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SC reprieve for Modi in 2002 Gujarat riot case

For report see pages 25

VOL 40. ISSUE 20

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

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13 killed, over 60 hurt in Delhi blast

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17th September to 23rd September 2011

Racial tension in Aldershot ?

Police made some arrests, but still clueless about the main culprits A high intensity briefcase bomb rocked the crowded reception area in the Delhi High Court killing 13 people and injuring more than 60 in a major terror attack that struck the Capital. It happened on Sept 7, Wednesday at around 10.15 in morning outside Delhi high court gate number 5.

Though police made some arrests following suspicious emails, but they could not make any headway regarding the main culprits.

An injured person being carried to the hospital.

The explosives were placed in a briefcase at the high court reception area where hundreds of people come through every day to attend court cases. On that day there were more than 200 in queue.

It was peak hour at the gate, which is used by litigants to enter and exit the courts. On Wednesdays there were more of them as it is a day for public interest litigations.

Continued on page 26

The British Gurkha Welfare Society (BGWS) has called for a constructive dialogue regarding the growing criticism of the number of Nepalese immigrants arriving in Aldershot and Farnborough.

BGWS said it was worried about a Facebook group that criticised the government for not doing more to help Rushmoor cope with an influx of Gurkhas and their famiContinued on page 7 lies.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

one to one Keith Vaz MP with Sarah Graham Counsellor, Drug and Addictions Expert 1) What inspired you to begin your career in your rehabilitation?

I was a TV director when I hit my "rock bottom" on drink and other drugs in 2001. I was helped by some amazing counsellorsthey inspired me to follow their path. Addiction is a killer illness- as we have seen tragically with Amy Winehouse- so helping people get into recovery- as quickly as possible- is a very rewarding job.

client does all the hard work but I'm proud of my contribution to their success.

3) Please tell us about your current position?

I'm director of a small company called Sarah Graham Solutions (www.sarahgrahamsolutions.com) I work as a counsellor, auricular acupuncturist and do training, education and offer advice to parents too.

I also sit on the Advisory Counsel on the Misuse of Drugs. And I'm an expert commentator for www.talktofrank.com

2) What are your proudest achievements?

Hearing how well former clients are doingthat someone is able to be a good, loving parent again and be part of their family and contribute to society. The

Anni Dewani

Another source at Pollsmoor Prison, where Mr Mngeni has been held with co-defendant Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 26, since their arrest nearly a year ago, told the paper he was not fit to attend court.

Both men are accused of accepting an alleged cash payment from Anni Dewani's British husband Shrien to kill her in a fake carjacking on November 13 last year.

A British judge has recently given the green light for Mr Dewani to be extradited back to South Africa to stand trial for her murder - a charge he denies.

7) And the worst?

Sometimes people die

Barry Gardiner MP has received the initial proposals for the new boundaries of his constituency of Brent North from the Boundary Commission.

The future constituency of “Wembley and Perivale BC� will retain 67% of its current electorate. Under the initial proposals

by May 2015 Fryent and Queensbury would move to form part of a Stanmore constituency and the part of Kenton in Brent would reunite with the bulk of Kenton now in Harrow. The new

8) If you were Prime Minister, what would you change about NHS addiction treatment in Britain?

I would immediately allocate money to build a teen rehab and redirect money from criminal justice system to treating young drug dependent people in rehab. We spend a fortune on detention centres that don't address the reasons the person is committing crime.

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

That's a really tough one. Someone really funny, clever, good at fishing and building shelters. Actually I'd have fun doing that stuff. So someone who is a great story-teller and poet- Maya Angelou. I would never tire of her reciting Still I Rise.

Barry Gardiner MP

constituency would include Tokyngton Ward from Brent Central and Perivale from Ealing.

The proposals shape a unitary constituency, almost wholly contained in the Borough of Brent, which respects the North Circular Road divide and reunites Kenton under one single parliamentary constituency.

The new Wembley constituency would be centred on Wembley City (and stadium) in the north and on the Ealing Road axis in the south.

Shree Sorathia Vanik Association of U.K.celebrated goddess Samudri Mata Havan on 4th September 2011 at Byron Hall, Harrow Leisure centre, London.

Guests of Honour were Shree C.B. Patel of Gujarat Samachar and Shree Jitendra Kumar, first secretary of High Commission of India.

Around one thousand members of community men women and children attended and enjoyed cultural entertainment and raas Garba and delicious Gujarati Meal.

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from the illness. When you know the person and their family it is very very sad. I feel very grateful to be in recovery and want everyone to have the chance of a new life, like I have.

Barry Gardiner MP received boundary changes proposal for Brent North

TH

The man accused of firing the shot that killed honeymooner Anni Dewani in Cape Town could escape trial because he is suffering from cancer, it has emerged.

Xolile Mngeni, 23, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour and has been undergoing treatment since June. A source close to the case has told a local newspaper that he could be declared unfit to stand trial in less than two weeks.

"The way things stand now with all the chemotherapy Mngeni is having, he won't be able to stand trial," the unnamed source told South Africa's "New Age" newspaper.

"But first he has to see another neurologist.

If that doctor agrees with the doctors at Groote Schuur (hospital in Cape Town), then they're going to have to withdraw charges."

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

God. I pray and meditate everyday and having a spiritual life is the most important gift of my recovery. From that connection everything else flows- if I let it!

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

I get to meet and work with the most incredible people from all walks of life. I work on Harley St one day a week- where my fees are high; which subsidises me to give my time for free to things I believe in- like campaigning with Mitch Winehouse to improve access to treatment for teenagers and to build a teen rehab worthy of our young people- the future of our country.

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

It's very common for

Anni Dewani 'shooter' may be too ill to stand trial

addicts to have big egos and low self-worth. I've had to do a lot of therapeutic work on this and really push myself to overcome fears to be the person I am today. So my biggest obstacle has been myself!

Personal Injury

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Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

COMMENT

Afterthoughts on the 9/11anniversary Commemorations of America's tragedy of September 11, 2001, when jehadi piloted planes rammed into New York's Twin Towers, with a similar attack launched on the Pentagon in Washington were poignant reminders of a deep human tragedy. Nearly 3,000 people were incinerated in what became New York's Ground Zero inferno. America was traumatised by the experience, the first of its kind since Imperial Japan launched its treacherous attack on Pearl Harbour way back in December 1941.The telling difference between these events is that 9/11 was conceived and executed by non-state elements.This is what made it unique. But the sight of the Arab and Islamic street worldwide in celebratory mode – elided over in most media comment - against the lurid canvas of billowing smoke and fire emanating from a crumbling New York landmark carried a disturbing message: this was nothing less than a declaration of jehad, a holy war against the infidel United States and its allies. The civilised world and America were joined at the hip in their revulsion and resolve to defeat the perpetrators.

But this solidarity unravelled as the Bush administration set about using the event in the interests of its supremacist, myopic neo-con global vision, which it was determined to impose upon the rest of the world. President Bush's War on Terror became the US war on Saddam Hussein's Iraq. The Iraqi dictator, whatever his faults, was no partisan of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda. He had been resolutely opposed to the jehadi cause and its works. Saddam Hussein was overthrown and Iraq occupied by the US military on the specious plea that the regime was developing weapons of mass destruction which turned out out to be a fiction.

The shameful role of British prime minister Tony Blair in this disastrous enterprise should not be lost sight of in the fog and confusion of war. He was as culpable as George W. Bush and has left as dark a legacy for his country.

An insurgency followed, torture by US forces became routine as evidenced in the shameful events at its Abu Gharaib encampment. The Guantanamo detention centre in Cuba and the Rendition of terror suspects to complicit European states such as Poland and Lithuania, Romania and Hungary besmirched America's good name and everything America claimed to have stood for.

Hubris was subsumed by Nemesis as the US became embroiled in a largely fruitless war in

Afghanistan, even as its hands were tied by an inept alliance with neighbouring Pakistan, whose rulers and military intelligence services played off both sides and were rewarded for their duplicitous efforts with generous infusions of US aid. The climax was the covert assassination of the elusive Osama bin Laden in the Pakistani city of Abbotabad by US special forces, where the fugitive had been in hiding with the clear connivance of the country's rulinf authorities.

The US-Pakistan relationship is in some disrepair. The surreal Pakistani advertisement the Wall Street Journal is a cringing defence of the country's contribution, in men and material, to the struggle against Islamist terror, the groups it has armed, trained and funded for its own ends. This has provoked scathing responses from local readers, who should surely turn their attention to Washington's support for Pakistan through thick and thin with all manner of casuistries. America's policy of befriending the forces of militant Islam in the Cold War is now exposed as the purest folly. But it would take a bold spirit to wager that the romance is finally over.

Lionel Barber's full-page analysis in the Financial Times - “The end of hegemony” - concludes with the critical point, that the debt-riven, declining US economy spells the end of America's global hegemony, although it remains the most powerful nation on earth. However, he pointed to America's awareness of present geopolitical realities, despite the focus on fighting terrorism. Here, to quote his words, “the most important breakthrough took place between the US and India with the signing in 2008 of the '123' deal on civil nuclear co-operation . The new strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi not only offers a counterweight to the rise of China, but also to nuclear-armed Pakistan, America's long-time but increasingly unmanageable ally in South Asia. ” Nevertheless, the burdensome suspicions of the Indo-American past have to be carefully talked through before an enduring relationship is established. India, committed as it is to a multipolar world order, has an extremely significant “strategic partnership” with Russia, thus continuing its strong strategic ties with the former Soviet Union.

There is no either-or syndrome , only two parallel relationships propelled by their individual dynamics. An understanding of this truth is the most secure way forward for America and India.

For a stronger, more responsive police force Among the acceptable consequences of the inner city riots in London, Birmingham,Manchester and Liverpool is the quickening debate on the social problems that continue to plague some of Britain's largest urban centres. The growth of a feral underclass and what to about it is one such issue. Is sentencing alone guaranteed to break the cycle of reoffending, or must other measures also be put in place for the long-term rehabilitation of criminals?

The police handling of the disturbances, especially in the London borough of Tottenham, has given rise to a discussion on policing and police responses to varied situations in a multicultural society.

Sympathy, understanding and tact can often diffuse possible confrontation and build trust between the police and the public they serve. Good police-community relations are an insurance against a breakdown of law and order. It is vital that the police and other institutions move with the times.

The British Bobby has long been the envy of other nations. The challenge is to be ahead of the

game. Which is where astute leadership comes in.

Nick Herbert, the Home Office Minister, and Stephen Otter, Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall, have called for an end to the traditional system by which the only way into policing was to join as a constable. The single-point entry had produced stagnation in the senior ranks, where there has only been one black chief constable, while of the top tier 220 officers only three are from the ethnic minorities and 38 women.

Mr Herbert and Mr Otter write: “The challenge is particularly acute at the senior ranks in the service....The top leadership of policing looks very different from the general public.” Could police recruitment begin at the inspector level? Obviously the new inspectors will have to gain operational experience at all levels, but it is good that old practices are being subjected to close critical scrutiny before the process of reform is set in motion. There is much wisdom in this.

India's political system requires urgent change Patrick French's insightful book on India referred to the backwardness of Indian politics at the centre compared to an unfolding vibrancy in the states, an observation echoed by James Lamont in the Financial Times, who quotes the re-energising examples of chief ministers Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and Narendra Modi in Gujarat. In Delhi there is only the suffocating logjam of dynastic politics and assemblies of courtiers out of touch with the people.

Mr French, contrasting this with the vibrancy of Indian business and technology and the upward mobility of Indian society, noted that politics in the country was out of sync with the rest. He certainly has a point. Whatever may have been the merits of dynastic government in the past, notably the sta-

bility it brought in a period of critical social and economic transformation, there is little merit in such a system today.

Indian companies and management gurus are leaving a global footprint, why not Indian politicians based on meritocracy, not cronyism. One sees the predicament of Prime Minster Manmohan Singh. He is a man of unquestionable probity who has overseen the most fundamental changes to the Indian economy since Independence. As a technocrat, he had no experience of politics and it shows.

He will have an honoured place in his country's annals but the crying need now is to move on and elect pr*/ofessional politicians as leaders of India.

That way they will be more accountable to the Indian people. It is surely the way forward.

www.abplgroup.com

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Thought for the Week The are only two ways to handle tense situations: you can change them, or you can change the way you look at them. There is enlightenment to be had in changing the way you look at things.

- Paul Wilson (1996)

The Government’s Approach to Faith Debated A debate was held in the House of Lords last week on the Government’s approach to interfaith dialogue. Introduced by Lord Mitchell and with Baroness Warsi answering on behalf of the Government, prominent members of the British Asian community including Lord Popat, Lord Hussain and Lord Sheik discussed the topic “What plans the Lord Popat Government have to improve interfaith dialogue in multicultural Britain.”

Lord Popat spoke about the importance that faith has to him, as well as the difficulties of discussing faith in modern Britain. He went onto call for people of faith to be clearer about their beliefs, and to state many, if not most, religions, share very similar values.

He finished by praising the Government for their more open approach to faith groups, but cautioned that religious communities and people of faith must not prioritise their faith over the values and laws of Britain.

Lord Popat said, “It is not always easy to discuss or defend faith in modern Britain. I can understand why individuals or particularly the Government decide not to "do God", as the previous Prime Minister put it.

I am often concerned that we do not have a suitable platform on which to discuss faith in this country. Too often we are scared to discuss faith for fear of offence or because we do not understand things. This is not helped by a media that are often very negative to faith and the positive roles that faith can play..."

Interfaith dialogue and co-operation is an essential part of building real communities. We should not isolate ourselves and build barriers through religion.

However, to prevent these barriers arising, it is essential that all of us, including the Government, engage openly in discussions of faith.

We cannot rely on the Government alone.

Interfaith dialogue can be truly successful only at a grassroots level.

For interfaith dialogue to succeed, faith leaders need to explain their religion in a way that people of all faiths, and of no faith, can understand. I firmly believe that many, if not most, religions share similar values at their core, yet people of faith still feel distant from one another. We in the Hindu community have been very lucky to receive excellent guidance in the past from the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

I have always believed that no faith has a monopoly on the truth and that, when we respect other faiths, we are in fact showing respect to our own faith, which teaches us to respect other faiths..."

I am encouraged by the approach that our Government have taken to faith and in promoting interfaith dialogue. Faith groups are now treated with respect. Their work is welcomed. How many of us have seen churches or faith groups working in their community to help people who others have abandoned?

This Government have been quick to identify the positive work of faith groups in communities, particularly in school and charitable work. I support the Government's more open stance to suitable faiths and faith groups; their inclusion makes us a stronger and better society.

However, the Government have also been clear that our faith is subordinate to our nationality, our common values and the law and that extremists of any religion must not be tolerated..."

I was proud to be an instigator of the Hindu Forum of Britain, adopting the slogan "Proud to be British, proud to be Hindu". It is a phrase that I believe strongly echoes the position that the Government are moving towards and must continue to support."

In her response for the Government at the end, Baroness Warsi drew on her recent experience of discussing faith, the value of faith, the work that is currently taking place in Britain on interfaith dialogue, and the Government’s approach to faith.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

In brief

Email: majithia.meera@gmail.com

Leicester Voice

By Meera Majithia

Coach honoured with award from famous cricketer A Loughborough-town cricket coach was recognised for her outstanding services to the sport by cricketer Michael Holding during the third England versus India npower Test match, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground last month.

Neeta Patel, was presented with a coaching certificate by the former West Indian player and cricket broadcaster, as part of the Sky Sports ECB Coach Education Programme.

Speaking about receiving the award at the match, Patel said: “It was very nerve-wracking especially receiving the award

during such a big game like that. I will just say that it is so important to have people around you and having volunteers is so crucial.”

Neeta has almost single handidly created an environment where players can learn, develop and enjoy the game at Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

She has been involved with the sport for the past

nine to 10 years and her objective is to encourage more girls and young women to participate in cricket. Neeta is involved with the coaching side and delivers administrative support to.

Over 100 coaches from across the country are being acknowledged by the programme’s ‘Reward and Recognition’ scheme, which comprises of a series of on-pitch presentations throughout the summer by various cricket legends.

Hindus gather to celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh Around 4,000 worshippers gathered at River Mersey in Liverpool on the 11th September to take part in the annual Ganesh Visarjan rituals.

Coaches travelled from all across the UK to be at the event, with over 1500 people leaving from Leicester at 10am.

The visarjan marked an end to the huge Ganesh utsav held at Soar Valley Community College, of Gleneagles Drive in Leicester, which played host to a staggering 20ft Ganesh statue, making it

the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world.

However a completely different statue was used in the visarjan, which includes placing the statue in the water after prayers are complete. Organisers note that the statue used was completely eco-friendly, made from clay and plaster of paris allowing it to dissolve in the water.

Organiser Vinod Patel, from the Sai Krupa Foundation, said: “I started this 21 years ago and it makes me feel proud to be

Academic in line to win national award A professor from the University of Leicester has been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards 2011.

Nisha Dogra of the Greenwood Insitute of Child Health has been named as one of the contenders for the ‘Most Innovative Teacher of the Year’ award, which seeks to reward an academic whose imagination and passion have transformed a course and inspired students.

Professor Dogra has demonstrated both innovation and leadership in the field of psychiatry education at international, national

and local levels.

Through her teaching and strategic contribution to curriculum development, she has successfully tackled an acknowledged national problem; the apparent lack of appeal of psychiatry to student doctors.

New hygiene standards

an Asian and to be Hindu.

The festival is celebrated with so much love all over the UK. We have been

coming to Merseyside for the past 15 years after my initial few trips to Skegness.”

Community donates over £10,000 to research centre

A new national scheme which tells people about the hygiene standards of food outlets was officially launched in the city on Monday, 12th September.

Under the new national Food Hygiene Rating System (FHRS) scheme, city food outlets such as restaurants, takeaways and pubs will be inspected by city council food safety officers, to check that their standards meet the legal requirements.

Every outlet rated will receive a certificate and sticker showing their rating from a scale ranging from zero at the

bottom (which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’) to a top rating of five (‘very good’).

Lord Jeff Rooker, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, said: “We recognise the real progress that has been made in improving hygiene standards in food outlets through local rating systems. But having a single nationwide scheme will mean a level playing field for businesses across the country, and consumers will be able to recognise and use the ratings in their own area, as well as those further from home.”

Officers arrest illegal immigrant workers following raid

Pictured (l-r): Balubhai Pabari , Bhanu Chandarana, Vijay Sharma, Steve O’Connor, Vajubhai Madlani, Jayanti Chandarana , Jay Pabari , Hemubhai Chandarana (President), Prabhudas Kotecha, Himatlal Ghelani (Treasurer), Shanti Madlani and Ashok Kotecha)

The Shree Lohana Mahajan, Hindu Community recently presented a cheque for £10,501 to the University of Leicester in support of an appeal for a state-ofthe-art heart research centre at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.

Although given to the university back in July, the official presentation ceremony was conducted at Shree Ram Mandir, on Hildyard Road, on the 25th August.

H e m u b h a i Chandarana, President of Shree Lohana Mahajan, said: “Compared with other communities there is a high percentage of Asian people suffering from cardiovascular disease.”

Professor Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology at the University, was invited by Mr Hemubhai Chandarana and Chairman of Trustees, Mr Jayantibhai Chandarana at the monthly Jalaram Prashadi, to address members of the community about cardiovascular disease, its prevention, treatment and breakthroughs in heart research by the team at the university.

Last month the university launched the public phase of its appeal to raise the final £1m required to complete and equip the Cardiovascular Research Centre (CRC).The new £12.6m centre will impact

radically on both the scale and quality of research and treatment all over the UK. Steve O’Conner, Director of Development at the University, said: “A shared ambition to improve the health and wellbeing of the community has resulted in a number of recent fundraising initiatives in the city, including collections at public parades, local temples, Gurudwaras, as well as appeals on local radio stations. One such initiative came from the Shree Lohana Mahajan.”

Vijay Sharma, member of the University of Leicester Development Board, said: “We are delighted with the fantastic donation and support

of the Leicester Mahajan Trust and members of Shree Lohana Mahajan for the University’s Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal.

The pioneering research undertaken at the new centre will benefit the many thousands of patients and families whose lives have been affected by heart disease.

“The support of the local community for our fundraising will be essential in helping to equip and complete this state-of-theart building.”

The presentation from Shree Lohana Mahajan follows a £4,000 cheque presented by members of Sikh Gurudwaras from across the city.

Nine illegal workers have been arrested at a Leicester cash and carry wholesalers, following a UK Border Agency raid.

Officers swooped in at A1 Cash and Carry, on Green Lane Road at 9.30am on the 8th September and sealed all exits before questioning staff.

Nine Indian males, aged between 24 and 44, were arrested after checks showed they had overstayed their visas. All remain in detention while action is taken to remove them from the UK. The business was issued with an on-thespot penalty notice for employing an illegal worker and may now face a fine of up to £90,000.To avoid this, it must prove that it carried out the correct pre-employment checks on the illegal workers.

Phil Rudkin, chief immigration officer, said: “Businesses that exploit illegal workers face severe financial penalties and potential prosecution.

“We are happy to help businesses carry out the

correct pre-employment checks. But those intent on breaking the law should expect an enforcement visit from the UK Border Agency.”

Leicestershire Police and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers assisted the UK Border Agency with the operation. Michelle Wyer, assistant director, HMRC, said: “This operation highlights our determination to take action against those employers in Leicester who are not playing by the rules. We have teams working across the East Midlands to identify those employers who operate ‘outside the system’ in an attempt to avoid paying the National Minimum Wage and the taxes, which ultimately fund the UK’s public services.”

For information you can contact the UK Border Agency’s employers helpline on 0300 123 4699. Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Solicitor caught smuggling phone and drugs into prison

By Spriha Srivastava

Salman Khan back after surgery Salman Khan is a name people of my age have been used to ever since I got introduced to Andaz Apna Apna. Seventeen years later, Salman Khan is still bollywood’s most sought after actor. With a number of hits and some flops as well, Salman has come a long way in growing as an actor, trying various roles and improving his acting skills.

Last week when I met Salman at a press conference, he was still full of confidence, energy, humour and enthusiasm. Despite a painful surgery in the US, he still was enthusiastic about answering questions, interacting with fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. At a press conference organised at the Grosvenor House, Salman talked about his surgery, his latest hit ‘Bodyguard’ and his future films.

When asked about his surgery, he said, “You see, there are these two veins in my head. They fell in love and were having an affair. They decided to come together, and they came so close in order to have a good time, that they were giving me a bad time.

Everything is okay, but right now I’m tired because of the flight and the surgery.”

Salman never fails to

Authority, admitted two plots between March 1 and September 17, 2009.

He also admitted a further charge of conveying a mobile phone into Winchester prison while on bail for those offences, on February 2 this year.

Jurors heard evidence he had been planning another smuggling operation just five months after he was caught the first time, and returned to the same shop to put in an order for more massive shoes.

Brahmbhatt, of Ilford, admitted two conspiracies, each relating to drugs and phones, in to prison, and a further charge of conveying a mobile phone into Winchester prison.

Blackfriars Crown Court had heard how the black, metal-buckled slipons three sizes too big for Brahmbhatt, pictured, were purchased just days before in a branch of High and Mighty, which specialises in outsize menswear.

Brahmbhatt, who is currently suspended by the Solicitors' Regulation

Marathon runner donates to charity bring a smile on everyone’s face, be it in a film or in real life. When asked why Bodyguard is a hit, he smiled and said.

“Because you guys watched it. People watch films on TV and say it wasn’t bad why it did not do well. The reason is you guys did not watch it.”

He also said, “All our (Kareena and Salman`s) films together have been a disaster `Kyon Ki`, `Main Aurr Mrs Khanna` so we took it as a challenge to make this film a hit.

On being asked whose bodyguard he would want to be, Salman coyly said “Katrina Kaif.”

The actor currently has many projects in his

kitty. He is currently shooting for Ek Tha Tiger and also told the press that he will start work on the sequel of his super hit film from 2010 Dabangg next Diwali.

Salman also praised Arbaaz Khan for Dabangg and congratulated him on winning the National Award.

When asked about marriage and kids, Salman said he would like to spend more and time and money towards his charitable trust so that he can bring up many more kids to lead a much better life. He said apart from being an actor he would also like to be remembered as someone who made a difference to the society.

ular bollywood musicians of this decade.

And just as their latest release Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara goes beyond expectations, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, guitarist Ehsaan Noorani and keyboard player Loy Mendonsa) prepare to make their stunning UK debut on Sunday 18th September at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The show will also feature Karan & KSPARK dancers from the Star Plus show “Just Dance” along with a specially-commissioned audiovisual production of Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali – a new interpretation incorporating music, poetry and dance to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Tagore in 2011.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

Presented by Asian Music Circuit, the show is surely something Londoners eagerly await.

