960s Labour Government of the Harold Wilson, and there also has to be a policy of what we do to ensure protection of skills and jobs throughout British industry that are in some part reliant on the whole Trident nuclear programme.

“Renewing Trident, in my view, goes against the fundamental spirit of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty which requires the five declared nuclear states not to renew their nuclear weapons systems.” Sir Paul Kenny, leader of the GMB, warned Corbyn that his union would fight to ensure that the Labour party maintained its support for the Trident programme.

The fallout from the reshuffle continued on Monday as Catherine McKinnell, the shadow attorney general, resigned from Labour’s frontbench. The MP cited “concerns about the direction and internal conflict” within the party, as well as family commitments and a desire to prioritise her constituents for the move. McKinnell was the fourth person to resign from the opposition frontbench in the past week.

Himalayan Kingdom to host William and Kate THIMPHU: Come spring, and get ready for the royal treatment. It's British royals rendezvous with Bhutanese royals.

Britain's Prince William and wife Kate Middleton will undertake their first official visit to Bhutan in the early half of this year, to coincide with their tour of India. William and Kate will meet Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pemaa, who got married in 2011. They are expecting their first child early this year. The visit announced

by Kensington Palace could take place any time between March end and mid-June.

The announcement signals a return to fuller public schedule for Kate, who kept things relatively low-key last year before and after the birth of her

William and Kate daughter Princess Charlotte.

William and Kate's India visit was announced on November 13, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Queen Elizabeth II over tea at Buckingham Palace. The royal couple are unlikely to take their children – Prince George and Princess Charlotte – with them to the Himalayan Kingdom.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make an official

visit to Bhutan this spring. The visit is being carried out at the request of Her Majesty's Government and will be the first time their Royal Highnesses have visited the country,” a Kensington Palace statement said.

William and Kate, who turned 34 on January 9, have much to learn about Bhutan's history and etiquette. The Himalayan Kingdom was isolated for centuries, shunning foreign influences. The sale of tobacco is still banned.

It was 24 years ago when Princess Diana and Prince Charles visited India. At the time cracks in their marriage were beginning to show, but William and Kate, who seem happier than ever, are set to enjoy a right royal tour of the Himalayan Kingdom.

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Jnanpith Award for Gujarati writer

Raghuveer Chaudhary Eminent Gujarati novelist, poet and critic Raghuveer Chaudhary has been chosen for the prestigious Jnanpith Award for 2015.

His nomination was decided at a meeting of the Jnanpith selection board chaired by writer and scholar Namwar Singh.

Instituted in 1961, the award recognises Indian littérateurs who write in one of the 22 Indian languages listed in Schedule Eight of the Indian Constitution.

Author of more than 80 books, Chaudhary had began his writing career with novels and poetry, and later ventured into other forms of literature, including plays, essays and short stories. Born in 1938 in Gandhinagar, the writer is a Gandhian and his works are largely influenced by literary figures like Govardhanram Tripathi, Kaka Kalelkar, Suresh Joshi, Ramdarash Mishra and G N Dickey.

A prominent figure in the contemporary Gujarati literary scene, Chaudhary’s faith in the functional aspect of human life is voiced through his novels “Amrita,” “Venu Vatsala” and the “Uparvas” trilogy.

While his essays are a combination of microscopic observations concerning the art of creative writing and a vivid presentation of thought, tinged with a sense of humour, his poetry has been widely appreciated for its profundity of thought and the meaningful use of images and symbols.

Cologne assault: Women revellers at the receiving end COLOGNE: After the horrifying sexual assault on hordes of women revellers in Cologne on New Year's eve, Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker has asked women to adopt a “code of conduct” to prevent further sexual assaults, which crossed the line into “victim blaming.”

The German Government has also decided to come down hard on those criticising the Muslim immigrants who may have perpetrated them, instead of taking on those responsible for the attacks.

Two women were reportedly raped by men, who were allegedly of North African and Arab appearance. Not only in

Cologne, women in Hamburg and Stuttgart also reported similar attacks.

More than 100 criminal complaints have been filed. So far several dozens have been identified, most of whom were asylum seekers.

Now, code of conduct like avoiding strangers, or don't walk alone at night applies to every crime. But telling women to behave differently — even fearfully — in public places in the middle of the day does amount to victim-blaming.

Also, keeping distance from strangers doesn't mean women are safe. What if there

is gang attack?

It appears Germany was more concerned with looking intolerant of asylum seekers than the well-being of female victims. Instead of addressing the possibility that women have become victims due to these migrants, Germany has opted to take severe measures on anyone speaking ill of the migrants as if they were the real victims and not the women.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel responded to growing pressure to harden her stance on refugees after protesters paraded signs that read: “Rape

refugees not welcome”.

“Now all of a sudden we are facing the challenge that refugees are coming to Europe and we are vulnerable, as we see, because we do not yet have the order, the control, that we would like to have,” Merkel said in Mainz on Monday, according to a report on Mirror.co.uk.

One 2015 study commissioned by the Australian government found that women are blamed for aggression they experience, while the same behaviour is considered a “rite of passage” for men, the Sydney Morning Herald reported in November.

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Gurkhas endure homeless winter

AsianVoiceNews

KATHMANDU: Over a thousand British Army Gurkha veterans and widows face the winter in tents and makeshift shelters, eight months after their homes were destroyed in Nepal's massive earthquake, a military charity warned. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks in April, destroyed homes of 1,129 veterans or their widows, badly damaging the homes of another 1,000.

Veterans, many of whom are in their 80s or 90s, now live under tarpaulins or in makeshift corrugated iron shelters as temperatures drop below freezing. April’s earthquake was the most powerful to strike Nepal since 1934. An estimated 8,900 people were killed and over 22,000 injured. Over 600,000 homes were destroyed and three million were displaced. Areas of Gorkha and Lamjung, which are traditional recruiting grounds for the British Army, were particularly badly hit.

Lt Col Steve Whitlock, Nepal field director for the Gurkha Welfare Trust, said, “I went up to the very north of

Hindus upset over Fortune magazine cover NEVADA: Cover of the January one international edition of American business magazine Fortune has apparently upset the Hindu community. The image juxtaposes the photo of Amazon.com president Jeffrey P. Bezos as the likeness of Lord Vishnu. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada, said that Lord Vishnu was a highly revered deity in Hinduism meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used indecorously or thrown around loosely in re-imagined versions for dramatic effects.

Zed asked how a mortal could be depicted as Lord Vishnu, who is the director of our destinies, adding that the inappropriate usage of Hinduism concepts and symbols for pushing selfish agenda or mercantile greed was not okay.

President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Zed called the image an unnecessary dragging of a Hindu deity to prove their point of view. He urged Fortune to publish a disclaimer about this on its website and the next issue with a proper explanation of Lord Vishnu and Hinduism, along with a formal signed apology by Time Inc. Chairman Joseph A. Ripp; Fortune Publisher Eric Danetz, Editor Alan Murray, Creative Director Michael Lawton and Art Director Michael Solita.

Zed stressed that Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it not be taken frivolously.

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Gorkha and there wasn’t a permanent house standing in the entire village. When you are looking down the valleys you can only see bright corrugated iron of new shelters. In the evening it dips below freezing and some of the high areas will end up with snow.”

The charity gives pensions to more than 6,000 former Gurkhas or widows and medical care to 25,000. It had hoped to begin an extensive rebuilding programme in October, but a political blockade which began a month earlier has slowed efforts. Diesel, cement and timber have become scarce and their prices have soared. There are also

widespread shortages of medicine and cooking gas.

Lt Col Whitlock said, “We have had trouble on the ground getting fuel and there are no new raw materials coming into Nepal at all.

Unfortunately, for as long as the border blockade remains unresolved, we will suffer a significant impact on the rate of our reconstruction work.”

An emergency appeal by the trust has raised £4 million since the earthquake, but the soaring cost of building materials is rapidly consuming the funds.

Dharamsing Tamang, an 80-year-old former rifleman who fought in Malaya and

Borneo, lost his rented home and was forced to live under plastic sheeting next to a pigsty after the earthquake.

He said: “We heard a big noise and everything was shaking. We grabbed at the pillars in our room and ran outside but the building stayed standing. We were scared so we slept in the local monastery for a week after that. When we returned, it was during the second earthquake on 12 May that I fell and cut my head while leaving the collapsing room.” The trust treated his injuries, but his home was destroyed. He said: “We had to sleep under plastic, next to a pigsty. It was a very hard time.”

Shersing Gurung, a 97year-old veteran, has been forced to take refuge in a cattle shed after his house collapsed.

He said: “When the earthquake struck, I was sleeping in the courtyard. I felt the ground shaking and heard walls collapsing but couldn’t find the strength to move. Luckily my daughter dragged me to safety.”

Bangladesh to execute top Islamist leader for war crimes DHAKA: Bangladesh Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence on Motiur Rahman Nizami, leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party.

Prosecutor Tureen Afroz said, “The court upheld the death sentence in three out of four charges. We're very happy.

Most importantly, the death penalty was upheld for the killings of the intellectuals.”

