Asian Voice

VOL 40. ISSUE 41

80p

Israeli diplomat’s car bombed in Delhi

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

Religious freedom under threat in UK brought against Bideford council by the National Secular Society. His judgment was condemned as "deeply illiberal and intolerant" by the Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, who is now said to be considering emergency legislation to remove the block.

Chris Bryant, the Labour MP, said that he also now intends to present a Bill allowing councils to vote themselves the right to conduct prayers.

Muslims perform the Friday Prayer of Jumma in the housing estate on Brune Street, Spitalfields

Christians are an aggrieved lot in Britain now as they are not allowed to conduct prayers before the commencement of Council meeting.

While the Muslims are taking their worship on to streets, the Christians vow to battle the ban on praying in the Council chamber. Why this discrimination on the majority community and what is the future of faith in Britain?

Muslims perform the Friday prayer in the housing estate on Brune Street, Spitalfields. They knelt in the road to pray, despite the cold. Four or

five hundred young men had left their offices in city law firms and banks on Friday lunch time to come hurrying through the streets of Spitalfields for the salaat al-jumma, the most important prayer of the Muslim week.

It is a sign of Islam's growing confidence – and a contrast to the identity crisis being suffered by the state faith, Christianity.

Even as Allah was praised in Spitalfields, across London in the High Court a judge was ruling that it was unlawful for councils to start meetings with prayer.

Mr Justice Ouseley had heard a test case

Continued on page 26

Indian Nobel laureate Amartya Sen honoured in US

Indian economist Amartya Sen with US Presendent Barak Obama after receiving the US National Humanities medal.

(Report on page 24)

Attempted murder of a MBA student raises safety concerns amongst Indians Stabbing of an Indian student Praveen Reddy, in East London, has shaken the confidence of the Indians all over the world. While Britain has been a much loved destination for hundreds of foreign students, recent incidents like this or the murder of Anuj Bidve in Salford has created controversy regarding the growing street and gang crimes in London. While parents of international students were fearing the worse, it came as a relief after it was confirmed that the stabbing of Praveen was not a racially motivated attack. In fact three Indians who have been charged with the attempted murder of Praveen, a MBA student from Andhra Pradesh, Continued on page 2

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The battle over Iran’s nuclear weapons programme reached India on Monday as an Israeli diplomat’s car was hit by a terror strike barely 200 metres from the official residence of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The first open attack on an Israeli target in India coincided with an aborted strike against Israeli diplomats in Tbilisi, Georgia, pointing to a marked escalation of hostilities between the Shiite theocracy in Iran, which is defiant about pursuing its nuclear programme, and Israel, the US as well as the Sunni Arab world who are equally determined to stop it.

On Monday afternoon, a motorcycle-borne youth tailed an Israeli embassy vehicle on Aurangzeb Road in the high security zone in New Delhi, close to the PM’s residence, and allegedly placed “something” on the rear of the car when it stopped at a traffic signal at the intersection of Aurangzeb Road and Safdarjung Road.

Continued on page 26

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Raj Athwal, Commercial Director, Watford FC Raj is married to Sharon and has two children Simran and Ria who are 13 and 8 years of age respectively. Starting his career at Coventry City Football Club he quickly made a name for himself as a shrewd businessman and was fast tracked to commercial manager within a short space of time. Raj developed many commercial initiatives at Coventry City many of which have been replicated at other Football Clubs. In July of 2008 Raj moved to Watford Football Club and immediately made an impact by introducing a number of revenues streams that generated much needed revenue for the small Hertfordshire Club. As commercial director of the club he sits on the Executive Board with a responsibility for the operational and strategic planning of the club.

The voice of the voiceless we start a campaigning column Asian Voice is keen to start running more investigative stories and subjects concerned with corruption in different fields; the health service, education, sport, politics, centres of religion and culture, local and national government, etc. To develop this strand we are putting a call out to you, our readers, to give us stories with facts and evidence so that we can follow up and expose wrongdoing. Do you know of someone who received a

kickback or has achieved a position through some means other than merit? Can you provide us with evidence of money laundering or corruption in high places? Have you got evidence of local planning laws being flouted?

Is your GP practice providing the correct services to a professional standard? Every community has its exploiters and we are keen to expose these people. Please write to Rani Singh at aveditorial@abplgroup.com.

Ethnic candidates face recruitment agency bias Ethnic minority candidates face “casual racial discrimination” when they look for work through recruitment agencies, resulting in job offers being skewed towards white applicants, a study of 2,500 job hunters has found.

The research found that in the past 12 months, just 29 per cent of agency candidates from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds were offered a job, compared with 44 per cent of white candidates. That was despite the fact that the ethnic minority applicants in the sample were more likely to be qualified to degree level than their white counterparts.

But when they applied directly to employers, outcomes

were equal, with 29 per cent of both ethnic minority and white candidates given a job.

The research was commissioned by Race for Opportunity, part of the Business in the Community charity, and Diversity Works for London, a mayoral programme to encourage businesses to become more diverse.

More than a third of ethnic minority jobseekers said they would prefer alternative assessment methods to interviews.

The report urges recruiters to give feedback to candidates at every stage, make them feel respected, have a single point of contact and make alternative assessment methods available.

1) Please tell us about your current position?

My current position involves managing the commercial, retail and ticketing departments.

The varied role is challenging and requires the ability to plan for the unprepared. In brief I contribute to the strategic direction and operational planning 2) What are your proudest achievements?

Most recent and notable achievements was winning the 2011/12 ‘Behind the Scenes’ accolade at the Inaugural Asian Football Awards hosted at Wembley Stadium and becoming the first UK born Asian commercial director of a professional football club (UK based) 3) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?

None

(L) Gurdev Jassi (Sky Express) (R) Raj Athwal at Asian Football Awards Dinner.

4) Who has been the

biggest influence on your career to date?

Laurence Bassini (current owner of Watford Football Club).

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

The freedom to be creative and challenge the status quo 6) And the worst?

Bureaucracy 7) What are your long term goals?

Become Chief Executive of the F.A. 8) If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change?

Cut bureaucracy in the Police allowing an increase in beat patrols 9) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figures would you like to spend your time with and why?

Napoleon for his courage, valour and ability to influence nations

Brent Labour blocks library re-opening plan Labour councillors on Monday night rejected pleas to re-open closed libraries in Cricklewood, Kensal Rise or Neasden in order to provide a service to displaced library users while Willesden Library Centre is shut for redevelopment.

The Executive was considering the issue after it was successfully ‘calledin’ by Liberal Democrat councillors. The council’s overview and scrutiny committee backed the

Cllr Paul Lorber

Liberal Democrats’ concerns and asked the Executive to think again.

Liberal Democrat Leader and Sudbury coun-

cillor Paul Lorber pointed out that, according to the council’s own figures, reopening two of the three closed libraries in the south of the borough would cost less than half and as little as a third of the 2 million set aside by the council to deliver an interim service during the closure. At the meeting the council’s Director of Regeneration and Major Projects said there would be three rounds of public consultation about the

project, starting very soon.

He was responding to criticism that just 12 residents had been consulted about the original decision in February 2011 to demolish the old and new library buildings and to redevelop the site with a new library centre and over 90 new dwellings.

Residents also expressed concern that the council and developer have been working away on plans in secret for the past 12 months.

Attempted murder of a MBA student raises safety concerns amongst Indians Continued from page 1 will appear in custody before a court in London on March 2. Amareshwar Arava, 25, Sai Kishore Balguri, 25, and Nishanth Puttapaka, 23 - were produced before the Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, and charged with the attempted murder of Praveen, who was due to return to India this week.

Praveen was critically stabbed on February 10 night in east London’s Kent Street, Plaistow, according to the Metropolitan Police.

26-year-old Praveen, who was admitted to Newham General Hospital on Friday morning with multiple stab wounds, is stated to be improving and is out of danger, official sources said.

He was stabbed in the neck, chest and abdomen several times and thrown out of the apartment in the London borough of Newham where he lived, according to the police.

A quarrel between two groups of students hailing

from Andhra Pradesh is believed to have led to the attack.

The police, however, did not reveal the reason behind the stabbing incident.

Initially, eleven people were arrested and three of them were charged with the attempted murder.

Seven other men were bailed out and another person was released on Saturday without further action, police said.

Pravin’s father Sudhakar Reddy said his son’s friends called him and said that there was a late night brawl between two groups of students from Andhra Pradesh who attended the party, and Pravin was stabbed several times by two or three persons.

Sudhakar and Pravin’s uncle were issued visas on emergency basis to come to UK. They were due to reach London on Tuesday.

Officials in the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office said that the External Affairs Ministry was in touch with Pravin’s family in Hyderabad and

was also coordinating with the Indian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom to extend help to the student and his family.

When asked regarding the safety of Indian students in Britain, Helen Clews, Account Coordinator & Immigration Adviser from British Council told Asian Voice, “Every year, the UK welcomes hundreds of thousands of international students from all over the world. They come to the UK to experience the fantastic opportunities a UK education can offer, and the amazing social and cultural mix they can enjoy while studying and living here.

The British Council produce guidance including pre-departure and orientation material and a Creating Confidence safety booklet dedicated to international students. It highlights safety and security issues international students may need to be aware of, offers sensible advice, and lists organisations to contact if they

need help.

A lot of the advice we offer is common sense, but feedback in our research informs us that it has made a real difference in keeping students safe and secure. We want international students to feel comfortable and at home, end everyone involved - educational institutions, the British Council, UKCISA, the UK Border Agency, the National Union of Students, and the police is continually working together to exchange knowledge, keep up-todate with crime trends, legislation and other safety issues to help protect all students against crime. By international standards, the UK is generally a safe country, with low levels of violence and crime.

The survey Creating Confidence by the British Council, only a very small percentage of international students had ever experienced a crime and the overwhelming majority felt the UK is a very safe place to be and study.”

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

COMMENT

Briton’s fundamental right to religion Though Britain is mainly a Christian country, it has always encouraged multi racial and multi faith practices, in fact without any state interference. Today also the government has asked to continue with prayers despite of bans by councils. In fact with government initiations, inter-faith organisations have set up conferences, and discussed the value of religion in society for a long time now.

Religion is just not about following a certain God or faith, it is about knowing one’s heritage- which is a very important aspect, may whatever be your origin.

Britain has opened its doors to every faith and given equal prominence to festivals, particular to different religions.

It came as a shock to Britain when Judge Ouseley, an atheist himself, decided to initiate a ban on such practices. In one way he has perhaps ensured every faith has equal importance in a Council meeting, but broadly speaking it remains at loggerheads with the much loved concept of ‘freedom to religion and expression’.

While a cut on Navratri grant has almost wiped off the celebration from the heart of greater London, Muslims are allowed to offer prayer on Fridays, even on busy roads in areas like Spitalfields, in the City.

There have been indeed age long controversy against this practice, that affects the street traffic heavily, but the sudden attack on prayers even in indoor meetings at Councils by Christians or whoever, has taken the country by storm.

Hindus, as accommodative as they are have taken this decision on their stride. Bharti Taylor, Secretary General of Hindu Forum of Britain said, “It is the business of a secular council and if you perform prayers, then what of those who do not wish to take part.

There is the argument that perhaps faith helps bring and activate the moral compass, helping those

taking the part perhaps to act in a morally exemplary way. However morality is not the domain of faith only and those without faith are also made of good moral fibre.

In a secular setting, it does not have to be a prayer of any particular tradition or a prayer at all. Many interfaith events start with a shared silence during which each can pray in their own tradition or just sit in quiet contemplation or meditation.

So perhaps a change of mindset is needed by all, do not call it an act of worship but a few moments of shared silence for each council member to shake off the dust and focus and take a moment to remember that they are there to serve and maintain the highest morality and dignity.”

But the Christians, who are unanimous, have shunned the decision as ‘unfair’. Judge Ouseley’s judgment has been condemned as “deeply illiberal and intolerant” by the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles too. He said the right to worship is a fundamental and hard-fought British liberty. The question now is how the State and the judiciary defend that liberty. The former Archbishop of Canterbury wants the Christians to unite and fight for their religious freedom. There is also a feeling that the sensitive matters can no longer be left in the hands of judges and ministers. While making rules they have to think about the sensibilities of the people. The laws should be equal for all the people.

The Church of England can play a major role of broker and arbiter in case of disputes.

Religion plays a major role in the progress of any society. So the executive and the judiciary should be tolerant to the religious freedom of the communities.

So much restrictions on practitioners of faith will create fanatics which will ultimately harm the society only. The best option now is to find an amicable settlement before the things go out of hands.

Karnataka's porngate exposes moral decadence The incident of two Bharatiya Janata Party ministers caught on camera viewing sexual clips on a cellphone while the Assembly was discussing official matters has shocked India. The ministers’ behaviour shows total disregard for any norms, including those of public behaviour, the sanctity of the House and their own moral decadence. In fact one of the ministers, C C Patil, who was implicated, was minister for women and child development. He was in the news recently for his views on rape and his advice to girls against wearing skimpy clothes to avoid rape, not how the crime is viewed or punished. After the cameras recorded Patil's and his colleague and cooperation minister Lakshman Savadi, the latter offered a lame excuse; he was apparently going to join the discussion on depravities in rave parties and was therefore researching a gang rape.

After the issue became public, the ministers have resigned. In fact, few things bring out India's hypocrisy more than anything referring to sex. We blush, pretend it doesn't exist, look the other way, change the topic, hate the person who brought it up and do whatever we can to avoid a healthy and balanced discussion on the subject. In fact many say sex is against Indian culture, perhaps what the culture protectors are saying is that sex for pleasure is bad.

And since Indian culture does nothing bad, sex is

against Indian culture.

Whatever be the public stance of these ministers and opinion makers, most of them watch porn if they have the access to it. So the question is why we are so double-faced about something so natural? Our ancient texts discuss sex in an explicit manner. The temples in Khajuraho leave little to the imagination.

Perhaps our attitude changed during the Mughal and Victorian rule, both not exactly know for their liberal attitude. Recently one of the well-known schools in Ahmedabad had to abandon their plans to start sex education classes for high school students when some parents objected to it. Are the parents thinking that sex education is something which should not be taught but the students will learn themselves, or something which is below the dignity of the society?

Giving guidance in sex by experts is the best way to avoid the misconceptions about sex and also give the much needed knowledge about the subject and prepare the students for a healthy sexual life.

The simple fact that government and culture keepers don't realise is that by preventing youngsters from celebrating Valentine's Day and other such celebrations, you cannot stop people from doing what they enjoy. By shunning pleasure, we cannot prevent people from having them. We are simply turning ourselves into a society of liars and hypocrites.

Gilani indicted by Pak SC for contempt Pakistan's Prime Minister Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani was indicted by the country's Supreme Court for contempt for refusing to revive graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, a move that may force the beleaguered leader to quit. Mr Gilani, 59, the first Pakistani Prime Minister to be arraigned for contempt by the country's topmost court, pleaded not guilty in a packed court room. The court adjourned the hearing till 27 February, 2012.

At the commencement of the hearing, Mr Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, who headed the seven-judge Bench, read out the charge-sheet and asked him whether he had gone through the charges against him and understood them. To this, Mr Gilani responded by saying: “Yes, I have read the charge-sheet and have understood them.”