'/

Shri Narendrabhai Vora(left), Shrimati Komal Raval, Shri Rishar Raval, Shrimati Harshaben Raval and Shri Harkantbhai Raval

Marathon runner Rishar Raval, 33, a strong believer of charity has made his friends, family, community and nation proud. Inspired his late motherin-law Vinaben Narendrabhai Vora, who died in breast cancer, Rishar made

effort of collecting a large amount from his friends and other acquaintances during his participation in London Marathon on 17th April. He donated the entire amount of £5000 to the Christie hospital in Manchester.

Shopkeeper not to face charges over florist raid death

CII Delegation visits UK A high-level Business Delegation from the CII Defence sector is currently on a visit to London to participate in the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI), being held at the Excel centre in London.

On Monday, CIIIBF and Osborne Clarke organized a networking reception to meet the delegation members and members from the UK Defence Services sector.

Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy in London The trio are to make their debut performance in the UK with the concert coming up this weekend at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday.

With soundtracks from Kal Ho Naa Ho to Dil Chahta Hai and My Name is Khan, the trio are one of the most pop-

A crooked solicitor who smuggled drugs and mobile phones into two prisons by hiding them in his oversized shoes is facing years behind bars.

Ritesh Brahmbhatt, 31, was caught out by sniffer dogs as he entered London's north Pentonville jail in size 12, wide-fitting shoes stuffed with contraband.

A search found that he was carrying three-inch packages containing skunk, the illegal stimulant 'meow meow' and even electronic scales in his slip-ons.

The lawyer was planning to pass the items to inmate David Sterling, 28, who was wearing a fulllength Muslim robe.

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able force to protect themselves, their families and their property".

It comes after Kenneth Clarke, the Justice Secretary said householders who stab burglars will not face criminal charges.

families and their property.

In a statement, prosecutors said "householders, shopkeepers and anyone going about their lawful day to day activities can be reassured that the law will protect them if they use reason-

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Continued from page 1 The Facebook group has apparently also criticised the government for not giving more money and support to Rushmoor to deal with the influx, and has attracted 664 members, as reported by the News & Mail. In fact a “peaceful march” has also been planned by this group to voice their opinionthough the real motive is being questioned!

BGWS and the Greater Nepali Rushmoor Community (GRNC) told the Asian Voice, “We are deeply concerned by the recent establishment of online groups and plans for a public demonstration challenging the number of Gurkhas and their families who have moved to the borough of Rushmoor since the settlement campaign of 2009.

While the individuals behind the groups and planned march have claimed they are acting out of a sense of civic responsibility, we feel that their methods are incendiary and in no way conducive to good relations between different sections of the local community over the long-term. We have offered

Racial tension in Aldershot ?

Who are the Gurkhas?

Joanna Lumley with the Gurkhas during the right to settlement campaign

integrated community.

We feel that it is important that Gurkha veterans in Nepal are fully informed of what life is likely to be like for them in the UK, and are working with Rushmoor's and the UK's political leaders to ensure education on this subject is more readily available.

We also continue to maintain the resolving the pensions inequality for Gurkhas retired before 1997 remains the key issue to solving permanently the

left in desperate poverty in Nepal.

“We want to work with the local authorities, services and community to get the best for everyone.

“There are other areas in the UK that have successfully integrated significant numbers of Gurkhas into their communities, and we need to learn from this example in Rushmoor.

“The BGWS and GRNC have warned that the growing tensions in Rushmoor are sympto-

A peaceful street of Aldershot, with Nepalese restaurants, corner shops and a Gurkha couple passing by

to meet with the leaders of this campaign, and feel that instead of confrontational behaviour in public, reasoned and considered discussion is more likely to resolve these individuals' concerns.

We accept entirely that there has been an increase in the numbers of Gurkha veterans and their families who have settled in Rushmoor since 2009 and indeed suggested that this would be the case, given the expectation by many of these veterans that the right to settlement would give them access to a better quality of life in the UK. Many of these Gurkhas were based around Rushmoor during their careers, and it is only natural that they should look to familiar surroundings and routines in their old age. We contest the assertion that this has 'overwhelmed' Rushmoor, and we are committed to working with the local council, services and other civic groups to ensure an

7

issues of Gurkha welfare and supporting the community integration in Rushmoor.

The High Court decided in 2009 to allow Gurkhas with more than four years’ service to settle in Britain, which has lead to hundreds coming to live in Rushmoor, with significant numbers also settling in Camberley, Fleet and Sandhurst. Actress Joanna Lumley campaigned for the Gurkhas’ right to settle and became a figurehead for the campaign.: BGWS chairman Tikendra Dewan said: “I’ve no doubt that the majority of the people expressing their concern have the best intentions and think very highly of the Gurkhas.

“I would ask that these people think very carefully about what they are doing, and to remember that without the right to settle, many elderly Gurkhas, who have given selflessly to this country’s armed forces, would have been

matic of Gurkha welfare issues not being fully resolved, and has called on the government to grant equal pensions to those veterans who retired before 1997 – thereby allowing Gurkhas and their families their preference of staying in Nepal and reducing the cost to the UK.” Reportedly on contacting Sam Phillips, founder of the above mentioned facebook forum, by the News & Mail, he wrote to the paper with the following statement: “What happened next (after the influx) was that this caused and is still causing a huge drain on the local services. On top of housing and support they now also need translators for doctor and dentist appointments which has to be paid for on an already over-stretched budget.

“As a group, our problems are not with the Nepalese people themselves but the government and the fact that they

never prepared the infrastructure or supplied more money to cope with the massive influx of people to such a small area.”

Mr Phillips also said the group recognised the sacrifice of the Gurkhas and warned anyone who made racist remarks in the group would be removed.

Members of the group have been discussing exactly how many Nepalese people have immigrated to the borough and what impact this has had on services.

Rushmoor Borough Council said the amount it paid in benefits had risen by 20% in the last two

Gurkhas are among the most formidable and feared amongst soldiers anywhere in the world. They are the loyal soldiers, who have given their life for Britain in many wars. Renowned for their valour, the Former Chief of staff of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, once famously said about Gurkhas: “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”

Twenty-Six, Victoria Crosses have been won by Gurkha Regiments. Amongst them, Nepali Gurkhas have won thirteen Victoria Crosses, including countless other military awards. Of note also, there have been two George Cross medals awarded to Gurkha soldiers, for acts of bravery in situations that have not involved combat Slightly built, for the most part, these devotees of Lords Shiva and Ganesha are also renowned for their hospitality, gallantry, loyalty and infectious humour and good nature.

Immigration brings many people to this country every day. They settle in a place initially, but as it happens, they disperse with time to a different part of the country. It has happened for so long. But historically such influx has never been a reason for a racial war amongst Britons. years, but said this was due partly to the recession and partly to an increase in the borough’s population.

However, the Facebook group is not the only place where discontent with the situation in the borough has been displayed.

A sign saying ‘Joanna Lumley – what have you done to Farnborough?’ appeared in the clubhouse of Cove FC, which has now removed it, as report-

ed by the local paper.

In a statement, the club said: “Cove Football Club in no way wishes to associate itself with the sign that had been put up in the club.

“We are a community football club who welcome players from all ethnicity and at present have three senior Nepalese players.

“The club does not tolerate any racist behaviour and the sign has been removed.”

8

www.abplgroup.com

Dee Katwa

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

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

Ram Katha: Ten years on Memories from a spiritual Indian festival, the Ram Katha, which took place in Birmingham a decade ago, were brought back last week as part of a special oneday legacy reunion.

The tenth anniversary celebration saw scores of people, mainly Hindus and Sikhs, come together to reflect on the nine-day Ram Katha Vedic Festival of 2001. The 9am-5pm programme, held last Saturday at the New Bingley Hall in Hockley, Birmingham, featured presentations, speeches, food and drink, and a series of short performances, each symbolic of Lord Rama, hence Ram Katha.

This major two-part event, which had been in planning for months, was organised with joint efforts of all denominations of Birmingham’s Hindu and Sikh communities, under the leadership of Bhimabhai Godhania, long-term chief financial controller with Midland-based KTC Foods.

The morning began with an Indian breakfast, served by the volunteer team from the local Swaminarayan (BAPS) Temple. Then, dignitaries were each presented with a bouquet of flowers by Ram Katha committee members. Among them were C Gururaj Rao, the Consul General of India in Birmingham, Lord Tarsem King, Sukhjinderbhai from Nirankari Bhawan, Haribhai Duggal, MD of the New Bingley Hall, Jeet Singh from Sangat TV. I was representing Mr CB Patel, editor and publisher of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.

Keynote speaker Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh was absent. He had to go

to India “for an emergency”. Representing him were his wife, Baldev Kaur, aka Mataji, and Sukhbir Singh from Ilford, a trustee of Sangat TV. Then, the lamp was lit, symbolic of any event opening, in front of a large idol of Lord Ganesh, by the listed dignitaries. It was indeed interesting to observe that Mr Guru Raj Rao was the only person to remove his shoes when lighting the lamp, tribute to his spiritual conscience.

In his remarkable speech, Mr Rao said Ram Katha was about “moral evolution of mankind”.

And by understanding the meaning of Ram Katha, he said, helps “destroy sinful activities, dispels ignorance and confers peace of mind”. He said that our aim in life should be God realisation and that each of us should attempt to have a “daily appointment with God”.

Instead, he said, we were all far too busy in our daily lives chasing materialistic elements in search of happiness. He also expressed his disappointment at the lack of young people in the audience. “I was informed there would be lots of youngsters. I’m disappointed,” he said.

His words were echoed by Lord King. “I travel on the train from Birmingham to London almost daily. I see the look on passengers’ faces. I don’t know if they’re rich or poor, but most look worried and down,” he said. Also, “a quarter of the nation is on benefits

Race case, ex-councillor gets £122k Raghib Ahsan, a former Birmingham councillor has won £122,000 compensation from the Labour Party following his claim of race discrimination. Mr Ahsan, 65, who represented Sparkhill from 1991 to 1998, was deselected following unproven allegations that he helped Asian families jump the queue for housing repair grants in return for votes. He was replaced by a white candidate. He brought a case of discrimination under the Race relations Act against the Labour Party in 1998. It was finally determined in the House of Lords in November 2007. Now Mr Ahsan, who lives in Handsworth, and works as a solicitor, has been awarded £42,247 for personal injury and the parties have agreed a further sum of £79,992.41 for loss of income. His costs, so far and pending, have come from the public purse.

which can only be a burden on the other threequarters. They are always blaming each other.”

Compered by Jyotsnaben Thanki and Dineshbhai Chauhan, Chair and PR officer, respectively, of Hindu Council of Birmingham, the morning featured the following: a simultaneous’ tabla’ drum musical by six young boys, of Ram Tabla Group; dances by Jilna Karia, Kruti, aged six, Shivani Parmar, Anjali Myanger; bhajans

by Anjanaben Shelat, Nareshbhai Patel, accompanied by distinguished tabla player Subhash Rathod; and songs in Punjabi by Sonia Sahota, part of the Sahota Brothers group.

Following an hour of Gujarati folk dance ‘raasgarba’, in which everyone took part, then lunch, the afternoon featured a speech by Jindy Khera, managing director of KTC Foods, an Indian musical by 10-year-old Preyash Modi of Coventry and his team and the ever-popular amazing stick and sword dance by the Maher Cultural Dance troupe of Leicester.

At the 2001 Ram Katha, Shri Morari Bapu, a globally-revered Hindu holy man, had agreed to recite from the Hindu scriptures during the nineday Ram Katha Festival.

But, he pulled out at the eleventh hour, giving poor health as his reason. This left the committee in limbo and sparked controversy. Immediately, Mr Godhania flew to India in the hope of bringing Morari Bapu with him, but he failed. His replacement, another Hindu holy man, Kiritbhai Fatania, was quickly found and the

festival went ahead, as planned. Thankful to Kiritbhai ever since, the committee decided to invite him again to the tenth anniversary celebration. Initially, he provisionally agreed. Flyers and posters were printed featuring Kiritbhai. As the event drew nearer, the committee requested confirmation from Kiritbhai.

But the committee claim that he ignored their several telephone calls.

Apparently, there is an ongoing dispute between Kiritbhai and the committee over a five lakh payment to a filming company. Asian Voice contacted the Delhi-based filming company, but failed to get a response. However, Kiritbhai responded to our enquiry and asked our reporter to contact him by telephone. And soon after Asian Voice intervened, Kiritbhai telephoned a committee member confirming his attendance as main speaker. But so that the 2001 episode would not be repeated, the committee had decided to replace, at an earlier stage, Kiritbhai’s recital with performances by local talent. Hence the series of short performances, which gave local talent the opportunity to shine.

Such letdowns by respected and revered holy men and women, regardless of faith or religion, can divide, rather than unite communities.

Naturally, this can cause anger, uproar, disillusion, dilute people’s faith and cause relationships to be soured. Fortunately, such incidents are rare. Most holy men and women are seen as role models, particularly for the younger generation, are they not?

Lord Ganesh takes a dip Four coach loads from Birmingham travelled to Seacombe Port on the River Mersey last Sunday to mark Ganesh Chaturthi, the annual Indian celebration. Couple Jagjivanbhai and Minaben Chauhan and their son Pritesh, who had organised and funded the trip, immersed an idol of Lord Ganesh into the river which was followed by vibrant ‘raas-garba’ chanting and dancing on the ship.

Blue it is Blue is the most popular car colour – and the West Midlands has been named top region for blue car drivers, according to an AA/Populus survey.

News in Brief Ex-footballer death Scores of mourners descended on Villa Park last week to bid a final farewell to Bernard, aka Bernie Gallacher, a former left back player with Aston Villa Football Club.

Bernie, 44, pictured, died last month at Good Hope Hospital. He leaves behind his partner Sheila, daughter Amy and two sons, James and Charles.

Cabbie fined A Midland taxi driver has been ordered to pay £545 for failing to set his meter and for overcharging.

Rashid Mahmood, 35, of Walsall was caught as part of a council sting when officers got into his hackney carriage. Mahmood charged them £15, instead of £9.50, Walsall magistrates court heard.

Hindu meeting The annual general meeting of the Hindu Forum of Britain will take place at the Shri Krishna Temple in Sparkbrook, Birmingham (B11 1JL) between 10am and 12.30pm this Sunday (Sept 18). All welcome.

Tots raise cash for charity Three cheers to the team at Russell Nursery School in Hall Green, Birmingham, who raised £283.30 for Barnardo’s, the charity, by dressing up as animals and completing a sponsored walk around their playground. Nursery manager Jasula Ravat extends her deep gratitude to everyone who contributed.

Save money on cooking People are being encouraged to use an online planner to save money when cooking food. An average family throws away £50 worth of food each month. To find out more visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/everyday_perfect_portions

Farewell to Councillor Bill Tweddle, a popular Midland politician, has died. He was 70. Conservative Councillor Tweddle, pictured, described as a “real diamond, a man of the people”, represented Walsall’s Bloxwich East ward. He leaves behind wife Lynn, two sons and three grandchildren.

A step too far Four in every ten west Midland men and women get out of breath walking up stairs, a survey for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has found.

Spot check on cabbies A safety spot check on taxis in Birmingham last weekend saw 89 vehicles pulled over – with more than 40% facing prosecution. There are 1,500 Hackney carriages in Birmingham and around 5,500 private hire vehicles.

Coach chief steps down Dave Kaye, managing director of National Express, has left the Birmingham group “for personal reasons” after less than a year at the helm. National Express delivers 75% of west Midlands’ bus service.

Contractor cops Private rent-a-cops are being hired for £20 an hour to work on high-profile murder investigations by West Midlands Police, reports the Sunday Mercury.

In total, 24 staff have been drafted in from G4S, the security firm. It is understood that G4S pays the contractors £12 per hour plus expenses. A serving police officer is paid a maximum of £17 per hour.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Return of the native

9

Pair re-bailed Two Birmingham businesswomen arrested over an alleged conspiracy to defraud a government department have been rebailed by police. Rani Uppelle and Kavita Jnagal, pictured, both in their thirties, are cofounders of Edgbastonbased Simply Recruitment, described on its website as “one of the UK’s leading equality recruitment specialists”.

The women answered bail on August 31 and have rebailed to attend a central

London police station on October 12. Ms Uppelle was on the Board of the Institute of Asian

part of Businesses, Birmingham Chamber, but resigned instantly after being arrested in June.

Dentist who retrieved tooth from bin suspended Asian Voice was invited to the interview of Jay Sean by Tommy Sandhu from BBC Asian Network.

It included the story from his early years in the

music industry with Rishi Rich and Juggy D to superstardom and topping the American charts.

The programme will be shown including some archive footage shot over

the past 9 years for BBC (Asian Network and Desi DNA), exclusive backstage footage at the recent London Mela plus tracks from his ‘home coming’ performance last Sunday.

Dee flies the flag for Asian Voice Our reporter Dhiren Katwa was a guest speaker at a media conference at Sunderland University on Wednesday this week.

Dhiren, aka Dee, spoke at seminar, entitled the Widening Ethnic Diversity in the News Industry. This was the sixth in a series funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Other speakers included ex-BBC TV journalist Barnie Choudhury

and Zahid Lalani, a recipient of a bursary from the NUJ’s George Viner Fund.

Separately, Dhiren, who is Vice Chair of the NUJ’s Equality Council and an advisor on diversity to BBC Radio Four, has been invited to a major interfaith and multiculturalism conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 24. The two-day event, themed Multiculturalism –

a Contribution to Peace, will focus on these themes: governments and migration, empowerment of girls and women, educational programs and institutions, youth and volunteerism, inter-religious cooperation and human rights. The symposium has been organised by the Universal Peace Federation in partnership with the Women’s Federation for World Peace.

A dentist who pulled the wrong tooth from a patient had it retrieved from a medical waste bin and replanted it two hours later.

Kim Green, who was in agony from a root canal infection, did not know that her healthy tooth had lain among bloodied tissues, saliva wipes and needles used on other patients.

Dentist Justin George (pictured) allegedly sewed it back in, left her rotten one in place and suggested she take painkillers until another appointment was arranged. But that night Mrs Green, 44, could stand the pain no longer and was eventually admitted to hospital for an emergency operation.

A horrified surgeon

removed both teeth and immediately reported Dr George to the local health authority and General Dental Council (GDC).

He has now been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing.

Mrs Green, a mother of three from Wellington, Somerset, told The Mail on Sunday she had since undergone blood tests and a course of precautionary anti-hepatitis jabs.

When The Mail on Sunday spoke to Dr George at his home in Taunton he admitted responsibility but claimed there was ‘pandemonium’ at the surgery. ‘It was a really weird day,’ he said.

‘We didn’t have our regular nurse, there was pandemonium in the practice, and then the nurse left the

X-ray in the machine.

‘People are all coming in with pain and I’m the only dentist in the surgery trying to see everybody, and yes, in the pandemonium, the wrong tooth was pulled out. It was an accident but everything was failing around me. I’m a new dentist. I was very stressed-out that day. I could hear people grumbling downstairs.

‘The nurse said the tooth was still in the surgery and so I thought she had not disposed of it. I didn’t know it was in the bin.’

Dr George, 34, added: ‘I have apologised to the GDC. I am seriously horrified at what happened.’

The GDC confirmed it had received a report on the matter.

10

YOUR VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Unite and Rule

Charity begins at home

I was really moved by your headline article “Manmohan in Dhaka” [A.V. 10/09/2011 p1&26] on historic border pack signed between India and Bangladesh. The leaders of the six neighboring nations, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar make a “Common Market” of 1,611,000,000 people.

History informs us how six nations started the Steel and Coal Community in 1952, progressed to the Treaty of Paris in 1957 when they created the EEC [European Economic Community] or Common Market and now EU or European Union. Manmohan Singh could start the ball rolling by getting the Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers, Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of six nations meet regularly every quarter to discuss mutual interest problems. The European Union has no customs duty for import and export between the 26 countries, although they have a common customs duty payable by exporters from outside their economic area. The Dollar, the Pound Sterling and the Euro are all called “Eurocurrency” or “Euro money” when held in banks outside the country of origin. This Eurocurrency can be borrowed by commercial undertakings for trade. Why not create a similar terminology “Is currency” [Indian Sub-continent Currency] where the six different currencies that are held by the six trading nations in each other countries’ bank fall under that umbrella quasi-name and be used to finance trade? Indian Central Bank governors have managed the Indian Rupee exchange rate well by a floating rather a fixed rate system but the central bank intervening periodically. This knowledge could be passed on to the other five nations.

I refer to your articles which appeared in Asian Voice (Vol.40, Issue 19, dated 10th – 16th September 2011), on pages 18 and 20. Also, the 2011 Forbes list of Indian billionaires which is found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ind ians_by_net_worth, states that India, presently with exactly 55 “dollar-billionaires” (individuals with a total net worth of one billion dollars and above), accounts for roughly 4.5% of the global total of 1210 billionaires across the six continents. I call this an embarrassment.

On occasions, I have listened to news on how many crores and crore of rupees these billionaires spend on their offspring’s marriages, building multi-storey tower blocks as their private residence or buying into IPL or other sports. I have also seen on many occasions, western charities’ adverts, specifically, poor little Anita from Bangalore, looking for a sponsor. In April/May 2011, Britain announced that they will give approximately 295 million annually in aid till 2015. There would be no need for the charities to beg for money, or for our Government to give our hard earned money as aid or to sponsor children like Anita in India, if each of these billionaires themselves, just gave a very small percentage, say 1.5% annually of their annual earnings to sponsor and educate children like Anita, instead of showing off their ego and outdoing each other.

Just think how many Anitas would be brought out of their misery and vicious poverty cycle. Only then can we all be proud of their achievements. I doubt that will ever happen, as I believe “Charity begins at home” is not in their vocabulary.

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

Mohindra Master Via Email

Misery of illegal squatting

A decade after attack on WTC

When it comes to squatting, this country has not only some of the most lenient but also bewildering, bizarre and down right stupid laws one can imagine. It causes misery, heartache and financial ruin to ordinary, law abiding people.

When some one breaks into our homes, it becomes an illegal entry. Police should be able to throw them out; at least it is the law in theory. But reality is completely different. Police would only advise to go through court and obtain an eviction order before they would act, even though it was a break-in.

Court action is a long and expensive procedure and by the time squatters move out, the house is in a mess, trashed and in need of expensive renovation. There is not even a special insurance cover for such a scenario. Homelessness is a serious problem in London while thousands of homes belonging to local councils and private landlords remain empty. This anomalies should be tackled by law and not by squatting, making it expensive to keep homes unoccupied, as some of the squatters have young children and no where to go. They do need and deserve a helping hand from the authority.

Coverage of 9/11 attack on World Trade Center, rightly draws sympathies for Americans. It was national calamity after Pearl Harbour, making a dent in ego of Americans. After effects of 9/11 attack are more traumatic than attack itself. But it has acted as catalyst to forge strong sense of national unity.

Besides American renouncing spirit, USA reined in UK/Ireland, Israel/Palestine and Pakistan in order to focus on fight against terrorism leading to two unwinnable wars that is draining credibility, economy and self confidence of Americans. Luckily Muslim countries did not obstruct virtual occupation of Afghanistan.

In spite of visible damage, irrefutable proofs about perpetrators and plausible theory offered by America, many “Conspiracy Theories” sprang up toonone were fool proof. These ranged from mischievous, ridiculous, silly to outright incredible.

More than 20 American and world security organisations like FBI, CIA, M15, Mossad, ISI, Interpol, etc could not smell the attack which might have taken a number of years to plan and execute.

America also cannot explain how sophisticated security of the airport was breached 4 times on same day.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Diwali Festival of light

Dear Readers, Diwali is a month away. The New Year is knocking at the door waiting to bring in colours and light to our lives with fervour of joy and ever lasting happiness. Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar as every year will be publishing the ‘Diwali Special’ Magazine for our fabulous and supportive readers like yourself.

If you think you would like to contribute to our unique Diwali issue, why don't you write in English on either of the following topics: 1. One of your favourite childhood Diwali memories or 2. A particular charity you have supported in cash or kind or 3. Your first Diwali in the UK and how you spent it Please note that your articles must not be more than 500 words and should be emailed to Aveditorial along with your full name and contact details to aveditorial@abplgroup.com. Last day of entry is Sunday 9th October 2011.

- Asian Voice

The Feral Underclass Britain’s Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, has slammed the “feral underclass” that he seems to believe is at the root of much of the civil unrest which was witnessed in this country in August 2011. The Oxford English Dictionary describes the word ‘feral’ to mean an animal that has entered a wild or untamed state, usually after escaping from a period of domestication or captivity. So he probably views the rioters as an ‘underclass’ who were previously domesticated or captive and who have now gone wild and brutal. If we ignore the word “feral” and concentrate on the word “underclass”, it would mean that the rioters were a socially subordinate group who are uneducated, jobless and poor people. Well, all are not your middle class white males. If we go by this definition, some African and Asian countries would be wholesale underclass when compared with the privileged few in the west. However, they do not go on a rampage of looting and arson.