Nizami, 72, Jamaats' leader since 2000 and a minister in a former Islamist-allied government of 201-06, will be hanged within months unless his case is reviewed by the same court or he is granted clemency by the president. Three senior Jamaat officials and a key leader of the main opposition party have been executed since December 2013 for war crimes, despite global criticism of their trials by a controversial war crimes tribunal. Hundreds of people who had campaigned for the Islamist leaders to be

Motiur Rahman Nizami

tried for their roles in the 1971 war, celebrated at a square in central Dhaka. Head of a secular group, Imran Sarker said, “This verdict brings an end to the long and painful wait for justice for the families of the victims. We now want his quick execution.”

Prosecutors said Nizami was the leader of a student wing of Jamaat during the war and turned it into the Al Badr pro-Pakistani militia which killed top professors, writers, doctors and journalists in the most gruesome chapter of the

conflict. Their bodies were found blindfolded with their hands tied and dumped in a marsh on the outskirts of the capital. The killing was carried out based on a hit list Nizami ordered and the idea was to “intellectually cripple” the fledgling nation, prosecutors said. Security was tight across the country. Previous convictions of the Jamaat officials triggered the country's deadliest violence since independence with some 500 people killed, mainly in clashes between Islamists and police.

Health Secretary says doctors’ strike unnecessary LONDON: As many as 31,000 operations were scheduled for Tuesday and a total of 3,300 of those operations have been cancelled, thanks to the junior doctors’ strike.

NHS England said about 10,000 junior doctors had reported for duty out of 26,000 scheduled to work the day shift.

Junior doctors have been urged to return to the negotiating table by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who described their 24-hour strike in England as “completely unnecessary”.

Thousands of routine

operations have been cancelled during the walkout in protest against a proposed new contract.

The British Medical Association said the strike sent a “clear message” to the government.

“We deeply regret the level of disruption caused, but this is a fight for the long-term safety of patients and junior doctors' working lives,” said Dr Johann Malawana, chair of the British Medical Association junior doctors' committee, was quoted on BBC site.

The row between junior

doctors and the Government is over a new contract.

He said that junior doctors had “no confidence” in the new contract.

NHS England apologised to affected patients, and said trusts would try to reschedule cancelled appointments and operations at the earliest.

Thousands of junior doctors have gone on strike across England in a dispute over pay and working hours they claim will compromise patient safety.

The BMA said doctors in Sandwell should continue to strike until further notice.

WORLD Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

In Brief

23

US military funds research into lab-grown testicles

WASHINGTON: The US military will be funding research for lab-grown testicles for soldiers whose battlefield injuries leave them unable to conceive children. More than 50,000 American troops have suffered wounds in action in Iraq and Afghanistan. The catastrophic effects of those explosions can be seen in the hundreds of soldiers who have lost arms and legs, those who can no longer dress themselves and those who can no longer walk. However, there are soldiers who return from the war with an even more serious injury which is not visible. An estimated 440 soldiers wounded in Iraq alone sustained injuries that would make it more difficult, or in many cases impossible for them to conceive children.

Student from Hyderabad commits suicide in US

NORTH CAROLINA (US): A 23 year old Indian student has committed suicide at the North Carolina State University. Shiva Karan from Hyderabad, who was pursuing a master's programme at the university in Raleigh, was found hanging in his hostel room. While the exact reason behind his death is yet unknown, the student's maternal uncle Shiva Prasad told the media at his house in Ramanthapur that his nephew “in the last exams, got less grades which may have forced him to take such a drastic step.”

The Telugu Association of North America informed the family members of Shiva's death.

“We are still trying to learn more about what may have happened in Shiva Karans' case. Our volunteers in North Carolina will provide any necessary logistical support,” V Chowdary Jampala, president of TANA, said.

N Korea says it successfully tested Hydrogen bomb

SEOUL: North Korea has yet again managed to shock the world as it issued statements claiming to have successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen nuclear device. The state media said the test, the fourth time North Korea has exploded a nuclear device, was ordered by young leader Kim Jong Un. “Let the world look up to the strong, self-reliant nuclear-armed state,” Kim wrote in a handwritten note shown by the North Korean state TV. The announcement was followed by the detection of a 5.1 magnitude earthquake near its known nuclear test site.

Pakistan expels Bangladeshi diplomat

DHAKA: Pakistan has expelled a Bangladeshi woman diplomat, asking her to leave the country immediately, just days after a Pakistani woman diplomat was sent back to her country over accusations of having links with the Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh militant group.

Pakistan's foreign office has issued an order for the expulsion of its diplomat from Dhaka in December. An official said, “Moushumi Rahman accompanied our high commissioner to Pakistan's foreign ministry where a senior officer of theirs verbally asked to send Moushumi back to Dhaka, citing no reason.” State minister for foreign affairs, Shahriar Alam said, “This appears to be a face-saving move on the part of Pakistan as it was forced to recall a diplomat of theirs.”

IS sympathiser shoots Philadelphia police officer

PHILADELPHIA: A gunman claiming to have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, shot and wounded a Philadelphia police officer in an ambush on his patrol car. Edward Archer was later arrested after he fired shots at Jesse Hartnett, who was on duty, as per authorities.

The masked attacker wearing white robes opened fire on Officer Hartnett's cruiser late in the night, walking towards the car with his 9mm handgun. “He has confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam,” Richard Ross, Philadelphia's police commissioner said in a statement.

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INDIA

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SC stays Centre’s order on 'jallikattu' Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed an interim ban on Tamil Nadu’s traditional bull-taming sport ‘Jallikattu’ after a clutch of petitions by animal rights groups challenged the Centre’s notification allowing it.

A bench led by Justice Dipak Misra issued notices to Centre and all state governments on issues raised by the organisations relating to use of animals for sports and other performances and sought replies within four weeks.

The bench said that in view of contentions raised, there has to be an interim

order staying ‘Jallikattu’ till the points of law are decided by the apex court. On Monday, senior lawyers Sidharth Luthra and Anand

AIADMK kicks off ‘achievement rallies’ CHENNAI: The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has launched its 'achievement rallies' across Tamil Nadu, ahead of the Assembly elections expected in April. Party wing Amma Peravai will carry out the awareness of the achievements made by the Jayalalithaa-led government since it came to power in 2011.

The rallies seek to secure “100 per cent victory” for the party by explaining its “development schemes and visionary plans”. The rallies were launched by AIADMK presidium chairman E Madusudanan and Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraisamy along with Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai in Karur. Several ministers, mayors, office-bearers, MPs and MLAs across the state simultaneously participated in the launch. Party Supremo

and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had asked her party workers to reach out to all the voters and had announced the task would be carried out by the Amma Peravai. The party also launched dozens of streetcorner and public meetings in districts including Kancheepuram and Vellore to conduct a recall of welfare schemes including freebies.

Party organ slams DMK: An article in AIADMK mouthpiece Dr Namadhu MGR assailed the DMK for treating the torrential rains and resultant floods as a “political opportunity.”

Presiding over a protest demonstration, Karunandhi had alleged that the state’s “failure to open the Chembarambakkam reservoir on time had caused flooding (in Chennai) and demanded a judicial probe into the episode.

Takht chief ignored at SGPC function exonerating controAMRITSAR: The versial Sirsa dera Akal Takht chief in a case of Jathedar kept a blasphemy. low profile at the Political interferbhog ceremony ence in religious held to commemaffairs should be disorate Satwant couraged: Panj Singh and Kehar Singh, who were Giani Gurbachan Pyaras Meanwhile, the hanged to death on Singh sacked Panj Pyaras January 6, 1989, said political intervention in for the assassination of then religious affairs should be Indian Prime Minister Indira discouraged. In a statement, Gandhi. Takht chief Giani the Panj Pyaras announced Gurbachan Singh was nor that they had no political invited to address the congreassociation and would congation, neither asked to hontinue to perform their reliour the kin of the 'martyrs'. gious service of “Amrit Sources said several Sikh Sanchar” (baptising Sikhs) bodies, whose representatives independently under the attended the bhog, had aegis of the Akal Takht. They warned the SGPC against letalso viewed that the proceting the Jathedar head the dural matters related to the programme. The Akal Takht Akal Takht should be chief quietly left the venue, finalised through Sarbat almost unnoticed. SAD Khalsa, in which participa(Amritsar) general secretary tion of all strata of the Sikh JS Sakhira and SGPC memcommunity should be ber Surjeet Singh said they ensured. One of the Panj had told the SGPC that they Pyaras Satnam Singh would revolt if the Jathedar Khanda said they had got was allowed to lead the proimmense support from varigramme. The five Takht ous Sikh bodies and individuheads have been scorned by als from all over the world. the Sikh community for

Grover had mentioned the matter before Chief Justice T S Thakur, who agreed to grant an urgent hearing to the animal rights groups.

The pleas have been moved by the A n i m a l Welfare Board of India, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Compassion Unlimited plus Action

(CUPA), People For Animal and various other animal right groups. Apart from applications to stay the Centre’s notification of January 7, contempt petitions have also been filed, contending allowing Jallikattu is a violation of the apex court’s order in 2014.