Last week, the SC rejected Mr Gilani's appeal against the summons issued to him in the contempt case. The Premier has said that he would automatically be disqualified as a parliamentarian if he was convicted by the court. His motorcade stopped on the road outside the court on a gloomy morning as it poured heavily. On his arrival at the court, Mr Gilani waved to the crowd outside as scores of heavily armed security personnel stood guard. Authorities used a helicopter to mount surveillance as part of the special security measures put in place for Mr Gilani's second appearance in court for the contempt hearing. Mr Gilani first

appeared before the Bench hearing the case on 19 January, 2012 along with his lawyer, Mr Aitzaz Ahsan, a senior leader of the ruling Pakistan People's Party and one of the country's leading legal minds.

The SC has been pressuring the government to reopen cases of alleged money laundering against Mr Zardari in Switzerland since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf that benefited the President and more than 8,000 other people. The PPP has been reluctant to act because top leaders believe any action on the cases in Switzerland could give the Supreme Court an opportunity to interpret the constitutional provision related to presidential immunity.

The court had said that USD 60 million that were allegedly laundered will come back to Pakistan only if the letter is written to Swiss authorities. Legal experts have said Mr Gilani could be imprisoned for six months if he was convicted and faced possible disqualification. However, reports have suggested that the President could pardon him after his possible conviction. Asked during an interview with Al-Jazeera if he would stand down on being convicted, Mr Gilani said: “Certainly, then there is no need to step down. If I am convicted, then I'm not even supposed to be a member of parliament.”

He reiterated that the President enjoyed complete immunity in Pakistan and abroad.

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Thought for the Week

All who would win joy must share it; happiness was born a twin.

Lord Byron (1788-1824)

“Our London” CIIr Navin Shah AM London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

London Mayor’s Budget ENOUGH TO BUY ONE ONION The four year term of the London Mayor and the GLA Members comes to an end on 3 May, when voters will be going to the polls. Last week, Assembly Members questioned the Mayor about his budget, which can only be overturned by two thirds of Assembly Members voting against it. This means it is impossible, given the political make up of the Assembly. This year’s budget is critical in that it gives an opportunity for the Mayor to present his vision and priorities for London and Londoners – this Mayor failed to do this.

I, along with my Labour colleagues, proposed a fully costed plan to cut transport fares by seven per cent, this will save commuters around £1,000 over four years.

Labour’s proposal is to use Transport for London’s surplus to put money back in Londoner’s pockets to help them through these difficult times. However, all of the Conservative members of the Assembly voted against this proposal and Mayor Boris Johnson also blocked it.

Mayor Johnson’s proposal of a one per cent cut to council tax means annual savings of £3.10 for the average Londoner, or 26p a month - enough to buy one onion. This measly sum is meaningless compared to the £110 extra a monthly zone 1-4 travelcard will cost you this year, or the £46 extra you are forking out for a monthly bus pass since last year. The Tory Mayor's fare rises are costing Londoners a lot more. He could make a real difference to Londoners if he supported Labour's plan to cut transport fares but all he is interested is in gesture politics.

In these difficult times when costs are rising we should be doing all we can to help people, rather than the paltry cut offered by the Mayor. It is a shame that the Tory Mayor has chosen to increase fares and bur-

den our communities with this additional hefty tax.

The examination of the Mayor’s contribution in the last four years shows he has achieved next to nothing. He’s completed, with varying degrees of success, projects started by former Mayor Ken Livingstone and claimed credit for those initiatives as his own. We have seen his vanity projects like the new ‘routemaster’ bus design that is costing £12 million for just five vehicles. Hire bikes paid for by increased fares but are becoming more and more unpopular with Londoners. And the City Hall council tax freeze, saving Londoners pennies, is wiped out by the serious impact on the quality of life of Londoners with his huge fare rises, the reduction of police numbers on our streets and failing to deliver affordable social housing.

In all the key areas affecting London’s communities Mayor Johnson has failed to deliver. The number of police officers on our streets is down almost 2,000 in the last two years with incidents of burglary, theft and muggings up since last year. The Mayor has increased public transport fares over and above inflation every single year since he was elected – a huge 26 per cent increase on average since 2008. As in previous years I have supported the Mayor’s decision not to put up his share of the council tax, and the one per cent cut in his precept this year. But this fails to provide meaningful help to our communities during the period of financial hardship. However, Mayor Johnson remains the main cheerleader for City bankers who caused the recession and continue to draw scandalous bonuses. The Mayor lacks vision and real commitment to support Londoners. The forthcoming election will be the opportunity for Londoners to have their say.

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Oxfam marks its 60th year in India Romil Patel As Oxfam prepares to celebrate its 60th year in India, I spoke with Kalyani Gandhi-Rhodes who gave me an insight into the charity’s aims and achievements. As the UK South Asia Engagement Manager, Ms. Gandhi-Rhodes works with a range of South Asian diaspora organisations and UK based businesses who have an interest in South Asia. Since their arrival in the UK, the British Asian community has enjoyed considerable success and the time has come to work more closely with Asian communities to bolster Oxfam’s efforts towards the eradication of poverty in South Asia.

As we conversed, it became abundantly clear that the charity seeks to alleviate the various forms of human suffering with the mantra of encouraging self-sufficiency and sustainability.

“There are a number of issues to consider such as making sure people have enough to eat, education and access to affordable, decent healthcare.” I am ill-prepared for the metaphorical bus which is about to hit me. “Our current campaign focusses on food justice. Nearly one billion people do not have enough food.” This rate of starvation is deplorably high and quite frankly, sickening notwithstanding the fact

that the NHS spends at least £500m a year on tackling obesity.

Amidst this tale of two extremes, Ms. Gandhi-Rhodes was keen to praise today’s conscientious youth in India who have been galvanised into action. Last weekend saw 80 teams undertake the Oxam Trailwalker – a gruelling 150km challenge with the aim of raising a minimum of RS.40,000 each.

The endeavours are commendable but now we get to the nitty-gritty details. Where does the money go? “For every £1 donated, 83p goes directly towards emergency, development and campaign work. 10p goes on running costs and support and 7p goes on generating future income. In other words, 83p of the funds goes directly towards addressing the cause of reducing poverty. Only 10p goes on administration costs.”

So, how can the expatriate community contribute? “Well, the Asian diaspora has a tremendous amount of skill and ability. We would like to work with them and jointly harness the energy.” Having enjoyed considerable success, British Asians are in a very powerful position to advocate change.

But it is not solely about considerable cash contributions (although these are most welcome). People need an investment to effectively deal with the hard hitting problems

which they are faced with. The mantra is recited once again: “We are not offering temporary relief, it is about lasting change.” This involves maximising resources and efficacy which is precisely what Oxfam thrives on. “For example, in an area which is prone to flooding, simply building a school is not enough. It is the wider needs which must be considered such as stilts, transport and food.” And it is this very philosophy of sustainability and long-term investment which can be seen throughout their work with local partners, services and traders in order to break the vicious cycle of dependency.

“The rewards of 60 years of work in South Asia is a movement that is firmly rooted in the sub continent’s landscape” she mused. “Oxfam has sown many seeds of change, helped thousands of people find the strength to challenge injustice and it has been a consistent voice for the most vulnerable in our societies.”

Indeed its very existence today symbolises the tremendous challenges still faced in removing poverty in Asia and in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, it reminds us to “be the change you want to see in the world.”

For more information please visit www.oxfam.org.uk

Ali Dizaei jailed again for corruption Ali Dizaei, the Scotland Yard commander once branded a “criminal in uniform”, was returned to jail on Monday after being found guilty of corruption for a second time.

Dizaei attacked Waad al-Baghdadi in a row over a 600 debt in 2008, before inflicting injuries on himself and arresting the man in an attempt to frame him.

He was convicted for the first time in 2010 and sentenced to four years but he walked out of prison after 15 months when his conviction was quashed on appeal.

The conviction followed a string of inquiries into corruption and fraud, but he had always emerged unscathed.

must pay in court costs.

The officer is expected to serve half his sentence behind bars. Taking into account his time in jail, he is likely to walk free within three months.

Mr Justice Saunders said Dizaei (pictured),

from Acton, west London, had used his position to arrest Mr al-Baghdadi because of a private dispute.

Dizaei’s solicitor, Imran Khan, said he planned to appeal his conviction.

MP backs charity song Monday’s second round of guilty verdicts means Dizaei will never wear police uniform again.

He could also lose the 180,000 in back pay he was in line for following his reinstatement at Scotland Yard. A judge will decide how much he

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Meera Majithia is currently away

Communities urged to help tackle gang-crime in London

London’s vibrant communities have been urged to come forward to assist the Police to arrest criminals from different boroughs. Dozens of suspected gang members were targeted on 8th February in a series of coordinated operations which marked the start of a major new crack down on gang crime by the Metropolitan Police Service.

The significant operation, which was being spearheaded by a newly formed Trident Gang Crime Command, saw the beginning of a step change in how the MPS tackles gang crime in the capital and forms a key part of the Met Commissioner’s total war on crime.

More than one thousand officers were dedicated to tackle crimes in different parts of London, so far 171 warrants have been executed across London, resulting in 213 arrests for a variety of offences including possession of a firearm, the supply and possession of drugs, money laundering and gang-related violence. A significant amount of cocaine and cannabis has been seized at various addresses across the capital.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “We’ve been attacking gangs from all angles. Now the Met has a concerted and determined push to take out the ring-leaders and tempt impressionable youngsters away from this destructive life. I made it clear when appointing a new Met Police Commissioner that this was the top crime priority for our city, a view shared by Bernard HoganHowe.”

Commissioner Hogan-Howe added: “My commitment is to reduce gang-related crime in London to help keep communities safe. We’ll do this by taking tough action against gang members and working with others to divert young people away from this destructive path.”

If you have any information about gang crime or those involved call Crimestoppers - an independent charity - anonymously on 0800 555111. In an emergency always dial 999.

Abu Qatada released under strict bail conditions

Shakila (left) delighted to receive support from local MP, Mark Prisk (right)

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A young musician in the Hertford and Stortford area with high hopes to sing at the London 2012 Olympic Games received encouraging support by local MP, Mark Prisk, as she sets out to raise money for charity with her latest single.

At just 14 years of age, Shakila Karim, whose increasing newspaper and radio exposure, including an interview with the BBC, has already released 3 songs in the last year and plans to release many more in the future.

However it is her latest song, ‘Heroes’, that she hopes will raise money for the ‘Help for Heroes’

charity which supports the rehabilitation of injured British service personnel from conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mark Prisk MP said “I would like to congratulate Shakila for what she has achieved so far and with all the sales of the single going to such a dedicated charity, I would encourage everyone to support both her and ‘Help for Heroes’ by downloading the song.”

Readers can help support ‘Help for Heroes’ and Shakila by downloading the song ‘Heroes’ from iTunes via the following link http://itunes. apple.com/us/album/hero es-single/id483160776

Abu Qatada returned to the streets of Britain on Monday night under some of the most draconian bail conditions ever imposed as ministers intensify diplomatic efforts to remove him permanently from the country.

The extremist preacher was freed from Long Lartin top security jail but will be banned from holding lengthy conversations with anyone beyond his family and will not be allowed to leave his home for 22 hours a day including going into his garden. He is prohibited from using a mobile phone, computer or the internet. He is allowed out for one hour twice a day but cannot go beyond a tight boundary without approval. He must surrender his passport and not possess any ticket that takes him farther than his prescribed boundary. He is allowed only one approved bank account.

Officials hope that the measures will prove temporary as James Brokenshire, the security minister, prepares to fly to Jordan, where Qatada, pictured, has been convicted in his absence of terrorism-related offences.

The European Court of Human Rights blocked Britain from deporting the 51-year-old Islamist cleric to Jordan after ruling that he might not receive a fair trial.

However, Qatada’s own mother said the hate preacher should be sent back to Jordan.

The courts have described Qatada as a “dangerous risk”.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Dead hero’s wife gives birth to a baby The widow of a man killed in the summer riots has given birth to a son who will never know his hero dad. Shahzad Ali, 30, died alongside his brother Abdul Musavir, 31, and friend Haroon Jahan, 21, in a heroic attempt to stop rioters breaking into a friend’s business in Birmingham on August 10.

As the courageous men stood outside the Jet petrol station in an attempt to block looters they were ploughed into and hit by a car.

Their deaths shook the nation after four days of rioting in London which eventually spread to Birmingham, Bristol, M a n c h e s t e r , Wo l v e rh a m p t o n , Nottingham, Salford and Liverpool.

When the tragedy happened Shahzad’s wife Khansa Ali, 22, was four months pregnant.

Since then she has struggled with the anger and despair of losing her husband and facing the fear of raising a baby alone. But eight days ago came a glimmer of hope.

After a short labour at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham, she gave

birth to an 8lb healthy baby boy.

The family are yet to settle on a name but they revealed that they like Abdul Wahid - which translates as ‘the only one.’ Khansa, pictured, hopes he will follow in his father’s footsteps.

The family have been inundated with gifts and cards from well-wishers and family friends.

Since the birth they have scarcely had time to themselves, but revealed that they still fight a daily battle to cope with the loss of her two beloved sons.

A total of eight people have now been charged with the murders of the three men, while five remain on police bail pending further inquiries.

Indian nurse avoids deportation An Indian nurse who has sexually assaulted a pregnant patient has avoided deportation because of his ‘right to family life’ – even though his wife and children may have returned to India.

M i l i n d Sanade was jailed for 12 months after he groped a vulnerable 21year-old he was examining for signs of breast cancer. Following his release from prison, Indian national Sanade, 36, should have been deported.

But he appealed on the grounds of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, after fathering two children in England. He was granted leave to stay because his family life deserved ‘respect’.

Neighbours at his 165,000 terraced house in Chelmsford, Essex, said his wife, Veni, had returned to India. Sanade, pictured conceded that his wife and children were abroad although he insisted they were planning to return next week.

But MPs said this casts doubt on Home Secretary Theresa May’s pledge to stop 400 foreigners a year abusing Article 8 by claiming they have a wife, girlfriend or child in Britain.

They say immigration judges have launched a pre-emptive strike against the plan – threatening a row between Parliament and the judiciary.

Sanade, who was also cautioned for assaulting an 87-year-old man when he worked in a care home, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the pregnant patient at a hospital in Harlow, Essex, in February 2010.

Pakistani girl found locked in cellar for 10 years

Ilyas Ashar

A deaf orphan girl was allegedly trafficked into Britain and forced to act as a virtual slave for a couple, a court was told.

Locked in a cellar each night, it has been also alleged that the ten-year-old was repeatedly raped and forced to carry out chores including cooking, cleaning, sewing and washing.

Ilyas Ashar, 83, and wife Tallat, 66, apparently regularly beat the girl – dragging her by the hair if she was too slow and slapping her if the food was too hot or spicy.

The court was told the girl was repeatedly raped and sexually abused by Ashar and stabbed in the stomach.

Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, said the girl had been brought from her home in Pakistan in 2000 after being told her parents had died.

Profoundly deaf and unable

wife Tallat

to speak, she went to live with the Ashars at their Victorian house in Eccles, near Manchester.

Police called at the house in 2009 and found the girl – now aged around 19 – sleeping in the cellar.

Mr Cadwallader said the girl had remained a captive for almost ten years because she knew no one and had absolutely nowhere to go.

The Ashars, who ran a market stall and sold cars, both deny two counts of human trafficking for exploitation and a single count of false imprisonment.

Ilyas also denies 12 counts of rape. Tallat denies one count of sexual assault and wounding and the pair, along with their daughter Faaiza, 24, deny charges of benefit fraud.

