AV 16th December 2017

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Vol 46 | Issue 32

BJP TO ROAR BACK TO POWER 16th December to 22nd December 2017

R

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

India's favourite power couple, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli tie the knot in a luxury resort in Italy

Full report on page 28

Sadiq Khan's trip concludes after a raft of new investments announced for London Saurashtra, Kutch and some regions of South Gujarat have made their decision, and now it remains for the rest of the state to make a call. Final voter turnout in Phase I of 89 seats in the highly anticipated Gujarat Assembly elections stood at 66.75 per cent as announced by the Election Commission.

BJP president Amit Shah and his party is confident and claim to win 150 out of the 182 seat Assembly. And if various opinion polls are to be believed, it will have the last laugh in the nail-biting contest. Congress on the other hand, is expected to make gains, still lacking enough to gain power. Latest survey by Cvoter has predicted that the BJP is most likely to win 109 seats, several short of the party's own prediction, and Rahul Gandhi's Congress may have to settle

with a mere 76.

A collective result of three different surveys conducted by Cvoter, Times Now-VMR, and Lokniti-CSDSABP has a similar prediction. Other independent candidates may only win 3 seats. Times Now-VMR opinion poll predicts 106-116 seats for the BJP, Cvoter/TV9 predicts 109 seats, while the Lokniti-CSDS-ABP poll gives the ruling party 91 to 99 seats. In all three predictions, the common result is that the BJP will win with a majority mark in the 182-member Assembly. On the other hand, Congress has been given 78 to 86 seats by the Lokniti-CSDSABP poll, 63 to 73 seats by Times NowVMR, and 73 seats by Cvoter/TV9.

Times Now-VMR poll has said that even the Congress and its grand alliance of caste grouping has failed to convert votes, registering only a minor

increase in seats from 61 to 63. It comes as clear as day that Gandhi's caste coalition has done him no good.

Meanwhile, it should be interesting to see whether NaMo has managed to convince the people of his economic reforms and infrastructural developments in the state.

This election, the going was as tough as it could get for the BJP. Several local leaders sprouted with firm roots in their respective communities. The Dalit unrest centred in Una led to the birth of a political leader called Jignesh Mevani. The long-running turbulence amongst the Patidar community for a piece of the quota in government jobs found a voice in Hardik Patel. Congress played farmer distress in rural areas of the state to its advantage.

Continued on page 26

Sadiq Khan with Pakistani actress Mahira Khan

Full story on page 16

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

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Keith Vaz, MP

Patrick Drake Patrick Drake, now one of the most influential people in the world of food, started life working in one of the world’s most powerful investment banks.

Drake led a double life for a long time, working a full time corporate job and working during his lunchtimes in the firm’s fine dining restaurant. In addition to this work he also worked weekends at The Cuckoo Club in Mayfair and weekends with renowned Spanish chef Jose Pizarro. After working for a stint in The Fat Duck in Bray, Heston Blumenthal’s famous Berkshire restaurant Patrick decided the corporate life could no longer satisfy him. At this point he jettisoned the rat race and started to follow his love of food full time.

Since then he has been on a whirlwind of activities; creating the world’s fastest cooking course (www.the60secondchef.com), co-founded the world’s largest recipe box service, HelloFresh where he is also Head Chef and presents for Discovery, NatGeo and Fox networks. As all of this he has been names one of The Evening Standard’s ‘Most Influential People in London’ for 2017-2018.

Nowadays he can be found filming, speaking, teaching, travelling and smiling.

1) Which place or city or country do you most feel at home in?

London has been my home for many years and I love it. Not so much in winter though!

2) What are your proudest achievements?

One of my proudest achievements was a charity push I organised for The Felix Project last year. We sold 2500 boxes of HelloFresh out on the streets of London and donated every last penny

to the charity, so that they can continue their wonderful work feeding homeless and disadvantaged people. I plunged myself into the project and gave myself two weeks to organise everything. Turns out I should have given myself two months, but it's amazing what you can achieve when you push yourself to the limit.

3) What inspires you?

Big thinking and compassion. I have utter admiration for those who believe

anything is possible and ignore all the (inevitable) naysayers to run after their dreams. Elon Musk and his plans to colonise Mars is a prime example.

I'm also inspired when I see people face adversity and negativity with compassion. We may not be able to control global politics, but we can control how we turn up for the person next to us. If even a small proportion of us were more compassionate to those in our immediate vicinity it would have a transformational effect on the world.

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

The only obstacle I ever face is my belief in myself.

If I believe I can do something then I will do it.

There are always times when I'll feel unsure of my ability to achieve something, but inevitably when you break down the task and take it step by step then you'll be on the path to success.

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

My mother and my father (though for very different reasons). My mum always taught me to work hard and never settle for second best. My father on the other hand left us when I

Labour MP apologises for comments made to pregnant journalist Labour MP, Tuliq Siddiq, has apologised for her comments to a pregnant Channel 4 journalist that allegedly seemed to be “threatening”.

The MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, had attended a rally in support of the British mother, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, jailed in Iran. The MP has been a big supporter and campaigner for ZaghariRatcliffe's release, who is also Saddiq's constituent.

At the rally, the Channel 4 journalist had questioned the MP regarding the British-trained lawyer, Ahmad bin Quasem, who was allegedly abducted by Bangladesh's government securtiy forces in 2016.

The journalist asked whether the MP intended to campaign for the lawyer as well, to which the MP warned the journalist saying, “be very careful what you're saying- I'm a British MP,” before telling the pregnant journalist, “Hope you have a great birth, because child labour is hard.”

MP Tulip Siddiq, whose aunt, Sheikh Hasina is the Prime Minister of Bangladesh,

Tulip Siddiq MP

released a statement apologising for her comments.

She said, “I want to apologise unreservedly for my comments to Channel 4's producer, which were offhand and ill-judged attempt to deal with what I felt was a hostile situation. I would never want to upset her and I hope she accepts my apology. The face that some members of my family are involved in politics in Bangladesh has been a matter of public record which I have not hidden from. That said, I have no capability or desire to influence politics in Bangladesh.”

Although the MP claims not to have any influence to the politics in Bangladesh, Tulip Siddiq was listed as a delegate of Bangladesh at the 66th UN

general assembly in 2011.

It is said that the Labour MP has previously campaigned with her aunt in Bangladesh and written about her happiness over her aunt's victory in blog posts which have been deleted. It is also suggested that she had described herself as the spokeswoman of for the Awami League, the ruling party.

was small and in later life sent me a letter telling me he wanted nothing to do with me as I would never amount to much. That moment was pivotal for me as on a subconscious level I believe I always wanted to prove him wrong. Counterintuitive though it may seem, I owe him thanks for that.

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

Where do I start?! I love my work. Every day I get to work on projects about which I am so passionate.

Whether it's writing our new HelloFresh cookbook, producing videos to teach people how to cook for my online course the60secondchef.com, or just passing on knowledge and (hopefully!) inspiring and encouraging those around me. I had to work incredibly hard and take some big risks to get where I am now, but as the saying goes: "Live for a while as others won't, so you can live a lifetime as others can't".

7) And the worst?

Admin!

8) What are your long term goals?

To leave a legacy, to help others reach their full potential and to have a

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

The health of the nation.

The key question the PM should ask when looking at this question is "What one thing could I do which would make everything else either easier or not necessary at all?"

Where health is concerned the answer to this question is simple: Teach people how to cook. The level of cooking education in schools is a total joke and yet there is nothing

that could create so fundamental a health shift as teaching (empowering!) people to cook fresh, inexpensive, nutritious food from scratch.

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

That's easy. The Buddha.

If I'm going to be stuck on an island for the rest of my life then I'd have plenty of time to work on my enlightenment. I can't think of a better study buddy.

Journalists among least trusted professions in Britain It seems like people who work in the media are not the most congenial, especially journalists. According to the annual Ipsos Mori Veracity Index, journalists are among the least trusted professions in the UK, along with footballers while politicians came last in the most trusted professions.

BA Mumbai-London flight diverted to Azerbaijan after declaring emergency

A British Airways flight going from Mumbai to London was diverted to Azerbaijan's capital Baku on Monday after it declared an emergency.

The flight was due to land at the Heathrow airport on Monday evening.

Reports from passengers indicate the BA198 had to be diverted due to a technical fault on the aircraft.

Engineers were looking into the issue before the flight could resume its journey.

The flight departed from the Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 5: 15 PM, when it was sched-

beautiful life filled with health, family and friends.

uled to depart at 01: 15 PM earlier in the day. One passenger onboard Twitted that the technical fault involved smoke in the first class cabin.

Engineers in Baku are checking the aircraft, it said, adding, “we are awaiting more information about the situation”.

There were 135 passengers and 17 crew aboard the Boeing 777 aircraft.

Meanwhile a number of airlines had put out an alert earlier on Monday that many of its flights will be disrupted due to heavy snowfall in the UK on Sunday.

Digital media strategist and author at Reuters Institute, Nic Newman said, “These findings

should be a wake up call for journalists, platforms and regulators. Rebuilding trust will require all interested parties to work together. We need better incentives to create and showcase more accurate and more trusted content.”

Nurses and doctors top the list of the most trusted professions in the UK.

Study reveals 70% of grooming gangs are Pakistani According to the think tank Quilliam, who researched 58 gangs found that 84% of their members were Asian, and 70% were of Pakistani origin.

The think tank analysed 58 convictions of grooming gangs since 2005. The results revealed that 222 out of the 264 offenders were Asian, 22 were black, 18 were white while two were of unknown ethnicity.

The Chief Executive of Quilliam, Haras Rafiq stated, “I thought the problem was being overstated but it isn't- this is what we

84% of grooming gangs are Asian

found. Facts are facts.”

The reports also claimed that the “regressive left” denied to accept that a problem existed “and threatens to label those who oppose this blinkered vision as 'racist' or 'Islamophobic'”.

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London woos Indian investors With the obstacle regarding Ireland’s border out of the way, Britain and the European Union can now concentrate on the economic issues of Brexit. These are complex and the talks to resolve them will be hard and wearying. However, on a parallel track, Britain must start looking to a post-Brexit future with Commonwealth partners, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand at the core of new vistas in trade and investment of mutual benefit to all parties. London is betting big in its drive to attract Indian businesses and invest with this goal in mind. The Mayor’s office has opened an overseas facility in Bangalore to promote ease of doing business in Britain’s capital city, among the world’s foremost financial hubs. Information

Technology giant, Bangalore-based Wipro, said it planned to expand its London operations with a new 13,000 square foot office, its third in the capital, where it already has an 1,800 workforce. The company hoped its new facility would help it bring new ways of working with digital clients.

Special emphasis would be placed on collaboration and joint creation between designers and software engineers ‘to incubate innovation and disruptive ideas alongside our clients,’ said Rajan Kohli, Senior Vice President and digital head, Wipro Digital. ‘London and Bangaluru are hotbeds for innovation and creativity,’ said David Slater, Director of International Trade and Investment at London & Partners.

December 4 was named Navy Day, for it was on that date in 1971 that the India Navy towed its missile boats into the harbor of Pakistan port city of Karachi, set its quayside alight and crippled the country’s navy. India and Pakistan fought a ten-day war over the liberation of Bangladesh; the outcome was a Pakistani defeat, despite the diplomatic support of the United States and China which had appeared to cast the geopolitics of the region in stone. The Karachi event was the coming of age for the Indian Navy. Until then it had been the Cinderella of the armed forces. The Army and Air Force received the bulk of the government’s attention as it was India’s land frontiers with Pakistan and China that were under threat of attack, and, indeed, were attacked.

Arms acquisitions from abroad were almost exclusively reserved for the two senior services. In the longer-term this was to prove a blessing in disguise, for the fledging Navy was forced to make the best use of its limited resources of men and materiel.

To meet this challenge the Indian Navy skilled its naval architects to design ships, from destroyers, frigates and high speed coastal vessels. The learning curve was huge and forbidding in scope but the outcome was rewarding. India designed its first nuclear submarine; INS Arihant is now operational with its full complement of weaponry, conventional and nuclear – the latter forming the third triad of India’s second strike deterrent. Three more nuclear submarines are under construction plus a 40,000 tonne aircraft carrier, which is nearing completion, with a second to follow.

What is the rationale behind this naval build-up?

After the US, Russia and China, the Indian Navy is now the world’s fourth-largest and growing. India is a peninsula with seas on three sides. Its navy’s strength is one aspect of the larger goal, the other is development of the merchant fleet vital for trade. Commerce and flag are therefore intertwined in the larger national security architecture. Aircraft carriers, battle groups and escort vessels guarantee economic and strategic security including the protection of offshore oil and gas platforms and reserves.

One of the problems arising from an earlier tradition was its land oriented outlook, The Mughals came from Central Asia and possessed little knowledge or experience of the seas. Yet, Britain, an island, with its

command of the seas became the dominant world power from the late eighteenth century to the first three decades of the twentieth, during which period she withstood the challenges of Napoleonic France and the Kaiser’s Germany – a reminder that the three quarters of the earth’s surface is water.

The historian K.M. Panikkar masterly monograph, India and the Indian Ocean: An Essay on the Influence of Sea Power in Indian History dwelt on India’s maritime tradition seeded in the country’s south and nurtured by the Chola kings who took Indian commercial and cultural influences across the seas to Southeast Asia. Panikkar’s message has taken root.

India to date built 125 ships and another 38 ships and submarines are on order, all through public and private sector partnerships. The Indian Navy’s strategic perimeter stretches from the Persian Gulf and the aperture to the Red Sea in the west to the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca in the east.

India’s naval heft was first demonstrated under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, when she authorized swift intervention in Mauritius to abort a coup designed to overthrow its legitimate, democratically elected government. This protective diplomacy has since been formally institutionalized. Subsequent to this, India was requested by Mozambique to provide security during the East African summit, which it did by patrolling the Mozambique coast. In the east, India has close defence relations with Singapore and Vietnam.

India operates a tri-services military base on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands giving it strategic leverage in the waters of Southeast Asia. By its very nature, the Navy requires special skills, hence the officer corps require at least a B.Tech qualification to join the force, enabling qualified women to look to the navy for rewarding careers. Among the numerous items in the print media on Navy Day, one in particular stands out: the cutting edge which the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile inducted in the Navy in 2005 and now the prime strike weapon in ten of the Navy’s frontline ships, with sea-to-sea, sea-to-land and subsea-to-land (underwater version). BrahMos is perceives as the ultimate game-changer for India in the future network centric warfare operations, with all three services equipped withis lethal weapon.

For India’s media pundits who have inundated their columns with tales of Russia’s estrangement from India, its embrace of Pakistan and its subordination to Chinese diktat, the revelation that none of these dire offerings had even a scintilla of truth should come as an embarrassment. But the moment is likely to pass as shame, alas, is in short supply and skins are unusually thick.

Let us ground interpretation in verifiable facts.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryablov was in Delhi last week for extensive talks with India’s Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and Secretary (Economic Relations) Vijay Gokhale, who is the point-man for the BRICS grouping as well. Following these meetings, Mr Ryablov addressed the media. He was strongly supportive of India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and opposed to that of Pakistan a stance that is variance with China’s. Mr Ryabkov hoped that India’s application to join the 41 nation Wassemaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-use Goods and Technologies would be successful. Thankfully, it was. He said: ‘This is an example and reflection of Russia’s unwavering support to India’s membership of international nuclear control regimes.’ Mr Ryablov wondered why the United States had not pushed China to be cooperative rather obstructive on Indian membership of the NSG. ‘I can

assure you that Russia’s ties with no other country in the world will come at the expense of its relations with India,’ he said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will engage in talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, preparatory to the trilateral BRICS conversation involving Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Yi. These talks will be free and frank on all sides. For instance, India has refused to join China’s One Belt One Road project, while Russia has signed up to it. The outcome of these discussions will be eagerly awaited.

Another subject to come up is the quadrilateral naval exercise between India, the US, Japan and Australia. Are the US and China in opposite poles. The short answer is they are not. Their bilateral understanding on a range of regional and global issues is firm, with each side needing the other in pursuance of their geopolitical goals.

America’s national debt stands at a forbidding $20 trillion and rising. Congress has just voted emergency funding to the US administration for its immediate needs, as otherwise government would cease to function. China is the largest holder of US debt, thus borrower and lender are tied to each other by an umbilical cord of mutual understanding. Cockeyed Indian reporters would do well to understand this seminal ground reality and be less taken by rhetorical blanks from both sides disguised as broadsides.

Guardian of the seas

Russia’s ‘full support’ for India’s NSG membership

Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

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What we need is not the will to believe, but the wish to find out.

- William Wordsworth

Cllr Sachin Shah Leader of the Harrow Council

Harrow:

A Great Place to Live Harrow is a great place to live and it always has been. It offers large houses for families, green space and great transport links to central London. Demand for housing has never been so great, and it’s only set to increase. As London faces up to this pressure, and in the absence of any help from the Government, the Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has published the London Plan – a set of principles, targets and controls that will help us to respond to what has become one of the most profound challenges we face today.

The principles behind the Mayor’s vision are the right ones – housing that’s well-served by public transport, better use of already developed sites, protection of our precious green spaces and, most importantly, a focus on what’s affordable for ordinary people.

In Harrow we are rebuilding the Grange Farm council housing estate. They were built in 1968 and they are one of the last remaining constructions that use fibreglass panels for external walls, and so are now far past their best. We want to seize the opportunity this presents us with to develop on the site a new neighbourhood - one that we can all be proud of, and one that will help us to hit our target for new affordable homes that’s been set by the Mayor.

Our proposal is to build 549 modern homes.

Every permanent resident who currently lives at Grange Farm will be offered a property on the new development and we’ll also offer properties for sale and shared ownership. The new Grange Farm will be a fantastic community hub with attractive courtyards, green space, places for children to play, a nursery and a flexible community space for learning, leisure and fun.

But The London Plan will need a change in the way our community gets around. The Mayor has an aim that 80% of all journeys in London will be either by walking, cycling, or on public transport.

Our community has got accustomed to having and using a car, with many homes in Harrow having 2 or 3 cars. This will have to change. It’s a sad fact that Harrow has the highest level of diabetes in London, and the least active population in London. So the Mayor of London has now said that most new developments in Harrow cannot have more than 1 parking space for every two properties, and those in Harrow Town centre will not be allowed any car parking spaces at all. Harrow Council will not be allowed to give planning permission for developers who want more parking. We will have a choice, either we don’t build the homes needed for the future, or we build them without parking.

Continued on page 6 Editor: CB Patel

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Lets get Brexit in perspective Subhash V Thakrar FCA FRSA Firstly, we should congratulate our Prime Minister May, the Brexit minister David Davis and their team to have reached an agreement of principles and move negotiations forward to the next stage. This has been against all odds and constant criticism from the media, opposition politicians and also sometimes from within the Tory party.

I must declare that I voted and also campaigned to remain. However, the people of the country have decided to come out of Europe and I am now looking to achieve the best out the decision we have made. Often when one accepts a different reality and starts applying his or her mind to what can be achieved, new ideas and thoughts come along and bring fresh opportunities.

The Brexit decision has been the biggest decision that we have made since the World war; even bigger than the time when we decided to join the European Union. If it was a war would our media and all political figures continue to constantly criticise and find faults in the Government that is leading the battle? Would there not be a private pact between all stakeholders to draw certain red lines and then let the Government get into negotiations with confidence? A good analogy is a football or cricket team playing for our country.

Here, we will publicly support the team and give them all our backing. Why can't we do the same by backing the team that is batting for our national interest?

Our politicians involved in negotiations are quite bright and very experienced people supported by technical experts. They cannot be where they are today otherwise. Of course this is a new course that UK and EU have not travelled and that will always bring some uncertainty. If the tables turned and if the opposition politicians were in the front line instead of the current team, are they going to do any better job with the negotiations?

So we must allow our team to get on with the tough negotiations and not hinder their work by constantly looking to find a fault with them.

Many commentators present a completely doom scenario as if in 2019, we shall stop doing anything with Europe.

No business will happen nor will anyone easily travel to and from U.K. Irrespective of where the negotiations go, a complete freeze will definitely not

Subhash V Thakrar

happen. Yes the outcome may make an impact on trade between the two sides.

Let's get this in to perspective. The fact is that London actually voted to remain in Europe. It was the northern part of the country that voted to leave.

There are around 2.37m EU nationals working in the U.K. 25% of London’s workforce are EU nationals which is far higher than Northwest or Scotland where the figures are 7% and 6% respectively. EU nationals contribute £26bn to London’s gross value. 24% of the financial services and 36% of construction employees are EU nationals. So in London, we need EU nationals and there is reason to have a different treatment for London. The London Chamber has been calling for London working permit.

UK exports to EU are around £240 bn and these represent 12% of our economy(2016 figures). Exports from EU to UK are around £390 bn and represent 3-5% of the size of EU economy. Of course Brexit is bound to affect trade between the two geographies and the impact will depend on if we have a hard Brexit or a soft one. Only 11% of UK companies are involved in selling to EU. One thing is certain, all this business is not just going to disappear completely when we leave the EU. It may come down by 10 to 15% due to restrictions and tariffs that get imposed. EU will still want to buy UK goods and services and so will UK. In fact, if the the British pound remains low as now against the Euro, our import costs may not really rise much.

We must ask the question. Will both sides of negotiators be willing to take

the position where all the above business collapses? I doubt if they will take such a risk on behalf of their economies.

So they will play tough ball initially but ultimately there will be some compromise.

The UK has always been a free trader and so coming out of EU is something we can address. I have led many a trade mission for the London Chamber of Commerce and know that UK brand is very well respected in the rest of the world. The markets of China , India and Africa have really not been taken to their full potential. There is also the Commonwealth and the US markets that can be expanded. Our business people have been concentrating on EU business as it is easy and convenient. This has been at the expense of ignoring the outside EU business.

One may ask, what do we export or can we export. Well, just to name a few, we have great potential to export educational products and services, professional services, cars, whisky and English premiere league.

UK has always been attractive for Foreign Direct Investment(FDI). This is due to our advanced legal systems, time zones ( the Greenwich Mean Time gives us a huge advantage to be connected to the World most of the day), English language(EU will still do its business in English) and we have world’s best Universities.

UK can rely on World Trade agreements even if it is in transition. The current negotiations indicate that we may get a transitional arrangement. Either way, one must not panic. We must allow our team to negotiate and support them.

As we know nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

For EU, UK will just be another 3rd country. But it will be closure to Canada and bigger than Norway which are both outside EU and actively doing business with EU. UK will still remain uniquely integrated with EU in many other ways.

We are the 6 th biggest economy in the World and have uniquely able and advanced business community. All we need is to change our focus on the non EU market. We may just surprise ourselves of our potential if we take a positive and constructive approach.

Subhash V Thakrar FCA FRSA Vice President and Past Chairman, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. www.subhash@ Subhash Thakrar.com

The Loomba Foundation with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan celebrated the Indo-UK Year of Culture The Loomba Foundation, in association with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, the leading Indian arts and cultural institute in the UK, celebrated the Indo-UK Year of Culture at the Cholmondaley Room and Terrace at the House of Lords on Friday 8th December.

His Excellency Mr Y K Sinha, the High Commissioner felicitated Mr Joginder Sangar with a memento, to recognise his efforts to promote Indian culture in the UK, since 1972.

Many eminent people from the British and Indian communities, including Mr G P Hinduja, Loomba Foundation Trustees Shiraz and Shamin Lalji, and Dr Barry Humpreys, Patrons

From left: H.E. Shri Y K Sinha, Joginder Sanger, and Lord Raj Loomba CBE

Graham Tobell, Susan Tobell and Rami Ranger were present at the dinner.

Lord Loomba welcomed the great opportunity for both the nations to strengthen their dynamic cultural partnership

between India and the UK throughout 2017. “I would also take this opportunity to appreciate the year-long work done by the Nehru Centre – the cultural arm of the Indian High Commission in London.

Starting with various festivals in Edinburgh and festivals of dance and theatre at various venues in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Birmingham have all been well received,” he said during his welcome speech.

The evening saw a cultural programme organised

by Nand Kumar, Executive Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. There was a traditional Bharatanatyam dance 'Tillana' - a technical item of rhythmic movements, and a fusion contemporary recital 'Sangam' composed by Maestro Mandolin Srinivas. Choreography on the classical bollywood number 'Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya' from the film Mughal-e-Azam, was also presented by friends of Bhavans.

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Lohana Mahila Christmas Party Ansuya Sodha

All children are special but the Christmas Party that Lohana Mahila, organised on Saturday 9th December was for very special children. This is an annual event in their calendar and they put a lot of effort to make sure children have a great

time. They entertained about 50-60 children with special needs. Children tucked in to hot meal, followed by games organised by Geetaben, Nutunben and their team. The hall was decorated with a Christmas tree and even Father (Mother) Christmas made an appearance to the total amazement of these lovely children. Urmilaben, our President, joined in the game of musical chairs and nearly won! (sorry Umilaben - young before old).

Congratulations to Lohana Mahila and may you carry on doing this for many years to come

Elephant Atta ropes in Chetna Makan to promote new packaging

Elephant Atta has teamed up with Great British Bake Off 2014 semi-finalist Chetna Makan to celebrate the new packaging of its entire range of attas from December 2017.

Earlier this year Elephant Atta Medium and Elephant Atta self-raising flours won 2 gold stars at the prestigious Great Taste Awards 2017. According to research by Westmill Foods, which owns the Elephant brand, the product has a 53% market share in the UK.

Barclay employee jailed for role in money laundering

A Barclays bank employee, Jinal Pethad, 29, from Edgware has been jailed for six years and four months for his alleged role in the money laundering scam in which millions of pounds were stolen using Dridex malware.

It is said that he conspired to launder more than £2.5 milJinal Pethad lion from the branch he worked at in Ealing.

It is alleged that Pethad acted as a “personal bank manager” to cyber money launderers Ion Turcan and Pavel Gincota, and set up 105 bank accounts for them using fraudulent ID documentations.

Mark Cains, from the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit said, "Jinal Pethad abused his position of trust at the bank to knowingly set up sham accounts for Gincota and Turcan, providing a vital service which enabled them to launder millions. Using his knowledge of the financial system, he made sure the stolen money was not blocked before entering these accounts, and provided the pair with reports to evidence his efforts and maintain the criminal relationship.

The NCA works with industry and law enforcement partners to target cyber crime at every level. We are determined to disrupt the flow of illegal money to prevent it funding further criminality."

Jinal Pethad was sentenced at the Old Bailey on 12th December.

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UK financial stability:

Major risks in the Bank of England's latest risk report Jay Jobanputra A key job of the Bank of England is to ensure that the financial system works well for everyone.

By that, we mean that households and businesses can rely on banks, building societies and other financial firms through thick and thin.

For example, in my role as Agent for Financial Stability, I often meet businesses that saw the worst of the financial crisis and its impact on provision of financial services.

There are costs to us all when the financial sector does support the real economy.

It makes it harder for businesses to raise money to invest and create jobs. And families find it more difficult to access mortgages and personal loans. For this reason, every year the Bank of England subjects the UK’s major banks to a rigorous stress test to see how well they would cope with a severe economic downturn.

In this year’s test, the scenario was particularly chal-

Jay Jobanputra

lenging. It included a sharp drop in economic activity, a big rise in unemployment, higher interest rates and a severe fall in property prices.

Despite the severity of that test, for the first time since the Bank began stress-testing in 2014, the banks came through it without the need to take any action. These results reflect the hard work done to increase the resilience of our banks since the financial crisis – a process that is continuing.

And they give us confidence that the banking system can continue to provide a ser-

vice to businesses and households even in much tougher economic conditions.

This would even be the case if the UK experienced a disorderly exit from the European Union.

Of course, Brexit could affect the financial system more broadly. For this reason, the Bank has also set out some key steps that need to be taken to minimise the impact on financial services and hence the UK economy in the event of a no-deal outcome.

The Bank’s latest Financial Stability Report also addresses other issues that many people are concerned about.

These include the level of household debt which, at £1.6 trillion, is high by historic standards and relative to income, even though it remains below its 2008 peak.

Debt often gets a bad press but it provides a valuable service, notably by allowing people to finance purchases they could not otherwise make.

But high household indebtedness can pose a risk to financial stability.

Salute to Manjit Wolstenholme: The first Asian woman to reach her position in business Manjit Wolstenholme, undoubtedly, was a woman of great strength, a pioneer and most definitely, an inspiration.

