Asian Voice

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Gir-Somnath becomes Gujarat’s 27th district

Endemic protests lead to chaos, says Prez Pranab

For report see page 24

For report see page 25

VOL 41. ISSUE 16

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Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

First & Foremost Asian Weekly in Europe 18th August to 24th August 2012

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Bollywood star Hema Malini to attend Asian Achievers Awards 2012 The crème de la crème of the Asian Community will be gathering under one roof this September for the much anticipated Asian Achievers Awards 2012. Icon of Indian Cinema and silver screen veteran, Hema Malini will also be attending as Special Guest along with some other celebrities of similar stature. Previous special guests include Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Shriti Vadera, Tony Blair, Jack Straw, Sebastian Coe, David Blunkett to name a few.

The Awards – often referred to as the 'People's Awards' will be taking place on 14th September at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane. For more see page 15

Ramdev ends fast, targets Manmohan, Congress Actor Timothy Spall read from Shakespeare's "The Tempest" dressed as war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and after a London "rush hour" featuring real cars and trucks, Prince Harry entered to represent his grandmother Queen Elizabeth.

The Spice Girls, Take That and George Michael were among the acts taking part in an exuberant finale that sought to sum up Britain's enthusiasm for the Games despite reservations about the 9 billion pound cost.

During a special eightminute segment, the stadium was bathed in the colours and sounds of Brazil, as the Olympics looked ahead to 2016 when Rio de Janeiro is the host city.

But on Sunday and into the early hours of Monday it was time for London to say goodbye, and comedian Stephen Fry summed up the mood of many when he took to Twitter and wrote: "I don't want it to end *sob* *stamps foot*" The circus-style cere-

mony was set to a British soundtrack of the last 50 years, featuring classic songs by Queen, the Kinks, the Beatles, Pink Floyd and more, and specially designed "pixel boxes" on every seat provided a spectacular light show.

It was always going to be a celebration for those in the stadium, rather than the showcase of the opening ceremony that featured a movie cameo by the queen and was a tribute to British history, culture and society in a message to the world.

Continued on page 26

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, who ended his five-day fast against corruption and black money, attacked the Congress and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for shielding the corrupt and said their movement

would continue.

Ramdev broke his fast with lime juice given to him by two children. "I am ending the fast but the agitation will go on till our demands are met," Ramdev told a huge gathering at the Ambedkar Stadium in central Delhi where he and his supporters spent the night after being detained by police. They chose to stay on at the stadium even after police permitted them to leave on Monday night. Ramdev said he would go to Haridwar, Continued on page 26

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London bade a flamboyant and madcap farewell to the Olympic Games with a romp through British pop and fashion, bringing the curtain down on more than two weeks of action that ended with America topping the sporting world with 46 gold medals.

There was another sellout crowd at the 80,000capacity athletics stadium in east London late on Sunday for the final act of the tournament, and 300 million people were expected to tune in on televisions around the world.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

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

Obviously, Margaret Thatcher. There are also two people from whom I learned that the real value of being in politics is to have the chance to improve the lives of people who need somebody with a strong voice to speak up for them. The first was my father who was a local councillor for twenty five years and the second is John MacGregor, to whom I was Special Advisor when he was in the Cabinet in the 1990’s.

Eleanor Laing MP Eleanor Laing is the Member of Parliament for Epping Forest. She was first elected in 1997 and held several frontbench positions when the Conservatives were in opposition, including Shadow Minister for Women and Equality, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Shadow Minister for Justice. In 2010 she was elected to the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee and also as Chairman of the 1922 SubCommittee on Home and Constitutional Affairs.

Born and brought up in Scotland, she studied Law at Edinburgh University where she became the first woman to be president of the University Union.

Eleanor enjoys living near the picturesque Epping Forest where her main leisure activities are dictated by her eleven year old son.

1) What inspired you to stand for Parliament?

From an early age I had a real sense of anger at injustice and, with youthful idealism, I wanted “to make the world a better place”. I got involved in student politics at Edinburgh University and the more that people told me how difficult it was for a woman to be elected as an MP, the more I was determined to enter Parliament.

Sometimes it is the small scale things that matter most – helping constituents to deal with individual problems. I have fought for equality for many years and I am pleased at what we have achieved in trying to level the playing field, not only for women but also for people who have previously been discriminated against on grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age.

2) What are your proudest achievements in politics?

3) What has been the biggest obstacle in your

career?

It is not easy to be a woman in politics and it was even more difficult when I was first elected.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to host second ‘Anand Mela’ After the grand success of ‘Anand Mela’ organised to commemorate 40 years of community service through our publications Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, we are organising a special Mela to celebrate the most important events on our Hindu calendars viz. Navratri and Diwali.

Navratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of a Hindu deity Shakti.

During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.

Diwali or Deepavali is popularly known as the “festival of lights.” It is a festival principally to celebrate the triumph of goodness over darkness/evil.

This forthcoming mela like the one in June promises to display the diverse colours of South Asian Culture especially Gujarat by bringing people together in a festival atmosphere where everyone can enjoy food, music, dance and shopping for Diwali gifts for your loved ones.

The mela will include stalls from food & drink, education and entertainment, Health & Medical, Travel & Tourism, Property & Investment, Banking & Finance, Fashion & Wedding and

Audience enjoying the mela

many more.

Visitors will have the opportunity to fun and shopping along with entertainment, Outing with families and meet the near and dear one.

The event will attract over 5000 visitors Dancers entertaining the audience over 2 days period as it will proyou reach a large proporvide from traditional tion of the market in a dances to the modern short space of time across dances and classical music a broad section of conto trendy music. sumers.

For exhibitors its a The event will be held great opportunity to from 10am to 8pm in at engage with tightly Harrow Leisure Centre, focused and carefully tarChristchurch Avenue, geted audiences, the mela Harrow HA3 5BD on is committed to deliver 29th & 30th September business contacts that cre2012 which has good ate value for every stall access, free ample parking participants. Normally visfacilities for the potential itors are proactive rather visitor’s. The event will be than passive recipients of covered in the press before sales and marketing mesand after the event. sages. This Mela can help

was born one week after the 2001 General Election. Difficult timing! But I would rather have my son than any political accolade.

It has been hard to try to be a good mother while also being a good constituency MP and a good parliamentarian. My son

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

Having been on the frontbench for twelve years, I am now enjoying the freedom of the backbenches.

It is great to be able to stand up for what is right rather than for what is politically expedient. I have recently been outspoken against the Coalition’s plans for parliamentary reform – hopefully successfully!

6) And the worst?

It is more difficult to get

things done when there is a Coalition Government.

7) What are your long term goals?

Simply to serve my constituents as best I can and to stand up for the principles of freedom, justice and parliamentary democracy.

8) If you were Secretary General of the United Nations, what one thing would you change?

I have had the privilege of attending meetings of “UN Women” at the UN in New York. They are already doing an enormous amount of work to try to achieve gender equality, particularly in the parts of the world where women’s lives are most difficult. I would just do more.

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

Sir Winston Churchill – of course! Because of the great stories he could tell, not only about significant events but also the gossip about some of the most interesting people of the twentieth century.

Having been a soldier in South Africa, I hope he would know how to survive on a desert island, as I don’t think I would be very good at that!!

Celebrate Indian independence Day at the Indian Gymkhana On Sunday 19th August, 2012, the High Commission of India will be hosting Independence Day celebrations from 11am to 3pm at the Indian Gymkhana Club, Thornbury Avenue in Isleworth.

The event will showcase 50 food stalls offering cuisine from different regions of the country as well as a raffle draw for the chance to win top-class prizes. Up for grabs for the

First Prize are two economy class Air India tickets from London to Delhi and back as well as three more Air India tickets to be won as well as some attractive gift hampers.

The day will begin with

the Flag Hoisting and Singing of National Anthem at 11am. The program will then be carried forward by a number of Bhangra, Bollywood Dances, songs, classical dance and performances, as well as a short Kavi Sammelan by Six poets visiting the UK from India.

The raffle draw will then culminate the event at 3pm.

Everyone is welcome to this complimentary event.

Swaminarayan Temple celebrates Janmashtami The month of Shravan in the Hindu calendar is considered to be one of the holiest of the year. It hosts many different festivals, and one of the most significant is known as Janmashtami, marking the birth of Shri Krishna Bhagwan.

The occasion was celebrated with great devotion at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Friday 10 August 2012. The day began with a ceremonial offering of food to the deities in the Mandir, where guests and devotees arrived throughout the day to pray and be blessed.

The life and teachings of Shri Krishna were presented in an enlightening

programme held in the assembly hall in the evening. The festivities began with the singing of devotional songs extolling the eminence of Shri Krishna. The audience then enjoyed a short video presentation of the celebrations which had taken place in the presence of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad, India earlier that day.

A fascinating drama

enacting an episode from the Mahabharat artistically depicted the peaceful and compassionate nature of Shri Krishna as he patiently endeavoured to avert war and broker peace among the feuding Kaurava and Pandava clans.

Shrutiprakash Swami, a senior and learned sadhu visiting from India, then elaborated upon the inspiring and timeless spiritual messages Shri Krishna has imparted to the world.

The finale of the evening – marking the divine birth of Shri Krishna – was celebrated with the arti followed by the swinging of the ‘paranu’ (birth cradle) amid devotional singing.

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

COMMENT

London Olympics a Grand Success

London Olympics was a grand success and will be remembered for a long time to come. When the game was allotted to Britain, there were doubts in the minds of many whether London would be able to organise the greatest show on earth as good as Beijing. But the organizers have proved the doubters wrong. The opening and closing ceremonies were spectacular. Though huge amount was spent in organizing the games, the organizers can take great pride in arranging such a grand show. Over 7 million people watched the games.

A quarter million people from around the world came to watch the show. The games will leave a permanent mark on the hospitality industry of the British. It is one of the ideal ways to progress. Though Indians were not many in the medal winners, it showed its cultural flair in the opening and closing ceremonies and amidst the volunteers. Nobody has given any negative feedback regarding its arrangement and facilities. It was well planned and well executed.

The Olympic Stadium was simply stunning and splendid. It had a buzz of its own, and it was cozy too, a fitting and homespun counterbalance to Beijing’s staggering Birds Nest. Away from the stadium, there was something distinctive and delightful about both the Aquatics Centre and Velodrome. The handball arena, The Copper Box, was so endearing, it was nicknamed the 'Box That Rocks'. The ExCel Arena in London's Docklands, which is more typi-

cally used for trade fairs and the like, rocked to raucous atmospheres at the Boxing and Taekwondo. Forty venues were prepared to stage the show. Every venue was in excellent condition.

The day sessions of the athletics played out to full houses. It’s hard to express in words how extraordinary this was. Even at very successful games in the past, like Barcelona or Sydney, those sessions were played out in empty stadiums. Not here, not when every ticket was so prized. Thousands of spectators were in every venue to encourage the participants (even though in the beginning, several seats were unoccupied). There were big crowds on the sides of the roads to encourage the marathon runners. Compared to Beijing, the noise levels were ear splitting. The British passion for sport simply cannot be denied. The volunteers were smashing.

This has been a smashing Olympics, make no mistake about that. Yes, the crowds have been superb, the buzz on the streets joyful. Yes, strangers have been speaking to each other on public transport, and that has been lovely. The British sportsmen also rose to the occasion and won the highest number of medals – 65 - for the country. The Olympics will also be remembered for the development of some of the least developed areas in the city. The residents of the area will have nothing to complain about now. Even the land and house prices will go up now. They can reap a good fortune.

A coalition government is a government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament. At present both India and Britain have coalition governments. For the survival of a coalition government, much tact and patience is needed because the partners may have different manifestoes to fulfil. For the sustenance of a stable coalition government, the parties must keep their common minimum programme ahead of their own ideologies. There should be sincerity in dealing with partners. There should not be any cheating and everything should be discussed and agreed upon before implementing. But many a times the common minimum programme will remain on the paper and the progress of the country will suffer because of disagreement between the partners. Take the case of India. After the UPA government came to power for the second time many of the progressive steps initiated by the government were vetoed by the Trinamool Congress, a coalition partner, headed by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Meanwhile, the return of a pro-market reformer to India's finance ministry has cheered investors and contributed to a market rally, but Palaniappan Chidambaram will need both political deftness and some luck to tackle the problems dragging the economy down. Faced with impatient financial markets and the threat that India's credit rating could be cut to junk, Chidambaram has wasted no time since moving into his old ministry last week. He has ordered a review of retrospective tax rules that had panicked foreign investors and sidelined officials behind those rules. And, in his first public comments, the Harvard-educated former

lawyer vowed to fill a gaping hole in the budget and ease the burden of high interest rates on consumers.

During his last stint at finance, Chidambaram oversaw India's fastest growth surge in the past two decades that helped steer the economy through the worst of the global financial crisis. But this time, Chidambaram's task is more daunting. Industrial output has fallen from year-earlier levels in three out of the last four months, and a summer drought has triggered a slew of cuts in growth forecasts, with economists predicting this year's economic expansion as low as 5.4 per cent, the worst in a decade. He also inherits the political constraints that stymied his predecessor Pranab Mukherjee's efforts to push major reforms. Let us hope that he will succeed in his efforts and India will achieve much needed progress.

Even in Britain, the Cameron government is in turmoil because of disagreements between the Conservatives and coalition partner Liberal Democrats.

Mr Nick Clegg of Liberal Democrats has declared the coalition "contract is broken” after the Conservatives refused to support House of Lords reform and the Liberal Democrats blocked changes to parliamentary boundaries in retaliation. Tit for tat is as dangerous as an eye for an eye. The partners should sit together and sort out their differences for the good of the country. The common man expects the partners to show maturity and keep the well-being of the people topmost in their mind.

Just after 27 months of the coalition government, the voters have lost faith in the government. Now it is the duty of the government to instill optimism in the minds of the people that the government will last for another three years and all their aspirations will be fulfilled.

It is a great shame that even after 65 years of independence, poverty in India is on the rise. Majority of Indians are living below the accepted norms. The main cause for this state of affairs is the corruption and lack of seriousness and sincerity on the part of those who govern. So, the country is divided into two segments of 1:9 ratio, where rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer. Its not a matter of concern if rich are getting richer but it is surely a matter of concern if rich are getting richer at the cost of the poor.

The government has introduced a number of welfare schemes for the people, but it rarely reaches the intended people as the implementing authorities are not sincere.

They pocket the benefits and cheat the public. There are a number of honest officials but they are afraid to go against the corrupt colleagues. If they try to implement the rule of the law ultimately they will have to suffer for their good deeds. Even the government is not willing to support them.

The political parties play a major role in perpetuating corruption in the country because they survive because of corruption. If there is no corruption and black money how will the government arrange money to buy the legislators for their survival? Corruption is so deep-rooted in India that its eradication is a Herculean task. Without bribery or greasing the palms of the officials nothing moves there.

It is the right of every citizen to get a decent living. But the question is who will ensure that. Recently Anna Hazre and his team organized a number of fasts to get the anticorruption bill passed. After the initial public support the campaign also petered away. Now they are planning to form a political party to fight the election and give the voters a chance to choose honest people as their representatives in the legislatures. Baba Ramdev, another crusader, also organized a fast against corruption and black money.

Opposition political parties offered support to his cam-

paign. He says that if India can bring back the black money stashed away in foreign banks it would give a big boost to the development of the country. In 1979, when Margaret Thatcher was the prime minister of Britain. there was also a hue and cry about black money. Her government, on the third day of its formation removed the exchange controls at a stroke. The result is there to see.

India can also think of taking some such steps so that the country can benefit from it. Though many parties have declared support to Baba Ramdev in his campaign, the question is how serious they are in their support. They have also a stake in the corruption prevailing in the country. During election time they can collect huge amounts from the corrupt businessmen and use the services of the corrupt officials to their advantage. So every politician has a stake in the prevailing corruption.

The UPA government which is in power is not showing much inclination in eliminating corruption. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a clean man but his hands are tied and he cannot do much as he is not getting the much needed support. The economy is also not in good health. India needs a number of Vinod Rais, the 63-yearold bureaucrat who has been behind some of the most devastating revelations of the past 12 months as the Comptroller and Auditor General, exposing the cosy relationships between politicians and business executives in India, to bring corruption under control. It is time for the general public to rise against corruption and assert their right.

Mr T N Seshan was able to use existing laws to bring sense into election malpractices as the Chief Electoral Commission. There are provisions, and we require strong and principled personalities to put into practice what is needed for the Rule of Law, good governance and fairer society.

Is coalition government sustainable?

Eradication of corruption must for India’s progress

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Thought for the Week It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end - Ursula Le Guin (1969)

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel’s The Politics of British Indian Woman and Equality It was called the Olympics of the Woman.

For the first time in their history, the Olympics had a female representative from each participating country. But that is not the only reason for the name. Women’s boxing was included for the first time too. Indeed a British Indian woman, Shami Chakrabarti, carried the Olympic flag in the opening ceremony.

So it was with some surprise that in 2012 just before the start of the Olympics I received an email from a dear British Indian female high-flying friend that she has been advised to tone down her successes otherwise it will be difficult to find a husband.

This is but one example of several I could give you. Our sisters and daughters go to Universities, start businesses, become Partners of law firms and Directors of banks – but so many live in fear that success will make it difficult to find a husband. In 2012!

In Britain.

‘How will he cope with my earning more?

With the hours I will keep? With my success and qualifications being better than his?’ These are not silly girls asking these questions. These are accomplished women of substance who have grafted and endured hardships and sacrifices to achieve what they have, only now to consider giving up the gold medal so a man they do not know, have not met, will not feel intimidated.

I almost want to say thank you girls, for making it so much easier for us second rate men, to win gold. You’re handing us the promotions, the pay rises, the successes without us trying. The glass ceiling is increasingly self-imposed.

But this is Britain. A woman is Queen and happily married.

A woman was Prime Minister and happily married with children. If your husband wants a cleaner and cook, tell him to work and get one – or

at least share the chores.

Of course that doesn’t mean he does half a chapatti and you do half the DIY. The kitchen may be your domain (or his) and the garage and the heavylifting his (or yours!). But why should you quit being a corporate lawyer to be re-employed a cleaner? Funny how men never worry about ‘having it all’.

What about children then? Simple. If you, or your husband want to be with the children, so do it. If you either want to be with your work, then child-minders and extended families are needed. If that doesn’t work, then don’t have kids. Still want them, and the job, and the family life – clone yourself – you’re clearly living in sci-fi world anyway – or at least work out rotas. (Not rotis, rotas – they’re a timetable).

But the easiest way to solve all these problems, is not to pre-emptively stop yourself before you’re even married – but instead provide full disclosure. Tell them if you’re training for the Olympics and the support you will need and expect.

Don’t let them devalue what you hold invaluable.

If the other person walks, then they were wrong person clearly and you would have been trapped in an unfulfilling marriage and if they don’t walk, then they have to stick to their promises.

Usually the biggest problem in any marriage is people who don’t provide full disclosure and break promises.

If Britain is to continue in the kind of success it just got used to in the Olympics it will need more high-flyers able to lift each other up, not sabotage their chances of success before they even enter the race. If British Indian women are not to be left behind, they’ll have to be sure of themselves as the athletes were in the Olympics.

Defeat is for the doubters.

Agony Uncle Alpesh Patel

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LEICESTER VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Crowds join celebrations for Krishna Chanting and dancing marked the birthday of supreme Hindu god Lord Krishna.

The birth of the deity, who lived about 5,000 years ago, was celebrated in dozens of temples and homes across the county at midnight Saturday.

At the new Shreeji Dham Haveli temple in Rushey Mead, Leicester, devotees prayed and fasted all day and then broke open a "matki" containing butter and milk as an offering to the god before breaking their fast with a feast.

Six-year-old Nandani Kachela, from the Belgrave area of Leicester, was among about 900 people who visited the temple.

"The birthday of Lord Krishna is always fun and people chant and later we all go outside and have lots of nice food."

Kirit Shah, 54, of Stoneygate, Leicester, said: "It's the biggest day for us and it is very special

to know this day is being celebrated all over the world and to feel part of such an important event."

Kalpna Gokani, 37, from Wigston, was at the temple with her threeyear-old son, Rian, and her mother and aunt. "I come here often because there's lots going on and my mother and aunt practically live here. Last year, I celebrated this day at home, but it's lovely to be able to come here this year because it's a wonderful new temple. It's a place where you can feel at peace and a lovely space to come and celebrate this fun occasion. My son is very excited and it's a wonderful time for us – it is a very colourful and enjoyable celebration."

Nitin Saujani, a trustee of the temple, said Lord Krishna's birthday would be celebrated at temples and homes across Leicester. "This is the biggest day for us. Krishna is the supreme god in

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Fraudster preyed on pensioner with dementia Hinduism. There are hundreds of gods but Krishna is the main one. Diwali is like our Christmas – it's the festival of light and a very big celebration – but this is the most important religious day."

The Shreeji Dham Haveli temple in Leicester is the biggest temple of the Haveli sect of Hinduism in Europe. The differences between the Haveli sect and mainstream Hindus are so slight many who are

not members of the sect still worship at the Rushey Mead temple.

The Haveli sect focus more on certain writings than other Hindus.

The temple, in Melton Road, Rushey Mead, used to be the Royale Cars showroom and the trust that now owns the building plans to add a library, computer room and dining area.

The latest census figures available show there

Protests staged over faith group plan for building in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester A series of late-night protests have been staged against a faith group's plan to convert a disused Scout hut in Leicester into a community centre.

Dozens of police have been stationed in Thurnby Lodge estate for the past few nights to oversee the peaceful demonstrations, which at their height have attracted up to 150 people.

Residents said they were angry the former Scout hut in Nursery Road looked likely to become a community centre operated

by Islamic charity the AsSalaam Trust. They would like the building, which has been empty for several years, to be developed for the wider community. They are also concerned about extra traffic the centre might create.

Opponents have held their protests outside the estate's main community centre, in Thurncourt Road, where As-Salaam's members have been meeting for prayers for the past twoand-a-half years. They said the city council had not asked them for their views on the future use of the Scout hut.

Some support a proposal to set up a boxing club in the building.

Maxine Williams, manager of the Stirrup Cup pub, has been taking part in the demonstrations. "People are protesting because they feel that they have not been consulted and that the council has handed the keys to the Scout hut to AsSalaam. There is a lot of concern about the amount of traffic that it will bring

and that people's peace will be shattered."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby was due to meet a group of residents last week. "As-Salaam has been meeting in the area for some time and was looking for a permanent home. If the people who are interested in opening a boxing club can establish themselves, we will help them find suitable premises. However, our view was they were a long way from being in a position to take this building on."

Mohammed Lockhat, As-Salaam's imam, said: "If we could sit down together and talk, we would be able to understand each other better. People have said they are concerned about traffic, but most of the people would be walking to the

Scout hut because they live here."

The Scout Association told the city council in September last year that it wanted to end its lease of the hut.

The council said it then contacted more than 100 community groups which had told it they were looking for premises. Of the groups that expressed an interest, As Salaam was the only one that could meet the lease criteria agreed with the Scout Association, the council said in a leaflet which was delivered to homes on the estate last week.

A police spokeswoman said: "The police have a legal duty to facilitate a peaceful protest and have no powers to stop a demonstration."

Manjit hopes to pull in German TV fans Record-breaking Manjit Singh, pictured, has already wowed British television viewers by pulling a car with his ear on Britain's Got Talent. Now, the Leicester strongman is hoping to dazzle European TV audiences by starring on the German version of the show.

The 62-year-old, who holds dozens of British Guinness World Records, will again pull a car with his ear on the programme.

Manjit, of Highfields, said: "It will be great fun for me. I shall go over there to represent Leicester and Britain and do them proud. They have not told me what the car is, but it does not matter as I can pull any car with my ear. I have been truly inspired by the performances of the British athletes in the Olympics. I

will not let anyone down."

Manjit, a father-of-four and grandfather of one, said he was invited to appear on "Das Supertalent 2012" after the show's producers saw his performance on the British version.

He said: "They saw a video of me pulling a car with my ear and decided they wanted me for their show, too. It is quite an honour and a great opportunity for people in another part of the world to see my abilities. I have never been to Germany before so I am looking forward to doing a bit of sightseeing in Berlin."

Manjit was due to film the pre-recorded show today but does not know when it will be broadcast.

He is not competing in the show – but will perform his trick to entertain view-

ers.

The ironman weighs only 75kg – just under 12 stone – but has pulled a 11.5 tonne, 73-seater double-decker bus with his hair. He has set 47 world bests since he started breaking records in 1987.

As well as dragging buses along, he has set records for a staggering number of step-ups – 4,100 in an hour – and weightlifting feats, including lifting 85kg with his ears. He started his career by entering the Guinness Book of Records by achieving a world record in June 1987 by completing 1,687 parallel bar dips in an hour.

Other records he has achieved include having the strongest pair of lungs in the world. He has also dragged a 30-seater Jetstream 41 aeroplane at East Midlands Airport

using a rope attached to clamps around his earlobes.

Manjit said: "I use rubber clips under a metal clips attached to my ear.

This is then attached to a rope and I pull the car. It does hurt, but I can manage the pain. My ears will be a bit sore for a few days afterwards but it is worth it. I don't bathe my ears in any special lotion or treat them with anything at all.

I don't know why I have these abilities, I guess it is something I was born with."

A Leicester fraudster who took nearly ÂŁ4,000 from a pensioner with dementia has been given a suspended sentence.

Rajbir Sangha, of Barnes Close, Leicester, preyed on the 84-year-old woman from Edwalton, Notts. Sangha worked for a company selling mattresses and had visited the elderly victim on a number of occasions between May and September 2011.

She exploited the vulnerable victim by selling two massage cushions to her for £960 – despite them being worth just £120. She also went on to take £3,000 from the woman, which she claims was in return for a pair of diamond and ruby earrings - though police were never able to locate the jewellery.

Sangha’s crimes came

to light when the victim’s son noticed that large amounts of cash had been taken from her account.

He found his mother’s cheque book and discovered a number of stubs for large sums of money made out to Sangha. He obtained power of attorney of her bank account and cancelled a further two cheques for £1,500 made to Sangha and the matter was reported to Nottinghamshire Police and to Trading Standards.

Sangha pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud at an earlier hearing and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 3 August.

She was handed a fourweek prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a twelve-month supervision order. She must also pay ÂŁ960 compensation and ÂŁ350 costs.

Tributes paid to 'loving, caring' shopkeeper Ponnuthurai Nimalaraja The 13-year-old son of "caring" shopkeeper Ponnuthurai Nimalaraja, pictured, led the tributes at his funeral last Thursday. Hundreds of members of the Tamil community from around the world travelled to attend the service in Rushey Mead, Leicester.

Mr Nimalaraja, known as Nimal by friends and family, suffered serious head injuries after he confronted a group of youths outside a shop in Gypsy Lane, Northfields, in June.