The case continues.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

India in the eyes of youth today

Cllr Sachin Rajput Conservative Greater London Assembly Candidate For Brent & Harrow

By Ameet Jogia, 25yrs Harrow Conservative Future Chairman

More than just about choosing the cheaper option Like a true Indian businessman, India has favoured the cheaper option, but at the expense of jeopardising the historic and very special relationship between Britain and India; a relationship that has been envied by the entire world and that has been established for hundreds of years.

To add salt to the wound, leaked sources from 2 years ago have labelled Britain’s generous aid programme to India as “peanuts”. This source that has no relevance to the debate today and has only added fuel to the fire, portraying India as ungrateful and getting too big for their boots.

As a proud British Indian, I believe that the issue is not of Britain’s aid programme being snubbed, but the embarrassment caused to British Indians who have always campaigned India here in Britain, whether it be on trade or migration.

Today, there are over 1.6 million British Indian’s living in the UK, the majority of whom have migrated from India, East Africa and from across the world, many first coming to Britain penniless as refugees like my family.

We should not forget how much we owe to Britain. Britain has provided shelter to Indians and provided them with the freedom and opportunity to

establish themselves in ways that would not have been possible anywhere else, least not I regret to say in India!

Furthermore, the third generation of British Indians who were born here having carried on the baton and have excelled in almost all fields, mainly education, business, trade, commerce, medicine and technology.

This movement is still ongoing as Britain continues to allow thousands of migrants to come from India on student and work permits.

In addition, British Indians are always the first to set up and contribute to disaster reliefs funds in India and support hundreds of Indian based charities each year. India also receives a substantive amount of remittance from the UK each year, again largely from British Indians.

No one is happier than me to see India excelling so far and fast in the global economy, showcasing its huge achievement of working its way out of poverty to become one of the world’s key global players, especially given its background of troubles after post-independence. However, I fear that as India excels there is a danger that it may forget its true friends who have always supported India through the good times and bad.

Rolling stone star’s daughter to wed in India

‘Rolling Stone’ star Mick Jagger’s daughter Jade, pictured, is set to wed her DJ boyfriend Adrian Fillary in Goa. The 40year-old jewellery designer split from her long term partner Dan Williams last year, reported Daily Mail.

Fillary proposed to Jade in India last month and even phoned Mick to ask for his daughter’s hand. Jade has a house and jewellery design shop on the beach in Goa as well.

A Time To Reflect I am very fond of living in London and to be London-born for reasons including the diversity and culture it brings with it. Whilst some people who emigrated from their country of birth to the United Kingdom many decades ago may have the view that discrimination and prejudice was somewhat rife on their arrival, it is fair to say that in modern history this great country has proved itself to be tolerant and inclusive of all faiths and nationalities, and those who came here so long ago who may have had that initial view are pleased with the choice they made or were afforded. When I speak to people in the London Boroughs of Brent and Harrow who came to the country a long time ago I very often hear that it was difficult to obtain ‘good’ jobs in the legal, financial, banking or political sectors of society on their arrival and generally somewhat difficult to fit in with the inhabitants. I have never moved from one country to another but I can appreciate how difficult it must be to move from where you live to somewhere else and to try and start a better life for yourself and your family.

After, all my parents did so, like so many others. I can also appreciate what it must be like to live in a country, seeing so many people moving into it and feeling scared that your entire culture may change, your jobs may be shared more sparsely until more are created and having the fear that you may as a nation lose

Undercover officers expose 70 fake marriages Dozens of sham marriages have been stopped after immigration officers monitored Leeds city centre register office for just one month.

Bursting into two weddings to stop men who had arranged married to dodge immigration laws, the UK Border Agency’s special investigation team managed to stop 70 sham marriages altogether. The services were filmed by the BBC’s Inside Out Yorkshire programme, shown on 13 February, which followed the officers as they closely monitored the register office at Leeds Town Hall. In the first operation, officers swooped on a wedding between a French bride and an Indian groom whose leave to remain in the UK had been revoked. A second wedding between a Pakistani man and a Lithuanian woman was also halted.

Border Agency staff spent four weeks interviewing everyone getting married at Leeds register office. In that period alone, they estimate they prevented 70 sham weddings from going ahead.

your identity. Change is difficult for everyone, but this country has led the way internationally to demonstrate what a tolerant, peaceful and democratic country should be like and the culture of this country coupled with the diversity and freedom of the individuals within it make the country what it is.

On 27th January 2012, the United Kingdom commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day in remembrance of those who lost their lives through persecution and torture during the Holocaust. I attended a service this year, as I do each year, in my civic capacity to reflect on the atrocities of the past and to learn from that and appreciate the freedom and democracy that we have always had in this country and to be thankful for the same. Some argue that this national event is to commemorate those millions of Eastern-European Jews who lost their lives during the genocide of the

Second World War. But, whilst the chosen date may reflect the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, most people take a wider view, as do I, that the services held across the country, and indeed across the world, commemorate the deaths of a wider group of people based on their race, religion, sexual orientation or beliefs and in relation to those persons with ailments and disabilities.

Even groups such as freemasons, who purport to preach tolerance and goodwill to all men, were persecuted under the Nazi regime. Whereas in this country we value the freedom of people to belong to any lawful group they like and permit the practice of any peaceful religion, and where we look after disabled people through charity, enablement packages, advocacy services and befriending services for example, it is truly shocking to remember people lost their lives during the Holocaust simply for being disabled or for being of a certain faith for example. When put into this wider and proper context it affects all of us whatever our background and there is a message for us all to learn from this. Where there is true peace, tolerance and democracy amongst men and women, there can be no human sacrifice.

Minister threats to quit?

A Liberal Democrat minister almost quit over plans to introduce a cap on benefits, as reported by a national daily.

Sarah Teather, a minister of state for children and families in the Department for Education and our columnist, has threatened to resign in the run-up to a series of key votes on the welfare cap in the Commons. In an unusual move, Downing Street gave her special permission to miss the debates.

Teather’s threat to resign was hushed up by the Lib Dem party machine as the government battled to get the reforms through parliament. Last week her aides claimed that she had been unable to attend the crunch votes because of prior commitments in Sheffield.

However, the proposed 26,000 limit to the total amount of benefits any one household can receive is a major issue in her constituency of Brent Central in northwest London, prompting her to take a stand. Ministers are

Sarah Teather, MP

expected to back government policy, even if it is unpopular in their own constituencies. However, it is not the first time Teather has gone into battle over a government policy that has affected her area.

In autumn 2010 she lobbied Michael Gove, the education secretary, to save a 41m refurbishment project to turn two worn-out comprehensives in her constituency into academies, at a time when the government was abandoning a number of school restoration projects. Her intervention was successful.

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Midland Voice

Dee Katwa

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

Orientation has many dimensions A new book which helps to explain how homophobia is defined and experienced across Europe has been released. And, locally, how a gay pagan group in Birmingham is offering to cast spells to help victims of homophobia. Also, how Britons are becoming more sexually adventurous with fewer defining themselves as “straight”, according to a survey.

Homophobia exists in many forms. Now, Dr Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip from the University of Nottingham has launched ‘Confronting Homophobia in Europe’, which illustrates the findings of a Europeanwide research project.

His research focuses on ethnic minority communities in Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and the UK. Dr Yip, pictured, interviewed lesbians, gays and heterosexual men and women from four ethnic communities in the UK. He said: “As a liberal democracy, we have the responsibility to continue to promote a better understanding of sexual diversity and difference, as part of the kaleidoscope of human

existence. The law cannot legislate against homophobia broadly.

What it can do is legislate against discriminatory behaviour on the basis of sexual orientation.”

Coincidentally, Dr Yip’s book comes at a time when all 20 Premier League football clubs have announced they are backing the Home Office Sports Charter against homophobia and transphobia. Supporting this Charter in the Midlands is Rob Stacey, leader of The Rainbow Moot, a gay pagan group which is offering to help those who are being bullied because of their sexual persuasion.

“Spells are very much a last resort,” said 31year-old Rob. “Magic is

Locker thief jailed A locker thief dubbed the “scourge of gym-goers” has been jailed for 56 weeks. Lee Lynch, 48, has also been banned from every leisure and health club in the West Midlands, and was given a four-year Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO). Lynch, pictured, from Solihull, plundered scores of changing rooms – including those used by schoolchildren – and admitted stealing wallets, cash and mobile phones.

Plans for new Sikh school A proposal for a new Sikh school for four to 19-yearolds in Smethwick, Birmingham, is to be submitted to the Department of Education. If successful, the school, which would be called the Guru Nanak Academy, could open in September next year. The move comes as the Nishkam Primary School in Handsworth, Birmingham, became the first Sikh ethos, multi-faith school in the Midlands when it opened in September 2011.

Get involved: Dance sessions Cultural dance and keep-fit sessions have been introduced by Sandwell Leisure Trust. Fusion streetdance, hip-hop and bhangra sessions will take place every Tuesday from 6pm-7.30pm at Windmill Super Youth Centre, Smethwick, Birmingham. The sessions will work towards a performance at the Get Active and Dance Festival at The Public on March 24, 25.

For more information call Jasmine Heir, pictured left, on 07825 265 550 or @sandwell.gov.uk

like a car. Problems are usually down to the driver, not the car.” The Rainbow Moot, which marks its eighth anniversary this month, has 10 members who enjoy social gatherings, guest speakers and trips out. Rob stressed that heterosexuals were also welcome at Rainbow Moot meetings which take place twice a month at the Wellington Hotel on Birmingham’s Bristol Street. “It’s a place to meet, chat and help one another,” said Rob, a retail assistant.

Separately, an increasing number of Britons are answering “don’t know” when asked to define their sexual leanings, according to the annual Integrated Household Survey. The IHS, the largest social survey with 420,000 respondents, identified 1.3% men as gay with 0.6% of women saying they were lesbian. The combined gay and lesbian population is 1.5% of the total. Those answering bisexual accounted for a further 0.5%. But the largest rise, by 0.4% to 3.6% among men and women combined, was for those who,

New restaurant opens The sound of cheering and applause echoed the walls of a new Indian cuisine, Five Rivers, in Walsall as it was announced officially open by its directors and Sonia Deol, BBC Asian Network presenter, last Thursday. Over 100 guests, mainly businessmen and women, and the Mayor of Walsall, attended.

Phone thief jailed given a choice of sexual identities, answered: “Don’t know.” A total of 4.3% said they would not or could not answer the question. Matthew Todd, editor of gay lifestyle magazine Attitude, claimed that sexual identities were becoming more fluid.

“There is a trend for people refusing to be put in a box,” he said. “I met someone recently who said they were ‘polysexual’,” he said. “There are so many lifestyle choices that it’s understandable if people are confused.” He added that the one per cent figure “seriously underestimated” the total gay population in Britain.

Dr Yip’s book is available as a free download from the Citizens in Diversity website.

Store boss took £19k to gamble A Birmingham man who stole £19,240 from a 99p Store where he was manager and lost it all on gambling on a casino roulette wheel has been jailed for a year. Vishnu Amuran, 32, who admitted to a “serious gambling problem” was in charge of the shop in Halesowen’s Cornbow Centre and it was his job to store the takings in a safe at the end of the day. Ayoub Khan, defending, told Wolverhampton Crown Court last Friday that Amuran, from Perry Barr, had “pleaded guilty at the first opportunity”.

Top degree for Airport boss Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport, has received an honorary doctoral degree from Birmingham City University in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of business. The former Royal Air Force air traffic controller joined hundreds of students from the university’s Business School at a ceremony at the Symphony Hall on Monday this week. Modest and straight-talking Mr Kehoe, pictured, is married to Lesley and the couple have a son, Edward, and a daughter, Hannah. Paul has been actively campaigning for a direct Birmingham to India air route, particularly with Air India, but with no joy – yet.

Bid to burn evidence

email

jasmine_heir

News in Brief

A killer who “executed” a small-time drug dealer set himself on fire as he tried to destroy evidence linking him to the crime.

Barrington Denny, 23, aka Baza the Don, is facing life behind bars after pleading guilty to the murder of Ricky Basra, pictured, in Edgbaston last June. Mr Basra, 22, was blasted with a shotgun at pointblank range after being lured from his flat with a £20 cannabis deal.

Jeevan Kumar, a 28-year-old Wolverhampton man who threatened to stab a student as he robbed him of his £410 iPhone has been jailed for 25 months. “You plainly targeted your victim and put him in fear,” Recorder David Herbert told Kumar, of Owen Road, Penn Fields, who admitted robbery.

Legacy lives on Brothers Kamlesh and Minesh Fatania of Birmingham held a four-hour bhajans programme, including refreshments, to mark the first death anniversary of their grandmother Gangaben Savji Parbat Fatania, originally of Mombasa, East Africa.

The emotional, yet vibrant function at a local temple last Saturday brought together relatives, friends and neighbours from various parts of the country.

Aspiring actor gets role A talented Birmingham actor is living his dream after starring in a short musical. Jaspal Binning, pictured, left his home in Edgbaston two years ago to pursue his ambition and to study musical theatre at the New York Film Academy. The 21-year-old, an ALevel student at Haybridge High Street, near Stourbridge, features in the award-winning It Is What It Is, a trailer of which is on YouTube.

Blushing men More than half (54%) of Midland men are too embarrassed to set foot in a lingerie shop to buy their partners underwear for Valentine’s Day, according to a survey by an online hosiery store.

Footy shirts ban Bosses at Worcestershire-based prison HMP Hewell have banned Aston Villa and Birmingham City football shirts, as they believe the rival team colours could spark a riot at the jail. Currently, inmates at the 1,400-capacity prison are allowed to wear their own clothes in return for good behaviour.

Trade is tough Glamour girls have vented their anger at lap-dance club bosses claiming they are keeping half of their night’s takings to help their businesses survive. One lapdancer, Jade, 25, who earns up to £500 on a “good night” said some club bosses were demanding half the girls’ money. Former Rocket Club boss Allan Sartori, who worked in Birmingham’s lap-dancing sector for more than a decade, said new £10,000-a year sex entertainment licences and the impact of the downturn were hitting the lap-dancing sector hard.

Malkit Singh to be honoured One of Bhangra’s finest artists, Malkit Singh, is set to be the first Asian recipient of a prestigious award. Mr Singh, 49, who was the first Punjabi singer to receive an MBE in the 2008 New Year’s Honours list, is to receive the Broad Street Walk of Star award later this year. Born in Boparai, India, Singh, pictured, moved to Britain in 1984. He was listed in the Guinness World Records as being the biggest selling Bhangra artist of all time. He lives in Birmingham with his wife Daljit, daughters Amardip and Harpreet and son Manraj.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

NEW STORE COMING SOON

YOUR VOICE

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

British Aid to India

Foreign aid

Foreign aid

The British aid to India is intended to help the poorest people who have no voice. It is wrong for the rich people of India to condemn British aid with impunity whilst living in luxury. In some cases, rich Indians have made fortunes at the cost of the poorer Indians by not paying taxes to their full extent which would have helped their countrymen.

British aid, no matter how small, is still making a difference to the health, education and future prospects of so many who otherwise have little hope.

French planes are technically inferior.

I would like to see sons or daughters of Indian politicians piloting these technically inferior planes in combat. India should have opted for the best, regardless of cost, simply because cheap is not always cheap in the long run.

If the contract had come to Britain, then it would have given further boost to Indo British relations along with extra esteem for millions of British Indians who owe a great deal to Britain for their comfortable life style.