Born on 4th July 1964, the British businesswoman became a multicultural groundbreaker by becoming the first woman from an ethnic minority background to chair a FTSE 100 company.

In August 2017, Manjit Wolstenholme was roped in to replace Peter Crooke as chief executive of Provident Financial after the company had lost 2/3 of its stock value in a day.

Since 2007, Wolstenholme had been a director at Provident and became chairwoman in 2014, and has also been a chairwoman at Cala Homes, non-executive director of Unite Group, and senior directorships at CMC Markets.

Born in Wolverhampton, she was an academic high achiever and studied chemistry at Bristol University. After graduating from universi-

Manjit Wolstenholme

ty, she met Neil Wolstenholme who would become her future husband. But she did not tell her traditional Indian family for many years until she felt she was able to reveal her relationship to them. Meanwhile, she trained to become a chartered accountant with Coopers & Lybrand, and then moved to Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, where she progressed to work as a co-head of investment banking.

Later, she became a partner at Gleacher Shacklock.

For someone who has achieved so much and became the first Asian

woman to reach her position in business, she would rather let her work and achievements do the talking.

Suki Sandhu, the founder of Empower worked with Wolstenholme. “It was incredible to me that she achieved so much but nobody outside the business really knew who she was. I wanted her to be well known, but she was incredibly humble. I think, like most people, she didn't want to be labelled a role model necessarily, but once she understood the challenges that ethnic minorities still face in business she agreed to be nominated and was very helpful with Empower.”

Manjit Wolstenholme sadly passed away on 23rd November 2017 at the age of 53. She suffered a heart attack caused by deepvein thrombosis. She is survived by her two children: Lily, who is an A level student, and Luke, who studies at Edinburgh University.

Harrow: A Great Place to Live Continued from page 3 The purpose behind this is very noble, which is to make having a car so difficult that people chose not to have one. I worry that all it will mean is people will park on other side streets.

This is in fact what is happening in other developments across Harrow.

We also need a better bus network in Harrow, while in central London, you don’t have to wait much more than a minute for a bus, in some parts of Harrow you have to wait 10 or 20 minutes for a bus, so a journey than might only by 15 minutes by car could take 40 minutes by bus.

We will also need to see an increase in the number of people cycling to work, which is something that not many people from Harrow do, especially in the Indian community.

A better bus network and more people cycling will mean people need fewer cars, traffic is reduced, people are

To address these risks, the Bank’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) has already taken action in the mortgage market to guard against the risk of looser underwriting standards and prevent an increase in the number of highly-indebted households.

Fast growth in consumer credit is another area the committee has addressed, by requiring banks to make more realistic assumptions about the potential losses on that type of lending.

By vigorously stress-testing the banking system, assessing the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit and guarding against other risks such as in consumer credit, the FPC is taking action to reinforce the financial stability of the UK. That should give households and businesses the confidence that the financial system will continue to provide for them, whatever the future holds.

Jay Jobanputra is Agent for Financial Stability Twitter: @BoELondon

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Duchess of York diet “faddy and factually incorrect” The British Dietetic Association has released its annual list of celebrity fad diets to avoid. The association has listed the diet promoted by the Duchess of York as “faddy and factually incorrect”.

Alkaline, Raw Vegan, Pioppi and Ketogenic diets, as well as Katie Price's nutritional supplem e n t s have also b e e n included.

T h e Alkaline diet, used by the Duchess of York as well as celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow, have suggested to reduce health risks and also change ones pH balance through the consumption of more alkaline and less acidic foods. There have allegedly been false claims as well stating that the diet can treat cancer. However, it is not suggested that the Duchess of York, or any other celebrity have ever made these claims.

The report states, “While encouraging people to eat more fresh vegetables is a good thing, the pH of your food will not have an impact on the pH of your blood.

You'll most likely lose weight as you are cutting out processed foods and eating more healthily – nothing to do with the acid or alkali nonsense.”

YouTube your way to the bank The internet is a world full of opportunities.

Many people have used this medium to become successful bloggers and vloggers, sharing their experiences with the general public on the internet, while some choose to go a step ahead and make creative videos to highlight their talents.

One example is of British YouTuber, Dan Middleton, 26, known as DanTDM. He previously worked in Tesco and

footballers.

Another online success story is of the Canadian vlogger of Indian origin, Lilly Singh, 29. Her YouTube channel, IISuperwomanII, has put her tenth on the Forbes list of highest earning YouTube channels. She is also the only woman to feature on the list and is said to have made a remarkable £7.8 million Dan Middleton, AKA in one year. Her satirical DanTDM is the videos are an instant hit highest-paid YouTuber with her subscribers, as well as her fictitious parents Manjeet and Paramjeet Singh, both played by Lilly Singh herself, is hysterically funny while it also reminds one of their Lilly Singh, AKA Superwoman's fictitious parents, Manjeet own parents.

IISuperwomanII, 10th and Paramjeet Lilly Singh highest-paid where his channel is has also collaborated Youtuber more popular than with many popular Beyoncé's and Adele's. He would film himself playYouTubers in her videos, is now the highest paid ing Minecraft and as well as many A-list star on YouTube.

Pokemon in between celebrities, including her According to Forbes shifts. Five years on, all time favourite Dwayne Magazine, Middleton Middleton from 'The Rock' Johnson, and made £12.3 million in Wellingborough, the Bollywood diva, one year, which is much Northamptonshire has 16 Madhuri Dixit, and the more than the salaries of million subscribers on international sensation, many Hollywood celebrithe famous video site, Priyanka Chopra. ties and Premier League

more active and pollution is lower. That’s a win for everyone.

So, while I agree with the Mayor on the need for people to move from the car to other ways of traveling, I am not convinced that the best way of doing

this is by the very blunt mechanism he is trying to use. Sometimes the carrot is far better than the stick.

The draft plan as a whole is one of the best we have every seen. It shows real vision and

shows a determination by Sadiq to deal with London’s housing problems. It is only with this kind of vision and commitment we can make sure Harrow remains a great place to live for generations to come.

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Failing to clear snow from car can lead to fine and points on licence

Snow has made its way to the UK, with the largest snowfall in London in nearly 7 years. As beautiful as it may seem to watch the snow from your windows or play outside and make snowmen, however, for those who forget to scrape off snow and ice from their vehicle can expect a hefty fine.

Drivers who fail to clear snow from their vehicles could be fined £60 and get 3 points on their licence. According to AA, those who fail to comply can receive a £100 on-the-spot fine as well as nine points on their licence if their carelessness causes an accident.

The rule also requires drivers to

scrape off any snow that could fall off their cars and go on the path of other road users.

The Highway Code states that lights, windows and number plates must be clear of snow and for those caught driving without clearing their car appropriately are breaking Rule 229.

Luke Bosdet, AA spokesman said, “When you are driving around with 12 inches of snow on your roof, there is the possibility it will fly off at some stage. You a driving around with a car that is going to pose a danger to other road users – if snow blows off the roof it can blind another driver, it can get serious for you if it causes an accident.”

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

MI5 could have nabbed Manchester bomber before attack According to an official report, MI5 had identified Salman Abedi, the Manchester bomber, as a prospective-jihadists prior to the attack. It is also alleged that the security service had failed to investigate two “highly relevant” information related to Abedi in early 2017 that could have prevented the horrendous attack from taking place, touted as the worst terror attack to have occurred in Britain in a decade.

Abedi had carried out the attack at Manchester Arena on 22nd May 2017, where pop sensation Ariana Grande was performing. The attack killed 22 people and injured several others.

According to the reports, a meeting was due to be held on 31st May, nine days after the attack,

Salman Abedi

to discuss what action might be taken from the intelligence received on Abedi. The report said, “It was assessed at the time not to relate terrorism but to possible non-nefarious activity on part of Salman Abedi. In retrospect, the intelligence can be seen to have been highly relevant to the planned attack.”

The review was carried out by the former independent reviewer of terror leg-

islation, David Anderson QC. His report highlights the flaws in the way the police and the MI5 work collaboratively and share intelligence with local authorities and local police forces.

David Anderson QC said, “It is conceivable that the Manchester attack in particular might have been averted if the cards had fallen differently.”

While the shortcom-

ings in investigations were laid bare in the report, it has been revealed that nine terror plots have been halted since March 2017.

Anderson produced a report of 61 pages after assessing internal reviews by the police and the MI5 post the suicide bombing in Manchester, the car and knife attacks at Westminster Bridge and London Bridge, as well as a car attack in Finsbury Park, north London.

Princes commission sculptor to create memorial to mother

Steering locks make a comeback as rise in hi-tech car theft Sculpture of Josephine Baker

As swanky as modern cars and their technology may appear, it does not provide the peace of mind in terms of safety for their owners. There has been a rise in hi-tech car thefts that has led to many drivers mechanical steering lock as organised gangs have found ways to override modern security systems.

A leading supplier of steering wheel locks, Disklok, has seen an increase in the number of orders it has received over the past year due to a rise in car thefts.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, 85,688 car thefts occurred in 2016, almost 30% rise from 2013 when the figures were 65,783. The data were obtained by RAC Insurance.

The director of RAC

Insurance, Mark Godfrey said, “Advances in immobilisers, keys and car alarms had caused the number of vehicle thefts to decrease significantly.

We fear thieves are now becoming able to defeat manufacturers' anti-theft systems. Steering wheel locks are starting to make a comeback, as they are still an effective visible deterrent.”

According to researchers in Germany, Peugeot and BMW systems in particular are easy to hack.

Graham McNulty, the National Police Chief's Council lead officer for vehicle crime commented, “We are seeing more sophisticated operations by gangs exporting cars for profit, as well as increasing scooter and motorcycle and keyless car theft.”

Princess Diana with Prince William and Harry

Ian Rank-Broadley, 65, created the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that has appeared on British coins since 1998.

He has now been commissioned by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry to make an official memorial statue of their

Meet & greet in purple Our Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, really knows how to make her guests feel welcomed.

Former judge, George Oguntade, who took charge as the High Commissioner of Nigeria in October, along with his wife Modupeola visited the Queen at

Buckingham Palace.

Whether it's a matter of sheer coincidence or of a fully colour coordinated plan, but the Queen and both of her guests dazzled in purple; especially the Queen as her attire seemed to be somewhat similar to theirs.

mother Diana, Princess of Wales, as a “fitting and lasting tribute” of her life.

The princes have announced that a statue of their mother will be erected in the grounds of Kensington Palace, where she used to reside. The statue is expected to be unveiled by both princes in 2019.

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry released a joint statement in which they said, “We have been touched by the kind words and memories so many people have shared about our mother over these pat few months. It is clear the

significance of her work is still felt by many in the UK and across the world, even 20 years after her death. Ian is an extremely gifted sculptor and we know that we will create a fitting and lasting tribute to our mother. We look forward to unveiling the statue, which we will allow all those who visit Kensington Palace to remember and celebrate her life and legacy.”

An another example of the British sculptor's work is Lord Rochester, 'His Whore and a Monkey', as well as the sculpture of dancer Josephine Baker.

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CB Patel

Sadiq Khan shows exactly what is wrong with 'divide and rule'

Grandparents of London Mayor Sadiq Khan were born in pre-partition India, later moving to Pakistan, where his parents were born. They however, moved to London in the 1960s and his father found a job as a bus driver. Khan himself, was born on British soil. Both he and his wife are lawyers by profession and identify as practising Muslims. Ever since he took up as the Mayor, the 47 year old has grown to become one of the most popular Labour party leader, not just in London, but across the UK. He has managed to reach out to all, disregards their religious preferences. Today, be it a Hindu, a Christian, Muslim, Sikh, or Jew, all support Sadiq Khan with a loyalty that is almost enviable.

A small yet moving example of the Mayor's popularity would be when US President Donald Trump berated him after a terror attack in the City. A major misunderstanding on Trump's part, he criticised Sadiq who had merely asked citizens to “not be alarmed” to see increased police presence. What was phenomenal, however, was how netizens of the UK quickly jumped to their beloved leader's rescue, lashing at the outsider who dared point his finger at Khan. What gives the human rights lawyer so much power over the people? How did he manage to garner public love so strong, Londoners and people across the UK are ready to defend him internationally?

Secret to his popularity can be elucidated in two simple points.

The first, a belief of universalism in the sense that all religions are to be treated the same, and second, respect towards people of all classes of the society. As the first citizen of London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has slowly and gradually made a place for himself in everybody's hearts.

The easiest way to connect with a person, is to respect their religion.

Despite following a Muslim path, he has honoured several other religions without any hesitance.

Muslim leaders often face the dilemma of losing on their votebanks by visiting a temple or paying obeisance to other places of worship. Not Sadiq Khan. He has the same faith when he visits Hindu temples or the Gurdwara, as he has when he visits his mosque.

Not just with internal communities, our beloved Mayor understands the importance of maintaining relations with other countries.

His recent-most India-Pakistan visit comes as an appropriate example. A large number of world leaders avoid visiting both the neighbouring countries in one trip, considering the sensitivity of their relations.

However, without an ounce of selfdoubt, Khan came to India first, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, top business leaders like Mukesh Ambani, actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, only to wind up the tour and leave for Pakistan.

From New Delhi to Amritsar, he visited the Golden Temple, and left for Wagah Border, from where he entered Pakistan on foot. Yet again, Khan met with leaders, businessmen, and celebrities in the country, trying his level best to strengthen bilateral ties. His delegation also included deputy mayor Rajesh

Agrawal, who was with him at every step of the tour.

Many people are persistently stuck in the miserable rut of who is Hindu? Who is Muslim? Who is Indian, or Pakistani? What we need to remember is that UK is our karma bhoomi. For now, we should only revel in how proudly Sadiq Khan tried to link both, India and Pakistan- estranged sons of the same motherland.

Keeler or Killer? The misery of being Christine The Profumo scandal that rocked the UK in 1963, resulted in the resignation of then prime minister Harold Macmillan. To this day, it is arguably one of the largest scandals in the history of modern Britain. On top on the list of those who were severely affected by the whole affair, was Christine Keeler.

Heartthrob of elite British circles, she died last week at the age of 75, leaving behind nothing but whispers about her true identity. To the

previous life, she chose to turn her back on everything. Her shoulder held the burden of two failed marriages, endless homeless shelters and council flats to complete her life. She worked in telephone sales, dry cleaning and also as a school dinner lady. The haughty youngster, who laughed in the face of adversity was now just a sad, old woman living in a semi-sheltered housing, terrified of being recognised.

What was the truth behind the Profumo Scandal is still unknown.

For some, it was sex, for others, it was spying. If you ask me, it was only the misfortune carried by Christine since the very hour she was born. Abandoned by her father as a child, she was brought up by her mother and step-father in a house made of two converted railway carriages. She was sexually abused by the latter and his friends, until in 1951, when she was sent to a holiday home after a school health inspector found her suffering from malnutrition.

Christine Keeler was known for many things. What wasn't known, or rather taken into account, was the background she came from. After an early introduction to severe hardships, the lady sought to use her body to live by. Maybe it was psychological. Maybe, after having her body violated so many times, she found strength and solace in controlling what she does with it.

No one, but Nikki

uninitiated, Christine was a symbol of the era. Photograph of her young, vulnerable and naked self, seated on a back-to-front Arne Jacobsen chair spread went on to become her identity. Now, after she lost battle to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, her son brought her true story to light.

The model and showgirl met with her “pimp”, osteopath Stephen Ward in 1960, at Murray's Cabaret Club in Soho, and he introduced her to a glamorous world of mansions and Britain's finest. Of all the affairs she had due to her frequent attendance at posh sex parties, her parallel liaisons with British secretary for war, John Profumo and Soviet attaché Yevgeny Ivanov proved to be the beginning of her end. MI5 spies were aware of her and had the right mind to use her as a trap to get the Russian to defect. They however, remained unaware of Profumo. Gunshots fired at Christine's house in 1963, by a shoddy boyfriend brought her to the attention of police authorities.

By this time, the British Parliament was buzzing with rumours.

Profumo was prompt to lie in the House of Commons about their affair. However, he quit in disgrace months later. PM MacMillan resigned in October 1963 and the Tories were trounced in the 1964 general election.

By this time, her old mentor Ward had committed suicide, and Ivanov had died early. While it would have been easy for Keeler to tap her heels and head back to her

Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations, needs no introduction. The senior-most Indian representative in the Trump Administration is a Sikhni by birth, making her fearless and outspoken by nature. In a refreshing break from the White House's flawed defense against the numerous allegations against the President, Haley's statement took the world by surprise. The billionaire world leader's philandering ways is no secret.

Also known is his open degradation of the opposite sex.

Several women in the past week have bravely come forward with stories of sexual harassment and misconduct by Trump in the past. While I am no judge to discuss the rights and the wrongs, it upset me to see his administration's arrogant assertion that all allegations voiced are fake. Haley, a former governor, is perhaps the first top ranking official in the US, who boldly refocused attention on the case against the President, insisting that his accusers should be treated no differently than others.

It takes a remarkable amount of strength to be in a public forum and say- “They should be heard, and they should be dealt with. And I think we heard from them prior to the election. And I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up,” very well knowing that the person she is speaking against is no one other than the President of the United States.

Haley's comments come as a reminder that even the greatest leader of the Third World should not get away from disrespecting women.

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Far-left activists in bid to hijack Grenfell Victims hit out at rabblerousers trying to exploit deaths

Relatives of Grenfell Tower victims on Monday accused far-Left rabble rousers of exploiting the disaster for political gain.

They believe the selfappointed activists have no connection with those who are still grieving the loss of 71 lives in one of Britain’s worst fires.

Survivors have also distanced themselves from a militant group that claims the death toll was far higher. They say the disaster has become a magnet for fringe political groups with axes to grind.

A small group of demonstrators used the resumption of the Grenfell Inquiry to protest about a variety of different causes yesterday.

Several members of the Revolutionary Communist Group used it to campaign against the privatisation

locals by registering Justice4Grenfell on Companies House and on the internet five days after the fire. It has described inquiry judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick, 71, as a ‘social cleansing judge’ and ‘out of touch’. It has claimed the number of deaths was ‘considered by many in the local community to be closer to 200’.

Three months ago a spokesman said: ‘There is an increasing sense that a serious, concerted coverup is going on.’

Last month police debunked conspiracy theories by announcing the official Grenfell death toll was 71. The inferno, which started during the early hours of June 14 and spread up the 24-storey tower block in west London within minutes, was followed by angry

of social housing.

And a prominent group called Justice4Grenfell Monday reiterated its belief that up to 200 people died in the fire – despite official figures to the contrary. The group, which claims to represent the interests of survivors and the bereaved, has been accused of treating the tower ‘like a piece of meat’.

A spokesman for Justice4Grenfell said the group had been refused permission to be a ‘core participant’ at the judgeled inquiry.

That status would have allowed it to see paperwork, make statements, question witnesses and apply for money for legal advice.

The group had angered

protests and allegations of a cover-up.

Survivors have sidelined some of the hardLeft protesters by creating a WhatsApp messaging group called Grenfell United. Kensington and Chelsea council has given the group the use of one floor at a friends and family centre.

Grenfell families on Monday told the official inquiry they wanted it to focus on the decision by emergency workers to tell them to ‘stay put’ and await rescue.

A preliminary report has been delayed until autumn 2018 but lawyers for the bereaved and those left homeless urged Sir Martin to press ahead with hearing evidence as soon as possible.

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9

Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier wants more Diversity in the Royal Air Force time in communities, in schools.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, KCB, CBE, DFC, ADC, MA is the Chief of the Air Staff, commanding the Royal Air Force. He leads around 35000 Regular and Reserve personnel, and 5000 Civil Servants.

The RAF celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2018.

Sir Stephen Hillier is accountable for the safe and effective operation of over 700 manned and unmanned aircraft.

He has held key appointments at the Ministry of Defence.

One of Sir Stephen Hillier’s recent command appointments was as Air Officer Commanding 2 Group from 2008 to 2010, responsible for the RAF’s ISTAR, Air Transport, AirRefuelling, Force Protection and Search and Rescue capabilities.

A Tornado GR4 pilot and flying instructor, his operational and command experience ranges from squadron pilot to theatre commander of British Forces. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for operations over Iraq in 1999, and the United States Bronze Star for Iraq operations in 2003.

Sir Stephen Hillier invited the Asian Voice into his office at the Ministry of Defence, Whitehall.

From the start, he wanted to convey his sincerity towards making the RAF more diverse. He told us that the number of ethnic minority personnel in the RAF is approximately 5%, and that he would like to continue to increase this figure by the end of the current recruiting year.

“This is a significant issue for us,” said Sir Stephen. “5% is not a figure I’m happy with, though it is considerably

Moving the RAF Message into communities Sir Stephen feels that the way to get the message across is through individual contact.

“I have to make sure that the BAME communities already within the service are part of that because there have to be people that they can relate to, role models that make them say, ‘Ah yes, I can be that person in future’...we need to make sure we listen to the communities and say- what would help us explain and relate better?...what preconceptions might you have about us as an organisation? We need to listen to what people are telling us.”

Sir Stephen also raised the interesting fact that the number of ethnic minorities in the RAF Reserves is higher than it is in the regular force.

He says that this is perhaps because the Reserves are in a fixed location, rather than mobile around the country. The Air Cadets, also,

Role Models Sir Stephen says that the RAF needs more senior officers from a BAME background. It takes time to develop and rise, so the BAME officers at two-star rank have already been with the RAF for 30-odd years.

We need to do better, and be more representative of the nation we serve.

It’s why, as Sir Stephen Hillier looks forward, he wants to create a talent pool of ethnic staff that will stay, train and progress. His aide quoted one two- star and three one- star BAME RAF senior officers currently serving.

What the RAF offers Sir Stephen Hillier says

that the organisation has a lot to offer and people can join in many capacities.

“We have to be an organisation that can operate worldwide in some fairly austere places.

We have to have the whole range; doctors, dentists, engineers, pilots, intelligence analysts, linguists etc. Our whole ethos, reputation and tradition is about taking people who have potential and realising that potential through education and training. Giving them opportunities in technical skills, leadership, personal development and teamwork.”

The RAF chief has a record of being peoplecentred. He has three years in the appointment and defines his future success as being “if we are still able to recruit, train and retain the people that we need to ensure the Air Force remains successful... we need to make sure that we provide the challenge, reward, excitement, and sense of purpose, which will keep them in the RAF for long periods

Sir Stephen Hillier

improved from five years ago. We need to do better, and be representative of the nation we serve. We recruit young people, by and large, and develop them through their careers.”

Sir Stephen mentioned that in many parts of the country, ethnic minority children numbered 30%.

“If I can’t recruit better from that 30%, then that’s a big problem for me.”

The RAF Chief feels that it is a challenge to get

those young people “through the door and interested in the RAF as a career.”

Sir Stephen Hillier explained that the force has an average retention of 15-16 years and a reputation for recruiting on the basis of merit and potential, not on background.

One drawback, Sir Stephen feels, is that “not everyone knows about us in the way that they might have done in the past. So we need to spend more

Lord Loomba urges Government to do more for women in Zimbabwe Lord Loomba, speaking during a debate in the House of Lords on Thursday, asked the Minister: "What safeguards are in place and what may DfID do to help the women and girls of Zimbabwe...". Noting the difficulties faced by many women and girls who have been living under authoritarian rule, such as in Zimbabwe, Lord Loomba said: "Like many women and girls, including widows, in many other countries—shoulder many of the injustices

have a higher percentage of ethnic members than the regular RAF does.

Lord Loomba

and hardships that a regime such as the previous Administration impose on their people...".

Citing the Human Rights Watch World

Report 2017 which found "routine human rights abuses against women, girls and widows," in Zimbabwe, he retold of the continuing issue, “where widows are routinely evicted from their marital homes and their property confiscated with little recourse to the formal justice system”.

Underlining his points, Lord Loomba stated: "it is imperative that safeguards are in place to help the many women and girls living in Zimbabwe."

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This year’s event will feature entertainment and fun for the whole family, so don’t think twice, come jingle and mingle with TLC Care this season!

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Meghan mania hits Britain

Although people knew that it was only a question of time before Prince Harry gets engage to Meghan Markle whom he has been courting for a year, it still took the nation by storm. While it took a long time for Princess Diana to charm the public, attain popular “People’s Princess” title, it seems Meghan is indeed in a hurry to make her mark on the adoring British public. Her walk-around in Nottingham with Harry, their first “Royal Outing” together was a great success, as she was at ease, chatting with people who were patiently waiting for her, as if she has been doing such walk-about all her life!

Then Meghan is a highly acclaimed actress, TV super star, used to public adoration while attending numerous functions that goes with her celebrity status. She is also much in the news for her charitable, humanitarian work under UN auspices, fighter for women’s rights, helping down-trodden people, icon of inclusiveness that has given her supreme confidence while appearing in public, facing cameras under bright lights that other members of the royal family were not used to before their marriage. Could she change royal family’s perceived image, equate herself, even put other family members in shade? Watching diligently other family members paying lip-service, it seems not everyone is at ease with Meghan mania!

Being American and of mix race, she will certainly galvanize Royal corridor; bring variety, charm, inclusiveness and dignity to the Royal household. I am sure her marriage; scheduled to take place in May 2018 will attract world-wide attention, the biggest TV audience in Royal history.

Kumudini Valambia By email

Most bitterly contested Gujarat election

The Gujarat poll is the most hotly contested, bittery fought assembly elections in living memory. Both sides but especially Congress has no qualm, no conscious in using not only foul language, calling PM Modi “Nitch” but even allegedly colluding with Pakistan to make Congress’s heavyweight politician Ahmed Patel the next CM of Gujarat. It is alleged that Pakistan’s envoy met former PM Manmohan Singh and former Vice President Hamid Ansari at Mani Shankar Aiyar’s house to format a policy, united front to defeat BJP in Gujarat, Modi’s home state, after Congress suffered humiliating defeat in UP, even losing in Rahul’s stronghold of Amethi in recent local polls.

Furthermore it is alleged that former Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, along with Pakistan High Commissioner met Congress leaders behind closed doors. Who can forget apparent heir Rahul hugging Chinese diplomat in public during height of Dockham crisis when China was determined to occupy this strategic piece of Bhutanese territory that would give China a strategic military advantage in future conflicts. There is something profoundly disturbing about Congress’s fixation with election strategy, unique combination of caste, creed and religious divide, arrogance and self-righteousness, dynastic rule. Has Congress no conscious, no pride, no self-respect that it is willing to collude with the enemy of the nation, sell India short in order to gain power by any means, fair or foul. I wonder how the past great leaders of Congress like Gandhi, Nehru, Shastri, Bose and Sardar who sacrificed so much, including their lives would view this betrayal, selling their motherland short to grab power! If people of Gujarat elect Congress, influenced by political posturing, I am sure most of us, non-resident Gujaratis will feel betrayed beyond belief. Another worry is that is PM Modi, so far a tour de force is losing his rhetorical brilliance!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

Trump's Jerusalem bombshell

Donald Trump ‘America First’ President of USA has stirred the hornet’s nest by his bombshell announcement that the Jerusalem is the Capital of Israel and he would be moving the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This has caused utter surprise worldwide and raised the ire of the all Arabs and Muslims countries, especially the Palestinians. Riots have already started there, they are burning American and Israeli flags. By doing so he has stroked in this volatile region the fire of violence, hatred, hostility and destruction. By making a dormant issue into a hot issue he is provoking conflict and destroying the peace in the area. He has unnecessarily aggravated the situation and undermined the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, by kicking it into the long grass.

He has landed America into a diplomatic crisis by

Trump’s trantrums

It must be said at the outset that the world’s most powerful man, Donald Trump, comes up with extreme ideas almost every week, and after the initial furore, they become the norm and get accepted. He seems to be ruling the roost. His latest unilateral and momentous decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, first met with protests but then got accepted by his allies.

Soon other nations will jump on his band wagon and accept Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He seems to be putting in place many of his outbursts at his election campaign. People’s protests are falling on deaf ears and his ideas, whether acceptable or not, first meet with protests and contumely, and later become accepted.

As in the heading, can we say that these are Trump’s tantrums or Trumps triumphs? His recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has opened up the Pandora’s box in the region and, by this rash opening, all ills seem to have been let loose in the surrounding regions. At the moment, everything he says or does, goes.