These rioters are supported by the State ie by the likes of you and me and in receipt of all kinds of benefits. They went on a rampage with a belly full of food and were transported around in their own vehicles. How could these people even contemplate on looting those who feed them?

The root cause of all this seems to be a social imbalance which need to be addressed. Nature has made abundant provision for all. It only needs sensible distribution of its resources in order that people all over the world are properly fed and content so that they do not have to forcibly usurp from those who seem to have it all.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford Americans realised enemy is not knocking at gates, but has smashed citadel. Could this be beginning of end of big brother image of America?

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

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

E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

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

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

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

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

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What has faith got to do with crime I am writing with reference to your invitation to comment on your article ‘What has faith got to do with crime’ (AV 10 September).

I am not at all surprised that as at June 2010 the Hindu prison population stood at a meagre 0.5% (436) of the total prison population (85,002) in England and Wales.

Why should this be so when Hindus live and work in the same environment as the rest of the population? In my view, it is because not only do we respect the different Hindu sectarian faiths that are embedded within or have emanated from Hinduism, we also universally respect all other religious faiths whatever their beliefs and traditions. Not to do so would imply counteracting the sacred and unifying principle of Hinduism – that the world is one big family and therefore everyone as a member of that family has an inherent duty not only to protect it but also to serve selflessly in the absolute good interests of the world family as a whole.

I often hear criticisms that because Hindus are generally passive and tolerant in nature they are reluctant to take part in situations of conflict and aggression and therefore they lack leadership in not being generally supportive socially and politically. But it is this very nature of passivity, coupled with their steadfast adherence to the belief in the law of Karma and also their hardworking nature, that makes them good citizens without having to let go their legal rights or without resorting to crime in the face of adversity or injustice taking Mahatma Gandhi’s spirit of non-violence and humanitarianism as a practical example.

Let’s hope the younger generations continue this spirit of good citizenship and imbibe it in their children.

Uttambhai D Mistry Bolton

Visit our website: www.abplgroup.com

Page -19-21

Health Watch

Special Edition - October 2011

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EDUCATION / COUNCIL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Millionaire dentist prosecuted A 'millionaire dentist, who has been reportedly termed as a 'miser' by Daily Telegraph, was prosecuted after using a disabled permit belonging to his business partner's dead father to park his £140,000 Ferrari for free, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Dr Chirag Patel, 33, used the blue badge outside one of his Perfect Smile dental practices in South London just to avoid the £15 a day charge.

Patel, who was unaware he was being filmed by council workers, admitted using the badge on six occasions in

December 2009.

The dentist had traded in his Bentley for a brightred Ferrari California convertible, making his £540 a year Wandsworth Council business parking permit invalid while it was transferred to the new

vehicle.

He could have got a temporary permit to cover the transition period for free but instead used the disabled permit which had been invalid for around 16 months.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of misusing the badge but denied a charge of fraud, which was dropped by prosecutors just as his trial was due to begin at South Western Magistrates Court in Battersea.

District Judge Barnes fined him £700 and ordered him to pay £784 costs plus a £15 victim surcharge, amounting to £2,199.

Congratulation for your excellent results!

Kishan

Anjali

Kishan Manoj Sheth, 16 yrs of age from Kenton, attained a staggering 9A*s & an A & was awarded an academic sixth form scholarship at the John Lyon school for boys. He wishes to study Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry & Economics at AS level & hopes topursue a career in Dentistry.

Also achieving success at GCSE was Shalini Karunanada, 16

Jaymini

yrs of Rayners Lane who achieved 8 A*'s & 3 A's & also achieving a distinction for ICT. Shalini hopes to study M a t h e m a t i c s , Chemistry, Biology & Geography at AS level& wants to become a doctor.

Jaymini Hirani 16 yrs of age from Harrow also did remarkably well by achieving 6 A*'s, 4A's &3 B's. Jaymini intends to study

Shalini

M a t h e m a t i c s , Economics, English Literature & Classics at AS level & hope to go into Economic Journalism.

And finally Anjali Janani, 16 yrs old from Rayners Lane achieved 3 A*'s 7 A's & 1 B. Anjali wishes to study Economics, History, Politics & English Literature at AS level & hopes to peruse a career in journalism or Law.

Man arrested after children discover Indian mother dead in Luton A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a 44-year-old woman found stabbed to death at her home on Friday.

Shobhna Jethwa's teenage daughter Bijal, and her two young sons Dillon, 12, and Salesh, 11, arrived home from school to find their mother lying in a pool of blood.

The 15-year-old girl called paramedics to the home but by then it was too late.

The ambulance crew called in police who immediately sealed off the house and launched a fullscale murder investigation.

A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police admitted that detectives did not know who would want to kill the woman and had not established a motive.

Shobna Rajesh Jethwa (pictured) was daughter of Mohanlal and Savitaben Sonigra, of Porbandar in India. She was the eldest of two sisters and has two brothers, Jayanti and Mahesh, both in India.

Mrs Jethwa's family were informed of the tragic incident by police. Speaking to our reporter from Porbandar this week, Mrs Jethwa's devastated mother Savitaben, a devout Hindu, said: "We just cannot believe this has happened. She was a doting mother and lived for her children. We are far away, what can we do. We just pray that her soul rests in peace and that the offender is punished for this crime which has taken away the mother of three children." Mrs Jethwa had visited her family in February this year.

Alleged sources said that Mrs Jethwa, whose husband Rajesh known as Jeff - was at work at the local railway station

at the time, knew her killer.

Mrs Jethwa lived with her family in an end-ofterrace three-bedroom house on Butely Road, in Luton.

A post-mortem carried out on Saturday confirmed that cause of death was stab wounds. Det Chief Insp Mike Trotman, from the Beds and Herts Major Crime Unit, who is leading the investigation said: “Our sympathies go out to Shobhna’s family, in particular her daughter and two sons who found her body at their home on return from school on Friday.

“A man has been arrested this morning on suspicion of her murder but I continue to appeal to anyone who has information about this incident to come forward and speak to the police in confidence.”

Anyone with information should call 01234 841212, text 07786 200111 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

11

11th AAA celebration

Rt Hon Vince Cable

The 11th Asian Achievers Awards will be launched on Friday 16th September in the presence of Rt Hon Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and over one thousand guests will be attending at the Great Hall, Wembley Stadium.

An independent panel of judges selected the winners out of several hundred nominations and they will be honoured at this event. Full report of the award ceremony will be published in the following weeks. Entry is strictly by invite.

Hatch End girl picked for US bank internship A Harrow student who was selected for a unique internship in America's capital will also lend her expertise to charities in the Harrow borough.

Meera Kotak (pictured), a recent graduate from Hatch End High School, was one of just five London based students awarded with an eight-week paid summer internship at youth-led charity Furureversity thanks to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

She has already been given the chance to take part in a student leadership summit in Washington DC as a result of the selection and speaking after the opportunity she said: “I feel privileged to have been chosen as a Bank of America Student Leader and am so lucky to have attended the summit in Washington.

"The programme has given me a new perspective on community leadership and I look forward to start putting everything I’ve learnt into practice at my internship and in future endeavours.”

The Neighbourhood

Excellence Initiative Student Leaders programme rewards students for their passion and commitment to improving their local community by connecting them with local charities in need of vital resources and Jonathan Moulds, president of Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Europe added: "Our Student Leaders programme helps match civic-minded young people with charitable organisations in need of extra resources.

“At our company, we strongly believe that an investment in future leaders plays a pivotal role in revitalising our communities. "Through this initiative, we’re equipping young people in London with invaluable learning

and professional development experiences, and at the same time helping to create a culture of social responsibility in our own local community.”

As part of the eight week internship Meera will learn valuable leadership skills at Futureversity where she will manage development courses for 11-25 year olds.

The Student Leaders programme is part of Bank of America’s signature philanthropic initiative that recognises the service and leadership of charitable organisations, local heroes and student leaders working to improve their communities.

Each year, the company celebrates the achievements of five outstanding students in 45 cities around the world, who have demonstrated a commitment to volunteering in their local community, by offering them a paid internship and leadership development training.

Daughter overturns father's will The daughter of a Sikh pensioner who left only a fraction of his £870,000 will to her, and the majority of the fortune to his sons, has won a legal battle to declare the document invalid.

Ranjit Singh died in his 70s in March 2009 leaving almost his entire estate to his three sons Jarnail, Ajaib and Jugdeep Balvinder.

Mr Singh, of Crawley, West Sussex, signed the will in 1999. Two of his daughters - including Balvinder Kaur Ahluwalia, who took the case to the High Court - received £20,000 each, while a third sister got nothing.

After her father's death, Mrs Ahluwalia, a 42-yearold shipping solicitor, became locked in a legal battle over the will with her three brothers.

Mr Singh was brought up in a poor Punjabi village but forged a successful career with British Bakeries after moving to the UK.

He lived frugally throughout his life and at the time of his death, his estate was valued at £872,890.

During a costly fourday hearing, Mrs Ahluwalia challenged the will on grounds that the two witnesses to the document were not both present at the same time to see Mr Singh sign it.

The will was declared invalid and the estate will now be divided equally between Mr Singh's six children. Jarnail Singh, who is also solicitor, had defended his father's will.

He argued that in line with Sikh tradition, the eldest sons assume the main role and daughters are treated as part of their husband's family and provided for through large wedding dowries.

In his verdict, Judge Mark Cawson QC said there was 'the strongest evidence' that the legal formal-

ities had not been complied with.

Central to the judge's ruling was the evidence of one witness to the will, Mr Singh's 78-year-old nextdoor neighbour, Maurice Grantham.

Mr Grantham was 'adamant' that he and the other witness were not present at the same time when Mr Singh signed.

Judge Cawson said: 'I am conscious, and have kept fully in mind, that the effect of this judgment is to frustrate Mr Singh's testamentary intentions, and the result will be there is an intestacy as there is no later will.

Of Mrs Ahluwalia who brought the case, the judge added: 'I gained the impression that the present litigation is very much a mission on her part to correct what she perceives to be injustice and, sadly, there is plainly no love lost between her and the brothers.'

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Scrutator’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day visit (September 67) to Bangladesh may have resolved certain issues that had bedevilled India-Bangladesh relations, while leaving others pending for further talks. An Indian Express report datelined Dhaka (September 8) included a critical comment from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), describing the visit as a failure, pinning blame on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed's “weak diplomacy”.

The BNP G e n e r a l Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told a press briefing in Dhaka: “Even though the government terms the visit historic, Bangladesh did not get anything worthwhile.” Did Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed he expect the Taj with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Mahal?

Senior government leaders, taking a more sanguine view, pointed to the protocol on the 1974 land boundary agreement that is expected to resolve all border-related territorial disputes.

Prime Minister Singh told Parliament in New Delhi: “We hope that problems arising from illegal border crossings and related difficulties will be better addressed by both sides.” The efforts to resolve border issues with Bangladesh reflected India's desire to make its borders “borders of peace, stability and amity,.” he said.

Diplomacy is patience On water treaties, Dr Singh said: “we are keen to arrive at fair and equitable arrangements for sharing of our common rivers. We have experience of this before, as in the Ganga Water Treaty of 1996. We, however, recognise that water is a sensitive issue in both the countries. The government will work towards arriving at solutions that are acceptable to all concerned” (The Hindu September 7). The Indian premier clearly has in mind the stalled talks on the Teesta River waters. The Bangladesh Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith told newsmen in Dhaka that he expected a deal on this to be signed within three months.

The Bangla press was in familiar form, mostly rubbishing the Singh visit. Amar Desh, for instance, wrote: “Experts seek to examine if the Framework Agreement (between Dr Singh and Sheikh Hasina) was identical to the Mujib-Indira slavery pact.” Such incendiary language doesn't help.

The BBC Bangla service, while pointing to the lack of agreement on the sharing of the Teesta waters and the reciprocal arrangement permitting India transit rights through Bangladesh to its North Eastern states, said there was “good news for tens of thousands of stateless border people. The two countries are to put in motion a deal that about 50 Bangladeshi enclaves inside India were to be integrated with Bangladesh and about 100 Indian areas inside Bangladesh to become part of India” Sabir Mustafa, the BBC's Bangla Editor accepted that India-Bangladesh ties were better today than at any time since the early 1970s when Bangladesh won its independence from Pakistan. But he won-

dered if it was wise of Delhi to place its eggs in Sheikh Hasina's basket to the detriment of the opposition BNP. Should the BNP win power the relationship between the two countries could nosedive. So it could. But the BNP's Islamist proclivities and its congenital anti-Indian phobias surely compound the problem. Mr Mustafa opined that the failure to reach a deal on the Teesta waters had diminished Sheikk Hasina's standing within her country. There is no reason why it should. Diplomacy can be a slow process, especially when diverse interests have to be reconciled, as they were in the Ganga water accord 15 years ago.

Indian view of Teesta An Indian Member of Parliament in Delhi, Prasanta Kumar Majumdar, protested that a 50”50 ratio in the sharing of the Teesta waters would have a seriously damaging effect on the agricultural economy of northern districts of West Bengal such as Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling , North and South Dinajpur. Also, the Teesta Barrage was an important source of hydro-electric power in eastern India, apart from supplying water for irrigation , said this left legislator Mr Majumdar said he was in full accord with the Indian government's policy of close ties with Bangladesh, but regional interests in this key area of India had also to be addressed (ZeeNews).

The post-Communist government in West Bengal led by Mamata Banerjee has recently reached a peace settlement with the Gorkha Liberation Front, with its base in north Bengal, for substantial financial help from the centre and state treasuries for economic development.

Terror attack in Delhi The Daily Telegraph's Rahul Bedi covered the bomb blast outside the Delhi High Court which claimed 13 lives and left 70 injured, six in a critical condition (September 8).

Terror attack in Delhi

The Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram told Parliament that this was a terrorist attack, but that it was too early to point a firm finger at the perpetrators.

Security officials were investigating the Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HUJI-B) terror group, after receiving an e-mail claiming responsibility for the bombing.

S,C. Sinha, head of India's National Investigation Agency said: “That mail has to be looked at very seriously as HUJI-B is a prominent terrorist group among whose targets India is one.” The e-mail demanded that India repeal the death sentence given to a man for his role in the attack on the Indian parliament on December 13, 2001. The bomb exploded outside one of the most crowded gates at the entrance to the High Court and occurred as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was on a state visit to Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Singh: “This is a cowardly act of a terrorist nature. This is a long war in which all the people of India have to stand united.” There is no short cut in the struggle to liquidate the forces of darkness.

That is for sure.

See also Francis Elliott in Dehi, The Times September 8.

entitled “Indian military fears China 'gap' ” (FT September 6).The country's military is vast, it has a chain of command through which grievances and concerns are ventilated to the political masters. Methinks Mr Lamont's associates and handlers back home seek mega-buck defence contracts. Just as his piece saw the light of day, came Press Trust of India (PTI) and Times of India reports from Brussels telling of a Nato offer to India to share in the construction of an antiballistic missile system, which India, curiously, has almost completed on its own.

Past tales Dr V.K.Saraswat, one of India's top missile scientists tells of a tight sanctions regime imposed on India in the late 1980s following demonstration tests of the Prithvi and Agni missiles. The US declined to give India the phase shifters for the phase array radars for the ground to air Akash missile. Germany followed suit with the magnesium alloy used for Prithvi's wings, while France refused to supply gyroscopes and accelerators and Intel turned down a request for the necessary computer chips. “This is a very short list. The list runs into hundreds of components,” said a top defence scientist. After 1989 DRDO evolved strategies to defeat the ban.

Dr Saraswat said: “While this was a painful process, it laid a strong foundation for research and it stood the country in good stead because today there is a

turned to the Soviet Union for help, which met with a prompt and generous response. The ViceAdmiral recounted the critical role played by the legendary Soviet Grand Admiral Sergei Gorshkov in the build-up of the Indian Navy (through the transfer of equipment, technology and training of personnel) over two decades to 1985, when he retired after an unprecedented span of 30 years' service. Admiral Gorskkov died on May 13, 1988.

WikiLeak revelation The Indian Express (September 4) told of the WikiLeak revelation that US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne Patterson, had recommended her government Washington give Islamabad an additional grant of military aid worth $1.6 billion in addition to what was already contracted. The Pakistani military build-up, in her view, would reduce “regional tensions”. She wrote: “It is important to acknowledge all of Pakistan's security concerns – both the insurgency along the western border as well as threat from India.....they must simultaneously stabilized and strengthened with Pakistan's military overall to ensure that the GOP [Government of Pakistan] remains a reliable US ally.”

Enough said.

Gujarat auto hub The Hindu and the Press Trust of India (September 2) reported an investment surge from international automobile companies in Gujarat. Chief Minister Narendra Modi told newsmen that the state was fast becoming an international automobile manufacturing hub, with Ford, Peugeot and Tata Motors opening plants in

India-baiting as a sport The silly season is not quite behind us. It has inspired certain British media organs to raise their bar of idiocy. One such practitioner is James Lamont, who heads the Financial Times India desk in Delhi. Mr Lamont finds India hard going, what with its scams, dysfunctional government and visible signs (to him at least, being blessed with second sight).ss Oh to be in England, now that summer's gone and economic growth hovers precariously at 0.1 per cent. The subcontinent's benighted darkies do manage 8 per cent but put this down to the black arts.

Mr Lamont quotes a number of Indians in high places – there is no reckoning with the malignity of cash-strapped, disappointed humanity – who state that India lies defenceless at the feet of the fire-eating Chinese dragon, through maladministration and political ineptitude. Bring in the MoD from Whitehall and all would be as well as they were in Basra or British Army torture chambers elsewhere.

Mr Lamont' s alarming tale is

French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen SA Chairman Philippe Varin and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, after signing an agreement in Gandhinagar

flair for doing this kind of work in industry, academic institutions and laboratories.”

A postscript to the magnesium alloy affair was Germany's sudden U-turn, offering to supply India with all its needs. No thank you, replied the Indian scientists, we have all we need, but if Germany was in short supply of the metal, India would be happy to oblige! (Frontline December 6, 2007) Decades earlier, in the same magazine (July 9-22 1988), Vice Admiral Roy, head of India's Eastern Fleet, recalled to a correspondent how the US and UK refused India's requests for submarines in the mid-1960s following the 1965 Indo-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir. India then

Sanand. The Ford and Peugeot investment portfolios amounted to $1 billion each.

The state government was set to establish an international level Automotive Skill Development Institute, as a public-private partnership undertaking, said Mr Modi.

“Gujarat offers a proactive business environment, excellent infrastructure and is geographically well positioned to cater to the passenger car market across India,” explained Peugeot Citroen Board Chairman Philippe Varin. “We view India as one of the most important and dynamic markets in the world, with forecasts of it becoming the third biggest automotive market by 2020.” he said.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

13

Are doctors retaining ghost Parents of suspected honour killing victim charged patients to earn more?

Some family doctors are retaining the details of patients who have died or left the country so they still receive annual NHS payments of up to £100 for every person registered with them.

In a separate scam, there is evidence of surgeries inserting bogus information on genuine medical records to claim vast sums of NHS cash for check-ups that never take place.

One investigation suggested there could be as many as 3.5million ‘ghost patients’ at surgeries in England – many of whom have been dead for up to 20 years. Now the Audit Commission has launched a fresh probe aimed at lifting the lid on illicit practices feared to cost the taxpayer more than £100million a year.

The spotlight has been thrown on the fraud after four doctors were suspended over allegations they earned millions by claiming to treat more than a thousand people who were overseas or had died.

The doctors claimed to have 8,150 patients on their books – but the General Medical Council and NHS fraud specialists have launched inquiries into claims that up to 3,000 of those were either non-existent, or genuine but with false information on their records.

In addition, some patients at the practice, in South London, were falsely recorded as suffering from dementia or obesity, or as having been given drugs or flu vaccinations they had not had.

By inserting these false records, the GPs would

Dr Nusrat Mazhar

have been able to boost their income by claiming extra payments for carrying out check-ups which were incentivised under Labour’s controversial Quality and Outcome Framework.

The deception could have endangered lives and also affected patients’ life insurance policies.

Every patient on the practice register is now being called in for a health check to ensure records are accurate.

Investigators believe the fraud is just the tip of the iceberg. A previous report by the Audit Commission, in 2004, warned that the NHS could be wasting £100million a year paying surgeries for patients who don’t exist.

The latest scandal focuses on the Streatham Place Surgery in Streatham, South London, which was run by husband and wife GPs Arun, 70, and Jayanti Singh, 67, and s Dr Vinodray Patel and Dr Nusrat Mazhar, reported by the Daily Mail.

An NHS report into the practice, seen by the Daily Mail, said patient safety could not be guaranteed and that the system of record-keeping was

Dr Arun and Jayanti Singh

‘inherently unsafe’.

In just one sample of patients, the investigation found one who was dead and others who had moved to Ireland and India. A further two had been recorded as having flu jabs despite being ‘probably abroad on a long-term basis’.

Dr Jayanti Singh in her billion pounds house said: ‘The investigation which has been going on has not been proved. We have actually resigned our contract to run the practice.’

Asked whether more than 1,000 of her patients lived overseas, and others were dead, she said: ‘No, no, no.’

The GMC confirmed it was investigating the four doctors and that they had been suspended for 18 months. If evidence of fraud is found, criminal proceedings leading to jail sentences could follow.

The doctors could also be struck off.

Dr Laurence Buckman, of the British Medical Association, said: ‘I am amazed that this could take place for so long. If these GPs have been keeping patients’ records when they shouldn’t be, then it is fraud.’

arrested on suspicion of The parents of suspected murder in September last honour killing victim year but have always Shafilea Ahmed have denied any involvement in been charged with their their daughter’s disapdaughter’s murder – eight pearance or death. years after she disapLast week peared. almost exactly Shafilea, 17, eight years after went missing from Shafilea went her home in they missing, September 2003 were charged after complaining with her murder. that her parents T h e y were trying to appeared at force her into an H a l t o n arranged marMagistrates’ riage.

Shafilea Court in Runcorn, A massive hunt Cheshire, for a six-minute was launched for the hearing, during which bright A-level student who they spoke through an had dreamed of becoming interpreter to confirm a lawyer. their names, ages and Her decomposed body address. was found in February The murder charge 2004, hidden near a river was put to them but no in the Lake District. plea was entered.

A coroner ruled that The charges are the Muslim teenager had believed to have come been the victim of a ‘vile after fresh evidence was murder’. handed to police by Iftikhar Ahmed, 51, a Shafilea’s sister, Alisha, taxi driver, and his wife who was two years Farzana, 48, were initially younger. arrested on suspicion of She was arrested by kidnapping their daughter police for allegedly masin December 2003. terminding an armed robThey were questioned bery at the family home. by police but were Alisha, who is in the released in June 2004 witness protection prowithout charge when the gramme, admitted the Crown Prosecution charges and is awaiting Service ruled there was sentence. insufficient evidence The 22-year-old is against them. believed to have made new The couple were re-

Iftikhar and Farzana

claims about her parents’ involvement in Shafilea’s death.

Police investigating her disappearance discovered she had travelled to Pakistan for what she thought was a family holiday. But once there she was allegedly told an arranged marriage had been organised for her.

The A-level pupil drank bleach in an apparent suicide attempt while in Pakistan and returned to the UK to continue studying.

Weeks later she disappeared. She was reported missing by a teacher.

After her body was found on the banks of the River Kent in Cumbria, an inquest ruled she had been murdered and a pathologist stated she was likely to have been smothered or strangled.

Doctor 'fondled patient then begged forgiveness' A doctor who allegedly fondled a woman patient's breasts and later begged her husband not to report him, a medical tribunal heard last week.

R e p o r t e d l y Subramanium Balu, 53, a married father of two, allegedly telephoned the man a day after the consultation to say: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please forgive me.''

When the husband said he was considering taking the incident further, Dr Balu (pictured) allegedly pleaded: "Please bear in mind I am a family man with a wife and two children," the hearing was told.

The General Medical Council tribunal in

Manchester heard that the woman, who was identified only as Patient A, went to Dr Balu's surgery in Dudley in the West Midlands suffering from a cold, high temper-

ature and head aches as well as a regular cough.

S o p h i e Cartwright, counsel for the GMC, said that the following day, after Dr Balu learnt a complaint had been made, he contacted the woman's husband over the phone telling him: ''I'm sorry, please forgive me.''

Dudley NHS Trust hired an independent investigator to interview Dr Balu. The doctor, of Stourbridge, West Midlands, denied any improper action.

The hearing continues.

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14

ART & CULTURE

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Cricket comes to the Commons The World Cup winning Indian cricket team were shown round Parliament last week by MP Keith Vaz. At Prime Minister David Cameron’s kind invitation they also visited 10 Downing Street and sat round the Cabinet table.

They then made their way to a dinner in their honour, where they were presented with an award for outstanding achieve-

Anjana Kapuria

ment.

Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP said: “Team India are a group of young men who have united a nation and enthralled the world.