The French have also banned Indian Sikhs from wearing turbans in their country. Sikh defended the freedom of Europe including that of France in both the first and second World Wars whilst wearing the turban. 84,000 Sikhs died and many more were injured defending Europe, more than any community in comparison to their numbers. Yet France deemed fit to ban the same turban which was and is the symbol of human freedom.

At least the custodians of Indian democracy could have linked the deal with the French stopping this abuse of basic human rights of fellow Indians on the basis of their faith.

It is about time India stood up for what is right and not what is cheap.

It has been reported in press that India is going to buy the French-built Rafale as the preferred aircraft in a $18 Billion deal for 126 warplanes.

India did not prefer Eurofighter Typhoon built jointly by Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy. India preferred Dassault Rafale for its low cost and better performance. This has angered several British politicians including some British Indian politicians since they wanted India to buy British goods.

British politicians expect India to buy British goods, since the British government gives aid to India £250 Million per year out of a total budget of £3 Billion. Considering the population of India the amount of aid given by Britain is very small and the aid I gather is only interest free. The question is whether India needs any aid from Western countries, when India is giving aid to African and other poor Asian countries more than £3 billion. In addition India has spent millions of pounds on staging Commonwealth games and Formula one Motor racing. India can live without British aid, since India has enough foreign currency reserved and Indian businessmen have kept billions of black money in foreign banks.

It is ‘naive’ on the part of British Indian politicians trying to persuade Indian government to buy Eurofighter in preference to Rafale. India had several scandals involving defence contracts including Bofors guns. The time has come for Indian politicians to allow technical personnel in the Air Force to decide which type of fighter plane India has to buy.

Having followed the recent ‘Aid to India’ controversy, I have the following idea. Instead of stopping the ‘over £250 million’ pa aid, the UK should treble this sum. Based on figures seen in Asian Voice, & doing some rough & ready sums, by trebling this aid, & ensuring it went to the 600million Indians living on under $2 per day now, would have the effect of these poor people having to live on $4 per day. Hardly a princely sum I agree, but thereby doubling their present standard of living!

Now, I’m sure no decent minded Brit would begrudge the above scenario, if it was explained to him in some detail. And frankly, in the ‘grand scale of things’, even aid of £800million pa would still be peanuts!

Dr. Rami Ranger MBE Via Email

The Interpreters The NHS in England spends £59,000 a day on translating documents and providing interpreters, according to a health think tank. A recently published report showed the total bill topped £23m last year - an increase of 17% since 2007. It said the amount of money spent was “truly staggering”. The government said the NHS had a duty to ensure patients and doctors could communicate with each other. However, we understand that there are plans to cut back on this service. Any such cut backs would adversely affect the Asian community since many of our elderly people do not speak English and rely on interpreters who could translate their needs at hospitals or in GP surgeries.

In case they are misunderstood, a wrong diagnosis could possibly be made with dire consequences. Talking about GP surgeries, if you have to make an appointment to see your doctor, you have to ring a special service number on 0870.

You then need to take your turn in a queue and by the time you get to speak to the receptionist and manage to get an appointment, you could have easily been

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email set back by a few bobs! To add fuel to the fire, there are no free parking spaces near most surgeries and hospital parking spaces do not come cheap either!

The official interpreters charge £45 per hour. But many local organisations provide assistance in this matter in that their volunteers accompany their elderly members to such places. This however is not desirable. We need to educate our elderly people so that they can fend for themselves and make themselves understood.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Disclaimer Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL) is not in any way responsible for the goods and services rendered by its advertisers. The ABPL management accepts all advertisements in good faith and it is entirely up to readers to verify advertisers’ products and services, should they feel the need to do so.

Harish Dave Via Email

Topsy-turvy Indian Politics Looking at the latest survey result

by Mood of the Nation survey conducted by India Today, no one is a clear winner. In fact India would be going down the path of coalition government with Congress and BJP the leading parties with most number of seats but no where near enough to make a significant impact/ Even after such a disastrous period for Congress led government, with high inflation, unimaginable corruption and unabated terrorism, BJP leads by under 3% with projected 140 seats when it should be heading to well over 200 seats. It seems the pretentious old guards like Advani, Jetly and Susma Swaraj are a spent force.

They do not capture the imagination of the nation, yet are unwilling to make way for dynamic young heirs like Modi, Uma Bharti and Varun Gandhi who are patiently waiting in the wings. But in general, cupboards are bare of young talent across the political divide, as younger generation is turning away from the beleaguered, corrupt political arena, looking towards the West for the social, intellectual and economic salvation, deserting the Indian shores in mass migration. Britain, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are the chief beneficiaries.

Modi is the only rising BJP star with a massive 24% approval rate, a Prime Ministerial candidate with Rahul Gandhi a poor second. Man Mohan Singh (MMS) is the main loser with voters realising what he really is, a puppet on a string with Sonia pulling the string.

Even with such a disastrous year behind her, Sonia is not doing badly, with voters unable or unwilling to see her in true light, a kingpin in the most corrupt administration in Indian history. It seems voters’ wrath is directed at MMS rather than Sonia.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

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

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

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

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

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

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Details about British aid to India in Alpesh Patel’s “Politics of Aid”-are excellent. Britain is rightly angered by losing order for Typhoon jets. India is right to count its rupees, when rupee is devalued at whim of international clique, and double dip recession. But, Britain is winner for humanitarian sentiment towards poor folks of India.

Though amount of aid versus budget of India is minuscule, Britain is right to debate the need and ask for accountability, especially when the aid is earmarked for poor and needy, whom India has forgotten, incapable or unwilling to help.

Britain, even though thousands of miles away has correctly spotted hungry and poor, whose survival is taken for granted

by India’s government. Britain has pitched in with aid for which India should be grateful. India should realise that benefit to poor and starving folks is more humane than its macro budget.

India spends billions of rupees on space program, prestigious nuclear club, and race towards modernisation. India is preoccupied with fitting incompatible western image on pastoral India, forgetting that humans cannot eat space rockets, nano cars, laptops, tvs and modern gadgets, and strut with borrowed feathers of coca-colony, consumerism, malls and cosmetic values.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Freedom of speech I read Ramesh Jhalla’s letter on freedom of speech in the 11th February edition with dismay. I believe he is misguided in his understanding of freedom of speech. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and is commonly subject to limitations, such as on libel, slander, obscenity, incitement to commit a crime, etc. And hence, India banned the ‘Satanic Verses’ as it caused offence to members of the Muslim faith in particular.

However, then to continue to hound the writer for the rest of his life is clearly unjust and unfair, not to say illegal. If Salman Rushdie was invited to attend a Literature festival in Jaipur where there was no evidence of any intention of causing any offence to anyone, it was wrong to prevent him from coming by using the threat of violence and bullying.

You cannot be just a ‘fair weather’ democrat and chicken out when the going gets tough - when you have to defend other people’s right to justice and fair play. It was for such ‘Freedom’ that India fought and paid for (with many lives!) to attain independence! And living in Britain, it is difficult to forget that we fought two World Wars to preserve our freedom and democracy. So yes, democracy does come with a price, but I believe it is a price worth paying, whether it is Indians, Hindus, Muslims or anyone else in India!

Jayant Tanna Via Email

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Health Watch

Why make UK-India trade a controversial football game?

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EDUCATION / COUNCIL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Student selected for Sony photography award A Middlesex University student has wowed international judges and has been shortlisted for a prestigious photography prize for his work depicting the Hazara people of Pakistan.

Asef Ali Mohammad (pictured), who moved to the UK 10 years ago from Pakistan, is amongst an international cast of ten finalists from as far afield as South Africa, USA and Russia for the 2012 Sony World Photography Awards Student Focus competition.

Final year BA Photography student Asef submitted his image of Hazara people in Pakistan.

The Hazaras, who live mostly in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, have been subject to persecution, kidnapping and target killings – something Asef wanted to raise awareness of.

Student Focus is a high-profile international student photography award open to all universities across the globe which run a photography course.

This year the competition has attracted entries from over 200 institutions

across six continents. The finalists have been given a final brief, from which an overall winner will be selected.

Asef, from North Finchley, said: “I’m excited about being nominated for such a prestigious award – but this is just the start, I can’t wait for the rest of the process.

“The whole environment that has shaped up in recent years around photography at Middlesex is fantastic. Each year I’ve seen other students get published in magazines and exhibited at places like the National Portrait Gallery – it sets the bar high, inspires, and gives you something to aim for.”

Middlesex University BA Photography programme leader David Simmonds said: “Asef has been an outstanding student on the photography programme at Middlesex University. A talented image maker, he is a caring, insightful and determined young man.

Together these qualities have enabled Asef to make mature, thought-provoking and sensitive images

Moving to rhymes 'may boost results' Researchers are to investigate whether following a set of systematic movements for 10 minutes a day in class can boost pupils' results.

The Primary Movement project involves getting nineyear-olds to do set exercises to nursery rhymes and will be tested in 40 schools in north-east England.

The exercises mimic the earliest reflexes made by babies and foetuses.

The theory is that children can be held back if such reflexes persist.

Trisha Saul from the Primary Movement project said: "Some of the songs and the nursery rhymes will be familiar, it's the movements that are different.

These are designed to replicate movements the foetus makes in the womb and the baby makes in the first six months of their life."

She explained how such reflexes become inhibited in most children within the first year of life.

But if they persist it is thought they can prevent the child from being able move normally or concen-

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trate as well as their peers.

Research undertaken at Queen's University, Belfast, in 2000 suggests that following a specially designed exercise programme can boost children's results by allowing their central nervous system to mature.

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Fake DVDs seized in Trading Standards raid Almost 3,000 pirate DVDs have been seized after a raid on a shop in Green Lane, Ilford.

A recent test purchase by an officer from Trading Standards who entered the shop to buy DVDs, confirmed that counterfeit DVDs were being sold.

Redbridge Trading

on often challenging subjects to which he has close personal connections.”

The competition’s brief was based on the philosophy of the haiku poem.

The photographers were asked to take on a role similar to that of a haiku poet and create and submit one image that depicts a ‘fleeting moment’, or ‘the decisive moment’.

The ten finalists will take part in the final competition with the winner announced at the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony at London’s Park Lane Hilton Hotel on 26 April 2012. Students will also have their images will be exhibited as part of World Photo, at Somerset House, London.

The small scale little known research project found that children who carried out systematic physical exercises for a year gained 15-20 months progress in reading compared to a control group which did not do the exercises.

11

Standards joined forces with the BPI (the British Recorded Music Industry) and the police to swoop on the shop, which resulted in over £6000 worth of counterfeit Bollywood DVDs being seized.

Counterfeit goods undermine the trade of legitimate businesses and their sale will

not be tolerated in Redbridge.

Although counterfeit goods may seem like a harmless bargain the truth is the production and sale of such items is often linked to organised crime.

Trading Standards are investigating further and looking to take further action against the seller.

Bristol Faith Groups take a stand against domestic violence Bristol churches, mosques and synagogues are taking a stand against domestic violence this week.

In Bristol, one in four women and also some men will be victims of domestic violence and abuse in their lifetimes.

This special week of activities will show that local faith groups are committed to supporting local women and men who are subjected to, and affected

by, violence and abuse.

Religious leaders will be addressing their congregations on the importance of everyone refusing to tolerating domestic violence.

Shabana Kausar, coordinator of the Bristol Domestic Abuse Forum said: “Many people ignore the problem, or see it as something which doesn't have anything to do with them. We are pleased that religous leaders from dif-

ferent faiths in Bristol will be carrying the message that we should all pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about domestic violence against women or men. The religious leaders have agreed to emphasise the importance of respect and equality in relationships and families and to oppose any idea of a religious justification for domestic violence.”

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Scrutator’s Hell hath no fury than Britain scorned was how The Hindu’s UK correspondent described the media outrage in certain sections of the British media among a number of the country’s politicians at India’s decision to opt for the French fighter aircraft, Rafale, over its Eurofighter rival manufactured by a consortium consisting the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. The contract to supply the Indian Air Force with 126 of these warplanes has been billed as the largest in military aviation history. Apart from the stated figure of 126 of these planes, there is every possibility that their numbers could eventually reach around 190 which would entail some $20 billion for the successful vendor.

Throwing a tantrum, the Daily Mail fumed at India’s seeming ingratitude: British aid apparently had no effect on the country’s leadership. Perversely the order went to France. The Gallic triumph clearly hurt and British good sense appeared to be a casualty.

As a middle income country, according to World Bank estimates, British aid French fighter aircraft, Rafale now plays a strategic role in India’s economy. India’s expenditure on poverty alleviation greatly exceeds the aggregate sum offered by donor countries.

Facts were overlooked in a display of post-imperial petulance.

K.P. Nayar’s insightful analysis in the Telegraph newspaper (February 6) of India’s preferred choice – which included cost and a greater faith in French political bonafides over those of the US and UK – will amply repay every reader’s time.

Gimmicks count for less than hard substance with Indian decision-makers at the highest level. The Indian acquisition was transparent and vendors were given detailed assessment of their aircraft at every stage of the testing and evaluation; there were no bribes, no honey traps. Contrast this with the notorious UK-Saudi Arabian defence deal during Tony Blair’s period in office as British Prime Minister. And, yes, Margaret Thatcher insisted that India buys 4 Westland helicopters in exchange for UK aid. The machines turned out to be junk.

French Celebrate

Dassault success

The Economist’s take was balanced (February 4). The magazine’s report from Paris opened thus: “We,eve been waiting for this for the 30 years,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy was quoted as saying on receiving

The Economist explained: “Dassault won its exclusive-bidder status by offering the lower price. Both European jets had satisfied the technical requirements of the Indian Air Force, which wants zippier planes to guard against China’s Chengdu J-10 combat aircraft and Pakistan’s ageing F-16s. In tests over the Himalayas and the Rajasthan desert, India had eliminated the F-16 and F/A 18, the Russian Migt-35 and Swedish JAS 39 Grippen from the process during 2009-10.

“The capabilities of both the Rafale and the Eurofighter were on display during the Libyan war. The Typhoon is the superior air-to-air interceptor. The Rafale switches more easily into a ground attack mode…..Now Dassault must seal the contract with India in a series of detailed negotiations on technology transfer and other conditions.”

Indians are tough negotiators and will squeeze the French, said a Eurofighter source. The consortium are hoping that the India-France talks will stall and the Eurofighter will come into the reckoning once more. “That said, India has used Dassault’s Mirage jets for many years, and last year signed a $2.4 billion deal with Dassault….to upgrade its French planes.”

Hope springs eternal.

“Eurofighter may now lower its

French President Nicolas Sarkozy

the news of the Rafale’s success.

His joy was understandable for the plane’s manufacturer Dassault hadn’t been able to sell a single Rafale to a foreign buyer.

The company’s dire finances were set to receive a life-saving injection of Indian capital.

Eurofighter sales have also been disappointing, hence the intensity of the struggle between the respective manufacturers.

New Delhi to achieve a free trade agreement which would take their bilateral trade from it's current $107 billion to $200 billion by 2013. The European President Jose Barroso said; ''The negotiations have progressed steadily - our positions are now closer in all areas and the contours of the finak agreement are emerging.''

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh endorsed this position, saying, ''We have both agreed to expedite discussions.''

Indian Army Chief snubbed

S.M. Krishna meets Chinese foreign minister Yang Jeichi in Beijing

price to rejoin the bidding for India’s contract. It may also offer India the carrot of equal status as a partner in the programme, alongside the four Eurofighter nations. Eurofighter says it will be helped by what is turning out to be a transparent process.” A lot of national pride is at stake. It will be surprising if the French, having come so far, were to be breasted at the tape.