By a judgement in May 2014, the top court had prohibited the use of bulls in ‘Jallikattu’ festivals, holding this practice to be an offence under the law. The court held that use of bulls in such events severely harmed the animals and constituted an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to the Animals Act.

SC fixes Jaya's DA case appeal hearing from Feb 2 NEW DELHI: The Apex Court has scheduled the final hearings on the appeals filed against the acquittal of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and others regarding a disproportionate assets on February 2. Bench of Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitava Roy has announced the hearings will start from February 2 and continue on February 3 and 4.

The court fixed the hearing to debate a date for the final arguments and highlight the issues to be argued on in the appeals. Dismissing the requirement to delay the hearing in order to determine what issues should be highlighted, Karnataka government counsel and senior advocate Dushyant Dave said “issues not determinative in setting down the calendar”.

Justice Ghose agreed the case would be kept at the top of the cause list on the three days of

Jayalalithaa the hearing in the month of February. The bench said that further hearings would continue as per the exigencies of the cases listed during the month.

The Karnataka has termed the acquittal of Jayalalithaa and others as “gross miscarriage of justice.”

It described the judgment delivered on May 11 by Justice C R Kumaraswamy as “cryptic, lacks reasoning and illogical.” It ridiculed the calculations arrived at by the judge, which resulted in the exoneration of the accused.

Haryana to fill up dry ponds in rural areas CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has directed the officers to prepare district wise comprehensive plans to fill up all the dry ponds in the rural areas of the region by channelising the rainwater to use for irrigation and other purposes. He has also directed to constitute district and sub-division level contingency teams to immediately deal with water logging problems across the state.

Khattar, presiding over a meeting of rural development, public health engineering and irrigation departments, said that maximum water goes waste during the rainy season which should be tapped, and therefore, a comprehensive plan needs to be prepared to fill up all dry ponds in the rural areas, and later used for irrigation and cattle consumption. He also said that there were about 1,583 dry ponds in the state of which 309 were filled up during the previous rainy season. He also directed the officers to conduct a survey for identifying such areas

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Al-Qaida terrorist held in Bengaluru

NEW DELHI: The Delhi police have arrested a suspected member of terrorist outfit alQaida, in Bengaluru. Sources said the man, identified as Maulana Anzar Shah, was plotting to carry out a series of terror strikes in India. “The aim of the group was to attack some prominent leaders along with the crowded and tourist places.” Shah has been brought to Delhi and was produced at the Patiala House court. He was arrested by the anti-terrorist Special Cell wing of Delhi police. Shah's name popped up in an interrogation of two AQIS operatives Zafar Masood and Abdul Rehman. As per sources, Shah had reactivated himself to provide logistical support when contacted by the AQIS operatives.

Bees attack funeral procession, two critical

KOLAR (KARNATAKA): Another aggressive bee attack on a funeral procession has been reported, this time in Kolar. About 15 people were carrying a body to perform the last rites when a swarm of bees attacked them from a tree they were passing by. The mourners abandoned the body at the spot and ran away to escape the bees. With a three-hour wait proving futile, the bees were smoked before the procession could be resumed. Two people were admitted in a hospital and were reportedly in a serious condition. A 75 year old succumbed to bee attack last September, while attending a funeral procession.

Mayoral polls: BJP-SAD makes clean sweep of 3 top posts

CHANDIGARH: BJP-SAD alliance has managed a clean sweep of all the three posts in the mayoral elections, putting an end on the eight-year-long winning streak of opposition Congress. BJP councillor Arun Sood defeated Mukesh Bassi of the Congress by a margin of 6 votes for the post of mayor. For the post of senior deputy mayor, Davesh Moudgil got 23 votes while Congress candidate Darshan Garg could manage only 13 of them and for the post of deputy mayor, Hardeep Singh of SAD polled 21 votes, defeating Gurbax Rawat of the Congress. “Congress was thinking that differences within the BJP will make them win the elections easily but they were mistaken. I would just like to say united we stand, divided we fall,” said BJP leader and former MP Satya Pal Jain who was present during the elections.

According to sources, in the mayor polling, five of the nine votes of the nominated councillors are said to have been cast for the BJP.

Special buses for girl students

Manohar Lal Khattar where there is no need of ponds in both rural and urban areas. He directed the officers to make a provision for utilization of about 1,000 overflowing ponds of clean water. “The water of these ponds could be dedicatedly utilized for irrigating the nearby fields either by laying pipelines or through water courses,” he said.

He also directed for the purification of contaminated water of ponds in both urban and rural areas. He was informed that the rural development and panchayats department has initiated 1,400 project of five-pond system in the state and its positive result would soon be visible.

CHANDIGARH: Haryana has commenced special buses for girl students studying in colleges. State Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar said providing safe and convenient transport facility to girls studying in colleges is one of the priorities of the state government. He said the special buses were started in Faridabad, Palwal, Nuh, Ambala and Panchkula in the first phase, and in the current year, the facility would be extended to girls studying in technical and other colleges in the remaining districts. The minister also informed that women security guards would be deployed in the special buses for the safety of students, adding that directions have been issued to police department regarding the same.

Jats threaten to intensify stir for reservation

JIND: Haryana's Sarva Khap Jat Panchayat has threatened to intensify their movement by blocking roads at about 40 places in the state on February 15. The group has been demanding reservations for Jats in government jobs for the past 3 years. Sube Singh Samain, spokesperson of the movement said, “The Jat community is united and ready to make the agitation successful.”

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Remain awake and become a yogi AsianVoiceNews

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Biopic on Yogananda a masterpiece

Anand Pillai Writing this piece was a challenge. I had no idea how to begin. There were hundreds of thoughts distracting my mind. I could not concentrate. Though wide awake, I was losing sleep over it. Finally, decided to let it go. With no thoughts, I became more relaxed. I meditated on what I saw yesterday and my train of thoughts became clear.

So let me try to recollect what I saw yesterday. I realise, ironically, it was all about meditation, yoga and being awake.

Lord and Lady Popat in association with the London Centre of SelfRealisation Fellowship had organised a private screening of “Awake” – The Life of Yogananda, at the House of Lords on Monday (January 11).

“Awake” is a beautiful film depicting the life and times of Paramahansa Yogananda, how he made his journey from a remote village in India to the Paradise on Earth called America.

Directed by Paola di Floria and Lisa Leeman, the film transitions smoothly from one stage to the next as it traces the key phases of the spiritual master’s life. They bring the story and the teachings of Yogananda by skilfully interweaving anecdotal interviews of celebrated spiritual seekers.

One that remains etched in my mind is

Left to Right: Lady Sandhya Popat, Lord Dolar Popat, Lord Loomba, Brother Vishwananda, CB Patel, Mrs Pratibha Sachdev, Sonal Patel, and Deputy High Commissioner for India, Dr Virendra Paul Beatle George Harrison giving credit to sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar for gifting him Yogananda’s book called Autobiography of a Yogi”, which according to Harrison changed his life for the better. “If I hadn’t read his autobiography, I would have been some horrible person,” says Harrison in that rare footage. Harrison says when Ravi Shankar handed him a copy of the autobiography with a photo of the swami on the cover, Yogananda “zapped” him with those eyes.

Modern-day spiritual guru Deepak Chopra describes Yogananda as a spiritual genius. Apple man Steve Jobs had only one book on his iPad – “Autobiography of a Yogi”.

The film begins with Yogananda's recollections of life in the womb. “I was conscious in my mother’s womb. On one side I wanted to express myself as a human being, yet on the other side I didn’t because I felt I was spirit.”

The film offers the chance to hear the mystic himself, through audio recordings as well as excerpts from his writings, delivered in the voice of actor Anupam Kher.

Yogananda, who brought his teachings to the West in the 1920s, says there’s a secret link between the body and the spirit – the technique of meditation, recharging the body battery with cosmic energy. It is not a dogma but the science of soul and spirit.

As a boy Yogananda had visions and felt that the Divine Mother was watching over him and had great plans for him. Yogananda was teaching happily in Ranchi when he received what he interpreted as a divine call telling him to pursue his work in America. He arrived in Boston in 1920 and immediately caught the imagination of the nation with his talk of reaching a state of higher consciousness. In 1925 Yogananda moved to Los Angeles and began by giving a series of lectures in the Philharmonic auditorium. On the first night over 6,000 people attended his talk. He was the cynosure of all eyes, drawing attention with his unconventional androgynous looks, long, wavy hair and dark,

Modi is more decisive than Manmohan: Lord Meghnad Mitul Paniker

than the UPA government and Manmohan Singh. He may get better results than the UPA did. The quarrel is essentially not about the economy, it is about cows and culture, which is a different story. The economy has no difference with the shift in power. Politics is the art of making those people vote for you, who would not normally vote for you. Modi did that in 2014.

Ahmedabad recently hosted the Gujarat Literature Festival, bringing esteemed authors and experts into the city. The annual festival saw participation by Mallika Sarabhai, Anjum Rajabali, Raghuveer Chaudhari, Jay Vasavada, and others.