Many of his new ideas, though initially condemned by the world get accepted. How long he can keep pulling new rabbits from his bag reamains to be seen. The world awaits with abated breath what other tricks he pulls out of his bag. However, whatever techniques he uses, one cannot but admire him for winning the game by playing his trump cards right.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Terorrism: North Korea vs Pakistan

The Western democracies such as USA and UK have been urging China, India, Russia, Asia, Africa and the West to place trade and economic sanctions supplemented with cut off diplomatic ties and closure of embassies in North Korea post Missile tests.

The aim: to correctly and rightfully isolate North Korea and to ensure fall of it's leader Kim Jong un and the North Korean Regime; and subsequently to unite North Korea with democratic North Korea as has been the case with unification of former West Germany and East Germany.

The USA under leader ship of President Trump; supported by UK and EU rightfully fear that North Korea poses a danger to the World and threatens World peace, stability and prosperity with possibility of armed conflict; security concerns of USA and with possibility of Third World War. Remember that USA located and killed the biggest terrorist of them all: Osama Bin Ladin in Abbotabad in Pakistan, very close to the Pakistan Army HQ. Despite Pakistan's support, training and funding of terrorists and their activities; Pakistan remains a British "baby" created with Jinnah's support, connivance, treachery and betrayl.

The USA, UK, EU and China have failed to impose any economic, trade and/or diplomatic sanctions against Pakistan. The British love, influence, trade, aid, social and educational funding is significant for Pakistan; for example the British Council are very active in Pakistan.

It is of course in the interest of the British, Americans and the World democracies for Pakistan to be used as a military and navy base in order to keep a leg, hand and eyes facing and towards Asia, India, China, Russia and the Pacific Rim countries. To ensure Pakistan 's pliability, support and co-operation; Pakistan will always be monetarily and financially be infinitely bribed, funded and supported.

The above clearly shows double standards regarding North Korea and Pakistan because rightfully so; political, military, economical, social influence and interests takes priority above all else.

Mayur M Kotecha MA; P.G.C.E; BA (Hons) making such an irresponsible and uncalled for statement. How can he say that this action of his will bring peace in the region, on the contrary it has trigged unrest, violence and destruction. He cannot now claim to be a honest broker and neutral peacemaker in the Israeli/Palestine dispute. He is openly siding and supporting Israel by initiating this move. He chose the wrong timing to do so.

The only plausible reason could be that he wants to divert the attention away from enquiry about the Russian interference in the America general election in 2016. He has no support from any major country for his action nor from the United Nations for creating this provocative situation. He is diminishing and alienating America in the eyes of world.

Baldev Sharma Rayners Lane, Harrow.

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Independence and Partition

In the 70 years since Independence and Partition, the people of India and Pakistan have seen too many conflicts and the loss of many valuable lives.

Whenever it seems that relations between the two countries might improve, some form of disruption takes place ranging from jingoistic statements to militant attacks.

The traditional response to such disruptions only strengthens those who want continued tensions between the two countries.

Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai, India

India and Pakistan

I agree with Aplesh Patel's comment 9th Dec 17 "Mayor cannot equate India and Pakistan" regarding the London Mayor's visit to India and Pakistan.

Sadiq Khan is a Ken Livingston 2.0, intervening in the US Presidential race to defend Islam unlike the very christian ex PM Tony Blair, who pointedly "did not do God" while in office. Since lecturing the US President on Islam we Londoners have suffered 3 terror attacks.

Instead of running London Transport and Police as Mayor his main priority for the London is Islamophobia and not Terror. And he wants to get trade from Pakistan, a military dictatorship, exporter of terror into the world's biggest democracy India and supplier of Nuclear Weapons Technology to the rouge North Korean regime by Pakistani scientist, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan (CIA sources).

I do not expect him to raise these problems with Pakistan instead he is looking for trade. His twitter comments have distanced him from seeking trade with the world's biggest economy and UK's, oldest closest and most reliable ally, the US, a real shame.

Jayesh A Patel Wimbledon

Bad administration

Mr Vishnubhai Patel’s letter in Gujarat Samachar (92-2017) and Bharat Sachania’s letter (Gujarat Samachar (2-12-2017), should have been printed in English edition of Asian Voice too. Both these letters are in Gujarati only, implies that only Gujarati readers are aware and concerned about bad administration by office bearers, pin pointing to Gujaratis without naming any organizations or office bearers. Information must reach English speaking youth to motivate them to get involved during administrative procedures and major/minor events.

Office bearers cannot please every member. Some criticize, without any concerns about good intentioned efforts of those office bearers. Some are aged elders capable of many good suggestions but incapacitated due to use of walking aids and hearing aids.

Efforts of capable members must be appreciated.

Posting publicity material eg circulars, notices, details of programs etc, is a costly procedure. Many councils have cut off grants, forcing organizations to economize. Thus postage may be replaced with emails and press columns. So, organizations publicize all major programs and events via generous Gujarat Samachar or Asian Voice free of costs. All members must keep up contact by buying these newspapers, or using its web address.

Too much postage is wasted when members change address or die, and organization is not informed. Even life members who pay only once, do not keep contact and then blame the organization.

When such life member dies, organization is not informed, by any one and family expects postagecontact, which is a loss that organization cannot afford.

Therefore, please join your favorite organization and reduce strain on bona fide workers and volunteers. Leave a healthy asset for future generations, refined and polished by your contribution.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

MAKE YOURSELF HEARD

Write to our ‘your voice’ section about what you think regarding the various ongoing issues all around the world. Please send your letters to rupanjana@abplgroup.com. Make sure they are NOT more than 350 words. Any letter longer than the limit may not be published. Do not send letters for ‘your voice’ section via post or fax.

Note that all your letters are subject to being edited by our team for valid reasons.

- Asian Voice

EDUCATION

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Food banks expected to help 'record number of children'

Record numbers of children are expected to be fed by food banks this Christmas, the UK's largest food charity has warned.

The Trussell Trust told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours the next UK City of Culture, Coventry, is now also home to the UK's busiest food banks. It also said changes to Universal Credit "do not go far enough".

The Department for Work and Pensions said new advance payments would help the transition to Universal Credit.

An analysis by You and Yours of Trussell Trust data covering half a decade shows demand from children at Christmas has tripled and looks set to rise further. The charity has a network of more than 430 food banks, part of an estimated 2,000-plus across the UK.

Typically in December, a higher-than-average 40% of food parcels go to children as demand from single parents and families rises, and school holidays cut off access to free meals. Last December about 30,900 children were estimated to have been fed by the trust's food banks, up from approximately 9,600 in 2012.

The figures are calculated by halving the num-

ber of food parcels handed out to children, as an average child receives two parcels during a "crisis" period. A parcel is enough food for about 10 meals and can include baby products such as bubble bath and nappies.

More than 61,800 food parcels were given to children by Trussell Trust volunteers last December, up 7.5% on the same month the previous year.

Grammar schools 'contrary to common good' - Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury has criticised grammar schools as "contrary to the notion of the common good".

Speaking in the House of Lords, the Most Rev Justin Welby called for education to focus on "drawing the best out of every person", rather than a selective approach. He said governments should not look to the past and "waste our time rummaging there for the solutions of tomorrow."

Some Tory MPs said grammar schools offer "invaluable opportunities".

The archbishop led a debate on education, saying the country was now in a "fourth digital revolution" and schools had one of the

"greatest challenges" in tackling the "seismic shift" when it comes to preparing children for the future.

However, he said "children of privilege continue to inherit privilege" and the system was not acting in a way to help everyone.

"The academic selective approach to education, one which prioritises separation as a necessary precondition for the nurture of excellence, makes a statement about the purpose of education that is contrary to the notion of the common good," the archbishop said.

"An approach that neglects those of lesser ability or because of a misguided notion of levelling

out does not give the fullest opportunity to those of highest ability or does not enable all to develop a sense of community and mutuality."

His comments have been denounced by some MPs who back the schools.

In 2016, Theresa May outlined plans to introduce a "new generation" of grammar schools by 2020, removing the ban introduced by Labour in 1997.

However, after the general election in June - and without a majority in Parliament - the government scrapped the plans, saying instead they would "look at all options" for opening new schools, without removing the ban.

Recent figures show library closures have meant that hald a million fewer people visited them last year.

Around 500,000 fewer people every month visited libraries last year, with 105 branches closing in the 12 months to March.

The study by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa) found that the number of branches fell from 3,850 to

3,745.

Visits fell from 250 million to 243 million whilst total expenditure fell for the seventh year in a row from £919 million in

2015-16 to £853 million in 2016-17.

Cipfa blamed the closures on councils which cut spending on public libraries.

Teenagers in London are around 25 per cent more likely to go into higher education than their peers across England, according to new data published by UCAS. On average, a third of 18-year-olds in England went on to study for a degree this autumn, the university admissions ser-

vice statistics show, but there are significant regional differences.

The highest university entry rate was in the capital where more than two fifths of 18-year-olds were accepted on to courses this autumn. The region with the lowest proportion was the South West at 28.9 per cent.

The UK has slipped down the rankings in the global “Good Country Index” which tracks how much nations contribute to the “common good of humanity”. The UK slipped from seventh to eighth place but still does more “good” and less harm than more than 150 other countries.

Half a million fewer people visit libraries

London teenagers more likely to go to university

UK down to eighth place in ‘Good Country Index’

READERS’ VOICE

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Glued to the Chair

The recently published 'Charity Clarity' articles were not only interesting, but enlightening as well and spoke about the responsibilities of the trustees of different charity organisations.

I know a chairperson of an organisation who holds designations of importance in 4-5 other institutions as well.

This gentleman in particular, is always looking for some or the other way to make sure the authority of these groups remain in his hands. He his strangely stuck to his title and the perks that come with it. He makes sure the reins of control are always with him.

One year he is the trustee, another year he is the president, and in the third, the minister. Because he runs these organisations like he owns them, more people fail to join and new events and

programmes aren't conducted. It is because of leaders like him that establishments wither away instead of growing.

The general public are so fed up of them that they don't even go to the AGM and the result is a circle of election between the same 25 to 30 members again and again and again.

For just how many organisations can a single person work? Even if they are passionate about all the causes, would they be able to give justice to what they do? How can they even come up with new and unique plans to help their beliefs grow? Leaders like them are the true enemies of the society and they are the ones who pose harm.

Bharat Sachaniya By email

Universities could be accused of 'mis-selling courses' Universities could be accused of "mis-selling" courses to teenagers who have little understanding of money matters, the public spending watchdog says. National Audit Office head Amyas Morse said young people were taking out large loans to pay for tuition fees without much effective help or advice. It compared the higher education market to financial products, highlighting how little regulation universities faced.

The government said its reforms were helping students make informed choices. But the NAO

report highlights that tighter rules apply to the sale of complex financial products than to universities offering courses that may well be more expensive. The report says a student loan is likely to be a person's biggest sum for borrowing after a mortgage and will require a long-term commitment.

The average loan is expected to top £50,000 by the time it is repaid. But the decision whether or not to go to university and which course and provider to choose is typically made at the age of 16 or 17.

These choices can have

a long-lasting impact on future employment and earnings prospects, the report says. And where services or markets are especially complex, consumers often need additional support and protection to make good choices.

The report says the Financial Conduct Authority requires companies to disclose clearly the risks of such products to potential customers. But for universities there are limited comparable disclosure requirements, despite the clear strong financial incentives to attract as many students as possible.

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MEDIA WATCH

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Mani Shankar Aiyer, once a high flying Congress minister in Delhi, is now an aging octogenarian with little to say that makes sense. Asked about the forthcoming coronation of Rahul Gandhi as Congress Party President in succession to his mother Sonia Gandhi, Aiyer taking umbrage at the word ‘coronation,’ replied that the Mughal Emperor Jehangir was succeeded by his son Shah Jehan, who, in turn, was succeeded by his son Aurangzeb ( Aurangzeb imprisoned his father Shah Jehan and went on to execute his elder Dara Shikoh), there were no elections, so Aiyer couldn’t understand the present fuss about Rahul Gandhi’s accession as Congress President.

made media headlines, have turned to Salil Parekh as CEO to put the company on the high road to recovery and former glory.

Parekh has long experience in the business in the US and in India; he has the intellectual wherewithal, graduating as an electrical engineer from IIT- Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad. He was appointed after a rigorous selection process, explained Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon Ltd and an Independent Director of Infosys Ltd. With Nandan Nilekani at the helm [he is one of the founders of Infosys], Kiran MazumdarShaw said Infosys was in safe hands (Mint December 5).

Akash missile test-fired successfully

PM Narendra Modi

Presented with an opportunity to good to miss, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the campaign trail in Gujarat, remarked, ‘I congratulate the Congress on their Aurangzeb Raj. We don’t want Aurangzeb rule here.’ The offending Aiyer issued a hurried correction: the electoral process was an enduring feature of a modern democracy, he said. Aiyer was suspended from primary membership of the Congress party for making a reference to the Prime Minister deemed to be insulting and hence unacceptable; he was ordered to apologise, which he duly did with the explanation that in Hindi the offensive word sounded worse than in the original English. The impact on Gujarat’s voters can only be gauged after the election results are officially declared.

Cyclone Okhi Meanwhile Cyclone Ockhi was likely to make landfall in Gujarat, hence many election rallies were cancelled. But it has caused havoc along the west coast from Kerala, Goa and southern Maharashtra, (Hindu, Times of India December 5, 8).

Supreme Court reprimand Twenty-first century society cannot hide sufferers of leprosy hidden away in the manner of of their second century forbears, declared the Supreme Court of India. A bench consisting Chief Justice Dipak Misra and two other judges heard a Public Interest Litigation [PIL] filed by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. found that statutory laws dating back to the 1950s continue to denote ‘leprosy as ‘infectious and has something to do with genetics.’ The petition stated: ‘This unequal treatment irrationally treats persons affected by leprosy as a separate class….stigmatize and isolate persons affected by leprosy, even though with the latest medical advancements, leprosy is rendered non-infectious after the very first dose of Multi-Drug therapy’. (Hindu December 5).

Mani Shankar Aiyer

Tata-Daewoo Mumbai tie-up

India test-fired its state-of-the art surface-to-air Akash missile from the Odisha test-range off the Bay of Bengal, hitting the

Tata Projects and South Korea’s Daewoo company joined forces to clinch a $850 million joint venture to design and build a part of India’s longest seabridge – the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. This will involve construction of a 7.8km bridge section across the Mumbai Bay, including the Shivaji Nagar Interchange at Navi Mumbai.

Tata Projects is one of India’s fastest growing construction companies anf together with Daewoo will bring the latest engineering techniques to this path-breaking project (Business Line December 5).

UAV in mid-air as planned (Hindu December 6).

Red, colour of women’s empowerment

BrahMos missile speed to be increased

Once a base of the Maoist Naxal insurgency, Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district is now turning capitalist with a thriving market for women’s lingerie. Increasing numbers of women are breaking old taboos and buying lingerie, some even online. Firms say that lingerie sales are being driven by demand from small towns, sales executives had never heard of, and had to look at maps for their location. They speak of greater understanding of this new market and its needs (Business Line December 5).

According to BrahMos Aeropace Space Ltd Managing Director and CEO Sudhir Mishra plans are afoot to increase the missile’s speed from the present 2.8 mach to 3.5 mach in two years and to 6 mach in four years. Work in progress is scramjet technology, enabling even higher speeds.

BrahMos is a joint venture between India’s Defence Research & Development Organization and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia (Business Line December 6).

Infosys look to Parekh revival IT major Infosys whose recent boardroom convulsions and declining profit margins have

ISI planned Punjab killings India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) stated that, following its investigation into the recent assassinations in Punjab of religious figures including those of the RSS, and a Ludhiana-based Christian pastor named Masih, after which the murderers scattered leaflets purported to belong Shiv Sena, claiming responsibility for these acts.

The evidence culled pointed to Inter Services Pakistan’s directorate as the directing hand, with Khalistan Liberation Front, led by Harminder Singh

Akash missile test-fired successfully

India’s new Russia trade route ready for takeoff India is to start exporting container cargo to Russia via the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to Azerbaijan and thence to the Russian Federation from January as it moves to operationalize the International Corridor INSTC. This will reduce the timeline from the present 35 days to 17 days to reach the market (Business Line December 6).

Let terror group decimated

Salil Parekh

an armed encounter with the security forces resulting in the deaths of three of LeT operatives. Let jihadis in July ambushed a party of Hindu pilgrims on their way to the revered Amarnath site, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries (Hindu, Telegraph December 6).

The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has been decimated claimed local south Kashmirpolice chief Munir Khan, following

Mintoo. The plan was to foment communal tension and discord in the State.

Conspiracy revealed Details of the conspiracy came to light during the interrogation of two hit-men – Hardeep Singh and Ramadeep Singh – by NIA counter intelligence officers. The two men travelled to India via the UAE. The operational needs were funded by Rs 4 million transferred through hawala accounts, Banks and the Western Union for legitimate currency transfers in order to conceal the trail and confuse the investigators (Times of India December 7).

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equally well in the 18 municipal polls. The previous regime by the Samajwadi Dal, leader Akhilesh Yadav, was routed. It was a vote of confidence in Chief Minister Adityanath and his government (Times of India December 4).

Delhi IIT student offered Microsoft jackpot IT giant Microsoft emerged once again as the leading recruiter for US jobs on the first day of placements across IIT campuses. The placements at IIT Delhi began on a high note with a computer science graduate offered a Rs 140 million inclusive of bonuses and stock options. Other US companies recruiting IIT talent were Apple, Morgan Stanley, Procter and Gamble, Deutsche Bank et al (Times of India December 2).

A glory has passed Shashi Kapoor, last of the trinity of Raj and Shammi, who died in Mumbai last week, aged 79, to quote cinema director Shyam Benegal, was ‘god’s good man.

He was such a beautiful human being beyond anything else,’ having worked with him in Kalyug and Junoon. Born in Calcutta on March 18, 1938, his father the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi’s tryst with cinema started in 1961 with ash Chopra’s Dharamputra. In a glittering career, he subsequently starred in the James Ivory and Ismail Merchant films, The Householder, Shakespearewallah and Heat and Dust. Later, as a producer, came the magical film 28 Chowringhee Lane, directed

by Aparna Sen, with Shashi’s wife, Jennifer, in an unforgettable performance as an aging Anglo-Indian schoolteacher in Calcutta. There was scarcely a dry eye in the audience.

BJP sweep UP civic polls The Bharatiya Janata Shashi Kapoor Party (BJP) – the ruling government at the centre – swept the Uttar Pradesh civic polls including Amethi, Shahi married Jennifer, Congress Vice President Rahul whom he met when her father, Gandhi’s parliamentary Geoffrey Kendal, brought his constituency.

It was a Shakespearean troupe to India. resounding victory and scarcely She died of cancer in 1984, and bodes well for proponents of the life seemed to have gone out regime change in Delhi, UP of her distraught husband. being the most populous of Stunningly handsome, this Indian States. The BJP, despite charming cavalier saw out his the travails of demonetization declining years with a and GST has emerged debilitating illness. We shall not triumphant, winning 14 out of see his like again. Good-night, the mayoral seats and doing sweet prince.

UK

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

The Politics of Organ Donation To the family of the man who donated their kidney to my father: Thank you. A million times thank you. As politicians this week debate whether there should be a presumption of donation unless someone specifically says they do not wish to – I do not know the answer. I do know, I am eternally grateful to you for improving my father’s life.

Think of it. You ease his pain from dialysis three times a week, and extended his life. He will be able to play with his new grandchild now early next year.

So why do more people not donate in the British Indian community. The Swaminarayan Temple did a mass campaign encouraging organ donation the same week my father received his.

I asked my mum, as I signed up to the NHS organ donation register – it’s okay isn’t it as a Hindu (I already knew, it was, that’s the nature of Hinduism). So I won’t have an open coffin, but a lot of people’s lives will be better because I have lived – think of that.

That website is www.organdonation.nhs.uk By the way, the person who was the donor for my father, was around 70. So you’re not too late. There is a huge need.

To all those still undecided, I make this case: Do not be squeamish – you will feel nothing There is no religion on earth that prohibits it – come on seriously!

I am pretty sure, in the Karmic calculator, this act will count as a huge plus –

far more than any pilgrimage, any donation to a mandir As the Jewish people say, ‘if you save the life of one person, you save all humanity.’

My father would not allow me to be a living ‘directed kidney donor’ to him.

Around 5,000 people in the UK are in need of a kidney transplant and across the UK, more than 250 patients died last year waiting for a kidney transplant, due to a shortage of organs. In the UK living kidney transplants have been performed since 1960 and currently around 1,100 such operations are performed each year.

I do not want to presume everyone is a donor unless they opt out. So I would leave doubters with these comments and appeal to faith: “Organ donation is in keeping with Hindu beliefs as it can help to save the life of others.”

The Late Mr Om Parkash Sharma MBE, President, National Council of Hindu Temples “I always carry my donor card with me. It says that my whole body can be used for organ donation and medical purposes after my death. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to do the same.”

The Late Dr Bal Mukund Bhala, Coordinator Hindu International Medical Mission, Former President Hindu Council UK And one final thank you. To the NHS doctors, consultants, nurses and all the staff. Their care and understanding has been beyond belief.

Man from north London charged over plot to assassinate PM Naa'imur Zarariyah Rahman, 20, from Finchley, north London has appeared in court after being accused plotting to bomb Downing Street and assassinating Prime Minister, Theresa May. Accused of being an alleged Islamist terrorist, Rahman is accused of planning to explode a homemade bomb before attempting to storm into 10 Downing Street with a knife, wearing a suicide vest in attempt to kill Rahman allegedly plotted to Theresa May. detonate bomb on Downing Rahman appeared Street at Westminster magistrate's court on 6th tor Mark Carroll said, “It is December, along with 21said Rahman planned to year-old Mohammed detonate an improvised Imran, from Sparkbrook, explosive device within a Birmingham. The duo bag at the gates of were arrested on 28th Downing Street and then November. Rahman has seek to gain access to No been charged with prepar10 in the ensuing chaos ing acts of terrorism, while with a view to trying to kill Imran, who was accused of the Prime Minister. The trying to join Islamic secondary attack on No 10 State, has been charged was to be carried out with with preparation for acts a suicide vest, pepper of terrorism in relation to spray and a knife. His purhis alleged intent to “make pose was to attack, kill and hijrah” (holy migration), cause explosions. The secto join the terrorist group ond and linked allegation in Libya. involves Imran trying to In court, the prosecuobtain a fake passport in

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order to leave the United Kingdom with a view to travelling to Libya for hijra.”

The two accused are to remain in custody and are due to appear at the Old Bailey on 20th December.

Under 25s should prevent bringing meningitis home this Xmas by getting the jab

Meningitis amongst young people can be prevented by a mere jab yet not many make the most of this free vaccination. The Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) estimate that there are about 3,200 cases of septicaemia and meningitis in the UK per year.

One such example is of Shirali Patel, 19, from Harrow, who came home after her first term at Churchill College, Cambridge. The A* student started to feel unwell and visited her GP who told her to take paracetamol and rest after taking her temperature. However, over the next few days, her throat became increasingly painful and he health started to deteriorate.

After being taken to the walk-in clinic, the doctors realised something was seriously wrong with Shirali and rushed her to Northwick Park Hospital.

After 24 hours of

Hunt urges Facebook to stay away from kids The health secretary, Jeremy Hunt has urged Facebook to stay away from his kids after it released a new app for children as young as six.

The father of three y o u n g children, Jeremy Hunt said t h a t Facebook, led by M a r k Zuckerberg, is going back on its promise of preventing the under-age use of its social media site by introducing this new app for pre-teens.

Hunt tweeted, “Not sure this is the right direction at all. Facebook told me they would come back with ideas to PREVENT underage use of their product, but instead they are actively targeting

Shirali while suffering from meningitis

Shirali Patel

younger children. Stay away from my kids please, Facebook, and act responsibly!”

The main social networking site of Facebook is meant to have an age restriction of 13, however, some children younger than that c r e a t e accounts by giving false dates of birth.

It is said that this new Messenger Kids app, which has been introduced in the United States of America, has been designed to give children between the age of six and 12 a safe way of using social media.

Parents can also download the app, create a profile for their kids and choose which friends their kids can communicate with.

ordeal for her family, they were told that she had meningococcal W septicaemia (MenW)- a strain of meningitis.

Suffering from severe septicaemia was causing Shirali's organs to shut down, hence, she was into an induced coma.

Shirali's father, Dee Patel, 51, a property landlord spoke of their anguish.

He said, “Foolishly, I goggled the disease and saw some pretty horrific stories. I also read that a free vaccine for MenW is available for young people Shirali's age and kept thinking that if only we'd know about it, our daughter's life might not be in the balance.”

She was put on full dialysis and required breathing apparatus.

After a few months, she was almost normal again.

However, tests revealed scarring on her lungs and chronic kidney disease which requires regular monitoring. But most importantly, no brain

damage.

It is said that about ¼ of teenagers will carry meningococcal bacteria in their throats and noses and spreads to other people through close contact, such as coughing, sneezing and kissing.

Evidence and policy manager at MRF, Claire Wright said, “All firstyear university students aged under 25 urgently need to get their MenACWY vaccine if they haven't already had it, so that they don't bring meningitis home for Christmas.”

Paediatrician at Imperial College and medical adviser at MRF, Dr Nelly Ninis stated, “Uptake of the MenACWY vaccine among older teenagers, who are eligible to get it free from their GP, has been worryingly low, with only a third of school leavers since 2015 having the jab. Sadly, this means easily preventable cases like Shirali's are still too common.”

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

The Bhavan hosts a successful fundraising gala with High Commissioner of India

Photo courtesy: Raj Takhar, @xp1.com

Photo courtesy: Raj Takhar, @xp1.com

The Bhavan, which is the largest centre for classical Indian arts and culture outside India, met with great success at its annual fundraising gala held on November 24 at Radisson Blu, Portman Square.

The event, which marked its 30th anniversary this year, showcased the authentic Indian classical arts with both students and teachers giving From left: Mr. Shantoo H. Ruparell MBE, Lord Swraj Paul, performances across an The Bhavan Chairman Mr. Joginder P. Sanger, Fundraising evening of delectable Committee Chairperson Dr. Surekha Mehta and The Bhavan Indian vegetarian street Executive Director Dr. Mattur Nandakumara food and hors d'oeuvres, £40,000 or more each year. itage of India is alive and followed by a 3-course dinThis is a result of the gala, available to all in London, ner. as well as the support from via the school and events The High many businesses and indiacross the year.

Commissioner of India to viduals who took adverAdditionally, it aims to the U.K., His attract more people as Excellency Mr. Y.K. patrons, members and Sinha gave the keynote students of The speech as the Chief Bhavan.

Guest this year, stating “Bringing creativ“The Bhavan has an ity, arts and value to important role of keepthe community is ing the ancient culture what The Bhavan alive for the younger strives to do every generation.” day. And it would not The high-profile be possible without event was very well our patrons, teachers, attended with over 300 Kathak students giving a beautiful students and audiguests including digniences.” said Mr. performance taries from the British Joginder Sanger, Asian community and tisements in the souvenir Chairman.

House of Lords Members brochure.

Dr. Surekha Mehta was Baroness Usha Prashar, This annual event is the driving force behind Lord Swraj Paul and Lord crucial to raise funds to the campaign this year, Navnit Dholakia. with able support from the sustain the charity comThe fundraising activistaff and volunteers at The mitted to ensuring the rich ty has been able to raise Bhavan. artistic and cultural her-

Connecting at the Bombay Brasserie Over 130 guests attended the LCCI’s Asian Business Association’s Winter Reception at the Bombay Brasserie in early December.

Welcoming guests LCCI deputy chief executive Peter Bishop spoke of the strong connection between the iconic restaurant and the late and much-missed Lord Gulam Noon who was the founder of the ABA and the Chamber’s first Asian president.

Over 130 guests attended the LCCI’s Asian Business Association’s Winter Reception at the

nition of the huge contribution the Asian economy makes to London. Now under the chairmanship of Tony Matharu,hotelier, entrepreneur and philanthropist, its annual programme includes networking events including an annual dinner, international trade promotion, and targeted campaigns.

Entrepreneurs The ABA works in close partnership with the Tony Matharu London Mayor’s office and nection between the iconic has produced reports on restaurant and the late the contribution of Asian and much-missed Lord businesses to London’s Gulam Noon who was the economy. Its committee has led work on diversity in the work place, Asian business representation on FTSE boards, crime in the workplace, and a funding guide for entrepreneurs.

Current members of the committee include deputy chair Rahul Mehta, Kalyani Gandhi-Rhodes, Harshad Kothari, Pitu Suri, Abi Ghafoor, Vimal Shah and Tarun Ghulati.