India-US-Japan Entente Indian Defence expert Brahma Chellany, writing on the “Asian Century”, referred to the triangular entente involving the US, India and Japan, to cope with the rise of a muscular China.

However, the concept of entente fell short of an alliance, which would have proved counter-productive.

Mr Chellany drew a parallel between the pre-World War I Triple Entente between Britain, France and Tsarist Russia against the Kaiser’s Germany.

This time the aim of the three powers was not contain China but to help it integrate with international norms and institutions.

Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna was accorded a warm welcome by his Chinese hosts during his three-day visit to their country. Mr Krishna offered India’s help on the thorny issue of Tibet, if asked for, by the Chinese leadership (The Bengal Post, February).

Only the expulsion of the Dalai Lama from India will satisfy China. Surely Mr Krishna and his advisers are well aware of this. Also of China’s claim to Arunachal Pradesh. Good relations between would be an undoubted boon for regional stability and security, but it takes two to tango and China has shown no indication of its willingness to play ball.

Ronen Sen, a former Indian ambassador to Russia, the US, Germany and the UK, advised his readers in the Telegraph (January 31) not to avoid paranoia on China, point well taken.

He referred to the optimistic view of the late Deng Hsiaoping on the necessity of a close SinoIndian for the future well-being of Asia – reassuring words, except that it was the same

Deng who, at the time of the Chinese invasion of Vietnam, said Beijing was “teaching Vietnam a lesson just as it had taught India a lesson in 1962”.

It is well to rercall history if one is to avoid its pitfalls and tragedies. Supping with China’s leaders still requires a long spoon.

Miscellany

Chief of India's Army Staff Gen. VK Singh's petition to the Supreme Court to have his year of birth revised from 1950 to 1951 in the official Government record was dismissed by the Supreme Court, last Friday.

The General said, he had pursued the matter against the govenment's ruling in defence of his ''honour and dignity''.

Both are now tarnished and he will have to retire on May 31 2012 as he was supposed to do.

Analysts suggest his best option would be to resign with immediate effect and allow the smooth takeover of his chosen successor. A sorry affair, indeed!

(The Telegraph February 11)

The Indian budget is to be presented to on March 16.

Government estimates that the country’s GDP for 2011-12 will be 6.9 per cent, so Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has his work cut out to re-energise the slowing Indian economy.

India's anti ballistic Missile System took a giant step for-

Home Minister P. Chidambaran

Pakistan Prime Yousuf Raza Gilani

Home Minister P. Chidambaran has been cleared by a CBI court of wrongdoing in the telecom scam. The maverick Subramaniam Swamy, the selfstyled Janata Party leader had charged him with corruption.

Further afield, Pakistan Prime Yousuf Raza Gilani has ruled out any war with India over Kashmir, as military conflict in t6he 21st century entailed an unacceptable cost.

Accoirding to a report in The Bengal Post (February 7), the Antrix-Devas deal which has laid low the reputation of the former Indian space chief Madhavan Nair and his close associates, involved national security. The scientific community is divided on Mr Nair’s alleged involvement.

India and The European Union took a significant step forward in their negotiations in

Interceptor Missiles Bull's Eye

ward towards completion with it's latest test at the week end over the Bay Of Bengal, when an attacking Missile was destroyed in mid flight byan interceptor launched from another site, over a thousand miles away. This frontine technology has been mastered by four nations to date.

Talking to reporters, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Ministry Dr. VK Saraswat said, that the entire exercise was carried out in a real deployment scenario and was fully automated from start to finish.

Defence Minister AK Anthony, congratulated Scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for their outstanding achievement. (The Hindu February11)

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Alpesh Patel’s

Political Sketchbook

We should give aid to India so it can buy more armaments If you think what goes on in India is not our concern then I remind you, that it was Indian soldiers, who 70 years ago, made it their business to interfere in the affairs of Britain and Europe – by forming the largest ever volunteer army in history – to defend freedom. And it was British generals, who led Indian troops against Japan at the same time. The lessons of 70 years ago, are dangerously being forgotten. We remember each year not just our glorious dead, but the glorious values for which they stood.

In 2011, Chinese troops undertook over 50 incursions into Indian territory ‘at will’ according to the well regarded India Today magazine. These ‘incursions’ include everything from Chinese soldiers setting up camps inside India to encouraging locals to join the Chinese army.

In case you don’t think this has anything to do with Britain, then I remind you, that India is nestled next to Pakistan, a nuclear-armed unreliable Western ally which housed not only Osama Bin Laden, and widely considered a training ground for International terrorism. North of India is Russia – a Western adversary – whether we like it or not. And of course then there is China.

Remember in the most recent test of values in international relations and the type of world we want, India, US and Britain, all members of the UN Security Council voted in favour of action in Syria. China and Russia used their veto; thereby encouraging crimes

against humanity in Syria.

I wish we could ignore Syria, could ignore Afghanistan, could ignore Iraq.

But what goes on in these countries matters to us. And India as the world’s largest democracy, surrounded by totalitarian regimes and unstable pseudodemocracies is the only major country in the region even coming close to sharing our values – in part because of their own innate rich heritage and beliefs, and yes, in part because of one of the curios benefits of 200 years of British colonization.

There are two Britons. The isolationist appeasers and those who appreciate that the values we believe in of freedom of speech, tolerance, belief, are far more costly than an aid bill.

If as a result of aid India buys deterrent armaments, that is in British interests. It is a leveraged investment by Britiain, because the gbp200m in British aid, is far cheaper than Britain thinking it can deploy aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean and South China Seas.

Better Indians defend themselves, in our interest, with our help, than we have to do it for them, in our own interests.

And I would prefer the Indians buy these armaments from Britain, not least because British, unlike French ones, do have a stronger reputation for deterrence. A strong India is in the national interests of a Britain because it makes a world closer in our own image, than in the image of a China or Pakistan or Russia or Syria or Iran or North Korea.

You choose what you want the world too look like, but then don’t be cheap about picking up the bill.

Finally, if you do not think humanitarian aid and arms are linked, this is what I want my Foreign Secretary to say, and this is essentially what the British and Indian Foreign Secretaries said when they voted together against the Russian and Chinese veto over action in Syria – the words are not mine, but Aaron Sorkin’s.

"We're for freedom of speech everywhere. We're for freedom to worship everywhere. We're for freedom to learn... for everybody. And because in our time, you can build a bomb in your country and bring it to my country, what goes on in your country is very much my business. And so we are for freedom from tyranny, everywhere, whether in the guise of political oppression, or economic slavery, or religious fanaticism. That most fundamental idea cannot be met with merely our support.

It has to be met with our strength.

Diplomatically, economically, materially.

And, if Pharaoh still doesn’t free the slaves, then he gets the plagues or my cavalry, whichever gets there first. The Commerce guys will go crazy and say that we're not considering global trade.

Other will go crazy and say we haven't consulted enough. And the Arab world will just go indiscriminately crazy. No country has ever had a doctrine of intervention when only humanitarian interests were at stake. That streak's gonna end tonight."

13

British MPs criticise India on Jarawa issue A British MP has moved a motion on the Indian government’s lack of action against exploitation of the Jarawa tribe in the Andaman islands in the form of “human safaris” for tourists, an Indian newspaper has reported.

Tory MP Mike Crockart demanded this be debated in the House of Commons. The motion has received support from three other MPs and they are expecting more supporters, sooner or later.

While the move was initiated by a Tory MP, the first three MPs to endorse it are Liberal Democrats - part of the ruling coalition.

Two European MEPs, too, has raised the matter in Brussels. Sir Graham Watson, chairman of the European parliament’s delegation to India called the episode “a disgrace” .

10,000 non english speakers clear driving test Over 10,000 people of various nationalities have cleared driving tests in Britain without having knowledge of basic English, according to government documents, an IANS report has stated.

Documents obtained by the Daily Express under the Freedom of Information Act showed that the 10,330 learner drivers passed the test with interpreters sitting in the back seat relaying instructions in their native tongue.

Even though such foreign drivers are not capable of reading instructions written in English on road signs, ministers say they may be powerless to force a change because of human rights legislation.

The theory part of the test is now translated into 19 languages, allowing thousands of foreigners without a proper grasp of English to take the tests.

14

COMMUNITY

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

To the People of Sri Lanka from Britain High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to the UK, Dr Chris Nonis called on Britain to replenish the tremendous reservoir of goodwill it has with Sri Lanka, stemming from the antecedent history between the two countries. He articulated that both our countries have a rich and varied plurality of economic, cultural, and linguistic traditions, and we should draw more deeply on the strength of our shared heritage, harness our collective strengths, and leverage on our commonalities.

He addressed a large gathering of the British polity including Members of the House of Lords, Members of the House of Commons, London-based

He invited guests to view the exhibition at the High Commission premises which depicted the comprehensive rehabilitation, reconciliation and reconstruction programmes in the conflict affected areas of the North and East , as well as key developments in the South, James Wharton, MP, Hon Lord King, Baroness Greengross, which reflect the counSir Peter Heap, Baroness Flather, Rt Hon Lord Dholakia, try’s renaissance in the HE Dr Chris Noris, Hon Lord Rogan, Lord McNair, Lord Lumbo, post-conflict era.

Mr Charles Grey, Sir Francis Richards Children representHigh Commissioners and Commission in London to ing all communities living Ambassadors, as well as celebrate the 64th in Sri Lanka, were dressed senior officers from the Anniversary of in their traditional cosForeign and Independence of Sri tumes in the High Commonwealth Office the Lanka. Dr Chris Nonis Commission premises and C o m m o n w e a l t h also proposed a toast to a group of them enterSecretariat, International Her Majesty Queen tained the audience to a Institutions and wellElizabeth II, in her song on national unity and wishers at a reception held Diamond Jubilee year, and harmony, sung in Sinhala, the people of Britain. at the Sri Lanka High Tamil and English.

Youth Conference 2012 3 March 2012, 11:30am at Brunei Gallery (SOAS, University of London), Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG The youth are the future of a country and to have a secure and prosperous future, we must invest in them today. The global financial crisis has led to record youth unemployment in Britain, according to Government figures.

We at Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar believe that our youth need to be empowered to the right social and economic changes. Educational achievements alone are not sufficient to get ahead in the ever more competitive employment market. Young people now, more than ever, need to stand out with their skills, experience and personal accomplishments.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar are organising a Youth Conference at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS, University of London on Saturday 3 March 2012 for 15-25 year olds. The conference will feature leading professionals from different walks of life (including finance, law, medicine, politics, media and the arts) who will share their personal experiences and offer practical advice on how young people can fulfil their aspirations. The conference will also include interactive sessions and mentoring opportunities.

Confirmed speakers include: l Menhaj Huda (film director, producer and writer); l Divya Talwar (BBC News Reporter); l Misha Patel (Assistant General Counsel, KPMG); l Councillor Krupa Sheth (the youngest Councillor in Brent at the age of 20); l Aekta Mahajan (Cabinet Office); l Pratik Dattani (economist and Chair of the City Hindus Network); l Amit Sodha (lifestyle coach and stand up comedian); l Dr Pranav Somaiya (vascular surgeon); and l Rajay Naik (Director of Government and External Affairs, The Open University).

We will also be launching the pilot for the national enterprise scheme Young Asian Social Enterprise (YASE), launched in collaboration with the City Hindus Network.

This innovative scheme is based on an annual national competition for students to fund raise for charities supporting free education for underprivileged children in India. In return, the participants will be invited to present their idea and fund raising results to a panel of esteemed judges at the end of the competition. Those that have shown a real entrepreneurial spirit and drive will be presented a YASE award and receive expert mentoring and bespoke coaching from some of the City's top firms.

If you are interested to take part in this FREE conference, please email Rupanjana with your full contact details and age by Saturday 18th February 2012 at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com. Limited seats available, are filling up fast, so please register asap to avoid disappointment.

Cllr Krupa Sheth

Pratik Dattani

Aekta Mahajan

Amit Sodha

Misha Patel

Menhaj Huda

Divya Talwar

Rajay Naik

Date: Saturday 3 March 2012.

Timings: 11:30am- 4:30pm.

Location: Brunei Gallery (SOAS, University of London), Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG (nearest tube stations: Russell Square, Euston, Tottenham Court Road).

Registration: Email Rupanjana with your full contact details and age by Saturday 18th February 2012 at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com. Strictly limited capacity and pre-registration required.

Target age range: 15-25.

Other details: A vegetarian lunch will be served.

Please note: Limited seats available, are filling up fast, so please register asap. No entry without registration for security reasons.

Short Story by Neha Garg For more stories visit www.scribbledesk.com

The Rude Witch ‘She HAS to be taught a lesson,’ said Merlin, pacing round and round his study in frustration.

Little Toppy the Elf, took a tentative step back, trying to stay out of the way of the tall Wizard’s boots.

‘It cannot be done, your Wizardiness’ said Toppy, then stopped when he saw Merlin glaring down at him from behind his spectacles.

‘What did you say?’ said Merlin, still glaring, his hand reaching down toward Toppy.

‘I … I,’ squeaked Toppy.

Merlin reached down and grabbed Toppy by his tunic, lifting him up, until he was face to face with the Wizard, his feet dangling 5 feet or so from the ground.

‘Do you mean,’ continued Merlin, ‘that I, Merlin the Mighty Wizard, cannot teach a lowly Witch a lesson?’

‘No, No, your Mightyness,’ cried Toppy, terrified. He was very scared of heights.

He glanced at the ground far below before continuing, ‘I am sorry. I only meant that she is so rude. Surely, a Wizard as great as yourself would not want to be spoken to like that.’

‘Hmmmm, you are quite right,’ said Merlin, letting go suddenly.

Toppy yelped in fright as he bounced off the sofa.

By the time he emerged, rubbing his head, the Wizard had resumed his pacing.

Toppy scratched his head and thought hard.

There must be something they could do to stop her. Why only the other day, Witch Gertrude had made her milkman cry when she had shouted at him for leaving her 5 bottles of milk instead of 6. Toppy shuddered. He didn’t like Witch Gertrude at all.

‘TOPPY!’ Toppy looked up to see Merlin glaring at him again.

‘Can’t you hear the door? Someone is knocking,’ said Merlin.

Sure enough, the door went, Knock!

Knock! Knock!

Toppy opened it to find Winkle the Faerie hovering in mid-air with tears streaming down her face. As soon as the door opened, she flew straight to the Wizard.

‘Mr. Wizard Sir,’ she wailed.

‘It’s Witch Gertrude again, sir. She just screamed at everyone in the town square

for not noticing her new hat. Please sir, Mr. Wizard sir. Please, do something.’

Merlin drew up to his full height.

‘THAT WITCH!’ Toppy was looking at Winkle, who had stopped crying. He suddenly had a brainwave.

‘I know. I know your Mighty Magical Majesty.

I know how to teach Witch Gertrude a lesson,’ he said, suddenly smiling his broadest smile.

‘How?’ said Merlin and Winkle together, now looking at Toppy skipping around the room.

‘A tickle spell,’ said Toppy, stopping in midskip to look at Merlin.

‘Winkle can fly over Witch Gertrude and shower her with it, then when she tries to be rude to someone, she will find that she is ticklish and will start laughing.’

‘By Jove!’ said Merlin, clapping a hand on Toppy’s shoulder and making his knees buckle.