He died in hospital a week later. His coffin was welcomed into the hall at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church early Thursday morning so people could pay respects to him as he lay in an open coffin.

The coffin was then sealed and taken into the church for the mass concelebration, by Father S e b a m a l a i Sabanesaratnam, of the Tamil Catholic Chaplaincy in London, and parish priest Father Marcel Fangoo.

Mr Nimalaraja's son, Diluxshan, paid tribute to his father and welcomed those who came to the funeral. "Thanks for being with us today in this unbearable moment. I'm here to talk about my father. He was a loving husband to my mum, and a caring dad to me and my sister, and not only us but everyone in this communi-

ty. He was very helpful to everybody around him and nothing would make him happy other than making others happy. He worked hard for us, to keep us happy day and night. He would do anything to make us laugh and bought us everything we wanted and always put a smile on our faces.�

He fled his home in Sri Lanka after being beaten up by the army and went to Germany in 1993, where he met his wife-tobe. They came to London four years ago to start a new life, before moving to Leicester.

His widow, Mathanika, sat through the service flanked by her two children and other members of the family.

The funeral service was followed by a cremation at Gilroes Cemetery.

Two boys, both aged 14, appeared before Leicester Youth Court on July 6 charged with manslaughter following the incident, on June 9, and were remanded in custody.

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

UK

EXCLUSIVE

5

UK government demands India to clear CWG dues Rupanjana Dutta As Britain continues to enjoy the remnants of a glorious Olympic that it has hosted for the last 2 weeks, India is still fighting the ghosts of the Commonwealth games held 2 years back. While it perhaps could pull off everything at last minute, in a fantastic gala show, the corruption and such malpractices in India have brought the ‘Commonwealth goodwill or relation’ into question.

In a recent letter to the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the British PM Mr David Cameron has asked to facilitate the release of the payment due to the British firms for services rendered during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

British Broadcaster SIS Live who had carried out the widely acclaimed broadcast contract under conditions of many difficulties including delayed access to the games premises, are still awaiting payment of in excess of £16 million of their contracted fee. Satellite Information Services or SIS is an organisation that designs, constructs and operates mobile TV studios to cover mega sporting events and did so for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India. SIS recently had

2010 Commonwealth games in Delhi

David Cameron

David Willetts

also designed, constructed and operated a live mobile TV studio to deliver coverage of the London Olympics.

As per a report in Times of India, David Willetts, Minister in the department business, innovation and skills, told the agitated MPs in the House of Commons demanding payment of dues from India, “I assure honourable members who have raised the matter that the British government is energetically pursuing concerns of British companies with the Indian government.”

The British government has told New Delhi that it is not taking the matter very lightly any longer. This message was sent across after Whitehall was reminded by SIS LIVE, that the contracted fee was still outstanding, despite the CBI having it declared innocent in a closure report of a probe submitted to the CBI court.

One of the allegations

that were brought against SIS by a completely one sided report stated that SIS had paid bribes to win the CWG contract from Prasar Bharati.

The company has consistently denied doing any such thing,”It’s regrettable that we should have been dragged into the maelstrom of suspicions and allegations that emerged after the Games were over,” said David Holgate, chief executive of SIS LIVE, to TOI. However CBI probed into the award of the broadcast contract for the Games, to dig out the actual truth. A Closure Report has now been submitted to the CBI Court. Though the hearing has been apparently adjourned a few times, it is believed that the Court acts on the basis of the CBI recommendation and the investigation will be formally terminated soon.

SIS Executive, Mr David Holdgate told Asian Voice “We are delighted to learn that the investigation

has resulted in a Closure Report by the CBI. We were very confident that once a full and thorough investigation had taken place, the truth would emerge. Although there were clearly some aspects of the Games which required scrutiny, it is regrettable that we should have been dragged into the maelstrom of suspicions and allegations that emerged long after the Games were over.

“We were proud to have contributed to the success of the Games, and to enhancing the perception of India as a sporting nation in the eyes of the world. For a company of SIS’s standing , it was a cause of great dismay to find ourselves embroiled in a criminal investigation.

While maintaining our innocence of any wrongdo-

ing throughout, we were happy to give the CBI our full cooperation in complete confidence that our name ultimately would be cleared. Obviously, the final decision rests with the CBI Court, but India has a robust and independent legal system, and we see no reason why the Court should not now accept the Closure Report.”

Mr Holdgate also said that he did not expect early resolution. “A number of other obstacles have been raised, ranging from customs issues and VAT to queries over the contract award process, but with goodwill and common sense these could all be settled without great difficulty.”

When asked if SIS plans to sue the Indian government if they are

proven innocent, a spokesperson confirmed that they would like to resolve the issues by willing cooperation and not through legal battles.

Mr Holdgate further added that he was confident and happy that the company should take on other major assignments in India in the future. He said, “India is not only a great country, it’s a sporting super-power, with a great deal to offer the world. It’s a natural partner for a firm like ours, and it would be a great shame if the difficulties of the Commonwealth Games were allowed to damage India’s international standing in the global sporting world, or to undermine what should be good, cooperative and productive international relationships.”

6

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Asian Voice launches

community campaign against changes to UK immigration laws

By Spriha Srivastava

Janmashtmi in London Krishna Janmashtmi or the commemoration of Lord Krishna’s birthday was celebrated across London in an extremely grand manner.

As per mythology, the festival is celebrated on the eigth day (Ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadra (August-September) in the Hindu calendar. Rasa lila, dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna, are a special feature in regions of Mathura and Vrindavan, and regions following Vaishnavism in Manipur. While the Rasa lila re-creates the flirtatious aspects of Krishna’s youthful days, the Dahi Handi celebrate God’s playful and mischievous side, where teams of young men form human pyramids to reach a highhanging pot of butter and break it. This tradition, also known as uriadi, is a major event in Tamil Nadu on Gokulashtami.

The festival is celebrated across India among Hindus and followers of Lord Krishna in an extremely grand fashion. Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting and staying up until midnight, the time when Krishna is believed to have been born. Images of Krishna’s infancy are placed in swings and cradles in temples and homes. At midnight devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchange gifts. Some temples also conduct

reading of the Hindu religious scripture Bhagavad Gita.

In London, the festival was celebrated among many groups.

An extremely grand affair took place at the ISKCON temple in Soho where hundreds and hundreds of devotees gathered to worship their Krishna.

“The atmosphere was electrifying. The entire temple was decorated with flowers, there were bhajans and there were so many people who had come from far and wide to pray. I felt extremely happy that I received blessings from Lord Krishna,” said Niraja, an Indian in London.

Celebrations also took place at Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden wherein the day began with a grand Annakut offered to the deities in the Mandir, where guests and devotees arrived throughout the day for darshan.

The evening assembly was held inside the Haveli, where the programme began with dhun and bhajans extolling the glory of Shri Krishna.

Yogvivek Swami, head sadhu of the Mandir, continued by narrating insightful episodes from the life of Shri Krishna. A colourful dance to ‘Bawa Nand Tane Darbar’ followed thereafter, artistically celebrating his birth.

The finale of the evening – marking the birth of Shri Krishna –

was celebrated with the arti followed by the swinging of the ‘paranu’ (birth-cradle) by all the devotees, with the traditional devotional singing of ‘Sona-na bol jhule Nand-kishore’.

The festival was also celebrated at Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple in Watford. The celebration attracted over 70,000 pilgrims from around the Europe to celebrate Krishna Janmashtmi.

“On arrival, visitors will walk through the newly completed ‘New Gokul’ complex, Europe’s largest cow protection project, as they make their way to the colourful festival site. At the site, the main marquee will stage cultural dances and musical extravaganzas. Over 50,000 pilgrims will also eagerly queue in anticipation to greet Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda, the temple Deities, in the Manor’s exquisitely decorated shrine. Even the queue itself will be a spiritual experience, as it makes its way along a flowered walk-way around the Manor’s lake, with pilgrims admiring the illuminated displays of Krishna’s pastimes,” the Bhaktivedanta Manor had described before the event took place.

Apart from these, the festival was celebrated by many temples, groups and individuals and this made Lord Krishna’s birthday all the more special.

Bhangra at Olympics The 30th Olympic Games came to an end with an amazing mix of music, culture, dazzling fireworks and the odd human cannonball.

Providing a desi flavour to the closing ceremony, Virsa Punjab Entertainments (VP Ents) dressed in colourful costumes and performed alongside the comedian Eric Idle, much to the delight of the stadium audience as well as millions of Asians across the globe watching on television.

London based Gurdeep also one half of the newly formed duo Gin & Rees manages, coaches and performs with VP Ents. The Bhangra and Dhol outfit have enjoyed the privilege of performing at some of the most prestigious events across the UK as well as interna-

tionally: London’s V&A Museum and at the World Sikh Awards to Channel 4’s Paul ‘O Grady Show, various music videos and Bollywood movies.

Gurdip says: “It was probably the most exciting thing we’ve ever done or will do. To be chosen to perform at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics is an indescribable feeling.

We have been inundated with messages from

people all over the world. We’re all so proud.”

The music they performed to, ‘Olympic Bhangra’ was created by the team themselves and has become a much sought after track after their impressive TV appearance. The inclusion of Bhangra in the closing ceremony showcased the multicultural influence on Britain by the South Asian community.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

In the last 2 years the British Government has tried innumerable ways to target the immigrants. It has resulted into endless confusion with hardly much of a difference in the numbers. Asian Voice has run several stories raising issues that affect immigrants directly and indirectly. In the 16th June issue (page 1) we spoke about a 'future' campaign and invited our dear readers to write to us about their feeling regarding the upcoming laws to be enforced on immigrants who want to settle here with their families.

This week we have launched the campaign formally and we want more of you, in fact all of you to support us to make our government realise Britain is a multicultural country, where every tradition and faith should be given its due credit. The upcoming changes are to directly and severely affect our culture, age old traditions and our ways of life. We need the government give us our due 'right to equality and life'. Read on to know more about our campaign and the ways you can support this campaign.

On the 9th July 2012 the Government will begin to introduce changes to immigration laws which will restrict the number of people who are able to come to this country. There are two main changes; they will begin to abolish the right of appeal for family visitors applying for a visa to visit the United Kingdom; and they will introduce minimum income requirement for persons wishing to sponsor a family immigration application.

These changes will have a profoundly negative impact on many of our readers, on our grandparents our husbands and wives, our aunties and uncles and cousins. We as a newspaper feel it is only right to launch a campaign against the changes that is why we urge you to join our community campaign for families against the proposals.

Main changes at a glance Changes to family migration routes: l Will introduce a new minimum income requirement for persons wishing to sponsor an application for a nonEEA national partner l Will have to demonstrate a minimum gross annual income of £18,600 l The minimum threshold increases if the applicant has children; £22,400 for one child and an additional £2,400 for each child l Previously there was no minimumincome requirement l Allowing adult and elderly to settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long-term

personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK l Will extend the minimum probationary period for settlement from two years to five years Right of appeal against visa decisions: l Uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and first cousins will no longer be considered to be family visitors for appeals purposes l They will no longer be able to appeal against family visitor visa refusal decisions l The government intends to eventually completely remove the right to appeal to any visa application What we are doing We are writing to all MPs to urge them to join our campaign against the Government’s proposals We are writing to Ministers at the Home Office to ask them to review the decision

How you can help You can write to your MP to raise awareness about the issue here: http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/takeaction/family-migration Sign up to our petition calling for the Government to urgently review the changes online: www.ipetitions.com/petition/asianvoice or by post to: Petition Against Government’s Immigration Law Changes, Asian Business Publications Ltd, Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW.

Trial of third alleged to go ahead in Dewani murder The trial of the third alleged accomplice in the 2010 murder of honeymooner Anni Dewani will begin on Wednesday, a high court judge in Cape Town has ruled. Judge Robert Henney made the ruling on Monday after considering a medical report into the condition of Xolile Mngeni, the 25-yearold alleged hitman in the case, who is in poor health after being treated for a malignant brain tumour.

Two men have already confessed to their role in the kidnap and murder of Dewani, claiming it was a contract killing set up by her husband, Shrien Dewani, who is fighting against extradition from Britain.

Last week, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 27, was jailed for 25 years at the Western Cape high court for the kidnap, robbery and murder of Anni Dewani. He was the second South African, after taxi driver Zola Tongo, to turn state witness in the case. Both

allege they were operating under instructions from Shrien Dewani.

Shrien Dewani’s extra-

dition hearing is due to resume at Westminster magistrates court in London on 18 September.

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

David Cameron infuriates people over ‘Indian dancing’ comment British Prime Minister David Cameron has infuriated his citizens on Friday when he said that Indian dancing is not a sport while defending his government’s decision to scrap compulsory two hours a week of sports in schools, raising many eyebrows.

Cameron accepted that pupils must “do as much sport in school as possible” as his comments came against the backdrop of Britain’s remarkable success in the current Olympics, following which there is unanimity across the British political spectrum that there should be a continuing emphasis on sport in schools.

But the government’s cost cutting to reduce public debt has impacted on school budgets, with mandatory sports being one of the casu-

alties.

Cameron’s remarks on Indian dancing prompted a wave of online comments by readers who believed that Indian dance was a form of exercise, while some joked how “Team Bollywood GB” would do if Bollywood dance were included in Olympics.

A reader wrote to the Guardian, as reported by the TOI, “Back in the 1970s we did county dancing as part of PE in primary school. Indian dancing is quite physical and if it engages some pupils who think running around after a ball is not enjoyable then why not? Cameron’s comment just seems racist to me.”

Another said, “Cameron is living on a different planet.

Any kind of exercise is better than the blobbism we now have. Not everyone wants to

do cross-country running, and if girls, or men, want to do Indian dancing... great.

Those Indian dancers look super to me”.

Reader Tony wrote to The Daily Telegraph: “There is nothing wrong with a bit of bhangra... The objective is to get that body moving and use those muscles to keep fit.

Whilst it’s not exactly sport, not everyone is naturally good at sport.”

Live bomb removed from a UK museum A UK museum hastily removed a World War II cannon shell and a military flare which were on display for two decades after discovering they could be ‘live bombs’.

The bomb squad was called in after the items were checked during a stock assessment in a museum in Surrey.

The army has now blown them up, the Daily Mail report-

ed. Kathy Atherton, from the museum, told the daily that the staff would investigate how they got there but suspected they were historic donations from souvenir collectors.

Capturing the Olympic 2012 atmosphere, literally, in a bottle As the fervor of the Olympic games comes to an end on Sunday, vendors are doing their utmost best to hold onto the moment as long as they can, literally, an Indian media has reported.

Claiming they will give a small percentage of money made to charities, vendors are selling bottled ‘atmosphere’ specifically from the Olympics, on the auctionbased website, eBay. Vendor Victoria says

“maybe a little bit of that Olympic ambiance can come to you”.

Up to three people have already placed an interest in these “novelty items”, bidding up to £10.50 for the goods, on the website.

Yet some have yet to attract any bids, such as vendors offering bottled Olympic air “collected at the entrance to the Olympic Park only days ago”. This item has a price of £49.99

and can be purchased immediately for £99.99.

Amidst these items is a crumpled tissue which was used at the 2012 Opening Ceremony to wipe the seat with. The owner has stated that “it has some of the molecules of the Olympic atmosphere attached to it and I shall be sealing it in a plastic wallet so you can show it to your Grandchildren and so on”. There are still no bidders for this item.

7

Sex gang who threatened college student with knife, jailed A teenage student was subjected to a terrifying gang rape at the hands of three young men who threatened her with a knife and filmed part of her ordeal on a mobile phone.

The unsuspecting 19year-old had gone to the home of Ammar Zahoor to chat and ‘chill’ with others she knew, but suddenly found herself alone with the 18-year-old and his friend Osman Ali, 20.

When the teenager tried to leave she was threatened with a knife and forced to perform a sex act on both men. At the same time one of them spoke to another friend, Abdul Sajid, pictured, on the phone and told him to come around to the house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, for ‘some fun’.

The victim, who is white, was then taken upstairs and repeatedly raped by Sajid, and later

by Ali and Zahoor, in a protracted attack she

described as a ‘living nightmare’.

Sentencing the trio to a total of 24 years, Judge John Phipps said mobile phone footage of part of the attack ‘demonstrated the callous way in which the defendants went about these offences and the pack mentality which accompanied them.

‘Whether or not the events were planned before she got to the house, what happened to her after she arrived at the house amounted to a protracted, frightening and humiliating ordeal for her.

She was treated with contempt,’ he said.

‘It was a group attack, a sustained attack, and the offences involved keeping her in the house against her will and threats of a knife.’

Ali, 20, who was described as the ‘ring leader’ at Liverpool Crown Court, was sentenced to eight and a half years imprisonment.

Sajid, 18, was sen-

tenced to eight years, and Zahoor, also 18, to seven and a half years.

Sajid, of Dover Street, was convicted of three rape offences after a trial.

Both Ali, of Corbett Street, and Zahoor, of Norman Road, pleaded guilty to two offences of rape.

A charge of false imprisonment against all three men, which they denied, was ordered to lie on the file. All of the men, none of whom had any previous convictions, were put on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Coalition in the doldrums?

Only one in six voters believes the ConservativeLiberal Democratic coalition government will survive until the 2015 elections, with the proportion expecting a collapse within two years almost doubling in just two weeks, a Guardian/ICM poll showed on Monday.

The coalition, formed in 2010, has endured a rough year confronted with a shrinking economy and

growing disagreements over policies such as the agreement to reform the and Britain’s relationship with the rest of Europe.

The findings came after conservative Prime Minister and his Liberal Democrat deputy held a Downing Street dinner on Friday amid mounting tensions about the health of the coalition.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg insist their par-

ties will see their term through in order to decrease a budget deficit that was around 160 billion pounds, more than 11% of GDP, when the 2010 elections were held.

8

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

SARVAM

Official Charity for AAA 2012

Making a change at India's Grassroots

Repairing a school with biggest potholes

Mr Vijay Poddar

Imagine a school in rural India whose roof leaks during rains and whose floor has such big potholes walls too were painted.

When this came to the that children keep digging Nadupalayam School notice of SARVAM, it’s more into the exposed stood anew on the same volunteers met the presimud rather than concenplace where it stood dent of the local administrating on their studies. uncared for long. The trative unit (panchayat) This was the condition results were obviously and also spoke with the of Government Middle encouraging; the number parents about the need of School at Nadupalayam of children enrolled in the better infrastructure and village and the plight of school has increased to quality education for the 150 children studying 220. The efficiency of the children. With Rs. 15,000 there when SARVAM teachers improved and from the Government and started its work with the parents and children Rs. 150,000 from community.

SARVAM’s fund, the roof looked motivated and hapWith no toilets and no pier! We welcome your and the floor were rebuilt. drinking water facility, participation and support.

A new toilet unit was built school was some place You may contribute in and a water purification children didn’t understand general for the project or system was put in place. what they came for. It was for specific purposes.

Trees were planted and merely a daily routine!

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

A Taste of Britain for Olympic visitors Tanveer Mann On Thursday 9th August, the British government hosted an evening event that showcased the best of British food and drink products, in efforts to boost the country’s food exports.

The event was held at the Ofgem Atrium in Westminster and had a

Britain at its best – and that includes our food and drink, which is winning a deserved reputation for quality and variety. The word clearly has an increasing appetite for our produce, an the Games have provided a perfect opportunity for us to show everyone just how great British food and drink can be.”

erates income of £76.2 billion. Furthermore, over 3500 food and drink companies around the world have bases in the UK, which shows the successful business environment that Britain provides.

Some of the companies and products showcased at the London Great British Food event were: organic produce from farms in

successful turnout. The industry set out to promote the British food and drink industry at the most advantageous time. The Games brought many competitors, media and tourists from all over the world to Britain, and the industry hopes that they will spread the word about high quality British produce when they return home, which would lead to an increase in demand for British food and drink.

UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said, “The Olympics has showcased

To capture such demand for food and drink for the industry is imperative because it is the single largest part of Britain’s manufacturing base. It’s vitality is critical to this country’s economic growth. Thus the government has decided to aid the industry in their pursuit of promoting British food and drink all over the world.

The food and drink industry is extremely significant to the UK economy, figures alone show that the sector employs up to 370,000 people and gen-

Wales, nutritional drinks used by athletes, natural tastes of Scotland and Northern Ireland such as malt whisky and smoked salmon, English wines and renowned traditional foods like clotted cream.

The positive export message was reaffirmed by James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food and Drink, “The opportunity to showcase British food in London during the Olympics has been fantastic and will ensure the momentum of the last few years continues.”

Preserve your heritage Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar has been serving the British Asian community for the last 40 years.

Each year we go from strength to strength in terms of quality content and circulation. We give our valued readership a comprehensive news platform as well as other features on health, entertainment, business & finance, politics,sport ex...

On the auspicious event of 40th Anniversary of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, we are proud to present once in a life time opportunity to create your very own personal documentary film. In today's world it is necessary to preserve our culture and history.

Moreover physical printouts have limited value and difficult to preserve.

We are proud to present this opportunity to film your family or firms details and traditions for the generations to come. We can design this documentary/ talk show as per your requirements. For eg. success story/journey, family oriented, personal, business related, career profile, family tree- who we are, where are we from etc....

Interview to be conducted by well known and professional persons from Gujarat /UK

Technical details/ Terms and conditions: l Interview/Meeting time: 2 hours l At Sangat Community Centre, Sancroft Assembly Hall, 28a Sancroft Road, Harrow, Middx, HA3 7NS. l All the materials/photos to be provided together. We shall not accept part of it later. l Commentary in English/Gujarati. Final video upto 30 minutes. l On this celebration of 40th Anniversary, we offer this at a discounted price of only £1250+VAT, which could cost up to £3000 to £5000 elsewhere. l The final copy of the documentary will be scripted, edited and will have voice over by a professional artist. l Payment terms 50% in advance and remaining 50% on delivery of the CD. l Please contact Alka Shah immediately on 07944 151 893/07875 229 122/ 020 7749 4002 or email on alka.shah@abplgroup.com

Celebrating the Legends Tanveer Mann This September, to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of Bollywood, Saregama Events presents to the UK, a mind blowing and highly anticipated event – Celebrating the Legends.

This onetime UK concert will pay tribute to some of the greatest singers from India, to celebrate 100 years of Bollywood cinema. The singing sensations Roop Kumar Rathod and Sunali Rathod, pictured, will showcase the vocal talents of legends Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Talat Mahmood and Noor Jehan in what promises to be a musical masterpiece.

Roop Kumar Rathod is a highly recognised singer by many, notably for his association with being Shah Rukh Khan’s voice in “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hein” from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and many other Bollywood top hits. He is also a veteran of ghazal, bhajans, Sufi and light classical genres and has performed numerous stage concerts around the world.

His wife, Sunali Rathod is an equally talented singer who has been singing since the age of seven. She received formal training in Indian Classical music at the age of twelve from Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar (brother of Lata Mangeshkar). Her versatility is what makes her the perfect compliment to Roop Kumar.

On Monday 13th August,

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Asian Voice was given the opportunity to meet the singing duo and was given a sneak preview of some of the well known songs that will be performed at the concert in September.

The host, Saragama, introduced the event and said “Celebrating the legends is our grandest project to date and we don’t mind being loud and proud about it. We will be honouring some of the sub continent’s finest singers and their landmark songs. Roop and Sunali are classically trained musicians and yet commercially successful therefore are the most appropriate choice to pay tribute to these”.

Speaking of the husband and wife, Saregama said “this will not be an easy job, we are aware that natural comparisons will be made but we have such fine artists here, they are classically trained and have had a lot of commercial success in their own careers.

They have versatility, scoring hit after hit and also in different genres of music. It’s a real pleasure to have them with us to be part of such a wonderful series of concerts.”

The concerts will be held in Birmingham, Leicester and London, and will take UK audiences on a trip down memory lane showcasing classics from the last fifty years.

Roop Kumar will also be performing his own hits from Bollywood such as “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai”, “Tere Liye”, “Maula Mere Maula”, the award winning

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“Sandesein Aate Hai” and “To Chaloon”.

Some of the legendary songs that are picked for the concert will be performed by the finest handpicked musicians flown over from India.

They will play a selection of the best love songs, including Rafi classics like “Chaudhvin Ka Chaand”, Lata classics like “Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha”, Talat classics like “Tasveer Banata Hoon” and Noor Jehan classics like “Aawaz De Kahan Hai”.

When asked what the couple find is the difference in a London audience from all other audiences, Sunali Rathod replied, “London is the hub for music and I truly believe that. I have interacted with so many musicians from all over the world, Brazilians, Spanish and Pakistani, yet my favourite is Ronny Scotts in London. We just meet so many kind of musicians and there is an audience for every type of music here.”

Finally, Roop Kumar said “the exhilarating response that we got on our UK tour in 2010 has encouraged us to come back to be with our favourite audience one more time. We are thrilled that Saregama Events are doing this.”

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Olympic Multifaith Centre support Hindus and Buddhist athletes during games The Hindu Forum of Britain established a Hindu Mandir in the Multifaith Centre at the Olympic Village to provide extra care and support to the athletes, coaches, or whoever visited them.

Staffed by volunteer Chaplains, who did puja in the mandir and offered spiritual care and pastoral support to Hindus in the Village especially athletes, coaches, members of the various teams and staff and volunteers of LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic

Games).

HFB provided puja for teams before competitions, a listening ear for tired and disgruntled volunteers and place to come and meditate or read the Gita for those who want a quiet ‘havan’. Four Chaplains Sachi Kishor, viz.

Atmaram Dahal, Bhadresh Trivedi and Bharti Tailor gave a lot of time and care to this temple.

Atmaran Dahal, who is a Nepalese Hindu, serves as an Army Chaplain and as such is known to the

Gurkha regiments. He had come to London to volunteer his services to Hindu Chaplaincy over the Olympic fortnight.

The monk in charge of the Buddhist shrine inside the Olympic Village told the media that it was a privilege to look after the psychological well-being of more than 500 Buddhists in the Village. He said athletes from Buddhist countries such as China, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Sri Lanka, there are others also regularly visit the shrine.

Brent’s Lib Dem demand continued support of community festivals The Liberal Democrat Councillors have renewed their call for Brent Council to support community festivals after uncovering plans to spend £60,000 of public money on “infrastructure” for an event lasting less than one day in September.

Last year the Council scrapped grants for community festivals such as Eid, Navratri, Christmas and St Patrick’s Day claiming lack of money. It now turns out that the council will spend tens of thousands of pounds erecting

marquees in Gladstone Park for its own “Brent Celebrates a Golden Summer” one day event on Sunday 9 September.

Two years ago the Council spent around 100,000 on a one day Respect Festival attended by only 2,000 people because of bad weather.

The decision to spend large sums of money on tents and stages while destroying community organised Festivals has been criticised by Councillor Paul Lorber, Leader of the Liberal

Democrat Group on Brent Council.