Rajesh Guests at the LCCI’s Asian Business Association’s Winter Agrawal, London’s Reception, Bombay Brasserie deputy mayor for business, is a former memfounder of the ABA and ber of the committee.

Bombay Brasserie in early the Chamber’s first Asian Membership of the ABA is December.

Welcoming president. routed through the guests LCCI deputy chief The ABA was set up by London Chamber of executive Peter Bishop Lord Noon and Subhash Commerce and Industry. spoke of the strong conThakrar in 1995 in recog-

If your child has a good joke, poem or any suggestions they would like to share please email us with the name, age and school.

Email:- support@abplgroup.com THOUGHT OF THE WEEK not yet Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has us begin. come. We have only today. Let - Mother Teresa

Facts You Didn't know about Christmas l Christmas trees are also known as Yule trees. l During the 18th century, candles were used for the first time to decorate the trees for Christmas.

l The abbreviation X-mas comes from the Greek letter – Chi – and is the

first letter of the word Χριστός meaning Christ. l Santa has 8 reindeers – Comet, Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Doner and Blitzen. The 9th reindeer Rudolph was added later on. l There are two islands named Christmas. Christmas Island (formerly Kiritimati) in the Pacific Ocean and Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.

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GIFT ANGELS FESTIVE SANTA MERRY CANDLES REINDEER CHRISTMAS SNOWY MISTLETOE

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

MoD bans Chancellor from using aircraft until bill is settled

Seminar on Guru Gobind Singhji organised in House of Commons

The Ministry of Defence has insisted that an outstanding bill of Hammond must be settle before he is allowed to fly the aircraft again.

The Chancellor uses BAE 146 jets and A109 helicopters from the squadron on official business. But it is alleged that officials who take VIP bookings for the aircraft have been informed not to accept any further requests from Hammond until he Chancellor Philip Hammond pays the bill.

Chancellor Philip It is said that the row Hammond has been banned between the Chancellor and by the Ministry of Defence Williamson erupted after from using their RAF airHammond allegedly stated crafts after a row between that the Army could suffice Hammond and the Defence with 50,000 soldiers, which Secretary Gavin Williamson is a cut of around 28,000 intensified. soldiers.

Extremist encouraged jihadists to attack Prince George

The High Commission of India along with IndoBritish All-Party Parliamentary Group organised a seminar in the House of Commons on December 7 to commemorate the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singhji. Prominent Sikh leaders from across the country participated in the seminar titled ‘Life and teachings of Shri Guru Gobind Singhji.’ Members of Parliament, Councillors and members of Greater London Authority were present, in addition to senior representatives from Gurudwaras and Sikh community organisations.

Member of Parliament for Ealing, Southall and chairperson of IndoBritish All-Party Parliamentary Group, Virendra Sharma thanked the High Commissioner for taking the lead on celebrating the great Guru’s contributions to humanity. He said that the Tenth Sikh Guru’s teachings have acquired a renewed significance for the youth in the UK in particular and appreciated this initiative by the High Commission to host a series of com-

potential target sites for attacks, such as sports stadiums.

The 31-year-old pleaded not guilty to preparing acts of terrorism, and to preparing to assist others to commit terrorist acts.

P r o s e c u t o r Rebecca Mundy stated, “This defendant has set up a number of channels on which he broadcasts material to assist terrorists. They actively provide practical assistance and the intension is the A suspected extremist urged readers will go on to jihadists to target Prince commit acts of terrorGeorge at his school ism.”

The prosecutor also Westminster magistrates added, “A post, which we court heard about a man in this country will find alleged to be a terror susparticularly worrying, was pect who encouraged a photograph of the young extremists to attack the Prince George at the prospective future King, beginning of his school Prince George at his term, next to a silhouette school, giving a warning of a jihadi fighter. Next to that “even the Royal famithat was a caption, 'school ly will not be left alone.” starts early'. It provides an The court was also address in Battersea for a informed that the suspect, school to which the young Husnain Rashid, 31, used prince attends.” an encrypted message serIt is now said that vice to distribute Prince Scotland Yard is working George's photograph with the school in beside an image of an Isil Battersea “on protective fighter. He allegedly also security arrangements for gave the school address of His Royal Highness”, Prince George where he which includes CCTV camcurrently studies and hinteras fitted with facial ed that “school starts recognition technology, an early”. electronic entrance sysHusnain Rashid has tem controlling reinforced also been accused of supglass doors, as well as have plying practical assistance plain-clothes police offito future terrorists, and cers around the school. provided information on

On Wednesday 6th December, TiE London celebrated it’s 25th anniversary and also appointed a new president, Nina Amin MBE, at the Carlton Jumeirah in Knightsbridge.

300 Charter Members and guests including the Indian High Commissioner and Prince Nasser came together for the evening’s announcements and entertainment.

Celebrated comedian Sindhu Vee entertained guests, futurist and TED speaker, Tracy Follows spoke on future business trends and Raishma Couture put on a fantastic display of custom gowns.

TiE London focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and championing education and collaboration across the globe.

Over the past 3 years, President Dinesh Dhamija has grown the London Chapter of TiE into a flourishing, exciting Membership offering for London Entrepreneurs. TiE London has hosted prestigious events, investment competitions and offered extraordinary networking opportunities for it’s members throughout Dinesh’s

memorative events marking this special year.

Sharma also mentioned and sought support for a campaign launched by him calling the British government for an apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.

High Commissioner Y K Sinha thanked the participants for coming from all parts of the country to take part in the seminar.

He said that celebrations, which began by flagging off in Shri Patna Sahib by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were celebrated in a truly unprecedented manner all across the UK. The celebrations saw a series of firsts many first visits to Gurudwaras, first-ever commemorative celebra-

tion with Sikh devotional music at India House, creation of a special commemorative photo-exhibition in association with Victoria and Albert Museum, and the first ever grand scale Baisakhi celebrations in April attended by around 20,000 people.

He also mentioned that the High Commission has also organised plays and Sikh devotional music shows in many cities outside London.

As part of the celebrations, the High Commission also touched on issues like contributions of Sikhs in the two World Wars, especially as part of the Labour Corps under the India Unremembered project.

High Commissioner said

that Guru Gobind Singhji stood for fight against oppression and injustice.

The first turbaned Sikh Member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Ms Ruth Cadbury, Member of Parliament, also spoke about the need to rededicate ourselves to the great Guru’s teachings.

A host of eminent speakers from all communities spoke on this special occasion. Some of the speakers were Prof.

Mohinder Singh Bedi, Harjinder Singh Thekedar (President Miri Piri Gurudwara), Charan Kamal Sekhon (Sewa Trust UK), Anil Mehta (Deputy Advocate General, Haryana), Harbinder Singh (Director, Maharaja Duleep Singh Trust & Anglo-Sikh Heritage Trail), Rajinder Singh Bhasin (President, Shephard Bush Gurudwara), Omkar Sahota (Assembly Member, Greator London Authority), Manoj Joshi (Representative, Yorkshire Sikh Forum), Rami Ranger, and Surinder Singh Sohal (Ramgarhiya Sabha, Southall).

Nina Amin MBE Becomes The New TiE President at Prestigious Gala Dinner Event in Knightsbridge

Dinesh Dhamija

presidency.

2017 has been an exciting year for TiE London.

Due to a continued commitment to high-quality events, new initiatives and an active Board, Charter Membership has more than doubled under Dinesh’s Presidency and we have welcomed two large corporate sponsors on board, BDO and Investec Bank.

However, It is now time for a new President, Nina

Amin to take the helm.

Nina has been a TIE board member for the last 3 years and is a Partner at KPMG. She works with entrepreneurial businesses on all aspects of their life cycle. Nina is passionate about building a strong and lasting network where entrepreneurs can come together, share ideas and network with each other to promote their businesses. Nina launched the Tie Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) at the TiE Gala Dinner, which is a new TiE London Membership especially for young entrepreneurs under the age of 35. Her aim is to help build a strong network for the next generation of entrepreneurs and help mentor them where appropriate. TiE also has a Membership for women entrepreneurs, TiE Women, led by Radhika Seth.

Nina said, “Britain is one of the most entrepreneurial countries in Europe and Asians are one of the most entrepreneurial communi-

Nina Amin MBE

ties within Britain. They make a huge contribution to UK’s GDP and it is now time to help the next generation of entrepreneurs in the rapidly advancing technology world.”

Charter Membership to TiE London is £850 + VAT per year. TYE Membership is £450 + VAT. Those interested in Membership can find out more and apply at : http://www.london.tie.org

16

UK

Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

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Mayor of London's trip concludes after a raft of new investments announced for London Reshma Trilochun

his drive to tackle inequality.

Sadiq Khan plans to The Mayor of London's 6publish data on the pay day journey from India to gap affecting BAME Pakistan has been a employees in City Hall momentous one that will and across the Greater undoubtedly go down in London Authority (GLA) history. On his 4th day of group, as well as setting his 6-day mission to two out how he will bring nations, the Mayor of about changes to address London crossed the this.

Wagah border, walking Last year, the Mayor from India to Pakistan, fulfilled a manifesto comwhich has made him the mitment by publishing a first British politician of his generation to make gender pay audit for the journey between the organisations across the two neighbouring counGLA family, including tries by foot.

Transport for London After entering Pakistan, (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor of London visited along with changes to the the Badshahi Mosque and Badshahi Mosque, Lahore GLA’s recruitment pracIqbal's mausoleum in was hugely important for me ing and working in our great has 1800 employees in The Mayor of London visited the final tices. The audit found that Lahore, accompanied by the to visit his final resting city.”

London and is continu- resting place of Muhammed Ali Jinnah at that time, women Mayor of Lahore. in Karachi place here in Karachi, the He also visited the Prime ously investing and employed at City Hall on a Sadiq Khan also attendand August 2017 London city where he was born, durMinister of Pakistan, Shahid growing in the region. full-time contract were paid ed a cultural show hosted by attracted two projects with Khaqan Abbasi in Islamabad During his visit to the ing my first official visit as an average of £21.40 per the Chief Minister of Punjab an estimated capital investMayor of London to where they discussed the two countries, Sadiq Khan hour, while their male coun(Pakistan) where he met ment of over £40 million.

Pakistan. My ambition strong links between the UK met with business leaders terparts earned on average many high-profiled individDespite making this sigthroughout this trip has and Pakistan. and politicians to ensure £22.44 – equating to a pay uals, including the versatile nificant journey and being a been to strengthen the ties On 8th December, the that, as Britain prepares to gap of 4.6 %(compared to Pakistani singer and actor proud and strong represenbetween London and concluding day of the Mayor leave the European Union, Ali Zafar.

11.9 % for all full-time worktative of London, and more of London six-day visit to people in Pakistan and India ers in London). so Britain, Sadiq Khan had India and Pakistan, Sadiq know that #LondonIsOpen The Mayor of London to still face underlying Khan announced a raft of for business, students and said, “I’m proud that “racial insensitivity from new investments into tourists. In a major speech London is one of the most the western media”. The London. earlier in the week of his 6diverse and progressive BBC was accused of being Speaking in Karachi, The day tour, he also said that cities in the world – the capinsensitive after one of its Mayor of London said that the United Kingdom governital has been at the forefront reporters who was accompaHabib Bank AG Zurich, ment needed to do more to of the fight for equal rights nying the mayor when he which already has eight make sure students from the and against injustices in this was crossing the Wagah borbranches in Britain, was region continue to come to country for generations. We der asked Sadiq Khan, “Does planning to expand by London, and also proposed adding two new branches in the reintroduction of a PostLondon, creating 50 new Study Work visa.

Speaking at the first and jobs. only liberal arts university He also said that his proin Pakistan, Habib motional agency, London & Sadiq Khan with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, University, the Mayor of Partners, had this year Shahid Khaqan Abbasi London said, “This has been secured more than 400 a significant visit and one Indian jobs in the city’s tech On the last leg of his which will reap rewards now Pakistan, to share the messector. ICT company Wipro tour, Sadiq Khan visited the and in the years ahead. sage that London is open has revealed plans to open a final resting place of the London already has and to encourage more new 13,000 square foot first Prime Minister of indeextremely deep and endurPakistanis to follow in office in the City of London. pendent Pakistan, Quaid-iing ties with India and Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s This will be the company’s Azam Muhammed Ali Pakistan, but all relationfootsteps by visiting, studythird London office. Wipro Jinnah in Mazar-eships need to be nurQuaid, Karachi. The tured and there has Mayor of London paid never been a more his respects to the Sadiq Khan crossing the Wagah border, walking to Pakistan Mumbai magnate, Mukesh Ambani hosted a dinner party to welcome important time for the founder of Pakistan from India the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, during his 6-day tour of India and United Kingdom and and hailed him as a Pakistan. This event was attended by many dignitaries, including it feel like coming home?” to for London to make rightly champion the richchampion of democrasuperstars from Bollywood. which the Mayor responded, sure these bonds and ness that diversity brings to cy, women's rights and “Home's south London, links remain strong, our city but too often some religious freedom. mate.” and continue to grow. I of those in the BAME comSadiq Khan said, “It A video of the question have announced some munity earn less than other is an honour to visit and the mayor's answer has key investments from Mazar-e-Quaid today Londoners. As long as this gone viral on social media India and Pakistan into to pay my respects to unfairness continues, it’s a and users have commended London which shows the great Muhammad scar on our city and I’m Sadiq Khan's answer, while that the city is a vital Ali Jinnah, particularly determined to do all I can to lamented the BBC. destination for busias someone of tackle it. The causes can be British writer, Sunny ness and will continue Pakistani heritage. deep-seated and the effects Hundal tweeted, “We may to be so.”

Muhammad Ali Jinnah harm not only the individuhave south Asian heritage India remains the als but also their families is a pivotal figure in but our home is Britain. Get Sadiq Khan with Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Amitabh Bachchan second biggest foreign and their prospects for the history but is also still that through your heads.” investor into London, future. Tackling this is so an inspiration today – The spokesperson for with Indian firms crecritical to addressing unfairnot just to Pakistanis, Sadiq Khan stated that the ating more than 4,500 ness and inequality – which but to millions around mayor had not taken offence jobs in London over the is why I simply refuse to the world. As a champiat the question. last 10 years – more stand by and let this go on. on of democracy, The Mayor of London is than China, Japan and That’s why I will soon pubwomen’s rights and now back in London and all second only to the religious freedom, lish full details of the ethset to tackle issues related United States.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah nicity pay gap at the Greater to Londoners. Sadiq Khan London is the sixth will always be someone London Authority along has pledged to lead by largest destination city who millions admire. I with an action plan of how example on London’s black, globally for Pakistani was proud to unveil a we will tackle this problem Asian and minority ethniciforeign investment. bust in his honour in Sadiq Khan with Sachin Tendulkar, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Nita Ambani, head on.” ty (BAME) pay gap, as part of Karan Johar and Jacqueline Fernandez Between January 2007 London last week and it

Bollywood Glitterati meet Sadiq Khan

FEATURE AsianVoiceNews

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17

Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Christmas Message of Peace and Joy Christopher Benjamin "I bring you good news of a Great Joy ... for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the CHRIST, the LORD" (Gospel of St Luke 2:1011).

The Creator of the universe, out of love, came to make his dwelling among men. "Word made flesh."

The Creator of man became man in order to bring peace to the world.

For this reason, during Christmas night, the hosts of angels sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those whom he loves".

In the Scripture of THE HOLY BIBLE, St. Paul affirms that, Christ "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” He appeared in human form, humbling himself.

At Christmas we will relive the realisation of this sublime mystery of His grace and mercy. At Christmas we contemplate God made man, the Redeemer becomes one of us, our companion along the precarious paths of life.

When Jesus was born, the Light himself came into the world: in the words of the Holy Scripture,"God from God, Light from Light".

When Jesus was born, a "great light" appeared on earth;. A great and inextinguishable light shone forth for every man. The light of Christ, which comes to enlighten every human being, shine forth and bring consolation to those, who live in the darkness of poverty, injustice and war; His message of peace is for everyone; he comes to offer

We wish all the readers of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice

“A Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year” Christopher Benjamin Presbyterian Church Wembley at what the shepherds said.

Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them. himself to all people as sure hope for salvation. A great hope entered the world, the great hope that brings happiness.

In the last centuries, immense progress was made of in technology and science.

In our technological age there is a risk becoming victims of our own intellectual.

But our technical achievements, ending up in spiritual barrenness and emptiness of heart. That is why it is so important for us to open our minds and hearts to the Birth of Christ. This event of salvation,which can gives new hope to the life of each human being.

In the cave of Bethlehem, where the extraordinary event took place that changed the course of history; the birth of the Redeemer.

The Birth of Jesus: At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor

of Syria. Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown.

Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby.

She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger.

There was no room for them to stay in the inn.

Now all this happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophets, A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel, which means God is with us.

The Shepherds and the Angels: There were some shepherds in that part of the country, who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared

to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them.

They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am here with Good News for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour is born, Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”.

Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!

When the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. All who heard it were amazed

Visitors from the East: Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the time, when Herod was king. Soon afterward, some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him”.

When King Herod heard about this, he was very disturb, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the teachers of the Law and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?”

In the town of Bethlehem in Judea, they answered.

For this is what the prophet wrote: “Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the leading cities of Judah; for from you will come a leader who will guide my people Israel”.

So Herod called the visitors from the East to a secret meeting and found

out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

Then he sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions: “Go and make a careful search for the child; and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him”.

And so they left, and on their way they saw the same star they had seen in the East. When they saw it, how happy they were, what joy was theirs! It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him. They brought out their gifts of, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.

Then they returned to their country by another road, since God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod.

May this Christmas truly be for all people a day of joy, hope and peace!

May the Lord, who has made his merciful face to shine in Christ, fill us with his joy and make us messengers of his Peace and Goodness.

Let us take the hand, which he stretches out to us: it is a hand which seeks to take nothing from us, but only to give.

Strong women rise against negativity Reshma Trilochun With social media and smart phones becoming a norm in society, it would not be farfetched to say that we have now entered a somewhat shallow phase where your actions and appearance is scrutinised on several social networking platforms, to an extent, affecting your self-esteem and making some feel inadequate.

Prince Harry's beautiful prospective bride, Meghan Markle also faced many negative comments and battled “soul sucking” insecurities when trying to make a space for herself in Hollywood.

She was labelled as being “not thin enough, not pretty enough”.

Talking about her initial struggles, Meghan Markle said, “I was in my early twenties, still figuring so much out, and trying to find my value in an industry that judges you on everything that you're not versus everything that you are. Not thin enough, not

pretty enough, while also being too thin, too ethnic, too pretty the next day. I would drive to auditions and park at the back of the parking lot, far from the eyes of anyone who could see me unlocking the trunk and crawling into my car through its only feasible entry point. I would play it off as though I was looking for something, reaching so deep for something that my car almost sucked me in to get it – much like my experience in Hollywood, to be honest. Struggling, climbing hurdles, searching for something that I couldn't even see – and just reaching for it. Every single day.”

It was only when she went to one audition lathered in self-tanner and “excessive blush” when she was told, “You need to know that you're enough.”

“You couldn't pay for a therapy session this good. And that moment, for me, was a wake-up call,” Meghan beamed.

The very talented and beauti-

Vidya Balan

ful Vidya Balan also faced many challenges when she tried to establish herself as an actress.

Although she has aced her craft and bedazzled one and all with her acting performances in movies such as Parineeta (2005), Kahaani (2012), and The Dirty Picture (2011), she still receives disparaging comments about her weight from parts of the Indian media. Despite all the negativity, Vidya has risen on all occasions, shutting down her criticisers by delivering memorable performances in every movie.

Social networking sites, such as Instagram, doesn't do much in

aiding someone's self-esteem.

The constant scrutiny online and the pressure of looking “perfect” does eventually take a toll on many. Fat-shaming, or bodyshaming has also made its way into the social media frenzy, making it a norm, and completely acceptable (so do those cyber-bullies believe) to belittle someone and pass rude remarks. The trend of “trolling” people online seems like a fun past time for a fraction of social media users. So many young people now suffer from low self-esteem, and it won't be implausible to state that it could lead to depression and anxiety.

These online portals should take it upon themselves and make it their duty to stop any sort of cyber-bullying and help encourage people to be who they are.

One should be inspired to be true to themselves and not feel pressurised in pleasing everyone for the matter of a few likes and comments on social media.

Meghan Markle

If you have a dream, work hard and strive to achieve it. There are plenty of nay-sayers who find joy in putting people down and treading on their aspirations, but if you focus on yourself and your future ambitions, then their negative views or opinions will no longer matter to you. What others think of you should not be your concern, but what you think of yourself should take prime prominence.

16

UK

Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

www.asian-voice.com

Mayor of London's trip concludes after a raft of new investments announced for London Reshma Trilochun

his drive to tackle inequality.

Sadiq Khan plans to The Mayor of London's 6publish data on the pay day journey from India to gap affecting BAME Pakistan has been a employees in City Hall momentous one that will and across the Greater undoubtedly go down in London Authority (GLA) history. On his 4th day of group, as well as setting his 6-day mission to two out how he will bring nations, the Mayor of about changes to address London crossed the this.

Wagah border, walking Last year, the Mayor from India to Pakistan, fulfilled a manifesto comwhich has made him the mitment by publishing a first British politician of his generation to make gender pay audit for the journey between the organisations across the two neighbouring counGLA family, including tries by foot.

Transport for London After entering Pakistan, (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor of London visited along with changes to the the Badshahi Mosque and Badshahi Mosque, Lahore GLA’s recruitment pracIqbal's mausoleum in was hugely important for me ing and working in our great has 1800 employees in The Mayor of London visited the final tices. The audit found that Lahore, accompanied by the to visit his final resting city.”

London and is continu- resting place of Muhammed Ali Jinnah at that time, women Mayor of Lahore. in Karachi place here in Karachi, the He also visited the Prime ously investing and employed at City Hall on a Sadiq Khan also attendand August 2017 London city where he was born, durMinister of Pakistan, Shahid growing in the region. full-time contract were paid ed a cultural show hosted by attracted two projects with Khaqan Abbasi in Islamabad During his visit to the ing my first official visit as an average of £21.40 per the Chief Minister of Punjab an estimated capital investMayor of London to where they discussed the two countries, Sadiq Khan hour, while their male coun(Pakistan) where he met ment of over £40 million.

Pakistan. My ambition strong links between the UK met with business leaders terparts earned on average many high-profiled individDespite making this sigthroughout this trip has and Pakistan. and politicians to ensure £22.44 – equating to a pay uals, including the versatile nificant journey and being a been to strengthen the ties On 8th December, the that, as Britain prepares to gap of 4.6 %(compared to Pakistani singer and actor proud and strong represenbetween London and concluding day of the Mayor leave the European Union, Ali Zafar.

11.9 % for all full-time worktative of London, and more of London six-day visit to people in Pakistan and India ers in London). so Britain, Sadiq Khan had India and Pakistan, Sadiq know that #LondonIsOpen The Mayor of London to still face underlying Khan announced a raft of for business, students and said, “I’m proud that “racial insensitivity from new investments into tourists. In a major speech London is one of the most the western media”. The London. earlier in the week of his 6diverse and progressive BBC was accused of being Speaking in Karachi, The day tour, he also said that cities in the world – the capinsensitive after one of its Mayor of London said that the United Kingdom governital has been at the forefront reporters who was accompaHabib Bank AG Zurich, ment needed to do more to of the fight for equal rights nying the mayor when he which already has eight make sure students from the and against injustices in this was crossing the Wagah borbranches in Britain, was region continue to come to country for generations. We der asked Sadiq Khan, “Does planning to expand by London, and also proposed adding two new branches in the reintroduction of a PostLondon, creating 50 new Study Work visa.

Speaking at the first and jobs. only liberal arts university He also said that his proin Pakistan, Habib motional agency, London & Sadiq Khan with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, University, the Mayor of Partners, had this year Shahid Khaqan Abbasi London said, “This has been secured more than 400 a significant visit and one Indian jobs in the city’s tech On the last leg of his which will reap rewards now Pakistan, to share the messector. ICT company Wipro tour, Sadiq Khan visited the and in the years ahead. sage that London is open has revealed plans to open a final resting place of the London already has and to encourage more new 13,000 square foot first Prime Minister of indeextremely deep and endurPakistanis to follow in office in the City of London. pendent Pakistan, Quaid-iing ties with India and Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s This will be the company’s Azam Muhammed Ali Pakistan, but all relationfootsteps by visiting, studythird London office. Wipro Jinnah in Mazar-eships need to be nurQuaid, Karachi. The tured and there has Mayor of London paid never been a more his respects to the Sadiq Khan crossing the Wagah border, walking to Pakistan Mumbai magnate, Mukesh Ambani hosted a dinner party to welcome important time for the founder of Pakistan from India the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, during his 6-day tour of India and United Kingdom and and hailed him as a Pakistan. This event was attended by many dignitaries, including it feel like coming home?” to for London to make rightly champion the richchampion of democrasuperstars from Bollywood. which the Mayor responded, sure these bonds and ness that diversity brings to cy, women's rights and “Home's south London, links remain strong, our city but too often some religious freedom. mate.” and continue to grow. I of those in the BAME comSadiq Khan said, “It A video of the question have announced some munity earn less than other is an honour to visit and the mayor's answer has key investments from Mazar-e-Quaid today Londoners. As long as this gone viral on social media India and Pakistan into to pay my respects to unfairness continues, it’s a and users have commended London which shows the great Muhammad scar on our city and I’m Sadiq Khan's answer, while that the city is a vital Ali Jinnah, particularly determined to do all I can to lamented the BBC. destination for busias someone of tackle it. The causes can be British writer, Sunny ness and will continue Pakistani heritage. deep-seated and the effects Hundal tweeted, “We may to be so.”

Muhammad Ali Jinnah harm not only the individuhave south Asian heritage India remains the als but also their families is a pivotal figure in but our home is Britain. Get Sadiq Khan with Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Amitabh Bachchan second biggest foreign and their prospects for the history but is also still that through your heads.” investor into London, future. Tackling this is so an inspiration today – The spokesperson for with Indian firms crecritical to addressing unfairnot just to Pakistanis, Sadiq Khan stated that the ating more than 4,500 ness and inequality – which but to millions around mayor had not taken offence jobs in London over the is why I simply refuse to the world. As a champiat the question. last 10 years – more stand by and let this go on. on of democracy, The Mayor of London is than China, Japan and That’s why I will soon pubwomen’s rights and now back in London and all second only to the religious freedom, lish full details of the ethset to tackle issues related United States.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah nicity pay gap at the Greater to Londoners. Sadiq Khan London is the sixth will always be someone London Authority along has pledged to lead by largest destination city who millions admire. I with an action plan of how example on London’s black, globally for Pakistani was proud to unveil a we will tackle this problem Asian and minority ethniciforeign investment. bust in his honour in Sadiq Khan with Sachin Tendulkar, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Nita Ambani, head on.” ty (BAME) pay gap, as part of Karan Johar and Jacqueline Fernandez Between January 2007 London last week and it

Bollywood Glitterati meet Sadiq Khan

FEATURE AsianVoiceNews

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17

Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Christmas Message of Peace and Joy Christopher Benjamin "I bring you good news of a Great Joy ... for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the CHRIST, the LORD" (Gospel of St Luke 2:1011).

The Creator of the universe, out of love, came to make his dwelling among men. "Word made flesh."

The Creator of man became man in order to bring peace to the world.

For this reason, during Christmas night, the hosts of angels sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those whom he loves".

In the Scripture of THE HOLY BIBLE, St. Paul affirms that, Christ "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” He appeared in human form, humbling himself.

At Christmas we will relive the realisation of this sublime mystery of His grace and mercy. At Christmas we contemplate God made man, the Redeemer becomes one of us, our companion along the precarious paths of life.

When Jesus was born, the Light himself came into the world: in the words of the Holy Scripture,"God from God, Light from Light".

When Jesus was born, a "great light" appeared on earth;. A great and inextinguishable light shone forth for every man. The light of Christ, which comes to enlighten every human being, shine forth and bring consolation to those, who live in the darkness of poverty, injustice and war; His message of peace is for everyone; he comes to offer

We wish all the readers of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice

“A Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year” Christopher Benjamin Presbyterian Church Wembley at what the shepherds said.

Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them. himself to all people as sure hope for salvation. A great hope entered the world, the great hope that brings happiness.

In the last centuries, immense progress was made of in technology and science.