Also seen at the festival was noted economist Lord Meghnad Desai, who talked about the economy and its changes in the last 50 years. In an interview with Asian Voice, Lord Desai discussed 'Make in India', the Modi government and China's currency devaluation.

What is your take on the raving “Make in India programme.” How beneficial do you think it will be?

See, Make in India is a straightforward idea. If you're going to get FDI in manufacturing, what you want to tell the people coming in is, don't come to India just to sell to Indians.

Come to India and use India as a platform for exporting. That is what Make in India means, according to me. So far, we have gathered big investments. It will come either in defence productions, locomotives or any other sector. These things take time. The basic idea is to convert the FDI into different sectors.

Lord Meghnad Desai You have given off an impression of rather leaning towards the Modi government. How effective will his policies be in the future?

In terms of ideas and economic philosophies, BJP and Congress have the same moderate, middle-of-theroad khichdi. Modi is not going to dismantle any institutions of the Indian economy. Public sector enterprises will remain the same. He just wants to improve their performance, not privatise it. Modi's difference would be that he is more decisive

How will China's currency devaluation affect us?

China is in real trouble. China was going to liberalise and allow more exports and capital. What happened is, they could not control the whole process. They don't know how to run the stock market. They had three major collapses. What are these people doing? You can't actually become reserve currency. The global economy would suffer with that. The world faces with big danger with another financial crash. What people have done is lower interest rates, there are no real investments. Just a lot of speculation, buying back of shares, startups, paying over the top for start ups.

I've been saying for a while that the interest rates are too low. China's instability is a syndrome of how a country with no experience of the stock market always begins with treating it like a casino.

piercing eyes. His faith in Jesus also helped his appeal in the US. The biopic is commissioned by the SelfRealization Fellowship, the international organisation that Yogananda founded and which carries on his teachings. SRF I n t e r n a t i o n a l Headquarters is in Los Angeles, while its London centre is at 82a Chiltern Street, W1U 5AQ. The charismatic spiritual figure travelled around the US teaching the benefits of meditation and urging Americans to strive for self-actualisation.

Such was the popularity of the man that he was invited by US President Calvin Coolidge to White House. The Washington Herald front page picture caption read “Sage Sees Coolidge”.

In between, Yogananda brought his childhood friend from India, Dhirananda, to work with him. They later parted ways acrimoniously.

Then a yellow-journalism campaign painted yoga as a “love cult,” and although no evidence was found, damage was done.

He was put on Government watch list and kept under surveillance.

Yogananda described it as the severest trial of his life.

Miami Daily News front page headline read “Swami Told To Leave”.

But Yogananda staged a comeback and died in 1952 in Los Angeles, in the middle of making a speech.

Yogananda wasn’t the first guru in the US, but he was the first with a far-reaching impact.

The documentary is enlightening, with ample wisdom to offer. A must watch to remain in an ocean of consciousness.

“Awake" is available on Netflix.

Earlier Brother Vishwananda, a sannyasi monk of Self-Realisation Fellowship, in his introductory remarks, touched upon the contribution of English people in the evolution of mankind and in the progress of society and culture. He said mankind has moved on. Today the watchword is globalisation. “For me the greatest contribution that the English people have made in this combined effort to make a better life and culture is English language – the lingua franca. Today we have communications, medicine, science, religion, all brought together through the use of this common language. The great unifying power of this language is England’s greatest gift to mankind.”

He said without English language, Paramahansa Yogananda – a simple and humble monk from India – could not have made it to the West in the early 1900s and taught them the ancient spiritual science called yoga.

Special guest in the evening was the Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr Virander Paul.

Woman beats up motherin-law, CCTV footage leads to her arrest A woman in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested on charges of attempt to murder, after a brutal video of her beating up and torturing her elderly mother-in-law went viral online.

Uploaded by social activist Kundan Srivastava on his Facebook page, the video was attached with an appeal to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to take action against Sangeeta Jain.

In the footage just over a minute long, Sangeeta is seen unforgivably assaulting 70 year old Rajrani Jain, with a brick and trying to strangle her with a rope. She also uses a cloth to make a noose around her neck in an attempt to kill her. The police have registered a case under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code against the woman, as told by SP Subhash Singh

Baghel. Sangeeta’s husband Sandip Kumar Jain had installed a CTV camera in their home to catch her red-handed as she had been assaulting his parents for quite some time.

“This has been happening for quite some time now. She used to assault and abuse my parents very often. I complained about her but no one used to listen to me.

Then after waiting for two years, I installed a CCTV camera expecting that she will fix her ways, but she didn’t.

That day she crossed all the limits. I installed the camera to unmask her since the law is on the woman’s side when these types of cases are concerned,” he said. Sangeeta and her husband Sandeep have been married for 7 years and a divorce case is going on. She has allegedly filed a false report against him.

INDIA

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Uncertainty over new Jammu & Kashmir govt AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

asserted that no political discussion started between them as Sayeed's daughter and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti was in deep mourning. When asked about the uncertainty, he said, “PDP can answer this question. They have to think about the process and have to complete from their side. It is for PDP to take the first call from their side. They have to decide about their leader and come forward.

I hope they take a decision soon so that this kind of uncertainty ends.”

Jammu and Kashmir has always been wrapped in controversies with the recent one brought by the demise of Mufti Sayeed.

Political circles in Srinagar came to life with the PDP's list of complaints against BJP, with the Centre “choking financial aid” to the state and Prime Minister Narendra Modi missing in action at Mufti's funeral. Sources

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed passed away on January 7, leaving behind a legacy and, chaos as alliance partners Bharatiya Janata Party and the People's Democratic Party scurried to claim a larger share in the state cabinet. PDP party members sought defence, pouting over statements and comments made by the BJP. Springing into action no sooner the deceased politician was laid to rest, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said PDP would have to take the first call, making it clear that his party wanted the existing power-sharing arrangement between the two parties to continue.

He also rejected reports regarding fresh conditions by PDP or BJP as “mere speculation”, refusing to accept that both parties put up fresh conditions. He positively

Mehbooba Mufti from the party said Mehbooba was upset with the national party demanding rotational chief ministership and more portfolios mere hours after the veteran politician's death. They also said her dilemma began from sensing that the average Kashmiri is unhappy about the parties' tie-up.

It only got worse with the poor turnout for her father's funeral in hometown Bijbehara.

Day celebrations.

Jaishankar went to Maldives on Monday and will be headed to Colombo on Tuesday, before returning to Delhi on Wednesday. “It is likely that there will be a conference call between top offi-

taken on the Foreign Secretary-level talks,” said a source. India's National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval is going to France as part of preparations ahead of French President Francois Hollande’s visit to India for the Republic

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impose President's Rule in the state.

However, it is believed that she will take oath as the new Chief Minister after the end of the sevenday official mourning, said a party leader. The party also said that neither it nor BJP had set any preconditions for the formation of the new government.

“Without any preconditions from either side, Mehboobaji will take oath as the chief minister any time after the seven-day official mourning ends,” PDP spokesman Mehboob Beg told reporters. “The terms of alliance already worked out will continue to govern the relationship between the two parties in the next government,” he asserted.

Beg said the PDP president will respect the people's mandate and carry forward the agenda of development set by Mufti Sayeed.

Makar Sankranti January sees celebration of the harvest festival throughout states of India. Some refer to it as Makar Sankranti, some as Lohri, while some refer to the festival as Pongal.

Pongal is a four-day festival, celebrated by the Tamil communities in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and the Indus.

The month in which Pongal falls is considered as very propitious for weddings.

Lohri is celebrated in northern India (Punjab, Haryana, as well as parts of Himachal Pradesh).

People gather around a huge bonfire in the evening and throw grains and puffed rice, while they sing songs for good fortune.

Asian Voice would like to wish our readers a very Happy Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri.

Indo-Pak talks hang in balance

Continued from page1 “The leads were shared by the NSA and the security agencies are best equipped to assess the progress made by the Pakistan’s establishment in their investigations. So, by Wednesday, a call will be

G.S.

Mehbooba on the other hand, gave no indications about how soon a new government would be formed in Jammu and Kashmir, much to the eager BJP's chagrin. “So far nothing has changed.

Any further development on the formation of government would depend on how soon the party president is able to hold consultations and seek advice on the issue,” senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar told agencies when asked whether any step had been initiated for forming the next government.

Matters only get worse with speculations triggered when Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi visited Mehbooba at her residence. While the regional party issued a letter to Governor N N Vohra saying that all its 27 members support Mehbooba as the new chief minister, BJP did not convey its position, forcing the Governor to

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cials and the political leadership to decide on the future course of action,” an official making the preparatory work for the Foreign Secretary-level talks, said.

Sharif “is taking an active role in getting to the

bottom of the Pathankot incident”, a source from the Pakistan Prime Minister’s House said. “He also discussed the issue with Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif and took him on board about the decision to form a JIT,”

the source added. “This investigation will be a major test of the prime minister to move Pakistan-India relationship forward and to break the cycle of off-again onagain talks between the two neighbours.

Indian court jails 6 Britons for 5 years on firearms charges Guard Ohio, was seized by India. It belonged to a US company, AdvanFort, which specialises in providing maritime security against pirates.