He told Asian Voice, “Local community organisations were angry when Labour Councillors decided to scrap long-standing support for their community festivals. They will be furious that the Labour Council claimed lack of money to justify cutting St Patricks’s Day, Navratri, Eid, and Christmas celebration but then found 60,000 to bankroll just one Council event. It just shows how out of touch Labour Councillors are.”

Indian call centres to move to British prisons?

A scheme to use prisoners with ‘real’ British accents in call centres inside UK jails is being considered by the Ministry of Justice, suggested a recent report in a national media.

One of the consistent consumer complaints against the British companies who have call centres in India has been that Indian workers sometimes do not understand the many regional British accents of callers or questions regarding particular geographical locations such as train route etc, resulting in errors. There are reports that some British companies have closed down call centres in

India following such complaints, while others often highlight that their call centres are within the UK and that their customers can rest assured of a speedy and efficient service.

According to The Guardian, a company supported by the ministry of justice called the call centre scheme a “rehabilitation revolution”, but the ministry said the company was no longer involved in the programme after it had filed for liquidation recently. However, a ministry spokesperson said, “Prisoners who learn the habit of real work inside prison are less likely to

commit further crime when they are released. For that reason the Prisons Service is looking at a number of potential schemes to increase work opportunities in prisons.

The spokesperson added, “All contracts with outside employers must comply with a strict code of practice which sets out that prisoners cannot be used to replace existing jobs in the community.

Wages are set by prison governors and companies have no control over the payment.”

Using British prisoners in call centres in jails may work, but some raise worries about safety of data.

Leading Lights

by Rani Singh

Special Assignments Editor

Nayan L Gala, 29 Nayan Gala has been a Strategic Marketing Manager within the Energy division of Rolls Royce plc for over a year. He studied in Aberdeen, Scotland and became part of the oil and gas industry where he worked for two other companies; Wood Group and Champion technologies. Nayan post - graduated from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK, with an MSc degree. He also studied International Marketing in 2006. He was born in Mumbai and has roots in Kutch, Gujarat.

Nayan’s schooling and graduate studies were in Mumbai, where he received a Bachelors of Management Studies and well as a Diploma in Marketing. He still considers himself to be a ‘Mumbaikar’. moving away from the proQ. Why did you choose to duction of all the marketstudy in Aberdeen? ing material, to guiding the There were a couple of company and tapping key things that attracted me to markets. Also delivering Aberdeen, Scotland. One key messages. To do this I was the city itself. Very litneeded to understand the tle is known about company’s strengths and Aberdeen - the “Granite weaknesses. Some of the City,” which is the hub of involves developing marprojects I was involved in the oil and gas industry of kets i.e. customers who are were new product developEurope and an ideal locaat least three years away, ment in the North tion to get into the energy so when the time comes, American and European industry. With most major we are ready. To be sucmarkets, and extending oil companies headquarcessful in tapping these some of our current servictered in Aberdeen, it has markets/customers I also es in the Asia Pacific one of the highest employneed to develop relations region. It was a great learnment rates in the UK. with several other industry ing curve for me. It was Second was the university, partners and suppliers satisfying to put my theoI studied at the Aberdeen with whom we can work Business school of the and develop a route to Aberdeen is the Robert Gordon University. those markets. hub of the oil and It is amongst the few Q. What exciting areas schools in UK that have an gas industry of you are looking at?

International Marketing Europe and an ideal Since my current company degree accredited by the location to get into is into the production of Chartered Institute of gas turbines, natural gas is Marketing - critical for get- the energy Industry. one of the fuels that can retical knowledge into ting a break in marketing run these turbines. I have practice as my day to day in the UK. been doing some research activities involved conQ. I heard you were headon shale gas and Liquefied ducting market research hunted for your current Natural Gas (LNG) which and analysis, gathering role? could be game changers, information on market Being part of the energy deciding how electricity size, growth rates and industry for some years could be generated. trends, competitive intellinow has finally given me Q. How does India figure gence, customers segmensome rewards. I was head in your global assesstation and drivers. In hunted when I was workment? short, find ‘what makes ing for Wood Group for my India is power thirsty and our customers tick’! current position in Rollsrequires massive investRoyce within the energy Q. What do you do in your ment into its energy infraindustry. current job? structure.

Historically, I wanted to progress my Q. What did you do in India has depended on career towards strategy your previous company? coal to meet its power and business development I began my role as a generneeds. But now, considerand my current job does alist marketer i.e. doing ing it’s near exhausted coal just that. It is an expansion marketing communicareserves, India is looking of my previous role, where tions (heavy) and strategic to natural gas and renewI am involved in the develmarketing (light). I manable sources for power opment of the core strateaged participation in generation to compensate gy, but now with a respontradeshows and conferfor the coal shortage. sibility to go and execute ences for my company for Several key government this as well – this is where the entire world except the initiatives such as ‘Power the rubber hits the road! I Americas. As I gained to all’ as well as India’s cover Europe, Russia and more experience in the 12th power plan are all Africa and because of my energy industry my career indicators of India wanting roots I also support activimoved towards strategic to improve its energy infraties in India. My role marketing. This meant structure rapidly.

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Too much of music Many many congratulation and a big thank you to London 2012 organisers and the fabulous thousands of Games Makers. The event was a big success right from receiving the flame to the closing ceremony. Team GB done very well to come 3rd in the medals’ tally.

However I was pretty much disappointed from India’s performance though I would like to mention that I was very happy to see the Dhol/Indian Drummers as well as the Bhangra Dancers in the Closing Ceremony. The UK does have a large Indian Community, especially London; so it was a great idea to include the Dhol and Bhangra in the ceremony. A big thank you to the person(s) who made this happen.

However I thought there was too much of music in the closing ceremony; there was a time during the ceremony when I was saying “no more singers please!” Hoping it would be even a bigger success in Rio. Devang Bhatt Harrow

India’s Unique Contribution to the London Olympics

In 2011, India was the number one ranked cricketing nation in the world and came to play England in England. As we all know, India performed miserably and many a time it appeared as if they were just going through the motions. Apart from one player, Rahul Dravid, it seemed none of the others cared that they were representing a proud nation. A year on, it is sad to say that nothing has changed.

India was one of the two hundred and four nations represented at the London Olympics and left an indelible mark in the following areas: Opening Ceremony and Uniform: In your issue of 1st August, Kusoom Vadgama, described with eloquence the shocking colours of the Indian team. My understanding is that the uniforms and the colours were chosen by a well-known designer!; Stranger in the Team: The Indian contingent failed to recognise that a total stranger in the form of a badly dressed Indian student had suddenly become part of their team to gain publicity for herself and mock her homeland; It’s the taking part: The less said about most of the Indian competitors the better but a special mention has to be made of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team. Between 1928 and 1956, they won every men’s Olympic hockey title.

Those glory days are a distant past.

Today, the team is ranked tenth in the world but lost all of their matches during the Olympics and finished as the worst team in the competition. Ajit Pal Singh, the captain of the team that won the 1975 World Cup, said of the team: “...looked awful in all areas” and were “a bunch of mediocre players who are just satisfied to be in the Olympics.”

Ramesh Vala OBE Via Email

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Philanthropy is alien to Indians

India’s failure at the Olympics

I read with interest Baroness Shreela Flather’s letter “Mittal’s Philanthropy” in last week’s AV. What she said is sad but true, as Indian philanthropists, with a few exceptions, would always seek publicity when making any donations, except when money is donated to temples, so often anonymously, perhaps due to understandable reasons!

One of my hobbies, besides writing, is to nominate deserving people from our community for Honours. While I receive glowing letters of recommendations from indigenous British people, (MPs, Lords and Councillors) in reply to my request, I find it practically impossible to get any response from our own high flying politicians. It seems, once they sit on the podium, they forget there is life outside their friend circle.

As usual, there is an exception. While most ignore my letters, a tiny proportion who would provide excellent references or would go out of their way to explain why they can not accede to my request, with perfectly good reasons, such as, they may have to sit on the committee that select the names and as such it would be inappropriate for them to recommend any one.

I would like to make a humble request to our British Indian MPS and Lords to be charitable and extend a ladder to deserving people from our community to gain due recognition, as we badly lack behind other ethnic minorities, namely Muslims and Jewish community who get the lion’s share and deservedly so. They are united, single minded and proud of their culture and religion, the qualities we lack.

I would like to make some comments on the very interesting letter by Devang Bhatt regarding India’s medal tally at London Olympics, 2012. A nation of 1.2 billion people India managed to get only two silver medal and four bronze which Indians consider as a great achievement.

Even Grenada with population of 110,000 managed a gold. China, India’s great rival in the race to become a future superpower, is in the top two in the medal table winning 38 gold, 27 silver and 22 bronze.

One cannot make any comparison between India and China since China is much more politically, socially and economically advanced society with less corruption and maladministration. India is a divided society based on caste, religion and language with frequent riots arising out of conflicts with different ethnic and religious groups.

Hopes were high when 83- strong India team landed at Heathrow two weeks ago and the Indian media and the Indian sports authorities hyped the performance of the Indian contingent suggesting India to win at least five gold medals. There are several reasons why India flopped in London Olympic games.

Indian sports federation is controlled by politicians who do not have any knowledge of sports. Most of the players in the team should not have been selected since they are not up to International standards and the selection is more political.

Once a sportsperson wins a medal in India in international competition, he becomes celebrity and fails to repeat his performance.

India spent millions of pounds for Commonwealth games, the cycle tracks and swimming pools built for the game are not used at all. India has long way to go to achieve medals in international level since the sports council in India is in a archaic state with no proper direction.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Joining politics

I think, Mr Tendulker, the cricketer has been mis-guided by somebody else to join the politics and become the member of the Upper-House in the Indian parliament. I think Politics is a dirty game and it is not his subject. He is a decent and best sportsman, so he has to teach sports to our young generation, or join Mr Anna’s Team to remove corruption from the government. All actors and sportsmen should use their money to remove the poverty in India.

JB Patel Birmingham

Janmashtami and Bhagwan Krishna

Hindus celebrated Janmashtami, appearance of Vishnu in human form, Krishna.

The pragmatic image of Krishna is blurred by stress on blind-devotion, philosophy, spirituality and hedonism via feasting, dancing and gambling.

Please remember serious facts about deity in order to fight our problems today when we have abandoned India to non Hindu / non Indian aliens.

After appearance at Gokul, and reared at Mathura, Krishna spent 90

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email years of his life at Dwarka-Gujarat, departing at age of 125 years. He was 84 years old during battle of Mahabharata.

Thus Gujaratis must feel proud at God’s presence as compared with mortals eg Gandhi, Valalbha bhai Patel, Morarji Desai and other luminaries.

Gods are not born but appear in human form and name, after performance of havan by devotee; at the end of mission they immersed in river-a la Ram or go up mount Himalaya a la Pandavas, whereas they were not cremated.

Krishna is worshipped from Chhandogya Upanishad; is also mentioned in Rig veda, Kowsheethak Brahaman and Aitharyeka Arayanak. He syncretises deity of Narayan, Vishnu Vasudeva and Gopala.

Krishna is known for Bhagwat Geeta, and also for two other versions, Udhhav Geeta and Anuegeeta.

Story of Krishna reflects changes in social graces that differed from days of Ram. Monogamy of Ram’s era was modified to polygamy and poly andry. Respect

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

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

UK EUROPE WORLD £25 £55 £70 £45 £100 £125

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

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

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

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

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

away five years from your life.

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

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

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E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have always valued and cherished the contributions made by our letter writers. To help in further interactions amongst each other and with our team, we have planned a Letter Writers' Seminar on Saturday 18 August between 3-6pm at our offices (address: Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW). We would also extend this invitation to our regular columnists and sincerely hope their participation.

If you are interested in attending the seminar, please register your name at aveditorial@abplgroup.com or via post to our offices by Friday 17 August 2012.

Gold for India This Wednesday, on 15 August, we celebrated India’s independence by singing patriotic songs and reciting how great India is. But can we honestly say that?

If we were great, we would not have let first the Moguls, and then the British, trample all over us for centuries and, in between, allowed the likes of Mohammad Ghazni to plunder our temples again and again.

How comes our motherland with a population of 122 billion people has claimed no gold medal at all while our adoptive country with a population of 60 million has bagged 29 gold,17 silver and 19 bronze. This makes us proud to be British.

At the close of play, India has not done too badly after winning 6 medals including 2 silvers and 4 bronze. But we have not claimed a single gold. In a country which has a great passion for gold ornaments, we could not add even one gold to the hoards of gold accumulated in the temples.

Even though we have done better than our surrounding countries we have failed to achieve the first place in any one event. We need to do more. We need to look at the UK’s sports funding model and follow that.

But in a country where those in power, and the corrupt politicians, fill their own coffers at the expense of the masses, where nepotism and favouritism are rife, what can be expected?

People like Anna Hazare are trying their utmost to wipe out corruption and they should be supported every inch of the way.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford to elders a la Ramayana was modified to chastising grandfathers by Druapadi.

Ramayan had ethos of sacrifice of rights by Bharat in favour of Ram whereas in Krishna’s days, it became possessive-greed by Kauravas, depriving Pandavas their rights.

Let us Indo-patriotise and nationlise Krishna instead of futile hedonism and shaktiless bhakti.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email Letters continued page 13

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

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

1 Year 2 Years

Letter Writers' Seminar

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EDUCATION / COUNCIL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Plans to overhaul primary maths are 'seriously flawed' A campaign group promoting maths has attacked plans to overhaul maths teaching in primary schools in England as "undeliverable".

In a letter to the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, National Numeracy says the draft curriculum is "overloaded" and relies too much on rote learning. The curriculum, due to come into force in 2014, expects children to know up to the 12-times table by the age of nine. A government spokesman responded: "It is high time rigour is restored."

National Numeracy says the plans are "seriously flawed" because they rely too much on rote learning.

The group says that rather than raising standards the

new curriculum could in practice prevent pupils from developing a strong underlying understanding of mathematics or from having the confidence to apply mathematical theory to everyday problems. It also says that key maths concepts that primary pupils need to learn have been "atomised" with no links between different ideas.

The letter urges the government to revise the plans significantly even if it means delaying the introduction of the new curriculum. It calls on the government to study methods used in countries with more successful maths teaching such as Singapore and New Zealand.

Chief executive Mike Ellicock said: "Learning

concepts like times tables is useful and can be used in everyday life. But just learning something because that's what we've always done is questionable."

A Department for Education spokesman said the new curriculum would drive up standards for all children: "The plans for primary school maths will put our curriculum on a par with the best in the world, including the one in Singapore. It is high time rigour was restored - children must know their times tables up to 12 off by heart, know how to multiply and divide fractions, and have good mental arithmetic. A solid grounding in the basic means children can then move on to more complex maths concepts."

Schools love the smoothie bike More than 2,500 fruit smoothies have been made since Crawley Wellbeing invested in pedal power to increase fitness – and a healthy diet. The two smoothie bikes – one for children, one for teenagers and adults – are similar to exercise bikes, except the rotation of the rear wheel powers a blender, turning all sorts of fruit into delicious drinks.

They have been taken to schools, community groups, events and businesses and are a fun way to promote

physical activity and healthy eating.

Crawley Wellbeing have taken the bikes to many primary and secondary schools, Central Sussex College, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Guide groups as well as big events like the Big Jubilee Lunch and Sport Relief. Two schools were so impressed they wrote to Crawley Wellbeing.

Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture at Crawley Borough Council,

said: “The smoothie bikes help spread the message of the importance of physical activity and getting your fivea-day in a fun and energetic way. I’m pleased that they have gone down a storm at the schools they have visited.”

Crawley Wellbeing is a partnership between Crawley Borough Council, GPs, health professionals, the voluntary sector and local community to ensure that health and wellbeing are promoted across Crawley.

11

University tuition fees 'affecting applications' says panel The rise in university tuition fees in England is having an impact on applications, an expert panel has said. The Independent Commission on Fees says there has been "a clear drop" in English students applying, compared with those from the rest of the UK. The panel, headed by writer and academic Will Hutton, adds there has been no relative fall in applications from poorer areas. Ministers say there is still "very strong demand" for university.

The Independent Commission on Fees is supported by the Sutton Trust, a charity which aims to improve educational opportunities for young people from disad-

vantaged homes. It is examining the impact of the increase in fees, especially on those from poorer backgrounds.

Panel chairman Will Hutton, who is an Oxford college principal, said: "Although it is too early to draw any firm conclusions, this study provides initial evidence that increased fees have an impact on application behaviour. There is a clear drop in application numbers from English students when compared to their counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. On a positive note we are pleased to see that, at this stage, there has been no relative drop-off in applicants from lessadvantaged neighbour-

hoods."

In its first report, the panel draws on statistics from the university admissions service Ucas, as well as a survey of the attitudes of some secondary school pupils. The latest figures from Ucas, for June, showed applications from people in England were down 10% on the same time last year. In Wales, the drop was 2.9%, Northern Ireland 4.5% and Scotland 2.1%.

The panel says extra analysis by Ucas showed that for 18-year-olds, there had been "no significant changes" in the application rates to highly selective universities this year compared with what would have been expected from previous years.

University of Leicester receives record £7m donation The University of Leicester has been given a £7m donation - its biggest gift since it was established in 1921. The money, which has come from the John and Lucille Van Geest Foundation, will be used for both laboratories and a fund for studies into heart disease.

About £2.5m is being used to build a biomarker facility, housing three new

mass spectrometers to measure proteins, lipids and metabolites in blood.

The lab will be near the Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital.

The rest of the money, £4.5m, will be used to set up the Van Geest Foundation Heart and Cardiovascular Diseases Research Fund. It is hoped this fund will allow

researchers from the University of Leicester compete for funding for the most "exciting and cutting-edge studies that will advance the fight against cardiovascular disease for years to come", a university spokesperson said.

COUNCIL NEWS

Harrow teenagers raise money to help the homeless A team of charitable teenagers braved the Harrow night sleeping rough to help raise over £750 for charity.

Harrow's National Citizens Service (NCS) Summer of a Lifetime team spent the night in their sleeping bags outside the Civic Centre on Wednesday 8th August, to help raise money and awareness for Harrow Churches Housing Association.

The team was visited by New Zealand's 2012 Paralympic hopeful Tim Prendergast, after he was assigned to be a mentor to the group through the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. He encouraged the group, and even allowed them to use his gold medal from the 2004 Athens Paralympics, to encourage residents and civic centre staff to donate to the cause.

Passers by could have their photo taken with the medal in return for a donation. They raised a staggering total of £758.60 Tafierah Lee-Davis, aged 15 from Stanmore, said: "I think it's a really important charity. We

all take our homes for granted and I think it will help us be able to emphasise with homeless people and what they have to deal with everyday, that bit more.

Even though what we are doing is only making a small difference, it's still a difference."

Tim Prendergast said: "I got involved with Harrow NCS last year and it was such an experience. It's been great seeing the team bond and work so well together. It's fantastic that they're doing something positive for their communities, and to really get stuck in and do an event like this, and I'm really proud of them all."

Harrow Council's Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Families, Councillor Brian Gate, said: "It's fantastic to see the next generation getting involved to help benefit their communities. I would like to congratulate all of the young people who took part because the sleep-out challenged them all to be empathetic and inspiring, and the team rose to

the challenge magnificently."

Harrow NCS Summer of a Lifetime is run by Harrow Council, youth charity vInspired and the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust.

Southwark goes on road with Youth Buses One year on from the disturbances last August, Southwark Council is taking its youth service on the road this summer with the launch of its specially

kitted out Youth Buses.

The buses have been funded from the Southwark Council's £1million Community Restoration Fund, set up

by the council in the wake of last year's disturbances - half of which has been dedicated to projects for young people in the borough.

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Scrutator’s A familiar tragedy struck America: a lone gunman shot six Sikh worshippers dead and wounded many more at a gurdwara in the small Wisconsin town of Oak Creek. But for the extraordinary heroism of 65year-old gurdwara founder Sadwant Singh Kaleka, who grappled with the intruder before being killed himself, the casualties would have been higher. His raw courage enabled some in the congregation to hide or flee. One such fugitive alerted the local constabulary. Wounded in the stomach by a police marksman, the assailant died from a self-inflicted shot to the head. He was named as Wade Michael Page, a former sergeant in the US Army and white supremacist recruit to a hate group (The Hindu, Times of India August 7,8,9).

Such random attacks in the public space - in shopping malls, schools, colleges, cinemas, churches and temples – have become a commonplace feature of contemporary American life. What does this tell us about American society and the American state, and the direction in which they are headed?

America’s view of itself and its place in history is, for the most part, confected Calvinist myth and hubris. Few would deny the country’s towering accomplishments in science and technology, in industry and commerce, the arts and cinema, each a living monument to the American dream. That said, mainstream America is much given to uncritical celebration of itself, is less vocal about the dark American past that seeds the troubled American present. The national narrative affords limited scope to the extermination of American Indian communities, whose forebears settled the North American plain centuries before the arrival of the first Europeans to the New World. The traffic in African slaves and the denial of civil rights to generations of descendants, even as the white political class proclaimed America as a light unto the nations, tells of a myopic, self-serving arrogance.

Truth is that while the American Republic grew out of the Enlightenment and proceeded along constitutional and democratic lines, the package included ethnic genocide, racial oppression and territorial conquest, notably at Mexico’s expense. The Monroe Doctrine in the early 1820s prefigured the rise of the American imperial state we see today.

Crimes against humanity

Frankenstein’s monster returning to its roost.

US crimes across the seas began in earnest with the atom bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, a few weeks prior to Japan’s unconditional surrender in World War II. With Japan defenceless, the deed was done not so much for the saving of American lives and bringing hostilities to a speedy end – the official line then and now - as impressing upon the Soviet Union the awesome weapon at Washington’s disposal. It signalled the start of the arms race and the unfolding Cold War. From this emerged the tensions and anxieties that led the US to invade Indochina, carpet bomb and chemically defoliate Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in the 1960s and 70s, causing death and destruction on an unimaginable scale, the canvas to be replicated in Iraq a decade ago. All the while the US sustained repressive rightwing Latin American dictatorships, often with the aid of locallyrecruited, American-trained and armed, death squads.

It is no coincidence that the perpetrators of America’s random killings are frequently products of America’s foreign wars, where soldiers, damaged psychologically and mentally, bring their incendiary mindsets to bear on strangers back home.

The violence which the United States has visited upon other nations is seeping into its own blood-stream The horrors witnessed at the Sikh gurdwara in Wisconsin is surely a case of

Biting the bullet The new Indian Finance Minister P.Chidambaram told of his determination to return the economy to its previous trajectory of high growth. The Sensex responded with a jump of 200 points. However, fine words butter no parsnips. “Step On The Gas” was the title of a Times of India’s editorial (August 8), which read: “But he has to do more than just making the right noises to restore confidence in the economy. And he needs help and backing from the Congress leadership to deliver on the promises made.”

With the country’s manufacturing output for June 2012 in serious decline, the minister must act. Now! (Times of India, Hindu August 10)

Rejuvenated rural sector Pyaralal Raghvan’s edit page article in the Times of India (August 7) is a salutary reminder of India’s achievements in rural development. He writes: “The [Congress-led] UPA government..….seems to have pulled off a pleasant surprise by delivering on its promise of greater inclusive growth…..After pumping in around Rs 4,04,807 crore in the rural sector over the last five years……for delivering roads, drinking water, health and irrigation facilities and also employ-

Sikh gurdwara in the aftermath of gun attack

ment opportunities…. the UPA government…..has (not only) reversed the declining fortunes of the rural sector but been able to provide fresh buoyancy to the efforts to shift people out of agriculture. And also to improve the welfare of the poorest groups.”

Agriculture, which was barely 4.2 percentage points of the GDP 25 years ago, rose to 13.9 per cent by 2002-07, thence to 18.7 per cent of GDP by 2007-10. Mechanization and energy use were the contributory factors.

lowing a scam that led to a jail sentence for its CEO. Phoenix-like Mahindra

BJP travails

Mahindra Satyam Chairman Vineet Nayyar

Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, L.K.Advani, upset colleagues and party allies by blogging this warning: the next prime minister of India may neither be BJP, nor Congress.

Congress-backed Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari was reelected with 490 electoral votes to 238 cast for BJP contender Jaswant Singh.

Keshubbhai Patel’s decision

and Development Organization’s (DRDO) declaration that India’s first submarine-launched ballistic missile, the 750 kilometre range K-15 was ready for service. This would be complemented by the 3,500 km range K-4 missile, now under construction.

With naval ship building in full swing and plans for further construction in the pipeline, Admiral Verma concluded: “Today I am confident that we do not suffer asymmetries with anyone. We have the wherewithal to defend our maritime interests”. He described the arc from the Straits of Malacca in the east to the Strait of Hormuz, at the confluence of the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf in the west, as an area of primary Indian interest (Times of India August 5).

New missile plans laid

Satyam has risen from the ashes in a remarkably short timeframe, as its latest figures show. With a 56 per cent net profit for the second quarter ending June 30 2012 over the same period last year, Mahindra Satyam has overtaken Infosys as India’s second largest Indian IT company after Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

DRDO scientists are planning a new range of advanced products, including a low-weight nano missile and others in the long-range surface-to-air and air-to-air categories. This was disclosed by Avinash Chander, Chief Controller Missiles and Strategic Systems, who spoke of the sterling work done at the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), near Hyderabad, which falls under the DRDO umbrella.

He said RCI had developed advanced avionics technology including navigation systems, and was on the verge of developing a navigation on chip, telemetry on chip, seeker on chip and the entire range of avionics on a single board Times of India August 5).

Successful Agni-II test India’s Agni-II medium range 2,000 kilometre was successfully tested last week by the Army’s Strategic Forces Command over the Bay of Bengal. The Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, V.K. Saraswat, told the Hindu newspaper (August 10): “We Vice President Jaswant Singh L.K. Advani are on track. The counHamid Ansari try has complete control over the design, evaluaMahindra Satyam Chairman to float a new BJP from his tion and testing of ballistic misVineet Nayyar pointed to the Gujarat redoubt hasn’t helped siles.” The missile’s avionics and company’s resilience in the face party morale either. Nor did telemetry performed perfectly. of the country’s economic slowRajasthan’s former BJP minister, down (The Hindu August 3).

Manickchand Surama’s appeal to the Supreme Court to suspend the Jaipur metro rail conNuclear triad struction. With the appeal rejectnearing induction ed, construction is steaming India’s 6000 tonne nuclearahead. (The Hindu July 28). powered submarine INS Arihant According to a Hindu editois a few months away from full rial (August 8), the AIDMK in operational mode following Tamil Nadu, Biju Janata Dal in exhaustive harbour and sea triOrissa and the Telugu Desam in als. Speaking to reporters in Andhra Pradesh might reconsidDelhi, Admiral Nirmal Verma, er teaming up with the BJP again Chief of the Naval Staff, said come the next general election.