‘What an absolutely fantastic idea Toppy. That will teach her not to be rude to people.’

Toppy grinned.

Winkle flew round and round his head in happiness. ‘Let’s go use this spell right away.’

So Winkle and Toppy took the spell and set off. They met Gertrude at the town square where she was telling someone off for accidentally stepping on her toe.

Winkle flew up behind her and showered her with the spell. Gertrude, noticing a fine powder in her hair, turned in fury to shout down her long nose at Winkle and Toppy but instead, started laughing!

How she laughed!

She clutched her stomach and rolled on the ground, cackling madly.

‘Serves you right,’ grinned Toppy.

And since then, thanks to clever little Toppy, Witch Gertrude has been unable to be rude. For every time she opens her mouth, she starts laughing until her sides hurt.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

f ashionista

by Debasree Ghosh

Be a Fashionista, Be You! If you have any questions or a story or a new style to share with us, please write to Shree at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Louboutin Love With the news of Christian Louboutin opening his first Indian stand-alone store in Delhi, I realized that I have so far completely ignored this pillar of modern fashion as column-topics go and what a terrible fashion faux pas that is! When I first got engaged and bridal fever took hold of me, I had no idea where to start, I couldn’t decide on sari or lehenga, lace princess gown or satin slinkiness, but if there was one thing I knew, it was that it had to be a pair of Louboutins on my feet. Resultantly I bought my wedding shoes months before the rest of my trousseau.

Women around the world seem to harbour an unnatural obsession for Louboutin heels. It may be the red soles, or the not-insignificant price tag that make them so covetable. They are not just shoes, they are an element of seduction!

High heels, even without any brightly coloured soles hold a very special

place in the hearts of women everywhere, elegance and fashion being almost synonymous with them. Flats are undoubtedly comfortable and necessary in all its practicality, but when required is some boardroom confidence or first-date flair, only a pair high-heels will do. They instantly make you taller, sexier, more woman. The curious, giddy affair that starts with little girls trying on their mothers’ heels for size continue forever; heels witnessing many important occasions of life. And when you paint

them red, they signify so much more than just functionality.

We call it “Louboutin love”, in no small way fanned on by celebrities worldwide strutting their stuff with a flash of crimson at every step.

There’s something about those red soles that A-listers can not resist. Sex and the City, the franchise that made Manolo Blahnik famous, also echoed the sentiments of fashionable women everywhere when the girls were filmed showing off their Louboutins on the streets of New York.

Victoria Beckham is rarely seen in anything else, Blake Lively was once seen buying forty pairs at a time and Danielle Steele reportedly owns 300 pairs! In Bolluywood, everyone from Priety Zinta to Sonam Kapoor is a fan.These certainly are a show of extreme wealth of the truly privileged, but for the woman on the street, Louboutins suggest sexuality, and freedom to express one’s femininity.

Lusting over red is far from a recent phenomenon. In Western societies, red long served as a symbol of ferocity and power, worn by soldiers, monarchs, the papacy and other important figures. It’s a tactic that has remained popular: Think of bankers with their red ties and red skirt suits worn by women wanting to stand tall in maledominated environments. Red also signified privilege: Red dyes were expensive to produce, so only those with power and status could afford to wear them. (The Chinese said that red dye was made of dragon’s blood — giving the colour a precious, rare, magical quality.) In India, red has long been the colour of joy, celebration and love. Many medieval European societies imposed sumptuary laws, which dictated what certain social classes could wear, and in some red was reserved for princes or nobility.

One particular mark of

class distinction was the red-heeled shoe, which aristocrats began sporting in the 1600s. Charles II of England wore them; but it was Louis XIV of France who made them so popular and established them as a symbol for the monarchy throughout Europe. The French Revolution banished the “Louis heel,” although other European nobility continued wearing them, including in England. But red shoes would resurface again — in culture as well as in fashion.

Today, a flash of a red sole not only screams “Louboutin” — it also reveals something about the wearer. She is, like her Medieval and Renaissance precursors, well-off or upwardly mobile. The red makes her feel powerful , as well as sexy and maybe even naughty. In its profile of the shoe designer, the New Yorker called the red soles “a marketing gimmick that renders an otherwise indistinguishable product instantly recognizable.” Yet for consumers — and even, I think, for Louboutin — the red sole represents much more than that. For me, it’s a celebration of my financial independence, the ability to acquire what my heart desires. Nobody is saying that they are reasonably priced, but I don’t have expensive stereos in my car or the latest i-gadget!

My first Louboutins were a pair of black patent ‘Simple’ pumps that I have been wearing for years and they look and feel as good as the first day I had them. I have had strangers complimenting them in Tube stations! Worth every penny.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Shruti Hassan receives an invitation from Manmohan After the Kolaveri singer Dhanush, now it is the turn Shruti Hassan to get a dinner invitation from prime minister Manmohan Singh. Now the heroine of the film “3” has been invited by Mr Singh for the dinner. The reason for the honor is not specified but it is learnt that she received the intimation. She will be responding to the invitation and will attend the same. However, this gesture from the PM’s office is not an instantaneous one. Shruti is a well known name in Bollywood before venturing into Kollywood through the songs from her father’s “Unnaipol Oruvan.” Of late her name has been on the hit lines after her debut in “7am Arivu” and her role in the film “3.”

Jackie Chan to be a part of a Tamil film?

One of the most-anticipated combinations in the tinsel town is that of Kamal Haasan and Shankar and if everything goes well, they will team up for a film. Aascar Ravichandran of ‘Dasavatharam’ fame has planned a trilingual (Tamil, Telugu and Hindi) with the multi-faceted actor and the producer is keen to take Shankar on board for the same. Indeed, he is in talks with the award-winning director whose first-ever remake flick ‘Nanban’ is well received. The trilingual has been tentatively titled ‘Thalaivan Irukkindran’. Meanwhile, rumours are going that Jackie Chan and Katrina Kaif might be roped in for the movie, which will take off after Kamal’s ‘Viswaroopam’ hits the marquee later this year.

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Deepika Padukone to pair with Rajini in 'Kochadaiyaan' Deepika Padukone will romance Tamil superstar Rajinikanth in his upcoming flick 'Kochadaiyaan'. She had been earlier cast opposite Rajnikanth in his 'Rana,' since suspended after he fell sick on the first day of the film's sets last year. However, the superstar's younger daughter Soundarya gave his die-hard fans, who had performed special poojas and prayers for his recovery from a reported kidney ailment, cause for cheer by announcing she would direct her father in 'Kochadaiyaan,' believed to be a period flick. The movie has already garnered attention with its first look, a still with Rajnikanth sporting six-pack, beard and a yogi-like hairdo, setting off anticipation about the movie among cine-buffs. The star cast of 'Kochadaiyaan,' which will be a hi-tech 3D film, reportedly includes Bollywood star Jackie Shroff, another top Tamil star R Sarath Kumar and many others.

Hot Garam masala Karisma Kapoor turns an item girl Karisma Kapoor, who is known for her exceptional dancing prowess, is geared up to perform an item number in Akshay Kumar's upcoming flick “Rowdy Rathore.” Karisma is expected to enthrall the audience with her sizzling moves in the song. According to reports, the song will be choreographed by Prabhu Deva. Apparently, South actor Nasser and Akshay will also be a part of the song. Directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film features Akshay Kumar in a double role and Sonakshi Sinha as the leading lady.

Aamir Khan or Ajay Devgn, who’s the better ‘Casanovva’?

Who would be ideal to play Casanova in the remake of the hit south film? Is it Aamir Khan or Ajay Devgan? South star Mohanlal’s film “Casanovva” which hit the theatres last week is to be remade in Hindi and director Rosshan Andrrews is stuck between Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn. The original Malayalam film had a slow start but picked up over the week due to less competition. By the end of the second weekend, the mega budget movie was declared a hit. Looking at all the money the film was minting down in south Ketan Shah bought the producing rights of the film in Hindi. Now the tussle between the perfectionist Khan and the exemplary actor Devgn has to be settled.

Sunny Leone's DVDs a rage in Kolkata She might not have won "Bigg Boss 5", but big girl Sunny Leone is certainly generating booming business in India. First, she announced her entry into Bollywood with Pooja Bhatt's "Jism2". But even before the movie hits the floors, the Canadian import is generating a lot of buzz on Kolkata's streets courtesy her original professional identity - that of a pornstar. From Gariahat to Chandni, Park Circus to Kidderpore, Kolkata's grey market has been flooded with pirated CDs and DVDs of Sunny's adult film romps. Priced between 70 and 120, they are selling by the scores. Some of the prints even have 'Bigg Boss participant' printed on the CD cover.

Don't need six pack abs to be a good actor:

career is concerned and her family feels that it is time that she now settles down in her personal life too.

And being an obedient daughter, Vidya wants to fulfill her parents wish by tying the knot with Siddharth at the earliest.”

Although, the duo has never confirmed their re l a t i o n s h i p , the two have been spotted often at various places together.

“Both Vidya and Siddharth are very fond of each other. One also hears of Vidya accompanying Kapoor on a few family functions, pretty much putting an official stamp on them as a couple. An April- May wedding is on the cards for sure," added the source.

Vidya strongly believes in the institution of marriage and will not keep her wedding a secret or live in.

Priyanka upset with SRK link-up controversy Actress Priyanka Chopra, who has made headlines for her alleged relationship with Shahrukh Khan, has finally expressed her views on the controversy. Priyanka to a leading publication has mentioned that the reports of her speculated relationship with SRK bothers her and she is very upset with the entire episode. The report also mentioned that Priyanka gives no importance to such baseless rumours.

Sony TV to unveil the truth about the Black Lady

AKSHAy KHAnnA

Akshay Khanna says he is not a fitness freak and doesn't understand Bollywood's obsession with six pack abs. He has spent more than a decade in the industry, insists having a perfect physique might make for a good appearance on-screen but not for a good actor. "I don't think to prove yourself as an actor you have to be a fitness freak or have six pack abs.

Looks are important when on screen but they are not the priority.

I have known people who might not look very good but are fantastic actors. Appearance does help to an extent but at the end it is only acting that matters. The audience today is smart, they know what they want and if an actor is not able to do justice to the character and portray it convincingly it won't be appreciated by the audience," said Akshay Khanna.

The 36-year-old, who is returning to the big screen after a long gap with "Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai", is

Vidya Balan to tie the knot with SRK? With Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza tying the knot recently, many other celebs seem to be toiling with the idea of marriage.

Latest buzz in the industry is that ‘The Dirty Picture’ star Vidya Balan is planning to get hitched to her beau, UTV’s head honcho, Siddharth Roy Kapoor (SRK).

If rumours are to be believed, the actress is planning to tie the knot post the release of her upcoming flick ‘Kahani’ which is scheduled for release in March.

This year her first release is ‘Kahaani’ and Vidya is super excited about it as she plays a pregnant woman in the film. Post its release, Vidya will start preparing for her wedding.

She is in a very good space as far as her

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also famous for his aloof nature but Akshay says he enjoys his privacy too much to care for the limelight. "I am not the kind of person who likes to stay in constant limelight... I like my own space and enjoy my privacy. Some people get a high out of it (limelight) but I don't.

"I like to do my work and go back home. If not being in news affects my career then I don't mind. I will give up happily but I cannot change myself and by God's grace it hasn't affected my work for so many years." The actor, who plays a common man fighting corruption in recently released "Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai", says he takes up a project only if he finds it convincing.

The elegant, ‘Black Lady’ awaits her fate. Her fate will be decided on 19th February at 8 pm on Sony TV Asia, Sky channel 782/Virgin channel 805. Watch the 57th Filmfare Awards, to find out who will take the Black Lady home. The Black Lady is a trophy encrusted with 4,000 diamonds that took 27 skilled craftsmen to make it. This is presented in Filmfare awards to the winning stars of Bollywood. This year’s award ceremony has already been announced in Mumbai but London folks will see it now by the special telecast by Sony TV Asia.

This year ‘Dirty Picture’

created a big buzz, even ‘Bodyguard’ was a super hit.

‘Don 2’ also did very well but who will be the best of best to win the best film awards? And best actress nominees might go to Vidya Balan who stirred the audience full-on, she was even called better than SRK, in fact she was called a Dabbang to win million hearts with her entertaining performance in ‘Dirty Picture.” But she had a thick competition with other actresses also. Same with Ranbir Kapoor, who was a star performer in ‘Rockstar.’ No prizes for guessing, but just glue on the Sony TV Asia to satisfy your curiosity.

Esha Deol is engaged!

Esha Deol's comeback vehicle “Tell Me O Khuda” is up for release next week and it seems that the actress has one more reason to celebrate. Bollywood is buzzing with rumours of Esha's engagement to Mumbai businessman Bharat Takhtani.

A mutual friend of Bharat and Esha revealed, "Esha and Bharat are engaged.

They have been in a serious relationship for a very long time. They will talk about it only after Esha's film Tell Me O Khuda releases."

"They are very much in love. They were seen painting the town red. They looked cozy and very comfortable in each other's company," added the mutual friend.

Earlier, Esha was reportedly seen having a good time with Bharat and a bunch of friends at a suburban nightclub. However, at that time, Esha had denied knowing Bharat.

Interestingly, in an interview not long time back, when Esha was asked about a special someone in her life, she quipped, "I have to be diplomatic and

I have not moved in with Amy Jackson, says Prateik Rumour has it that Prateik Babbar, who is reportedly dating Amy Jackson, has moved in with her at her Bandra house. However, the actor played down the claims insisting that he is not staying with the British model. “She is beautiful...isn’t she?”

Babbar said. “If speculation about me moving with her goes, then I am happy about it. “But no, we haven’t.” The actor also confessed that it is really difficult to please Jackson. According to reports, the two started dating during the filming of their flick ‘Ekk Deewana Tha’.

use the perfect statement that all actresses use - No Comment!"

Things seem to have changed since then. When asked about Bharat, this time around, Esha used the much abused Bollywood answer - 'We are just good friends'. "Bharat and I have known each other since forever. He is also friends with Ahana. We hang out every other day," added the actress.

Esha, however, denied any engagement rumours. "My engagement would be a grand affair. Why would I want to hide it from the world? It will be a proud moment for me. There is no ring on my finger," she said.

Esha has always maintained that she wouldn't go for an arranged marriage but fall in love instead. She has also said that her parents' approval is of utmost importance to her. It may be recalled that her mother Hema Malini was not really happy about her relationship with actor Aftab Shivdasani, which didn't last too long.

Looks like Esha has found the love of her life, finally.

Sonakshi Sinha in dilemma Sonakshi Sinha is a bit in quandary these days. The reason being that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is keen on having her and Shah Rukh Khan in the lead in a romantic film he is planning, but Sonakshi, who is obviously excited with the offer, is in a fix. But the problem is that neither Bhansali nor Shah Rukh is on good terms with Salman Khan Sonakshi's mentor who she owes her film career with her debut “Dabangg.” So far, Sonakshi is considered to be in the A-league and her career is supposedly heading in the right direction.

And a Bhansali film, that too with SRK could lift her career further.

So let's wait and watch how Sonakshi will sort out this one...

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Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Selling On Line?

Dear Financial Voice Reader: Following the trend Following a dinner this past week at Windsor Castle, with HRH Prince of Wales, for the British Asian Trust, I was asked by one of the guests if there is anything undervalued. A common question. But it got me thinking.