The Coast Guard said the crew included eight Indians and two Ukrainians, while the guards included 6 Britons, 14 Estonians, one Ukrainian and four Indians were among the security guards on the ship.

They were arrested when the ship, flying the flag of Sierra Leone, was found moving around 15 nautical miles from the Tuticorin port in October 2013 with arms and ammunition, but reportedly without valid authorisation, an IANS report said.

They were arrested on firearms charges. The charges were dropped, but the Indian authorities appealed against the decision and have now won their case.

British MPs and campaigners have described the judgement as a “miscarriage of justice”, while their families have expressed shock over the imprisonment.

Prime Minister David Cameron had taken up the matter with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi before Modi’s visit in November, while MPs too

raised it in Parliament. A petition on the issue was signed by over 300,000 people.

The six Britons are Billy Irving from Connel, Argyllshire, Nick Dunn from Northumberland, Ray Tindall of Chester, John Armstrong from Cumbria and Paul Towers and Nicholas Simpson, both from North Yorkshire. They have been jailed for arms and smuggling offences.

The Foreign Office, according to a report in Hindustan Times, said: “Our staff in India and the UK have been in close contact with all six men since their arrest to provide support to them and their families, including attending court. We recognise what a difficult time this is for those involved. There is now a 90-day window to appeal and we will continue to provide consular assistance. However, we cannot interfere in another country’s judicial process.”

In the HT report, CEO of Human Rights at Sea, said: “Noting the case narrative to date and the competing and vested interests within India to be seen to take action…this appears to be a travesty of justice for the ordinary crew members who we understand were not aware of instructions being passed

down from the employer, and who were otherwise simply doing their job.”

Ken Peters of the Mission to Seafarers said: “These men are seafarers but it seems the court did not accept the basic fact that the ship was and is an anti-piracy vessel. The men carried arms in accordance with international maritime law for the purpose of ensuring the merchant fleet was protected properly from the very real risk of pirate attacks and hijack.”

Yvonne MacHugh, Billy Irving’s fiancée, who launched the petition on the issue, said: “I want to know what David Cameron is going to do – will he get these boys home or let these six ex-British soldiers, who gave so much to our country, spend five years in an Indian prison for something they didn’t do?”

The arrested Britons have consistently denied any wrongdoing and claim they have been abandoned by their American employers. They also say they have not been paid since November 2013.

Ian Lavery, Labour MP for Wansbeck, was quoted on BBC website, as saying that he would continue to campaign for the return home of constituent Dunn and the other men.

Herbal teas are good for stress management FOOD

erbal teas are good to fight stress.

Though it is not advisable to completely rely on herbal teas, it do help in eliminating dehydration, relaxation, which eventually becomes a good habit. Herbal teas do have potential benefits of antioxidants that are overall good for health.

Though, it doesn't have medicinal qualities that can cure the problem, it will help the person to relax.

For one, they do not contain caffeine. On the downside, there are some herbal teas that tend to be lower on antioxidant content than green, white, black and oolong tea. The composition of the tea is dependant on which plant (and which part of the plant- root/stem/flower) is being used to make the drink. Therefore, herbal teas can definitely be used for a specific purpose. For instance, Chamomile tea (flowers are used in this case) is rich in antioxidants that are useful in stunting the growth of cancer cells and inducing restful sleep.

Herbal teas that are available in Indian market are: Kava: This herbal tea is often consumed after meal in parts of Kashmir. It is capable of reducing anxiety symptoms without getting addicted to it. Although, one must have Kava tea in limit, as it can cause liver damage.

Hibiscus: Scientific studies have proved that it can reduce blood pressure.

It is recommended to have three cups everyday.

Hibiscus flowers are also used for making Karkade, a popular drink in Egypt.

Passion flower: It is

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FITNESS

also known as Kava-lite and claims to have given benefits similar to Kava tea. It is also used in Hawaiian punch and some soft drinks for its flavours.

Valerian Root: This tea is best for soothing anxiety symptoms and overcome insomnia. Make sure the first consumption should be taken at night, and also advisable not to drive after drinking Valerian Root tea.

Peppermint: Apart from solving digestion problems, it also acts as a mild sedative. It's a caffeine free tea. It can be consumed in any temperature - hot or cold.

Peppermint tea will give extra benefits if consumed at night before sleep.

Chamomile: A passable solution recommended by doctors. It helps people to overcome insomnia, hyperactivity or stress. Chamomile ranks third in demand after Green tea followed by peppermint tea.

Lavender: Made of delicate flowers - Lavender tea helps to overcome indigestion, anxiety, irritability, tension headaches and nervous breakdown.

Lavender is also used as aromatherapy for relaxation.

Ginseng: Even though the tea tastes bitter, it helps in insomnia, nervous exhaustion and stress. It can also reduce cancer cells and help prevent obesity.

Ginseng is available in three flavours - American, Siberian and Asian.

Skullcap: This plant is also used as tea, which helps to overcome premenstrual syndrome, nervous

AsianVoiceNews

HEALTH&WELLNESS

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| Asian Voice | 16th January 2015

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LIFESTYLE

Sugar-free drinks may not be 'toothfriendly'

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exhaustion, muscle spasms and headache. Skullcap also helps in curing paralysis through stroke.

Lemon Balm: People suffering from insomnia must consume Lemon Balm tea. This medical potion can also help in fever caused by cold or flu.

Lemon Balm tea is also known as Melissa. It also helps people with mental disorders.

Lemon Verbena: Made of plant with incredible properties that can help alleviate insomnia, indigestion and nausea. It also helps in breaking down of cellulites and lessening acne.

Linden flower: The fragrant of this flower tea soothes one from nervous tension, anxiety,

headaches and indigestion.

Linden tea also helps to reduce irritable components in mouth or throat during sickness.

Hops: This natural plant carries estrogens, which is an elixir for woman suffering from premenstrual syndrome.

Avoid drinking Hops tea during the day at work as it is meant to attain good sleep.

Herbal teas do not have medicinal qualities and should not be taken alone.

It doesn't have the ability to cope up with future stresses. Although, if the stress is under control with small efforts of staying fit, eating healthy and drinking herbal tea everyday there is no way one can fall sick.

could counter the effects of any sleep deprivation, the athletes were also given high or moderate amounts of carbohydrate throughout the study, though none of them knew which. The researchers discovered that

even as little as nine days of intense training can cause 'significant and progressive decline in sleep quality'.

"Sleep efficiency was significantly reduced during the intensified training period," the researchers observed, with the number of times the athletes woke throughout the night significantly increased.

They also noticed that the athletes' moods and capacity for exercise both worsened over the period of observation.

As for the additional carbohydrates, the team concluded that a high carbohydrate regime reduced some, but not all, of the effects of hard training.

cientists have warned that sugar-free drinks can cause major damage tooth enamel.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne's Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre tested 23 different types of drink, including soft drinks and sports drinks, and found drinks that contain acidic additives and with low pH levels cause measurable damage to dental enamel, even if the drink is sugar-free.

"Many people are not aware that while reducing your sugar intake does reduce your risk of dental decay, the chemical mix of acids in some foods and drinks can cause the equally damaging condition of dental erosion," said Eric Reynolds, CEO of the Oral Health CRC. "Dental erosion occurs when acid dissolves the hard tissues of the tooth. In its early stages erosion strips away the surface layers of tooth enamel. If it progresses to an advanced stage it can expose the soft pulp inside the tooth," said Reynolds. Early dental erosion can usually be reversed by oral health professionals with treatments to replace lost minerals. In more advanced

cases, the lost surface of a tooth may need a filling or crown.

The researchers measured dental enamel softening and tooth surface loss following exposure to a range of drinks. The majority of soft drinks and sports drinks caused softening of dental enamel by 30-50 per cent. Both sugar-containing and sugar-free soft drinks (including flavoured mineral waters) produced measurable loss of the tooth surface, with no significant difference between the two groups of drinks.

Of eight sports drinks tested, all but two (those with higher calcium content) were found to cause loss of dental enamel.

Reynolds said that 'sugarfree' labelling does not necessarily mean a product is safe for teeth. "We have even found sugar-free confectionery products that are labelled 'Toothfriendly' and which when tested were found to be erosive," said Reynolds.

Eating lettuce isn’t so green

Intense exercise can lead to sleep disturbance

A

new study has revealed that intensive bouts of exercise can lead to significant and progressive decline in sleep quality.

The researchers also found that a high carbohydrate regime reduces some, but not all, of the effects of hard training.

For the study, the scientists from Loughborough University in England studied the effects of two nine-day

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement it. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

periods of heavy training on 13 highly trained cyclists. The researchers monitored the athletes' moods, sleep patterns and performance before, during and after exercise. To determine whether diets

N

ow scientists claim that eating lettuce may be three times worse for the environment than eating bacon. Despite calls for people to eat less meat to help save the planet, new research suggested that “healthier” diets may actually be worse for global warming. The study, by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University, compared the emissions from the production of 1,000 calories of different foods.