“The Navy is poised to complete the triad [of nuclear deterrence] and our maritime and nuclear Rising star doctrines will be aligned to in IT sky ensure our nuclear insurance Mahindra Satyam, the comes from the sea. Given our Indian IT major, with its unprounequivocal no first-use compitious origins, has reached a mitment, a retaliatory capability peak few could have imagined strike that is credible and invulwhen the industrial house This routine test confirmed nerable is imperative.”.

Mahindra & Mahindra took over Agni-II was in sound working The Navy chief’s statement the collapsed IT firm Satyam order. followed the Defence Research Computer Services Limited, fol-

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

YOUR VOICE

UK

Hare Krishna Temple celebrates Janmashtami

Janmashtami, birth of Lord Krishna, at Bhaktivedanta Manor attracts people of all backgrounds, including politicians, business leaders, faith representatives and people who would like to learn more about devotion.

This year the event featured thousands of children with their faces painted blue, many carrying flutes and wearing peacock feathers in their hair, dressing like Lord Krishna as part of the festive spirit.

Another highlight included a flowered walkway through the spiritual gardens.

Visitors journeyed through the life and pastimes of Lord Krishna climaxing with a glimpse of the spectacular deity of Krishna decorated with thousands of flowers.

The entire festival was managed and run by 1500 volunteers from the community who gather every evening after work for a month prior to the event and put in countless hours of hard work for the occasion.

The Temple kitchens were working 24 hours a day to prepare free vegetarian meals of everyone who comes the festival. “It is an ancient tradition to serve food to all who come to Bhaktivedanta Manor,” said Ajay Kumar, the festival coordinator and also one of the Olympic organisers, “we hope that the efforts of 1500 volunteers over many months made everyone’s visit memorable.”

India at Sixty Five

Your lead article [India must dare dream, to do and to move ahead] in AV 11 Aug p3 contrasts lack of progress in many fields and proposed space mission to Mars in 2013. Let us reflect on typical scenarios in small towns and cities.

All young and old are rushing in their two, three or four wheelers, hooting noisily with little respect for pedestrians. There are hardly any pedestrian crossings. No one walks.

There is hardly any decent internal city public transport system of buses or trams to save on CO2 emissions and costly fuel imports and reduce noise levels.

Teenage girls and boys spend time and money going to the Cinema or eating out as their main leisure activity. There are hardly any affordable decent public sports centres, gymnasiums, libraries, museums or bookshops which would divert them from rubbish Bollywood films or watching cricket.

Men are using side roads and road underpasses as urinals. Boys are spitting pans and tobacco leftovers in the streets.

Cows are munching rubbish from garbage collection street metal containers.

There are hardly any public toilets.

Even toilets in shopping malls and five star hotels are dirty and wet.

Young children are playing cricket in side roads or small open squares with half broken equipment in a half hazard way on Sundays and bank holidays.

The swimming pool at a five star hotel that I went swimming was tiny, the changing room wet and dirty. I swam better and faster than others half or quarter my age.

The sense of community spirit, of civic society, and delivery of public services is all lacking. Respect for the environment is missing. Pollution of land, air and water is increasing day by day. Physical health and intellectual stamina is decreasing day by day as far as the average Indian is concerned. Please reflect deeply. There is more to life than money power and corruption.

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

Paralympic torch in Harrow India and its capabilities

When the Olympic Torch was carried through Harrow on 25th July, an estimated 100,000 residents lined the streets to see it – just under half our borough’s population. It was a similar story right across the country and Harrow, like so many areas, also enjoyed local success – with canoeist Richard Hounslow taking home silver in the C2 slalom. We therefore wish to add our voices to those who have expressed disappointment that the Paralympic Torch will be carried through Harrow at 4am on 29th August.

It is highly questionable first of all whether the rather hurried relay being afforded to the Paralmypic Torch truly places it on parity with the Olympic Torch. In addition, we question why Harrow and other areas of London are being robbed of the opportunity to greet the Paralympic Torch with the same enthusiasm and fervour as when the Olympic Torch was carried through.

In our view, holding a relay through the night and early hours of the morning, with the segment through Harrow at 4am, not only undervalues the importance of the Paralympic Games and the contribution the public can make to its promotion and success but suggests that disability is something shameful that needs to be hidden away. Not far from Harrow, the Paralympics was born at Stoke Mandeville and our borough sees a special stop on the Paralympics Torch Relay at Aspire to honour the magnificent work they do...

London’s hosting of the Paralympics is a real opportunity for us all to think about disability not just in sport but in everyday life and the barriers both physical and otherwise that keep people from achieving their best.

I usually enjoy reading Alpesh Patel’s articles but his piece in the last issue of Asian Voice was out of order and over the top. Granted that Indian people are not very good at sports but that does not mean that there is a fatal flaw in Indians and they need to be recolonised by the British! Alpesh claims ‘never has there been a unfit superpower or great civilisation without a culture of sporting achievement ‘. Alpesh should know that civilisations with great sporting achievements have come and gone without any trace while India remains the oldest yet living and thriving civilisation.

Alpesh wants to invite the British back to India to run all India’s major institutions. He wants the British to run anti corruption unit, national infrastructure programme, he wants them to train the police force, and amongst other things teach them how to speak on a global stage.

India had the largest economy and fabulous wealth before it was enslaved.

Nehru made the prophetic speech on the eve of independence, ‘at the stroke of midnight while the world sleeps India will awaken and begin that long journey towards nation building’. Many columnists in Britain predicted that India will not last very long. India though has become a world economic power and remains a functioning democracy. It has proved the prophets of doom wrong. India is a leader in the IT sector it has a space programme as good as those of other nations in the field. Dhriubhai Ambani’s textile mills, the world class industries of the Tata’s, the numerous inventions made by Indian educated scholars, the list is endless, a bit more humility from Cllr. Susan Hall (Conservative Alpesh would not have been out of Group Leader) and Cllr. Barry Macleod- place.

Cullinane (Conservative Group Dep Nitin Mehta Leader), Harrow Council Via Email

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ART & CULTURE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

“I am not intelligent enough to sell nonsense,” Mahesh Manjrekar

Revisiting the Olympic history with the Hockey legend Indrani Thakurata

Mahesh Manjrekar and Sachin Khedekar with others

Indrani Thakurata Mahesh Manjrekar has always tread the lesser known paths. His films are always ahead of time, be it Astitva, Vaastav or Kaksparsh. He dares to make films that no one in this commercial industry even dreams off. And what more, he manages to package socially relevant subjects with commercial success.

To unveil the worldwide release of the DVD his latest film of Kaksparsh, he along with the cast arrived in London. “Kaksparsh happened to me by accident.

Sachin Khedekar was already doing this film.

And because of a problem, I heard the script and was blown over. The film required a pre independence set up and in this modernised Konkan, it

was difficult to create that atmosphere. It was a challenge and I am happy that it paid off,” says Mahesh.

The storyline has the backdrop of 1930s India when there were stringent regulations on young widows. It is based on the famous story by Usha Datar. Recalling the hurdles while making the film, “we were looking for a temple that looks hundred-years-old. And to my amazement, I couldn’t find a single temple. They were all painted in pastel shades. But I finally managed to find one and paint it suitably. The shooting took place in difficult conditions. But inspite of all that, I had the best time of my life making it.”

Planning a remake in Hindi, the star cast seems to be the predicament for Mahesh. “ I would love to make this love story in

Hindi. But the problem is the star cast. This isn’t an easy film to watch. So, for people to come to the theatre, I need a big star cast.

Also an actor who has the sensibility to carry this role with elan. My choice would be Aamir Khan or Salman Khan.”

When quizzed about the hit formula, the director says, “ To make a film passionately, I have to be connected to the subject or affected by it. I have tried making commercial breezy cinema, but it didn’t do well. Perhaps, I am not intelligent enough to sell nonsense.” A passionate director and producer, a natural actor, Mahesh is a man of many talents. “I draw my creative satisfaction from direction.

Though acting gives me money but nothing beats the satisfaction that I get from directing.”

Are you tired of experiencing the Olympics on your tv, and want some real feel of the games? Did your attempts to get a ticket for an event or two has only met with a disappointment? Well, if your grievance is similar to this, we suggest you an exhibition that will not only uplift your mood, but take you down the memory lane from where it all started.

The Olympic Journey: The Story of the Games is a free and unique experience, narrating the story of the Olympic Games from its creation in 776 BC through to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

One can experience the heat and the dust of Athens to discovering the origins of the Ancient Olympic Games. Not only the artefacts and images, the cheer of the crowd will also recreate the magic for you.Through the help of multimedia, you get transported to an era when it was conceptualised.

Olympics through the creation of the modern Olympic Games in 1896

by Pierre de Coubertin to the vast Olympic Movement that we see today.

You can see the Olympic medals from 1896, of various size and

It is widely accepted that widows suffer “double discrimination” due to the way they are treated once their loved one had passed away. The significant plight of widows is now recognised by the UN designated International Widows Day, 23rd June. It is meant to be a global day of action to end all discrimination against widows, to facilitate wide economic empowerment and to enable them to enjoy their full human rights.

A widow is a woman; however, she is treated very differently by her family, community and society in developing countries once she becomes a widow. From the moment her husband dies, she is pushed to the margins of society.

Helpless, isolated, ridiculed, exploited and discriminated against. Not only does she lose her husband and protector, but her status as a woman is also taken away from her and she is deprived of all that she was once entitled to as a woman. She is ostracized from society and thrown out from her deceased husband’s marital and family home.

To further this appalling treatment, a widow is regarded either as a bad omen, who will bring evil upon her loved ones, an outcast, a loose person or even a witch. Millions of widows are young mothers, some still children themselves, all subject to extreme discriminatory practices and victims of neglect by governments. The gross human rights violations they experience in many areas of their lives have implications for the whole of society and development in general which cannot be ignored. Such violations include physical, mental and sexual violence, including rape.

The research study commissioned by the Loomba Foundation in 2009, studied to what degree widowed women were treated worse than other women in various countries. A WorldPublicOpinion.org poll of 17 nations around the world also confirmed that there was a widespread perception that widows and divorced women were treated worse than other women. In only two countries did a majority say that there was no discrimination against widows. In 12 of the 17 nations polled, about 4 in 10 perceived that there was some or a great deal of discrimination against widows. On an average, across all 17 nations,

shape through the ages, to what it is today. If you observe it keenly, you will notice that the size of the medals have increased manifolds from what it was. Perhaps, it is reflecting the growth of the Games. Apart from the Medals, you can closely observe all the relay torches since 1936 used till date. Its a fascinating journey from the past to the present. Not only will you witness and experience the making of Olympics, you will also get to know your favourite iconic Olympians, up-close and personal. Personal stories of 16 Olympians including Steve Redgrave, Cathy Freeman, Kelly Holmes, Olga Korbut, Jesse Owens, Balbir Singh and Aleksandr Karelin are put up with some of their artefacts in the Paul Hamlyn Hall. If you are lucky, you may come across your favourite, just as I did with Balbir Singh, Hockey player from India. “ I am thrilled to be a part of the iconic 16. As a hockey player I came here in 1948, representing the sovereign India. It was our first gold medal, so, the moment will always be cherished.” Shocked at the shattering performance of the Indian Hockey team, he holds many factors responsible for the

Balbir Singh

debacle. “I am deeply saddened by the state of Hockey now in our country. I have a written a plan which I will present in India. They can act as measures to improve the game.” Adding, “We need to hone the skills of the young players. As fans, we should be ready to watch a match with equal amount of money, as we do in case of a cricket match. Fans need to pep them up.

Country should give Hockey the due recognition that it deserves to push the game forward.”

Recalling the moment of glory in 1948 he proudly says, “It is a spectacular moment of my life. Its still fresh in my memories. All previous golds were won as British colony. I played for the independent India.

When we won in 1948, our flag went high up and our national anthem was sounding the sweetest. I was a proud Indian celebrating our victory,” concludes Singh.

areas where charities or NGOs have been campaigning for widows’ rights and fighting against their oppression. One thing is clear- widows cannot be simply bracketed with women in general or the aged, as has been historically and conventionally done.

Women’s Bureau’s in several Southern and East African countries have been pressing—and some have carried them out—for changes in laws to protect widows. Changes in Penal Codes have also been carried out, making it an offence to discriminate against a widow or deprive her of her rights.

just 29 percent said there was no discrimination against widows at all, while 20 percent said there was a little, 27 percent some, and 16 percent a great deal.

Although NGO’s, international agencies, women’s organisations and governments have helped to draft legislate anti-discrimination laws and have initiated steps for poverty alleviation, almost all such measures have bracketed widows with women in general. Thus the result is that poverty alleviation or anti-discrimination programmes carried out by international or women’s agencies either rarely benefit widows or have failed them completely.

Governments have mostly failed to accept is that legislations outlawing discrimination is over-ridden by religious laws, customs and traditions at the local levels. A change in social attitude is needed to erase discrimination against widows and their voices must be heard as in many cases, widows, especially the millions of them in rural areas, are mostly ignorant of the legal rights they are entitled to.

The Loomba Foundation report has shown how futile these measures for helping women and the aged have been in redeeming widows from their tragic circumstances and that, on the ground little has changed except in limited

However a key issue that has to be kept in focus is that socially and geographically isolated and illiterate populations are more often unaware of the existence of available government services and of the role of law. This has hampered widows in most countries like Uganda and Kenya from recourse to anti-discrimination laws. Only a professional social worker can understand how illiteracy and poverty affects widows. For example, income support for widows is available for those under age 60, together with other conditions.

This is why the Loomba Foundation chose to give special attention to poor widows, particularly the rural areas, this year. By launching a new widows empowerment project on 23rd June 2012- International Widows Day, the Loomba Foundation aims to empower 10,000 widows in India by providing them each with a sewing machine, training and the know how to make garments. The small sum of £50 will give a widow independence and self reliance, enhance her quality of life and allow her to educate her children, enabling them to lead a life of dignity.

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

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

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Asian Achievers Awards 2012

UK

15

The ‘People’s Awards’ brings Bollywood to Park Lane The crème de la crème of the Asian Community will be gathering under one roof this September for the much anticipated Asian Achievers Awards 2012.

The Awards – often referred to as the ‘People’s Awards’ will be taking place on 14th September at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane. Icon of Indian Cinema and silver screen veteran, Hema Malini will also be attending as Special Guest along with some other celebrities of similar stature. Previous special guests include Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Shriti Vadera, Tony Blair, Jack Straw, Sebastian Coe, David Blunkett to name a few.

A salute to those individuals singularly responsible for bringing the Asian community to the centre stage of British life, the evening will be a celebration of the exceptional and inspirational achievements made by them.

Hosted by Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL), the annual event is now into its 12th year and promises to be more exquisite than ever before as this year marks the 40th anniversary of our newspaper. The highlyesteemed award ceremony will showcase some

Mr Bobby Singh, winner of the Media, Arts and Culture category in Asian Achievers Awards 2011 with Dr Merul Patel, Director, ABPL (L) and Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP (R)

world-class acts, present an opulent dinner and host a charity auction in aid of the Sarvam Trust, an NGO that assists the integral development of rural India, including education for children.

An independent panel of high profile judges have shortlisted nominees down to the finest in the community, and the winner in each of the nine categories will be announced at the event. Sitting on the panel this year is former England Cricketer Sir Ian Botham; former India Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar; former Daily Mirror Editor Richard Wallace; the first Gujarati to represent the Conservative Party in the House of Lords Lord Popat; Cross Bench member of the

House of Lords Baroness Prashar; and former diver and one of the youngest participants in the 1948 Olympics Peter Elliot.

Amongst the categories are the following: 1) AAA Platinum Award for Sports Personality of the Year. Nominees are: n Akaash Bhatia is an upcoming boxer. Sony Entertainment Television honoured Akaash’s achievements by crowning him Asia Sports Personality of the Year award in 2007. n Netan Nico Sansara is an English footballer. He made his England debut against Holland at Yeovil’s Huish Park. In January 2012, Sansara was nominated for the Asian Player of the Year award 2012 at the Asian

Sanona brings your favourite films to Asian Voice readers Sanona is the UK's leading Bollywood Pay Per View streaming site, where you can choose WHAT you want to watch, WHEN you want to watch and it's on your screen in an INSTANT! Sanona gives you your favourite Hindi movies online whenever you want, by providing a fully licensed, high-quality and state-of-the-art film streaming service backed by major film studios such as Yash Raj Films, Reliance Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures.

Besides old and new Hindi films, there are over 150 other quality

dramas and comedies, to thrillers and romances to select from, many with English subtitles. There is also a growing selection of Punjabi, Bengali and Marathi films with Gujarati titles to be added in the very near future.

To celebrate a summer of Blockbusters, Sanona and Asian Voice are partnering up to give EVERY ASIAN VOICE READER a FREE MOVIE VOUCHER which you can use to view ANY movie from Sanona’s library of high quality films.

To claim your free voucher simply sign in at Sanona.com, choose the movie you want to watch

and enter the following Voucher Code ASIANVOICE2012 at the payment section.

This voucher code is valid until Friday 31st August, 2012. The voucher gives you access to stream ONE film to view as many times as you like within a 48 hour period.

Registration is entirely FREE. More information available at www.sanona.com.

(Disclaimer: Asian Voice is not responsible for any merchandise/problems with the above mentioned website/voucher.

If required please contact Sanona directly).

Football Awards. n Mandip Sehmi is a Wheelchair Rugby player.

He made his Paralympic debut at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, which he describes as one of the greatest moments of his career to date. n Bulbul Hussain first started competing in Wheelchair Rugby in 1997 during treatment at Stoke Mandeville following a road traffic accident. He played his first major tournament at the National Championships in Stoke n Mandeville. n Gaz Choudhry is a Wheelchair Basketball player. He started playing for Force alongside Paralympians such as Sinclair Thomas before moving on to Super League Club MK Aces.

2) AAA Gold Award for Achievement in Community Service.

Nominees are: n Chelliah Yogamoorthy received the prestigious “Member of the Order of the British Empire” (MBE) award for the New Year 2011 for his outstanding service to the Department of Transport. n Asif Iqbal has extensively dedicated himself to community service by working extremely hard with many charities, voluntary organisations and local and central government sectors. He has been

an excellent role model and inspires many people of all ages. n Param Singh is the Founder of the City Sikhs Network. It has become a leading figure in interfaith work in London, and it has held high-profile events such as the Mayoral Hustings in the City. n Kishan Devani is a lecturer, speaker and teacher and the Head of Religious Studies at an independent School in the UK. He has written for publishers and works with them on resources for both A Level courses and GCSE courses.

3) AAA Gold Award for Achievement in Media, Art and Culture.

Nominees are: n At 24 years old, Nileeka Gunawardene has established her own successful dance company, Bollywood Dance London, set up in 2010.

Nileeka’s choreography pushes the boundaries of Asian dance. Nileeka represents how people with different heritages are unified by their common Asian heritage. n Actor and film producer Ray Panthaki has appeared in top movies including ‘Ali G Indahouse’, ‘28 Days Later’, ‘It’s a Wonderful Afterlife’, ‘Screwed’ and ‘Provoked’.

n Rishi Rich, a pioneer of the Asian/Urban music scene, signature trademark mix of Bhangra, Bollywood and urban beats placed British Asian music and youth culture firmly on the map. Rishi has produced for some of the biggest names including Madonna and Britney Spears. n Dr Sathi Ludhianvi is a well-known personality, writer and broadcaster and was the first Punjabi poet, journalist and writer who was awarded Sahit Sharomani award by the then Government of Punjab in 1985.

Other categories include: AAA Gold Award for Uniformed and Civil Service, AAA Platinum Award for Life Time Achievement, AAA Gold Award for Woman of the Year, AAA Platinum Award for Sports Personality of the Year, AAA Gold Award for Professional of the Year, AAA Platinum Award for Business Person of the Year and AAA Gold Award for Young Entrepreneur.

The nominees will be announced for the above categories weekly.

For more information about the event, the nominees and booking a table, visit the website at / or contact us on +44 (0) 20 7749 4085.

16

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Anjali denies affair with Sundar The latest hot buzz in Kollywood is that Anjali and Sundar C, who are working together for 'Madha Gaja Raja' starring Vishal in the lead, are moving closer.

However, the 'Angadi Theru' actress has refuted this claim. "This is news to me. It has been a habit for some to spread baseless gossips about me. This is one more addition to the rumour list." After sharing the screen space with Sundar in 'Ayudham Seivom' and working in his direction in the recent 'Kalakalappu', Anjali is now part of 'Madha Gaja Raja', being helmed by the actorfilmmaker. On the movie, she says, "It is an interesting subject and I play the love interest of Vishal."

Silambarasan and Nayantara friends again Silambarasan and Nayantara, the one time love birds, seem to have buried the hatchet! After seeing for couple of years, they parted ways for some reasons. Later, the actress found love in Prabhu Deva, who broke up with him earlier this year. However, Simbu and Nayan have started bonding again. Speaking about their friendship, Silambarasan has said that it would be foolish to link them romantically, as they are just friends. He has claimed that they are fond of each other and share an intense friendship. Simbu further claimed that they have moved on and are happy with their individual lives and there is no hate feeling between them.

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Tamannah misses family trip Tamannah, a professional that she is, had to give miss to a trip she planned with her family due to a sudden call from the makers of her upcoming Telugu movie, 'Rebel'.

Actually, she was ready to sail from the United Sates to the Caribbean islands with her parents and brother, when she received the phone call, which required her to be present on the sets of 'Rebel' in Bangkok. "It was a sudden call, but Tamannah decided to take part in the shoot. So she and brother left for Bangkok, asking their parents to continue with the trip," sources say.

Hot Garam masala

Akshay Kumar unveils trailer of ‘OMG Oh My God’

Aamir makes Sunny Leone cry!

While most men want to woo her, take her on romantic dinners while fantasizing about her, there's one who manages to make her cry. Cry, and how! At a recent promotional event, Sunny Leone revealed, "Aamir Khan is superb. Every time he cries on screen, I cry too. I wanna tell him to stop; he's so powerful, he's like the best Indian crier ever." We think you should have seen his TV shows, Sunny, you'd have got a lot of tears out of it, too.

Salman Khan Café in Turkey Bollywood megastar Salman Khan left his imprint in Turkey while he was there to shoot for his film ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ in quite a unique way. If you ever happen to be in Turkey, look for the eatery that’s been named after our very own Salman Khan. Earlier known as the Café DelMar in the city of Mardin in Turkey, the popular local hangout point is now known as the Salman Khan Café.

Reportedly, while shooting for ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ in Mardin, Salman and the rest of the crew would often visit Café Del-Mar. Salman, however, thought that the cafe needed a facelift, and went on to suggest various changes. “He (Salman) started with the décor and music and went on to the food and beverage menu. Towards the end of our stay, Café Del-Mar was a completely new place!” said a source from the unit, adding, “It eventually came to be known as Salman Khan Café.”

Vidya Balan says goodbye to saree Vidya Balan and saree had become synonymous.

Be it in films, events, award functions or even Bollywood parties, the actress would drape herself in the nine yards. But now for the new film she was dolled up in a harem salwar, a black and blue distress tee-shirt and rubber sandals, Vidya looked every bit the Punjabi homemaker she plays in Raj Kumar Gupta's next, “Ghanchakkar.” While everybody was ready to roll - lead actor Emraan Hashmi even rubbed his hands in glee, proclaiming, "Time to kick off a new venture.” Director Rajkumar Gupta, says "Emraan is a brilliant actor and Vidya is an ocean of talent. I am so happy that I am working with those people who I wanted on this project.

Actor Akshay Kumar kick started the promotion of his forthcoming film ‘OMG Oh My God’ at the Dahi Handi Festival in Mumbai. Akshay was present to encourage the crowd gathered at the Mandal to break the Handi. Interestingly, the occasion was apt as Akshay plays the role of a modern day Lord Krishna armed with his super bike. A source close to Akshay said, “Akshay is very excited to attend the Dahi Handi as he loves the spirit and enthusiasm during the festival and being a sporty person he loves how human pyramids are made.” To which Akshay adds, “I think Gokulashtami in a way is a sort of a sport in which a lot of strength and preparation is required to meet your goal.

And in the film, the Gokulashtami day is a turning point hence I couldn’t ask for a better day to launch the trailer of my film OMG My God”.

“OMG Oh My God” is the maiden venture of Akshay Kumar’s production house, Grazing Goat Pictures. The film stars Akshay Kumar & Paresh Rawal and will be released on 28th September, 2012.

Vivek caves in to wife's demands Back in 2010, when Vivek Oberoi bought a spanking new yellow Ducati motorbike, he became his neighbours and friends' envy.

However, looks like they can finally heave a sigh of relief, as the actor recently sold off the twowheeler. The reason? Apparently, because his wife Priyanka is not so enthusiastic about his `adventurous` ways. Vivek is an adventure junkie. He loves high-speed bikes. Priyanka, who is not so enthusiastic about the two-wheeler, told Vivek to give it away. She has not let him ride the bike.

After sulking for a few days, Vivek allegedly gave in to his wife's demands and sold the bike.

I'm stylish, not sexy: Sonam Kapoor

Poonam Pandey goes commando!

Looks like Sherlyn Chopra’s Playboy act has given Poonam Pandey sleepless nights! The 20 something “new generation” girl has been posting erotic pictures of hers and making bizarre confessions online!

After flaunting her cleavage in a series of pictures on Twitter, Poonam chose to put some pictures of hers sans her underwear.

The girl wrote, “No pants are the best pants,” and added, “I complain about my house being so fuc***g cold yet I`m walking around with no pants on... Oh, alright (sic).”

She didn’t stop there. She also went on to write, “Whenever I lie around naked and fondle my breasts, I realize I’m not a porn star and I’m not getting paid so I never do that, idiots(sic).”

Looks like Poonam is making desperate attempts to grab eyeballs once again. Wonder what her competitors Rozlyn and Sherlyn have to say to this!

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Bollywood fashionista Sonam Kapoor says she is considered stylish, but she doesn't think she is sexy. "I have only been called stylish till now. I can only say that there is a lot of time before I become sexy," the 27-year-old said. She says it’s important for every person to show different facets of their personality one by one. "I think we shouldn't open all our cards at once, something should be kept under wraps.

So, one thing at a time," she added. Sonam, who is set to go de-glam in "Raanjhna", says while many believe she is experimental with her looks, she has donned a simple avatar in most of her films so far.

"Actually, in none of my movies, except for 'Aisha' I have been extremely stylish. In this movie (‘Raanjhna’) it is simpler. This is actually my third movie where I haven't worn make-up, I am just wearing simple cotton clothes," said Sonam.

"It is just that people tend to remember 'Aisha' and 'I Hate Luv Storys' as my last really stylish movies.

“Raanjhna” is very simple. It's fun. I don't have to think about my make-up or hair. I just shower and go to the sets, which are amazing," added Sonam, who features opposite southern star Dhanush in the movie.

"Raanjhna" features Sonam in the role of a Delhi girl. She is also busy with Rakeysh O m prakash Mehra's "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag."