They have sealed forever the unbreakable bond between India and Britain and the Indian diaspora. I am very proud to welcome them to the historic British Parliament.”

New discount stores open in Dublin

Hussein Lalani, Maria Parodi and Faisal Lalani

Ireland’s newest discount chain on last Wednesday morning opened its first store in the heart of Dublin to snaking queues - then immediately announced for the first time details of a further five store openings in the next 12 months.They will be in Balbriggan, North of Dublin and in the South in Clonmel, Portlaoise, Tralee and Cork.

The retail chain - discount retailer Euro 50 Stores – is part of the 99p

Stores Group, which has 150 branches in its portfolio and also announced its massive expansion plans are being backed by Barclays Corporate.

The value retail chain is being hailed as a “fantastic success story” by Barclays Corporate, who are extending to the retailer banking facilities of over £20m to help support its ‘massive expansion in Ireland which will see many new stores opening in the next few years as well as the UK and

Europe’.

The expansion plans will see the Group triple in size within the next four years, leading to the creation of thousands of new jobs, many of these in Ireland.

Nadir Lalani, Chief Executive Officer of 99p Stores Limited, says: “I am excited about moving to Barclays Corporate and look forward to working with them in the future as we continue to expand our businesses.”

Navratri Mela with cultural extravaganza Sangbad Pratidin, one of the largest vernacular dailies in India, has initiated a global initiative called Probash Parboni (Festive Celebration) to connect with the global Indian diaspora with a multi city global event. The inaugural event will be held at the Harrow Leisure Centre on September 2425, 2011. This event is organised in association with Panchamukhee, a registered Charity in UK and Candid Communication, a reputed Event Management and Public Relations organisation from India. KKN Group of Companies, a large FMCG from India is the Title Sponsor for this year’s Probash Parboni.

The main highlight of this year’s festive celebration will be the Navratri Mela. Arena 1 & 2 of Harrow Leisure Centre will host more than 50 exhibitors from India on different segments. There will be several ethnic Jewellery and Saree stalls from Bengal’s leading Saree stores like Saha Textiles, popular herbal beauty products from the

Down memory lane Fish Bar, Hackney is hosting a photo exhibition of a duo photographers, father and son, Richard and Pablo Bartholomew. The exhibition opened on Monday with a frank and informative talk given by Pablo Bartholomew himself using a slide show in a way that of representing his work fits in the linear history of Indian photography. He stretched his work culturally across Asian subcontinent from Pakistan, where his mother comes from and to Burma where his father was born, who moved to India to seek asylum during world war II. Most of the photographs are about his family, friends, and streets where they lived all their life.

Pablo has winning introduction mused on the treasure of a few very rare glass plates containing anthropological and colonial documentation of culture and life of tribes during the British rule. In this same collectables he proudly showed the glass plates containing shots of

contemporary Indian cinema just after its silent era, and also some rare portraits of various maharajas of existing dynasties before independence of India.

His pro aperture personality was an obvious reflection of a well equipped studio at home and his father’s freelancing photography. One of the best reason to see this exhibition is a few similar shots with similar flavour but representing two different generations.

Pablo also mentioned some of his father’s contemporary photographers work like Sunil Janah, Homi Vyarewalla, Kulwant Roy, Noni Singh along with his mentor Kishor Parekh and Raghu Rai. Most of their work influenced with the political and developmental transformation between pre and post independence which certainly secure status for archival and documentation standards.

Some of the rare pictures of independence struggle, first republic day, Nehru’s affections,

Industrial India, tell the story of an emerging democratic power. Journey goes by the hippy culture in 70’s , Film stills, Riots in 80’s, also in the name of god in 90’s , along with public figures and off beat professions of India.

Pablo’s ethnographic work with head hunter Naga tribes is a tribute to his father’s survival among them.

The exhibition disclaims with a statement that you may find someone acquainted to you.

Those who cherish black and white memories and also the more spacious Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta would may have an exquisite and nostalgic time visiting the photo story at 176 Dalston Lane till 21st September.

Maharashtra Mandal celebrates Ganeshotsava The 10-day long Ganeshotsava conducted by the Maharashtra Mandal London concluded on Saturday, 10 September 2011. MML had been in existence in London for 80 years and ranks among one of the oldest organisations outside India.

Mrs Ragasudha Vinjamuri’s classical dance presentation on the occasion set the scene for the cultural evening that opened with a Vighneshwar Bhajan sung by her students called “Prajna Group”. The

dance rendition included an invocation to Lord Ganesha- the Beejakshara Stotra followed by Maha Ganapatim and Vaataapi Ganapatim bhaje- both compositions by Shri Muthuswami Deekshitar in Aadi Taala. The Ragas used are Nata and Hamsadhvani. The interesting highlight was brief appearance of 6 monthold baby Kaavyajhari Rapatwar on to the stage dressed up as baby Ganesha with Aum chanting reverberating in the background. The music, composed by Dr Uma

Rama Rao and Mrinalini Sadananda, was very powerful and was matched by an equally reverberating and refreshing dance moves.

The whole presentation portrayed wonderful expressive display of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva and their son Ganesha. The confluence of taala and raga were neat and dexterous. The command on the dance was professional and was performed with ease and suaveness that allowed the audience to enjoy the piece seamlessly.

Remembering with hope

stable of Arish Ayurveda and many more. Special focus will be given on the Real Estate segment as five major Real Estate players from India will be participating in this two day mega carnival. Real Estate giants like Shrachi Group, Forum, Bengal Peerless will offer their latest Real Estate properties at a special price for the NRIs during the event.

There will be contests like Beauty Pageant, Kids Talent hunt with exciting prizes for the audience at the Mela arena. Entry to the exhibition arena will be absolutely free for all.

The event is also being acknowledged as one of

most exciting cultural events in the calendar with line up of great artists across the spectrum of entertainment and arts.

Among others, the artistsfeatured in this edition of Probash Parboni are renowned Bollywood singers Usha Uthup and Babul Supriyo.

The 2 day cultural extravaganza promises to be an entertaining experience not just for the Indian community in UK but also for lovers of Indian music and entertainment.

For more details, please visit the event website www.panchamukhee.org

St Paul’s Cathedral commemorated the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States of America and the twentieth anniversary of the Firefighter’s Memorial Trust and was attended by Cllr Navin Shah, London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow.

Addressing the congregation at the service called ‘Remembering with Hope’, Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, stated how people of from many backgrounds had come together “to pray for the future security of the world, for a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect, for peace and freedom, for justice and the rule of law.”

The congregation was also attended by Bob Neil MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Honourable Louis B. Susman,

Ambassador of the United States of America, Courtney Cowart Survivor of 9/11, London Fire Brigade, representatives of Firefighters’ Memorial Trust representatives of Interfaith Group etc.

After the service, prayers were held at the memorial statue of firefighters, opposite the Cathedral, led by the Chaplain to the Firefighters Memorial Trust and National Chairman of the Association of Jewish Exservicemen and Women.

Speaking after the service at the Cathedral and prayers at the Monument, Navin Shah Assembly Member and Labour lead members on London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) said “the significance of the service for a peaceful world was to reflect on the atrocities in America ten

years ago and importance of working together in the spirit of hope for a peaceful world. The moving experience today also brought back the memories from my visit last year in August to Ground Zero site and the message of harmony and hope conveyed through the proposed ‘National September 11 Memorial and Museum’ on Ground Zero Site to promote messages of commemoration and education.

I’m pleased that the Memorial was opened today.”

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

For more stories visit www.scribbledesk.com

Short Story by Neha Garg

When The Moon Fell Down Once upon a time in FaerieRealm, lived two gnomes by the names of Flip and Flap. They were brothers and made a living by collecting and selling fruits in the local FaerieRealm market.

One evening, Flip and Flap were out picking apples. Faerie apples are best picked by moonlight and this was a secret only Flip and Flap knew. No wonder, their apples were the sweetest and the whole of FaerieRealm bought apples only from them. Both Flip and Flap guarded this secret very carefully indeed.

So, one evening Flip and Flap were out picking apples. Actually, Flip was picking apples while Flap kept a very sharp lookout for anyone who might be snooping around, in the hopes of knowing their secret.

Flip would climb up the tree, take hold of a branch, shake it hard and then climb back down to collect the apples that had dropped to the ground. It was a bright moonlit night and this made Flip and Flap's work very easy.

'Stop whistling, Flip,' said Flap, for what he thought was the hundredth time. 'If you keep making that much noise, someone is bound to hear us and come snooping.'

'I can't help it Flap. I am just so happy,' said Flip, still picking hard. 'We are going to make so much money at the market tomorrow. These are really fine apples.'

Flap grinned. Flip was right. These were fine apples and would fetch a very good price tomorrow. Good too. He desperately needed a new coat.

Flap was lost in his thoughts, dreaming of all the pockets he will have on his new coat, when suddenly the Moon went behind a cloud and everything went dark. It was at that moment that Flap heard a loud scream.

Flap spun around, fists clenched, ready to defend their apples and pummel the thief.

'The Moon … The Moon,' groaned Flip.

'Where are you?' said Flap, falling to his hands and knees, frantically trying to locate his brother in the darkness.

'And that in the world are you talking about?'

'The Moon fell on me ,Flap. It fell on my back!' screamed Flip, into the darkness.

Flap froze. He looked towards the sky and saw nothing but blackness. The Moon was definitely not there. And hadn't Flip scream out at the same time that

the moon disappeared?

'How do you know it was the Moon, Flip?' asked Flap, still trying to find his brother in the darkness.

'I was just here, minding my own business, when something fell on my back. Really hard like. I cried out, OW! And just then everything went dark,' said Flip, now crying bitterly. 'I am telling you, it was the Moon.'

Flap found his brother and put an arm around him, trying to comfort him.

'Don't cry Flip,' said Flap. He felt Flip's back. Sure enough, there was a big bruise there. He could feel it swelling up beneath his fingers. This was scary. Not only would the world go dark without the Moon, their apple business would fail. How will they make any money?

They just had to put the Moon back up in the sky, but how?

Flap felt about and his hand fell upon something round.

'Here is the Moon, Flip,' said Flap, handing Flip the round thing.

Flip took the round object from his brother and felt it. It did feel like the Moon, it had a lot of craters, just like the Moon did.

He turned to Flap excitedly, 'Maybe we can throw it back into the sky, Flap.'

That was a great idea, thought Flap.

It didn't seem too heavy, about the weight of an apple. They could definitely throw it back in the sky.

'Let's try it,' said Flap, standing up and pulling Flip to his feet.

Flip took aim in the sky, at where he thought the Moon was last, and threw the round object as hard as he could.

At that very moment, the Moon slid back out of the clouds.

Flip and Flap started dancing around excitedly, arm in arm.

'The Moon's Back! The Moon's Back! Yaaaaaayyy!!!!!'

Let's leave them here, dancing and happy. But you know, and so do I that the Moon was there all the time. It had just slipped behind the clouds.

Starry evening at Southbank

The BFI at the Southbank was abuzz with activity last week as Bollywood hotties Katrina Kaif, Imran Khan and Ali Zafar,

along with director Ali Abbas Zafar, were present to talk about their latest film with Ameet Chana.

Later that evening, the

stars descended at the Cineworld Cinema in Feltham, for the red-carpet London premiere of the film.

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Team India makes first ever appearance at the World Championship of Beach Ultimate Frisbee Jaidip Patel India may be best known for playing cricket but this year saw something truly unique: Team India sent 10 players to compete in the World Championship of Beach Ultimate Frisbee in Italy this on August 22nd-27th, 2011.

30 countries including teams from Philipines, Japan, Australia, US, Venezuela, Great Britain and many more, played games on the beaches of Venice for 6 days in the 34oC weather.

This unique game that uses a plastic disc originated in US but has since taken the world by storm as the fastest growing sport today. Using concepts from football, basketball and rugby players pass the disc from one another to score a point in the opposition’s end zone while they try to defend it.

Players cannot move with the disc and if they drop it the opponents pick it up and try to score the other way. This fast paced game (normally played on grass) has picked up popularity in the last 5 years in India with established teams in Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Each year India has 4 national tour-

naments and, for the first time ever, India was able to send a team to the World Championships.

The squad was made up of 4 native players, 5 players of Indian origin from UK (Jaidip Patel and Chetan Padia), Spain and Brazil and 1 guest player.

Ultimate Frisbee is also known in India for driving social change: ‘Ahmedabad Ultimate’ (an Indicorps initiative www.indicorps.org) uses the sport of Ultimate Frisbee to inculcate life skills within the local youth community by coaching and hosting monthly tournaments. For more information about AU go here: www.ahmedabadultimate.in.

Needless to say, India

had a challenging 6 days of games. In the end the team seeded quite low but were awarded the very prestigious ‘Most Spirited Team Award’ bestowed upon the team that played with the most sportmanship and integrity during the tournament. Our gifts of lungi’s and dried mango bars to each of our opponents obviously made an impression.

The future of sports and Ultimate Frisbee looks bright as Team India hopes to attend more World Championships. As Nelson Mandela once said: ‘Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way nothing else does’. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

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BollyWooD

Asian Voice Saturday 17th September 2011

Coming soon: A biopic on Rajinikanth

After striking gold with 'Bodyguard', actor turned producer Atul Agnihotri is now working on a biopic on southern superstar Rajinikanth. "There is a huge responsibility involved in making a film on Rajinikanth. We need his approval and contribution. Making a film on him

will be an enriching experience for us. Certain commerce is involved in filmmaking; so we are working out the logistics," Agnihotri said in an interview. The idea to make a Rajinikanth biopic came from Agnihotri's friend, ad filmmaker Lloyd Ba Pista, who will direct the film.

The relationship between the Bachchans and Kareena Kapoor family has not been in best of times after the engagement between Karishma and Abhishek Bachchan went kaput.

Now news has it that the Bachchan bahu Aishwarya Rai is not very happy with the fact that Kareena has readily accepted “Heroine,” a project that was started with her; a film she had to let go off when she realized that she was pregnant.

Ash has gracefully returned the signing amount of “Heroine” but she has reportedly issued an ultimatum to the producers, saying they cannot use any of her stills from her week-long shoot of the film. According to sources, Ash is not happy with Kareena's decision to accept “Heroine.”

Says the source, "Ash is rumoured to be upset with Bebo. Just the fact that Bebo decided to walk into a project that Ash was meant to resume post her maternity leave is reportedly the reason for the stress.'' Kareena denies knowledge of this. Says she, "Madhur and the film corporation were very keen that I should be in Heroine. The film was written for me originally.''

Bebo on top: Kareena will the first Indian heroine ever to allegedly get 80 million for a film, say sources. She will be the first leading lady to sit in on the edit of a film. She will also have a share in the profits.

I’m single and ready to mingle: Bipasha Basu

Dhanush, Selva come together again

Dhanush and Selva have come together again; this time, not for a movie but for a song in their upcoming film “Mayakkam Enna.” G V Prakash has tuned a number that has both the director and actor crooning! Says G V, "When we finished composing the tune, it was late in the night

In cinema, wherein boundaries of all sorts seem to be getting blurred… comes the announcement that Bengali actor and Hindi iconic actor Mithun Chakraborty is likely to star in a Malayalam film. The actor was in Kerala recently to shoot for an ad

Ever since Bipasha Basu broke up with John Abraham, she has constantly been linked to other Bollywood leading men. First, it was Shahid Kapoor, then it was suggested that she was cosying up to Salman Khan.

Another report claimed she was trying to “woo” her ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ co-star Ranbir Kapoor. But Bipasha isn’t amused. “Ranbir is a great friend and an awesome guy. I’ve known him for many years. If I need to, I can speak to him directly. I don’t have to go through Twitter,” she says.

The actor adds with a laugh, “And seriously, I don’t need to woo men now. I feel I am at a stage in my life where men should woo me. It shouldn’t be the other way around.”

And while Bipasha says that she met Salman at “Bodyguard” premiere, which he had personally invited her to, she refutes talks of shooting a song in his next venture, “Sher Khan.”

“I was surprised to read that I am bonding with Salman over text messages and poetry. Let me clarify that I am not into poetry. And until I know the person well, I don’t send text messages,” she retorts.

The actress accepts that she and Salman - who isn’t on good terms with John - didn’t “speak much” all these years. “But he was very nice to me at the premiere.”

As far as her current relationship status goes, the actor insists she’s keen on widening her friend circle now. “Since I’m a single girl, I will go out and meet new people. I won’t be a person who wraps up work and sits at home. If anyone spots me meeting new people and later writes about it, I’m ok with that,” says the actor.

and there was no one around to sing the track. I just signalled to Selva and asked him to do it. He did after much reluctance. I liked his rendition and convinced him to sing the number for the film as well.

Dhanush has already sung for me and he has a nice voice."

Mithun Chakraborty's Malayalam Twist?

commercial helmed by famed director Jayaraj.

Reportedly, Chakraborty has been quoted as saying in an interview that Jayaraj offered him a part in his forthcoming Malayalam flick and the actor is likely to "accept it if the role is good."

Aishwarya upset with Kareena

Celina Jaitley upset at pregnancy rumours!

Celina Jaitley is upset at speculations that she was pregnant when she got married. There have been reports of the actress' haste in getting married to her boyfriend Peter Haag last month in Austria because she was apparently expecting at that time. A source close to the actress says, ""Celina is currently recuperating from a stomach ailment at a hospital in Dubai.” The source clarifies that the reason behind Celina and Peter's hasty marriage in Austria was because of Peter's ailing grandmother's express desire to see them married. Peter's grandmother passed away soon after that and the couple has been grieving for her.

When people threw stones at Katrina and Imran Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan have a great fan following and this was quite evident while shooting for their film ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ which was released last week. A huge crowd of Imran and Katrina's fans and locals gathered outside the Pataudi Palace as soon as they got to know the actors were shooting there for MBKD. One particular scene by the palace pool required the actors to be quiet and serious but the crowds were a huge distraction and kept yelling out to Imran and Katrina - some people even started throwing stones to attract the attention of the actors.

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

After over four decades of contribution to Hindi cinema, Amitabh Bachchan is finally stepping out! At 68, he is ready to make his Hollywood debut with Baz Luhrmann's “The Great Gatsby,” which has “Titanic” star Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.

Amitabh is the latest to join the cast of the romantic drama, along with Scottish-Australian actress Isla Fisher. He will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim, said an official statement from Warner Bros Pictures.

The $125 million project is a 3-D adaptation of the classic F Scott Fitzgerald novel of the same name. The principal photography of the movie began this week in Sydney.

“Fitzgerald loved the movies and was a passionate believer in the power of cinema. The Great Gatsby has been adapted for the screen no less than four times. Fitzgerald's story defies time and geography. The vision and the goal of our remarkable cast and crew are to do justice to the deftness of Fitzgerald's telling, and illuminate its big ideas and humanity. This is our challenge and our adventure," said Luhrmann, who made “Moulin Rouge,” and used Hindi song ‘Chhamma Chhamma’ in it.

Other cast members of the cast include Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton and Carey Mulligan. The film also features newcomer Elizabeth Debicki. Luhrmann is happy to shoot in his native Australia.

"The opportunity to make the film in Australia with the Bazmark creative team is very important to us; the assistance from Screen Australia and the NSW Government has made that possible," he added.

The film will be distributed in 3D and 2D by Warner Bros Pictures and in certain territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

Amitabh joins Hollywood

Ranbir Kapoor visits red light area Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has visited Mumbai's biggest red light area in Grant Road and sung a song for them. Ranbir's upcoming film 'Rockstar' features a scene depicting Ranbir playing guitar and singing to an audience of sex workers. “Jab We Met” director Imtiaz Ali was keen on shooting at an actual brothel instead of creating set and using junior artists. On the day of the shoot, the women were excited about meeting the star but were also nervous about the shoot. They welcomed the crew and also served the local breakfast of 'chai and pav'. After a short introduction session and some light hearted conversation, they commenced shooting where Ranbir, surrounded by a big group of sex workers, was playing the guitar and singing for them. The actor, who had taken extensive guitar lessons to prepare for his role in the film, actually played it live and even sang the verses himself, leaving his audience captivated.

“They (the sex workers) were very shy initially. They were reluctant about coming in front of the camera....but Imtiaz and Ranbir spent some time talking to them and created a comfortable environment after which we commenced shooting. Once the shoot was over, some of them even took pictures with Ranbir and requested for autographs and Ranbir happily obliged. They wished Ranbir & Imtiaz good luck for the film's success,” said a crew member.

‘Dabangg’ wins national film award Indian president Pratibha Patil felicitated the winners of the 58th National Film Awards in Delhi on Friday at a star-studded function.

Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora Khan received the award for 'Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment' for their blockbuster film “Dabangg.”

The award ceremony was hosted by actors Mahie Gill and Rajat Kapoor.

Regional films outshone Hindi films at the awards. Tamil films bagged 14 awards while Malayalam films won six awards. Speaking on the occasion, the minister for information & broadcasting, Ambika Soni said that the Government had moved forward in setting up the National Film Heritage Mission with an outlay of Rs 6.60 billion. Three thousand films will be acquired and digitized and 3,000 films will be restored and transferred to inter-negatives under the scheme and will be available at affordable rates as DVDs to public for viewing.”

Dibakar Bannerjee had wanted Katrina Kaif to do an item number in his upcoming project “Shanghai.” But then he spotted British girl Scarlet Mellish Wilson. The girl who according to the filmmaker 'takes to rhythms like she was born to the desi beat' will now groove to the fun dance number, aptly titled Imported Kamariya.

Dibakar, who seemed to be rather pleased with his new imported item girl said, "I couldn't believe how well Scarlet danced. Usually when foreigners dance on Indian songs, their body language is sh very stiff but she takes to i t i r o rhythms like she was B lt born to the desi beat." r n i g In Bollywood a do m er item dance history, girls who came ite mb from abroad have performed nu some of the best numbers.

I’m not ready to return to films yet: Jeetendra Although his contemporaries are still active in films, veteran actor Jeetendra is not in a mood to act any time soon. “When I feel like acting again, I’ll definitely do a film. When quizzed about his contemporary Amitabh Bachchan’s age-defying role in “Buddah…Hoga Terra Baap” and if he will also do a colourful role, the actor said, he cannot say anything right now. Jeetendra was last seen in a full-fledged role in “Kucch To Hai” (2003) and made a special appearance in a song in “Om Shanti Om” (2007).

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Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Vodafone looks at India for future CEOs Vodafone Plc is looking at India to groom potential future CEOs. The world's leading mobile phone operator is set to pick talented management trainees at its India arm, Vodafone Essar, for multiyear overseas assignments in key markets.

This is a departure from the usual practice at most multinational companies to farm out plum overseas assignments to only a clutch of senior executives. "A sizeable percentage of star performers at the entry level will be shortly handpicked and asked to take on challenging managerial roles in some of Vodafone's biggest markets across Europe, Africa and the AsiaPacific," a Vodafone director said.

"The objective is to create a pool of potential leaders who are totally clued on to Vodafone's

corporate culture, its ethical code, and its worldwide management practices early on in their careers."

The entry-level managers who make the cut can look forward to being deputed to key Vodafone markets, including the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Australia, New Zealand and even to Verizon Wireless in the US where Vodafone is a co-owner with a 45% stake.

Management trainees comprise roughly 10% of Vodafone Essar's 9,000strong employee base and at least 50 get hired every year. Indian managers are likely to comprise a huge chunk of this pool in what is going to be the first-of-its-kind global HR initiative at Vodafone.

India, US slide in competitiveness The annual Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) of the World Economic Forum (WEF) continues to slot Switzerland as the most competitive country globally, with the United States falling to the 5th position. The GCR finds Asia has become globally more competitive, as a result of its rise to economic prominence. The report states that over the past five years several countries in the Asian Pacific regions, including China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, have made important strides in the GCI rankings. Singapore is the 2nd most competitive country.

India's performance is, however, disappointing and it has fallen 5 notches since last year from 51 to 56 out of 142 economies.

India's gap with China has widened.

China is ranked 26th, improving its score and rank since 2005. The WEF states that the score difference between India and China has increased six fold between 2006 and today, the gap expanding from less than 0.1 to 0.6 points.

The GCR puts it down to India's "mediocre accomplishments" in areas which are considered to be the basic factors underpinning competitiveness. India's supply of transport, ICT, and energy infrastructure remains largely insufficient and ill adapted to the needs of business (89th). India Inc. continuously cites India's infrastructure as the biggest hindrance to doing business in the country. WEF notes that though there has been a slow improvement since 2006 it does not translate into a higher ranking because other countries have been improving faster.

The report paints a similar picture in India's health and basic education (which is 101st) pillar. It finds that despite improvements over the past years the quality of public health and basic education are a prime cause of worry. It also states that though there are some encouraging trends in education quality and public health, the same cannot be said of the country's institutions and macroeconomic environments.

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India’s industrial growth slows to 3.3% India’s industrial output in July grew at its slowest pace in nearly two years as the manufacturing sector growth moderated due to the impact of high interest rates, mounting pressure on RBI to pause in its rate tightening cycle.