In our technological age there is a risk becoming victims of our own intellectual.

But our technical achievements, ending up in spiritual barrenness and emptiness of heart. That is why it is so important for us to open our minds and hearts to the Birth of Christ. This event of salvation,which can gives new hope to the life of each human being.

In the cave of Bethlehem, where the extraordinary event took place that changed the course of history; the birth of the Redeemer.

The Birth of Jesus: At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor

of Syria. Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown.

Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby.

She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger.

There was no room for them to stay in the inn.

Now all this happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophets, A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel, which means God is with us.

The Shepherds and the Angels: There were some shepherds in that part of the country, who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared

to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them.

They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am here with Good News for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour is born, Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”.

Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!

When the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. All who heard it were amazed

Visitors from the East: Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the time, when Herod was king. Soon afterward, some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him”.

When King Herod heard about this, he was very disturb, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the teachers of the Law and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?”

In the town of Bethlehem in Judea, they answered.

For this is what the prophet wrote: “Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the leading cities of Judah; for from you will come a leader who will guide my people Israel”.

So Herod called the visitors from the East to a secret meeting and found

out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

Then he sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions: “Go and make a careful search for the child; and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him”.

And so they left, and on their way they saw the same star they had seen in the East. When they saw it, how happy they were, what joy was theirs! It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him. They brought out their gifts of, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.

Then they returned to their country by another road, since God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod.

May this Christmas truly be for all people a day of joy, hope and peace!

May the Lord, who has made his merciful face to shine in Christ, fill us with his joy and make us messengers of his Peace and Goodness.

Let us take the hand, which he stretches out to us: it is a hand which seeks to take nothing from us, but only to give.

Strong women rise against negativity Reshma Trilochun With social media and smart phones becoming a norm in society, it would not be farfetched to say that we have now entered a somewhat shallow phase where your actions and appearance is scrutinised on several social networking platforms, to an extent, affecting your self-esteem and making some feel inadequate.

Prince Harry's beautiful prospective bride, Meghan Markle also faced many negative comments and battled “soul sucking” insecurities when trying to make a space for herself in Hollywood.

She was labelled as being “not thin enough, not pretty enough”.

Talking about her initial struggles, Meghan Markle said, “I was in my early twenties, still figuring so much out, and trying to find my value in an industry that judges you on everything that you're not versus everything that you are. Not thin enough, not

pretty enough, while also being too thin, too ethnic, too pretty the next day. I would drive to auditions and park at the back of the parking lot, far from the eyes of anyone who could see me unlocking the trunk and crawling into my car through its only feasible entry point. I would play it off as though I was looking for something, reaching so deep for something that my car almost sucked me in to get it – much like my experience in Hollywood, to be honest. Struggling, climbing hurdles, searching for something that I couldn't even see – and just reaching for it. Every single day.”

It was only when she went to one audition lathered in self-tanner and “excessive blush” when she was told, “You need to know that you're enough.”

“You couldn't pay for a therapy session this good. And that moment, for me, was a wake-up call,” Meghan beamed.

The very talented and beauti-

Vidya Balan

ful Vidya Balan also faced many challenges when she tried to establish herself as an actress.

Although she has aced her craft and bedazzled one and all with her acting performances in movies such as Parineeta (2005), Kahaani (2012), and The Dirty Picture (2011), she still receives disparaging comments about her weight from parts of the Indian media. Despite all the negativity, Vidya has risen on all occasions, shutting down her criticisers by delivering memorable performances in every movie.

Social networking sites, such as Instagram, doesn't do much in

aiding someone's self-esteem.

The constant scrutiny online and the pressure of looking “perfect” does eventually take a toll on many. Fat-shaming, or bodyshaming has also made its way into the social media frenzy, making it a norm, and completely acceptable (so do those cyber-bullies believe) to belittle someone and pass rude remarks. The trend of “trolling” people online seems like a fun past time for a fraction of social media users. So many young people now suffer from low self-esteem, and it won't be implausible to state that it could lead to depression and anxiety.

These online portals should take it upon themselves and make it their duty to stop any sort of cyber-bullying and help encourage people to be who they are.

One should be inspired to be true to themselves and not feel pressurised in pleasing everyone for the matter of a few likes and comments on social media.

Meghan Markle

If you have a dream, work hard and strive to achieve it. There are plenty of nay-sayers who find joy in putting people down and treading on their aspirations, but if you focus on yourself and your future ambitions, then their negative views or opinions will no longer matter to you. What others think of you should not be your concern, but what you think of yourself should take prime prominence.

18

FINANCIAL VOICE

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Indian industry chambers seek tax cuts from Jaitley

Indian industry chambers CII and Ficci pitched for a reduction in taxes during a pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as analysts discuss the need for a cut. While CII decided to limit itself to demanding a flat 18 per cent tax on companies, that pay as much as 35 per cent currently, Ficci opted to seek a more broadbased reduction at 20 per cent, probably realising that it will not be easy for the Centre to pare rates only for companies.

CII president Shobana Kamineni said a lower rare of tax will encourage investment and create jobs, which were crucial

for the economy. The chamber suggested that all cess and surcharges, along with exemptions should be withdrawn to make things simpler. Ficci, meanwhile, suggested that the government should consider acrossthe-board tax rate cuts for businesses and individuals to spur domestic investment and demand. The group said, “Many key global economies are opting for significant rate cuts, for instance, the US is on the verge of historic tax reform that proposes to cut the corporate tax rate from a top rate of 35 per cent to 20 per cent as well as provide relief to

individuals. The US tax reform also envisages a complete exemption in respect of dividends declared by foreign subsidiaries of US companies.

This is intended to incentivize repatriation of earnings into the US, which is expected to boost investment and consumption.

Overall, it is expected that this reform proposal would spur economic growth and increase overall tax collections.”

Tax consultants argue that there is a strong reason for a reduction.

Abhishek Goenka of PricewaterhouseCoopers said, “There is a clear case to reduce the headline

Rail fare to rise by an extortionate 3.4%

Arun Jaitley

rate of tax in India. There are several imperatives to this. First, the government has itself laid down a fouryear roadmap towards a 25 per cent rate. Second, with incentives and exemptions mostly phased out, there is a clear case to reduce the headline rate.

Additionally, with the global developments, there will be added pressure.”

India unveils £850 mn export sops to push shipments GST and the impact on small businesses has emerged as a key issue.

There is also a parallel effort to reorient the focus with a thrust on agriculture, where a new export policy is due to be introduced.

Also, Indian companies are encouraged to participate in global and regional value chains at a time when giants like Apple depend on inputs and expertise from all over the world to manufacture iPhones. Revealing midterm review of the fiveyear policy, Commerce & Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said, “The policy

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

aims to promote exports by simplification of processes, enhancing support to high employment sectors, leveraging benefits of GST, promoting services exports, monitoring exports performance through state-of-the-art analytics.”

The government hopes to leverage the WTO's trade facilitation agreement to make life simpler for exporters and importers. Prabhu appears to give special emphasis on ease of trading borders where India has not fared well. The Centre also hopes to address repetitive concerns over high cost of doing business in the country, apart from improving the logistics network, to make exports less competitive in the global market.

Despite hitting the worst punctuality rates in ten years, rail tickets across Britain are to rise in the coming year, going up by 3.4% on 2nd January, the Rail Delivery Group has announced. The cost of many season tickets are increasing by more than £100. This will be the largest fare rise since 2013.

It is said that in 2016,12%, or one in nine trains had failed to meet the rail industry's punctuality target. This is the worst performance since the period of 2006-2007 when 11.9% of trains were said to be running late, while between the period of March 2015- March 2016, 10.9% of trains, or one in ten, had failed to

arrive on time.

The passenger watchdog, Transport Focus referred to the prospective rise in rail fare as “a chill wind” as the rail fare keeps increasing while passengers' income does not seem to be going upwards.

The chief executive of Transport Focus, Anthony Smith said, “While substantial, welcome investment in new trains and improved track and signals is continuing, passengers are still seeing the basic promises made by the rail industry broken on too many days.”

It seems like many passengers' expenditures from their wages goes into their rail tickets as it seems to be going up by extortionate rates.

The government of India has announced export incentives of around £850 million for labour-intensive sectors and services in an attempt to lower the blow caused by the goods and services tax (GST) and push shipments from the country amid signs of a pickup in global demand.

Incentives worth £845 million were applicable from November and will include higher benefits of £274.3 million offered to ready-made garments.

The government has also faced negative feedback from exporters over tardy refunds and a reduction in drawback rates meant to offset the impact of taxes.

By doubling incentives to 4 per cent under the Manufacturing Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), the government

hopes to address the concerns and shield Indian businesses from the adverse impact of competition. Such incentives under the MEIS and Service Exports from India Scheme basically aimed at labour-intensive sectors like agriculture, leather, carpets, and marine products. They came just days before the Gujarat elections where the launch of

Infy has admitted to procedural lapses

Bitcoin surges over 25 per cent during debut session

Infosys board member Kiran Mazumbdar-Shaw has stated that former company chairman R Seshasayee admitted to procedural lapses in the matter of the severance pay to former CFO Rajiv Bansal, apologising at the company's recently-held general meeting. She said Infosys' recent settlement application to Sebi was to pay a fine for the unintended procedural lapses.

The statement was tweeted in response to a query from a Twitter user who asked for her resignation from the board following the Infosys application. Many have viewed the answer as a confession to a controversy the company is yet to address.

Former Infosys board member Mohandas Pai once again entered the discussion, disagreeing with the Infosys whistleblower's demand that Sebi should take exemplary action against the company.

Futures on world's leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin surged over 25 per cent during its debut session on Cboe Global Markets Inc.'s exchange. Expectations were exceeded with the initial volume, as stated by dealers, however, the exchange said all trading systems were normal.

Traffic on Cboe's website was strong enough to cause delays and outages.

Launch of futures traded on a regulated exchange is a turning point for Bitcoin as testing infrastructure will make it easier for legions of professional traders and mainstream investors to bet on the currency's rise or fall.

The first trading halt came about 2 ½ hours after the session began, while the second was triggered after four hours.

Cboe imposes circuit breakers to curb volatility, halting transactions for two minutes if prices rise or fall 10 per cent, and for five minutes at 20 per cent.

Trading will stop for at least five minutes if the rally extends to 30 per cent, Cboe said in a notice on its website. Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at TF Global Markets in London said, “So far, looking at the contract volume traded, we believe that there is a decent demand and this is driving up the price of bitcoin.

Prices are going higher because of the increase in confidence.”

CME Group Inc.'s exchange is set to start offering similar futures next week. Aslam said once the markets are better established, profes-

sional traders will arbitrage between the Cboe and CME futures and bitcoin itself. “In the future, traders will also start arbitraging and speculation will go in another higher gear.” Bitcoin futures expiring in January were priced at $17,780 as of 12.57 pm Hong Kong time, up from an opening level of $15,000.

The Chicago Board Options Exchange launched futures trading for the first time, for Bitcoin. Futures contracts allow investors to agree to buy a certain amount of a commodity, bond or share at a specific price at a designated time in the future.

Investors can bet on whether they believe a particular commodity will rise or fall by a specified future date. Generally used in commodity markets to hedge against major fluctuations in prices, they are well-established in equity markets, with trading on individual companies and

Tata Motors rolls out electric Tigor from Sanand Tata Motors rolled out the first batch of the Tigor electric vehicle (EV) from its Sanand plant in Gujarat.

Manufactured for Energy Efficient Services Ltd, an entity under the union ministry of power, the first batch was flagged off by Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus, Tata group and N Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors from the Sanand plant. Tata won a tender of

indices such as the FTSE 100 and S&P 500.

Joe Van Hecke, managing partner at Chicagobased Grace Hall Trading LLC said, “It is pretty easy to trade. I think you'll see a robust market as time plays out.”

RBI cautions investors Bitcoin may be eyeing record $12,000, but the RBI is not impressed. India's central bank has cautioned bitcoin and other cryptocurrency enthusiasts that they face potential risks, including financial, legal and those related to customer protection. In a statement, the RBI said that it has not given any licence or authorization to any entity to operate schemes or deal with bitcoin or any virtual currency. The statement was issued in the wake of significant spurt in the valuation of virtual currencies and rapid growth in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), the RBI said. An ICO is an unregu-

10,000 electric cars floated

by EESL in September this year.

The company released a statement saying, “For an additional 100 cars, the LoA is expected to be issued shortly by EESL. The electric drive systems for this prestigious order have been developed and supplied by Electra EV- a company established to develop and supply electric drive systems for the automotive sector.”

lated means by which funds are raised for a new cryptocurrency venture.

India is not the only country to express caution on bitcoins. Several countries have placed restrictions on them as well, including Russia, China, Iceland, Bangladesh, Sweden, Thailand and Vietnam. However, the US and the UK have a much more positive approach to bitcoins with several large US corporations accepting payments in bitcoins.

While cryptocurrencies have not been legalised, there are no laws against investing or dealing in them. Even in China, which has cracked down on bitcoin exchanges, there is no legal bar on the cryptocurrency. One fear of regulators is that the virtual currency could be used as payment for illegal activities. Hackers who deployed the Wanna-Cry virus collected ransom in bitcoins from their victims to unlock computers.

REAL ESTATE VOICE

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EYES WIDE OPEN AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

We are currently engaged with buyers for a site which our investor owns.

This deal was done in a way which goes against the grain of the way most transactions in the industry happen; you could say we put the cart before the horse.

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap London Property Investment

Normally, in a transaction, you are told some prima facie information about a property, you then have a look at the property. If you decide to purchase it, you agree the price and then the matter is placed in the hands of the lawyers to get on with.

However, what normally happens with the majority of buyers, is that this is when the real due diligence starts. Certainly, from a legal perspective, the information has to be extracted by a lawyer and often from a lawyer, therefore, they are needed for

this aspect of the deal.

After the deal has been agreed, a valuation will normally be instructed and any issues will come out in a report, depending on the type of report carried out.

There will also be extensive corporate due diligence carried out, if one is purchasing a company. It is at this point the buyer will become more conscious of the potential tax liability and so forth.

The word inertia is an interesting word, it means the tendency of an object at rest to remain at rest unless acted upon by external forces. This can be observed in many buyers too. Buyers tend to be passive and tend to follow the normal flow, where a problem is only addressed when it floats to the surface, instead of flushing all the issues out from the outset.

The real DD happens after

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP! Q: My tenant wants me to pay £300 for a new curtain! So, I went to perform a routine inspection in a property last month.

The property was fine.

While I was talking to my tenant, she mentioned that the curtain in the kitchen, which hangs in front of the sliding patio doors is filthy, and always has been, so she wondered if she could replace it.

The property wasn’t furnished, but it did come with that one curtain. She didn’t insist, or even ask for me to pay for the replacement (probably because I’m not obliged to), but as a gesture of

goodwill and to show appreciation, I offered to cover the cost. A few days ago, I received a phone call from my tenant, and she informed me she got a quote for £286. At first, I thought it was a joke, but it soon became clear the situation was very real when she started to enthusiastically discuss the finer details of the fabric! In the meantime, my mind was busy conjuring up ways to buy some time, in order to process what was happening; so, I asked her if I could look online to see what I thought of them.

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

Grove End Road, St John's Wood, NW8 Purchase Price: £720,000

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

19

She provided me with the details, but to be honest, I don’t care what the curtain looks or feels like, I’m just concerned that she wants me to pay £300 for one curtain. Bearing in mind that the current curtain couldn’t have cost more than £80, and I assumed a replacement would cost about £100, maybe a bit more. The property isn’t a luxury penthouse in Knightsbridge; it’s a 2bedroom mid-terrace, situated in a small town, that’s fitted with economy household goods. I know for a fact she wouldn’t pay £300 herself for the cur-

the deal has been agreed and it’s in lawyers hands.

This means money has started to spill, and the clock is ticking. You could end up with no property and a big fat bill.

There is no reason why this cannot be done in advance of the deal even being agreed. Which is exactly what we decided to do after having experienced a buyer who had the money, had been buying, and for who we had taken references. However, he didn’t do the due diligence in regards to the commercials of the deal or the potential tax liability within the company he was buying. When this surfaced he used this issue to try to chip the price down, without even taking the trouble to understand this was actually a non issue, if he had analysed the cash flow of the numbers.

This led us to ensure the full information was made available, from a planning, legal and corporate view point; for anybody who had provided proof of funds, and where we were convinced we were dealing with the principals or authorised agents only.

This reduces the probabil-

ity of aborted sales, and ensures buyers are coming in with their eyes wide open. Agents in general will not do this as it requires knowledge in all three departments.

Instead they prefer to get the deal agreed, and let the information surface later.

tains, but she clearly has no qualms with asking me to cough up the doe.

Don’t get me wrong, she’s a great tenant, she pays the bills and takes care of the property; and I would happily invest in the property where appropriate. What should I do?

A: Hindsight is always a wonderful thing! When you asked the tenant to get a quote, you should have discussed the budget with her. Keep this in mind for next time.

Possible Solutions I would recommend that you either:

l Clarify that you are only willing to pay £100, as you think that’s a reasonable amount l Offer to contribute £100 towards the curtain, and allow her to cover any differences, on condition that the curtain remains

in the property after she vacates Has anyone else ever had cheeky/ridiculous requests from tenants? We would love to hear from you.

Richard Bond Lettings Manager Sow & Reap

l A prestigious building standing just moments away from the famous Lord's Cricket Ground l The apartment comprises of an entrance hall, separate kitchen, a bright and airy reception room, large master bedroom and second double bedroom l Benefiting from 24-hour porterage, off street parking and beautiful communal gardens l Within easy reach of the boutiques and restaurants of St John's Wood High Street and Little Venice l After minor refurbishment, expected resale is £1.1M. Call us now for more information!

0207 993 0103

info@sowandreap.co.uk www.sowandreap.co.uk 27 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HU SowandReapProperties

Sowandreapuk

Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

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FINANCIAL VOICE

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader, Bitcoin. Profits. Make no mistake, that is the only reason people trade. Given many people are familiar with the $5 trillion a day forex market, so what are the similarities and differences with trading Crypto Currencies?

Volatility: Similar and Different All the news headlines talk about the huge volatility in the major currencies – whether Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Lite, Dash – and I will focus on those for this article. Whilst the level of volatility is a difference, actually, the way we traders handle it is the same with regular currencies.

I will write a detailed article on volatility and trading, but in summary, we handle volatility in trading by ensuring any stop-loss is set based on the level of market volatility. This is even more so with crypto currencies.

The more volatile the currency, then further away the stop loss at the time of entry. Of course, in terms of risk and money management, the further away the stop loss, then small your position size, so if the stop loss get’s hit, you are not risking more capital than if the stop loss was closer (say in a regular currency trade).

How you set your stop loss based on volatility varies from something as technical and precise as “2.75 x 14 period Average True Range” (as an example) to just plain experience. But one thing is different with Crypto Currencies – you are less likely to use traditional technical analysis of support and resistance when the product, eg crypto, is so volatile. Old methods just do not hold.

News: Different Many forex traders like to trade around news stories. With traditional forex, you get a pretty good idea of what news is coming out each week, when, and traditionally the level of importance it holds. We all know when Non-Farm Payroll data from the US is out and that it can have a big impact on USD. Not so with Crypto. The news and hence moves are sporadic. I am in any event not a ‘news trader’ because I think, rather like with regular currencies, even if you know when there is news, trading around it is too much like gambling. I would rather trade the trend.

Correlation: Different Many regular currencies are relatively well correlated, in part because the global economy is correlated – which is also one reason for relative lack of volatility in regular currencies compared to Crypto.

Cryptos, are surprisingly uncorrelated to each other and regular currencies. Now this is a hidden gem. It means you have diversification, you should and could trade several of these knowing that all your eggs are not in one basket.

Accessibility: Similar When it comes to trading Cryptos you do not need a ‘wallet’ and some specialist online provider you have next heard of. If you are trading then spreadbets and CFDs are more than adequate and no different that accessing them to trade GBPUSD through your online broker. (Full disclosure: I am a partner, alongside Juventus Football Club, of 24Option.com www.alpeshpatel.com/24) Risk Capital: Similar Never trade with anything other than risk capital, whether you are a hedge fund manager, or private trader trading regular currencies or Crypto.

Alpesh Patel Alpesh Patel and Juventus Football Club are Official Partners of 24Option.com brokers.

Alpesh.patel@tradermind.com

Airtel to sell 20 per cent stake Global private equity firm Warburg Pincus is all set to acquire 20 per cent equity stake in Bharti Telemedia, direct-to-home arm of telecom major Bharti Airtel, for $350 million. In a statement, Airtel announced that an affiliate of Warburg Pincus will acquire 20 per cent stake, 15 per cent of which will be sold by Bharti Airtel and the remaining percentage by another Bharti entity. Managing director and chief executive officer, Gopal Vittal said, “Airtel TV is very well positioned in the DTH space, and we are committed to grow our share of the market through a combination of innovation, value engineering, customer service and distribution initiatives.

We look forward to working with Warburg Pincus towards achieving our vision of making Airtel TV India's leading DTH platform.”

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Asian recruiters beat US firms, lapping up more IITians Asia has reportedly surpassed US in terms of finding talent at the Indian Institutes of Technology placements, as maximum offers coming from across the seas is from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore. Data collected by a media source revealed that in the first few days of final placements that began December 1, large number of international offers have been made at IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur. Offers in IIT Madras rose to 22 from six in the first three days of placements, while at IIT Kharagpur, numbers jumped to over 30 from nine.

Placement sources in the institutions said the surge in international offers were partly pushed by Asian companies desperate to hire tech talent. IIT Roorkee got 13 international offers in

the first three days as compared with seven last year, already surpassing last year's total tally of 12.

International offers at IIT Bombay, including preplacement offers have gone up to 60 from 50. “IITs are the hub for technology talent for global companies.

Now, more and more countries, led by the likes of Japan, are realising the potential of IIT students,” said NP Padhy, IIT Roorkee professor-in-charge of

training and placement.

IIT Kanpur got eight offers from US. Out of which, four were from Microsoft, three from cloud data management company Rubrik and one from Uber.

IIT Bombay saw 11 international offers from Japan's Murata and Sysmex.

Another aggressive recruiter was NEC Japan. Other Asian companies included Taiwan Semiconductor, Singaporebased Dynamic Technology Lab, RV Capital

Reserve Bank of India keeps rates on hold due to inflation

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India has voted to keep rates on hold, citing inflation and improved growth prospects for the economy. The MPC released a statement saying that while inflation was expected to be marginally more than envisaged in October 2017, growth as measured by gross value added (GVA) would improve to 7 per cent and 7.8 per cent in Q3FY18 and Q4FY18 respectively.

Consequentially, the policy repo rate remains unchanged at 6 per cent and the reverse repo rate at 5.75 per cent. The RBI, in its fifth bi-monthly policy statement, said several significant recent developments augur well for growth.

Banks, however, need to buttress them by passing on earlier rate cuts to borrowers. The apex bank has also eased funding for top corporates by allowing Indian banks to refinance external

Urjit Patel

commercial borrowings of AAA-rated corporates and top public sector units classified as Navratnas and Maharatnas through their overseas offices.

It had raised its inflation forecast by 10 basis points in its policy. “In arriving at this decision, the MPC took note of upward pressure on evolving cost of living conditions and rising input costs conditions, which pose risks of pass-through in

retail prices,” said RBI governor Urjit Patel. The decision to keep rates on hold has also been visibly affected by steady inflation expectations. All three members from the RBI in the MPC, Patel, deputy governor Viraj Acharya, and executive director Michael Patra, voted to hold rates.

External members, Chetan Ghate and Pami Dua supported the decision, while Ravindra H Dholakia voted for a policy rate reduction of 25bps.

Dinabandhu Mohapatra, MD, Bank of India, said,” For banks, credit growth is slightly higher than deposit growth, signalling an end to easy liquidity conditions.

Taking a cue, some banks increased rates on wholesale deposits.” He also said that higher global growth carried the risks of upward movement in commodity prices, which was not really good news for a major oil importer like India.

India to once again emerge as fastest-growing economy India is all set to once again emerge as the fastest-growing economy in the world. A report put out by the United Nations has said that the country's economy is expected to grow at 7.2 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent in 2019.

Titled 'World Economic Situation and Prospects 2018', the report said that the outlook for India remains largely positive, and is supported by robust private consumption and public investment as well as ongoing structural reforms.

“Hence, GDP growth is

projected to accelerate from 6.7 per cent in 2017 to 7.2 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent in 2019.” At this rate of growth, India can definitely beat China in GDP growth as Beijing is likely to stay at a 6.5 per cent growth target in 2018. Not just the United States, even global financial services firm Morgan Stanley said that the India's GDP growth is expected to grow from 6.4 percent to 7.5 per cent in 2018 and further to 7.7 per cent in 2019. It added, “This sets the stage for a fully

fledged recovery in 2018, and we expect real GDP growth to accelerate from 6.4 percent in 2017 to 7.5 per cent in 2018 and further to 7.7 per cent in 2019.”

US-based credit rating agency, Moody's Investors Service also recently said that India's GDP growth will gradually accelerate to around 8 per cent over the next three to four years. It predicted that the economy will grow 7.5 per cent in fiscal year 2017-18 and 7.7 per cent in fiscal year 2018-19.

Management and CBS Techno.

IIT Madras received nine Japanese offers as compared with about three last year.

Meanwhile, Mercari debuted on the Kharagpur campus as Taiwan Semiconductor made four offers. LG opened up profiles in South Korea for the first time, while Japanese tech company Konica Minolta came on second day. Placement sources said students are keen on Asian companies. An official said, “Quite a few offers have come from companies in Japan and Singapore other than the US recruiters.

Despite salaries being lower in rupee terms, students are keen to join since those are good avenues to explore and grow and also have lower cost of living than US.”

Govt vows to protect rights of depositors: Jaitley

India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has stressed that the government remains committed to protect the interest of financial institutions and depositors. Tweeting on the internet, he wrote, “The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017, is pending before the Standing Committee. The objective of the government is to fully protect the interest of the financial institutions and depositors.” He added that the government stands committed to this objective.

Economic Affairs Secretary SC Garg said the FRDI Bill suggests protecting existing rights of the depositors. “There is no dilution thereof. Instead, it enhances present protections in certain ways.

Principal guarantee for PSU Banks' depositors come from government ownership which also remains completely unaffected,” he said. The FRDI remains pending before the standing Committee. The Centre had tabled the FRDI Bill, 2017, in August in the Lok Sabha, seeking to deal with the insolvency of financial service providers.

In a statement released to the press, the Finance Ministry clarified the existing provisions of deposit protection guarantee will be maintained in the new bill.

It is said that the bill provides for the establishment of a resolution corporation with powers relating to the transfer of assets to a healthy financial firm, merger or amalgamation, liquidation to be initiated by an order of the National Company Law Tribunal.

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Bangladesh moves ahead with Rohingya relocation plan DHAKA: Bangladesh is going ahead with a controversial plan to move Rohingya refugees to a low-lying, flood-prone island, with construction of facilities to begin "very soon". Around 100,000 of the one million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh will be moved to Thengar Char, a remote island in the Bay of Bengal by November 2019, according to details of the $278 million plan released by the office of Bangladesh's Minister of Planning Mustafa Kamal.

The island is about 30,000 hectares in size, more than 37 miles from the mainland, officially uninhabited and mostly flooded during heavy rain or monsoon season. The international community praised Bangladesh for taking in the refugees but its plan to move some of them to Thengar Char has

been criticised.

Some 6,26,000 mainly Muslim Rohingyas have arrived in Bangladesh since August, joining an existing Rohingya refugee population of up to 300,000. They say they've fled widespread violence perpetrated by the military in the north of Myanmar's Rakhine state.

The relocation plan was approved by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the day the Amnesty International called

upon the Bangladeshi to abandon the proposal, calling it a "terrible mistake".

"Having opened its doors to more than 600,000 Rohingyas over the past three months, the Bangladesh government now risks undermining the protection of Rohingyas and squandering the international goodwill it has earned," said Amnesty International's South Asia Director Biraj Patnaik.

"In its desperation to see

Rohingyas leave the camps and ultimately return to Myanmar, it is putting their safety and well-being at risk," said Patnaik. In response to complaints, the Bangladesh Navy conducted a study which found that the island could be made habitable with land reclamation and work to protect the the shore line.

The government plans to build nearly 1,500 barrack houses and 120 shelter centres on 60 hectares of land on the island. "Although the land is flooded due to tidal effect of sea, it is very much controllable by land development and shore protection work," Kamal's statement said.