Ranbir Kapoor was injured during the first take of the kissing scene between him and newcomer Ileana D’Cruz for their upcoming film “Barfi.” Luckily, director Anurag Basu didn’t need to shoot the scene again as the take was perfect. So how did the actor get hurt?

Co-producer Rucha Pathak says, “In the shot, after the kiss, Ranbir was supposed to get up, but little did we realise that the camera equipment was very close to him. He got up and hit his head on the cutter’s stand.

He got injured and had to be rushed to a doctor for stitches.”

Pathak adds, “It was a rainy day and we had to use lighting for the shot, which is why there was a lot of equipment around.

Usually, the cutter’s stand is never this close to an actor.

Though we were all glad that we were able to capture the shot in one take. Had it not been perfect, we would have had to shoot it again.” Ranbir rested the next day as the injury was on his forehead. The Ranbir–Ileana kiss will be shown in the film’s new promo in a new song titled Main kya karoon.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Phoning your bank could cost you hundreds of pounds a year Dear Financial Voice Reader, As I write I am about to head to the CNBC TV studios to talk about the global economy. Having just enjoyed the Olympics where women have done better than ever. And without women Olympians we would have been a lot lower down the medals table - closer to Saudi Arabia.

Putting two and two together it occurs to me that when politicians do get behind things - they can happen.

So the politicians need to get behind the entrepreneur the way they did our handful of Olympic athletes.

It is the entrepreneur, the risk taker who will get us out of this global mess. But more importantly, it is the woman entrepreneur that is needed. It is they who statistically are more likely to succeed, less likely to go insolvent. But more importantly, their countries need them. We simply don’t have enough entrepreneurs and as we go to war footing in this global economic crisis, then as with the World War II – we need women so we can all win.

How? Well the economist Keynes said the one thing he could not factor in any economic equation, no matter how much the State spent or lowered taxes to help the economy, was the magical ingredient of ‘animal spirits’.

You and I may call it ‘fire in the belly’. It’s the thing that leads a Bill Gates to leave Harvard without a degree because he has to follow his business passion. It’s following your soul. It’s running a business because you have to do this thing, it keeps you awake at 4am. It is not being a professional, or walking the well-trodden path. It is risking everything. It letting emotion take over.

And these adventurers as the Prime Minister has said will be the people we all turn to, to get us out of this global mess. No they are not bankers. They are not that type of risk taker with other people’s money and nothing to lose themselves. They are people with everything to lose themselves including a roof over their heads.

Where are they? Well Thatcher’s Britain brought them out. I recall buying at the age of 12 my first privatisation stock – British Gas. That make’s you want to be self-employed. After a taste of making money myself, I could never, and have never had a ‘proper job’. (Other than cleaning toilets). Why should I when my employer would precisely be making money because he is paying me less than I am making him – else why would he employ me?

And so it is that the inner spirit and mind of the entrepreneur is ignited. It is often said if women ruled the world, there would be fewer wars. Their would be no child labour. Well if more women ran their own business this would be true too. After all the old saying goes that no two countries have warred against each other where they’ve both had a branch of McDonalds. And it is the entrepreneur who in the form of Cadbury and Rowntree built foundations to eradicate child labour in Britain. It is the entrepreneur who builds the company that pays tax, that employs you so you can pay tax and that tax runs the country. It is the entrepreneur who creates employment, not the employee. So yes, Prime Minister and MPs in Parliament encouraging entrepreneurship – you are right – but you need give us a break.

We expect not to be taxed to the hilt because we believe in extra reward for our extra risk – after all risk and reward go together in all areas of life. If you don’t like it – try saving the world without us.

Thankfully this and the previous Government did understand the importance of the entrepreneur – I am not talking about the greedy non-dom denying their nationality and privilege and honour bestowed on them in order to spend more time with their money sitting in an offshore account investing in some financial product – I am talking about the proper entrepreneur – the one with the talent to have worked at any investment bank but turning it down to follow a passion. They end up being patriots without knowing it. Women of the world – follow your passion. The world needs you now more than ever.

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With branches closing across the country, banking by phone has become unavoidable but it will cost you hundreds of pounds annually. Many banks offer 0845 numbers for customers. Unlike 0800 numbers these are not free, and can cost as much as £8 for a 20minute call from a mobile phone. To add insult to injury, these same institutions often offer free phone numbers to hook in new customers, but make them pay to register complaints about service.

"We want to see providers being fairer to their existing customers and being more transparent on their call charges so that people are clear what it will cost before they pick up the phone," said

Richard Lloyd of a watchdog firm. He also warns customers that mobile users will pay to dial socalled "free phone" numbers.

Richard Lloyd said that researchers from the watchdog found that many banks and financial services companies fail to give clear information about call charges and that peo-

ple are confused about what they will pay. With one in seven households no longer using a landline, the charges can be even steeper as those who call from a mobile face the highest costs. It costs more than 20p a minute to ring a free phone number from an O2 pay monthly phone, or 20p a minute with Orange.

New rules that should simplify call charges were announced, but these will not come into force for two years. In the meantime, customers have little choice but to pay huge phone bills for being left waiting to bank.

Many banks offer a whole list of numbers to call depending on your circumstances. Many, including First Direct, NatWest,

First time buyers being denied low mortgage rates

Royal Bank of Scotland and Santander allow those who want to open a new account to call for free, other customers have numbers with prefixes 0845 or 01.

Before you pick up the phone to your financial services provider, check that you understand what it is about to charge. The cost of calling most numbers will vary depending on your telephone provider, the time of day and the call plan that you are on. If you have a BT landline, numbers beginning 0500 or 0800 or 0808 are free. For those using a mobile, however, a localrate number can be cheaper than a so-called "free phone" line, because these calls are included in call packages.

Tata Motors appoints GM's Karl Slym as MD

The mortgage market is now split between those that have a hefty chunk of equity in their property – and so qualify for these new dirt-cheap deals – and the "have-nots" – namely first-time buyers, those with interest-only mortgages and those that took out large loans prior to the credit-crunch and have seen what little equity they have shrink thanks to falling property prices.

Those that sit on the wrong side of this mortgage apartheid won't qualify for the cheapest mortgage deals. Both HSBC and Santander are offering five-year fixed rates at just 2.99pc, while NatWest has undercut them both with a five-year fix at 2.95pc.

However, all three deals require a 40pc deposit or existing equity. So if you're buying a property for £200,000, that's a £80,000 deposit (or equivalent slice of equity), well out of the

reach of many first-time buyers who are also struggling with rising rents.

However, having a hefty deposit isn't the only hurdle borrowers will have to jump to qualify for the best rates.

"Unfortunately, some of the cheapest mortgage rates now on offer are only available to 'vanilla' cases: borrowers with large deposits, clean credit histories and an uncomplicated property," said Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients. "If you don't tick all these boxes, it is unlikely that you will qualify as you will be regarded higher risk and therefore less desirable to lenders."

The good news is that if you don't tick all these boxes, then a mortgage broker can help. They know which lenders they should apply to for a certain set of circumstances, and which lenders will

lend on the type of property being bought.

Many report that smaller building societies can be more flexible, and take individual circumstances into account, whereas big banks tend to follow prescribed guidelines. Many of these smaller building societies have more innovative products for first-time buyers, where parents can use the equity in their own home to support the mortgage deal, if they can't afford to lend them the money for the deposit.

Most, but not all lenders, credit score before making a mortgage offer.

And while similar factors will influence each lender, they all have their own individual basis for scoring. A good mortgage broker should also know how different lenders view credit scores and be able to advise a borrower which ones it's worth applying to.

Tata Motors said it appointed Karl Slym, the former head of General Motors in India, as its managing director effective from October 1. Slym, who was most recently an executive vice president at General Motors' China joint venture, will succeed P M Telang, who retired in June, Tata Motors said in a statement on Tuesday.

Slym will lead all Tata Motors operations in India and overseas, although the company's popular luxury unit Jaguar Land Rover will be managed independently.

The Bank of England slashed its growth forecasts for Britain in its quarterly inflation report last week, as the double-dip recession continues. After a shock 0.7% fall in output in the second quarter, the bank now expects roughly zero growth in gross domestic product (GDP) this year, down from a prediction of 0.8% in its May report.

Even at the end of 2013, the bank only foresees growth of close to 2%, rather than the 2.4% previously forecast.

“We are navigating rough waters, and storm clouds continue to roll in from the euro area,” said Sir Mervyn King, the bank’s governor. “Output has been at best broadly flat over the past two

years, and has continually disappointed expectations of recovery.”

Nevertheless, the stock market has been defying the dismal growth figures.

The FTSE 100 has risen 11% since bottoming out in June and closed the week up 60 points to 5,847.

Tom Becket at Psigma Investment Management said: “Markets have become less focused on traditional equity analysis and are instead fretting over macro-economic data, presenting opportunities.”

Investors are putting their faith in UK equities for the second half of the year, according to Selftrade, the stock broker.

It found that 36% of clients thought Britain would bring them the best

returns. James Carrick, economist at Legal & General Investment Management, said: “Since 2009 we have expected a square-root shaped recovery. It would initially look like a V but, instead of continuing to rise at a sharp pace, activity would level off due to weak private credit and fiscal austerity.”

Nevertheless, Legal & General thinks equities, which are looking cheap on various measures, should do well in this environment. Lars Kreckel, the firm’s global equity strategist, said: “We would advise buying stocks that offer a safe, high and growing dividend.

Dividends are always an important part of longer-

term equity returns but, in a low growth environment with limited capital appreciation, the dividend contribution to total returns is likely to be even higher.”

Killik & Co, the stock broker, tips National Grid, the electricity transmission network, which has a current yield of 6.34% on a dividend that is expected to grow by 8% in the year to March 2013 and by 4% in the following year. It also likes Glaxo Smith Kline, the healthcare company, for its “resilient profit streams” and 5.2% yield.

For fund investors, Patrick Connolly at AWD Chase de Vere, the adviser, suggests Invesco Perpetual Income and High Income, as well as Threadneedle UK Equity Income.

Karl Slym

Ways to protect your investment and make a profit

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

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Back To Reality

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

With the euphoria of the Olympics Games over people minds will be getting back down to reality. The Games serve to act as a distraction for most of the nation, to feel and be a part of something greater than their own mundane existence.

Many football supporters only feel alive when 11 people they do not know, and who in turn do not know them, kick a leather ball through a rectangle.

The economic reality is Sir Mervyn King, BoE governor, downgraded the 2012 growth forecast to zero. Whilst the reality hits home, there are a few industries which will not only survive but even thrive, in the coming years.

On e sec tor we have got a lot of inte rest from is pharmac ists.

They see m t o make mo ney reg ardless of the weather, as pe ople are still gett in g ill, and will pay to look after th eir health.

Recently I came across a couple of young pharmacists who are just starting out and are looking to get more firmly entrenched into the field.

We secured a deal last week for a one of them who is contracting himself out, and today I received a call from one who has been trying to purchase a pharmacy for a number of years without any success. Both are currently locaming.

The latter complained the sector is now dominated by Asians and they are not letting their business go unless they get top money. The amount of money they ask for is equivalent to the turnover of the business, this leaves very tight margins for the purchaser to make any money from the business.

He was saying it is very difficult to get their foot in the door so he is keen to explore whether it is worth shifting his whole focus completely to see if property can give a viable alternative to running a pharmacy. It’s a big shift in mentality, considering he has spent four years studying the subject, and geared himself up to being one.

The situation has become so dire if the right one comes up he will need to shift locality to the business, thereby cutting off his proximity to the family, difficult when you have young children in school.

The margins are 20-25% of the turnover, this means the business will give him a £200,000 to £250,000 margin on a £1m business with a £1m turnover. I have made an assumption that the cost of running the business will be £100,000, this means there will be a profit of around £150,000 for a £1m business.

The Real Deal Bernhardt Crescent, Marylebone, NW8 l Purchase Price: £351,000 l Large, fully furnished three bedroom flat l High rental yield of £26k can be achieved l Lift l Long Lease l Resident parking with permit

A typical example of the kinds of property we deal with in Central London would be a three bedroom flat costing £350,000. This would generate £550pw in rent. If we assume a £100,000 deposit and £250,000 borrowing, the interest rate cost would be about £12,500 (we’ve assumed 5%), and if we allow £4,000 for the service charge and management, we will get a cost of £16,500. Against a yearly rental of £28,600 you will get an income of £12,600. A 12.6% net return on your money.

If we assume a 5% rise in property value you will get a further return of £17,500. Together this gives a return of £30,100 per annum.

There is a distinction in these two figures, the rental yield is paid monthly and is pretty accurate as it is the open market rental. The other is a post dated cheque it may or may not happen. This property is centrally located, and most commentators agree the market is still set to rise in Central London.

So with this health warning out of the way, the returns can be from 12-30% on funds deposited.

If we assume a 50% borrowing on the pharmacy for £1m, you will be putting in £500,000 and the cost of borrowing on the other half will be £25,000 per annum (we’ve assumed 5%). This means you will get an income of £125,000 on a £500,000 deposit which is a 25% return on your funds.

Of course the 25% consistently is higher, but here’s the point: the income described generated from property is not dependent on you working, in fact it’s not even dependent on your being alive.

This of course is without factoring in a wage whilst investing in property, if this was included then the rate of return would be higher, assuming a wage of £50,000.

The income g ene rated from pro pe rty is passive, t his me an s yo u can d o what you wish with you r time an d the fund s will flow in .

This means there is no limit to how many properties you can purchase as it will not strip away from your time.

If you’re running a business there is of course only one of you and so there will be a limit to what you can do, each extra business means you will need to spread yourself thinner and thinner.

From our comparison investing into property emerges the stronger option. The lifestyle benefits too which we haven’t considered here will be beneficial and these cannot be measured in monetary terms.

Our next Central London property seminar is being held in Ilford, IG1 on Thursday 27th Sept 2012, at 7.30pm. If you would like to book a place please email info@sowandreap.co.uk or call our office on 0207 313 4595. Seats are limited, so early registration is recommended.

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

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

Tips of the Week l Make sure you have the right kind of insurance to cover your liability. You will need to select the proper package for your type of rental property, many have exclusions from certain types of tenants e.g.

DSS tenants l Warren Buffett says: "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful." Right now the market is fearful, it's the time to strike

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fInancIal vOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Moody's lowers India growth forecast to 5.5 per cent

International rating agency Moody's has further lowered India's growth forecast for 2012 to 5.5% and for 2013 to below 6% blaming “instability created by a government that has badly lost its way.”

The lower growth outlook is an outcome of three factors; global economic slowdown and domestic policy missteps weighing on confidence and demand, struggling corporate sector and the absence of any developments to indicate that growth could pick up.

"There are two main reasons for the revisions.

The first is the slowdown has been sharper and more broad-based than anticipated and is now deeply entrenched across all sectors of the economy. The second factor is the poor monsoon" Glenn Levine, senior economist, Moody's Analytics said in a report.

The report titled ‘India Outlook: Below Potential’ adds that there has been little policy response from either the Reserve Bank of India or the government and with global uncertainty dragging on, there is nothing on the horizon to lift the economy from its funk. For the first time the rating agency has directly indicted the UPA government as being "the single biggest fac-

firms has been crushed by weak demand, elevated interest rates, high inflation, and most significantly, the instability created by a weak central government that has badly lost its way" the report said. The report comes on the wake of a first quarter GDP growth being slowest in nine years, with frequency data suggesting that the second quarter will have been about the same, with no indication of an upturn until at least the December quarter and possibly later.

Manmohan hopeful Manmohan Singh said that the downgrading of India's growth forecast by Moody's was a cause of concern but expressed hoped that India would better last year's 6.5 per cent economic growth. "It is a cause of concern but one should not draw unwarranted conclusions," Singh said. "The fundamentals of Indian economy are strong. Investments and savings are among the highest in the world. I am hopeful, we will do still better than 6.5 per cent growth performance of last year," the Prime Minister said.

tor weighing on business confidence and the economic outlook". It points out that the wave of reforms through the 1990s that lifted GDP growth above 8% have stopped as corruption scandals, poor electoral results, an obstinate coalition partner, and an obstructive opposition have all but eliminated the Congress-led government's mandate. "With two years left in office, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must turn things around quickly or risk becoming a lame duck for the remainder of his term, leaving behind a legacy of missed opportunity" the report said.

The report, however, sees some hope for the economy with P Chidambaram being appointed finance minister.

"After setting a positive tone during his temporary stay as caretaker finance minister, Singh has appointed Palaniappan Chidambaram, who was finance minister from 2004 to 2008, a period which yielded double-digit investment growth and GDP growth of 8%, and briefly from 1996 to 1997" the report said.

According to Moody’s the slowdown has been most pronounced in India's corporate sector.

"Confidence among Indian

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

Building Boats and Instilling Confidence An economics professor once asked her students, ‘How would you reduce unemployment during a recession?’ One student spoke up, ‘That’s easy, I would put all the men on one island and all the women on another.’

Baffled, the professor asked, ‘What would they do then?’ ‘They would be building boats.’

We are in a time in which businesses are struggling because people are not spending money; people are not spending money because they are afraid of losing their jobs; jobs are being cut, especially in the public sector because budgets have been cut; the government has cut public spending to reduce the huge budget deficit; the deficit needs to be tackled because otherwise businesses may lose confidence in the UK as a good place to invest; by reducing the deficit, businesses (and investors) will be confident to invest and do business in the country which will lead to the creation of more jobs; (although businesses are

struggling because people are not spending money…)

Confused? I am no economist and I admit that what I have described above may not be totally accurate. This is what David Cameron tells us will be the solution to the current economic woes.

The truth is no one can really guarantee that this solution will work; all they can do is put up a brave front to make it look like they know what they are talking about. And while this may sound fickle, it is actually something we all do. When a child asks his father that if by drinking his milk every day, will he grow up to be like Steven Gerrard? The father will usually say yes. Now the father has no idea if that will actually happen or not, but he will agree just to encourage his child to drink the milk.

In the same manner leaders often have to ‘appear’ as if they know the solution in order to give people the confidence that what they are doing will actually benefit them in the future. Whereas the

By Amit Patel

reality is that they can be just as unsure about the outcome as everyone else.

When Churchill gave his ‘We shall fight them on the beaches’ speech, he galvanised the population.

Imagine if he divulged the fact that the German war machine was vastly superior and that if there was an invasion, the reality was that there was little chance of stopping it.

One of the most subtle arts of leadership is the ability to galvanise and inspire people in troubled times; (especially when you don’t know the answer).

The idea of building boats to cut unemployment is ridiculous (hence it is a joke), but building boats can be a worthwhile exercise – remember Dunkirk?

Amit Patel has over 15 years experience in the field of Leadership Development. He has delivered speeches on People Management and Development throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. To contact Amit, email amitpatelmail @gmail.com

Africa is the world’s fastest-growing technology market

Africa is the fastest-growing technology market in the world and Kenya is reaping the lion’s share of the boom. An entire area of Nairobi, around the Westlands and Ngong Road districts, has attracted so many global big names, local start-ups and tech labs - such as iHub - that it is already known as Africa’s answer to Silicon Valley.

Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Vodafone and the American chip giant Intel have chosen Kenya as the place to run their African operations.

“The world does not revolve around Santa Clara any more. We want to get big into Africa,” said Mike Bell, Intel’s chief global engineer, who regularly makes the 8,000-mile journey from California to Nairobi.

New tech firms are springing up at such a rate that the Kenyan capital is running out of office space.

Next year work will start on Konza, a £5 billion, 5,000-acre technology city

more than 2,000% over the past decade.

Nikolai Barnwell left his native Copenhagen and moved to Nairobi to set up a technology seed fund called 88mph. IT entrepreneurs “are stand-

60 km from Nairobi that will house 200,000 people and the new African headquarters for Google, Microsoft and Facebook.

Until recently, communications on the continent were so bad that it was all but cut off from the outside world. Now, suddenly, it offers tech firms a unique opportunity.

Africa is one of the few areas of the world whose economy is growing at a healthy pace - 6% a year. McKinsey, the consultant, reports that African consumer spending has risen from $860 billion in 2008 to almost $1trillion now, and will reach $1.4 trillion in 2020.

Much of the new spending is going on technology. The continent is the fastest-growing market for internet-enabled mobile phones, expanding by 20% a year, according to the industry’s representative body Groupe Speciale Mobile Association. Overall internet use has increased by

ing on the edge of the Rift Valley staring out over vast plains of opportunity,” he said. “Whoever gets it right will make billions.”

But there is something even more attractive than millions of palms into which to press shiny new handsets. Africa missed the boom in desktop computers, laptops and early mobile phones because economic growth was

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slow, its nationalised telecoms firms were uncompetitive and consumers did not have affordable access to high-speed internet. It wasn’t until 2009 that giant sub-sea fibre optic cables arrived on Africa’s shores.

The result is that Africans are leapfrogging “old” technology and going straight to mobile internet services, which is exactly what all the big tech firms are interested in. Mobile services are the fastest-growing sector of the global technology business.

“Africa is all about mobile internet. The continent has become a key testbed for new on-the-go services for smart phones and tablet computers,” said Erik Hersman, the founder of the Nairobi iHub. Mobile money was pioneered in Africa. Britain’s Vodafone and its local affiliate, Safaricom, have launched M-Pesa (M for mobile, pesa means money

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Jet to begin Mumbai-Bhuj flight

Following public demand, Jet Airways will be starting a direct flight between Bhuj and Mumbai. New flight will begins on 28th October 2012.

• 9W 539K 28 OCT S MCTBOM SS1 0040 0435/E • 9W2535K 28OCT S BOMBHJ SS1 0715 0900/E Return flight • 9W2534K 28OCT S BHJBOM SS1 1710 1825/E • 9W 540K 28OCT S BOMMCT SS1 2215 2340/E

in Swahili), which allows consumers to pay for goods by transferring credits from one handset to another, safely and in seconds. Some 17m Kenyans, more than a third of the population, now use the service.

M-Pesa is being exported to South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Niger, Nigeria and Malawi. Vodafone and Google now want to use the lessons learnt in Africa to develop new mobile money services in other emerging markets.

Google also recently bought a stake in a Nairobi ecommerce start-up called Mobile Planet, which is experimenting with new forms of ecommerce. One product under development, called Sahizi, is a Group on-meets-eBay auction site. Buyers looking for the same product join together online to secure the lowest price, and sellers compete to win the business. Google thinks the idea might work in Asia.

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States in India not keen on FDI in retail

The Manmohan Singh government’s efforts to build a consensus on allowing foreign retailers in the multi- brand retail sector has met with poor response with only two Congress-ruled states and two Union Territories formally backing the move.

The government wrote to all states in June seeking their support for implementing the decision to allow 51% FDI in the multi-brand retail sector.

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21

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

Leading German politicians call for referendum on Europe Top German politicians, amid escalating opposing views in the underlying Euroarea structural problems, called for a referendum this weekend, aimed at whether or not to transfer more powers to Europe, as large sectors of the German population still reject any debt-sharing involvement among states.

The leader of Germany's main opposition SPD party, Sigmar Gabriel, was interviewed on domestic radio station Deutschlandfunk this Sunday, informing that the German parliament is, at present, working "in a permanent state of emergency under constitutional law." Mr. Gabriel added that the situation is "untenable."

"If we want to take the path toward common financial and tax policies, that is only possible in Germany by changing the constitution," he said. To do that, a two-thirds majority in parliament "isn't enough, but rather we must ask the people."

On Sept. 12, Germany's constitutional court is due to rule a verdict on the permanent bailout fund, the

European Stability Mechanism, and the fiscal pact for the euro. The hearing is critical to activate the aid mechanisms worth 500 billion euros ($615 billion).

The case was brought after some German lawmakers argued that by setting up the aid fund, Germany would be undermining their parliament decision-making process on how best to distribute taxpayers' money.

Greece's economy remains in a deep recession, official figures have shown. The economy contracted by 6.2% in the second quarter of the year compared with the same period a year earlier.

However, this was a slight improvement on the 6.5% annual pace of contraction recorded in the first quarter.

Greece's economy has been in recession for five years and unemployment is at record highs. The government is trying to make spending cuts to secure bailout funds from international lenders.

Earlier this month, leaders of Greece's coalition government agreed 11.5bn euros ($14.2bn; ÂŁ9bn) in new spend-

ing cuts.

The cuts were required for Greece to qualify for the next 31.5bn euro installment of the 130bn euro loan from the "troika" of international creditors the EU, International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank.

The three have said they will not release the next bailout payment if they are not satisfied that Greece has made sufficient progress in implementing spending cuts and economic reform. If Greece does not get the funds, there are fears that the country may have to leave the euro.

The U.K. house-price index dropped to the lowest in a year as property transactions fell for a fourth month, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said.

The price gauge fell to minus 24 from minus 22 in June, London-based RICS said, citing a monthly poll of property surveyors. A reading below zero means more surveyors saw price drops than gains last month. Measures of newly agreed sales dropped to a four-year low.

The property market is

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under pressure as banks curtailing access to finance and the continuing recession deter prospective buyers. The Bank of England started a program this month to boost the flow of credit as it continued its bondpurchase program aimed at sparking a recovery.

In the US retail sales look to rise again rose in July for the first time in four months, alleviating concern that the expansion was foundering, economists said before in a report.

The 0.3 percent increase in purchases would follow a 0.5 percent drop in June, according to the median forecast of 85 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

Improved sales at merchants such as Gap Inc. and TJX Cos. indicate American households are looking beyond the global economic slowdown as hiring improves. At the same time, joblessness in excess of 8 percent is keeping consumer spending from surging, consistent with the Federal Reserve’s view that economic growth will “remain moderate over coming quarters.�

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 14th August 2012 @ 11am GBP - INR = 87.44 USD - INR = 55.71 EUR - INR = 68.88 GBP - USD = 1.57 GBP - EUR = 1.27 EUR - USD = 1.24 GBP - AED = 5.76 GBP - CAD = 1.56 GBP - NZD = 1.94 GBP - AUD = 1.49 GBP - ZAR = 12.75 GBP - HUF = 354.35

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.

PX XJ S F U S B OT G FS

G FFT

B OE OP IJ EEFO D PT U T

22

PakiStan-BangladeSh-Sri lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Apex court issues show-cause notice to Pak PM In Focus Islamabad: The Pakistan Supreme Court last week issued a show-cause notice to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf for failing to implement its order to write to the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

"We hereby issue a notice to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashrafto show cause why he may not be proceeded against for committing contempt," the court said in its order, Dawn reported.

The apex court summoned Ashraf before adjourning the hearing of the NRO implementation case to Aug 27. The order said it was unfortunate that the prime minister had failed to implement the court's directives. A five-judge special bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, heard the case last week.

Attorney General Irfan

Qadir said the government was taking serious steps to resolve the issue. He said more time was required. The court had July 25 given Ashraf time up to Aug 8 to write to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against Zardari.

Ashraf's predecessor, Yousuf Raza Gilani, was disqualified by the court for contempt after he refused to accept the court's orders.