Data released by the statistics office on Monday showed industrial output grew 3.3% in July, slower than the 9.9% growth in the same month a year ago and 8.8% growth in June.

The key manufacturing sector grew 2.3%, sliding from the double-digit growth of 10.8% in July 2010. The mining sector rose 2.8% in July compared to 8.7% growth in the year-ago period. The only bright spot was the

electricity sector, which grew 13.1% compared to 3.7% in July 2010. The July data was much below market expectations and impacted sentiment in stock, bond and money markets.

Economists said they were worried over the data volatility in recent months.

The capital goods sector, which is a barometer of economic activity, fell 15.2% in July from an increase of 40.7% in July 2010. The sector rose 38.2% in June.

"The extreme volatility in the data is making the analysis of economic trend difficult , but it is reasonable to note that production is softening on a trend basis," Deutsche Bank

economists said in a research note.

HDFC chief economist Abheek Barua said the industrial sector was under a fair amount of stress but added that the situation was not as bad as evident from the July numbers. He also expressed concern over data volatility.

On a cumulative basis, industrial output grew 5.8% in April-July.

Economists said Monday's

Tatas getting ready to enter aviation business

Ratan Tata may have given up plans to get into civil aviation but the chairman of the $72 billion Tata Group is putting pieces together to be a major player in the general aviation space. Tata, a trained pilot, is working out deals with international players for business jets, helicopters as well as for aircraft management and maintenance services.

Investments in this space are being driven by the group's two main holding companies, Tata Sons and Tata Industries.

The group is in talks with Florida-based Avantair to establish a partnership in India, where use of private planes by companies is on the rise. Avantair's business model is of fractional ownership, giving individuals and businesses the benefits of whole aircraft ownership at a fraction of the cost. The firm intends to emulate its US programme here, said sources familiar with the plans.

"Discussions including the equity structure of the venture are at an early stage," they added. If

Ratan Tata

things work out as planned, it will be the saltto-software conglomerate's second investment in a fractional jet operator after Singapore's BJETS in February 2008.

The group's hospitality arm Indian Hotels (Taj chain) holds about 62% stake in BJETS, which has a fleet of four aircraft comprising of Cessna and Hawker jets. The Tata Group is also set to form a 50:50 joint venture with Hong Kong's Metrojet to offer aircraft maintenance services to the growing Indian corporate aviation market. The country has some 130 private jets, accounting for 12% of global market that analysts expect to double in the

data showed that the impact of the interest rate increases was visible and some pegged industrial growth at around 6%-6 .5% for the fiscal 2011-12.

Industrial production rose 7.8% in 2010-11. Sales of cars, cement and other interest rate-sensitive items have slowed down.

Industry groups said the data showed the extent of the problem affecting the sector.

"The situation is indeed serious as both manufacturing and mining sectors' growth has dipped significantly vis-a-vis last year and unless corrective policy actions are taken we may enter the negative territory soon," said Rajeev Kumar, secretary-general, Ficci.

India asks West to give up protectionism

next ten years. The group plans to separate its small aircraft management services unit housed under Taj Air into the new JV company, sources explained.

Until a few years ago, the Tata Group had a small presence in air charter services. Through Taj Air it had forayed into business aviation in 1993 and had just one aircraft. The main purpose was to fly Taj guests to various Taj properties within the country.

Last year, Taj Air increased its fleet size to four aircraft comprising of Falcon and Avanti jets, and also started offering aircraft maintenance service. Ratan Tata, said sources, is himself spearheading the initiative and putting the building blocks in place for the group to emerge as a significant player in the business aviation space.

Last year, Tata Sons acquired a one-third stake in Italy's Piaggio Aero Industries, manufacturer of the Avanti II turboprop twin, marking the group's entry into aircraft manufacturing.

Stopping short of terming the developed countries protectionist, India’s commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma last week asked the West to shun such tendencies in the wake of the economic downturn that started in 2008.

“Crisis leads to inward thinking but protectionism is counterproductive as it deepens recession. Wherever protectionism has been resorted to, it has never helped,” Anand Sharma told lawmakers from the US Congress and the German Bundestag.

India has concerns over a host of measures initiated by the US government and lawmakers in the wake of job losses due to the financial crisis and the subsequent recession. For instance, the US Congress has increased the visa fee for H1B and L1 visas to fund domestic programmes, which has affected Indian IT companies. Similarly, steps have been initiated by states such as Ohio which has asked for a ban on public spending for offshoring.

in Europe, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, where the group is considered underweight. Mahindra, which also makes cars and farm equipment, had revenues of $12.5 billion (£7.7 billion) last year. It employs more than 119,900 people, including more than 31,000 in its technology business.

The group bought the Hyderabad-based Satyam - one of India’s top 20 IT companies - in 2009 after its founder Ramalinga Raju was imprisoned for falsifying accounts. Mr Mahindra rebranded the company as Mahindra

Satyam a few months after the acquisition. The company, which offers software development, callcentre work and backoffice processing, is pursuing a turnaround strategy, part of which is designed to strengthen its access to markets outside North America.

Mr Mahindra said that he expected overall sales to continue to grow, despite the global downturn, largely because of the strength of the Indian domestic market, which still supplies 60 per cent of Mahindra’s revenues from sales of vehicles and from its finance business.

Mahindra probing European markets for acquisitions

Mumbai-based Indian industrial giant Mahindra wants to make acquisitions in Britain and Europe to bolster its software and outsourcing business.

Anand Mahindra, the group’s managing director, said that it was seeking acquisitions to strengthen Mahindra Satyam’s access to the European market.

“IT acquisitions are certainly part of the agenda,” he said. “My view is that this is an enormously opportune time to look for companies that provide channels to overseas markets.” With a cash pile of more than £300 million,

Anand Mahindra

plus additional debt facilities, Mahindra has the firepower to make multi-billion-pound acquisitions.

Mr Mahindra said that he was looking at IT companies specialising in healthcare and financial services

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

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A question of Perception

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

Last week I spoke about a block due to come in auction on the 6th September: 98 Bravintgton Rd. This property was a freehold consisting of three one bedroom flats. This was duly purchased buy us on behalf of a client for £726,000. We were prepared to go up to £800,000 on this property and I was frankly surprised it did not go higher. Buying at auctions is sometimes a hit and miss process.

Testimony to this being a good deal is after the hammer went down one party sought us out and offered us £25,000 more than what we had just paid to take over the contract. What this means is we do not put any money down and they give us £25,000 return for allowing them to put their name as the purchasers. This would mean we make £25,000 from zero investment, excellent return as it’s free money. But as we had done all the projections and arranged funding etc the focus was on getting the property and rolling our sleeves up and getting our teeth into the project and taking it to completion and reselling the individual flats.

It ’s mo re sat isfying than takin g the mon ey and runn ing.

There’s a lot more me at on th e bo ne, this was a scrap offe red in exchan ge. I gue ss th is c omes down to perception: viewin g it from mak ing £25, 000 from zero in pu t it’s d amn go od, viewin g it f rom the point of view the re is at least £250,000 pro fit to be made , £25,000 is less than 10% of the poten tial profit.

Psychologically we had geared ourselves up for purchasing the property, and this is the overriding factor, as the final analysis shows we all are guided by emotions and not numbers.

Exchange has occurred at the fall of the auctioneers hammer, and hook or crook we need to find the rest of the money before completion in 28 days. Failure to do this means the other side solicitors will serve notice to us, at expense to ourselves and then we have a further 10 working days and we also pay interest on this.

To date we have always managed to find finance for all our clients, though some have been close to the edge. Worst case scenario there are bridging companies who will fish you out of a tight spot but will charge you heavily for the privilege. We have always managed to get the mortgage.

Th ere is still a reason ably liquid mark et t here for finance co mpared to o ther coun t ries in the world. It is on ly when you c ompare it t o what the environmen t was lik e previo usly the liqu id ity has come do wn. It is only our d epe nde ncy on credit which allows tho se who co ntrol it to manipu lat e t he e nviron ment.

The issue with getting a mortgage for this block is that most lenders do not like to lend on blocks consisting of flats. The reason for this is in the event of a repossession it may prove problematic to get possession. This is the view point every lender takes before lending they take the most pessimistic view which is what happens if we have to repossess the property and work up from there. The number of lenders therefore were restricted. The other issue is this is a development/refurbishment project therefore the value will increase for two reasons. One the development value and second the breakup value. For this reason would not like to stay with the same lender as this would mean money is trapped in the project which prevents us from moving onto other lucrative projects. There are a couple of ways to get around this issue, one is to go with a lender who recognizes the uplift in the property and releases more money proportionally, or a lender which has zero or very minimal redemptions costs.

We explored both options, we found a lender which releases funds as the project progresses but the Loan to Value was very low and the

terms not so favorable, so the option left was one with a small redemption cost of 6months interest.

This means we can resell or refinance once the project is completed or perhaps both. Refinancing will raise money and allow us to progress with investing in more projects and this does not mean we do not have to sell in order to progress. A dependency on selling also can lead to desperation in terms of taking a lower offer. As a general rule the less dependency on variables the better. If you have squeezed money out of the finished property, it is rented, paying the mortgage then you are no longer in a desperate situation to sell to move on. On the assumption this property will be worth £1.1m the property can be refinanced as individual flats and 75% can be squeezed out this means you will have released £825,000 from the property. There would be no issues in renting a flat in this location, so you have achieved two things: one is released funds to move on to the next project and be servicing the debt to do so via the rental coming in.

The other property we picked up mentioned last week in Essex was also Purchased by us for £130,000. This is a freehold 3 bedroom house which does not require much in the way of modernization and we are confident of turning it around and making a quick profit of at least £30,000. This sounds more impressive when you take into account the input will be £32,500 which equates to 25% of the purchase price, the remainder being raised by way of mortgage.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY Purchase Price £725,000 Deposit required £187,500 Break Up Value £850,000 Time period 3- 6 months

Description Freehold block consisting of 2 one bedroom flats and 1 two bedroom flat rented at £35,000 per annum, in prime Hammersmith, near to amenities of Westfield Shopping Centre Angle: Split into Leases and resell

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

UK Sales 0207 313 4595 India Sales 0203 384 5323 Westbourne House, 14-16 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RH

Tips of the Week l Have always two exit routes to your investment. l Always consider the funding aspect on properties which are not ready for occupation, as this will not be as easy to obtain.

20

financial voICe

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

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

The Responsibility of Leadership

maria@abplgroup.com

Maria Fernandes

A Bill of Rights: Is this the end of human rights?

During the riots our Prime Minister made a number of statements about the fact that the rioters would be punished once caught and that this process would not be derailed by human rights arguments . In recent years the debate about human rights being the culprit rather than the saviour has become a commonplace mantra by many .

Reformers of the system focus on a small number of unmeritorious cases to support their arguments.

It appears as if human rights was thrust upon an unwilling nation.

The reality is that the European Convention on Human Rights was created by the Allies following the ravages of the Second World War and its objective was to bring peace to Europe. It was hailed as a “Magna Carta for humanity” and the UK was one of the first members to ratify the Convention. It enables an individual with a grievance against the State to challenge their treatment at an international level. The process is not as simple as the abolitionists would like to argue.

Until 2000 grievances involving human rights had to be brought before the European Court of Human Rights. With the introduction of the

Human Rights Act in 1998 people were for the first time able to bring these grievances before the courts in the UK. In March of this year a Commission of the Bill of Rights was established in advance of the UK assuming the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe. The completion of its interim report caused another set of headlines with some papers claiming that the Commission was too weak and other claiming that there was a coalition rift with plans to let MPs overrule the human rights court.

In actual fact the terms of reference of the Commission were to: • Reduce the number of cases that reach the court There is a voluminous caseload and this continues to grow at an alarming rate. It should be borne in mind that the European Court caters for a population of 800 million and 47 Member States. It has a backlog of 150,000.

• Reconsider the financial relief offered by the court The suggestion is that it refers compensation awards to the national state reserving the power only for gross violations .At present there are around 1500 awards.

• Enhance the selection of well qualified judges Reforms are already high on the agenda and the UK far from trying to limit its rights has entrusted the Commission to : “investigate the creation of a UK Bill of Rights that incorporates and builds on all our obligations... ensuring that these rights continue to be enshrined....”

The Commission is consulting the public and this is an opportunity for citizens to participate in the debate about human rights. There is undoubtedly a need for reform of the European Court of Human Rights just as there continues to be reform in the UK Courts themselves. But that is completely different to the view that we should forfeit our obligations to a fundamental international treaty. And just looking at the terms of reference of the Commission that is certainly not on the agenda.

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

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

Mittal faces hard times in the steel industry Wo r l d ’ s largest steelm a k e r ArcelorMittal is passing t h r o u g h tough times as it struggles to re-establish its previously held dominant position in the industry.

When the Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal created ArcelorMittal in 2006 from a 26.9bn euro takeover of Luxembourgbased Arcelor, he raised hopes that the deal would change the fortunes of the worldwide steel industry by sparking a new series of

consolidation efforts.

But the onset of the financial crisis in 2008 followed by only a slow recovery in Europe and the US where the company has most of its plants sent Mr Mittal’s vision crashing to the ground.

Since its 2008 peak, and mirroring a similarly large drop in the market valuations of many other big steel companies, ArcelorMittal’s stock price has plummeted. Mr Mittal’s company has also lost market share in global steelmaking - largely because of the growth in Chinese production - with its output of

85m tonnes in 2010 accounting for 6 per cent of steel production, down from 8.1 per cent in 2007.

Even after a 21 per cent year-on-year rise in underlying profits in the second quarter, helped by rising steel prices, the company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation this year are likely to be about $11.2bn, up from $8.5bn in 2010 but a far cry from the $23.6bn recorded in 2008. The company’s hopes of playing a full part in the expanding steel industry in India have been stymied by problems.

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‘Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individually. Peace, for example, starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us.

When our community is in a state of peace, it can share that peace with neighboring communities, and so on.’ His Holiness Dalai Lama.

While the world remembers the events of September 11th 2001 and those who were taken, it also pays tribute to the strength and generosity of the human spirit. From the worker who stayed with his injured boss while everyone else made their exit, to the firemen who climbed up hundreds of stairs to help others get down. There were the heroic passengers on Flight 93 and the kind local people in small towns across the USA

who took in strangers after their flights had been ordered to land at the nearest airport. It was a day which began with an act depicting the very worst of man and ended with countless acts symbolising the very best.

Tragedy can be an awesome leveler – it makes all men equal – it does not recognise colour or creed, it does not distinguish the powerful from the weak and it does not determine the rich from the poor. And while there have been more devastating natural tragedies, this was different because this was the act of men against men.

The great comfort to be gained was that despite this and perhaps even, because of this, people, good people stood up and took responsibility for those who were injured, or weakened, or lost.

People rose to the challenge and demonstrated remarkable leadership. In the words of John Kenneth Galbraith,

By Amit Patel

‘All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.’

One of the greatest lessons to be learned from 9-11 is that every single one of us can be a great leader. For leadership is not about ones education, talent or ability, it is about one’s resolve and determination to help those who need help most. We will all face a time in our lives when the question will be asked of us – when faced with adversity, are we willing (not able, for we are all able) to rise and take the responsibility of leadership?

‘Courage doesn't always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow”.’ Mary Anne Radmacher.

99p Stores to expand with support from Barclays Corporate The 99P Stores is to double the number of its outlets and to expand to Ireland after Barclays Corporate has extended banking facilities of over £20m to it. The facilities will support the opening of between 40-50 new stores a year, the first batch of such stores have been opened in Letchworth, Stowmarket, Swindon, Weston-SuperMare, Yeovil, Bishops Stortford and Colchester.

The first two Irish stores are due to open in Dublin and Balbriggan under the new brand €uro 50 Stores this month. A further 20 are planned for in the next 12 months.

Glen McDonald, relationship director, Barclays Corporate, Northampton & Milton Keynes said: “99p Stores and Family Bargains is a fantastic success story in what is a very challenging environment for retailers. The management’s ambitious growth

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Bank of America to cut 30,000 jobs Bank of America said on Monday that it would cut about 30,000 jobs over the next few years to slash costs, Xinhua reported.

The job reduction is part of 'Project New BAC', a broad restructuring plan that started in January 2010, the bank said in a statement, adding that the layoffs will help it reduce $5 billion in annual expenses by 2014.

During the first phase of reorganization, Bank of America sold non-core business units and assets that don't support its strategy, the statement said.

'As the company implements the thousands of decisions from Project New BAC over time, it intends to become a more focused, leaner, and more efficient company.'

The second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in October and continue through March 2012, and cover the company's corporate banking and global markets businesses.

plans to double the business’ size and expand overseas are testament to their success, and will ultimately create many new and much-needed jobs”.

Nadir Lalani, chief executive officer, 99p Stores Limited said: “I am excited about moving to Barclays Corporate and look forward to working with them in the future as we continue to expand our businesses.”

99p Stores Limited, based in Swan Valley, Northampton, was founded by Nadir Lalani, in January 2001. He opened his first store in Holloway, London and continued to open three further stores later that year. The company has enjoyed rapid growth and now has 150, including 12 Family Bargains outlets, which offer a broader range of general merchandise, including toys and soft furnishings.

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

21

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

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

Euro problems finally dominating the markets The world economy is finally looking at the Eurozone and its future as debt concerns are dominating the markets. We saw a very volatile Euro last week as data being released from the Euro zone and both the economic Euro zone leaders showing a downturn in their economy.

Germany and Euro PMI services were the only figures that came in slightly better than expected but as news and other data continue to come in negative, the Eurozone is showing evidence of severe problems ahead. Trichet the ECB president also confirmed the economic growth in the Euro zone is expected "very moderate" in the second half of the year. Moreover, according to Trichet, the downside risk is now "particularly high". The central bank cut growth forecast to 1.6% in 2011 for the Euro zone against its previous prediction of 1.9%. At the end of the week, the Euro fell massively below the 1.37 level, moving to its lowest levels since March.

Weak data continued to flow out of the US and along with EU debt worries caused it to domi-

nate markets throughout the week.

USD gained heavily against most currencies as investors looked at the safe haven currency in these turbulent markets. There was news that surprised the markets when the FOMC minutes showed that some members were unhappy with QE3. This caused the USD to strengthen against its major counterparts.

In the US last week we had the out of expectation ISM Non-Manufacturing increase from 52.7 to 53.3, which confirmed the safe haven position of the dollar. The currency then rallied against its major counterparts even further as a result from Barack Obama’s Employment Speech – the president proposed to input $447bn dollars to create new jobs. The markets took the news positively, stocks, future and gold market rose while we witnessed US dollar go stronger from investors’ confidence. By the end of trading week, the markets showed a risk aversion causing the US dollar and Japanese Yen gaining 0.7% and 1.4% respectively.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 13th September 2011 @ 3pm GBP - INR = 75.19 USD - INR = 47.51 EUR - INR = 64.96 GBP - USD = 1.58 GBP - EUR = 1.15 EUR - USD = 1.37 GBP - AED = 5.03 GBP - CAD = 1.57 GBP - NZD = 1.92 GBP - AUD = 1.53 GBP - ZAR = 11.57 GBP - HUF = 327.69

There were major moves from Swiss banks last week as they sold off heavily on their currency.

They capped the CHF/EUR in at 1.20, which caused the CHF to weaken against all the majors. This kept the Euros afloat for a little while longer as Euros were also bought

on the exchange, however further debt worries managed to weaken the Euro.

Markets are predicting many more problems from all the major economies in the near future and due to this we could see further risk aversion in markets.

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

22

PakiStan-BagladeSh-Sri lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

IN focuS PPP in secret talks with Pervez Bomber hits Nato base in Afghanistan, injures 77 US soldiers Musharraf to corner Sharif's PML-N Islamabad: Pakistan's ruling PPP has begun secret negotiations with Pervez Musharraf's party to isolate its rival PML-N and to facilitate the former military ruler's possible return to the country. The PPP and Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League have set up a "covert communication channel" to coordinate their political activities, ostensibly directed against the PML-N. A PPP delegation met for two hours with Chaudhry Sarfraz Anjum Kahlon, a top adviser of Musharraf, at his residence in Cambridge in

Kayani's man ordered Pak journo's killing

New York: The order to kill Pakistani investigative journalist Saleem Shahzad came from a senior officer on Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's staff, The New Yorker magazine said in its latest issue.

"In fact, according to the American official, reliable intelligence indicates that the order to kill Shahzad came from a senior officer on General Kayani's staff.

"The officer made it clear that he was speaking on behalf of Kayani himself," the extensive report on the journalist's killing, that shocked the media fraternity across the world, said.

However, General Athar Abbas, the spokesman for the Pakistani Army, called this allegation "preposterous".

The report said the presence of Islamists in the Navy, and at Mehran Naval base, that was attacked by militants, was not a secret among Pakistanis.

But Shahzad's article was particularly "incendiary". Not only did he report that sailors at the base had helped the attackers; he wrote that the Navy's leadership was bargaining directly with al-Qaeda, the report said. "Consider the time when Saleem's piece came out. The military felt humiliated.

Pervez Musharraf

Britain on September 7 to discuss a "new political alignment" which could pave the way for the former President's return to Pakistan from self-exile.

PPP and APML have agreed to not criticise each other in public and to focus on attacking their common rival, PML-N. They also agreed to maintain a secret channel to evolve a strategy to defeat the PML-N in its political bastion of Punjab in the next general election.

Musharraf has been living outside Pakistan since early 2009. He stepped down as President in 2008 to avoid impeachment. He has announced that he intends to return to Pakistan on March 23 to lead the APML in the 2013 election.

The PPP delegation, sanctioned by party cochairman Asif Ali Zardari, included three lawmakers from Gujranwala, Sargodha and Sahiwal, sources said.

Other members of the delegation were a federal minister and three confidantes of Zardari, the report said.

Zardari believes Musharraf's homecoming will benefit the PPP as it will put the PML-N under more pressure, it said. Sources said the powerful military establishment was taken on board before the PPP's overture to Musharraf.

Pak tribesmen attack Hindus over 'sexual assault' of girl Karachi: A group of Hindus in Pakistan's Sindh province came under "revenge" attack from enraged Kalhoro tribesmen, amid allegations of sexual assault of a minor girl by a member of the minority community, leading to the death of two people.

"More than two dozen armed men attacked Hindu's properties in Pannu Aqil town last week as a revenge for the alleged sexual assault of a Kalhoro girl by a private school's gatekeeper, who is said to be a Hindu," Pannu Aqil SHO Javed Alam said.

A heavy contingent of police reached the town to

push back the attackers, killing two of them in an exchange of fire.

A policeman and a Hindu trader were among the several others who were injured in the incident.

Hindus live in large numbers in the interior areas of southern Sindh province since partition of the subcontinent in 1947.

Fearing a backlash from the tribesmen amid the allegations of sexual assault of the seven-yearold Kalhoro girl, the Hindus in Pannu Aqil town had kept their businesses shut.

However, the tribesmen torched three of their

shops. The girl was on her way to home when a gatekeeper of a private school, Sadhu Ram, allegedly lured her into the school and attempted to sexually assault her.

The girl fainted while screaming for help following which the gatekeeper locked her in a classroom.

After hearing the girl's scream for help, few people went inside the school and found her lying unconscious in a classroom. However, the gatekeeper managed to escape. The accused, Sadhu Ram, was later arrested from Rohri on the charges of sexually assaulting the girl.

Bangladesh jails 182 soldiers for 2009 mutiny Dhaka: A Bangladesh court jailed 182 border guards for their role in a bloody 2009 military mutiny, bringing the total number of soldiers imprisoned for the unrest to more than 3,000.

Scores of senior Army officers were killed during an uprising that began when soldiers at the Bangladeshi Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka went on a killing spree, later dumping the bodies in sewers and shallow graves.

The special military court in Dhaka read out the sentences against 187

border guards, handing 182 of them prison terms of up to seven years, state prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain said.

"Among the convicted guards, 20 were sentenced to maximum seven years in prison.

Five were found not guilty," he said.

The mutiny spread from Dhaka to BDR posts across the country, with thousands of guards taking up arms against their commanding officers in the worst military rebellion in Bangladesh's 40-year history.

Dozens of special

courts -- run by the military using a mix of martial and civilian law -were set up to prosecute mutineers, with the first verdict convicting 29 soldiers being handed down in April 2010.

The courts do not allow defendants to have lawyers, and there is no right of appeal. Seven years in jail is the maximum penalty they can impose.

The BDR has since changed its name to the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) in an effort to distance itself from the mutiny.

3 Pak men plead guilty to terror-related charges in US Washington: Three Pakistani nationals, accused of helping to smuggle into the US a member of a terrorist organisation, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to the Pakistani Taliban.

Irfan Ul Haq (37), Qasim Ali (32) and Zahid Yousaf (43), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation at a court hearing on Monday.

The sentencing is

scheduled for December 9, wherein each of the defendants faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 250,000.