“Eating lettuce is over three times worse in greenhouse gas emissions than eating bacon,” Prof Paul Fischbeck, one of the

report’s authors, concluded. Lettuce is so low in calories that someone would need to eat at least two whole iceberg lettuces to get close to the calorie intake of two rashers of smoked bacon. As a result, the emissions from transporting lettuce are far higher per calorie than those from pork. Other vegetables fared far better, with cabbage producing a fifth of the emissions of pork per calorie. However, switching to a healthier diet would produce 6 per cent more greenhouse gas compared with a typical meat-rich American diet.

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Samantha reveals her future plans AsianVoiceNews

Harvard University invites Ulaganayagan

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Surbhi enjoys stint with action in ‘Express Raja’

H

arvard University has sent a special invitation to actor Kamal Haasan, to speak at their India Conference, to be held on the 6th and 7th of February this year.

Haasan will speak about India in TransitionOpportunities and Challenges in what would be the largest India themed conference in the US, with thousands of students and dignitaries marking their attendance.

A

ctress Surbhi enjoyed her brief stint with action in upcoming Telugu romantic-comedy 'Express Raja, directed by Meralapaka Gandhi. “Though I was never informed initially that I would be required to do some action sequence, my excitement knew no bounds when I was told about it on the sets,” she said.

“I'm a huge fan of action films.

It was so much fun bashing up the baddies. I've always felt when women do action in films; what you get to see on screen will be very different from the experience of watching men do

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

K

ollywood actress Samantha is very much in demand, with projects like 'Theri', '24', 'Vada Chennai', 'Brahmotsavam', and another yet-to-betitled movie. Samantha, who won global appreciation for her homely role in 'Thangamagan', has revealed that once her career dries out, she will do full fledged social work which has been her ambition since childhood. The actress is known for her philanthropic works for empowering women through Prayusha, and her massive contribution to the Pallavaram residents during the recent floods.

it.” Calling the movie a fastpaced entertainer with “twists and turns”, she described her experience with the crew as “absolute pleasure”.

“The 'express' in the title refers to the pace at which some events unfold in the film.” She plays Amulya, a character from a rich family. “It's a versatile character. I spent 45 days shooting for this project and Amulya made me feel very special,” she said.

Talking about the movie lead Sharwanand, the actress said, “He made me feel comfortable at all times. He's very easy to get along.”

Another Oscar winner in '2.0' apart from Rahman

W

hile we a r e aware that Oscar winning music composer AR Rahman will score music for S u p e r s t a r Rajinikanth's upcoming sci-fi flick '2.0', recent updates suggest the project will be joined by yet another Oscar winner, Sound Designer Resul Pookutty. Pookutty has confirmed the news on his Twitter

'Chalk and Duster'

Highlighting the prevalent issues between teachers and students and the constant changes in the education system, 'Chalk and Duster' is the emotional story of two teach-

page. The film, produced by Lyca Entertainments on a whopping budget of £35 million, went on floor last month and the first schedule for the shoot completed recently.

Alia – Sidharth sneak out for a vacation together

ers, Juhi Chawla and Shabana Azmi. Directed by Jayant Gilatar, the film also features Zarina Wahab, Girish Karnad and Divya Dutta in lead roles.

O

ne of the many Bollywood couples who have forever been trying to keep their alleged affair a secret, Alia Bhatt and Sidhart Malhotra just can't escape from prying media eyes. The two went on a vacation in New York to celebrate the new year, and despite their efforts were spotted together. They met close friend and designer Prabal Gurung in NYC, who then took to Instagram to share a picture with caption, “And photo bombed by the hero @s1dofficial #newyork #sidharthmalhotra #aliabhatt #bollywood #aboutlastnight #moveovervarun #sotypart2”

Jackie Chan lends his trainer to Amyra Dastur

A

myra Dastur has found a personal Kung Fu trainer in none other than master Jackie Chan himself.

Currently working in Chan's Indo-Chinese production, the actress is being personally helped by Chan in perfecting her kicks and punches. The Hollywood actor has also instructed his personal trainers to teach Dastur the martial art.

When contacted, Dastur gushed, “Jackie is a delight to work with, and yes, his trainers are helping me out with the heavy-duty stunts. I don't think there can be anyone who does martial arts better than him.”

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Priyanka wins People's Choice Awards for 'Quantico' AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

P

riyanka Chopra is on cloud nine with her recent hits and her projects abroad.

The actress won Favourite Actress in a New TV Series at the People's Choice Awards 2016, for her lead role in American TV thriller series 'Quantico', making her the first South Asian actress to win the award. The 33 year old plays the role of an FBI agent named Alex Parish in the show.

Revelling in her success 'Quantico' co-writer Sharbari Ahmed posted on Twitter, “Congratulations @priyankachopra!

The FIRST South Asian Actress to win a PCA”. Priyanka thanked all for their support, tweeting, “I am so fortunate! Thank you to everyone who voted for me at the #PCAs! My #PCManiace- I am nothing without you!

Big love”. The 'Mary Kom' actress looked stunning in her glittering gold and silver Vera Wang dress.

Her makeup was done by Stephanie Barnes.

Bollywood celebrities like Nimrat Kaur and Sunny Leone later congratulated Priyanka over making India proud again.

Nimrat, who played a pivotal role in American TV series 'Homeland, tweeted, “Brilliant and so incredibly well deserved! So so proud of this tigress! A first of many more to go @priyankachopra.”

Sunny wrote, “@priyankachopra wowy wow!

Congrats! Party hard tonight!”

Karan Johar, Mani Ratnam join hands

Rishi Kapoor’s shocking birthday wish for Deepika!

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

I

n a surprising turn of events veteran actor Rishi Kapoor wished son Ranbir's ex flame Deepika for her role in 'Bajirao Mastani', also sending his wishes across on the star's 30th birthday. The senior who is otherwise known for his witty and tasteful tweets, kept his calm as he wished Padukone in a tweet that read, “@deepikapadukone Read here that it's your birthday.Well, a very joyous and a Happy Birthday God bless you

and keep up the good work.Much love.”

There was certain bad blood

between the 'Tamasha' star and the Kapoor khandaan after she appeared on a talk show with Karan Johar and cracked jokes at Junior Kapoor's expense.

However, with bygones being bygones, celebrities standing by each other are quite a sight for sore eyes. While Ranbir has moved on and possibly found love in actress Katrina Kaif, Deepika is having the time of her life with Ranveer Singh.

have to do lot of good work. And, when they will realise that I am worthy enough, I am sure they will give it to me.”

Soon to share screen space with director Anurag Kashyap in upcoming movie 'Akira', Sonakshi said she had to convince Kashyap to take up acting full time. “I was convincing him to become an actor. He has fit the role and character so well, you'll connect with him in that way because you'll actually be scared when you see him in screen. He is a great actor.”

Talking about her role in the movie she said,

“This role was physically as well as emotionally very gruelling.

Some of the sequences that we shot and some of the places we have shot in, I never imagined myself in situations like that before. So, probably my most challenging role so far,” Sonakshi revealed. “I had to train in mixed martial arts, had to just train for a month and half and I was ready. I had to really up my game. And luckily I have been into sports when I was a child, that's where the energy and the strength comes from and I really enjoy it.

When something really pushes you to the edge and challenges you, that is when I get really excited. And 'Akira' has done that to me in so many ways, it's been a fantastic experience and so fulfilling,” she added.

Sonakshi aspiring to win Filmfare's best actress award

'D

abangg' actress Sonakshi Sinha has already worked with superstars Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan, delivering hits in her ongoing tryst with the Hindi movie industry.

The actress who recently won Filmfare award for Best Actress said she has had to work really hard to win the Black Lady. “I think I have to work really really hard for that.

I got a chance once but did not get the award. I

Salman obliges Palestinian fans

Sanjay Dutt to be released from jail on Feb 27

alman Khan has a massive fan-base, spread all across the globe. Recently, a theatre group from Palestine, called The Freedom Theatre, was in Mumbai for a play in collaboration with Delhi's Jana Natya Manch. When the play's actor and director Sudhanva Deshpande came to know that the artists from Palestine are big time Salman fans, he contacted childhood friend Kabir Khan, asking him to arrange a meeting with the actor. Kabir instantly contacted the star, who willingly obliged.

ctor Sanjay Dutt who is in jail for illegal possession of arms, will in all probabilities walk out of Pune's Yerwada Jail on February 27. Reports suggest the Maharashtra Government has remitted his sentence in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. Sources close to the actor has confirmed that “Sanju will be home by the end of February.” The Supreme Court had confirmed his five-year-sentence in March 2013, after he was acquitted of charges under TADA, but found guilty of possessing illegal arms. The actor has already served 18 months as an undertrial and had to serve the remaining 42 months, which will be over soon.

Ranveer to romance Deepika again?

B

ollywood filmmaker Karan Johar has officially announced the remake of Mani Ratnam's 'O Kadhal Kanmani' in Hindi. The director took to micro-blogging website Twitter, writing, “Honored to collaborate with Mani Ratnam on the recreation of his labour of love....directed by Shaad Ali....@DharmaMovies...cast coming up!” No sooner, he also announced actors Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor as the lead in the flick. He tweeted, “Mani Ratnam...Gulzarsaab...AR Rahman...Shaad and us present ADITYA ROY KAPUR and SHRADDHA KAPOOR in the official recreation of #okkanmani.”