Bangladesh is also building a 3,000-acre refugee camp at Kutapalong, near the border with Myanmar, where most Rohingyas are currently living in makeshift camps.

US citizens told to avoid travelling to Pakistan WASHINGTON: The United States has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Pakistan, saying that foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a threat to them throughout the country. The warning comes in the wake of increasing terrorist violence, including sectarian attacks, in Pakistan. In a travel warning - issued after a gap of seven months - the State Department warned the US citizens against all nonessential travel to the South Asian country.

Pakistan continues to

experience significant terrorist violence, including sectarian attacks, the State Department said, adding that targeted attacks against government officials,

Self-snapping Indonesian monkey named 'Person of the Year'

JAKARTA: An Indonesian monkey who shot to fame after it snapped a grinning selfie, and sparked a landmark US copyright case, was named "Person of the Year" by the animal rights group that took on the simian's cause. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said it was honouring Naruto, a crested black macaque with a goofy-looking grin, to recognise that "he is someone, not something". In 2011, the monkey pressed the shutter button while staring down the lens of a camera set up British nature photographer David Slater on the island of Sulawesi. The photos quickly went viral and PETA launched a lawsuit that claimed the then six-year-old Naruto should be "declared the author and owner of his photograph".

humanitarian and non-governmental organisation (NGO) employees, tribal elders, and law enforcement personnel were common in the country. It said foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a danger to US citizens throughout Pakistan.

Terrorists have targeted US diplomats and diplomatic facilities in the past, and evidence suggests they continue to do so, the travel warning said, adding that terrorists and criminal groups have resorted to kidnapping for ransom.

Sectarian violence, the State Department said, remains a serious threat throughout the country, and the Pakistani government continues to enforce blasphemy laws. Religious minority communities have been victims of targeted killings and accusations of blasphemy, it added. The State Department said insurgent and terrorist groups conducted numerous suicide bombings, hand grenade attacks, and ambushes on Pakistani security forces and civilians over the past six months in Balochistan.

Pak stunned as China stops funding CPEC road projects ISLAMABAD: Following reports of corruption, China has decided to temporarily stop funding at least three major road projects in Pakistan, being built as part of the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a decision that has left officials in Islamabad "stunned", a media report said.

The decision by the Chinese government is likely to hit over Rs 1 trillion-worth road projects of the Pakistan's National Highway Authority (NHA), and initially, may delay at least three such ventures, Dawn newspaper reported.

According to a senior government official, the funds would be released after Beijing issues 'new guidelines'.

The nearly $60 billion CPEC, a flagship project of China's prestigious One Belt One Road, passes through Pakistan -occupied Kashmir (PoK). It links China's restive Xinjiang

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region with Pakistan's Balochistan province. The road projects that are likely to be affected include 210km-long Dera Ismail KhanZhob Road, being built at an estimated cost of Rs 81 billion. Of this, Rs 66 billion would be spent on construction of road while Rs 15 billion on land acquisition.

The other project which is going to be hit is 110km-long Khuzdar-Basima Road, having an estimated cost of Rs 19.76 billion. The third project is Rs 8.5 billion worth, the remaining 136-km of Karakarom Highway (KKH) from Raikot to Thakot.

Originally, all the three projects were part of the Pakistan government's own development programme, but in December 2016, the NHA spokesperson had announced that they would be included under the CPEC umbrella so as to become eligible for concessionary finance from

China.

"The funds for the three road projects were approved in the 6th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting held last year, pending necessary procedural formalities. "It was expected that the funding of the three projects would be finalised during the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held on November 20, but Pakistan was informed in the meeting that 'new guidelines' will be issued from Beijing under which new modus operandi for release of the funds will be described," the official was quoted as saying.

The decision of the Chinese government was conveyed to Pakistan in the JWG meeting and the existing procedure for release of funds had been abolished, he said. Under the previous procedure, the projects were to be approved by six different forums after which the funds were released, the official added.

Hyderabad student shot at in Chicago

HYDERABAD: A post-graduate student from Hyderabad was shot at in a Chicago neighbourhood last week. Mohammad Akbar (30), a computer science student at DeVry University, was shot at and admitted to the Illinois Mason Medical Centre, his family members said, quoting a local newspaper in the US. Akbar’s brother Mohammad Ashraf said, “We are in state of shock. We have not been getting any information on his condition. We only know he was shot at and seriously injured. My father, Mohammed Yousuf, a businessman, has gone into depression. He tried to reach Sushma Swaraj on Twitter on December 7. But we have not received any response so far,” Ashraf said. “He spoke to me two days before the incident. We can’t understand who targeted my brother and why,” Ashraf added.

Indian-origin man sentenced for seeking underage sex

WASHINGTON: An Indian-origin man from Canada was sentenced by a US court in Arizona state to 46 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual encounter with a minor. Dilbagh Singh, 57, was sentenced by District Judge Steven P. Logan after he was arrested in May this year, the US media reported. According to a statement by the US Department of Justice, Singh began an online relationship with one "Laura" in January 2017 thinking that she was a 15-year-old girl. Over the course of four months, Singh told the girl that he wanted to engage in various sex acts with her. In May 2017, Singh travelled from Canada to Flagstaff, Arizona, to meet the girl in person and to have sex with her, according to the statement.

Jadhav's mother, wife to meet him on Dec 25

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has allowed the mother and wife of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav to meet him at a prison on December 25, the Foreign Ministry said. A staff member from the Indian High Commission will also be present at the meeting, Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said. A Pakistani military court has sentenced Jadhav to death on charges of espionage and conducting sabotage activities in Pakistan.

Indian schoolgirl drowns in Australia

ADELAIDE: An Indian schoolgirl who was here to play football at the Pacific School Games drowned off a city beach, police said. The 15-year-old was with four other girls at Holdfast Marina at Glenelg when the incident occurred. Lifesavers were able to rescue the other three but were unable to find the Indian girl. Her body was later recovered from the water. The condition of one of the girls who was rescued was said to be in critical condition. The Indian High Commission was providing support to the group, who were all involved in the sporting event. Pacific School Games organisers confirmed the dead girl was part of the Indian delegation but did not reveal her sport.

US citizen who took bullet to save Indian honoured

HOUSTON: Time magazine has honoured Ian Grillot, the US national who took a bullet for an Indian while trying to intervene during a raciallymotivated shooting in Kansas early this year.

Grillot's name features in the magazine among "5 Heroes Who Gave Us Hope in 2017." Grillot, then 24, was injured when he tried to intervene in the shooting by a Navy veteran targeting Indians at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, in February. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32 , was killed in the shooting that also left his colleague Alok Madasani, critically injured. “I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't do anything," Grillot said in an article posted by Time. The magazine saluted the Kansas man as the "bargoer who stepped into the line of fire."

1,000 schools closed in Pak province

ISLAMABAD: Around 1,000 schools in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were closed down due to low enrolment, reports said. The reports said that the abandoned school buildings, which had cost billions, were constructed by the education department at unfeasible places and in violation of criteria merely on the directives of the then rulers to oblige their voters.

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South Africa rises against Gupta brothers PRETORIA: Julius Malema, the firebrand leader of the radical Economic Freedom Fighters, has alleged that the Gupta brothers- Ajay, Atul and Rajesh – have been using their friendship with President Jacob Zuma to enrich themselves at the cost of the country. There were widespread criticism against the conduct of the Gupta brothers and repeated calls for the resignation of President Zuma. The Guptas hands have been seen in the appointments in big state owned companies.

The Guptas came to South Africa in the 1990s just as the country was emerging from the decades of apartheid. From small beginnings, the brothers built a mighty mining-tomedia empire. The Guptas were seen as masters of a “shadow state” and the symbols of a democracy struggling with racialised economic inequality.

At the heart of the criticism of the brothers is their strong links with politicians, particularly to Zuma, with whom they have close ties even before he became president in 2009 and, more recently, with his son Duduzane. According to a recent report by a group of

Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta

academics for the Public Affairs Research Institute think-tank the collusion between Zuma family and the Guptas has evolved into state capture and the repurposing of state institutions.

There have been allegations that the ministers were being appointed to bring in policies to favour their business, thus undermining ANC's ambitions of a “radical economic transformation” through the empowering of the country’s black majority. Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan was fired this year by Zuma when the Treasury opposed alleged infiltration of stateowned companies. His deputy claimed last year that the Guptas offered him 600m rand ($45m) to take the top job in 2015.The

president and the Guptas deny the allegations against them. The family add that they would welcome a full investigation and that only 8.9 per cent of their group’s revenue comes from state contracts. The political attacks and public protests are taking their toll on the family and their allies, fuelling speculation that the Guptas’ grip on power may be weakening. The controversy is undermining Zuma’s plans to exit the political stage on his own terms when his mandate ends in 2019. A leak this year of some 200,000 emails from a Gupta company exposed the family’s alleged influence in more detail than ever before. The family denies the emails are authentic. But the British PR

firm Bell Pottinger deemed them real enough to make an “unequivocal” apology over work it did for the Guptas, after a probe sparked by evidence in the emails.Scrutiny of the Guptas’ international financial dealings is also increasing.

The Centre for Investigative Journalism says that cash from state contracts has been washed offshore in Dubai, a claim that the Guptas have denied.

Last year South Africa’s biggest banks closed Gupta company accounts. “No one’s going to clear a cent of Gupta money,” says a senior banker in Johannesburg.

Such public examination is highly uncomfortable for a family that guards its privacy behind the walls of its four-mansion compound in Johannesburg. “We come from families that do not show or expose our business to others,” Atul Gupta said in 2011. That said a starstudded wedding for their niece in 2013 showcased their taste for bling and their apparent desire for recognition in their homeland. Guests were flown in from India on to a South African government air base, again enraging taxpayers.

Lanka hands over Hambantota port to China COLOMBO: While the opposition and the trade unions have dubbed the deal as a “sell-out,” Sri Lanka last week formally handed over the strategic southern port of Hambantota to China on a 99-year lease. The opposition also questioned the government's move to grant large tax concessions to Chinese firms. The Sri Lankan government had signed a $1.1 billion deal in July to sell a 70 per cent stake in the Hambantota port to China. Sri Lanka received $300 million as the initial payment under the 99-year lease agreement.

Two Chinese firms Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and

3 NFF leaders join Sirisena's party COLOMBO: Three National Freedom Front (NFF) leaders, Weerakumara Dissanayake, former organiser of the NFF Piyasiri Wijenayake and NorthCentral Provincial Councillor P B Kumara have joined SLFP, President Maithripala Sirisena's party.

Before joining the party, the three leaders met President Sirisena.

The three pledged their support to the President and the political strategy adopted by him. They also declared that they would represent the SLFP at the upcoming Local Government elections.

H a m b a n t o t a International Port Services (HIPS) - managed by the China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort) and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own the port and the investment zone around it, officials said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during a visit to China in April had agreed to swap equity in Chinese infrastructure projects launched by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa in his home district. Sri Lanka owed China $8 billion, then Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake had said.

“With this agreement we have started to pay back the loans. Hambantota will be converted to a major port in the Indian Ocean,” Wickremesinghe said while addressing the handing over ceremony held in parliament. “There will be an economic zone and indus-

trialisation in the area which will lead to economic development and promote tourism,” the Prime Minister said.

The port, overlooking the Indian Ocean, is expected to play a key role in China’s Belt and Road initiative, which will link ports and roads between China and Europe. In order to allay India’s security concerns over the Chinese navy’s presence in Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe had earlier ruled out the possibility of the port being used as a “military base” by any foreign country.

Mugabe aide's bail hearing postponed

HARARE: A Zimbabwean court has once again postponed the bail hearing of former finance minister Ignatius Chombo, who is facing charges of corruption dating back two decades.

Chombo, who did not appear at the court, was detained after the military seized power in "Operation Restore Legacy" in midNovember, which it said was meant to remove "criminals" around former President Robert Mugabe.

The High Court had been due to sit to hear Chombo's appeal against a lower court ruling last week denying him bail pending his trial on Dec. 8, but the state prosecutor said he

Ignatius Chombo

needed time to prepare his case. This is the second time the court has postponed the hearing after an initial sitting was delayed for the same reasons. His lawyer says Chombo will deny the allegations at his trial.

Chombo was among

members of the G40 political faction allied to 93-yearold Mugabe and his wife, Grace, who were also expelled from the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Ousted ZANU-PF Youth League leader Kudzanai Chipanga's bail hearing was also postponed. Chipanga is facing charges of making statements undermining public confidence in the military which helped end Mugabe's 37-year rule.

Some supporters of new President Emmerson Mnangagwa have called for unspecified action against G40 but the president has urged citizens not to undertake any form of "vengeful retribution".

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Khaleda Zia gets bail in corruption cases

DHAKA: A Dhaka court has granted bail to former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in connection with two corruption cases. According to the Dhaka Tribune, Judge Md Akhteruzzaman of Dhaka passed the order when the BNP chief appeared before it and sought bail in the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases. Last week, the court had issued an arrest warrant against Khaleeda after she had failed to appear before it in the corruption cases. The Anti-corruption Commission filed the Zia Charitable graft Trust case with Tejgaon police station on August 8, 2011, accusing Khaleda, her son Tarique Rahman and four others of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources through abuse of power.

Missing Bangla Catholic priest found safe

DHAKA: A Catholic priest whose disappearance in Bangladesh days before a visit by Pope Francis raised fears among minority Christians has been found safe and well, police said. Walter William Rosario, a 40-year-old priest and school headmaster, went missing from a village in northern Bangladesh where suspected Islamist extremists last year hacked a Catholic grocer to death. His disappearance followed a rise in Islamist extremism in the Muslim-majority country, where at least three Christians, including two converts from Islam, have been hacked to death in recent years. Police said Rosario had been found in the city of Sylhet, adding the disappearance was likely for personal reasons.

East German village auctioned for just £100,000

ALWINE (GERMANY): An entire village of Alwine, 150 km from Berlin in Germany, has been bought by an anonymous bidder when it was auctioned for $165,000. The auction house named Karhausen had set the minimum bid at USD 147,000 for the 16,000 square meter village. The buyer who was the only bidder during the auction now owns six homes and countless barns and outhouses. The village has no shops or any public services. The population is very sparse, only 20 people reside in the village. The population has reduced to this number since the closure of fuel plant.” Many interested parties made inquiries, including from abroad,” said Matthias Knake, a Karhausen spokesperson, according to Deutsche Welle. “The winner wants to do something good with this purchase - for the welfare of the people who live there,” Knake said.

Saudi Arabia to allow movie theatres after decades of ban

RIYADH: Conservative Saudi Arabia will allow the opening of movie theatres in the country after a gap of 35 years. It's the latest move as part of the young crown prince's efforts to socially reform the country. The kingdom says a resolution was passed paving way for licenses to be granted to commercial movie theatres. Movie theatres were shut down in the 1980's during a wave of ultra conservatism in the country.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pushed for greater social openings, including lifting a ban on women driving vehicles and bringing back concerts and other forms of entertainment to satiate the desires of the country's majority young population. The government says the first cinemas are expected to open in March 2018.

Australia to hold same-sex marriages from January 2018

CANBERRA: The Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove signed the law to legalise same-sex marriages, which are now allowed to take place from January 9, 2018, onwards. Following Parliament's approval of the legislation, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Attorney General George Brandis presented the law before the representative of Queen Elizabeth II in Australia to complete the process of approval. The bill to modify the Marriage Act of 1961, which was amended in 2004 to specify that marriage is exclusive between a woman and a man, was approved by the lower house last week , one week after the Senate did so. From midnight onwards, the law will recognise same-sex marriages that took place abroad, while couples who marry in the country under the law must notify their intentions one month in advance.

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Christine Keeler of Profumo affair passes away at 75 LONDON: Christine Keeler, who was involved in a political scandal known as Profumo affair in early 1960s, which played a role in the downfall of the Conservative government, died in Farnborough, England.

She was 75. Her son Seymour Platt who announced her death said she had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“My mother, Christine Keeler, fought many fights in her eventful life,” Platt wrote, “some fights she lost but some she won.”

Keeler was the “party girl” who had an affair with John Profumo, a star in the Conservative government of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. The secretary of state for war at the time, Profumo had met Keeler at a party in 1961, when she was still a teenager and he was in his mid-40s.

Christine Keeler

A startling series of events eventually brought Profumo’s involvement with her to light, but not before he had tried to save his career. In March 1963, he went before the House of Commons to try to quell rumours about a sexual relationship.

“There was no impropriety in my acquaintanceship with Miss Keeler,” he said. Keeler had had multiple lovers, among them

23

Cmdr. Eugene Ivanov, an attaché in the Soviet Embassy in London, and when that relationship came to light, government figures and MI5, the domestic intelligence agency, feared that her affair with Profumo might have created a grave security breach.

Profumo died in 2006, having rarely spoken about the matter again.

Keeler, though, had a lot to say about the scandal over the years, including in “Secrets and Lies,” a memoir written with Douglas Thompson and published in 2012. “I enjoyed sex and I indulged in it when I fancied the men,” she wrote.

Keeler was born on Feb. 22, 1942, outside London in Uxbridge. She left home at 16 and was dancing in a topless club in London when she met Stephen Ward, an

osteopath who moved in fashionable circles. “In reality,” she wrote in the book, “Stephen Ward was a spymaster who befriended hosts of prominent and powerful people in the British government, aristocracy and even members of the royal family.” He introduced Keeler to Profumo in July 1961. She had been swimming nude, “with Profumo watching approvingly,” Keeler’s book said. As part of the fallout from the events, Keeler served six months in prison for perjury and obstruction of justice stemming from false statements she had made about another lover, Aloysius Gordon. Ms. Keeler was briefly married to James Levermore in the 1960s and to Anthony Platt in the 1970s. In addition to her son Seymour, her survivors include a granddaughter.

Saudi prince is the mystery buyer of the $450 mn Da Vinci ABU DHABI: The New York Times reported that Saudi Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud is the secret buyer of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi,” which was sold last month at a Christie’s auction for $450 million, the highest ever paid for a work of art. Though the Christie’s declined to name the buyer, New York Times revealed that the Saudi Prince is the buyer, citing documents it reviewed.

Ever since the sale, the identity of the buyer has been the most sought-after secret in the art world and beyond. Buyers from the Middle East and Asia have been snapping up masterpieces to fill regional museums - and pushing prices ever higher. The Louvre Abu Dhabi - a franchise of the Paris original - is a symbol of the oil-rich sheikhdom’s drive to boost its “soft power” credentials.

To differentiate itself from neighbouring Dubai, Abu Dhabi is targeting affluent

Salvator Mundi

tourists looking for culture and art and it has also built hotels, theme parks and malls.

The organisation behind the museum became one of the most aggressive buyers on the global art market over the last decade. It opened last month with more than 600 artworks for its permanent collection, including such Old Master paintings as Giovanni Bellini’s “Madonna and Child.” Da Vinci’s “La Belle Ferronnière” is on loan there from the Louvre in Paris.

Indian-American couple gifts Misconduct charge against Trump should be heard: Nikki Haley Kennedy Centre $1 mn fund WASHINGTON: An Indian-American couple has gifted $1 million to the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts to create a fund for producing and presenting Indian programming through 2025.

The gift from entrepreneur Ranvir Trehan, a leading Indian-American patron of the arts, his wife Adarsh and their Trehan Foundation would provide seed money for the fund.

"Our idea," said Trehan, a member of the Kennedy Centre's Board of Trustees, "is that there is reinforced programming - that there is more of it, both wellknown artists as well as experimental forms, fusion forms. Now I see in India, there is also comedy in the English language that is coming up and so, maybe there is something to tap up."

The seed money, he hoped, would inspire others' gifts, particularly from his Indian-American col-

leagues on the board. "The India Fund will exclusively be used to create and present performing arts, artistic exhibits and/or festivals showcasing the history, traditions, literature, music, dance and/or culture of India," said the Kennedy Centre.

"The intent of the India Fund is to be 'country focused' on India and the programming is intended to utilise established and/or emerging artists, singers, musicians or other performers or performance creators who are either citizens of India or whose ancestry is from India," he said.

"Contemporary and experimental art that may appeal to wider audiences is to be included," said Trehan. "While we will be offering consultation to the Kennedy Centre as requested, the programming decision will be theirs."

Noting that Indian arts are at a "very interesting phase", India's Ambassador

to the US Navtej Sarna called the Trehans' initiative "the encouragement that we need". "We have multiple streams, and particularly for a country like the United States, there is no dearth of groups either travelling here or being sent here," he said about the expected collaborations with the centre.

"I believe that in a diverse country as ours, it's important for people to be exposed to these cultures because aside from goodwill it helps to break the walls of prejudice," said Adarsh Trehan. Alicia Adams, vice president for international programming, who had coordinated and choreographed The Maximum India festival, said the gift will help bring back some of the artists featured in that festival.

Drawing some 400,000 people, the three-week festival was a Kennedy Centre record for a country-specific cultural festival.

Bangladeshi man explodes in New York NEW YORK: A Bangladeshi man inspired by the Islamic State group set off a crude bomb strapped to his body in a crowded subway near Times Square, injuring himself, slightly wounding three others and sending New York commuters fleeing in terror.

The cameras show the man walking casually through the crowded passage when the bomb went off amid a plume of smoke. When the smoke

was cleared the man was seen sprawled on the ground. Investigators said it was not clear if he set the bomb off intentionally or prematurely.

The suspect, who was identified as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, was being treated at a hospital for burns. The others suffer only minor injuries. Law enforcement officials said Ullah was inspired by the Islamic State group but had apparently not had any direct contact with

the group and probably acted alone. The officials said the suspect who lives in Brooklyn came to the US from Bangladesh about seven years ago. A person told police that Ullah who came to the US on an F-4 visa himself made the bomb in his apartment. Investigators were searching his apartment, interviewing witnesses and relatives and looking for surveillance footage that may show his movements.

WASHINGTON: In a surprising break from the administration's stand, Nikki R Haley, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said that women who have accused President Trump of sexual misconduct “should be heard.” The administration has been dismissing the allegations as false. Haley, a former governor and one of the highest-ranking women in Trump’s administration, refocused attention on the allegations against the president by insisting that his accusers should be treated no differently than the scores of women who have come forward in recent weeks with stories of sexual harassment and misconduct against other men.

“They should be heard and dealt with,” Haley said. “And I think we heard from them prior to the election. And I think any woman who has felt violat-

Nikki Haley

ed or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up.”

Her remarks are the latest indication that the president’s behaviour toward women - more than a dozen have accused him of unwanted touching, forcible kissing or groping may not escape renewed scrutiny at a time when an array of powerful men have had their careers derailed because of their improper treatment of women, some

of which took place decades ago.

The #MeToo movement has engulfed prominent members of both political parties. Democrats have appeared determined to grab the moral and political high ground, largely forcing their accused party members to resign. Republicans have been more divided: Even as some accused members have stepped down, the party has largely stood by Trump. And it remains bitterly split over how to respond to the case of Roy S Moore, the Republican Senate candidate in Alabama who has been accused of molesting an underage girl and attempting to date other teenagers when he was in his 30s. Some of the women who first accused Trump during the campaign last year have expressed a renewed desire to press their case.

Fathers spend more time with kids in Finland FINLAND: One would mostly associate a mother as being the one who spends more time with the children and has a bigger hand in nurturing and raising them. However, Finland has become the first country where fathers do most of the childcare.

Finland has officially become the first country in the developed world where fathers spend more time than mothers with their school-age kids.

While mothers in Finland get about 4 months of paid leave after the birth of a child, fathers

are offered 9 weeks. After this period, one parent can receive €450 monthly while staying at home with the child. It is also said that a mother or father can take six months leave for each child, however, according to the Finnish government, only 20% of fathers are using their paternal leave allowance. Hence, the government runs a campaign to encourage more fathers to use their paternal leave allowance.

The minister responsible for gender equality, Annika Saarikko said,

“Parents and employers do not always fully recognise that the six-month parental leave can be used by fathers. Yet, every employer has the obligation to promote equality persistently and systematically. It is time to show the future generations that daddies do take care of their children and are willing and able to do this.”

In this year's Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, Finland was ranked as the 3rd most gender-equal country in the world.

24

INDIA

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

HC reserves order on SasikalaDhinakaran plea for 'Hat' symbol NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has reserved its order on an interim plea by VK Sasikala-TTV Dhinakaran group of AIADMK for using the 'hat' symbol in the upcoming RK Nagar constituency bypoll. Justice Indermeet Kaur heard arguments on their behalf, and the poll panel and faction of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami (EPS) and O Panneerselvam (OPS) and said that it would pass an order soon. A notice was also issued to the Election Commission of India, with OPS and EPS seeking their replies to Sasikala and Dhinakaran's please challenging the poll panel's November 23 order allotting the 'two-leaves' symbol to the coalition.

The court has sought response from Madhusdhanan, AIADMK candidate for RK Nagar bypoll, and MLA Semmalai, respondents in the pleas by Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

The court said main petition will be heard on February 12. EPS, OPS, and others opposed granting of 'hat' symbol to SasikalaDhinakaran group by the court. They said only the Returning Officer (RO) has the power to do so. They stated that if the symbol is not granted to them, then some other free symbol would be granted by the RO. The court, however, appeared to disagree, saying if the 'hat' symbol was not granted to the group, then the other side may “win by default”.

“Elections have to be free and fair.

You (Panneerselvam and Palaniswami) should not get a vote by default.”

The symbol was given to the group by the EC in March this year, when it had frozen the use of the 'two leaves' symbol to which the group led by Palaniswami and Panneerselvam had also laid claim. They had at that time, been granted the

electric pole symbol.

In their plea, Sasikala and Dhinakaran have sought directions in their plea to initiate appropriate proceedings against Madhusudhanan, EPS, OPS, and Semmalai for their acts. They have also sought calling of records and files relating to the dispute over the symbol.

The pleas alleged, “The decision-making process of the ECI is contrary to the settled legal principles.

The EC has treated fabricated and untested material as genuine which has resulted in the hearing being unfair and consequently contrary to the principle of natural justice and therefore the proceedings and the order are void.”

RK Nagar – new battleground for DMK, AIADMK factions CHENNAI: Kick-starting campaign for E Madhusudhanan, AIADMK co-ordinator and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and party's co-ordinator and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami accompanied the candidate in a vehicle through the streets of the constituency. Ministers SP Velumani, K Pandiarajan, and senior party functionaries were also part of the procession. EPS said, “We heard this area is quite lucky and hence we com-

menced the campaign here.

I call upon all of you to cast your votes for the AIADMK's symbol and help our candidate win by a huge margin.”

OPS appealed to the voters to cast their votes in support of their candidate who has the blessings of their party leaders and former chief ministers MGR and Jayalalithaa. The Election Commission announced the dates of the much-awaited RK Nagar by-polls. Scheduled to be held on December 21, the

SIT interrogates Ram Rahim

ROHTAK: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) entrusted to probe the Rohtak riots that took place on August 25 in Panchkula and Sirsa following the arrest of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, questioned the Dera Sacha Sauda chief last week.

A report said the team went to the high-security prison where Gurmeet is placed, with 275 questions to interrogate him. Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police, Manbir Singh confirmed the report saying, “The SIT questioned the Dera head inside Sunaria jail.” All hell broke lose in parts of Haryana when the self-acclaimed godman was convicted of sexual harassment amongst other charges.

The DCP was also present during the interrogation. He said Gurmeet was questioned in connection with the incidents of violence, refraining to divulge into more details. The guru was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his female disciples. The SIT also filed a charge sheet against his adopted daughter Honeypreet Insan and 14 others, on November 28, in connection with the violence. The riots left 41

Gurmeet Ram Rahim

people dead and several injured. Honeypreet and 11 others were charged with sedition and criminal conspiracy, along with being booked for various other offences under the Indian Penal Code.

Haryana police said as many as 173 FIRs with almost 1,000 Dera followers accused of attacking security forces and damaging public properties.

In a surprising turn of events, one of Rahim's gunmen has turned witness for the police, against Honeypreet and others.

Witness Number 20, Vikas Kumar has quoted in his statement that he had seen Honeypreet, dera chief spokesperson Aditya Insan and others at the dera headquarters on the night of August 17, conspiring to instigate violence in Panchkula.

seat has been vacant for over a year now after the demise of Jaya. Delays were caused by political infighting within the AIADMKL and allegations of cash-forvote. The EC had recently informed that they had removed over 45,000 fake voters from the constituency and got a go ahead from the Madras High Court to conduct the elections before December 31.