As part of their plea agreements, the defendants have agreed to a stipulated order of removal to Pakistan upon the completion of their criminal sentences.

"These defendants sought to smuggle someone they believed to be a member of a terrorist organisation from halfway around the world into the

United States," said assistant attorney general Lanny A Breuer.

"For financial profit, they were willing to jeop-

ardise the safety and security of the American people. Human smuggling operations pose a serious risk to our national security, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners at home and abroad to combat this dangerous threat," Breuer said.

Irfan, Ali and Yousaf were arrested in Miami on March 13, on an indictment filed in the District of Columbia, charging them with one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling.

Kabul: A suicide bomber driving a truck of firewood attacked a Nato base in central Afghanistan, killing five civilians and injuring 77 US troops on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks, Nato and Afghan officials said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for Saturday's bombing, which created one of the highest injury tolls of the decade-long war and came just hours after the insurgent group slammed the United States for dragging Afghanistan into war. An 8year-old boy was among those killed in the bombing at a combat outpost in Wardak province, about 50 km south of the capital Kabul, the governor's office said in a statement. Fourteen civilians were also wounded.

Islamist protest in Pakistan on 9/11 anniversary

Islamabad: Supporters of an Islamist political party in Pakistan used the anniversary Sunday of the Sept 11 attacks to stage anti-American protests. In Islamabad, about 100 people chanted and held up banners that repeated conspiracy theories alleging American or Israeli involvement in the attacks. Such theories have been commonly aired among Islamist and militant sympathizers since the attacks in 2001. A smaller demonstration also took place in the central Punjabi city of Multan.

Pak court defers 26/11 attack case hearing till Sept 17 Rawalpindi: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Pakistan has deferred the hearing of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case till September 17 after the defence lawyer expressed no-confidence in the trial judge.

According to details, defence counsel Khawaja Sultan submitted an application with ATC No 3 Judge Shahid Raffique, raising an objection on his decision regarding the constitution of judicial commission, which would be sent to India to record the statements of Indian officials, including doctors, who remained in touch with the accused and injured persons in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Pak rejects India’s concerns over China activities Islamabad: Pakistan has rejected India’s concerns over developmental activities by China in Pak-occupied Kashmir region. During a regular press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua told reporters that the development of any region in Pakistan or in the PoK is the sovereign right of the country and that of PoK itself.“We appreciate the fact the China is taking interest in the development in areas that require it”, both in Pakistan or in PoK, she said. No one should object to the socio-economic development of Pakistan and PoK, she said, adding, “We appreciate the invaluable assistance given by China for development.”

Pakistan seeks dengue drugs from India Islamabad: The chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province Shahbaz Sharif ordered immediate import of dengue medicines from India during an emergency meeting. He asked the provincial health secretary to promptly get in touch with the Indian High Commissioner to import the WHO-approved medicines from Delhi. The chief minister told the meeting they decided to import medicines and equipment against dengue on an emergency basis and Indian medicines were in the proximity.

Twin suicide bombing in Pak kills 23 Quetta: A pair of suicide bombers attacked the house of a top military officer in the southwestern city of Quette, killing his wife and 22 other people, at least eight of them soldiers, authorities said. Police said they were investigating whether the strike was in revenge for the recent arrests in Quetta of three top al-Qaida suspects, an operation that was assisted by the CIA. The first attacker detonated his vehicle next to a group of Frontier Corp officers close to the residence of the force's deputy chief in the region. Hurling grenades, the second attacker than stormed the house and blew himself up inside it, police officer Naseer Ahmed Kurd said.

Rights group urges Sri Lanka to end detention laws

Colombo: An international human rights group has called on Sri Lanka's government to abolish abusive detention laws and to free thousands of people being held under them. The New York based Human Rights Watch said the removal of wartime emergency laws in Sri Lanka "do not affect existing and new laws that allow the government to detain people for long periods without trial." The emergency laws had allowed the government to detain suspects without trial lapsed last week after the government did not renew them. But the government has brought in four regulations to enable the authorities to continue to hold suspects and rehabilitate the rebels who have surrendered.

World

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

In focUS 22 killed in Iraq bus attack

Baghdad: Twenty-two Shia Muslims on board a bus were shot dead by gunmen in western Iraq, Xinhua reported.

The attackers stopped the bus that was travelling from Syria to Nakhib in Anbar province Monday, before driving it off with 22 Shia men on board. They were later shot dead. Eight women and children on the bus were spared, an official from the interior ministry said. Shias have been a regular target for Sunni insurgents, who are trying to revive the sectarian violence that brought Iraq to the brink of a civil war a few years ago.

43 killed in Russian plane crash Moscow: A Russian passenger jet carrying a top ice hockey team crashed last week during takeoff in western Russia, killing 43 people and leaving two critically injured. The Yak-42 plane crashed immediately after taking off from an airport near the city of Yaroslavl, on the Volga River about 240 km northeast of Moscow.

Two persons survived the crash with grave injuries.

The plane was carrying the Lokomotiv ice hockey team from Yaroslavl to Minsk, Belarus, for the opening game of the season.

China rights activist sentenced to nine months jail Beijing: Chinese rights activist Wang Lihong was sentenced to nine months in prison for "creating disturbances" by a court in southeast China's Fujian province.

The 56-year old activist, who took part in the prodemocracy demonstration of 1989 at Beijing's Tiananmen Square, was accused of collecting a crowd and blocking traffic. During the trail Wang told the court she was innocent, her son Qi Jianxiangwas seen telling her supporters and reporters present outside the court in a YouTube video. The sentence was unfair because her mother was fighting for people's rights, he said.

Iran hangs five drug traffickers Tehran: Iran hanged five convicted drug traffickers in the central city of Shahroud. The report did not identify those executed. The latest hanging brings to 192 the number of executions reported in Iran so far this year.

Iranian media reported 179 hangings last year but international human rights groups say the actual number was much higher, ranking the Islamic republic second only to China in the number of people it executed in 2010.

Nairobi pipeline blaze kills 100 Nairobi: More than 100 people have died after a petrol pipeline explosion and fire in Kenya's capital Nairobi, police say. "We estimate the number of dead at more than 100," a police spokesman Thomas Atuti was quoted as telling. Local reporters said they had counted more than 100 bodies after the blaze in the city's Lunga Lunga area. Firefighters were battling fierce flames that threatened a nearby shantytown, reports said.

Jindal files papers for his re-election Washington: Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal, the first IndianAmerican ever to be elected as the governor of a US state, filed his re-election papers, with analysts saying he is unlikely to face any major challenge and seems assured of a second term as Louisiana's chief executive.

"I'm honored to qualify today to run for re-election to the office of governor. I am pleased and honored the people have entrusted me to be their governor these past three and a half years. I'm officially asking them today to elect me to a second term," Jindal told reporters after fling his papers in Baton Rouge.

Indian-origin entrepreneur builds wine chateau in Argentina Mendoza: Life's a voyage for this promising entrepreneur. Meet Aziz Abdul who has come a long way from his humble background in Asia to build a sprawling wine chateau in this beautiful Andean nation that is home to star footballers like Digeo Maradona and Lionel Messi. Born to a Tamil father and a halfVietnamese mother, Aziz can speak fluent Spanish and Vietnamese. "I am a foreigner in any country", he beams with a smile when asked to which country he belonged.

Pakistan's ad in Wall Street Journal on 9/11 draws flak in US

New York: An advertisement by Pakistan in America's leading daily the Wall Street Journal on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has not gone down well with readers here with some calling the ad a "joke" and questioning how a country where Osama bin Laden was hiding safely for years can "claim to be a victim of terrorism".

Readers posted their reaction to the half-page advertisement in 'The Threat Matrix,' a blog of the Long War Journal, which is a publication focused on providing reporting and analysis on the global war on terror.

"This is quite humorous. They could do a hell of a lot for world peace by destroying their plethora of militant groups. Does any other nation have such an inflated sense of self worth (sic)," reads one of the over a dozen comments posted on the blog.

Another reader comments, "It would be nice if you would purge the ISI of Taliban/al Qaeda sympathisers, then launch assault into the FATA supported by heavy weapons and armour".

In the advertisement, which has a picture of assassinated former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan

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asks, "Which country can do more for your peace".

It goes on to give statistics of bomb blasts, assassination plots against Pakistani leaders and civilian and military casualties that a "nation of 180 million" suffered while "fighting for the future of world's seven billion".

"Which country can do more for your peace," asks the advertisement in the Wall Street Journal.

"Since 2001, a nation of 180 million has been fighting for the future of the world's 7 billion."

Dawn reported that Islamabad had initially given this advertisement to The New York Times

Interpol issues arrest notice for Gaddafi, son Seif Lyon: Following a request by the International Criminal Court, Interpol has issued notices for the arrest of fugitive former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for his alleged crimes against humanity.

Interpol said it had issued a red notice for the arrest of Gaddafi, his son Seif al-Islam and his intelligence chief Abdullah alSenussi, one day after ICC prosecutor Luis MorenoOcampo asked for the agency's help.

Interpol asked its 188 member countries "to take all measures consistent with their national laws to help the ICC locate and

Muammar Gaddafi

apprehend Gaddafi."

The request for Interpol Red Notices will significantly restrict the ability of all three men to cross international borders and is a powerful tool to

help in their location and arrest, Interpol chief Ronald Noble said.

"Gaddafi is a fugitive whose country of nationality and the International Criminal Court want arrested and held accountable for the serious criminal charges that have been brought against him," the secretary general said.

A red notice by the international police cooperation agency, which is based in the central French city of Lyon, seeks the arrest for an extradition or surrender of a person to an international court based on an arrest warrant.

Israeli diplomats flee Cairo after attack on embassy Cairo: Israeli ambassador to Egypt and the embassy staff were waiting at the Cairo international airport for an Israeli military plane to whisk them away to Tel Aviv after an attack on the embassy building.

A group of protesters breached multiple floors of a high-rise building housing the Israeli embassy. AlJazeera aired a video footage showing Israeli mission documents being thrown out of the windows as the demonstrators reportedly broke into the embassy's archives.

Several hundred protesters remain outside the building in a standoff with police reinforcements

which have arrived in the area supported by at least 20 armored vehicles.

Police have fired warning shots with rubber bullets and used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Local media reported at least 450 protesters injured in clashes with authorities.

Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf summoned his cabinet crisis team and the interior ministry put police on high alert. Israel has created a crisis centre under Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, which is monitoring the situation in the Egyptian capital following the riots.

On Friday evening

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demonstrators partially destroyed a wall built outside the Israeli embassy to protect the building, ripped down the Israeli flag and set several police cars on fire.

Egyptians have been staging mass protests outside the embassy and calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador for almost a month following the border deaths of five Egyptian policemen accidentally killed on Aug 18 as an Israeli helicopter hunted a group of militants near the Egyptian border.

Egypt has asked Israel for an official apology and demanded a probe into the deaths of the policemen.

but they refused to carry it.

The advertisement says that since Sep 11, 2001, 21,672 Pakistani civilians have lost their lives or have been seriously injured in the war against terror.

The Pakistani Army also has lost 2,795 soldiers while 8,671 soldiers have been wounded. More than 3.5 million have been displaced while the country has lost $68 billion due to terrorism, the media report said.

The advertisement noted that despite sacrifices the country was still engaged in "the war for world peace".

Leila Lopes of Angola crowned Miss Universe

Sao Paulo: Leila Lopes from Angola was crowned Miss Universe on Monday night. The 25-year-old Lopes is Angola's first winner. She beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world's biggest beauty pageant.

She replaces last year's winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

"Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Lopes said when asked her interview question. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

The first runner-up was 23-year-old Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine and the second runner-up was Priscila Machado of Brazil. The third was Miss Philippines and the fourth Miss China.

24

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Lycamobile opens training centre in Chennai

Lycamobile recently joined hands with The British Asian Trust and American India Foundation to fund training centres in India and has already opened a centre in Chennai so that young people can earn better wages and have a decent life.

“It’s a fantastic example of how we are working with The British Asian Trust and AIF to reach out to poor, under-educated youth to break the cycle of poverty,” said Chris Liveing, chief marketing officer. He and Mike Landau, chief financial officer, were in Chennai on September 6 to launch a training centre and computer lab supported by Lycamobile as part of a three-year grant providing skills and training to 1,500 disadvantaged young people.

“It’s all about the difference we can make to kids who have no real hope or prospects for the future,” said Chris

Liveing. “We are turning that around and helping them to get on the career ladder.”

On their visit, Chris and Mike met students gaining skills in the IT, hospitality and automotive industries that will bring them employment to support themselves and their families.

By working together, Lycamobile, The British Asian Trust and American India Foundation are increasing their impact. As a partner in the initiative, AIF is matching Lycamobile’s financial contributions and managing the programme delivery.

Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with The British Asian Trust and America Indian Foundation who share our vision to create sustainable livelihoods for disadvantaged young people.

Our grant is breaking new ground in Chennai by sup-

porting two skills training centres that will train over 1,500 young people in the coming years.”

Manoj Badale, Chairman, The British Asian Trust said: “This partnership will enable us to make a real impact at the grassroots level in Chennai through leveraging Lycamobile’s financial support, technical expertise and the skills of their employees.”

Dr. Sanjay Sinho, Chief Executive Officer, American India Foundation said: “AIF is proud to partner with Lycamobile and The British Asian Trust to take our proven Market Aligned Skills Training (MAST) initiative to Chennai. So far, we have already implemented MAST in eight states in India and trained nearly 57,000 young people.

Support from Lycamobile and The British Asian Trust has enabled us to take this successful initiative to Chennai.”

Iskcon officials of Vadodara on UK visit The president of Iskcon temple in Vadodara Basu Ghosh Das and treasurer of the Iskcon India Governing Bureau and Vice President Nityananda Ram Das, have arrived in UK for a three week visit. They will be there from Sept 13 to Oct 9.

Iskcon temple of Vadodara is quite well known among people.

Daily thousands visit this temple for darshan and specially its sandhya arati at 7 pm. On its campus there is also Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar Mandir. It has also has a goshalla where 45 cows, calves and bulls are given shelter.

Lot of people participate in the Jagannath Rathayatra Mahotsav and the Sri Krishna Janmastami festival .The special feature of these festivals is mass “prasad” (“bhojan”) distribution at the Mandir. More than 30,000 members of the public take full bhojan at these festivals, and also at other festivals such as Sri Ram Navmi, Annakut, Holi (which is observed throughout the Iskon world as “Sri Gaur

President of Iskcon temple Vadodara Sri Basu Ghosh Das

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

The significance of feminine energy In the story of Rishyashringa, that we have been looking at in the last few episodes, we clearly see the power of innocence and how essential it is to penetrate the deepest secrets of life.

In order to bring rain to the famine struck kingdom of Anga, King Lomapada knew that he would have to bring Rishyashringa from the forest into his capital. Just Rishyashringa’s presence guaranteed rain.

Rishyashringa had attained this state as a result of intense sadhana, the fruit of which was that even the laws of nature were willing to bend before him.

Rishyashringa was born from the womb of a deer. The word for deer is ‘mriga’ meaning to search, to discover, to attain. The deer drank his father’s semen. This has a very deep meaning implying that his father, a rishi, had attained a very high state, from which he begot a son. The meaning of his name is “that which goes forth and tears asunder,” implying sharp penetration into the world of higher knowledge. The young rishi knew all the hidden secrets and mysteries of life and death, but had no knowledge of the world. He had not even seen another human being, besides his father, let alone knowing the effect and touch of female energy. This innocence is very symbolic for it shows

the student the kind of innocence that is needed to penetrate the deepest secrets of life.

Despite his absolute purity, Rishyashringa was incomplete, in the sense that he had no experience of female energy.

Every person, whether male or female in body, has both energies and to hold spiritual heights after achieving them, one has to balance the two.

Thus, Rishyashringa had to be exposed to female energy in order to become whole and for his spiritual development to be complete. Both the energies are not opposite to each other but are two aspects of reality and are needed to bring balance.

We can say that Rishyashringa was ignorant of the feminine aspect of life, but ignorance is also a kind of conflict.

Feminine energy brings softness and tenderness in life. One of the most powerful aspects of feminine energy is personified and expressed through the mother. The deer who had given birth to Rishyashringa had abandoned him on birth and his father had raised him alone. So, he pursued all his spiritual attainment in the masculine dimension only. Thus, the complete absence of love became the only stum-

bling block in his all-round growth. Any spiritual height which is devoid of love cannot be sustained.

Reality is a dance of the two energies - masculine and feminine.

Rishyashringa, because of the lack of human connection and touch in his growing up years, knew only the active and aggressive side of life.

The feminine side of life is deeply concerned with loving and sharing.

The coming of the courtesan in Rishyashringa’s life opened his heart to caring for another human being.

The courtesan kept touching and hugging Rishyashringa, evoking in him different sensations and feelings, which he had never experienced before. As a consequence, he became awake to the desire and want of the body. But no matter how much the courtesan seduced him she could not condition or corrupt him in any way. Because of his intense sadhana, his energy remained pure and free, and the moment he stepped into the kingdom, immediately it rained ending the woes of famine in the kingdom.

The king married his daughter to the young rishi. With the marriage, all the sides of Rishyashringa developed and he blossomed into a great soul.

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

Shahnaz products register record sale at Selfridges

Vice President Sri Nityananda Ram Das

Purnima”, the advent day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), and Sri Narsi Chaudas.

The Jagannath Rathayatra pro-

cession passes through the main streets of Baroda and millions take part in it, making it one of the city’s main festivals.

Brahmotsavam festival on internet

(Courtesy: The Times of India)

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, which manages the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara near Tirupati, is making arrangements for live webcasting of the annual Brahmotsvam festival to be held from Sept 29 to Oct 7.

The sacred processions of Lord Venkateswara, during morning and night everyday, could be watched live on www.tirumala.org or www.tirupati.org, TTD Executive Officer L V Subrahmanyam said.

Shahnaz Husain’s organic beauty solutions, based on ayurveda, has been selling at the Lloyds Pharmacy at Selfridges, the famous London store.

In fact, it is the only Indian cosmetic brand to be present in London’s premium and prestigious shopping mall. Within two weeks of the opening at Selfridges, the Shahnaz products had posted record breaking sales, touching ₤1,000 per day.

Last week, a single customer has bought products worth ₤ 4,334 in a single transaction. It broke all previous sales records at Selfridges. This reflects the rage for ayurvedic and herbal cosmetics in the West.

With screaming headlines in British papers “Herbal fever rages” and “Shahnaz takes London by storm,” the range has broken all international sales records in hi-profile departmental stores

Shahnaz Husain

across the world like Selfridges and Harrods in London, Galeries Lafayette in Paris, La Rinascente in Milan, El Corte Inglis in Spain, Seibu in Japan and Bloomingdales in New York.

In 1982, Shahnaz Husain broke Selfridges cosmetic sales records,

selling products worth ₤2,700 in two hours at the Festival of India. Once again at the Selfridges on August 7th, 2010, Shahnaz products sold out before the inauguration and new supplies had to be airlifted from India.

In its crusade to spread herbal beauty care worldwide, the Shahnaz Group is participating in the Olympia Beauty Show at London, to be held from 8th to 19th September. Over 200 major international cosmetic brands from around the world are participating in this exhibition.

Shahnaz is launching a new product the Platinum Lotus Moisture Mist at the Olympia Beauty show. Known for product innovation, the Shahnaz Husain Group has evolved over 350 formulations for beauty care and has stood the most rigorous test of all – the test of time.

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

25

Supreme Court sends Gulbarg case back to Ahmedabad court

SC reprieve for Modi in 2002 Gujarat riot case The Supreme Court of India on Monday refrained from passing any order on a petition seeking Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s prosecution for the 2002 riots, while asking the trial court to decide on the case on the basis of the report by Special Investigation Team (SIT).

This report will be submitted after taking into account the report of the amicus curiae which differed with the SIT on some of its findings.

The apex court’s procedural rectitude was immediately seized by the BJP to over-pitch the court’s directive as a “clean chit” to Modi. Even so, the order does come as setback to the petitioner, widow of slain Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, Zakia Jafri, and activists in her support, who had wanted the case to be heard and determined by the Supreme Court. An apex court bench of Justices D K Jain, P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam on Monday directed the SIT to place the findings of its probe into the riots, including Modi’s alleged complicity, before the trial court. In its two reports to the SC, the SIT has maintained that it has not found “prosecutable evidence” against Modi.

Significantly, the SC also said it won’t be monitoring the case as the SIT has completed its probe.

That’s another reason for the BJP to cheer. However, the celebrations may be premature, notwithstanding the two SIT reports, as the apex court said that it was for the trial court to take the final call on whether Modi needs to be prosecuted, and that too only after giving a proper hearing to Zakia Jafri.

Responding to the petition of the widow whose husband was killed in the Gulbarg Society massacre in Ahmedabad, which came to symbolize the barbarity of rioters and alleged police inaction the bench said: “We deem it necessary to emphasize that if for any stated reason the SIT opines in its report, to be submitted in

Letter from Gujarat CM Shri Narendra Modi to citizens My Dear sisters and brothers, My Salutations!

Yesterday, the Apex Court of the country delivered an important judgment regarding the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat.

Everyone is interpreting this judgment in his own way. For political analysts it has one meaning and for legal experts it has another meaning. Someone is interpreting it as victory someone else as defeat. Everyone has his own point of view.

One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court’s judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and Government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the State of Gujarat. These elements who could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat have not left any stone unturned to defame Gujarat. It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore.

After 2002, Gujarat has not spared any effort to march towards peace, harmony and progress even amidst false propaganda, lies, conspiracies and allegations.

‘Six crore Gujaratis’ has not remained merely a word. It has become the mantra of unity and human endeavor. Every citizen of Gujarat has internalized peace, harmony and development. Gujarat has experienced an unparalleled phase of peace, harmony, and development in the last decade. Gujarat is committed to march forward on this path only.

There is a famous saying, “Hate is never conquered by hate.” The real strength of our country is its unity and harmony. Unity in diversity is the defining feature of India. It is our responsibility to strengthen unity in our social life. We have got an excellent opportunity to proceed with a positive attitude. Hence, let us come together and contribute in enhancing the dignity of Gujarat. I humbly submit before you that, as part of this responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, I am thinking of starting a movement of “Sadbhavana Mission.”

As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from, Saturday, the 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat’s environment of peace, unity and harmony.

Sadbhavana Mission is completely dedicated to the society and the nation. I hope that, our effort to take Gujarat to new heights of development through peace, unity and harmony will contribute immensely in the progress and development of the nation as well.

Always at your service,

Narendra Modi terms of this order, that there is no sufficient evidence or reasonable grounds for proceeding against any person named in the complaint (of Zakia) dated June 8, 2006, before taking a final decision on such ‘closure’ report, the court shall issue notice to the complainant and make available to her copies of the statements of the witnesses, other related documents and the investigation report strictly in accordance with the law.”

Zakia has accused Modi and 62 other politicians, bureaucrats and cops of abetting the riots, by their inaction. Apart from finding no prosecutable evidence against Modi, the SIT had also

trashed IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s claim that he was present during the crucial meeting at the CM’s residence on February 27, 2002, when the CM allegedly asked the police to go slow against the rioters. During its two-and-ahalf-year probe, the SIT had filed several charge sheets in riot cases, including one against former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani and three others in the Naroda Gam case on May 1, 2009.

On April 27, 2009, SC handed over investigation into Zakia’s complaint to the SIT. The complaint gave details of how systematically the communal riot was allowed to go on in the state with the CM, cabinet ministers, police and

bureaucracy abdicating their constitutional duty to protect the life and property of citizens.

She accused Modi of abdicating his duty as the constitutionally elected head of the state to protect the right to life of all citizens regardless of their caste, community and gender and allegedly becoming the architect of a criminal conspiracy “to subvert rule of law to unleash unlawful and illegal practices during the mass carnage and thereafter protecting the accused who played direct as well as indirect role and abetted commission of the crime”.

Zakia's petition will now come to the special judge at the Ahmedabad sessions court, B J

OFBJP UK welcomes SC order in favour of Narendra Modi

OFBJP UK welcomes Supreme Court’s directive in relation to Narendra Modi's role in the 2002 Gujrat riots. It also vindicates BJP's position on backing the honourable chief minister who has been consistently hailed as the most progressive and growth oriented Chief Minister in the Indian Union. It’s also a setback to the Congress Party's divide and rule style of politics

whereby they have used every trick in the book to malign Shri Narendra Modi's name and also to create a rift between Hindu's and Muslims in Gujarat.

The biggest indicator for the support, which Narendra Modi enjoys amongst the minority community in Gujarat was showcased in the last state elections where a huge chunk of votes for BJP came from the minor-

ity community. Narendra Modi has also been elected to power, three times running due to his able leadership and exemplary vision with which his government has placed Gujarat on the track of positive development.

Minorities in Gujarat have a higher quality of life in all aspects as compared to other non- BJP ruled states such as Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh. OFBJP UK

wants a closure of this case as it’s a waste of tax payers money which can be instead utilised to further improve the living standards of all citizens of India.