Probably the simplest form of investment strategy is to follow a trend in the share price of a stock. The duration and persistence of the trend being best evidence that markets are not random and that a stock can be resilient through turbulent times. So then I started looking at the stocks in the UK which have consistently been on a strong upward trend. After all the best way to know how, say, Barclays, would have fared through a credit crunch is to look at how it did during the last one.

Whilst history does not repeat itself, it’s usually a good guide.

The names were: Aggreko, Anglo-American, Ashmore, BHP Billiton, Compass Group, Experian, ITV, SABMiller, WPP. Of course, names are not enough. I then wanted to execute these trades. So I placed a spreadbet on each stock such that a 25% rise in the price of each stock would result in say a £1,000 profit. Tax free of course because it is a spreadbet. I usedsterlingmarkets.com for this. Equally, if the stocks drop 25%, then I would exit.

This keeps things simple. And if in 6 months it is neither up or down 25%, then I exit too, so not to lock up capital.

Of course trend following means you need not take a small time frame – you could just decide that you will hold forever, which is a strategy favoured by Warren Buffett. In that case we would look at a stock with a long range trend in existence already.

So why don’t people do this already more often? The reason is a lot of investors when they see a stock rise for a long time, they fear the trend is over as soon as they get in.

Where do you find such trends? Nowadays sites such as Google show for free price charts. Another one of my favourites it to pick bombed out falling shares priced under 10p. This is a very high risk strategy as such companies may go bust too. But the idea is to put, say, £1,000, in 10 such stocks. As long as more double in price than go bust you will be in profit. The others will breakeven pretty much.

But what about Greece? What about British credit rating downgrades. Well that’s the thing about stocks which are on an upward trend, the whole point is they have proven resilience. I always find it interesting to see how the strongest stocks, for example, Apple, did during times of extreme stress, such as the credit crunch.

I find they reacted the best. Stocks are like people, if they do will under stress, they do even better without it.

Alpesh Patel Founder: www.investingbetter.com

Bank of England to pump economy with £50 bn of new cash The Bank of England will inject another 50 billion pounds into Britain's weak economy and keep interest rates at a record-low 0.50 per cent, it announced last week.

After a two-day gathering, the BoE's Monetary Policy Committee voted in favour of increasing its quantitative easing (QE) by £ 50 billion ($ 80 billion) to 325 billion pounds over a three-month period.

The nine-member MPC panel also decided to keep the main interest rate at a record-low 0.50 per cent, the central bank said in a statement.

London's stock market and sterling were little changed following the announcements, which were made as Britain's economy buckles under the combined impact of state austerity and the eurozone crisis.

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I recently spent time with a friend who wants to start her own internet business. More and more people are doing the same: there are real advantages, lower overheads & better control of your image. Traditional shop owners and businesses are also using the Internet to market and sell products (take for example, Pataks and Tescos).

What I found surprising with my friend was her belief that trading online is the same as having a shop: it is not.

Certainly, businesses working on-line have to conform to the general rules which apply to normal shops – adverts cannot be misleading, goods still have to be useable and your contract should not be unfair, for instance; but there are unique obligations imposed on internet businesses, which if flouted can lead to hefty fines by regulators and claims by on-line buyers.

Aside from ensuring that payments made online are safe (this is not

just good practice but is required by law) you have to tell customers about their rights and obligations. Often, businesses working on the web will simply cut and paste contract terms used on a similar website. This can lead to copy right infringement claims and runs the risk that the terms are ill-suited to your business. By way of example, selling on line is governed by a plethora of laws including the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations which (amongst other rights) gives customers up to three months to cancel a contract unless you notify them otherwise.

Also, there is a higher burden on on-line traders because you may be selling anywhere. Have you considered that if you are selling in Europe, court proceedings may be brought in the local court of your customer? In some cases, you may want legal guidance on how to deal with a claim made against you abroad and plan for such an

eventuality.

Finally, as an online seller you will inevitably obtain information which is considered to be personal and private information (like name and address).

By getting legal advice on how to handle this information, you can avoid large financial penalties: data protection breaches can incur penalties of up to half a million pounds!

Getting legal advice early on about what information to give customers using your website will help protect you and provide you with the peace of mind you need to ensure that you get on with the most important part: growing your business.

If you are interested in e-commerce issues, The London Law Practice is running a Free Seminar

Bhavini Kalaria

on 15th February.

Further details are available on info@londonlawpractice.com or you can contact me on 020 8445 6753. Facebook page: http://www.facebook.co m/TheLondonLawPracti ce.

Barclays likely to miss profit goal British bank Barclays Plc is set to miss its key profit target after its investment bank ended 2011 with its worst quarter for three years.

A slump in bond trading income due to the euro zone debt crisis dragged down annual profit, prompting Chief Executive Bob Diamond to push back a return on equity (RoE) target of 13 per cent he set less than a year ago.

"The idea of 13 per cent is pie in the sky and even getting to 10 per cent is a long way away," said Alex Potter, analyst at Berenberg Bank. Return on equity is a measure of profitability.

Rivals including Credit Suisse, UBS and Deutsche

Bank have all struggled to maintain profitability in their investment banks during 2011, hit by volatile trading and tougher regulations.

That has raised fears among banks that the squeeze on the fat returns they enjoyed in the past in core areas such as fixed income marks a permanent structural downturn.

Diamond did not aban-

don his RoE target but said: "Thirteen per cent remains absolutely the right target and is very achievable, but we may not achieve it in 2013 given the impact of the external environment."

The bank's return on equity of 5.8 per cent last year - against 7.2 per cent in 2010 and well below its cost of capital of about 11.5 per cent - was "unacceptable", he said.

"They need to get harder in restructuring these banks," Berenberg's Potter said, adding Barclays was still not getting to grips with its high staff costs.

Barclays said it had cut bonuses at investment bank unit Barclays Capital

Lloyds of London to reopen stalled talks for entry into India John Nelson is brand new as chairman of Lloyds of London - he's been in the job barely four months.

And he's determined to resurrect the reinsurance market's efforts to enter India. "We regard India as a very important market," he says, in an interview.

Sir John and Lloyds CEO Richard Ward outlined the direction the new team wants Lloyds to take in future - and that leads straight to emerging markets like India.

Being a reinsurance market and not an insurance broker or company, Lloyds would need specific changes in India's insurance foreign direct

investment laws to operate directly in India.

"Over the last few years, there have been serious conversations with the Indian authorities to negotiate Lloyds' entry into India. But those conversations drew to a close about a year ago," Nelson says.

"I am determined that we pursue these conversations on a very constructive basis. I don't think we're going to get a solution quickly, but we want to get into a position where we can write insurance and reinsurance more directly with India." A market team of Lloyds is in India to look at ways to revive the

talks. "I hope that will lead to something. I myself intend to come to India during the course of this year," Nelson says.

Lloyds already has significant reinsurance business from India, which is mainly written offshore because of the licence issues, but Lloyds of London is willing to be patient. As Richard Ward says, a lot of the legislation Lloyds needs has already been drafted.

We've had a lot of positive support in the past five years from the Finance Ministry, but unfortunately, whenever it gets close to Parliament, it gets caught up in other issues."

(BarCap) by 32 per cent from 2010 and said incentive awards across the group were down 26 per cent. Cash bonuses for BarCap staff will be capped at 65,000 pounds this year.

But that did not go far enough, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), which represents major investors and has called on UK banks to cut pay to deliver better returns.

"This appears to be very close to business as usual.

It is not the signal of the change required in order to improve the investment case," said Robert Talbut, chairman of the ABI's investment committee.

UK may be stripped of AAA credit rating within year The UK could be stripped of its AAA credit rating within a year after Moody's put it on "negative" watch amid fears of contagion from the European debt crisis.

Moody's said the UK was exposed to "any further deterioration in European economic conditions and financial landscape."

Moody's guidelines said that a negative outlook could lead to a credit downgrade within 12 to 18 months. Italy, Portugal and Spain also had their credit ratings downgraded.

UK Chancellor George Osborne said Moody's action was a "reality check for anyone who thinks Britain can duck confronting its debts."

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

19

If you don’t move forwards, you go backwards

Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

This week I had a 77 year old gujarati man from Wembley come to see me. He has been reading our articles for years now and finally took the plunge to come in and speak to me. He had a substantial amount to invest, about £300,000 which had been lying in a personal account and fixed rate bonds not doing very much. In fact it had been depreciating.

I explained the kind of thing we could do for him and it’s always important to understand as much as we can about the client. Many factors affect the purchase of a property and therefore the more we know the better we can provide a solution. It is not just a case of finding a good deal and getting the client to purchase. Things like the tax situation and comfort levels of the client have a big bearing on what type of property will be suitable.

As we were speaking one thing didn’t add up… Exactly why was this person interested in investing and making money? He told me himself he’s perfectly settled and he’s paying a high rate of tax due to the level of income he’s earning. He has enough income to do what he wants.

Judging from his character I could not see him suddenly buying a Bentley or spending half his time in a hot country playing golf. This was an old school thinking man and so the glitter which attracts the younger generation did not have the same appeal for him.

So I ask ed him what the reason was for him to wish to invest: you have en ough mon ey, your lifestyle will no t change even slightly. So why wo uld you wish t o embark in to property at this ripe age?

He gave a very sensible answer. He didn't want further headache and I was right in my perception he will not do anything with the extra money either in terms of lifestyle or purchasing. He felt it almost a sin to have worked so hard and saved so hard for the money now to be depreciating in the bank. He wanted to put it into a physical asset which will work for him and not erode what he has currently.

It seems in life if you don't move forward you move backwards, the same can be said with funds in the bank. They erode if you do not put them to good use. The current RPI index released 17th January 2012 is 4.8% while the best one year fixed rate savings account only pays 2.85% per annum. This means according to these figures you will be losing 2% per annum on your funds.

You cannot take statistics at face value as the only way to find out what’s behind them is to analyse what they use for measurement and what maths is used to come to this figure. Often they can be massaged and don't always represent the true on the street experience.

Take for example petrol price which affects most people. At the moment we are looking at 142.5p compared to 129p last year which means a rise of 10%.

So if you stuck your money into a fixed rate bond last year you would have been able to purchase roughly 7% less petrol with your money. In retrospect you would have been better of filling a few large water butts with petrol up and leaving them in your back garden than keeping your funds in the bank!

Basically there are two things the in the economy: goods and money.

Inflation occurs because more money has been released into the economy than there are goods to purchase. Given the amount which has been released into the economy, £325bn to date, it is obvious what will follow - you will see further inflation and erosion of your money.

A good way to hedge your funds against inflation is to invest in real investments. Property is one such investment and central London especially is forecast to still carry on rising despite the turmoil. One reason is people see property in this location as a safe haven, not just UK investors but overseas investors are increasingly parking their funds in the London property market.

This is why London house prices continue to climb even as the rest of the country's fall.

London house prices hit a new peak in December 2011, 7% higher than their level before the global credit crisis began, as the most expensive parts of London became even more expensive, despite the downward trend across the rest of the country.

A survey by estate agents Knight Frank stands in stark contrast to recent reports of the national housing market from Halifax and Nationwide, respectively Britain’s biggest mortgage provider and building society. But, with a 35-year track record, the estate agent’s report is the longest-established analysis of house prices in the capital and it reinforces reports in this space and elsewhere that London property prices are decoupling from the rest of the country.

Foreign buyers helped expensive housing in the capital become more expensive, with prices recovering by 40% from their post-credit crunch low in March, 2009. Liam Bailey of Knight Frank said: “Demand from European and Asian investors for prime London property, despite uncertainty resulting from the Eurozone debt crisis, outpaced supply and led to strong price performance, taking total growth over the last 12 months to 12.1%.”

The Real Deal Cheapest 2 bed in Wembley Chestnut Ave, Wembley, Middlesex GUIDE PRICE: £60,000 GROUND FLOOR TWO BEDROOM MAISONETTE IN NEED OF UPDATING This ground floor two bedroom maisonette that benefits from its own garden requires a fair amount of updating and modernization throughout. The property does include double glazing and gas-fired central heating and is being sold with the benefit of vacant possession. The property forms part of a popular development that surrounds a central area of greenery and is within walking distance of local shops, bus connections and Sudbury Town Piccadilly Line Station.

ACCOMMODATION Entrance hall, living room 12'10 x 12'7, bathroom,

kitchen 12'3 x 7'1, bedroom one 11'1 x 11'10, bedroom two 10' x 8'4, private rear garden TENURE Leasehold – 23 years unexpired This lease hold flat should be bought in cash or by refinancing an existing property. The lease can be extended after a two year period of owning the property. In the interim the property will be generating a rental income of £10,000 pa. This represents a yield of nearly 15% assuming you pick it up for around £70,000. We have a lawyer who specialises in lease extensions, this will enable you to get the lease extended at the best possible price. This short lease property represents great value for money.

The reason why most people shy away from this kind of investment is due to lack of knowledge - we can plug this

hole for you. No one can argue with the figures involved in this deal.

For help and guidance in purchasing this property please call our office.

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 Think about the tax implications of your property investment before you purchase. l There are many variables for residential property investment, such as maintenance, non payment of rent etc make sure you have covered these in advance.

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financial VoICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

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

Help and Hardship

maria@abplgroup.com

Maria Fernandes

The shifting sands: the hurdles of sponsorship When the sponsorship regime was introduced in 2008, it preceded an extensive and expensive campaign to encourage employers to join.

Employers may remember that there was an advertisement showing hurdles.

Applications were online and employers were being given the impression that if they applied and obtained their licences their prize would be to be able to bring staff with as little as a click of a button.

Initially employers applied, many of them with very little idea of the criteria or their responsibilities. All they had to do was to produce a few documents and hey presto the licences came through. Many, having obtained licences, then went on to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (old work permit) which are virtual documents and brought in staff. During this period numerous licences were granted by the Sponsor licensing Unit often with very little idea or understanding of the business.

However, after some months, there was a change of emphasis with more visits starting to take place. Different offi-

tence at the time that they obtained the licence.

The guidance is vague and poorly drafted as to not make any sense on some issues. There is an enquiries unit but very little meaningful advice ever comes out of a call to this team.

Guidance was meant to be what it says, guidance, but it has started to be used as the more than that.

The Courts have expressed concern about these regulations but they continue to be used to beat the employer with.

The hurdles are now being raised with fees going up further, more red tape coming in, less carrot and more stick and more confusion about what they mean.

Employers were taken in like lambs to slaughter and are now being taken to the slaughter house. An ending to a successful campaign ?

Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 25 years. Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 02087330123, by email on info@fernandesvaz.com.

cers focused on different areas of compliance. At first the visits provided helpful advice and employers found that they could turn to the officers for advice. Good business practice began to be the new buzz word. However over time the system has become punitive in its nature. Many employers have discovered that following visits their licences are being suspended, downgraded even revoked. If employers are found employing students who have not been studying or who have been exceeding their hours the finger of blame is pointed at them even if they were not aware that this was the case. A large proportion of employers targeted appear to be ethnic minority businesses. Many of them are small businesses and many do not have the time or energy to fight and many give in.

They accept their fate.

Those who were lucky enough not to get targeted earlier now find that the rules on sponsorship have shifted further into the sand. Employers are now being punished for not applying rules that were not even in exis-

Bank of Baroda expects 24 pc growth

RBI hikes bank rate after nine years to 9.5%

Bank of Baroda (BoB) is expecting total business growth of about 24 per cent over last year at the end of March 2012. "We plan to achieve a total business of more than Rs 6,500 billion at the end of March (2012). We are expecting a total business growth of about 24 per cent year-on-year basis," BoB chairman M D Mallya told reporters in Kolkata.