O

ne of Bollywood's favourite couples, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh may soon be sharing screen space again. After delivering two blockbusters, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela', and 'Bajirao Mastani', the two may get to play lead in Anand L Rai's 'Happy Bhaag Jayegi', as per reports. The director of 'Tanu Weds Manu' fame was in talks with Deepika for quite some time, however, things got delayed until the completion of all her personal and professional commitments.

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Small town girl to international photographer 21-year-old professional travel and street photographer, Riya Sharma, from Kalol, Gujarat will be exhibiting her work at The Brick Lane Gallery, London, in January 2016.

Sharma graduated in Travel Photography and Professional Photography at the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP).

She also holds a professional press card from NYIP and is an official photographer for their PhotoWorld Magazine.

She will also be exhibit-

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Responsibility is your key

word, especially at work.

Set your own goals, rather than trying to meet those set by someone else. You will achieve a lot more, especially when you're motivated by your own desires. Your ability to manage what you have on your plate earns respect from others around you. You will benefit in every way if you learn to self-discipline and pace yourself wisely.

ing her work at the Agora Gallery, New York, in April, as well as the SPECTRUM, Miami.

This is, indeed, a remarkable story of a small town girl who had stars in

her eyes, and worked immensely hard to fulfil her dreams.

Mobile phone gang uncovered by police A pickpocket gang who amassed more than £5 million by stealing mobile phones on the Tube has been jailed for more than 30 years. The group of 11 thieves earned almost £10,000 a day by stealing mobile phones from unwitting commuters on the

London Underground.

The huge scale of their operation was uncovered when more than 100 officers raided private properties and business premises where more than one thousand smart phones taken from the rail network and £143,000 were seized.

Schizophrenic man missing from Southall A 42-year-old schizophrenic Portuguese patient, Orlando Silva, is reportedly missing from a mental health unit in Southall, west London.

The man has been described as being 5ft 6in in height, and having Orlando Silva is missing short brown hair. It is suggested that without from a mental health unit in Southall medication, Silva can He should not be pose a threat to himself or approached. to the public.

Police believe the gang made around £5 million

selling gains.

their

ill-gotten

Nirmohan Singh, 38, Nirmohan Bhatia, 20, Nawid Moshfiq, and Mubarak Korasi, 41

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CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Either you or your partner have been going through a phase of inner doubts and uncertainties, and perhaps the main source of tension has simply been the need for breathing space in your relationship and a need to look at things more objectively.

Wait before going full steam ahead with grand actions and gestures.

At home, be at your diplomatLEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 ic best and try not to tread on anyone's toes. Passions will run from hot to cold, and relationships may suffer. Even the most strong-willed Geminis will be more open to compromise to keep the peace. Plan your spending and set sensible budgets. All things considered, your health should be robust.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 Hard work and a disciplined approach keeps your head in the right place. You will continue to be in a restless mood for some time to come. This makes you impatient with restrictions and even more determined to cut your own path. Do not get over-anxious if everything seems to be in slow motion - it is time to pull a few strings.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 Guard against being too impatient and restless. Avoid get-rich-quick schemes and be cautious about other people's enthusiasm which is likely to be misplaced. Make a very conscious attempt to stick to main priorities. Organise your time so that it is not taken up entirely by the demands of other people.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 Try to take things in your stride rather than anticipating what might happen. Keep calm as conflict and disagreement could be sparked off by your short-sightedness. Think carefully about the implications of your actions. Intense focus is what is needed now so do not let yourself be distracted by non-essentials.

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TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 The pace of your life may be a bit hectic now, and if you're not used to it, this could also be a time of mental restlessness. You are more inclined to seek a broad understanding of people and of your immediate environment. Concentrating on listening, connecting, communicating, and learning is your best bet now.

If lately you have had all GEMINI May 22 - June 22 sorts of demands being placed on you from all sides, don't despair. Try and work out where you want to make changes in your busy life.

Once you know, don't hesitate to implement it. The planetary activity in your chart signals a time of mixed emotions as well as personal issues to be dealt with.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Although there are very intense amorous energies indicated in your chart, the trouble is that these are likely to be marred by feelings of jealousy. Do not therefore dabble in anything that could harbour such negative potential, as it is bound to end in heartache. Existing emotional differences can be sorted out now.

Decision making will CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 prove to be a bit of a bind because of your wavering mind - seek professional advice and then steam ahead.

Be careful with your expenditure as you have a tendency to be extravagant.

Relationships need to be scrutinised carefully. Try to stand back and get a more objective view of the pattern of your life.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

This is a good time to get away from usual routines and seek a retreat for a few days. All the better if you are interested in such things as meditation, yoga and therapies that help you to get in closer touch with your inner self. This will have a beneficial effect on your physical and psychological well-being.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 Whether you’re single or attached you’ll have to go through a lot, as deep psychological transformations are taking place in all types of relationships.

No matter what your chosen path is, you’ll be recognised and rewarded for it. Don’t be afraid to experiment, trust your hunches, go with your gut feeling. Solutions to minor problems should be considered very carefully if cash is involved.

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Cricketers hail Indian schoolboy Dhanawade AsianVoiceNews

Cricketers around the world hailed the feat of 15-yearold Indian schoolboy Pranav Dhanawade for scoring record 1,009 runs not out off 323 balls in an innings. Dhanawade, the son of a rickshaw driver, spent more than six-and-ahalf hours at the crease over two days, and broke his bat, in scoring 1,009 runs. His performance, in a school tournament in Mumbai for KC Gandhi School, electrified Indians.

Sachin Tendulkar was quick to congratulate the schoolboy on his mind-boggling knock and gifted his own autographed bat to Dhanawade.

"Congrats #PranavDhanawade on being the first ever to score 1,000 runs in an innings.

Well done and work hard.

You need to scale new peaks!" Tendulkar had tweeted.

Harbhajan Singh, a member of India’s national team, said: “No matter what level cricket it is, the numbers are just unbelievable.”

The Maharashtra government was quick to promise to take care of the costs of the teenager’s future schooling and coaching.

The previous record innings was set by 13-yearold Arthur Collins, who scored 628 for his house at Clifton College, the British independent school, in 1899. David Gower, the former England captain, chastised himself for “giggling” at the one-sided scorecard, which recorded that KC Gandhi won by an innings and 1,382 runs after their opponents, Akul Gurukul, were bowled out for just 31 and 52 runs in two innings.

Prashant, his father,

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 16th January 2016

Here's a record that can't be broken

said he had rushed to the ground when he heard his son was approaching 300 runs. He explained that he used to ferry his son to the suburb of Bandra to take advantage of better coaching. “I would drive my rickshaw in the morning and then we would leave for MIG cricket club in Bandra in the afternoon and return at night.” He added: “Cricket equipment costs a lot of money. I have tried to find sponsors for my son but on one occasion I was told that he first needs to make a name for himself.”

MS Dhoni, India's present limited-overs captain, said: “It is a tremendous effort. It is just that we need to nurture his (Dhanawade’s) talent, guide him at the same time, because all of a sudden the limelight will be on him. He will be compared to a lot of individuals who have been very successful. “It is important for the individuals who are close to him, his coach,

his parents to guide him to move in the right direction.”

India's middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane also heaped praise for Dhanawade, saying that his knock was massive and hoped that he would play for India some day. "It's a massive feat to do this. He has started well. Scoring 1009 runs take long to say it but to achieve an individual score like this is a big feat. I hope he plays with us someday. He should just focus on doing well," he said.

Dhanawade's epic 395minute knock included 129 fours and 59 sixes, both world records for an innings. “I have always been a big hitter,” he said. “When I started I never thought about breaking the record. I just played my natural game, which is to attack from the word go.”

By stumps on the first evening of the two-day game, Dhanawade had reached 652 and he pressed on, reaching 921 by lunch

off the unfortunate bowling of Arya Gurukul school.

Dhanawade passed the 1,000-run mark before his team declared on 1,465 for 3. Amid chaotic scenes, the young star was carried from the field on the shoulders of his team-mates, brandishing his bat.

Like millions of Indian children from humble backgrounds, Dhanawade started by playing street cricket.

His father drives an autorickshaw and worked extra hours to pay for his kit and early coaching.

“I want my son to become a great cricketer.

He has proved that he has the talent today. Cricket is not an easy sport and expensive too,” Prashant Dhanawade said, adding that his dream was to see his son play for the Mumbai under-16 side.

It is hoped that Dhanawade enjoys a happier fate than the record breaker he eclipsed. Arthur Collins never again matched

Squash star 'auctions' kidney on social media Ravi Dixit, a 20-year-old squash player who won gold in the 2010 Asian junior championship, has "auctioned" his kidney to fund his campaign for next month's South Asian Games. Dixit has posted on social media that he wants to sell his kidney and asked interested buyers to bid for it.