Accused of graft, Zardari was granted amnesty under

the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in 2007 by then president Pervez Musharraf to facilitate his return home from exile, and primarily that of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Zardari and Bhutto were suspected of using Swiss accounts to launder about $12 million in alleged bribes paid by companies seeking customs inspection contracts in the 1990s.

The NRO that granted immunity to politicians and bureaucrats in corruption cases was struck down by the Supreme Court as void in 2009.

The apex court in January ordered Gilani to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen cases against Zardari.

Gilani was convicted April 26 of contempt of court, and was disqualified as prime minister as well as parliament member June 19.

Zardari, Gilani caution SC The Pakistani people and parliament must be watchful against "new forms of assaults" on the constitution, Zardari said on Monday against the backdrop of a standoff between the government and the judiciary.

Zardari made the remarks in a message issued to mark Pakistan's Independence Day. The restoration of the constitution of 1973 had raised hopes that the people would "revert to our true bearings and restore to Pakistan the values and ideals for which it was created," he said.

Meanwhile, former PM, Yousaf Raza Gilani, said that if PM Raja Pervez Ashraf is dismissed by the SC, PPP would not accept the verdict.

He warned the judiciary that there would be public protests if PM Ashraf is disqualified.

Will not hold talks with any Hafiz Saeed again publicly political party: Pak taliban spews anti-India venom

Islamabad: The Pakistani Taliban have described the government as "liberal and secular" and said they would not hold talks with any political party, including the Awami National Party that rules the northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan told reporters in the northwest that an offer of talks from the ANP was misleading and that the militants considered the incumbent rulers liberals and secular and thus "not sincere to the cause of Islam".

Ihsan, who spoke to the reporters on phone from an undisclosed location, claimed the leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition, including those from the ANP, were "slaves to the US and not independent in their decisions."

The spokesman claimed that the Taliban continued to be a formidable force in South Waziristan and their capacity to carry out attacks across the

Afghan police kill 36 Taliban fighters, arrest 34 Kabul: The units of national police backed by the army and the Coalition Forces launched seven joint cleanup operations in Kabul, Kunar, Balkh, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Ghazni and Helmand provinces last week during which 36 armed Taliban militants have been killed, 19 wounded and 34 arrested," a statement said. The police also discovered and confiscated 3,480 kg opium, seven machine guns, 560 kg chemical materials used in making explosive devices, 14 different types of anti-personnel and anti- vehicle mines, three radio handsets, 68 kg explosives materials, five motorcycles and two vehicles, the statement added. However, it did not say if there were any casualties on the security forces.

country was still intact.

The Taliban are still at war with Pakistani security forces and militants had carried out attacks in various cities, he said.

He further said that attacks on vehicles carrying supplies for Nato forces in Afghanistan would not stop.

Ihsan claimed that the Taliban had reverence for the Islamic holy month of Ramazan and were fighting only in self-defence during this period.

He dispelled the impression that there was a rift within the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and said there were no differences between Hakimullah Mahsud, the organisation's chief, and Waliur Rahman, the commander in South Waziristan.

He accused intelligence agencies of planning violence at public places to defame the Taliban and claimed the militants were not carrying out bomb attacks on public gatherings and markets.

Islamabad: ‘Banned’ Mumbai massacre mastermind Jammat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has once again brazenly blamed India for the ongoing terrorism and abduction cases in Balochistan. “In Afghanistan, India has established embassies through which they are sponsoring terrorism and abductions in Balochistan,” Saeed said.

“The government has completely failed to establish peace in the province, but the people there are still patriotic and brave, and they won’t even think about separating from Pakistan as they share common beliefs with us as Muslims,” he said. “We will not leave them to the mercy of India or America,” he added.

Saeed, during an Aftaar gathering, told reporters that there are certain elements that are trying to instigate battles between provinces in Pakistan so that they may avenge the defeat of the Americans and NATO forces

inside Afghanistan. “They are trying to destroy Pakistan by allowing India to build dams on Pakistani rivers. Through unity among us we can counter their conspiracies,” he said, according to JuD’s Facebook page.

He also said that plans and conspiracies against Kohistan, Baltistan and Baluchistan have also been devised. “The problem at this point has nothing to do with power politics; rather, it has everything to do with unity and bringing people together for fulfilling their duty by defending Pakistan,” he added.

US must seal border for Waziristan push: Pakistani official

Islamabad: Pakistan has told Washington that US forces must seal the Afghan border in the event of any offensive against the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network in North Waziristan, an official said on Saturday.

The Haqqanis, blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan and whose leaders are understood to be based in the Pakistani tribal district, is one of the thorniest issues between Islamabad and Washington.

"The Americans have been repeatedly told that they will have to seal off the border on the Afghan side whenever an operation is launched in North Waziristan," a senior Pakistani security official said.

Without protecting the porous, mountainous border,

Husain Haqqani

militants would simply escape into Afghanistan, where Pakistan has no writ, the official said.

He claimed that Americans have "never been encouraging on this point" and accused them of failing

to seal the border when operations were planned twice before in North Waziristan.

On August 3, The Wall Street Journal reported that Pakistani and US officials were considering joint counter-terrorism campaigns in Afghanistan and Pakistan against the Haqqanis and Taliban fighters who attack Pakistan.

The paper said the campaigns would mark an upturn in cooperation after more than a year of rancorous relations and stamp out major threats facing each country.

Pakistani officials later denied any agreement with the United States for a joint operation in North Waziristan, and said "routine" actions on each side of the border "should not be mistaken for 'joint operations'".

Meeting of India, Pakistan intelligence chiefs on the anvil?

Islamabad: Pakistan and India are mulling a proposal for a meeting of the chiefs of their intelligence agencies as part of a series of confidence-building measures to build goodwill, according to a media report on Monday.

The proposal is among "numerous mechanisms" being explored to reduce the trust deficit between the two neighbours, as quoted official sources as saying. It quoted a source as claiming that the US was instrumental in persuading the two countries to discuss the possibility of a meeting between the heads of the Research and Analysis Wing ( RAW) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Kidnapped Hindu girl embraces Islam, gets married

Islamabad: A 14-year-old Hindu girl who was abducted recently has converted to Islam and married a Muslim in Pakistan, but her distraught father says that she "can never give up on her religion and has been coerced into doing it." Manisha Kumari, 14, is now Mahvish and herself called up her parents from an unknown location and broke the news of her conversion. She claimed it was voluntary as was her love-marriage with a man named Ghulam Mustafa Channa. The girl's father, Ravet Mal, alleged that her kidnappers have forced her to convert and marry. Sanjay Singh, the girl's uncle, said that her voice wavered on the phone and it seemed as if she was saying all this under pressure.

Lightning kills 10 outside Bangladesh mosque

Sylhet (Bangladesh): At least 10 devotees were killed when lightning struck them outside a mosque in northeastern Bangladesh.

Local police chief Bayes Ahmed said that 20 others were injured by the lightning in Sylhet district. The victims were coming out of the mosque after Ramadan prayers. Ahmed said that some of them died on the spot while others died on the way to the hospital. The fasting month of Ramzan is being observed across Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation.

Taliban threat to kill Imran Khan over march

Shawal: The Taliban have threatened to kill Pakistani politician Imran Khan if he holds a planned march to their tribal stronghold along the Afghan border to protest US drone attacks.

Although the Pakistani Taliban also oppose the strikes, spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said they would target Imran Khan because he calls himself a “liberal” - a term they associate with a lack of religious belief. He also warned they would attack anyone who participates in upcoming elections. “If he comes, our suicide bombers will target him,” Ahsan had said.

12 NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Kabul: Three more US soldiers have been shot dead by an Afghan worker on a military base in southern Afghanistan, on a disastrous day for NATO-led forces in the country during which six soldiers died in rogue attacks in the Garmsir district of Helmand province, not far from where three US special forces soldiers were killed by an Afghan policeman and comrades earlier in the day. The soldiers were shot dead by a base employee who turned his gun on them, in the third rogue attack in four days. Military sources said the man had not been wearing a uniform and it was unclear how he got hold of the weapon. The first three men were all Marine Corps special operations forces and appeared to have been killed i n a planned attack by rogue Afghan forces.

Kayani for stricter laws to deal with terrorism

Islamabad: Pakistan needs stricter laws to deal with terrorism, army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said. Addressing a parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul town, Gen Kayani underlined that the entire world had framed new laws to punish terrorists. "We will have to put the past behind us and look ahead." The general said no one was perfect, everyone made mistakes, some less and some more. Gen Kayani called for unity of the Pakistani people, saying the army could not succeed without the country's backing.

world 23

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Rid schools of anti- Chinese student sells kidney for iPad risk culture: Cameron

Hindu from Hawaii wins Democratic primary

London: Bringing back competitive sports for primary pupils will help rid schools of their “bureaucratic and anti-risk” culture, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

He promised to keep funding for sports at its current level for at least four years.

Speaking on the last day of the Olympic Games, Cameron said the entire ethos of British schools must change to show pupils that “winning and losing is an important part of growing up.

Cameron promised to put competitive sports such as netball and football into the national curriculum for primary school children. His pledge came after he backed the Daily Telegraph’s Keep the Flame Alive campaign to revive competitive games in schools and get more people volunteering. He revealed revealed that two of his own children attend a state school without any green space to play on and called on schools to recognise the value of competing.

“We are saying out with the bureaucratic, anti-risk culture which has led to a death of competitive sport in too many schools and in with the belief that competition is healthy, that winning and

Washington: Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu American, has won the Democratic Party primary for the US Congress from Hawaii. Her victory in the November Congressional elections is said to be a certain, which will make her the first Hindu American to be a member of the US House of Representatives. In her victory speech in Honolulu, Gabbard, 31, thanked her supporters. “I am privileged to be able to work for the people of Hawaii in whatever capacity,” Gabbard said after her rival Mufi Hannemann conceded defeat.

British-Indian faces jail in Dubai

London: An Indian-origin Briton is facing up to three years in jail in Dubai for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammad in a text message sent to a Muslim Briton. Deep Marwaha, 35, born in London to Indian parents, made the remark in an "abuse-filled" message sent to 34-year-old colleague Khalid Shafique while both were working in Saudi Arabia. The message allegedly ended with a taunt: "Now show what you can do. I know lots of sheiks." Shafique, also a British citizen, told police.

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Beijing: A surgeon and four other people are on trial in central China over the case of a teenager who is said to have sold a kidney to buy an iPhone and iPad 2, state media has reported. The state-run China Daily newspaper said that 18year-old Wang Shangkun is in serious condition after receiving an illegal transplant operation last year.

The five people on trial stand accused of intentional injury and illegal organ trading over the removal and sale of the organ and face three to 10 years in prison if convicted, the paper said.

Citing court documents,

losing is an important part of growing up,” he said.

The Prime Minister is now under pressure to make competitive sport compulsory in every school, as free schools and academies do not have to stick to the national curriculum. He insisted that greater competition to attract pupils and their parents will mean these exempt schools will voluntarily want to offer as much sport as possible.

“Competition, choice and diversity will help to drive up provision, but at the heart of the national curriculum should be a few simple ideas about what we mean when we talk about sport in our schools,” he said.

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Milwaukee: The white supremacist gunman who killed six people at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the FBI said. The gunman, Wade Michael Page, 40, killed himself after a police officer shot him in the stomach outside the temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, last week, FBI special agent in charge Teresa Carlson told a news conference.

“Subsequent to that wound, it appears that Page died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” she said. Police had said previously that Page

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religious freedom".

"The president reiterated his appreciation of the contributions that Sikhs make in the US," Politico quoted Carney, as saying.

Gurdwara reopens: Six days after a deadly shooting struck an Oak Creek gurdwara, the shrine on Friday opened its gates again to the public, with over 100 community members returning to clean it ahead of the funeral for the victims. The members of the shrine said that a lone bullet hole in a metal door frame at the gurdwara will remain there as a poignant reminder of the tragedy.

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had been shot to death by an officer responding to the attack at the Sikh temple of Wisconsin in suburban Milwaukee.

Obama express condolences: In Washington, US president Barack Obama called Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express his condolences over the deaths of six Sikh worshippers at the Wisconsin temple shooting. White House press secretary Jay Carney said that Obama called Singh last week. Carney said the two leaders discussed their "shared commitment to tolerance and

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chase the Apple devices.

"My son was tempted by the illegal organ traders and might have been afraid of getting caught with such a large amount of money, so he bought a cell phone and a tablet PC," she said,

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according to the paper.

The kidney was sold for 150,000 yuan, though Wang received just 22,000 yuan, the paper said.

Another newspaper said that a representative of Wang was seeking 2.77 million yuan in compensation from the five defendants, medical staff who participated in the surgery, a hospital and a medical investment company. Authorities said earlier this month that Chinese police arrested 137 people, among them doctors, suspected of trafficking human organs in a nationwide crime ring that profited from the huge demand for transplants.

After being shot by police, gurdwara gunman kills himself

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the China Daily said that Wang agreed to sell his kidney after contacting an illegal agency online. Wang's mother, Ou Linchun, told the court that her son did not sell his kidney to pur-

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

TB screening must for Indians visiting UK after August 16

Visiting the United Kingdom (UK) for more than six months after August 16? If so, you will have to undergo screening for tuberculosis - the deadly air-borne disease that kills 1,000 Indians per day with one in six deaths reported from 15-49 age group. India is among an additional 67 countries to which pre-entry TB screening will be required.

The list was prepared in conjunction with the World Health Organization's latest figures for high TB incidence and includes India's neighbouring countries like China, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Burma.

Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Hong Kong also figure in the list. A phased introduction of pre-entry TB screening will begin on August 16 for UK settlement visa applications in India. All settlement applications from this date will have to be accompanied by a TB clearance certificate.

The screening requirement will be extended to applications for UK work

visas (Tiers 1, 2 and 5 of the points based system) from September 10 and student visas (Tier 4) from November 1. The British government, however, made it clear that pre-entry TB screening is only required by individuals who are travelling to the UK for more than six months.

Anyone who is going to the UK for six months or less - for example on business, family or tourist visas - is not required to undergo a pre-entry TB test.

India holds the dubious distinction of being the world's TB capital. The UK Border Agency has established a wide network of approved TB screening facilities across India.

Applicants who require pre-entry TB screening should contact a clinician on the list to arrange an appointment.

The clinician will charge a

Air shuttle service in Gujarat from Aug 20 Soon you will be able to reach Surat or Jamnagar from Ahmedabad in just an hour. Deccan Charters Ltd will launch their nonscheduled chartered flight services in Gujarat under the brand name of Deccan Shuttle from August 20.

Sources said that the charges for one hour flight are likely to be kept around `4,000. The charges would be in the proportion of 15 minutes, the sources said.

An official communiqué from Deccan said that the service aims at connecting the key economic zones in Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Kandla.

The Deccan Shuttle will operate 12 daily flights.

“The services are scheduled to commence from August 20 and will initially be operational on AhmedabadSurat-Bhavnagar route, the Ahmedabad-Kandla route will be made operational from August 27 and Ahmedabad-Jamnag ar route will be added subsequently,” said the communiqué.

Through this initiative, Deccan Charters Ltd will

fee of Rs 1,500, which will be borne by the applicant and it covers the required diagnostic tests.

Most applicants will require only a physical examination and a chest xray. If the results show an individual is clear of TB, the clinic will issue a certificate, which must be submitted with the UK visa application. The certificate will be returned to the applicant after the visa application has been processed. When travelling to the UK, the certificate will have to be carried in hand luggage and presented if requested on arrival at the UK airport. Some applicants may require further TB tests, including the provision of sputum samples.

Anyone who is tested positive for active TB will be referred to an approved treatment facility to receive the appropriate healthcare.

Treatment for TB typically takes six months, following which the person would need to be screened again to show that s/he are free of TB before applying for a UK visa afresh.

Teen mom glad to be back in school

identify tourist, industrial and other important clusters that are not served by airlines and provide customized charter flight services. This service aims at providing improved connectivity to the important industrial hubs in Gujarat, for the value conscious business community, while saving time and enhancing business for them, said the communiqué.

Deccan Shuttle has plans to operate Ahmedabad-Kandla, A h m e d a b a d - J a m n a g a r, Ahmedabad-Surat and Surat-Bhavnagar flights, said the sources.

The advisory issued by Deccan Shuttle states that aircraft will not have lavatory facilities on board. It, however, wants the travellers to utilize the facilities available at the airport prior to departure of the flight. That apart, the shuttle will only allow cabin baggage and weight not exceeding five kg.

Passengers can check-in free of charge up to 10 kg of checked baggage. Baggage in excess of 10 kg is subject to a fee of `200 per kg.

Baby (name changed), who became a mother at 13 after she was raped by a neighbour, is happy at going back to school. She had been removed from her school. Her mother a Sriramapura resident, later moved the Karnataka High Court, which ordered the school to take the girl back. To give her confidence, school authorities make her sit in the middle benches and tell classmates not to ask her embarrassing questions.

"No one teases or harasses me," Baby had said. As a precautionary measure, Baby is accompanied to the school and back home by a woman cop in plainclothes and her mother.

Parents worried about proposal. Baby's parents are worried as some community leaders suggested the girl be married to her rapist. They lodged a complaint with the Srirama puram police about it.

Deshmukh was undergoing treatment at Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai, where he was admitted a week ago. He was suffering from cirrhosis of liver and his two kidneys dysfunctional. When his condition deteriorated further, he

was put on life support systems and it was then decided to shift him to Chennai in an air ambulance.

Deshmukh was chief minister of Maharashtra twice and resigned after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

He was later appointed minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the union cabinet. The politician is survived by his wife and three sons, including actor.

Former Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh passes away

Union minister and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh (67) passed away. Deshmukh died in a Chennai hospital and had been suffering from a liver disorder for several weeks. Deshmukh passed away around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Deshmukh was awaiting liver and kidney transplants. Doctors were ready to harvest the organs when Deshmukh's condition deteriorated.

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

Arjuna battles Shiva Arjuna tried all his weapons on the hunter or Kirat whom he was fighting but to no avail; his powerful arrows were a futility.

Arjuna then decided to try out one of the most powerful weapon in his arsenal called the Brahmastra.

With this arrow he was able to cover the Kirat with an umbrella of arrows and torment him. The Kirat then started expanding his form and soon Arjuna realised that his Brahmastra was useless too. Because of the power of the weapon, the skies were filled with fire and the whole atmosphere heated up. When this happened, the Kirat just swallowed the Brahmastra and everything calmed down. When this happened Arjuna was very frightened; he did not know what to do.

He then attacked the Kirat with his bow and the two quivers he had, but the Kirat swallowed them too. When that did not work, he entered into a hand-to-hand combat.

Arjuna’s blows hardly touched the Kirat and after some time Arjuna was rendered unconscious. At this

point Kirat, the hunter, together with his retinue of women, vanished.

The Kirat then reappeared but no longer as a hunter. He was now in his divine form as Lord Maheshvara or Shiva. He was wearing his divine clothes, with Nandi, the bull at his side, and his head covered with snakes.

Arjuna was shocked as Lord Shiva, or the holder of the bow called Pinaka, had allowed him to see him in his divine form.

The lord spoke to Arjuna “O tormentor of enemies, I am very satis-

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

Gir-Somnath becomes Gujarat’s 27th district

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a new district, Gir-Somnath, 27th in Gujarat and 7th in the Saurashtra region. The move comes ahead of state assembly polls scheduled in December 2012. The decision has been taken for administrative reasons, but observers say, target is to garner support from the communities living in the vicinity of Gir and Somnath, mainly fisherfolk, OBC farmers and maldharis.

Modi made the announcement during a Sagarkhedu rally, attended by farmers and fisherfolk of the coastal regions, off Somnath temple. A senior official said, the new district, which will take final shape on January 26, the Republic Day, will consist of two major tourism spots of Saurashtra - Somnath and Gir, the only abode of the Asiatic lion.

“The twin townships of Veraval-Somnath are likely to be headquarters of the new district”, the official said.

This is the second new district to be carved out

fied with the way you fought. Let me return to you your bow and two quivers.”

Shiva then looked at Arjuna and said, “O son of Kunti, I am very happy, ask me for any boon you would like except for immortality.”

Arjuna then bowed down and with folded arms told him that he had come with the aim of acquiring his divine weapons. He also asked him for the divine weapons of all the gods, along with the knowledge of how to use them.

Shiva then gave Arjuna his Rudrastra or angry weapon. It is also called the Pashupatastra. He told Arjuna not to use this weapon on humans unless he was in a great emergency and that too only to combat another powerful weapon. He said that if it was thrown on a weak person, it would burn the whole universe.

In this way Arjuna was graced by the three eyed lord Shiva.

under the decade-old Modi rule. The first one was Tapi, by bifurcating Surat district. By forming Tapi, the predominantly tribal population was taken out of the Surat district.

“Tapi was announced in September 2007, ahead of the Gujarat state assembly polls,” said an analyst, adding, “The decision however failed to impress the predominantly tribal population with the BJP faring badly in the entire eastern tribal belt in the 2007 polls.”

The move comes amid distinct view that Modi’s popularity in the Saurashtra region is waning. Junagadh was the karmabhoomi of Modi’s chief opponent, ex-CM Keshubhai Patel, who recently formed Gujarat Parivartan Party in a bid to dislodge the Modi rule.

Before Modi came to power, Shankarsinh Vaghela in 1997 announced in 1997 formation of six new districts - Narmada, Patan, Anand, Navsari, Porbandar and Dahod. He too failed to garner any political support from this.

Tendulkar, Rekha get lessons from President Pranab

Sachin Tendulkar, who attended the Rajya Sabha for the first time on the opening day of the monsoon session, got some lessons from President Pranab Mukherjee on the functioning of Parliament.

The batting maestro, accompanied by noted film actress Rekha, called on the president at Rashtrapati Bhavan during which the first citizen briefed them about parliamentary procedures, press secretary Venu Rajamony said after the meeting.

During the meeting, the President, a veteran parliamentarian, described some salient features of the Indian Constitution and history of India's Independence, he said.

Tendulkar, who has scored 100 centuries in test cricket and one day internationals, described the interaction as "highly enjoyable and educative" and Rekha termed it as a "blessing". Tendulkar and Rekha were nominated as Rajya Sabha members on April 26.

The 39-year-old cricketer had taken oath on June 4 in Chairman Hamid Ansari's chamber when Parliament was not in session. "It is a new experience for me," Tendulkar told reporters after his maiden presence in the Rajya Sabha. 57-year-old Rekha was another head-turner as she entered the House.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

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Endemic protests lead to chaos, says Prez Pranab In Focus India. We challenge its rights and duties at our peril," Mukherjee said.

He said he was saying this not in a spirit of admonition but as plea for greater understanding of existential issues that lurk behind the mask of the mundane. "Democracy is blessed with a unique opportunity for redress of grievance through the great institutions of accountability -- free elections," Mukherjee said.

Calling for vigilance on the frontiers that has to be matched with vigilance within, Mukherjee said "we must restore the credibility of those areas of our polity, judiciary, executive and legislature where complacency, exhaustion or malfeasance may have clogged delivery."

Referring to economy, he said from an annual growth average of one per cent in 1947, it has climbed to eight per cent over last seven years. "If our economy has achieved critical mass, then it must become a launching pad for the next leap. We need a second freedom struggle; this time to ensure that India is free for ever from hunger, disease and poverty," he said. He quoted his pre-eminent predecessor

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to say "Economic progress is one of the tests of democracy."

Talking about the present spell of drought and floods, the President said inflation, particularly food inflation, remained a cause of worry. "While our food availability remains healthy, we cannot forget the plight of those who made this possible even in a lean year; our farmers.

They have stood by the nation in its need; the nation must stand by them in their distress," he said.

The President also touched upon the importance of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in his speech and said this forum, created 27 years ago, is an apt answer for fighting against terrorists.

"SAARC must acquire vigour to fulfil its mandate," he said and added that it should also act as a major instrument in the common war against terrorists.

"Great success is possible by international cooperation. All SAARC nations must cooperate to bring to justice those who believe in mayhem against innocents.

There is no other way towards peace on the subcontinent," he said.

President Pranab Mukherjee made a veiled attack at endemic protests against corruption warning that the country would be flirting with chaos if its democratic institutions come under an assault.

Mincing no words in underlining the dangers in undermining institutions like Parliament, he said legislation cannot be wrenched away from legislature or justice from judiciary.

He described Parliament as the soul of the people, the 'Atman' of India. The President's comments against the backdrop of anti-corruption protests of Anna Hazare and Ramdev came in his maiden address to the nation on the eve of 66th Independence Day. In a speech that covered India's emergence as a stable democracy and its economic growth postIndependence, the new President also warned that if progress fell behind rising aspirations of the youth rage will manifest.

Earlier last month in his acceptance speech after his election to the post, Mukherjee had said that trickledown theories do not address the legitimate aspirations of the poor. In his address, he

said if Indian economy has achieved critical mass, then it must become a launching pad for the next leap. Asserting that legislation cannot be taken away from legislature, Mukherjee said the people have a right to express their discontent. He said when authority becomes authoritarian, democracy suffers; "but when protest becomes endemic, we are flirting with chaos."

"Democracy is a shared process. We all win or lose together. Democratic temper calls for dignity of behaviour and tolerance of contrary views. Parliament will live by its own calendar and rhythm.

"Sometimes that rhythm sounds a bit atonal; but in a democracy there is always judgement day, an election.

Parliament is the soul of the people, the 'Atman' of

Ansari sworn in as vice president

It’s OK to steal a little, says UP minister

Hamid Ansari took oath as India's vice president for a second consecutive term at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Ansari was administered the oath of office by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and several ministers, besides leaders from the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and other political parties.

Before taking oath, Ansari paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. UPA candidate Ansari had defeated National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee Jaswant Singh by a margin of 252 votes in the vice presidential election.

At a time when the country is witnessing a mounting campaign against corruption, UP public works minister Shivpal Yadav was caught on camera telling government officials that it was all right to “steal a little” if they worked hard. Shivpal is the younger brother of ruling Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. Far from appearing contrite, Shivpal blamed the media for recording the event at Etah, saying TV reporters had no business covering the event without permission, and that news channels were telecasting an “edited” version of his statement. “Maine to usi din PWD walon se khule aam keh diya tha agar

mehnat karoge to thodi bahut chori kar sakte ho, dakaiti nahi daloge (I have told PWD people openly that if you work hard, you can steal a little, but don’t behave like dacoits),” Shivpal said at a meeting of the district planning committee.

He went on to add, “Agar aap mehnat karoge to thodi bahut chori kar sakte ho, buddhi lagaoge, agar inhe meetha paani doge to chori kar sakte ho (if you work hard you can steal a little).”licensing corruption.

The remarks attributed to Shivpal Yadav, if they are indeed correct and not taken out of context or twisted, are extremely shocking. Yadav and his

party should remember what brought them to power in such emphatic fashion in the assembly elections earlier this year.