Overseas Friends of BJP www.ofbjpuk.org General Secretary Amit Tiwari Vice President Lalubhai Parekh

Narendra Modi

Dhandha, who is hearing the main Gulbarg Society massacre case. He was assigned the case after judge B U Joshi was accused by some witnesses of being partial. Dhandha was the HC registrar for public information from 2006 to 2010. He was appointed additional sessions judge at Banaskantha last year.

With his appointment as special judge in Gulbarg case, he was given charge of various Pota cases, including trial against two people accused in the Akshardham terrorist attack case.

Clean chit for Modi: Guj govt Gujarat government came out in support of Modi.

Government spokesperson Jay Narayan Vyas said, “If certain sections of NGOs and others had not obstructed the process, the (2002 riot) victims would have got justice long back. The state government expresses its commitment to ensure the victims get justice as early as possible.”

Vyas refused to call the verdict a “victory” for Modi, even as the CM tweeted “God is great” in support of the judgment.

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26

InDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

CAG reports indict govt on KG basin contracts, AI acquisitions

Fresh trouble seems to be brewing for the UPA government, as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled two more high-profile audit reports that could bring attention back to political corruption and misdeeds at the highest levels. The audit reports on Air India and oil exploration contracts, including the one for Reliance's KG Basin were tabled in Parliament.

In its report on RIL's KGD6 contract, the CAG

Gherao MPs opposing Jan Lokpal: Anna

Social activist Anna Hazare urged people to 'gherao' houses of MPs opposed to the Jan Lokpal Bill. "We should gherao the houses of MPs opposing the Jan Lokpal bill. They should not be allowed to come out," the 74-year-old told a meeting of anti-corruption activists in his village of Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district. He also asked people not to re-elect such MPs. "It is our duty to ensure that those MPs who are not supporting the bill should not be re-elected.

No one should vote in their favour," he said.

The meeting will have different sessions that would discuss the future course of action for the Jan Lokpal Bill for which Hazare undertook a 12-day fast last month in Delhi.

stated that the company notified discoveries without details and declared entire contract area as discovery area. RIL was found guilty of non-relinquishment of area. CAG said that the Director General of Hydrocarbon should have stopped RIL from proceeding with phase 2.

The report said that the Oil Ministry should have reviewed the determination of contract area.

It highlighted that that

RIL's development activities were not guided by initial development plan.

CAG has asked the government to amend all future production sharing contracts.

The CAG report on Air India covers, among other things, the purchase of 111 aircraft for over Rs 40,000 crore in 2006. CAG has made adverse observations on several aspects, ranging from the wisdom behind ordering so many aircraft by a financially

weak body to the financing of the deal. The report said that Air India has accumulated debt of Rs 38,000 crore.

The Air India audit covers the period of 2002 to 2010, most of which falls under the UPA, when Praful Patel was the civil aviation minister. Raising questions about the very contract for the aircraft purchase. It has examined the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines as well.

Advani may kick off his yatra from Karamsad

Senior BJP leader L K Advani could embark on his rath yatra from Gujarat, the state that he represents in Parliament.

While different places are being considered for the starting point, there is a possibility it could be flagged off from Karamsad, birthplace of Vallabhbhai Patel. Advani has often been compared to Patel, India’s ‘Iron Man’.

However, other places in Gujarat are also being thought of. Sardar Patel’s spirit will very much be part of Advani’s yatra, with the theme “good governance and clean politics”.

Somnath, Ahmedabad and Porbandar are also under discussion as possible starting points.

The yatra was discussed by the party’s senior leaders and it was

decided that the detailed plan would be announced later this week. BJP leaders met at Advani’s residence to discuss the yatra announced by him on September 8.

Party general secretary Ananth Kumar will be convenor of the yatra and details of the campaign — the place of origin, route, who all will accompany Advani — are being worked out. Party sources said October 2 — Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary — and October 11, Jaiprakash Narayan’s birth anniversary, are being suggested to launch the yatra.

September 25 — the day Advani began the rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, is also being thought of as he visits Somnath every year on this date.

Advani is keen to visit Assam, never part of any of his earlier yatras, and would also like to include Andamans in his itinerary, it is learnt.

BJP leaders from pollbound states like Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Uttar Pradesh want the yatra to pass through these states but some central leaders do not favour the idea. Advani himself has indicated that he may avoid these states.

A meeting of BJP’s office-bearers was held at the residence of party president Nitin Gadkari where the yatra was discussed at length. In the meeting, there were suggestions that there should be breaks in the yatra during festivals such as Dussehra and Diwali. The yatra is likely to cover about 6,000 km.

Communal violence bill faces opposition The proposed Communal Violence Bill hit a deadending in the absence of consensus with NDA-ruled states, backed by key UPA ally Trinamool Congress as well as some non-UPA governments opposing the legislation on grounds that it is an assault on the federal structure.

No Congress chief minister strongly supported the proposed bill. While

non-BJP parties said it would intrude into the states’ domain, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley frontally attacked the bill for only targeting “majority communalism” while totally excluding the possibility of minority fundamentalism.

The BJP leaders and chief ministers of states ruled by the party strongly criticized the bill which

they said will encourage communalism instead of curbing it. Opposition from Trinamool took the bill’s supporters by surprise but views of BJP allies like the Akalis and others like BJD leader Navin Patnaik are on predictable lines as regional parties are wary about the Centre stepping onto the states’ turf.

Regional parties are

concerned about the bill providing for Central intervention in cases of communal violence under Article 355 of the Constitution that says it is the duty of Centre to protect states from internal disorder. The wide definition of a communal incident is also a problematic issue even though regional parties do not use BJP's arguments.

13 killed, over 60 hurt in Delhi blast Continued from page 1 This gate was crowded as entry passes were given out here. It was also the entrance closest to the parking area.

The blast could be heard at the Patiala House two or three km away.

Many died on the spot, and lots of them got badly injured. Within seconds the sight was full of horror with severed limbs and pieces of flesh lay strewn on the ground where there were pools of blood after the deafening explosion that dug a small crater outside the reception area.

There was hysteria, panic and dread. Some burst into tears, some were too stunned to cry.

Some picked themselves together, some didn't have

the limbs to move.

Preliminary probe indicated possible use of nitrate-based explosives laced with PETN. PETN, short for pentaerythritol trinitrate, is a chemical explosive that has a long history of terrorist use.

CCTVs to monitor visitors were not reportedly installed. Media houses received a mail purportedly written by Bangladeshbased terror outfit Harkatul-Jehadi Islami (HuJI) claiming responsibility.

The mail claimed the blast was carried out to demand repeal of death sentence of Afzal Guru, a condemned prisoner in Parliament attack.

It was for the second time in less than four months that the Delhi High Court was targeted.

No one was injured in the previous explosion on May 25. Delhi police released sketches of two people suspected of planting the bomb in a suitcase outside the court. The sketches of a 26-year-old and a 50year-old man were prepared following the description provided by some eye- witnesses who claimed that they have seen a person in white shirt with a briefcase standing in the queue for entry passes.

According to Home Secretary RK Singh, the bomb was in a suitcase.

"We have remains of the suitcase," he told reporters.

The probe into the blast was handed over by Government to the National Investigation

Agency(NIA) whose Chief S C Sinha said a 20-member team headed by a DIG has been formed. Home Minister P Chidambaram said the blast was of "high intensity" and called it a "terrorist attack".

Senior BJP leader V.K.Malhotra said: "For the past so many days, it was in the news that Delhi is the main target of terrorists. It is a matter of great concern and a major mistake. It is essential to tighten up the security of the country to guard the public."

BJP president Nitin Gadkari said: "It is very unfortunate that one by one bomb blasts are taking place in the country. The way innocent people have died and got injured, is a matter of prime concern."

In foCus

Amar Singh hospitalised

The condition of Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, who was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences following a rise in creatinine level in his body, is stable. Creatinine is a fairly reliable indicator of a person’s kidney functioning. “His condition is hemodynamically stable. He had homemade food in the morning. In due course of time he will undergo different tests. He has urine infection,” a senior doctor with AIIMS said. Arrested for his alleged role in the 2008 cash-for-vote scam, Singh, 55, was admitted in the private ward of AIIMS on Monday night.

CBI to re-investigate Pandya murder The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is in agreement with union home minister P Chidambaram who has suggested that the agency should go for re-investigation into the Haren Pandya murder case, if so desired by the Supreme Court. The CBI got the green signal from the home minister to move a special leave petition in the Supreme Court of India to challenge last month’s Gujarat High Court judgment which acquitted 12 accused of the murder charge. Stung by the HC’s castigation of CBI for its sloppy investigation, CBI chief A P Singh met Chidambaram to discuss further course of action. Sources said Singh gave a detailed half-hour presentation in the presence of a legal expert where he admitted to loopholes in the investigation resulting in gross miscarriage of justice.

Angry villagers attempt to burn IAS man Angry residents of a village in Maharashtra’s Nashik district attempted to burn alive an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official in protest against the quality of water supplied to them. The attempt was foiled and 16 people have been arrested. Kumar, an IAS officer of 2008 batch, said he was totally taken aback by the attack. “However, I gained my composure and embraced those who poured oil over me in an attempt to defend myself,” he said. “I had sent the executive engineer to review the pipelines and later had also given orders to redo some parts of the pipeline. I am not sure about their intention behind taking this step inspite of the orders being given on,” he said.

Now, Anna's imprint on Surat sarees A textile wholesaler in Surat has placed a bulk order for saris, each carrying an embroidered image of Anna Hazare, the social acativist, became a household name in India.Since Hazare is considered to be a symbol of honesty and truthfulness, the manufacturer is not selling the sarees to make money, but to lend full support to Hazare. "Anna Hazare is the epitome of truthfulness.

So, we thought of imprinting Hazare's photographs on sarees. If women are seen wearing these sarees, people will think that they support Anna Hazare. If these women wear these sarees to their offices, people should know that these women are against corruption. We do not have any motive of doing business; this is just our way of supporting Anna Hazare," said Nimesh Jiyani, a saree manufacturer in Surat.

Sonia Gandhi returns to India Sonia Gandhi, the head of Congress party, returned home last week after a month of medical treatment in the United States which left the government rudderless to deal with the biggest protests in decades. "She came back this morning and she is fine," Congress party spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi said. The absence of Sonia has caused serious problems for the coalition government, accused of mishandling the anti-corruption protests and worsening ties with parliamentary allies.

22 dead, millions affected by floods in Orissa Floods in Orissa claimed 22 lives and affected millions of people across 19 districts. Flood victims have been complaining that no one has come to their rescue. Desperate villagers headed for safer areas after flood waters inundated their homes or washed them away. Several villagers took shelter on embankments and highways. Tenyear -old Kandhai and her family are among those rendered homeless. With not much left to eat, they are waiting for relief from the government which is yet to come.

Some like 62-year old Lata were not ready to abandon their homes. Lata and her grandchildren waited, hoping their house might be saved. Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Sambalpur were among the worst hit.

She lived on boiled water for 65 days!

Driven by her desire to be closer to her Lord, Rasila Sanghvi, 50, from Ahmedabad fasted for 65 days.

Before she could celebrate paarna that follows the completion of such extremely difficult penances by devotees, Rasila suffered a cardiac arrest. In an hour’s time, the lack of blood supply affected her brain and she went into coma. After being hospitalized for over two weeks, Rasila has regained 70 per cent consciousness. Doctors said that it would take another week for her to recover fully.

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Gujarati ventures into Hollywood to make film Mitesh Patel’s ‘Man in the Maze’ was released first in India

Mitesh Patel

In a candid chat with Asian Voice, Gujarati director talks about his film “The Man in the Maze” A Gujarati making a Hollywood film is a rare thing and that film winning prestigious awards and making it big is rarest. Such was the success achieved by Gujarati-origin Mitesh Patel for his first Hollywood film, “The Man in the Maze.” The film was first released in India on Sept 2 and is scheduled to be released in other countries next month.

“I have recovered the money spend on the film within the first two days, but I really was not worried whether I would make a profit or not.

What I wanted was to fulfill my creative urge,” says Mitesh Patel who was born and brought up in Gujarat and studied in Gujarati medium and later ventured into Hollywood.

“The Man in the Maze” was screened at film festivals across the US and Canada and won a number of awards including the Award of Merit at Los Angeles Cinema Festival Of Hollywood 2010, President’s Award at North Carolina Film Awards 2010 and the Silver Ace Award at Las Vegas Film Festival 2011.

Mitesh Patel was in Vadodara and Ahmedabad for the promotion of his film. In an interview he talked about the hardships he faced and his journey of success from Vadodara to Hollywood. He was born in Bardoli, a small town near Baroda, studied in small school and later went to Vidyanagar for graduation in applied

arts. He graduated from Kala Kendra College of Fine Arts in 1997 and then joined MS University for Masters in Applied Arts, but left it in the first year itself as he had an inner drive to stand apart and do something different.

Later he married a Canadian–Indian and shifted to Canada and later to US. Based in Albama, he ventured into real estate and made lots of money but that inner urge to do something creative was always living in him. He had a dream of making a Hollywood film. Lack of previous experience in film-making did not deter him.

He mastered the art of film-making and took Liana Werner Gray, former Miss Australia Earth, as the female lead in the film and Bollywood music composer duo SiddharthSuhas for background score. With other cast and crew he started the project. He himself handled many tasks instead of hiring of people.

When asked why he chose Hollywood over Bollywood, he said, “It is not that I chose it. I stay in the US which made it easy for me to work there.” He disclosed that he is making a Hindi film titled ‘Aaryamaan’ which is in the pre-production stage.”

He adds that his genre is sci-fi and that's what he likes to experiment with. He wants to introduce it in Bollywood because there has been very little work on this subject in India. His future projects also include another sci-fi film, ‘Cosmic-Man,’ that will be released early next year.

- Purvi Apurva Shah

27

Now, jail inmates want to study Gandhian principles

AV Correspondent

Both are behind bars for their violent acts, but now they want to study Gandhian principles of non- violence. Now they have enrolled themselves for Gandhian studies offered by distant learning education universities.

Nick-named as the trigger happy cop and behind bars for his alleged role in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, suspended DIG D G Vanzara now wants to go the Gandhian way and this time he has shown keen interest in enrolling himself in the Gandhian studies and so is Mirza Baig housed in the Sabarmati central jail for his role in the Ahmedabad serial blasts.

Vanzara wants to take up the course delving on non-violence. The course offered by distance learning education has found takers like Vanzara and Baig who has already cleared an exam in value education and spirituality

offered by the Annamalai University. Baig has now shown keen interest in MBA psychology and Gandhian principles.

Jail officials maintain that these courses are likely to inculcate a positive thinking among inmates and keep them away from anti social activities. Jail authorities point out that the objective of these courses was to change the mindset of these inmates and the takers also include those accused in gang

rapes and murders.

P C Thakur, additional director general of police, prisons said, “Prisoners are not discriminated with regard to the courses they want to enrol in. In case of inmates involved in cases of terrorism, the study material is sent to their cells.’’

Thakur said that as they were kept separately they were made to appear for their exams within the jail premises under security.

Several murder accused have also opted for comput-

er literacy programmes offered by IGNOU apart from house wiring and mathematics.

However, that is not the end of the education story as far as Thakur is concerned.

“Several Universities including IGNOU, Baba Saheb Ambedkar University, Annamalai University and Saurashtra University are now opening study centres in district jails and we are offering myriad courses apart from a massive literacy drive among the inmates,” he added.

“We have made book reading mandatory for the inmates and the number of books in the jail library has gone up from 20,000 to 60,000 in the last couple of years,” he said adding that the jail authorities would soon publish a book compiling the writings of the inmates, which would be published with the help of Gujarat Sahitya Parishad.“ Vanzara has written two beautiful poems for the book as well,” Thakur added.

Ahmedabad architect B V Doshi conferred with France's highest honour Famous architect B V Doshi was conferred with France's highest honour for arts the 'Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters' by French consul general Jean Raphael Peytregnet at Cept University in Ahmedabad.

The honour is equivalent to Padmabhushan award in India. Apart from Doshi, Amitabh Bachchan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasiya, Nandita Das and Arundhati Roy have also been conferred with this title.

Doshi was taken by surprise a few days ago when the French embassy in Mumbai informed him about the award. His relations with 'master' French

B V Doshi

architect Le Corbusier and his contributions towards facilitating relations between the two countries in the field of architecture and art was recognised by the French government.

Doshi was earlier awarded

a gold medal from the France Academy and a lifetime achievement for global sustainability by the French government.

Doshi said, "Had it not been for the people of Ahmedabad and Le Corbusier, I would not have seen this day. I consider myself fortunate to have worked with the master architect and even witnessed four of his great works in Ahmedabad."

Reminiscing the early 1950s, Doshi remembered how everyone expected Le Corbusier to build skyscrapers in Ahmedabad when he was invited by mayor Chinubhai Sheth

on the insistence of Gautam Sarabhai.

"Corbusier was carrying his experience of Chandigarh where he witnessed the frugal lifestyle of people and their relation to mother nature. He saw how trees were are an important part of people's life there. It was then that he deiced to change the language of his architecture.

In Ahmedabad, he made two houses, a city museum and an office building. He made sure that his creations symbolized a pact with mother nature and took care of the climate, air circulation, use of space and people's lifestyle."

attend this event.

The life history of Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta will be showcased during the function. As part of the tribute to the great soul, there will song, music and dance programmes by students. The girls of the Gurukul will perform ‘Nritya-natika’ on theme of Gangamaiya.

Gurukul mentor Dhirendrabhai and Medhaviniben Mehta have invited all ex-students to

attend the function and also has made arrangement for the free boarding and lodging of its ex-students.

The authorities have requested the ex-students to send details regarding their name, address, e-mail, phone number and if possible about their travel plan to organizer Sureshbhai Kothari immediately through e-mail skothari @ mehtagroup. com or call on Cell No: + 91 98250 22777 / 93742 90000.

Arya Kanya Gurukul of Porbandar plans grand celebration

The Arya Kanya Gurukul of Porbandar, a pioneer in the field of women’s education, will be entering the 75th year of its operations on 26th November 2011 and is planning a grand celebration on the occasion - Amrut Mahotsav.

The education system at the Gurukul is a blend of rich ancient Vedic heritage and modern educational systems with an orientation towards science and technology. It is specially dedicated to women’s education and started with just seven girl students.

Over the years it has provided education to more than 30,000 girl students.

On the same day the 125th birth anniversary of its founder Rajratna Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta

Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta

will also will held along with other functions. The celebration will conclude on 16th December 2012.

During the first day of the celebration 75 girl students will start Amrut Mahotsav by invoking the power of “OM” and with flag hoisting. This will be followed by a variety of programmes by as many as 1,000 students.

Dignitaries from India and other foreign countries are expected to

28

CoMMuNIty / TRAVEL

asian voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Purvi’S travel BaG

Indian Wedding Marriage ceremony of the Kshatriya

The Kshatriya marriage ceremony is an elaborate affair. Certain rituals are exclusive only to Kshatriyas. The matrimony starts officially with the engagement and lasts for a number of days.

During this period, there are whole lots of rituals to be performed.

Tilak ceremony: On this day, the male members of the girl's family go to the groom's house. The women do not go with the men on this occasion.

The brother of the bride applies Tilak on forehead of the groom. The groom is presented with gifts like sweets, clothes, fruits, sword, etc. This ceremony formally announces the engagement. It is an important ritual of any Kshatriya matrimony.

Ceremony of Griha Shanti and Ganapati sthapana: The Ganapati Sthapana and Griha Shanti ceremony takes

place few days before the matrimony. It is an important ceremony where the parents of the groom and bride perform yagna to propitiate gods. The idol of Ganapati is installed .and it is an important ritual after which starts the marriage ceremonies.

Ceremony of Pithi Dastoor: It is an important ritual of any Kshatriya matrimony which lasts up to the final wedding day. Both bride and groom take part in the ritual involving application of turmeric and sandalwood paste. The ceremony is more elaborate at the bride’s place.

After this ceremony, the bride and groom can't leave the house. The bride wears the orange Rajasthan dress on the occasion.

Mahira Dastoor: The ceremony of Mahira Dastoor is exclusive to Kshatriya matrimonies taking place at both

groom and bride's homes.

The maternal uncle comes with his entire family with gifts for the entire family.

Sacred Thread ceremony: The ceremony of sacred thread is essential for all Hindu marriages.

Only the groom wears the sacred thread along with saffron dress and performs yagna with the priest. In Kshatriya matrimony, groom wearing saffron represents two choices.

Palla Dastoor: Palla Dastoor is an important element of Kshatriya matrimony where the groom's relatives present trousseau, clothes and jewellery the bride has to wear at the wedding.

Baraat: No Indian matrimony is complete without the baraat. But the Kshatriya matrimony is bit different as there are no ladies and no dancing.

The groom sits on the horse carrying a sword.

Wedding Rituals: The Kshatriya matrimony is solemnized with the yagna fire and the Vedic mantras.

The bride remains veiled throughout. Matrimony is not complete without the pheras. After the marriage, the rituals of Grihapravesh and pagelagni are performed where the bride is introduced to the whole family. No matrimony is complete without celebrations. The mehfils at both the bride and groom's place have lot of singing and dancing on the occasion. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods are served at the matrimony.

By Purvi Apurva Shah

Diu: a rare gem in North India Diu is a beautiful getaway with golden sand beaches, dense palm groves and historical monuments.

Best part is that this place has the raw appeal, far away from urban hustlebustle.

Take a stroll around Diu and you'll find it hard to believe you are walking in an urban centre. In fact, this tiny island has the essence of Portuguese culture, it is like a rare gem in North India. Enjoy a soft breeze from the Arabian Sea for a while and rest underneath shelter in the town square, only to be awakened later by whirring rickshaws, a bustling marketplace and operators taking tourists out on boat trips to view the 450-year-old Portuguese Fort that sits on the tip of the island.

Like its cousin Goa, Diu was a Portuguese colony for more than 400 years.

Crumbling European architecture and Gothic churches are just some traces left from its colonial days. Then it is off to enjoy the island's string of sandy beaches and limestone cliff faces. One of the most popular of these is the horseshoe shaped Nagoa Beach,

Millions of devotees visit Ambaji for Bhadarvi Poonam

Diu Fort

which is dotted with palms and coconut trees. Here you can take a leisurely ride on a camel or eat some peanuts, flavoured with delicious chaat masala, which comes served on dried banana leaves. After a dip at Nagoa, take a trip down to the industrious fishing village of Vankanbara and

Ghoghla Beach

watch the locals weave their colourful fishing nets, since this is Diu's major industry. Then, finish off your round-the-island moped trip by watching the sun at Sunset Point.

Enjoy some Tikka Masala seafood at a rooftop restaurant, while watching fisherman cast out their nets to the sea at sunset. It is an equally brilliant full-stop to any day on this island.

St. Paul's Church

Millions of devotees visited the temple town of Ambaji in Gujarat on the auspicious Bhadarvi poonam or full-moon day on Monday. Devotees have been thronging Ambaji the entire week leading up to the poonam festivities.

With many making the pilgrimage on foot, a number of volunteers have set up food stalls stalls for padyatris walking all the way to Ambaji.

Nearly 2 million devotees visit Ambaji temple in the week leading up to Bhadarvi Poonam. Of these, nearly five lakh devotees make the pilgrim-

age on foot.

In view of the terror threat in Gujarat, the security of Ambaji temple has been tightened and nearly 2,000 police personnel were deployed.

Fever pitch at Bhadarvi Poonam fair The week-long Bhadarvi Poonam fair that began at Ambaji temple was in full bloom. Ranaji Salve, who was leading a group from Mumbai, claimed that he had been coming to the temple for the past five years.

Rukamanibai, 45, a member of the group, took food only after the 'dar-

shan' of the deity. Pilgrims are surging to the town shouting 'Bol Mari Ambe Jai Jai Ambe.' And, the lush green landscape that witnessed good rainfall this season added gaiety of the people who were came from as far as Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

The pilgrims were undeterred by rains or by the fear of terrorist attack as they climbed the Trishulia Ghat as well as the Amba Ghat to reach the temple.

The popular belief is that those who walk up to the abode of Mataji rarely return disappointed.

Here you can drink alcohol legally making it understandably attractive to Gujarati tourists and military officials thirsty for a drink over the summertime.

On a quirkier note, the island also has one of the world's biggest collections of seashells at the Shell Museum. It has a collection of 1,900 different shells.

Diu Jail

Tourist places of interest are Nagoa Beach, the Diu Fort, St. Paul's Church, Jallandhar Shrine, Gangeshwar Temple, Navlakha Parshvanath Temple, Jama Masjid and Diu Museum.

Diu has a pleasant climate throughout the year and provides peace and tranquility to its people.