"I have been playing squash for the last 10 years. Even after winning so many medals and representing India so many times, I do not get any support to take my squash to the national and international levels," Dixit said.

"Dhampur Sugar Mill has supported me but how long will they continue to support me? Next month, the games are starting in Guwahati and I am representing India. To prepare for the tournament, I am training in Chennai but I have not been able to arrange enough money to fund my campaign for the games. I have lost my

Ravi Dixit

determination. I am ready to sell my kidney. If anyone needs a kidney, they can contact me. The price of my kidney is Rs 800,000,” he said in a Facebook post.

Dixit's attempt to sell his kidney, illegal under law, has his parents worried. Ramkailash Dixit, his father, said, "I have

A spur of the moment comment: Ravi Dixit

Ravi Dixit on Tuesday clarified that he doesn't intend to sell his kidneys to pursue his career and "his spur of the moment" remark was blown out of proportion. Dixit said he was sorry about his comment and did not realise that a post on Facebook would attract so much attention.

Dixit, in a hand written letter to president of the Squash Rackets Federation of India

(SRFI), said he would continue playing the game. "Squash is my life and I wish to continue playing it. I am keen to pursue the game as my career and would continuously look for sponsors. I never intended to sell my kidney and it was a spur of the moment statement for which I am sorry. I apologise to my family and the people who have supported me," Dixit added.

spoken to Ravi. He is in Chennai right now but I spoke to him on the phone. His mother and I are imploring him not to take the step. Together, we will figure out a way to deal with this crisis. This way, he will ruin both his life and career. I am saddened to hear that my son is taking such a drastic measure. I funded my daughter's wedding with Ravi's prize money. Since he has to support the family as well, he cannot use much of what he gets for himself."

An official at the mill, Vijay Gupta, on learning that the squash player had gone to social media with his plans to auction his kidney, said, "The mill has always supported Ravi in his endeavour. We wish he had come to us before doing such a thing. We will speak to him and do whatever we can to help him." Dixit has, however, received some support from a few politicians.

Just like the record created by Pranav Dhanawade, there is a feat just as remarkable was witnessed some years back in an east London park by Nick, himself no mean cricketer. In a game between two teams of B a n g l a d e s h i teenagers, he was amazed to see one side’s opening bowler take a wicket with every ball of his first over. No wicket fell in the next. When the first bowler came back for his second over he immediately took the four remaining wickets, finishing with figures of 10 for 0 in 10 balls. his extraordinary feat as a 13-year-old. Collins failed to break into the adult game, though he did score a halfcentury at Lord’s for the Royal Engineers. He was killed, aged 29, in November 1914 in the first battle of Ypres, one of the early casualties in a war that would claim the lives of almost 300 first-class cricketers.

Reservations over Dhanawade's innings

Pranav Dhanawade became a global internet sensation.

However, reservations are now being expressed about the 15-year-old’s innings.

Sharmila Thakur deserves sympathy for acting as scorer, especially on the second day when Dhanawade, overcoming

cramp from the night before, resumed on 652 and media and local politicians descended on the ground.

Some, though, have queried her accuracy.

Dhanawade was reported to have reached 652 with 78 fours and 30 sixes. He batted on to 1,009 with 129 fours and 59 sixes, yet his boundaries alone on the second day should have raised his score to 1,030.

Other inconsistencies were apparent in interim reports of his score and the team total. If the final boundary tally is right, he scored 139 off the other 139 balls faced, which on a small ground suggests the standard of fielding was as poor as you would expect from a bunch of weary kids.

The playing area in a walled field between housing blocks was small, particularly square of the wicket on one side, which made boundary hits easier, but while the published scorecard shows Dhanawade hitting 59 sixes, the other batsmen hit only two while making 384 runs between them. According to Mobin Shaikh, who has coached Dhanawade since he was five, the same ball was used throughout: “Not a single ball was lost.”

Shaikh said that while the ground was small, it was not small for under-16 cricket and he had played on similar sized fields in league cricket in Bradford 20 years ago. He also defended the controversial decision to bat on against a team made up of youngsters two or three years younger than him, saying the crowd were shouting, “Don’t declare, don’t declare.”

Test cricket must change ways to survive Well, it always pays if you change up with the times.

Test cricket has stood the test of time, but how long can it remain supreme is the million dollar question.

There is a growing fear that Test cricket will die if it doesn't change ways.

Needless to say One Day International and Twenty20 format of the game is eating into its space. Test cricket is no longer popular among cricket enthusiasts and players as well. More importantly, it doesn't pay also.

Unless the International Cricket Council speeds up plans to introduce a new world championship, things don't seem to be bright with the longer version of the game.

“If we wait until 2019 when the ICC plans to relaunch the Test championship then bilateral cricket around the world is going to be in real trouble,” Tony Irish, the chief execu-

tive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations, was quoted as saying to The Sunday Telegraph. But ICC CEO Dave Richardson has ruled out any change before 2019 which is when the current Future Tours Programme ends. “What we are trying to impress upon the administrators is that it is not just the commercial value and the fan interest that is dwindling, but players are starting to turn away from the game because they have an alternative market now,” Irish was quoted as saying to The Sunday Telegraph.

West Indian players Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo have opted to play Twenty20 tournaments rather than international cricket. The reason is obvious. More pay, less strain on the body, more attraction, more stardom and the opportunity to play in front of big crowds.

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Australia beat India in first ODI

Steve Smith and George Bailey both scored centuries as Australia cruised to a five wicket win over India in the first one day international at the WACA ground on Tuesday.

After Indian opener Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 171 to lead his country to an imposing 309-3, Australia got away to a rocky start when left arm seamer Barinder Sran removed both openers in his first three overs.

Playing on a lifeless pitch which offered nothing for the bowlers, Bailey and Smith played brilliantly to frustrate the Indian attack. They rotated the strike throughout the innings to keep the score moving, taking quick singles and hitting boundaries when they needed to increase the pace.

Bailey was the more aggressive early and reached his century before his captain, taking just 106 balls with six boundaries and two sixes.

Smith began to accelerate and followed Bailey to three figures soon after, off only 97 balls including six

fours and a towering six.

Bailey eventually fell when he tried to smash another six off Ravi Ashwin and was caught on the boundary by Bhuvneshwar Kumar but Smith continued his incredible vein of form.

He smashed his way to 149 but with only two runs needed for victory he chipped Sran to cover where Virat Kohli claimed an easy catch, leaving James Faulkner to hit the winning run.

“I thought we did well in the field to restrict them to 309,” Smith said. “They looked like they were going to get 350 at one stage.”

India must have been confident of defending their total after Sran’s impressive start. He brilliantly caught and bowled Finch (8) in his second over, then had the dangerous Warner (5) caught at midwicket by Kohli in his third.

But the ease with which Australia chased the score down showed that India had not scored quickly enough in the middle of their innings and were at least 20 runs short of a competitive total.

“I think it’s important that after you score 300 runs you bowl well and I think in the middle overs

when the spinners were bowling they gave up too many runs,” Dhoni said.

Earlier Sharma and Kohli (91) shared a 207run partnership for the second wicket against a toothless Australian attack.

India lost opener Shikhar Dhawan (9) in the sixth over when he top-edged an attempted pull from Josh Hazlewood straight to Mitchell Marsh at deep backward square leg.

However, that brought Kohli to the crease and signalled a long period of complete dominance over the Australian attack as he raced to the highest individual ODI score against Australia on Australian soil, eclipsing Viv Richards’ 153 not out for the West Indies in 1979. Sharma smashed 13 fours and cleared the boundary seven times to the delight of the large contingent of Indian fans at the ground.

He built his innings steadily, bringing up his 50 from 63 balls, his century from 122 and his 150 from 155, mixing quick singles with some powerful boundary hitting.

Hashim Amla resigns as SA test captain Hashim Amla has resigned as South Africa Test skipper after the second Test against England in Cape Town ended in a draw. AB de Villiers takes over as captain for the remainder of the series.

The 32-year-old, who took the Test baton from Graeme Smith in June 2014, has been under pressure as his slump in batting form coincided with South Africa's 3-0 drubbing in India. Amla has captained in 14 Tests - with four wins, six draws and four loses.

Amla managed just 251 runs in 12 innings in 2015 at a paltry average of 22.81 and reckoned that he could be of greater value to the team as a 'fully focussed batsman'. "Naturally this decision is not an easy one but the more I think about it the more I believe I can be of greater value to the Proteas as a fully focused batsman and senior player at this time of rebuilding our team. I am deeply grateful and privileged to have been the Test captain and I wish to thank CSA

Hashim Amla for the honour of captaining my country. It was enjoyable and indeed a great learning experience," Amla was quoted as saying.

Haroon Lorgat, the Cricket South Africa Chief Executive, revealed that Amla communicated his decision to him and feels the top-order batsman still has a massive role to play in shaping the success of the side. Lorgat also thanked de Villiers for agreeing to fill in right away.

"We respect Hashim's decision and the manner in which he thought about it and then communicated with me. It was consistent with his well respected personality.

He still has a huge role to play in shaping the success of our team without the need for a leadership title,” Lorgat said.