TTV Dhinakaran of Sasikala faction has declared to contest from RK Nagar for AIADMK

(Amma). “I will go to the Supreme Court and reclaim the symbol and if not possible then will contest with the hat symbol as suggested earlier. I am sure the people will vote for me,” he said. Meanwhile, opposition DMK said, “There is no government in place. The ones in power are only bothered about their interest. The people are desperate for a change and it is about time, you will see the effect of the bad governance in the upcoming bypolls.”

Punjab CM welcomes Sadiq Khan's Jallianwala Bagh comment AMRITSAR: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has welcomed L o n d o n Mayor Sadiq Khan's statement on the J a l l i a n w a l a Sadiq Khan meeting Amarinder Singh Jallianwala Bagh. The Bagh massacre. Khan had tragedy in 1919 on stated that the British govBaisakhi is one we must ernment should apologise never forget. It is time for for the shooting that left the British government to hundreds dead. On his finally apologise. Our maiden trip to Amritsar, he thoughts are with all those had paid tributes to those who died.” Hundreds of who died in the ground.

Indians, men, women, and Reacting to Khan's children, were shot dead remarks, Singh tweeted,

by British troops led by “I'm sure that such an act Brigadier General Reginald would, to some extent, Dyer on April 13, 1919. assuage the wounds of Given the closed walls Indians who suffered the of the premises, the victurmoil of the struggle for tims had no place to independence.” escape as the only narrow Speaking to the media, entrance was blocked by Khan had said, “The troops.

Colonial-era British government should records put the death toll apologise for the at around 400, while leadJallianwala Bagh shooters of the country's freeings. Some people use the dom movement said over word 'massacre'. It was 1,000 were killed. incredibly moving to visit

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Bengal most unsafe for women, shows latest crime records data NEW DELHI: Over 8,000 cases of human trafficking were reported in India in 2016, with 23,000 victims, including 182 foreigners rescued in the year, as per data from the National Crime Records Bureau. A total of 8,132 cases were reported from across the country last year, as compared to 6,877 cases of 2015. As per the latest NCRB statistics on crime released for last year, of 58 per cent of the total 15,379 victims in these cases were below the age of 18.

The list in reported cases of human trafficking was topped by West Bengal at 579, accounting for 44 per cent of the total cases in India. The state had reported 1,255 similar cases in 2015, ranking only second to Assam. The NorthEastern state, meanwhile, only reported 91 cases of

human trafficking in 2016, a drastic reduction since 2015 when it ranked first with 1,494 incidents.

Rajasthan is second on the current list with 1,422 cases, followed by Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Rajasthan had reported 131 cases of human trafficking, while Gujarat had registered 47. Delhi on number 14 in the list with 66 cases, down from 87 in 2015. As per the rate of crime, West Bengal retained first position, and was closely followed by union territories Daman and Diu, and Goa. A total of 23,117 human trafficking victims were rescued last year, with the police saving 63 people a day on average. Thirty three of the foreigners rescued were identified as Bangladeshi, and 73 from countries like Thailand and Uzbekistan.

Yogi Adityanath to lead BJP's Bengal campaign?

KOLKATA: BJP in West Bengal may be seen trying a Hindu polarisation stance to counter Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's “minority appeasement” politics. If this is the case, with 43.92 per cent Muslim population, Uluberia will be a testing ground for the party as it intends to make Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as its chief campaigner.

Even with BJP state president Dilip Ghosh ruling out the possibility, there is a section of the party leadership that has its hopes tied to Yogi.

A party leader said, “We want him to campaign for our party candidate in Uluberia. Now it is up to the BJP central leadership to give Yogiji one assignment in Bengal.” The move can be of much more importance if the BJP vote curve suffers a blow in Gujarat. The national ruling party is, however, optimistic. Party General Secretary Sayantan Basu said, “I am confident BJP will win the Gujarat polls.

Saying so, I would like to

Yogi Adityanath

add BJP's winning Gujarat will not determine the party's winning the Bengal polls. Neither will any dent in the party's performance in Gujarat affect its prospects in Bengal.”

When asked if Yogi's campaigning in a Lok Sabha constituency where communal tensions could erupt, he said, “There have been a lot of communal clashes, disturbances in Uluberia so far leading to polarisation of voters.

Yogiji doesn't have to come to polarise voters.”

With the BJP ruling in neighbouring Assam, the party has been able to make dents in several places in north Bengal from Alipurduar to Malda.

Cop suspended for dancing inside police station

KOLKATA: A policeman in West Bengal has been pulled off duty by his bosses for dancing to Bollywood music opposite to a lock-up at the police station. The officer who shot the “fun” on video and posted it online, was also suspended.

Sub Inspector Krishna Sadhan Mondal let his hair down, dancing to the tune, as women officers clapped and cheered in the background. The minute-long video went viral on the internet.

Mondal, who worked at

the Hirapur police station, Asansol, was on duty when the video was shot. It is reported that he was celebrating his transfer to the Chittaranjan police station.

A departmental inquiry against him was initiated after the video went viral.

Commissioner of AsansolDurgapur Police Commiserate, Laxmi Narayan Meena said, “The police officer concerned has been closed and departmental inquiry has been ordered on the entire event.”

HERITAGE HISTORY

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Dr. Hari Desai

Maharaja Hanwant’s Filmy Life and Death Heir-apparent of Jaisalmer saved from getting trapped by Jinnah 29- year old Ruler of Jodhpur died in a plane-crash with Zubeida

no idea whether his father is alive or dead. “He went to Pakistan years ago. The last time I heard from him was when I was ten and he The Maharajkumar, heir-apparent of Jaisalmer, mailed me Rs.10.” was asked by Jinnah whether he would prefer to In February 2017, join Pakistan like Jodhpur, Jaisalmer replied that ‘Slumdog Millionaire’his State would join Pakistan fame Khalid wrote a piece: pistol and threatened V. P. “36 years later : Murder of he Maharaja of Menon, Sardar Patel’s Prince Hukum Singh Jodhpur, Hanwant emissary, during negotiaremains a mystery”.

Singh(1923-1952), tions to merge and inteKhalid, who served as the was about to give consent grate with India at the resNational Cultural Editor of to sign the Instrument of idence of the Governor Hindustan Times, writes: “ Accession to Pakistan General, Lord As many as 36 years later, Union in 1948 and would Mountbatten. He not only the murder of Raja Rao have been the villain for all preferred to accede his Hukum Singh of Jodhpur, Indians, but he was not to State to Indian Union but remains unsolved despite be. Jodhpur was the largest also claimed the legal ownperiodic efforts to re-open border State with Hindu ership of Umarkot Fort the case. His immediate majority, among the 21 which has gone to surviving family, son Rajputana States, having Pakistan.

Parikshit and daughter 36,071 square miles of Even when some of the Jayanandini, have given area. Mohammad Ali native rulers were keen to up. His wife, Rajeshwari, Jinnah, the creator of contest the merger of their passed away in the interPakistan, gave Hanwant “ a States and integration of im. They had appealed to tempting offer” but one Maharaja Hanwant Singh and Maharani Krishna Kumari of Dhrangadhra their respective States to the Supreme Court to comment from the Khalid Mohamed, from her general elections held in trained pilot but his plane India, young Hanwant move the Rajasthan police Maharajkumar of first marriage. Khalid has 1952, whereby he had put crashed.He along with Singh thought otherwise to detect what exactly Jaisalmer, who accompabeen a celebrated film critthe Congress and its stalZubeida died on the spot. during the first elections happened to Hukum nied him to Jinnah, made ic since last some decades warts to rout in the Unfortunately, most of the in 1952. He got his supSingh, also known as Tutu the son-in-law of and a journalist turned Jodhpur region.” official records carried the porters contest the elecBana, on the night of April Dhrangadhra Royal family film director. He was a The Maharaja had first name and description of tions. Out of 35 candidates, 17, 1981.The appeal was in of Saurashtra change his Lead Editor of Filmfare married Princess Krishna the Maharaja and avoided 31 were elected. Even the vain. Why am I writing this mind. magazine of Mumbai. mentioning the death of Premier and the story now? Because he was The Maharajkumar, A Polo player Zubeida! Needless to say Congress stalwart, Jay my brother, step-brother if heir-apparent of Jaisalmer, Hanwant Singh’s life that the 29- year old Narayan Vyas, lost his you insist on precision… was asked by Jinnah was also playful and Maharaja was madly in her deposit.

Hanwant .Hukum Singh, the son of whether he would prefer to filmy, full of ups and love.

Singh was also Hanwant Singh and join Pakistan like Jodhpur, downs in his affairs, In 2001, Shyam declared elected to Zubeida, was raised by Jaisalmer replied that his but the Maharani Benegal directed the film Assembly and Lok Krishna Devi, following State would join Pakistan Krishna Kumari (pre“Zubeidaa” scripted by Sabha but after his the deaths of the Maharaja only on condition that if sent Rajmata) has Zubeida’s son, Khalid tragic death in a plane and Zubeida in a private there were trouble between always maintained Mohmed. The film, as a crash! airplain crash. Tutu grew Hindus and Muslims in his grace. The Rajmata love story of Maharaja “The young up pampered, but also hotState, he(Jinnah) would was also elected to Hanwant Singh( Manoj Maharaja had gone out tempered and restless, freremain strictly neutral.

Lok Sabha in 1971.

Bajpayee) and Zubeidaa( flying in his plane to quently demanding This unexpected comHer son and the preKarishma Kapoor), was relax after the hard money, jewellery and vast ment made Hanwant sent “Maharaja”, Gaj presented as purely a election campaign, amounts of property, Singh cautious about the Singh II, was also a work of fiction, did and had crashed and which he insisted possible problems. The Member of Rajya not do well on been killed.” The poswere due to Maharaja did not want to Next Column: Sabha (MP). box-office but sibility of sabotage was him.” Khalid make a hasty decision, The Rajmata has it was an expressed. The people notes further: and wanted to escape Atal Bihari taken care of her stepautobioof Jodhpur were so from the situation sugVajpayee, a Poet “Towards the son, Rao Raja Hukum graphical furious with the last stretch of gesting he would consult film.

Rekha and a Statesman his life, Tutu Premier, Jay Narayan ‘Maharani’ Zubeida Begum nee Vidya Rani Singh( Tutu Bana) and his mother, the Dowager his family too. Hukum performed the Vyas, that he was able would meet me Maharani, and the Sardars Singh, a son of Maharaja Kumari of Dhrangadhra role of the graceful to escape ignominiously frequently, and (the feudal lords) at and Zubeida, was murState. Later he married one Rajmata. through the zenana(femal laugh, ‘Brother, this may Jodhpur. “So I thanked Mr. dered 36 years back by English nurse, Sundara “My mother passed apartments) and in a purbe the last time you may Jinnah for his offer and unknown persons leaving Devi (Sandra MacBride) away when I was 2 or 3. She dah (veil)car from Umaid be seeing me. Do me a said we would think about his wife, Rajeshwari and got separated soon. In is just a faint memory. I Bhawan Palace. favour, if I go, look after it and then return. As Kumari of Alwar and two 1950, he “married” a grew up on her portraits L.S. Rathore opines in my children.’ A fortnight soon as I said this, Jinnah children, Parikshit and Muslim film actress, and my grandmother “Life and Times of after he said that, he was pulled away rather Jayanandini. The Rajmata Zubeida, whose name was (mother’s mother) talking Maharaja Hanwant Singh”: gone.” brusquely the blank paper got both her step-grandchanged to Vidya Rani about her. My grandmoth“The Maharaja’s demo(The writer is a with his signature that I children married as her after conversion to er never let me feel the loss cratic spirit and the qualiSocio-political Historian. held in my fingers.” own grandchildren.

Hinduism. She was a of a mother but I did not ties of leadership were best E-mail: The Maharaja had even Hanwant Singh was a divorcee and had a son, have a father.” Khalid has displayed during the first haridesai@gmail.com) dramatically pulled out a

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Mallya says fraud case against him politically motivated Trial against fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, to prove a prima facie case of fraud resumed in London on Monday.

The former Kingfisher Airlines owner is expected at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London for the fourth day of the hearing as his defence, led by barrister Clare Montgomery, is set to depose two further witnesses in its attempt to prove the alleged default of £900 million was a result of business failure rather than “dishonest” and fraudulent activity by the 'King of Good Times'.

In a double whammy, Mallya also faces parallel litigation in the Queen's Bench Division of the commercial court in England's High Court of Justice brought by a group of Indian banks to freeze his assets. A consortium of banks like the Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO

Vijay Mallya

Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co Pvt Ltd, led by the State Bank of India, are registered applicants of the claim. Mallya's lawyers have been granted an extension to respond to the case due to the severity of his ongoing extradition trial which is expected to conclude on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Margaret Sweeney from Force IndiaMallya's Formula 1 racing team, and legal expert Martin Lau were deposed by Montgomery and team at the extradition hearing. Lau was asked his views on the way the allegations of fraud against the Kingfisher chief

have been dealt with by the media. An expert on South Asian law, he said, “There is an increasing concern in India about media trials, which is connected with a change in the landscape in India where TV channels use panel discussions and such like... there is an emergence of powerful TV commentators.” Referring to the Delhi High Court's setting up of a committee to look into “trial by media”, he said adverse media coverage might affect aspects of a trial and provide the police an incentive to achieve “overnight fame”.

“It is evident from the TV cameras outside this court

that there is intense interest in India in this case.”

Arguing on behalf of the Indian government, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) asserted that India has a “free and animated press” that was understandably interested in this case, which involves “substantial state funds” going missing. Barrister Mark Summers pointed out that Mallya would have recourse to legal remedies in the country if he felt his prospects of a fair trial were endangered. He challenged the legal expert to agree that there was “increased awareness” about the impact media coverage of a case could have on a trial and that the courts of India were “conscious” of the issue.

Lau, however, insisted that any such steps were “insufficiently robust” on being able to clampdown on the problem, claiming that many of the media reports around the Mallya case in India would not have been allowed in the UK or any other jurisdiction.

Man hacks labourer to death, burns him

A man in Rajasthan's Rajsamand hacks a labourer to death and burns the body while keeping up an inflammatory communal rant against "love jihad."

Internet has been suspended in Rajsamand around five hours - to stop the circulation of two video clips posted on WhatsApp by the killer, identified as Shambhu Lal. Shambhu Lal has been arrested and his 14-year-

old nephew, who allegedly filmed the videos, has also been held. The killer's 11year-old daughter is seen in one of the videos. "It is a merciless killing. A normal person wouldn't do this," said senior police officer OP Galhotra. The police found the half-burnt body of the victim - 45-year-old Mohammad Afrazul, a daily wager from West Bengal. The father of three had been working in

Rajasthan for 20 years.

In one of two clips posted online, Shambhu Lal, in a red shirt, white trousers and a white muffler, is seen leading Afrazul to a spot in the woods. The police say Shambhu had claimed to Afrazul that he needed directions.

Shambhu Lal follows him and attacks him repeatedly with a pickaxe. Loud wailing and screams for help are heard as the video

BJP to roar back to power Continued from page1 All of this, while the Muslim community gets pushed into oblivion.

According to the final data released by the poll panel, tribal- dominated Narmada district witnessed the highest turnout at 79.15 per cent while DevbhumiDwarka seat in the Saurashtra region saw the lowest turnout at 59.39 per cent. While 12 districts recorded a voter turnout of less than 70 per cent, seven registered the polling percentage of 70 per cent, it said. Narmada district comprises Dediapada and Nandod constituencies both reserved seats currently held by the BJP. BJP MLA Motilal Vasava is fighting against Mahesh Vasava, son of rebel JD(U) leader Chhotubhai Vasava in crucial tribal-dominated Dediapada seat. Vasava is contesting as the candidate

of the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), floated by his father ahead of elections. In Dwarka constituency, the main fight is between the BJP and the Congress.

Prominent candidates in the first-phase poll battle included Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil and Paresh Dhanani.

Despite greater hype, the voter turnout in Patidar- dominated constituencies recorded a dip as compared to 2012. In the 22 constituencies in Saurashtra and South Gujarat, which have over 25% Patidar voters, voting was an average of 64.22% which was 69.69% in 2012 a drop of 5.47% in these 22 constituencies. According to the data released by the CEO, Gujarat, five constituencies like Gondal, Jamjodhopur, Lathi, Karanj and Dhoraji registered a drop ranging from 8.4% to

nearly 12%. Gondal which has around 50% Patidar population registered a drop of 11.81%.

In these 22 constituencies, the only constituency with 28.23% Patidar population, Rajkot West, has registered an increase in the voting. The high-profile constituency where chief minister Vijay Rupani is contesting saw an increase of about 4% in voting. Of the five constituencies where leaders of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti are contesting from Congress, three constituencies including Dhoraji, Varachha Road and Kamrej went for elections on Saturday.

Interestingly, the voting in all the three constituencies recorded a dip. The second and final phase of elections for remaining 93 seats will be held on Thursday, December 14. Counting of votes will be held on December 18.

becomes increasingly difficult to watch. When the victim falls silent, Shambhu Lal looks into the camera and launches into a deranged hate speech, declaring that he killed to save a woman from "love jihad". He takes the blood-soaked axe and strikes at the prone figure once more before setting it on fire.

"If I have to die, I will kill some and die," he says.

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Left parties poised to form govt in Nepal KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Communist parties are headed for a landslide win in elections seen as a turning point after two decades of conflict, political instability and disaster that have crippled the Himalayan country. The elections for national and provincial parliaments capped Nepal’s 11-year transition from monarchy to federal democracy after a brutal civil war. Many hope they will usher in a much-needed period of stability in the impoverished country, which has seen 10 prime ministers since 2006.

An alliance of the main Communist party and the country’s former Maoist rebels is expected to form the next government, ousting the ruling centrist Nepali Congress. “If Nepali Congress had done good work, it would not have been wiped out like this from the country. The people are giving these parties a chance but if they do nothing for the country, they will also be wiped out,” said one voter.

The Himalayan Times said the leftist alliance’s strong mandate meant the country “could experience political stability,” which it has lacked over the last decade, but cautioned that a strong opposition was also crucial in the young democracy. With counting still going on, the alliance has won 105 seats in the national parliament, according to preliminary data from the election commission. The incumbent Nepali Congress has won just 21. That puts the alliance on course for a hefty majority in the country’s 275-seat parliament.

K P Oli

The assembly is made up of 165 directly-elected seats, while the rest are allocated on a proportional representation basis, guaranteeing seats for women, people from indigenous communities and the lowest Dalit caste. The Communist bloc is also leading in six out of seven provincial assemblies mandated in a new national constitution. The charter was finally agreed by parliament in 2015 in a rare moment of cross-party consensus, months after the country was devastated by a powerful earthquake. It laid the ground for a sweeping overhaul of the political system to devolve power from the centre to newlycreated provinces. It was intended to build on the promise of a more inclusive society, integral to the 2006 peace deal that ended the decade-long civil war between Maoists and the state.

The CPN-UML led by former prime minister K P Oli and the CPN-Maoist led by former premier Prachanda have forged an electoral alliance for both the provincial and parliamentary elections. As the alliance was headed for a clear majority, Oli is being projected to succeed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

UK’s Indian tycoons to maintain Ganga banks Nitin Gadkari, the Indian minister responsible for the Ganga rejuvenation portfolio, has received a £50 million commitment for his project during his recent three day visit to London.

He confirmed the news in a press conference last week.

At an Indian Journalists' Association dinner, he mentioned Anil Agarwal of Vedanta Resources and Ravi Mehrotra of Foresight Shipping as contributors, along with the Hinduja family and Sri Prakash Lohia of the Indorama Corporation. The four major players will develop and improve ghats and other infrastructure work at Haridwar, Gangasagar, Patna and Kanpur.

Gadkari also announced Shiva Nadar's name, stating that he has pledged £20 million for the Varanasi

Nitin Gadkari

segment of the river. He said he hoped to roll out a green replica of London's iconic red double decker buses in India. “The Patna riverfront responsibility has been given to Anil Agarwal.

We have a plan but they can change the plan... and for 15 years they are responsible for maintenance and operation.”

“Ravi Mehrotra is ready to take Kanpur,” he added.

Speaking about the Indian

government, he said they were planting 100 million trees along riverfronts.

“And we are planning to clean the lakes, gardening, landscaping, and things that are important from the tourism point of view.” The idea, the minister said, was to give the responsibility of maintaining the banks of the holy river, to corporates and industries. “The big people, those who are having an emotional attachment with Ganga. This is the plan.” “Pollution of water is a big problem in the Ganga. Many people from India, their faith, respect, and sentiments are related to the Ganga and I feel your cooperation is s a big part,” Gadkari said. The minister was in London to attend the 30th Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation.

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Eleven foods that will help you sleep better It’s official, we don’t sleep enough. A staggering 38 per cent of Britons are not getting enough sleep with women aged 35-44 affected the worst, research revealed last week.

The survey, conducted

by Aviva, looked at the sleeping habits of 14 countries and found Brits were the worst sleepers.

But, it's not all bad news.

If you suffer from insomnia, nutritional therapist Rick Hay brings you the best foods to help you sleep.

Here are some suggestions of what you should eat.

GREEN, BLACK AND WHITE TEA: Certain amino acids found in foods can help with sleep by nourishing the nervous system. One of those being closely studied right now is L-theanine, dubbed ‘the relaxation amino acid’ and found in green tea, black tea, white

and matcha green teas. Ltheanine is an amino acid found to enhance sleep and also help reduce anxiety in a growing number of scientific papers.

CHAMOMILE: The health benefits of humble chamomile tea have been shown to be wide-ranging, from anti-inflamma-

tory properties to wound healing, anti-diabetes and even benefits to the common cold and cardiovascular health. It’s best known for its effect on sleep and that’s not without some great evidence, thanks to a flavonoid it contains called apigenin and that has anti-anxiety properties.

CINNAMON: Cinnamon

nourishes the nervous system by calming the blood sugar levels.

Indeed, repeated research has shown it can even help lower the blood sugar levels of type 2 diabetics. This is important from an insomnia perspective because often if you find yourself waking up in the small hours, it could be down to blood sugar spikes that subsequently wake you up as your blood sugar drops. A small bowl of porridge with cinnamon before bed or even a little cinnamon in some chamomile tea could make early morning waking easier.

GINGER: Ginger calms the stomach, via a chemical ingredient called gingerol which helps with stomach contractions. It also relaxes the system generally and is also a good circulatory tonic.

Ginger is a great overall tonic for the nervous system too.

LIQUORICE: Liquorice has long been used by naturopaths as a herbal medicine for depression and anxiety. Liquorice is known by people that

study botanical medicine as an adrenal gland tonic.

Your adrenal glands are responsible for the release of stress hormones and a busy highpressure lifestyle can quickly leave them depleted, causing anxiety and depression. Adrenal tonic herbs or plants help to nourish the adrenals and calm a frazzled sys-

n

tem.

PASSIONFRUIT: Another favourite is passion flower or passionfruit, this has

had a lot of traditional use over time for calming the nervous system.

Passionfruit and passionflower contain a compound called harman that has a hypnotic and sedative effect which has been shown to help insomnia and anxiety. It’s also been shown to help decrease anxiety and the quality and depth

of sleep.

BAOBAB: Like citrus, baobab is a rich source of vitamin C, potassium and B complex vitamins.

Because B vitamins are so important for the healthy functioning of the nervous system, a lack of them can cause problems including insomnia as well as depression.

Potassium is helpful to help you stay asleep, research suggests. One study found that potassium could help regulate the body’s sleep/wake cycle, also known as circadian rhythm, which ensures we fall asleep and wake up when we when we need to.

LEMON, LIME, AND BLOOD ORANGE: Lemon, lime and blood orange are rich in vitamin

C. This isn’t just just an immune booster but also nourishes the adrenal glands. When you nourish your adrenal glands the system calms down which can help with the anxiety and stress that can cause insomnia.

Studies have also shown that a lack of vitamin C could contribute to sleep loss.

*** While transcribing medical audiotapes, a colleague came upon the following garbled diagnosis: "This man has pholenfrometry." Knowing nothing about that particular condition, she double-checked with the doctor. After listening to the tape, he shook his head. "This man," he said, translating for her, "has fallen from a tree." *** The minute I walked into the post office, the postmaster noticed the new earrings my husband had given me. "Those must be real diamonds," she said.

"Yes," I said. "How could you tell?" "Because," she said, "no one buys fake diamonds that small." *** A family was celebrating their daughter's fifth birthday at a local restaurant when the little girl's father noticed her looking sadly at a moose head on the wall. Someone had placed a party hat on its head. Her father knelt beside her and explained why some people hunt animals. "I know all that," the child sobbed.

"But why did they have to shoot him at his birthday party?"

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith. Please consult your Doctor before you try to implement any advice. We are not responsible for its efficacy.

Painkillers increase risk of obesity by 95%

n Research reveals prescriptions double to 24 million in 10 years

From paracetamol to cocodamol, 24 million opioid prescriptions were given out in the UK in 2016, which is double that of just 10 years ago.

Europe's overall overdose deaths also rose for the third consecutive year in 2015 to 8,441; 81 per cent of which were related to opioids.

Now new research from the largest study of its kind reveals patients taking painkillers alongside medication for heart disease, stroke or diabetes are 95 per cent more likely to become obese as the sedative drugs make people inactive and affect their metabolism.

Results reveal people taking painkillers alongside drugs for heart disease, diabetes and stroke are 95 per cent more likely to be obese.

They are also 82 per cent more likely to have a 'very high risk' waist circumference and 63 per cent more likely to develop high blood pressure.

This may be due to painkillers causing sedation, which reduces people's desire to exercise.

Cases of winter vomiting bug soar by 13% in a week

NHS braces itself for 'Aussie flu' outbreak n Fears health service will be left crippled Sitting in coach during a lengthy flight, my wife and I heard a flight attendant ask the high-paying passengers in first class, "Would you care for Chardonnay or Burgundy?" A few minutes later, the curtains between the two sections parted, and the attendant wheeled the wine cart back to our aisle. "Excuse me," he said, looking down at us, "would you care for a glass of wine? We have white and red."

27

Cases of the winter vomiting bug have rocketed by 13 per cent in just a week, official data reveal.

Government statistics show 1,475 people have been infected with norovirus since July, compared to 1,294 last week.

The jump in cases, which has been increasing at a similar rate week-onweek since October, could hurt the NHS if it continues, experts fear.

It comes at time when the health service is already bracing itself for the dreaded 'Aussie flu', expected to be the 'worst outbreak in 50 years'.

Norovirus is one of the most common stomach infections in the UK and it is referred to winter vomiting bug as it usually occurs at this time of year.

Usually it clears up by itself within 24 to 48 hours but it can very serious for already frail patients, and can lead to dehydration.

The virus, which can also cause diarrhoea, is extremely contagious and can create huge disruption

in hospitals as it spreads so quickly between patients.

But the winter vomiting bug has a tendency to mutate and some strains are worse than others, leading to higher numbers of infections.

The latest PHE figures, released yesterday, also show there were 10 outbreaks in hospitals - all of which led to ward closures or restrictions.

Earlier this week NHS

Providers, which represents hospital trusts, said hospitals will be 'sorely tested' this winter.

Its comments were provoked by chief executives of two hospitals who admitted their bed occupancy rates are 98 per cent and 99 per cent respectively.

And concerned doctors warned patients will have to 'sleep, take paracetamol and pray' ahead of the impending winter crisis.

The NHS is expected to face unprecedented pressure in the coming months, as cam-

What you should (and shouldn’t) do DO: l Use a humidifier to counteract the drying effect of central heating l Eat oranges, high in vitamin C, and oysters, abundant in zinc l Gargle with salty water because it will help to loosen mucus l Drink tea - it can provide a lift without adding to the dryness DON'T: l Drink hot-toddies and coffee because alcohol and caffeine are dehydrating l Take aspirin. The over-counter-drug can dampen your immune response l Speak too much because over-using your throat can make you feel worse l Smoke or vape during the period of infection

paigners fear it will be disastrous amid soaring waiting lists in A&E. The worries follow last year's winter crisis, which saw health secretary Jeremy Hunt beg people to stay away from turmoil-hit hospitals.

The Red Cross branded the situation a 'humanitarian crisis' - a term used to describe the devastating civil war in Syria and Yemen.