It was the perception that the earlier regime was corrupt and arrogant that helped the SP ride a wave of revulsion. Akhilesh Yadav’s government must now show that it has learnt lessons from the previous regime’s downfall and will give the state a cleaner, more responsible and responsive administration. So far, they have given the sceptics enough reason to feel vindicated.

That must change, the sooner the better. If Shivpal is found to be guilty of what he is being accused of, he must go.

We are harassed in Pakistan, many keen to migrate to India: Pakistani Hindu family Amidst confusion over the travel plans of 223 Pakistani Hindus who arrived in India in two batches on Friday and Saturday following reports of their persecution, another Hindu family - husband, wife and four children from Sibi district in Balochistan (Pakistan) said goodbye to their friends, relatives and their country with the intent to settle in India.

The family which arrived at the Attari International Railway Station on board,.

Some were vocal on their plans. "Pakistan se gila nahin, wahan kae bashindo se gila hai" (We have no complaint from Pakistan but its people) said

Mukesh Kumar while talking to media. A grocery shop owner in Sibi, Mukesh said Pakistani immigration officials were so skeptical of the visit of Pakistani Hindus to India that before letting them board Samjhauta Express at Wagah, they were made to give a written undertaking that they were not harassed in Pakistan and would return.

An emotional Mukesh said he had sold his house and other belongings before leaving Pakistan. "I know my relatives are there and they could be harassed but I had to save my and the life of my family, they might also leave Pakistan

one day," he said adding that hundreds of Hindu families were keen to migrate to India. He said he would now go to Indore to seek help from his cousin who lived there.Mukesh spoke of the terror in Balochistan where gun-wielding motorcyclists often came to their shops and demanded huge money and went to houses to harass Hindu ladies and took away their ornaments.

Following reports of insecurity among Hindus and their possible mass exodus from Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had constituted a threemember committee com-

prising of senator Hari Ram, member National Assembly Lal Chand and law minister Maula Baksh Chandio to express solidarity with Hindus on behalf of his government and instill a sense of security among them.

Meanwhile, eight-year-old Pranjal Pari, daughter of Mukesh doesn't know that the family has left Pakistan forever. But there was pain in her voice when she said "In school I never played with other (Muslim) girls and remained aloof ."

"Mujhae dar lagta hai , kabhi kuch no kuch hota rehata hai" (I am scared , something keeps on happening) she said.

I'll welcome Rahul Gandhi to UPA government: Manmohan Singh With Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi agreeing to take a more proactive role, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he would welcome him in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. "I have always said that I would welcome Rahul's entry (in the government)," the prime minister told reporters after Vice-President Hamid Ansari's oath-taking ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Rahul Gandhi had last month expressed his "readiness" for a more "proactive" role following which around 10 party members in the Lok Sabha petitioned Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to make him Leader of House in the Lok Sabha. The congress general secretary had said a decision (on him playing a bigger role) had been taken and its timing will be decided by the party president and the prime minister.

Ram Jethmalani attacks Rahul Gandhi Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was amongst those who had black money abroad, veteran lawyer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ram Jethmalani had said Sharing the dais with yoga guru Baba Ramdev at Ambedkar Stadium, Jethmalani said: "Rahul Gandhi's name is there in the list of those whose money is stashed abroad. The Congress party wants to hide the name of its leaders in the list."

BJP holds discussion on black money, Assam violence Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders discussed various pressing issues such as spiralling inflation, black money, the recent ethnic clashes in Assam, the drought and flood situation in different parts of the country at a meeting. BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said they discussed the party's future course of action with regard to getting back the black money stashed in safe havens abroad. ‘Lawmakers have discussed the issue of black money and about Hindu migrants from Pakistan who are being forced to become refugees in India," said Prasad. Prasad also said that the central government and the Defence Ministry should take adequate steps to speed up the relief work in cloud bursthit areas. The party will monitor the situation and we hope that the federal government, and specially the Defence Ministry will provide necessary assistance and mend the bridges as soon as possible," he added.

Reportedly over 2,000 families have been affected by flash floods triggered by the cloudburst in the Uttarkashi area of Uttarakhand.

23 die in Meghalaya accident Twenty-three people were killed when a bus proceeding from Assam to Tripura rolled down a hill in Meghalaya. Ten others were injured in the accident in East Jaintia Hills, about 150 km from here. The private bus was going from Guwahati in Assam to the Tripura capital Agartala. Police were trying to rescue people still trapped in the bus, Meghalaya police chief N. Ramachandran had said. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

Moderate earthquake jolts Jammu & Kashmir A moderate intensity quake jolted Jammu and Kashmir although authorities said no loss of life or property has been reported so far. The quake measured 5.2 on the Richter scale. Some people in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley said they were jolted out of sleep when the tremor occurred. "I felt the bed rocking when my son called out from an adjacent room saying it was an earthquake," said Gulam Nabi, 72, a resident.

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INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Angry Sonia Gandhi forces Advani to withdraw barb at UPA

Shedding her usual reticence, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi spearheaded a sharp attack on L K Advani in Lok Sabha, forcing the BJP veteran to unconditionally withdraw his disparaging reference to UPA government that questioned its legitimacy. Sonia and Congress benches erupted in protests when Advani, initiating a discussion on the recent ethnic violence in lower Assam, suggested that the UPA had lost its legitimacy after the controversial trust vote necessitated by the Left's withdrawal of support over the Indo-US nuclear deal in 2008.

The particular word used

by Advani - later expunged by Speaker Meira Kumar - got Sonia's goat and she furiously gesticulated towards the BJP benches. Taking a cue from her, Congress MPs interrupted Advani and insisted that the reference be withdrawn, rejecting Advani's explanation that his attack was directed at UPA-I rather than the current dispensation. All the while Sonia made it clear to BJP benches that she was not willing to settle for anything less than an outright withdrawal of the remark, revealing an assertive side that is

not usually visible. She has on occasions reacted to Opposition provocations, but on Wednesday showed sustained aggression till Advani bowed to the Speaker's advice and withdrew his barbed comment.

With the uncharacteristic display of aggression, Sonia seemed to fill the void that President Pranab Mukherjee has left. As leader of the House, it would have been left to Mukherjee to take on the BJP leader by intervening and challenging the disparaging reference to the 2008 confidence vote and description of the subsequent UPA-II government as an illicit entity. She had appeared to be in charge also when she forced party MPs from Telangana to abort their plan to disrupt the House with their demand for statehood for the region.

Advani had indeed

referred to the "next government" but when he sought to clarify that he was speaking of the post-2008 trust vote situation, Congress MPs would have none of it. The newly-appointed leader of the House Sushil Shinde said, "I think he should withdraw his words." Earlier, a stern-looking Sonia told party MPs from Telangana not to disrupt proceedings. After the Tblock raised slogans, Sonia told the MPs that their behaviour is unacceptable, saying it gave the Opposition an opportunity to allege Congress is orchestrating sloganeering to stall Parliament.

Mincing no words, she told the MPs that they should not embarrass the party. Her intervention helped the government avoid sniping from within at a time when dalit MPs were already staging a dharna led by Congress MP P L Punia to protest delay in reviving "reservation in promotion" for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Advani's digression into the 2008 events took the edge of the attack he was building up against the Congress over the Assam violence. He had begun by targeting the state and the Centre for allowing grabbing of government lands

and colluding with "foreign aggression" in the form of influx of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, when he strolled down the memory lane.

This is the second time that he has given the Congress an opening in recent weeks. Earlier, he had suggested that that neither the BJP nor the Congress may be in a position to form the next government, drawing censure from his allies and jibes from the Congress.

Shinde rebutted Advani's attempted clarifications that he was not referring to UPA II, saying, "Yes, it means that...I think, he should withdraw his words." MoS planning Ashwini Kumar chipped in, saying, "He should withdraw his words" while Advani said, "I am on a point of clarification... I am not referring to the 2009 elections. I am referring to the vote of confidence in the House. I am not referring to the 2009 elections but I am referring to the vote of confidence in the House." His clarifications were all but drowned in the din and after a while, Advani said, "Yes, I have withdrawn.

I have withdrawn and I have said that my references were to the confidence motion and not to the 2009 elections."

Ramdev ends fast, targets Manmohan, Congress Continued from page 1 Uttarkhand, and appealed to all his supporters to peacefully leave for their homes.

"The prime minister's Independence Day speech must include response on black money. He should give a solution to solve corruption and black money problems, otherwise the country will hold him responsible too."

Directly targeting Manmohan Singh, he said: "Why are you getting yourself insulted; if you cannot bring back black money, then become a baba like me. You come from Sikh

community, and many Sikh gurus gave their lives for noble cause. I request you to learn something from them and serve the country."

Ramdev, who launched his agitation from Ramlila Maidan on Aug 9, said he had not been defeated. On the contrary, he had become successful in bringing many political parties on board against black money and corruption.

"Had there been voting in parliament on Monday on black money, the government would have fallen. We have got support from party's supporting ruling alliance," he said.

Delhi Police had appealed to Ramdev and the crowds to vacate the stadium due to security reasons ahead of Independence Day celebrations. The stadium falls in the route the prime minister would take on his way to the Red Fort to unfurl the tricolour.

"If we had wanted, we could have stopped the prime minister from hoisting the flag on Independence Day but it is not a political event.

Lakhs of freedom fighters have given their lives to give us this independence and we salute it," he said, asking his supporters to leave the stadi-

um. "We are not beggars, we are asking for our rights. And if we don't get it, we will fight for it," he said, as his supporters shouted slogans of "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat mata ki jai".

Ramdev said the Congress was the most corrupt party and not even one Congress member deserved to be elected in the 2014 general elections. "Tell people that the Congress is responsible for making them poor. Congress is the most corrupt party and its name should be written on the top of the list of corrupt," he said.

London bids Olympics adieu with musical madness Continued from page 1 The Who had the final word with "My Generation", an echo of the London 2012 motto which was "Inspire a Generation" as organisers and the government strive to ensure a lasting legacy that goes beyond expensive white elephants and unpaid bills.

Fulfilling promises of a "cheeky" and "cheesy" close, Eric Idle of Monty Python sang "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", there was a giant inflatable octopus and a real-life human cannon ball flew through the air.

The Olympic flag was handed to Eduardo Paes, Rio's mayor, before International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge described the London Games as "happy and glorious" and declared them closed - the words taken from Britain's national anthem to the queen.

The Olympic Flame was

extinguished, fireworks filled the sky, the athletes walked off and Britain prepared to return to the reality of an economic recession temporarily buried in the inside pages of the newspapers.

The main stadium was the setting for some of the most spectacular moments of the Games, including Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt defending the 100, 200 and 4x100 metres titles he won in Beijing, the latter in a world-beating time.

British supporters will also cherish memories of the venue, where Somali-born runner Mo Farah won the 5,000 and 10,000 double to deafening roars and was celebrated as a symbol of the capital's multi-culturalism.

The hosts won 29 golds to take third place in the rankings, their best result for 104 years, helping lift a nation beset by severe spending cuts and worried about social sta-

bility a year after violent riots swept parts of the capital.

U.S. President Barack Obama called British Prime Minister David Cameron to congratulate the country on what he called "an extremely successful Olympic games, which speaks to the character and spirit of our close ally".

Many will remember London 2012 for the recordbreaking exploits of American swimmer Michael Phelps, who took his life-time medal haul to 22 including 18 golds, making him the most decorated Olympian in history.

His tally helped the United States to the top of the Olympic table with 46 golds to second-placed China's 38, reversing the order of the Beijing Games in 2008.

There was, of course, Bolt, the biggest name in athletics and a charismatic ambassador for sprinting.

After winning the 4x100 he went on to a London

nightclub to delight dancing fans with a turn as a DJ, shouting out "I am a legend" to the packed dancefloor.

Britons may recall Andy Murray demolishing world number one Roger Federer at Wimbledon to win the men's singles tennis gold, while Jessica Ennis, the "poster girl" of the Games, won the women's heptathlon on the first "super Saturday".

Despite concerns about the creaky transport system and a shortfall of private security guards, which forced the government to call in thousands of extra troops to help screen visitors, the Games passed by fairly trouble-free.

It was not all about triumph, however. Many tears shed by athletes and the public were of sorrow, not joy, as medals were narrowly missed and controversial decisions left athletes convinced they were wronged.

This week paid subscribers of Asian Voice will receive a copy of the British Tamil magazine with their newspaper

In Focus Wear jeans, invite acid attacks

Posters warning of serious consequences like acid attacks if women wore jeans and tops created panic across the city but police refused to react to the threats and had made no arrests throughout the day. Written in red ink, these posters by a group calling itself Jharkhand Mukti Sangh were seen at Albert Ekka Chowk, outside the office of the registrar. They were deliberately penned in red ink to give the impression that they were the handiwork of a rebel group, said police. “We are not taking the posters seriously as we feel some miscreants are behind them. But we will investigate,” said DGP G S Rath.

Bus mishap in Himachal's Chamba district kills 40

Their were 40 people killed in Chamba district when a private bus fell into a gorge near Rajera some 10 km from Chamba town.

Initial reports suggest the driver of the overcrowded vehicle lost control of the wheel resulting in the mishap. According to sources, due to incessant rain in the area road was slippery and this could have resulted in the accident. Bodies of several people have been recovered. Rescue operation is still on. The SP said how many passengers were travelling in the bus was not known yet.

But in Chamba it was a common sight to see overcrowded buses plying on the roads.

Vadodara youth killed in Uganda

A youth from the city was murdered at Kampala in Uganda. He was reportedly killed with a sharp-edged weapon for conducting a robbery. Family members of the victim Bhavesh Prajapati, 28, said that he used to work at a factory processing rubber at Kampala. His body was found near a footwear factory in the town. Bhavesh was alone his residence and had tab wounds on his neck and head. Bhavesh was a production manager at the factory. Bhavesh had come to the city last year and was planning to come again in January. Family members said that they had planned to find him a suitable match then and get him married. Bhavesh’s father Subhash Prajapati had died in 1997.

He is survived by his mother Meena Prajapati, two brothers and two sisters.

Two constables forced to drink urine in Meghalaya

A Meghalaya Police battalion instructor was removed from duty after he made two recruit constables drink the urine of fellow trainees.

The state government Saturday said strong action will be taken against the accused, if found guilty. "This kind of inhuman punishment is not allowed to be taken by anyone whether in the police force or anywhere," Meghalaya Home Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh had said. Pradip Borah, an instructor in the 2nd Meghalaya Police Battalion in Goeragre in West Garo Hills district allegedly forced two recruit constables to drink the urine of fellow trainees, after the duo fought with another recruit during lunch at a community kitchen. Borah asked three recruits to urinate in bottles and forced the two recruits to drink it in the presence of 600 constables during the night roll call.

Farmer’s arrest: Mamata accused of Nazism

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was criticized for sending a farmer, Shiladitya Chowdhury, she alleged was a Maoist to jail for asking her an uncomfortable question at a rally in Belpahari, Midnapore. While the CPM was predictably scathing with senior leader Nilotpal Basu saying the arrest amounted to autocracy, BJP, which usually refrains from being critical of Banerjee, said political parties can't run away from answering questions.

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Anthony Joshua wrests super-heavyweight title from Roberto Cammarelle

The meteoric rise of British super heavyweight Anthony Joshua was complete when the young giant pulled off a remarkable finish in a third round rally to claw the Olympic title from Italy’s Roberto Cammarelle.

It could not have been a more dramatic conclusion to the boxing tournament. In moments such as these, great careers are launched. And the 6ft 6 in 18 stone Joshua is going to be massive in boxing – however hard he tries to play down expectations.

Seventeen months after competing in his first major tournament, and nine months after losing in the final of the World Championships, ‘Big Josh’ was officially crowned Britain’s third boxing gold medallist of the London Games, joining bantamweight Luke Campbell and women’s flyweight Nicola Adams.

For Joshua, it came down to three scoring punches, winning on count back after his contest finished at 18-18.

Three punches which will change his life forever.

Joshua needed to keep the fight long against the Milan policeman, and he largely

Battling Mary goes down in blaze of glory

‘Ready to go, Jai Hind! MC Mary Kom of India tweeted just an hour before her semifinal bout against the local favourite, Nicola Adams, at the Excel Arena. Yes, she was eager and ready, her heart in place, mind working furiously. However, the Great Britain boxer’s height, reach and clever ways proved a bit too much for the braveheart from Manipur. In this contest of two battle-hardened 29year-olds, Mary fought all the way, throwing punches, getting out of harm’s way, moving all the time. Her right hand was outstretched at the woman in blue when the final bell rang. She shrugged her shoulders and walked out – with that honest-to-goodness swagger – to a huge ovation from a packed stadium which rooted for Nicola all the way.

“I had promised to make India proud. What more can I do,” a tired Mary said after losing the 51kg bout 6-11.

“The first two rounds were not good but after that I went after her, hit her but the points refused to come. I know I hit her, hurt her with punches. I was scoring but the judges were not pressing the button and scoring.” Mary gave credit to Nicola - to whom she had lost in May in the world championship semifinals.

succeeded in doing so, throwing out his jab, until losing concentration in the final minute of the opening round to be caught by a thunderous combination on the ropes – two lefts and a right which rocked and hurt the London fighter. He trailed 6-5.

In the second, Cammarelle got the better of his younger opponent and after two more solid lefts in the final seconds, he rightly ended the round 13-10 ahead. The dream looked over for Joshua. Yet the 22year-old British fighter gave it everything in the third, forcing Cammarelle, who is 10 years older, into more ragged work and the reigning champion visibly tired.

Joshua, with a double right, a left, then another right hand began to get the better of the exchanges. By the final bell the noise inside the arena was at fever pitch and it was deafening when the result was announced.

While a bitterly disappointed Cammarelle complained that the judges might have been swayed by a partisan crowd, Joshua, inspired by his favourite film 300 about Spartan warriors, was left to absorb the enormity of what he had just achieved.

“The moral of the film is to never give up, to never surrender, and it was just like that in the third round. My legs were screaming but I just kept throwing punches, catching him with straight shots down the middle. I never panicked. Sometimes I wanted to stop, but my arms were just flying. I pulled it out of the bag.

“That medal represents my journey and the support from the team. It’s much more than just a gold medal, it’s a life experience and I’m just proud to have it round my neck.”

The pressure for Joshua

to go into the professional ranks will be immense, but he insisted he still had much to learn, saying: “I want to gain more experience and just keep on pushing. I’ve only had 43 bouts, I’m not in a rush to turn professional.

“It’s never been about money. Money does help. My mum pays bills. I’ve got bills to pay as well, but thanks to UK Lottery sport funding, that’s the most money I’ve seen in a long time. I’m happy with that.

“I will stay in the amateurs as long as possible.

Sometimes, it’s hard against fighters with more experience than I’ve got. I want to dominate everyone in the amateurs, become a world champion, become European champion. I’m learning at each tournament. The more tournaments I go to the more I’ll improve as a fighter.

“To leave the Great Britain set-up just for money would be a big mistake. It’s a great experience to be working with such great people, head coach Robert McCracken and his team. I don’t want to lose that just for a bit of money thrown in my face. These memories are priceless.”

Mo Farah storms to 5,000m victory to achieve double distance gold It was the perfect ending to the perfect Games, just as Lord Coe hoped it would be.

A capacity home crowd on its feet and roaring itself hoarse as Londoner Mo Farah tore down the finishing straight for his second Olympic gold and a place at the very pinnacle of British sporting history.

It does not get much better than this.

Amid scenes of euphoria rarely witnessed at a track and field meeting, the 29 year-old held off a furious late attack from Ethiopian Dejen Gebremeskel, the fastest man in the world this year, to take the Olympic 5,000 metres title in 13 min 41.98 sec and send fans into a Union flag-waving frenzy.

In so doing, he became only the seventh man in Olympic history to achieve the illustrious 5,000 and 10,000m double, following in the footsteps of Hannes Kolehmainen, Emil Zatopek, Vladimir Kuts, Lasse Viren – the only 'doubledouble’ winner in 1972 and 1976 –, Miruts Yifter, and Kenenisa Bekele.

He is also the first British man since Albert Hill in 1920 to win two Olympic track and field titles at the same Games.

If anything, Farah’s performance was even more superlative than his 'Super Saturday’ 10,000m triumph a week earlier given the amount of energy he had already expended during his epic week and the huge pressure he came under from the world’s greatest exponents of the 12½-lap distance.

Having hit the front by the bell, Farah was almost muscled off the track by Kenya’s Thomas Pkemei Longosiwa

in the battle for first place, but Farah was determined not to concede any ground, giving as good as he got before flying down the back straight with the roar of an ecstatic crowd ringing in his ears.

A second attack came at the start of the final bend as Morocco’s Abdalaati Iguider turned on the afterburners and tried to overtake on the outside, but Farah simply found another gear, surging into the final straight with a clear lead just as he had in the 10,000m final last Saturday.

But with Gebremeskel quickening, it looked as if there might be one final twist as the Ethiopian bore down on Farah in the final 30 metres, just as another Ethiopian, Ibrahim Jeilan, had done in the 10,000m final at last year’s World Championships in Daegu before overtaking him on the line.

But Farah had learned from that defeat. A year ago his response was to lengthen his stride and reach desperately for the finish line. This time he remained calm, confident in his new, more staccato sprinting technique, and by the very final strides he was actually increasing his advantage.

Gebremeskel finished second in 13-41.98 with

Lonngosiwa taking the bronze medal in 13-42.36.

His triumph, which he celebrated in flamboyant style by performing some sit-ups in imitation of Usain Bolt’s celebratory press-ups, was an astonishing achievement for an athlete who did not even qualify for the 5,000m final at the Beijing Olympics when he was hopelessly outkicked in his semi-final.

But Farah is now barely recognisable from the athlete of four years ago. The first sign that he was on an upward curve came at the European Championships in Barcelona two years ago, where he achieved his first 5,000 and 10,000 double, but there was still some way to go before he could translate his success at continental level to global dominance.

The “next step up”, as Farah describes it, is directly traceable to his decision to move himself and his family out to Portland, Oregon, 18 months ago to join the training stable of American coach Alberto Salazar — a former world-class marathon runner with a legendary attention to detail.

The results were as spectacular as they were immediate, with a string of victories on the roads and the track that culminated in gold in the 5,000m and silver in the 10,000 at last summer’s World Championships.

Suddenly, the possibility of a historic Olympic double in his home city loomed into view. That possibility was gloriously fulfilled on a night that will never be forgotten by those lucky to witness it at first hand.

Medal Table Country Gold Silver bronze Total United States 46 29 29 104 China 38 27 23 88 Great britain 29 17 19 65 Russia 24 26 32 82 South Korea 13 8 7 28 Germany 11 19 14 44 France 11 11 12 34 Italy 8 9 11 28 Hungary 8 4 5 17 Australia 7 16 12 35 Japan 7 14 17 38 Kazakhstan 7 1 5 13 Holland 6 6 8 20 Ukraine 6 5 9 20 New Zealand 6 2 5 13 Cuba 5 3 6 14 Iran 4 5 3 12 Jamaica 4 4 4 12 Czech Republic 4 3 3 10 North Korea 4 0 2 6 Spain 3 10 4 17 Brazil 3 5 9 17 South Africa 3 2 1 6 Ethiopia 3 1 3 7 Croatia 3 1 2 6 Belarus 2 5 5 12 Romania 2 5 2 9 Kenya 2 4 5 11 Denmark 2 4 3 9 Azerbaijan 2 2 6 10 Poland 2 2 6 10 Turkey 2 2 1 5 Switzerland 2 2 0 4 Lithuania 2 1 2 5 Norway 2 1 1 4 Canada 1 5 12 18 Sweden 1 4 3 8 Colombia 1 3 4 8 Georgia 1 3 3 7 Mexico 1 3 3 7 Ireland 1 1 3 5 Argentina 1 1 2 4 Slovenia 1 1 2 4 Serbia 1 1 2 4 Tunisia 1 1 1 3 Dominican Republic 1 1 0 2 Trinidad & Tobago 1 0 3 4 Uzbekistan 1 0 3 4 Latvia 1 0 1 2 Algeria 1 0 0 1 Bahamas 1 0 0 1 Grenada 1 0 0 1 Uganda 1 0 0 1 Venezuela 1 0 0 1 India 0 2 4 6 Mongolia 0 2 3 5 Thailand 0 2 1 3 Egypt 0 2 0 2 Slovakia 0 1 3 4 Armenia 0 1 2 3 Belgium 0 1 2 3 Finland 0 1 2 3 Bulgaria 0 1 1 2 Estonia 0 1 1 2 Indonesia 0 1 1 2 Malaysia 0 1 1 2 Puerto Rico 0 1 1 2 Chinese Taipei 0 1 1 2 Botswana 0 1 0 1 Cyprus 0 1 0 1 Gabon 0 1 0 1 Guatemala 0 1 0 1 Montenegro 0 1 0 1 Portugal 0 1 0 1 Greece 0 0 2 2 Moldova 0 0 2 2 Qatar 0 0 2 2 Singapore 0 0 2 2 Afghanistan 0 0 1 1 Bahrain 0 0 1 1 Hong Kong 0 0 1 1 Saudi Arabia 0 0 1 1 Kuwait 0 0 1 1 Morocco 0 0 1 1 Tajikistan 0 0 1 1

Brazil swept away by Mexican wave Mexico stunned Brazil to win their first gold in the Olympic men’s football tournament as Oribe Peralta’s double clinched a shock 2-1 victory over the five-time world champions on Saturday. Peralta struck after just 30 seconds and the Mexican striker sealed one of the all-time great Olympic upsets when he scored again late in the second half. Hulk got one back in stoppage-time but Mexico, playing in their first Olympic final, were deserving winners as Brazil once again failed.

28

travEl & WOMeN

Escape to the Middle East

ubai is legendary for sun, sea, sand and opulence. And in its footsteps D are the up and coming new hotspots Abu

Dhabi, only 45 minutes drive or fly there direct from the UK, and Fujairah, about 90 minutes drive from Dubai.

To discover Dubai beyond the shopping malls and gold souks, take a city tour where you’ll visit the palace of the Sheikh, old town of Dubai and the grand mosque, as well as spice and handicraft markets. Another fabulous Arabian adventure is to enjoy a desert safari. You’ll be driven in a 4x4 over sand dunes for a thrilling ride and in the evening, will relax for an Arabian night of music, belly dancing and entertainment with a lavish barbeque dinner in Bedouin camp tents under the starry skies of the desert. The must see is the Burj Khalifa in d o w n t o w n Dubai, the tallest building in the world but book in advance as this is a popular sight, and afterwards walk over to enjoy the stunning magical light show by the Dubai Fountain waterfalls, before heading out to dinner or some shopping at the Dubai Mall.

Dubai offers many luxurious hotels to stay in, with the current popular choice being the Atlantis, which might be more affordable than you’d expect.