Diu Island is located south of Gujarat, and is connected to the mainland by bridges and a ferry. From Delhi there is connecting flight via Mumbai. But more economical option is to fly to Bhavnagar in Gujarat and then take a cab for 240 km to Diu. Relax, go sightseeing, explore the island with a motorbike, work on your tan on a beach.

Diu Jail: It is in the middle of the jetty near the main city of Diu, which was in use since the Portuguese times. A sight to see during the night.

HealtH WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

Herbal compound indirubin good at treating brain cancer Indirubin, a herbal compound used in traditional Chinese remedies might beat deadly brain tumours.

Indirubin is derived from the Indigo plant, an active ingredient in the Dang Gui Long Hui Wan formula that is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia.

Researchers from the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Centre (OSUCCC) discovered indirubin, a compound that blocks migration of glioblastoma cells and endothelial cells, halting them from forming cancerous blood vessels.

(The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of

blood vessels).

Glioblastomas affect about 18,500 Americans annually and kill nearly 13,000 of them yearly. It is the most common and lethal form of the brain cancer malignancy, with an average survival of 15 months after diagnosis, the journal Cancer Research reports.

"We have pretty good

Eat chocolate daily to reduce heart disease risk A research has indicated that a daily dose of chocolate could slash the risk of developing heart disease by a third. Scientists have known for some time that a small amount of cocoa rich dark chocolate can be good for you because of its high antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.

But now a review of

seven previous studies has suggested that the benefits may be more widespread.

Researchers analysed the studies of more than 100,000 participants with and without existing heart disease.

For each study, they compared the group with the highest chocolate consumption against the

Health benefits of black tea It is said that coffee is harmful to health, unlike tea. But it's important to know why tea is beneficial to health. Black tea, for that matter, has many health benefits. Black tea (just like green tea) is plucked from a plant called camellia sinensis.

The leaves of black tea, are steeped such that it can give a dark colour when used as a beverage. Also, the leaves are mature dry and processed such that it has a dark colour. Black tea has extremely low caf-

feine content, which is great for circulation.

Fluoride is another content of black tea and thus allows oral and bone health.

Black tea, contains flavonoids which are also found in apples. Unlike green tea, black tea, once processed eliminates all antioxidants existing in it.

Black tea not only helps to fight bacteria but also strengthens the immune system. As one knows, drinking tea hydrates the body, thus a cup of black tea helps moisturise the skin.

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methods to stop glioblastoma from growing in the human brain, but these therapies fail because tumour cells migrate from the original site and grow elsewhere in the brain," says co-principal investigator E. Antonio Chiocca, professor in neurological surgery at Ohio.

"Our findings suggest that Indirubin offers a novel therapeutic strategy for these tumours that simultaneously targets tumour invasion and angiogenesis," Chiocca says, according to an Ohio statement.

Angiogenesis is the process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. group with the lowest consumption.

Five studies reported a beneficial link between higher levels of chocolate consumption and the risk of cardiovascular problems.

They found that the “highest levels of chocolate consumption were associated with a 37 per cent reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29 per cent reduction in stroke compared with lowest levels.”

Researcher Dr Oscar Franco, from the University of Cambridge, said just how eating chocolate affects your heart remains unclear. He said further studies were needed to test if chocolate causes the reduction or if it can be explained by some other factor.

Black tea also balances the hormone levels, which fends off stress. Not only does black tea have anti-inflammatory qualities, it also keeps a check on the digestive tracts functioning. It can help reduce stroke risks as it balances the cholesterol level. To reduce puffiness of the eye, just store black tea bags in the fridge and apply it to the eye area.

Profesional

29

Any quest ions writ e to m amta @thinkspalon

By Mamta Saha don.com

Psychologist

Go for it now. The future is promised to no one

You are born with two fears in life, falling over and loud noises. Every other fear you have is learnt and man made.

Think back to a time in your life where you felt the most invincible. Now go back to that time in your mind, feel the strength in your core as you close your eyes and visualise that moment. Re- experience those emotions and let them come back to you, feel the sensations again and visualise all the emotions being bottled and captured in your body’s centre. Know that this is your supply/reserve of ‘confidence and greatness’ that you can always come back to whenever you may need a top up.

Remember and allow yourself to feel these emotions again. Don’t let any historical battle scars of emotion that are left as hurdles of residue, stop you from feeling that strength.

Stop relying on the approval of others to justify who you are, what you are and how you choose to live your life. When you use others opinion of you as a barometer of your self-worth/self esteem/self approval you are at their mercy. Humans have millions of opinions, which mean they are prone to being fickle.

No one knows you better then you.

Revise your strengths and stand up tall. We all have faults, no one is perfect, and we

know this. But, remember, you have strengths too.

List 50 reasons why you are excellent, read this morning, day and night.

See it and believe it, be your own best friend, not your own worst enemy.

What do you stand for?

Do you even know? Be clear on what and who you are. One creative way of defining you is by spending some time reflecting, note things down and create a vision board. Make the choice to have confidence to discover your strengths. Read the truth about you and have the courage to believe, draw and trust that it is true.

Draw strength and develop armour. Have a shield of protection, an energy that is made up of all your strengths. Put your time into perspective and that you are representing you, even if you have 30 minutes to go.

Think about what is in your control, what ca you actively drive, influence and preserve? The vacuum created by our consciousness as it separates from the old to adapt to the new is disorientating.

And the chaos that ensues cannot be prevented or ignored; it simply has to be lived through. Yet, it is so, so important to trust, really trust that any upheavals we encounter happen for a good reason and come to us to make us stronger.

Crises are opportunities in disguise.

The best way to deal

with anxiety is through activity. What actions can you take to manoeuvre yourself out of this state of negativity and progress positively into a place of calm? Think about what is in your gift now, try to keep your thoughts and energy focused on the present. Looking far too forward or too far back will erode your confidence.

Develop your resilience and notice what you say to yourself and what you choose to take in from others, ensure you have the right energy around you.

Watch the company you keep and be selective about whom you take advice from.

Surround yourself with triggers on inspiration and strength.

Draw from these sources to add to your pot of confidence and esteem.

To have/ feel confidence/ confident you must focus on gaining and approving of yourself rather then seeking to gain approval from others. Know that it is impossible to make everyone happy and in our authentic pursuits to do this ultimately you become tired as energy is given to others rather then yourself.

Don’t forget to ‘like’ thinkspalondon on Facebook and register on the website for free articles. If you are interested in an introductory Skype coaching session email me on: mamta@thinkspalondon.com. May you always have peace , harmony and happiness in life.

30

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 In CB Live this week, CB Patel will talk to Mr Raj Kumar Sunani, Assistant Director of India Tourist office about the spectacular growth in Indian tourism along with vibrancy and options available to tourists of several types such as heritage, medical, rural, adventure, cruise, pilgrimage.

Kokilaben Patel will talk to Mrs Kantaben Prabhakant (grand daughter of Gujarati poet Nhanalal Dalpatram) about her autobiographical book published recently.

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 Your social graces will ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 serve you well careerwise.

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.

7pm to 8pm

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

For more information e-mail: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Coming Events l Lions King of Kingsbury are holding a Mukesh & Rafi Night music by Muktar Shah on 16th Sept 2011 at Harrow Leisure Centre from 7.30pm to late night dinner provided. All proceeds from the event will go to building class rooms in Kakamegha School in Kenya. Contact: Dinesh on 0208 424 8686 l Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford and The Board of Trustees welcome you all for Darshan forthcoming events - Navratri Festival: Wednesday 28th September to Thursday 6th October 2011 from 8pm to 10pm - Durga ashtami havan: Tuesday 4th October 2011 from 11am to 4pm Contact: 0208 578 8088, Shree Jalaram Mandir, 39-45 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9LB l Gandhi Jayanti, Monday 26th September, 6pm onwards, Kadva Patidar Centre, HA3 8LU. Contact: Mahatma Gandhi Foundation(UK) - 020 8863 2376 l Community Open Days: Sewa Day- Saturday 17th Sept, 12-7pm, Sunday 18th September 125pm at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir. Contact: 020 8965 2651 l East London Health Mela Sat 24th Sept. 10am4pm Ilford Town Hall, Ilford Event is being organized by: Sewa Week Redbridge, Redbridge Mayor's Charity Committee, Olympic Health Team, Manchester Univ. and Univ. of East London l Indian independence, Sunday, September 18, 2011 from 1300-1700 hours at the Indian Gymkhana Club, Thornsbury Avenue, Isleworth TW74NQ (Opp. Osterley Tube Station). l Big Society Forum with Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd MP - Fri 16th Sept, Stanmore‫‏‬ 4pm - 7pm. Spaces for the workshops are very limited so please email- ameetjogia@ymail.com to reserve. Venue: Stanmore Hindu Temple, Wood Lane, Stanmore, HA7 4LF (nearest tube: Stanmore Station - Jubilee Line)

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Competition What is the venue in London for the drama 'Sabka Malik Ek hai' starring Mukul Nag from Saibaba (Star Plus)? a. Harrow Leisure Centre b. Wembley Arena c. Hammersmith Apollo

MANNATH in association with

(UK Intl. Siddhashram Shakti Centre (UK) Presents

sabka

WInner will get 2 tickets for the show. Please send the correct answer by 3rd October to alka.shah@abplgroup.com.

Malik

ek hai

Light & Sound Play

Produced by Abhinav - The art of expression ( for charity causes)

L S a

Competition 15.00 and 20.00

T

H

What is the exact venue of the Diwali Shopping Festival in Harrow? a. Harrow Leisure Centre b. Sangat Community Centre c. Kadwa Patidar Hall Send your correct answer to alka.shah@abplgroup.com by 10th October 2011 and win 4 tickets for yourself and family.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 A good time for restructuring and rethinking your aims and interests. You now have an excellent opportunity to sort out where things may be going wrong. The hard part is that you will have to be honest with yourself. Do not get over-anxious if everything seems to be in slow motion - it is time to pull a few strings.

You are likely to experience some tension in close relationships.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Guard against being too impatient and restless. You will need to exercise care in the use of credit. Avoid get-rich-quick schemes and be cautious about other people's enthusiasm which is likely to be misplaced. Make a very conscious attempt to stick to main priorities. Organise your time so that it is not taken up entirely by the demands of other people.

Do not kid yourself that emotional problems can always be solved by material means. This only covers the cracks and does nobody any good in the end. Be prepared to confront the issues. If love has left you feeling rather dejected or cynical, it looks as though soon events will pull you out of this mood of despondency. All this may also demand some heavy sacrifices of personal freedom.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

The accent’s very much on relationships, you and a partner may become embroiled in financial arrangements or some other nitty—gritty aspect of your relationship. Plan your spending and set sensible budgets to reach your financial goals. All things considered, your health should be robust. The more you live up to your own set of principles the more you’ll gain.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

If you can manage to get away from usual routines, this will not only prove to be highly enjoyable but it will have a decidedly beneficial effect on your physical and psychological well-being. There is a great deal to suggest that the power of destiny is very much in your own hand and that any major decision you make will have a profound effect on your future.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 Jupiter, the planet of abundance, is transiting your partnership sector. You have plenty of romantic options. At work you will experience a relaxed atmosphere and this will help you to get on with everyone around you. The focus is on finances this week, but that doesn’t mean you should worry yourself sick.

Rather, find new and improved ways to boost your earnings potential.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 The work that you are involved with is likely to demand a great deal of energy and initiative from you. This will also involve a lot of moving around and a need to establish a wider network of contacts.

There is unfinished business to be dealt with. Therefore you will need to adopt a fairly flexible approach in order to accommodate the odd twists and turns of everyday life.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

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Now is the time to cultivate an easier relationship with life, get out and about, explore fresh possibilities and make new friends. Any effort to enrich your life by making changes is almost certain to work in your favour and you will be surprised how circumstances help you once you make the initial move. Others will be responsive to you and your ideas.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 A progressive time ahead regarding money and the material world, and the keyword is increase. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and excesses is associated with splashing out on luxury items which sometimes we do not really require - take care or you will end up having things that you really have no use for.

Associate with people that you are comfortable with.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

The need to push ahead with personal interests and to assert yourself with added force will take precedence over everything else for some time to come. A wind of change may be in the air; attention should turn to the wider world and benefits come from broadening of horizons and mental stimuli. This is an opportune time to go ahead with your plans.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 If you are involved in a fairly competitive field of activity, you will be the one who comes out on top. There is a definite expansive trend where money is concerned, so do not be surprised if this turns out be a time of fortunate opportunities and lucky breaks. Play your cards right and you can pull strings in you favour. Good time for cultivating a deeper rapport with your loved ones.

SpOrT wORLD

Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

India beat Pakistan to win Asian Champions Trophy

Goalkeeper S Sreejesh stole the limelight with two crucial saves as India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 via penalty shootout in a nerve-wrecking final to clinch the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament.

The high-voltage summit clash was marred by Pakistan coach's unwarranted action of constantly abusing Indian players from the roof of the stadium.

Whenever there was an infringement from the Indian side, he used the 'F' word liberally. And whenever the umpires blew against India, he hollered 'Thank You'.

Rajpal Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Yuvraj Walmiki and Sarvanjit Singh scored for India in the penalty shootout while Muhammad Rizwan and Waseem Ahmed sounded the board for Pakistan after both the sides were locked goalless in the normal and extra time.

India started the shootout on a wrong note when Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Shah saved the shot from Gurwinder Singh Chandi. Sreejesh then came to the fore with a save off Haseem Abdul Khan. It was then Mujtaba's turn and he neatly sent the ball past Shah to give India 1-0 lead.

Pakistan equalised when Rizwan scored but Indian captain Rajpal slotted the ball home to give his side 2-1 up. Then came the crucial save by Sreejesh as he stopped Shafqat Rasool from scoring, advancing and taking the shot on the pads.

Yuvraj made it 3-1 and the Pakistan veteran Waseem cut the scores to 3-2 but Sarvanjit's conversion past Shah ensured India ran out champions.

Earlier in the match, both India and Pakistan had ample opportunities to finish off the match in regulation time.

Pakistan earned seven penalty corners to India's one but they failed to beat the Indian defence and the goalkeeper Sreejesh.

Asian Games champions Pakistan

were initially more attacking pushing the Indian defence back. Shakeel Abassi made some fine runs into the Indian striking circle but V Raghunath stood out with his tackling and clearances.

The Indian forwards had a couple of counter-attacks which the Pakistan defence managed to clear. It was a tense match with a few skirmishes between the players. SV Sunil was the first to be shown the green card for a rough tackle.

having won the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

"It really sounds unreal.

It's an incredible feeling," Djokovic said. "I've had an amazing year and it keeps going. Every time I play Rafa, it's a big challenge. I want to congratulate him on a great tournament again and I wish that we have many more tough matches in the upcoming years."

Nadal, who was the undisputed king of tennis 12 months ago when he completed his collection of grand slam titles at Flushing Meadows, was again left searching for answers after a season in which he has lost six finals.

Samantha Stosur stunned three-time champion Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3 to win the US Open, claiming the first Grand Slam title of her career in a stormy final.

Stosur kept her composure as Williams erupted in anger at the chair umpire in the second set, dominating the 13-time Grand Slam champion who had reached the final without dropping a set.

She became the first Australian woman to take the title in New York since Margaret Court in 1973, and the first to win a Grand Slam title since Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon in 1980.

"I had one of my best days and I'm very fortunate

that I had it on this stage in New York," Stosur said.

"Ever since I started playing it was a dream of mine to be here one day."

Williams arrived in the final after dismantling world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals on Saturday night.

But Stosur, playing her second career Grand Slam final after a runner-up finish in the French Open last year, quickly claimed the opening set, breaking Williams to lead 2-1 and winning the last 12 points of the set as Williams' frustration grew.

Williams, whose powerful serve is a cornerstone of her game, struggled to get her first serves in and Stosur repeatedly made her pay.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

4 Indians in ICC ODI Team of Year, Dhoni named captain World champions India dominated the ICC ODI Team of the Year announced on Monday, with four of them figuring in the side, including Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was named captain.

Other Indians named in the team are opener Virender Sehwag, middleorder batsman Yuvraj Singh, who won the Man-of-theSeries award in the cricket World Cup, and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan.

Apart from being named

Neo Sports to drop Nasser Hussain from India job Nasser Hussain's 'donkey' jibe at the Men in Blue may have cost him a commentary stint in India, according to sources. He has learnt that Neo Sports, the broadcasters for next month's IndiaEngland series in India, have dumped the idea of hiring the former England captain days after short-listing his name for the series. "We were planning to consider him for our studio shows but after his comments on Indian cricketers, I don't think he will be considered at all. We have to keep the sentiments of the cricketers and viewers in mind," a Neo Sports official said. At present, Neo are left with two England cricketers in their shortlist for the October matches - Ian Botham and David Lloyd. Neo, incidentally, are the official broadcasting arm of the BCCI, which had expressed outrage at Hussain's 'donkey' comment targetted at India's sloppy fielders.

Sachin, Dravid move up in ICC Test rankings

Djokovic beats Nadal to win Samantha Stosur stuns Serena maiden US Open

Serbia's Novak Djokovic outplayed Spain's Rafa Nadal to win the US Open final 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 at Flushing Meadows on Monday and show why he really is the hottest player in the game right now. The world number one produced a masterful display of tactics and precision then regained his composure after failing to serve out the match in the third set to seal victory after four hours and 10 minutes.

The win provided Djokovic with his first US Open title after he had twice been beaten in the final, including last year's decider against Nadal, and his third grand slam this year after

31

captain of the team, Dhoni will keep wicket for the fourth year in a row.

India have the maximum number of players in the world team that does not include Sachin Tendulkar.

Sri Lanka, who finished runners-up in the World Cup, have two players in the first eleven as well as the 12th man. South Africa are being represented by two players while Australia, England and Pakistan have one player each.

Sehwag partners Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan at the top of order while the

latter's teammate Kumar Sangakkara comes at the crucial number three spot.

South Africa's AB de Villiers and Australian Shane Watson were named at number four and five while Yuvraj would bat at number six, a slot ahead of Dhoni.

Pakistan's Umar Gul and South African Dale Steyn will share the pace duties with Zaheer while Englishman Graeme Swann is the lone spinner in the world team.

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid gained a place each in the latest ICC player rankings for Test batsmen, which is being headed by South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

While Tendulkar improved from fifth to fourth, Dravid rose a rung to ninth from tenth position. Among Indian bowlers, pace spearhead Zaheer Khan gained a place to be at sixth despite being ruled out of the recently concluded four-match Test series between India and England after sustaining hamstring injury on the very first day of the opening match at Lord's.

As England claimed the title of number-one Test side in the world with a 4-0 series victory, four of their batsmen made it to the top-10, with Ian Bell being the most notable. Bell and Alastair Cook have jointly claimed the second position after Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara slipped three places to fifth after scoring only 10 and 17 in the recently completed Test against Australia. Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott are other batsmen in the top-10. England now boast of four bowlers and equal number of batsmen in the top 10. Australia's Shane Watson and Ryan Harris, Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka and Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez and Misbahul-Haq have achieved career-best rankings in the latest list, which was released after the completion of the Galle Test between Sri Lanka and Australia and the one-off Test between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Rajeev Shukla to become IPL chairman

Rajeev Shukla, the minister of state, parliamentary affairs, will be the new chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will replace acting chairman Chirayu Amin who filled the post after Lalit Modi was sacked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

According to sources, BCCI offered Shukla the post considering his good relations with the IPL franchise owners and the politician/cricket administrator from Uttar Pradesh has said yes to the challenge. While Srinivasan will become the board’s next president at its AGM on September 19 and 20, the rest of the line-up of office-bearers is almost ready.

Sources said World Cup winning Indian team’s manager Ranjib Biswal is tipped to become the next secretary while Ajay Shirke from Maharastra is likely to be the treasurer.

Anurag Thakur, president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, will be the next joint secretary in place of Sanjay Jadgale.

The incumbent vice-presidents Arun Jaitley (north zone), Niranjan Shah (west) and Shivlal Yadav (south) will continue in their posts.

Jyotiraditya Scindia (central) and Chitrak Mitra (east) will be the other two vice-presidents.

Mitra is said to be former BCCI boss Jagmohan Dalmiya’s ally.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 17th September 2011

India's whiff of hope at Lord's

By Premen Addy

India salvaged a sliver of hope and honour in the tied NatWest ODI at Lord's, the fourth of the series, with a final game to come at Cardiff. The visitors lost the previous match on a DuckworthLewis (D/L) calculation.

Having reached 234 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to a captain's innings of 69 by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, coupled with a robust 78 from Ravindra Jadeja and an accomplished 36 not out by Ravichandran Ashwin.

The top half of the order having been blown away with the gusting wind – with only Suresh Raina reaching double figures – another calamity loomed until Dhoni, Jadeja and Ashwin gave the innings some respectability. It wasn't enough, though, to ensure victory as England were stranded on 218 for 7, with 41.5 overs completed when the rain descended in buckets. At least it was a contest, something denied us in the Tests.

The previous encounter, reduced to 23 overs by each side, went England's way thanks to captain Alastair Cook's sterling 80 not out. The home side passed the tar-

get of 187 for 8 left by India in a canter, with six wickets and an over in hand. And so to Lord's on a pleasant, sunlit Sunday afternoon. Put into bat, India were reeling at 110 for 4, with 34 overs gone.

There appeared little hope of a substantial Indian total on the board.

Another Indian collapse, maybe?

But things took a decided turn for the better as Suresh Raina and Dhoni played themselves in sensibly, taking no risks but getting a good sight of the ball, judging the pace of the wicket admirably before they cut loose.

Their stand of 169 was put together in about 16 overs and gave Indian fans good reason to cheer for the only time this season. Raina departed in the final over for a powerful 84, but Dhoni remained unbeaten on 78 as the Indian innings closed at 280 for 5, giving the team more than a fighting chance of registering their first victory of the summer. Alas, this was not to be. England were 270 for 8 before the elements intervened.

Another Duckworth-Lewis calculation followed. It was a tie, but it meant England, 2 nil ahead, had bagged

MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina ran well between the wickets during the 4th ODI at Lord's

the series.

The consolation for India is that they are getting better, if incrementally, and have shown some stomach for a fight.

Weather-wise it has been a dreadful summer.

Hopefully the mellow Indian October sun will set the scene for champagne cricket. It would all India alight if the good times returned with a bang. A truly big bang.

Another Indian cock-up?

India will hope to put behind them memories of this year's English summer for every conceivable reason. Performances on the field were the stuff of nightmares, team selection was scarcely better, as also was the preparation for the tour itself. Whither Indian cricket? You may well ask. But news that the Indian team was absent from an awards ceremony

UK parliamentarians felicitate Team India It may have been a nightmarish tour on field but off the field, Indian cricketers had an evening to remember when they were felicitated by the Indo-British Parliamentarians Group for their historic World Cup triumph earlier this year.

Britain's former Foreign Secretary David Miliband presented a Crystal Cup to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at a Parliamentary Gala dinner held in honour of the team at the May Fair Hotel in central London.

In his brief address, Miliband said, "Team India has delighted us, frustrated us and inspired us. Our

two countries are divided over the cricket field - you as World Cup winner and we as, at least for the moment, No.1 Test Players in the world."

On his part, Dhoni admitted that "the performance of the team in the current tour has not been really good. We are trying our best."

A total of 19,000 Pounds were raised for two charities - Silver Star, the foremost South Asian diabetes charity founded

by Keith Vaz, MP, and the MS Dhoni Foundation, created by Dhoni to nurture the talent - by auctioning three cricket bats signed by the World Cup champions.

Two of the bats were bid for by Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile, for 6,000 Pounds and 8,500 Pounds.

Lycamobile's CEO Milind Kangle received the bats from Farooq Engineer, India's former wicketkeeper batsman.

Leading NRI hotelier Surinder Arora got the third bat for 4,500 Pounds.

Meanwhile, in his introductory address, Keith Vaz, Indian-origin Labour MP and President of the Indo-British Parliamentary Group, expressed "deepest condolences to those who have suffered" as a result of the bomb blast in Delhi last week.

in central London hosted

by BBC sports presenter Gabby Logan and former Indian Test cricketer Ravi Shastri raised more than a few eyebrows. Team man-

ager Shivlal Yadav said the invitation had arrived only the afternoon before the event, but the organisers were adamant that it had been sent two months ago.

Maybe a gremlin in the Royal Mail sorting office had held back the letter as a late silly season joke, but it underlined India's never ending woes.

Apropos of the function, M.S.Dhoni, the Indian captain, won the Spirit of Cricket award for his decision to recall Ian Bell after he was bizarrely run out during the Second Test against England at

Trent Bridge.

Pakistan's Aleem Dar was named umpire of the year for the third year in a row, while Kumar Sangakkara was one-day player of the year.

England's Jonathan Trott was named Cricketer of the Year, with teammate Alastair Cook judged Test Cricketer of the Year. The awards were judged by a 25-man voting academy that included former England captain Nasser Hussain, retired Australian pace bowler Andy Bichel and ICC chairman Clive Lloyd.