28 Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

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Priyanka's 'Kid Like Jake' to debut at Sundance AsianVoiceNews

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ndian actress Priyanka Chopra’s next Hollywood film, “A Kid Like Jake,” is all set to screen at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, to be held in Park City, Salt Lake City, and at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, from Jan. 18 to 28, 2018. The film, directed by Silas Howard, will be showcased in the premiere section. Chopra shared her excitement on Twitter Nov. 30, writing that she cannot wait for her fans to watch the film. “When I read the script of ‘Kid Like Jake,’ I knew immediately that this was a story I had to be a part of... A story that needed to be told and seen…And now it’s been selected for Sundance Film Festival!” she tweeted.

The official premise of “A Kid Like Jake,” starring Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer, Chopra, Ann Dowd, and Amy Landecker, is: “As married couple Alex and Greg navigate their roles as parents to a young son

who prefers Cinderella to G.I. Joe, a rift grows between them, one that forces them to confront their own concerns about what’s best for their child, and each other.”

“Kailash,” a film on child rights activist and Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, will also debut at the 2018 festival. Directed by Derek Doneen and produced by Davis Guggenheim and Sarah Anthony, the film will be showcased in the U.S. documentary category. The film will depict how Satyarthi, who as a young man promised himself that he would end child slavery in his lifetime, has rescued more than 80,000 children and built a global movement in the decades since. This intimate and suspenseful film follows one man’s journey to do what many believed was impossible, said the festival.

The 2018 lineup also features “Blindspotting,” starring Indian American actress Janina Gavankar, Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal and Jasmine Cephas Jones. “Blindspotting,” which will be competing in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, is a buddy comedy in a world that won’t let it be one.

It is directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada.

Among the 110 films that will be

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screened at the prestigious festival is Indian American filmmaker Aneesh Chaganty’s “Search.” “Search” has found a place in the ‘Next’ category, a category, which, according to the festival, shows films that “will shape a ‘greater’ next wave in American cinema.” Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include “A Ghost Story,” “Tangerine” and “A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night.”

“Search” is also the winner of the 2018 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize. In the thriller, after his 16-yearold daughter goes missing, a desperate father breaks into her laptop to look for clues to find her. Chaganty, who also worked on the film as a screenwriter, found instant fame on the Internet after his short film, “Seeds,” went viral. Following its success, the young filmmaker writes in his LinkedIn bio, he was recruited by Google to develop and direct commercials as part of the Google 5, a team of five young creatives from around the world helping run the Google brand from New York City. He earned his bachelor’s degree in film and TV production from the University of Southern California.

Virushka is official!!!

C

aptain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli, and hottie of the film industry, Anushka Sharma have officially tied the knot. Anushka announced the news with a photo of the newly wedded couple, and a caption that read, “Today we have promised each other to be bound in love forever. We are truly blessed to share the news with you. This beautiful day will be made more special with the love and support of our family of fans & well wishers. Thank you for being such an important part of our journey.”

Speculation that the two lovebirds will bet married by December 12 began doing the rounds after sources said families of both the youngsters had booked a place in Italy from December 9 to 12. it was however, later found out that the wedding was to take place in the world's second most-expensive holiday destination, the Borgo Finocchieto, an hour's drive from Tuscany. Guest list of the star-studded event included ace cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, and BTown A listers like Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan.

The fairytale wedding was more than enough to melt our hearts, but what caught our eyes though, was the 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' actress' massive wedding ring.

Sources said Virat took three months to pick just the perfect diamond for the love of his life. “He's picked a very rare diamond ring for Anushka that has been specially crafted by an ace designer from Austria. The design is unimaginably beautiful and reflects surprising elements, every time you see it from different angles.” What is more shocking is that the bling came at a whopping price. “It costs about Rs 1 Crore but it's totally worth the money because whoever will see it, definitely wouldn't be able to take their eyes off it,”

the source said.

If it is to be believed, then the engagement ring official cost more from the rent of their grand wedding venue.

The medieval villa where they hosted their near and dear ones is on the list of Forbes 20 most expensive holiday destinations in the world.

Rates range from Rs 6,50,000 to 14,00,000 per night. Outfits for both, the bride and the groom were exclusively made by Sabyasachi. Virat and Anushka will now fly to South Africa for their honeymoon and ring in the New Year together. After, the doting husband will concentrate on his upcoming series, while Anushka will return to Mumbai to begin shooting for Aanand L Rai's next with Shah Rukh Khan. They will shift to their new residence in Worli, Mumbai.

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

Ranveer will play a quirky cop in 'Simmba'

When Salman almost kissed Katrina in 'Tiger Zinda Hai'

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hose who know Salman Khan, also know for a fact that the actor has never kissed on-screen. He even mentioned it in one of his recent interviews, saying, “I am very uncomfortable. I'm not shy but I just don't like it. I just don't think there's a need to kiss on-screen.

Whenever there is a need, I may do it. But I haven't felt the need yet.” The actor, however, had a close brush-in with co-star Katrina Kaif in their upcoming 'Tiger Zinda Hai'.

Yes, this is not the first time Bhaijaan came so close to an actress in front of the camera. But he has noticeably only shared a cheat kiss with Katrina, back in 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya' or 'Yuvraaj'. Guess favourites are favourites for a reason.

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fter Salman's 'Chulbul Pandey' and Akshay's 'Vikram Rathore', there is a new cop in town, and his name is 'Sangram Bhalerao.' Ranveer Singh's upcoming film with Rohit Shetty, titled 'Simmba' will see him play a quirky cop. The first official poster of the film featuring the actor in a police uniform complete with a handlebar moustache and aviators was revealed on micro-blogging website Twitter. Directed by Rohit Shetty and co-produced by Karan Johar, the poster was introduced by Kjo who tweeted the poster with a caption saying, “28th December 2018!! ROHIT SHETTY will be back!!!! RANVEER SINGH as #SIMMBA.” The story has reportedly been taken from south's Jr NTR's film 'Temper'. Shetty also acquired rights of the film, however, he insists that it was not a remake and that fans will only see a few scenes from the original incorporated in the film. Sources reveal the movie will hit the screens on December 28 next year.

Mohit Suri keen on roping in Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha

Has Akshay walked out of Gulshan Kumar biopic 'Mogul'?

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irector Mohit Suri who introduced Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor with hit musical 'Aashiqui 2', is reportedly keen on roping in Aditya Kapur. “I am working on a script and dying to work with Aditya. Even as friends, I have to wow him with the script. Once I am done writing, I will pitch it to him,” he said. When asked about his pick for leading lady, Suri sounded unsure. However, on being asked if he would like to cast Shraddha, he said he would love with both of them again.

He did initially try to dodge the question. “I don't know that as yet. Working with both of them would be great since I share a bond with them. After 'Aashiqui 2', I would love to work with both of them once again,” he said. Both the actors were last seen together in 'Ok Jaanu', their second project together. If only Suri could make a hattrick happen. Fingers crossed!

it-maker Akshay Kumar has reportedly walked out of Subhash Kapoor's biopic on T-Series honcho Gulshan Kumar. It has been suggested that both, the actor and the director were having creative differences over the script, due to which, Akshay thought it best to move out of the project. Titled 'Mogul', the film is supposed to release next year. A report stated that the actor is yet to intimate producers of his decision, and has instead begun allocating his reserved dates to other lined-up projects.

“Akshay has some concerns over the script that director Subhash Kapoor has greenlit. He requested that a few things be rewritten. But, Subhash was adamant.

Hence, Akshay thought it was best if he opted out,” a source said. Another source close to T-Series said the rumours were completely false. “It is not true because the script is still being written, so, meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is taking up other projects.” The actor had previously shared the first poster of the film on social media writing, with a caption that read, “My association with Him began with my very first film. He was The Emperor Of Music! Now know His story... #Mogul, The Gulshan Kumar story!”

Both, Subhash and Akshay collaborated for 'Jolly LLB 2' earlier this year. It went on to become one of the few films to make £10 million at the box office this year.

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

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Hansika Motwani

signs her next big Tamil film

K ‘Monsoon Shootout’

A rookie cop faces a suspected gangster in a dead-end and has to make a decision. Three separate scenarios show the consequences of his judgement.

Tamil actor Napoleon to make Hollywood debut

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o matter how big a star is in India, they aren't successful enough until they make a stint in the West.

The most recent name to be added on the list of Indian actors to debut in Hollywood, is none other than veteran Tamil actor Napoleon Duraisamy.

The actor will enter Hollywood with Emmy nominated director Sam Logan Khalegi's 'Devil's Night: Dawn Of The Nain Rouge'.

Speaking to the a media source, he said, “One of the producers of the film, Ganesh is from my native- Trichy. One day, he told me that he was going to produce a Hollywood film, and when I wished him luck, he surprised me saying that I should act in it. I told him that I cannot speak English that well and also have some Tamil film commitments. But he was insistent and said that I can shoot whenever I'm

free.” About the storyline of the film, he said, “It's based on a true story about a local legend and I shot for my scenes last October. There is still some more work left and I will be shooting those portions sometime this month. We're planning to release the film in Tamil as well as I want my fans to watch the film. We'll make slight changes to the Tamil version and we have to shoot a few scenes for the same,” the actor said.

The film is a supernatural thriller and will be seen playing a museum curator.

Istvan Lettang is the cinematographer of the film and the movie is expected to be dubbed in Tamil as well. The film is being shot in the US and the music is being composed

by Devan Ekambaram, a Tamil singer-actor who will make his Hollywood debut with 'Devil's Night: Dawn Of The Nain Rouge'.

ollywood actress Hansika Motwani has signed yet another film with Atharvaa. To be directed by Sam Anton of 'Darling Fame', the new crew held a pooja, announcing the beginning of the shoot. The yet to be titled film has cinematography by Krishnan Vasant and editing by Ruben.

A source said, “Anton wanted to have a fresh pair and Atharvaa and Hansika seemed to be ideal. The movie is a

pucca action thriller and Atharvaa will play a cop for the first time.” Yogi Babu plays the comedian in the film and the shoot began on December 10, in Chennai.

Atharvaa currently has a lot on his plate with films like 'Imaikka Nodigal', 'Othaikku Othai', 'Semma Botha Aagatha', and 'Rukkumani Vandi Varudhu'. Meanwhile Hansika will be seen in 'Gulebagavali'.

I felt really emotional to sing for Simbu: Yuvan Shankar Raja

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udio launch of Santhanam's 'Sakka Podu Podu Raja' began with a brilliant speech from composer Yuvan Shankar Raja. A friend of actor Simbu, Raja has composed music for the film, marking his debut as a composer. “Simbu is not naïve when it comes to music. It is in his blood,” he said. “He used to visit my

recording studio and would ask about the different sound effects and instruments in my computer most of which I, myself wouldn't have explored. He is a multi-talented person.

We recorded for about 4 to 5 hours, and I was fagged out with all the layers and variety of tracks.”

He continued, “Whenever I used him in

my album, I gave him high-pitched songs.

And Simbu had his time when I sang for his composition. It was an emotional moment for me to sing in his composition. He gave quite a lot of tough notes, I somehow managed and justified my job I hope.” Director Rajesh, who has delivered a handful of super-hit films with Santhanam, said they will start shooting for his next project with the actor.

“My next film will be with Santhanam. I have already narrated five stories, and he doesn't seem convinced.

Finally, he liked a script, and we are going on floors

Nayanthara’s next film with superstars begins

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outh superstar Nayanthara has signed her next film and will soon share screen space with legendary actors like Chiranjeevi and Amitabh Bachchan. Upcoming Telugu period drama, 'Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy', which chronicles the epic story of Kurnool-based freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, not only has a massive budget (£15 million!!!), but also has a stellar cast. The project officially went on the floors on December 6

in Hyderabad.

This film is expected to be the most exciting multi-starrer to come out of the south industry, after 'Baahubali'. The ensemble cast also features Vijay Sethupathi and Jagapathi Babu in important roles. Bachchan, meanwhile, is rumoured to play an extended cameo as Chiranjeevi's guru, a character of importance from the story perspective. Nayan will play the female lead, however, her character will have shades of grey.

Ishwarya Menon roped in for 'Thamizh Padam 2'

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equel to spoof parody 'Thamizh Padam', 'Thamizh Padam 2' is garnering a lot of expectations given the mammoth-sized success of the first part. In recent updates on the film, sources said actress Ishwarya Menon has been roped in to play female lead for the film.

Starring Mirchi Siva, the film will be

directed by CS Amudhan, and produced by Y Not Studios. The film also stars Disha Pandey, Sathish, Santhana Bharathi, Manobala, R. Sundarrajan, Nizhalgal Ravi, and Chethan in important roles. Music will be scored by Kannan, choreography by Kaylan Master, and TS Suresh will handle the cuts.

from January 2018. During 'Boss Engira Baskaran' and 'OKOK' shoots, he used to ask me, 'I have screen presence through the movie, but why do you guys fly alone for foreign locations to shoot songs? I will do something witty in songs too.'”

“Today when I see him romancing in international locations I feel happy. I guess that's the reason he wanted to become a hero. Jokes apart, he is a person who always has this quest for what's next. He has almost teamed with all the leading actors. As a friend, I'm happy about his success.”

UK

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Asian Voice | 16th December 2017

24-hour cricket marathon raises £15,000 as Mandir's Save the Children fundraising campaign heads towards £40,000

Mayor of Brent Cllr Bhagwanji Chohan, Brent Council’s leader Cllr Mohammed Butt and Cllr Ajay Maru at the cricket marathon. (Piccourtesy: Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury

Swamibapa Cricket Club, operating under the umbrella of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury (London), held a 24-Hour Cricket Marathon on the weekend of 9/10 December 2017 to raise funds for the worldwide charity, Save the Children.

Over 70 participants took part, 25 of them for the full 24 hours, as raised an amazing £15,000. The event forms part of a wider campaign by the Mandir that has so far raised £38,000 and counting.

Special guests Mayor of Brent Cllr Bhagwanji Chohan, Brent Council's leader Cllr Mohammed Butt and Harrow Council's Cllr Ajay Maru were on hand to launch the Marathon.

In May, over a hundred youngsters, including many first-time fundraisers, took part in the Peppa Pig Muddy Puddles Walk.

In June, a team of intrepid swimmers tackled the Great North Swim. One hundred walkers trekked 10-miles into central London in September, shortly before a fortystrong troupe faced the Tough Mudder endurance race. You can find details about the campaign so far at https://www.swamin a r a y a n g a d i . co m / l o n don/page.php?id=3410 The Cricket Marathon attracted sponsorship of Save the Children from local, national and international businesses, including: Jemca Toyota, Andrews Estate Agents, Curtis Engineering Solutions, England and Wales Cricket Board,

Coming Events

l Bharatiya Mandal presents Children's Christmas Party on December 19, Saturday, 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm, at the Indian Community Centre, Union Road, Ashton-U-Lyne, OL6 8JN l GP Promotions organises New Year's Eve Extravaganza Dinner and Dance on December 31, 7.30 pm to 2.00 am, at Kadva Patidar Centre, Canmore Avenue, Harrow Middlesex, HA3 8LU l National Association of Patidar Samaj organises Music and Dinner for New Year's Eve on December 31, 7.30 pm onwards, at Tooting High Street London SW17 0RG

Sneh Joshi

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Jupiter is transiting your

eighth house and this is now joined by Mars - this phase highlights your joint finances, loans, taxes, sexuality, and psychological matters. This is a time of increased accumulation of wealth if you manage your resources correctly. In some cases, a significant tax refund, inheritance, etc. may arise. Seek professional help and do not be hasty in your decisions.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Give top priority to impor-

tant written work. This applies particularly to financial and commercial interests. If you can manage to get away from usual routines, this will prove to be highly enjoyable and have a beneficial effect on your physical and psychological well-being. Loved ones will be looking after you.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 This is almost certain to be an eventful time for affairs of the heart. The transit of Venus through your opposite sign augurs well for those hoping to meet the right partner. A party that you attend allows you to connect with interesting new people, one of whom may be interested in you as a romantic partner.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Be aware for the next few weeks could easily throw some kinks into your schedule and make your routine suddenly non-routine.

You have the opportunity now to iron out the things that may have been bothering you but which were somehow still left unattended. Find time to keep up your fitness regimes.

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Kingsbury Fruit and Veg, Vekaria Trust and Burnt Oak Timber Merchants, as well as support from Swamibapa CC's existing

sponsors, Vijay construction (Seychelles), Gentex Enterprises (Uganda), NSC media and TNV Construction.

Obituary Jayalaxmi Chande nee Madhvani

Jayalaxmi Chande née Madhvani, known amongst her friends as Jayli, was born in Jinja, Uganda. She had her primary and secondary education in Uganda and later accompanied her parents on their travels to Europe and the USA. In 1955, she married Jayantilal Keshavji Chande of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. They have three sons and three grandchildren.

Jayli was an active social worker and took interest in many welfare institutions. A former member of the Ladies’ Circle, and of Inner Wheel she was a past Chairperson of the Kisutu Branch of Umoja wa Wanawake wa Tanzania (Women’s Association of Tanzania) and served for ten years as a member of the National Film Censorship Board. She was also on the Council of Tanzania Girl Guides Association for seven years. She was a former

member of the International Women’s Association, Women’s Corona Society and of Dar es Salaam Hospital Support Group.

Jayli was the longest serving Trustee of Hindu Mahila Mandal where she spearheaded the development of the Mandal’s new building constructed in partnership with Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

For the past 60 years, she was always by the side of her husband and has meaningfully supported and helped him in all his community welfare and other activities.

Obituary Girishkumar Lallubhai Desai Senior bank manager at Bank of Baroda, UK for a very long time, Mr. Girishkumar Lallubhai Desai sadly passed away on Saturday 9th December in Surat, Gujarat at the age of 74.

He was born in Buhari, Gujarat in 1943. He originated from Puni, Gujarat and lived in London from a very long time.

His funeral was held on Monday 11th December, in Surat followed by a prayer meeting. He was the follower of Swami Shri Satya Mitranand Giriji and did seva for many years for Samanvay Parivar London. He is survived by his wife Jayshriben, daughter Reshmaben, and son-in-law Nayan Dutta.

He led an exceptional life where he repeatedly won people's hearts by unparalleled kindness and his jolly nature.

Selflessness and to help others at any opportunity were his motto. There are hundreds of people whose lives he changed for the better throughout his life, some who we are only finding out about now. He loved gardening a lot and always liked to give friends and family members seasonal plants. He was fond of the internet and technology and always shared good, informative and thoughtful emails and whatsapp messages within his friend circle.

The family can be contacted on: 0091 9925240915

Calls to ban rape porn after barbarous attack

Campaigners are protesting to get pornography depicting rape banned after a “barbaric” teenager, Charlie Pierce, 17, who was obsessed with sexual violent images raped and bludgeoned a woman. He committed the crime on his 17th birthday. Pierce was caught on CCTV first running towards the victim, and then away from the scene with part of a paving slab.

It is said that he had searched for videos depicting rape of “helpless” women on the internet weeks before the attack. His parents turned him in after recognising him following a public appeal by the police.

Spokesman for the

Women's Equality Party, Joshua May said, “This horrific attack is a brutal reminder of the violence that women and girls still face in this country... Free porn has incentivised the proliferation of ever more violent and extreme content which, once it has hooked its audience, allows producers to protect their revenue streams.

Increasingly that audience is young boys. The majority of 11 to 16-year-olds have already accessed explicit material on the internet.

Unless we stop the marketing of violent porn to young boys, we can never hope to end violence against women and girls.”

020 8518 5500

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

Don't be afraid to act forcefully if your instinct tells you it's time for change. If you know your ground and are not afraid to stick your neck out, you can create your own opportunities. Besides spending time on domestic affairs, the focus can be on cultivating and nourishing your inner foundations, so to speak.

Your social graces will serve you well career-wise. Mixing business with pleasure will bring you benefits. You will achieve great success by being responsible and diplomatic. Ego confrontations with family members are possible now, but the best way to handle this energy is to do your best to strengthen your relationship with your family and your home base.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

An inspiring boost to matters of communication but make sure your curiosity on a range of topics does not lead to a scattering of mental energy. With a surge of energy and enthusiasm, this is a favourable time to make fresh starts.

Personal relationships may be more intense.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

The fiery planet Mars, continues to occupy your sign.

Its influence will help you to maintain a high energy level and achieve positive results in anything that requires drive and initiative. However, you will need to focus on what is most important in your life, otherwise mistakes will be made.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

Although all kinds of opportunities are coming your way, there are many obstacles between you and the fulfilment of any of these. As you clear your path you will get closer to achieving your dreams. Relationships and romance are both under scrutiny by the presence of Saturn in your 1st house.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 You are endowed with a level of determination that others sometimes find formidable. Once you set your mind on a goal you stay the course no matter what obstacles you encounter.

Saturn's placement in your Solar 12th house often denotes a phase of restriction, sometimes frustration, in one's life.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 The prevailing cosmic pattern packs a powerful punch early this week. Having such potent energies, make you feel positive and confident in whatever you do. This is not the time to hold back or underestimate your potential if you wish to further an important aim.

The next few weeks may cause you to step back and rethink about your work and home balance. Do not hesitate to question fundamental values in order to get to the heart of what you believe and resolve inner conflicts that may arise. Small insights can net you large gains, particularly in the stability of your future plans.n

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

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INDIA WIN BRONZE IN HOCKEY WORLD LEAGUE

India reclaimed the bronze medal at the Hockey World League (HWL) after eking out a close 2-1 win over a depleted Germany in the third-fourth place classification match in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Germany lost five players to illness and injuries and left with only 11 players to play with. But Germany dished out a lionhearted performance and not only restricted the margin to 2-1 but also gave the India defence a run for their money with as many as 13 shots at the goal as against the home team's 12.

The Germans also had more penalty corners than India as they secured seven as against the hosts' four.

They might be down with number of players, but the Germans once again produced structured hockey and not only held the attack for 21 minutes but also managed to sneak in a goal. The Indians were lacklustre and below-par and had it been a full strength German side the script of the match could very well have been different.

Indians took the lead in 21st minute through SV

Sunil before Germany equalised through its reserve custodian Mark Appel (36th). A penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet Singh in the 54th minute sealed the win and the third place for the Indians. India had also won the bronze in the last edition of the tournament in Raipur in 2015.

The Germans showed great determination and fighting spirit to not only hold India – but also create more and better opportunities in the first quarter. The determined Germans con-

tinued in the same vein and earned two more penalty corners in the 19th minute but Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made valiant saves to keep a clean slate for the hosts.

In the very next minute, Germany got another short corner but the script turned out to be the same as Niklas Bruns failed to get the better of Karkera once again. But an opportunist India took the lead in the very next move when Sunil scored from a rebound. Despite playing with only 11 players and one goal down, the

Germans kept up the pressure on the Indian defence and in the process secured two more penalty corners in quick succession before half time but they failed to make use of the chances. India had the first shot at the goal after the change of ends but Akashdeep's shot in the 33rd minute was kept away by Hauke.

The Germans showed they are not here to just make numbers and entertain the crowd as they stunned India three minutes later when their reserve goalkeeper Mark Appel, who played as a striker because of illness to a number of teammates, tapped in skipper Mark Grambusch's pass to draw parity.

India secured three back-to-back penalty corners in a span of two minutes and the last of which was converted by Harmanpreet with a powerful, low grounded flick to take the lead which they managed to hold on despite last-ditch efforts from the Germans who failed to utilise another penalty corner in the dying minutes of the match.

Embarrassing 7-wicket loss for India in 1st ODI India suffered an embarrassing 7-wicket defeat in the first ODI of the 3-match series against Sri Lanka at Dharamsala last week. Put into bat, Indian batsmen looked clueless as the Lankan pace troika of Suranga Lakmal (4/13), Nuwan Pradeep (2/37) and Angelo Mathews (1/8) stifled the hosts with a fine display of swing bowling.

Half of the Indian batting line-up was gone for just 16 runs and at one stage, there was a possibility of the hosts being dismissed for less than their lowest-ever ODI score of 54, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni showed his class once again and blasted 65 off 87 balls to single-handedly take India to 112 all out.

With an early start to the match, Lakmal, who completed his quota of 10 overs in a single spell, emerged as the wrecker-in-chief for Sri Lanka, returning with impressive figures of 10-413-4. Sri Lanka put India on the backfoot right from the start with Mathews trapping opener Shikhar Dhawan in front of wicket in the last

ball of his first over. Lakmal produced some extra bounce with his away going delivery and Rohit ended up poking at the ball to be back to the pavilion after the third umpire overturned the not out decision. With India tottering at 2-2, Dinesh Karthik joined debutant Shreyas Iyer in the middle. After four maiden overs, Iyer finally hit the first four and also got off the mark when he guided a Mathews delivery to the mid-wicket boundary.

Living dangerously on the other end, Karthik was then sent back to the pavilion by Lakmal as India ended the power play overs at 11 for 3. Nuwan Pradeep replaced Mathews even as Perera persisted with Lakmal and it worked as the pacer produced a superb delivery to induce a thick outside edge off Manish Pandey as India slumped to 16-4. Two balls later, Pradeep uprooted Iyer’s stumps when the debutant

inside-edged a delivery onto the stumps as the hosts lost half their side in the 14th over. Pandya then scored a couple of boundaries before giving an outside edge to Pradeep.

Dhoni and Yadav played some valuable innings.

Yadav looked in good touch as he blasted four boundaries but Dickwella produced a brilliant stumping off the bowing of spinner Akele Dananjaya to end his innings in the 26th over.

Dhoni then added 17 and 25 runs with No. 10 Jasprit Bumrah and No. 11 Yuzvendra Chahal before being holed out in the 39th over.

Though the Lankans were challenged by Indian bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah – the target was too small and they cantered to a 7-wicket win inside 21 overs.

Brief scores: India 112 all out in 38.2 overs (Dhoni 65; Lakmal 4/13). Sri Lanka 114/3 in 20.4 overs (Tharanga 49; Bumrah 1/32).

New Zealand win series against Windies 2-0

New Zealand bowlers steadily chipped away at the West Indies line-up to record a ruthless 240run victory shortly before tea on the fourth day of the second Test to wrap up a 2-0 series sweep.

Mitchell Santner took wickets on successive balls to end the tourists' second innings on 203 for nine as they tried in vain to chase the 444 runs needed to secure an unlikely draw after New Zealand dominated the first Test in Wellington.

The hosts did not need to take all 10 wickets after Sunil Ambris retired hurt when a short Neil Wagner delivery broke his arm, as the visitors resumed on 30-2 and were never really able to establish a solid partnership throughout the day. “New Zealand did a great job but when we batted we didn't produce, especially in the first innings of the first Test," stand-in West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said. "Tough loss, but we saw on the bouncy pitches that we have to be better with our shot selection and we need to be more incisive." Trent Boult became the sixth New Zealander to claim 200 Test wickets when he had Brathwaite caught in the gully for 20 to leave the visitors floundering at 43-3 and they failed to recover from the early blow.

Boult was not the only New Zealander to achieve a significant personal milestone during the game with Ross Taylor joining former mentor Martin Crowe and Williamson on 17 Test centuries, the most by a New Zealander. Taylor finished on 107 not out when Williamson declared on 291-8 with about an hour's play remaining on the third day.

Cristiano Ronaldo collects 5th Ballon d'Or Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo has won his fifth Ballon d'Or trophy as the world's best soccer player and gained parity with Argentine striker Lionel Messi, who finished second in this year's voting.

"I feel very happy, it's a fantastic moment in my Cristiano Ronaldo career, I've been waiting for this for a long time," the Real Madrid star said at the awards ceremony in Paris. "This year has been great, we won the Champions League and La Liga and, on a personal level, I was a top scorer in the Champions League," Ronaldo said. This is the second consecutive year that the Portuguese star has been honoured with the trophy, which he also won in 2008, 2013 and 2014, while Messi prevailed in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015. "I hope to play at this level for a few more years, I hope the battle with Messi continues, things happen for a reason," the 32-year-old Ronaldo said.

India bag four Youth Olympic quota places Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker booked quota places for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) by winning a gold and a silver each at the 10th Asian Championship 10m Rifle/Pistol at Wako City, Japan. Chaudhary won both the individual as well as the Team gold in the men’s 10m Air Pistol Youth event, while Bhaker clinched a silver in the women’s 10m Air Pistol Youth. India claimed another silver in junior women’s 10m Air Pistol. In all, India added four medals on the final day of the competition to finish with a total haul of 21medals over four days, including six gold, eight silver and seven bronze, besides four YOG quotas.