Packages for 3 nights start from just £779pp including flights and unlimited access to Aquaventure, the largest water park in Dubai and the Lost Chamber, home to 65000 marine animals, which are great fun for families.

Abu Dhabi is a fantastic place to visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai and still discover fantastic sights. You could take a half day guided tour to explore the city, browse in the shopping malls, enjoy a thrilling desert

safari, and visit Ferrari world. This is the world’s largest indoor theme park, where you can enjoy 20 rides and attractions, for people of all ages, including the world’s fastest roller coaster, advanced racing simulators, driving and scenic experiences.

For golf enthusiasts there are many excellent golf courses to visit including Yas Links, Saadiyat Golf club and the Abu Dhabi National golf club.

Packages for 5 nights staying at the 5* Khalidiya Palace by Rotana start from just £549pp.

The best way to get to Abu Dhabi is with Etihad Airways, which flies to over 80 destinations worldwide including India so if you wish to stopover for a couple of nights in Abu Dhabi, Brightsun has a special offer to stay one night free in a choice of many hotels and enjoy 2 for 1 deals on the main attractions. For details on this great package, call Brightsun Travel, the appointed agent of Etihad Airways.

If you want to venture away from Dubai, Fujairah is truly a haven for relaxing. The main attractions include the beautiful old Al Hayl Castle to visit which you can climb for stunning views, or the Fujairah Fort. Most people will visit Fujairah to unwind in one of the luxurious and affordable beachside resorts. With 3 night packages at the 5* hotel Le Meridien Al Aqah with flights and transfers from just £595pp, this is a deal not to be missed.

To take advantage of any of these excellent offers or many deals to the UAE, visit brightsun.co.uk or call Brightsun Travel on 0208 819 0486, where their experienced friendly consultants can book your holiday, arranging everything under one roof including flights, hotels, transfers, tours and insurance.

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

women achievers Anandi Patel - the face of women politics in Gujarat

By AV Correspondent She is the most powerful woman politician in Gujarat, and is seen by many as a future chief minister of the state.

Having worked as a teacher before entering politics and having headed the education ministry for almost 10 years in the past, Anandi Patel knows the ins and outs of the state and its education system.

Considered to be one of the ministers rooted to the masses, she is one of the powerful Patel faces in the Modi cabinet. She has contested elections and has handled many crisis situations and emerged as one of the powerful woman politicians of the state today.

Patel who has handled several portfolios with ease and now handles the revenue ministry in Gujarat.

She has been able to take several independent decisions about her ministry and has been involved with several social service activities. None in her family members seems to be interested to join politics He daughter Anar Patel is involved with an NGO which is working for underpriveledged children of the society.

Patel’s chances of reelection from her existing seat, Patan, are believed to have taken a beating due to delimitation. There is strong possibility of her contesting the coming polls from a new seat.

The steps she has taken during her tenure as

education minister has shown results, especially in the rural areas. “The government has succeeded in achieving nearly 100% enrollment in schools, while dropout rates have come down,’’ said Patel.

She says people who used to donate to temples are now donating for schools.

This is a welcome change, admits Patel.

Patel claims that there has been a marked improvement in children’s health in the state in the past few years. She attributes this to various government initiatives. “We are running a series of drives aimed at improving health of schoolchildren.

This includes steps to curb malnutrition through proper food and regular health check-ups.”

Jain Paryushan: Self-purification The Jain festival popularly known as ‘Paryushan Parva’ falls every year in the auspicious month ‘Bhadrapad’ of the Hindu calendar and extends from the fifth day to fourteenth day of the bright fortnight.

It began on 14th August of this year. The festival ordains the Jains to observe the ten universal supreme virtues in daily practical life. Besides assuring a blissful existence in this world and the other world for every living being, it aims at the attainment of salvation - the supreme ideal for mundane soul. All members of Jain community- high and low, young and old, males and females, participate with full vigor and zeal in the various religious rituals and cultural programmes.

Fasting: Most of the Jains observe fast and Ekasan (meal/boiled water one time in a day) and soak themselves in the rituals associated with the event. The span of the fast could be anything between a day and 30 days or even more. In Digambar sect Shravakas do not take even water when observing fast, while in Swetambar sect those observing a fast survive on boiled water, which could be consumed between sunrise and sunset.

Pratikramana (Samayika): Renewal meditation On all the eight/ten days, Jains begin their day with ‘pratikraman’ at 5.45

in the morning, followed by prayers for promoting universal peace and brotherhood. It is a form of meditation, called Samayika where one reflects on his spiritual journey and

renews his faith. Last day is a big day for Jains, where they do ‘Pratikraman’ and says ‘Michchamidukdam’ to all, ‘Please forgive me if I have hurt you in any way’ is what they mean.

Farali Hash Browns

Hash Brown can also be made in farali style, it can be eaten during Hindu fasting days.

Ingredients: 2 boiled and mashed potatoes, 1/4 cup of sago (sabudana), sesame seeds, freshly ground black pepper powder to taste, salt to taste, lemon juice to taste, oil for shallow frying.

Method: Soak sabudana in little water for 1-2 hours, combine the sabudana, mashed potatoes, salt, black pepper and lemon juice in a bowl and mix well. Divide the mixture into small equal portions and shape them into round flat coins.

Roll them in sesame seeds so as to coat from all the sides.

Heat a non-stick tava, add little ghee and shallow fry this coins till they are light brown and crispy from both the sides. Serve hot with sweet-sour curds.

Health Benefits: Beware that they're high

in fat, but can still be enjoyed in moderation because they contain essential minerals, vitamin C, vitamin K and B. They have 22 milligrams, or 2 per cent of the recommended daily intake of calcium, 55 milligrams, or 13 per cent of magnesium and 109 milligrams, or 16 per cent, of phosphorus.

All three of these minerals are needed for your body to build and maintain strong bones.

HealtH Watch

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

29

Smiling

to cure most ailments Takeaways: Indian food better

Takeaways may contain more than three times the amount of prescribed salt, while Indian cuisine with less salt content makes a better option compared to pizzas and Chinese food, according to a study. A survey by Liverpool John Moores University found pizzas had the highest salt content with an average of 9.45 grams. Chinese had an average of 8.1 grams, followed by kebabs with 6.2 grams, Indian food with 4.7 grams and English with 2.2 grams.

According to the study, the average pepperoni pizza meal had 12.94 grams of salt, followed by seafood pizza with an average 11 grams, and Margherita at 8.8 grams.

Ham and pineapple had the lowest, 7.7 grams of salt. The study is one of the first designed to evaluate the salt content in hot takeaway meals and it's results show that salt concentration in these kinds of food is alarmingly high, the researchers told the journal Appetite.

In Indian food, an average portion of chicken tikka masala with keema rice had a salt concentration of nearly seven grams, which was 50% higher than most other Indian dishes. A doner kebab and chips had 6.5 grams, while a typical Shish kebab had not much more than four. English food came out with the lowest amounts.

Researchers believe that intake of fish oil supplements are good for the immune system of babies as well as pregnant mothers. Fish oil is the best supplement which can fight heart diseases, ease arthritis, and even stave off blindness, nutritionists have said. Researchers believe that intake of fish oil supplements are good for the immune system of babies as well as pregnant mothers.

Studies have shown benefits from fish oils for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. “Fish oils have an anti-inflammatory effect which targets the cause of joint pain and helps the body deal with the pain,” Catherine Collins, principal dietitian at St George’s Hospital, London, was quoted saying to media.

Fish oils contain Omega-3S types of polyunsaturated fatty acid which are essential for

Tai Chi named as perfect exercise for the elderly

Practising the ancient martial art of Tai Chi is beneficial to elderly people’s health that it should be “the preferred mode of training”, according to scientists. Tai Chi is typified by slow, deliberate repetitive movements.

Researchers found that older people who regularly performed the traditional Chinese “mind and body” technique were less likely to suffer high blood pressure and were physically stronger. They concluded that the improvement of heart function combined with increased muscular power meant that the martial art should be considered the preferred technique for elderly people to maintain good health.Tai Chi, which has grown in popularity throughout the world, is typified by slow, deliberate repetitive movements and is based on coordination and relaxation rather than muscular tension. It is believed that focusing the mind solely on the movements helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity.

Fasting detoxifies the body, but don't overdo

Fasting for religious purposes is common in India.

The month of Shravan has just concluded and the month of Ramzan is on - in both of which fasting is an integral part.

Doctors say the practice does more than just appease the gods: it also benefits your body, if done with care. Priyanka Rohatgi, chief clinical nutritionist of the Apollo Hospital, Bangalore,

believes that religious fasting is one of the best traditional practices, since it teaches one to learn to curb one's desires and check against transgression and extravagance. "Fasting fosters a strong will, teaches patience and self-discipline, the ability to bear hardship and tolerate hunger and thirst.

Medically, it's good because it detoxifies your

health. Fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout, sardines, pilchards and fresh tuna, which are known as oily fish, are the richest sources. The anti-inflammatory effects of fish oils also have benefits for the heart. They reduce the blood-vessel inflammation that can lead to heart disease. “They also stabilise heart rhythm, especially in patients who have suffered a previous heart attack,” Collins said.

Shona Wilkinson, head nutritionist at The Nutri Centre, said: “Cod liver oil comes direct from the liver, whereas fish oil comes from the flesh of oily fish.

Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that live in the ocean. The oil found in them contains omega-3s similar to those found in body and gives a break to your digestive system," Rohatgi said. In fact, many doctors recommend fasting for the overall goodness of your health.

Ritika Samaddar, head dietician of the Max Hospital, for instance, said that it's healthy to fast once a week. "Fasting cleanses your system and boosts the good cholesterol of the body. It's actually very healthy to fast once a week. You can have some low calorie food, like fruits and vegetables, and lots of liquid.

The problem, however, begins when fasting is not done with care. "Fasting followed by feasting is an open invitation to trouble.

Unhealthy, fried, processed food after a day-long fast can cause problems like bloating, craving and lethargy," Rohatgi warned. "A sudden supply of food after a fast can cause problems in digestion, so it's better to break your fast with some light food, like fruits, and only after some time, eat more," she added. It's for the same reason that doctors do not recommend complete fasting even to lose weight.

fish oils.”

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends we eat a minimum of two portions of fish each week, one of which should be an oily fish. Dr Carrie Ruxton, nutritionist for the Health Supplements Information Service said: “Studies suggest DHA is more important for the brain, retina and infant development, while EPA is more important for vascular health.” A Harvard University study of 38,000 women found those who ate the most fish oils had a 38 per cent lower risk of developing AMD compared with those who ate the least. The highest concentration of DHA in the body is found in the eye.

“Fish oils also contain Vitamin A which is essential to healthy eyes,” Collins said.

Depression and stress can shrink your brain Severe depression or chronic stress can cause your brain to shrink and lead to emotional and cognitive impairment, a new study has claimed. A team of researchers led by Yale scientists discovered that one reason for this condition is a single genetic switch that triggers loss of brain connections in humans and depression in animal models.

The findings, published in the journal 'Nature Medicine' , show that the genetic switch known as a transcription factor represses the expression of several genes that are necessary for the formation of synaptic connections between brain cells, which in turn could contribute to loss of brain mass in the prefrontal cortex of the brain.

The circuits normally involved in emotion , as well as cognition, are disrupted when this single transcription factor is activated .

is good for the heart Grinning and bearing it really might work, say scientists, following research that smiling can reduce stress and help the heart.

Researchers found smiling can reduce stress levels and low the heart rate while performing difficult tasks.

Writing in Psychological Science, the authors tell how they studied the effects of different types of smiling in difficult situations.

Researchers divided smiles into two categories - standard smiles, which use the muscles surrounding the mouth,

and genuine or Duchenne smiles, which engage the muscles surrounding both the mouth and eyes.

They recruited 169 participants from a Midwestern university and divided them into three groups, with each group was trained to hold a different facial expression. They were instructed to hold chopsticks in their mouths in such a way that they engaged facial muscles used to create a neutral facial expression, a standard smile, or a Duchenne smile.

The findings show that smiling during brief stressors can help to reduce the intensity of the body's stress response, regardless of whether a person actually feels happy.

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30

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

CB Live is the only Gujarati live programme in UK on Television Dr Manoj Soni, presently Vice Chancellor of Dr Ambedkar Open University in Gujarat and formally Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Sayaji University of Baroda is well versed with Hindu religion and philosophy. Lt General (Dr) Mohinder M Walia (Retd), President of the Yogi Institute of Holistic Management, based in Noida, near New Delhi. Both the above mentioned gentleman are in London to attend the foundation laying ceremony of Anoopam Mission community centre and temple at Denham, Bucks. CB will discuss with them various issues connected to health, youth, education and Indian diaspora.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

It's a time of slow and

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 steady progress that can set the stage for a long time to come. Of course, there are still challenging issues on both a personal and practical level. To get here you may have overcome obstacles by making important decision and choices.

You will achieve a lot more, especially when you're motivated by your own desires.

7pm to 8pm Every Thursday

CB LIVE Every Thursday on MATV (SKY 793) 7pm to 8pm For more information email: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk or call Alka Shah on 07944 151 893

Coming Events * Cricket Tournament & Family Fun Day Barbeque by Bal Gopal Foundation Sunday 26th August 2012.

Crickets Match Time: 09.00 am Barbeque & Entertainment: 13.00 pm Tickets available. Contact on 020 8863 6775. * Ananda Utsav in London, 17-19 August, 9am-6pm, SKLPC, Northolt, UN5 6RE, contact: A K Basra 07977201226 * Raas Garba, 17 Aug, 7:30pm, sattavis Patidar Centre, Wembley Park, HA9 9PE * Ramcharitra Manas Gyan Yagna, Saturday 18 August-Sunday 26 August, Ealing Road, HA04TA. Contact: 020 8861 6060 * Bharat Independence Day by Shree Ashirwad Sewa Charitable Trust. Sunday 19 August. Henley Street, B’ham B11 1JL. 1:30pm-5:30pm. Contact: Naresh Patel 07977217320

AAA Talent Hunt Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) in its 12th year is unique, as the winners are nominated by our 200,000 or more readers and supporters and then carefully selected by an independent panel of judges. It has been previously attended

by Tony Blair, Baroness Shriti Vadera, Dr Vince Cable as Chief Guests and many other MPs and Lords to cheer for the achievers and the great accomplishers.

This year being our 41st year of the publica-

tions, we have extend the opportunity to youngsters in the community to showcase their extraordinary talents.

The shortlisted candidates for AAA Talent Hunt will be called for audition on 1 Sep at a Central London venue (TBC).

Auditions will be held in front of a panel of judges and the winner or winners will be given a chance to perform at the AAA on 14 September 2012 in Grosvenor House Hotel.

Bhaja Govindam Discourses – Chinmaya Mission UK On this grand journey of life, it is the birthright of all human beings to achieve fulfilment and success. However, along the way many of us get bogged down under the weight of innumerable pressures and that enduring fulfilment and success that we seek seems to elude us.

What is the solution?

Adi Sankaracharya thunders forth in his famous text “Bhaja Govindam” that we must stop and think about life in its totality. He beckons us to hear the clarion Call of the Infinite and discover how we can master all dimensions of our lives with the right knowledge and attitude.

Whether you are seeking: n Joyous and fulfilling relationships n Success in your professional life n Discovering your innate potential n Managing your wealth and prosperity n Mastering your mind; or

n Clarity in the direction and goal of your life You will find powerful and logical answers to all these important questions and many more provided in these 31 concise verses of Bhaja Govindam.

S w a m i Swaroopananda from Chinmaya Mission UK will be speaking over 7 evening discourses on Bhaja Govindam, delivered in a way that makes this knowledge relevant and accessible for people of all backgrounds, ages and walks of life.

Come along and experience how the profound wisdom of Bhaja Govindam can transform your life forever!

Talks take place from 9 – 15 September 2012 at the Sattavis Patidar Centre, Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, Middx HA9 9PE from 7.309.00pm. Talks are in English, free and open to all.

For more information or call 0208 203 6288 or just come along.

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Don't be afraid to act forcefully if your instinct tells you it's time for change. If you know your ground and are not afraid to stick your neck out, you can create your own opportunities. Besides spending more time tending to domestic affairs, the focus can be on cultivating and nourishing your inner foundations, so to speak.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

Your communications

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 are at their peak and any initiatives you take now will be well received by people in authority. An exchange of opinions ought to prove very enlivening at this time. Although the very practical affairs of life continue to be highlighted, you will still be very much in demand socially.

Regardless of the limits, you have the capacity to turn the course of your life. Saturn in Libra, the sign of balance, will help you organize your priorities and systematically put them into practice. It is about time you moved beyond your established boundaries of safety. You will find ways to be more financially independence.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

The opening up of a more diverse social life is a point in favour of romantic attachments, if this is what you most desire. 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. The general pattern of things continues on a progressive and buoyant theme.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

Try to take things in your stride rather than anticipating what might happen. Keep calm as conflict and disagreement could be sparked off by your short-sightedness. Think carefully about the implications of your actions. Intense focus is what is needed now so do not let yourself be distracted by non-essentials.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

Business partnerships are tested, some of them could challenge your authority. The more you live up to your own set of principles the more you will gain.

Now is the time to cultivate an easier relationship with life, get out and about, explore fresh possibilities. Once you set your mind on a goal you must go for it.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

It would be a mistake always to blame the other person if your experience and expectations of love turn out to be disappointing. It is said that if you do not learn from past experience you will be condemned to repeat it until you do learn. If lately you have had all sorts of demands being placed on you, don't despair; work out where you want to make changes in your busy life.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

It’s all about communications, as they take centre stage this week. A good time to speak up about your wants and needs without fear. Regarding love there will be a struggle between devotion and freedom. You need to create a balance between your passion for your lover, and yet the need for personal space .

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

The prevailing astrological trend indicates increasing vigour and stamina. At an ordinary everyday level you can expect this to be a pleasant time, indulging in the good things of life. At a deeper level, there does appear to be a new energy stirring within you. This will urge you towards creating greater independence in your lifestyle.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

The prevailing pattern of planets gives you a marvellous opportunity. Take time out to strengthen close ties of affection, sort out emotional differences and proffer the olive branch to anyone who may have caused you pain in recent months. Venus throws an easy light on affairs of the heart - prime time for engagements and weddings.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

It would be unwise to take any risks, particularly in regard to joint interests and investments. Expenses and outgoings are likely to become heavy. So be extra careful if you need to deal with complex legal matters and necessary red tape. Plan your spending and set sensible budgets to reach your financial goals.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

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Action at a Glance US claim basketball gold, Ugandan marathon

Kevin Durant scored a game-high 30 points as the US edged Spain 107-100 to retain the Olympic men's basketball title while marathon runner Stephen Kiprotich claimed Uganda's first Olympic gold medal in 40 years. The US topped the medal standings with 46 gold and 104 overall. China was second with 38 gold, 27 silver and 22 bronze and Britain finished third with 29 gold medals and 65 in all, the best ever results for the hosts, reports Xinhua.

The Americans have won 14 gold medals in the 17 Olympic men's basketball tournaments they've entered and were unbeaten in London. Russia beat Argentina 81-77 for the bronze medal. Kiprotich's victory in the marathon was Uganda's first Olympic gold since John Akii-Bua's triumph in the men's 400-meter hurdles at the 1972 Games in Munich, and just its second in history. Kiprotich, 23, finished the 42.195 km race in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 1 second.

Kenyans Abel Kirui, the world champion, and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich were second and third respectively.

Usain Bolt 'greatest' sportsman of all time

It was not a real knock on a door, but Usain Bolt heard one in his head and knew what it meant. Behind the braggadocio, track and field’s all-time greatest athlete is a thinker and a student of his sport. Bolt was recalling his two defeats to Yohan Blake in this year’s Jamaican championships. “Blake did give me a wake-up call at the trials,” he said.

“He kind of just knocked on my door and said, ‘Usain, this is an Olympic year, you’ve got to get serious. You’ve got to remember that I’m here and I’m ready to go.’ That was good for me. I lost in the trials and it really opened my eyes to what was going on.”

Blake thinks working with the double Olympic 100 metres and 200m champion is a gift, an inspiration, and he would be right.

But it works both ways, as the more senior of them described. “He said that in training he always tries to be in front of me and that’s true,” Bolt said. “He’s really kept me on my toes all season. When I lost to him I went to my coach [Glen Mills] and said, ‘Do I need to be worried? He said, ‘No, three hard weeks of training and you should be OK’.”

Modern pentathlon: Samantha Murray wins silver

Samantha Murray won modern pentathlon silver for Great Britain in the final event of the Olympic Games. The 22-yearold world bronze medallist started the run-shoot finale eight seconds off the pace, but caught up to finish a superb second.

Lithuania's Laura Asadauskaite won as GB's Mhairi Spence, the world champion, finished 21st. British pentathletes have now won medals at all four Games since the women's event was introduced in 2000. "I had a lot to make up on the run, I needed that," said Murray. "I've made a few mistakes which set me back, but I came through in the end.

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th August 2012

Even after dropping, KP is still the centre of attention

England gathered at Lord’s on Tuesday with all the attention devoted to a man who was not there.

Kevin Pietersen, dropped for the third Test against South Africa in the wake of a texting scandal about which the truth is still uncertain, dominated affairs.

There may have been bewilderment, sadness or relief among the players at his absence after playing 88 out of England’s last 91 Test matches but their preparations for the crucial contest are bound to be overshadowed.

Pietersen was omitted from the squad after he declined to state publicly that text messages he sent to South Africa players around the second Test in Leeds were not derogatory of either Andrew Strauss, England’s captain, or Andy Flower, their coach.

By his silence, it seems England drew their own conclusions and acted accordingly. But the texts were merely

the final straw that followed intensive negotiations between the player and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Pietersen had initially made a series of demands about how he wanted to be treated in future. Having already retired from limitedovers internationals he was seeking guarantees about further rest periods and also wanted to play in all of the Indian Premier League next year, which would be worth around £1.3million to him.

In a remarkable volte face on Saturday night he issued a privately shot video in which he renounced his retirement,

said he was available for all England matches in future, would play in only part of the IPL and had made some mistakes.

If it was designed to win friends and influence selectors, it failed in the latter regard. Pietersen did not deal with the text controversy, which was revealed late last week, and the ECB were dissatisfied enough to drop him.

There is still an outside chance of his being included in the World Twenty20 squad of 15, which is due to be announced on Saturday, but only on the grounds that 1001 shots have won the Grand National. He was not in the original 30 but then he was still not available for one-day cricket.

South Africa have added fuel to the ravaging flames by suggesting that there was nothing inherently wrong with the texts.

Team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, the Gujarat origin, said: “We

Sushil makes history, wins silver

He was India's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, and Sushil Kumar ended the Games on a historic note even though he missed out on a gold medal. Sushil lost to Japan's Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu in the 66kg freestyle wrestling final, but made history by becoming the first Indian to win two individual Olympic medals. Sushil had won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

A day after his childhood friend Yogeshwar Dutt won the bronze medal in the 60kg category, Sushil was in fine form until the final, where was overpowered and outclassed by a stronger opponent on the day and lost 1-3 in the gold final bout.

Sushil looked jaded in the final and his fresher opponent took advantage of that.

Going into the fight, Sushil had played nine periods while Yonemitsu seven.

Yonemitsu, a silver medallist at the World Championships last year, won the first period 1-0 and displayed his dominance in the second by lifting Sushil and putting him down on the mat.

The move earned him three points and he won the period 4-1 and thereby the gold.

Raj Singh, the Secretary General of the Wrestling federation of India said after the final that Sushil had a bout of diarrhoea after his semifinal bout and also vomited as something he had eaten did

not agree with him. He also had a neck injury which he suffered during the semifinal against Kazakhstan’s Akzhurek Tanatarov but that did not affect him, according to Raj. After the medal presentation ceremony, Sushil said he would have loved to hear India's national anthem at London. "Injuries are part and parcel of the game. But I would have loved to hear the national anthem here. The golden days of wrestling (however) are back," the 29year-old said.

The silver medal is just reward for the hard-working Sushil, who sat out of competitions for nearly a year until September 2011 because of a shoulder injury, and then he was forced to change his fighting style at the start of 2012. Sushil also left his qualification for the London Games hanging in the balance until the last qualifying event, but he won the gold medal and then went on to

write his name into the record books.

Earlier, Sushil edged out Kazakhstan's Akzhurek Tanatarov 3-1 in a thrilling semifinal, his third fight of the day. Tanatarov seemed the likely winner in the third and final period before Sushil fought back through grit and experience.

With the Kazakh leading 3-0, Sushil Kumar came up with brilliant moves to leave Tanatarov reeling on the mat.

The contest ended with the Indian winning the period 63 and his opponent bleeding from the right ear. Sushil had won the first period 3-0 and Kazakh levelled the fight in the second.

Sushil, the 2010 World Champion has muscled his way into the last four beating Ikhtiyor Navruzov of Uzbekistan 3-1. The 29-yearold started the day in a scintillating fashion, dismissing the Beijing gold medallist, Ramazan Sahin, in the opening round.

The 29-year-old's silver medal was India's sixth of the London Games, making it the country's most successful Olympics ever. The other Indians who shone in the London Games were shooters Vijay Kumar (silver) and Gagan Narang (bronze), boxer M.C. Mary Kom (bronze) and badminton star Saina Nehwal (bronze), doubling India’s medals tally from the Beijing edition where it had won three medals.

stand by the same stance we’ve taken since we heard the news about these allegations. Text messages were sent but, like we said before, it was banter among team-mates, which is perfectly acceptable.”

The tourists have received no request from the ECB for details of the texts. Since these are at the heart of the matter this would seem to be an oversight.

Strauss deserves better than this in the days before a match that England, largely outplayed so far, must win to level the series at 1-1 and retain their spot at the head of the ICC Test rankings. It is his 100th Test, his 50th as captain and if the circumstances were remotely normal it would be a celebration of his achievements which include winning the Ashes home and way and leading the team to No1.

Instead, he can expect most of his pre-match briefings to be spent discussing Pietersen’s future.

Hockey: India lose to South Africa, finish 12th South Africa gave the finishing touches to India's disastrous campaign in the Olympic men's hockey competition with a 3-2 win in the classification match for 11-12 positions on Saturday.

India thus ended their worst-ever Olympics in 12th position after failing to win or draw any of their six matches, five of them in the league.

Though the Indians showed some purpose against the South Africans, their overall performance in the match was no improvement on their showing in the previous outings.

A weak defence yet again allowed the South Africans to score through Andrew Cronje (8th), Timothy Drummond (33rd) and Lloyd Norris-Jones (64th) while Sandeep Singh converted a penalty corner in the 14th and Dharmavir Singh (66th) reduced the margin for India.

For India, it was a most forgettable Olympics outing that was preceded by much hype after winning the qualifying tournament at home in Delhi for the Games while South Africa achieved their first-ever win against India in a major international tournament.

The first-half proceedings, the three goals notwithstanding, were largely pedestrian with neither side able to establish supremacy or dictate the flow.