Mallya said the bank would gain a domestic credit growth of 20 per cent at the end of the current financial year.

"As far as domestic credit is concerned, up to Dec (2011) on year-onyear (YoY) basis we have grown by about 19 per cent. At the end of the current fiscal our credit growth would be about 19 to 20 per cent," he said.

After a gap of nearly nine years, the Reserve Bank of India has increased the bank rate by 3.50 percentage points to 9.5 per cent with immediate effect.

"This (the increase) should be viewed and understood as one-time technical adjustment to align the Bank Rate with the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate rather than a change in the monetary policy stance," RBI said in a notification, adding the new rate will be effective from February 13.

The Bank Rate has lost its significant as a monetary policy tool as the central bank presently signals stance through changes in repo, the rate at which banks borrow short-term funds from RBI. The Bank Rate, which is the standard rate at

which the RBI buys or rediscount bills of exchange or other commercial paper, is presently used as a penal rate which the banks have to pay for their failure to meet the mandatory Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).

The Bank Rate, which has been increased by 350 basis points 9.50 per cent was kept unchanged since April 2003.

According to RBI, it should technically be higher than the repo rate, which is the policy rate.

The repo rate currently stands at 8.5 per cent, while the reverse repo rate is 7.5 per cent. It was kept unchanged, "mainly for the reason that monetary policy signalling was done through modulations in the reverse repo rate.

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A young boy was watching a tiny caterpillar struggling to free itself from its cocoon. As much as it tried, the poor little fighter just couldn’t seem to get out. The longer the struggle continued the more tired the caterpillar became. Seeing this, the boy felt compelled to help.

He thought that he could easily help the caterpillar be free and fulfil its destiny to become a butterfly. One small touch with the tip of his finger was all that was required.

Just as he was about to reach out his father came and stood next to him. He asked his son what he was doing. The boy explained that he wanted to help the caterpillar break free. The father explained that breaking free from the cocoon was all part of the growing cycle for caterpillars and that he was sure it would get free eventually.

The boy pleaded that he had been watching for a while and that the caterpillar was becoming tired and he was worried that it may

no longer have the energy to get out. So he thought that he would help. The father smiled and said son, ‘I understand that you want to help, but the caterpillar needs to do this on its own. The struggle will give it strength with which it will later need to fly. By helping it now, you will free it from the cocoon, but you will also prevent it from ever being able to take flight with its own wings.’

All too often we hear people say that people have to learn to help themselves. If you follow US politics you will hear many republicans cite this ideology that a little hardship is actually good for people in the long run as they eventually learn to stand on their own two feet. There is a lot of truth and sense behind thinking. If the state continuously pays so much welfare then people will never gain the skills to go out and get a job.

The challenge lies in defining the line between what is helping and what is

By Amit Patel

hindering. All too often Leaders make decisions to cut staff numbers (or make efficiencies) but are they helping the organisation in the short term while actually causing long term damage?

The easiest steps are usually the least beneficial – or short term. It is one thing to ask a child to read letters on a board to test their eyesight. It is another to tie a blindfold on them and then ask them to do it. Help and hardship are both needed, the task for leaders is to determine when and how much measure they should be given in.

Amit Patel has over 15 years experience in the field of Personal Development and Human Resource Management.

He has delivered speeches on People Management and Development throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. To contact Amit, email amitpatelmail@gmail.com

Vodafone’s quarterly India revenue grows 6.3 pc Britain-based telecom firm Vodafone Group reported a 6.3 per cent rise in its India revenue at 1.02 billion pounds ($1.62 billion) for the quarter ended Dec 31 owing to the increase in the customer base.

The firm had posted 963 million pounds revenue during the like period of the previous financial year, the company said in a statement.

The group's global revenue decreased 2.3 per cent at 11.62 billion pounds during the quarter under review.

"We are continuing to make progress in the key strategic areas of data, enterprise and emerging markets. Despite the further deterioration of the southern European economic environment during the quarter, our broad geographic mix is delivering a resilient overall performance," said Vittorio Colao, chief executive, Vodafone Group.

"Our improved value perception, strong cash

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Forex violation notice to Google

India’s Enforcement Directorate last week issued a notice to Google for alleged irregularities in transfer of funds to its foreign entities.

The Directorate has asked Google India to explain to it the permissions the company has obtained from the Reserve Bank of India for foreign exchange and its source of income in the country, along with income tax returns filed earlier, a new agency reported.

"We are yet to receive the notice and thereby are unable to comment on the specific details," said a Google spokesperson. The Google spokesman said, "We have an obligation to our shareholders to set up a tax efficient structure and our present structure is compliant with the tax rules in all the countries where we operate. We make a very substantial contribution to local and national taxation and provide employment for close to 2,000 people in India." The ED is investigating if the internet search giant allegedly violated the norms laid down by the RBI.

generation and healthy balance sheet give us confidence that we can continue to execute well," he added.

The group also said that the quarter saw 46.4 per cent growth in India's data revenue, adding that

as on Dec 2011 the data customers totalled 31.2 million.

The telecom major also said that while the market remained highly competitive, the effective rate per minute had increased slightly compared to the previous quarter following the penetration of recent price rises into the customer base.

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

21

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

Greece taking the center stage again Greece once again took centre stage as we incurred another round of austerity measures being implemented, with a total of 199 lawmakers voted in favour and 74 against to secure another international bailout.

The passage of the austerity bill put the spotlight on a meeting of euro-region finance ministers where a second aid package will be discussed with another crucial aid package needing approval. Resolution of the negotiations, which started in July, would help contain the threat that speculators will target debt-saddled nations, including Italy and Portugal.German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle lauded Greece’s passage of the austerity measures as a “first significant step in the right direction.” The measures equal about 7% of gross domestic product over three years and include a debt swap that would take 100 billion euros off more than 200 billion euros of privately held debt. The coming events over the next few weeks will have repercussions on the welfare of the Eurozone as a whole, they will set the tone with investors looking closely before deciding their next move.

Elsewhere, the Bank of England last week said it would

pump another 50 billion pounds into the economy under its quantitative easing (QE) programme, to bolster a renascent recovery and deflect any fallout from the debt crisis in the euro zone, Britain's biggest trading partner.

However, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) stated they see this as potentially the last round of QE With the economy on a slightly firmer footing but with inflation well under control, we do not anticipate further quantitative easing beyond that which was announced by the Bank of England. However, clearly, the next step will be tightening as stimulus brings risks, risks of inflation, and the stronger the economy is, the less need there is for QE. With the spotlight on Europe in recent weeks the UK should not be ignored as the next few months will play an integral role in moving out of their debt deficit.

Over the years the Federal Reserve head Bernanke has sometimes proved quite upbeat about the U.S. economy, declaring the impact of bad subprime mortgages on the financial marketsare maintained in 2007 and being far too optimistic about growth last year. Now that employment is accelerating after

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 14th February 2012 @ 11am GBP - INR = 77.68 USD - INR = 49.31 EUR - INR = 65.10 GBP - USD = 1.58 GBP - EUR = 1.19 EUR - USD = 1.32 GBP - AED = 5.79 GBP - CAD = 1.57 GBP - NZD = 1.89

very positive non-farm payroll figures, many are wondering if the central bank again will prove to be mistaken, this time by being pessimistic about the outlook.

The improving job market, stepped-up U.S. bank lending and resurgent financial markets all could combine to boost demand. The jobless rate fell to the lowest level in three years in January, while consumer credit encountered its biggest twomonth gain in a decade at the end of 2011. The stock market had its best January in 15 years,

with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index now up 6.8% since the start of 2012. In addition, with Corporate borrowers are selling bonds at the fastest pace ever, as evidence mounts that the U.S. economy is gaining strength and investors grow more confident that Europe is edging toward a solution to its sovereign crisis.

With all this restored confidence and stability in the market, could this be signs of a global economic push out of the debt crisis? Unlikely just yet but nevertheless it’s a step in the right direction.

GBP - AUD = 1.47 GBP - ZAR = 12.15 GBP - HUF = 346.94

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

22

PakiStan-BangladeSh-Sri lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Pak PM Gilani indicted for contempt of court In Focus Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is indicted for contempt of court for failing to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. There was tight security as the prime minister reached the court premises, reported Geo News.

Gilani has refused to write to the Swiss authorities to recover money allegedly stashed away by the president, as directed by the Supreme Court, arguing that Zardari enjoys immunity under the constitution.

Accused of graft, Zardari had been granted amnesty under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in 2007 by then president Pervez Musharraf to facilitate his return and, primarily, that of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto from self-exile.

Yousuf Raza Gilani

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

Meanwhile, The Pakistani cabinet on Tuesday expressed "full confidence" in Gilani as he prepares to go on trial for contempt of court, which could cost him his job.

"The cabinet unanimously

applauded the conduct of the prime minister in the Supreme Court and reposed full confidence in his leadership," his office said in a statement.

Gilani thanked the cabinet and said he was premier "due to the support of members of parliament, his cabinet colleagues and of the coalition partners".

Gilani must step down: Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif Pakistan Tehreek-i Insaaf (PTI) chief and former Pakistan cricket team captain Imran Khan came out strongly against Gilani on Monday, saying that he must step down immediately. "PM Gilani must step down immediately. Both President (Asif Ali) Zardari and Gilani are corrupt," said Khan.

"The problem in Pakistan is that there is no democracy here. There is no genuine oppo-

sition in Pakistan," he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said that the Zardari-led PPP government had made a mockery of democracy in the country.

"What is the harm in writing a letter to the Swiss government?" Sharif asked. He was referring to the billion of money allegedly stashed away in Swiss banks by Pakistan politicians. "This money is the people's money and should be brought back.

It's only if this letter is writen that the money can be returned. Why is the government scared of writing this letter?" he argued.

"Is the government's committment towards the people or with those who looted this country? The PM should think this through and decide which way he should go," he said.

Pakistan hints at delay in Pak using brutal force in Baluchistan: US lawmakers normalising trade with India

Washington: Accusing Pakistan of using brutal force in Baluchistan, eminent US lawmakers have expressed serious concern over the human rights violations in the restive province.

"Baluchistan deserves our attention because it is a turbulent land marked by human rights violations committed by regimes that are hostile to America's interests and values," Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said at a Congressional hearing.

Rohrabacher is the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which organised the Congressional hearing on Baluchistan.

Stating that Islamabad has refused to concede any legitimacy to Baluch nationalism or to engage the Baluch leadership in serious negotiations, Rohrabacher said: "Its response has been based on brute force, including extrajudicial killings."

In an apparent reference to the concerns being expressed in Pakistan over the hearing, he said its pur-

pose is to start a national dialogue in the US on the current status in Baluchistan.

"This is not to plot out some sort of conspiracy," he said.

Congressman Ted Poe from Texas said that the current situation in Baluchistan fits into the category of selfdetermination. "I'm a great believer in self-determination for people who believe in it as well. Baluchistan, I think, fits that category", he said.

"Somebody over there in Baluchistan has been reading the Declaration of Independence that gives a justification on a moral and legal reason why people can separate themselves from abusive governments," Poe said.

Poe went on to compare Pakistan with Benedict Arnold, an American Revolutionary War General who first fought the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army, and said: "As far as Pakistan goes, they are the Benedict Arnold in the relationship with the United States. Ten years and USD 20 billion later we're still paying them to not look out after our interests.

Lahore: Belying India's expectations, Pakistan on Monday indicated it will not meet the February timeline for normalising bilateral trade, a development which would delay grant of MFN status by Islamabad to New Delhi.

"On this particular issue (from positive to negative list), commerce secretaries of both the countries met twice.

They will keep meeting and discuss everything," Pakistan commerce minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim said, as he received his Indian counterpart Anand Sharma at the Wagah border.

As per an understanding between commerce secretaries of the two countries in November last year, Pakistan was to allow in February 2012, import of all Indian goods, excepting a few items in the 'Negative List'.

Asked about the timeline, Fahim said, "We will try... If we set a new deadline today and tomorrow we slip, it will not be good."

He, however said that the visa issue has been sorted out

Bangalore boy in soup for 'calling' Pak foreign minister Khar Raichur: A call to Pakistan's foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar allegedly from the cellphone of a youth hailing from the remote Buddini village in Sindhanur taluk of Karnataka's Raichur district has landed him in trouble. It is alleged that the youth who called the cellphone of the minister and used filthy language, said local police. The victim, Amaresh, an attender at a private coaching centre, told media: "Neither have I heard of Rabbani Khar nor do I know Urdu or English to abuse her. I do not know what all this is about. I do not know if some student who resides at this centre had used my phone." Police have directed the youth not to switch off his cellphone till they contact him again.

US drone attack kills al Qaeda chief in Pakistan Islamabad: Al Qaeda's chief in Pakistan, who once fought in Jammu and Kashmir, was among four terrorists killed in a US drone attack in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region last week. Badar Mansoor, a former commander of the banned Harkat-ul-Mujahideen militant group that was active in Kashmir, was killed with three others when a spy plane fired two missiles at a compound in Miranshah. This was the second drone attack, when 10 militants were killed in a strike near Miranshah.

Pakistani woman saved after 31 hours under rubble

and an agreement to this effect will be signed soon, enabling businessmen of the two countries to get multipleentries.

On grant of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, he said, "Our Cabinet has already given inprinciple (approval). Now, we are moving towards implementing. It is under process. We are moving fast on this. It takes time."

Even the negative list was to be phased out by Pakistan by end of 2012, culminating into MFN for India and giving boost to the bilateral trade which is at a paltry USD 2.7 billion.

Fahim's remarks may not please Sharma, the first Indian commerce minister in the last three decades to visit Pakistan.

Islamabad: Rescue workers pulled a 65year-old woman out alive after she was trapped for 31 hours in the rubble of a collapsed factory in an eastern Pakistan city, as the death toll from the accident rose to 18. The three-story factory manufactured medicine and collapsed after several gas cylinders inside exploded. It had been set up illegally in a residential area of Lahore and continued operations even though the government tried to shut it down three times. Bibi said she hid underneath a machine when the roof of the room where she was working started to cave in. She was the 15th person to be saved and told the rescuers there were others who were still trapped alive, said Naseer.

10 hurt in grenade attack at Imran Khan's rally Islamabad: As many as ten people, including four police personnel, were injured in a grenade attack and firing at a rally of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan in Swabi area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He is increasingly emerging as the central piece in Pakistan's politics, escaped unhurt as he had already left the venue when the attack occurred.

The Dwindling Sikhs of Kabul London: British born writer Bobby Singh Bansal has just recently returned from a fact- finding mission to Afghanistan and spent several days visiting the local Sikh and Hindu community which he discovered had dwindled from 60,000 to a mere 1,000. This is a ravaged torn country where the ubiquitous American and foreign troops are very much present in protecting major government ministries and NGO installations. Bobby Singh was not only in Kabul to meet the Sikh community but was also here to film a special television documentary to highlight the plight of the Sikhs of Afghanistan. The Sikhs and Hindus of Afghanistan had been an

integral part of Afghan culture and history since the early part of the 19th century. Most of them arrived here during the 1820s as part of missions sent by Maharajah Runjeet Singh of Punjab during the Sikh reign to promote trade in the region.

Numerous Sikhs started to settle in Kabul.

Here are some facts, prior to 1991 during the reign of President Najibullah there were approximately 80,000 Sikhs living in Afghanistan although this figure has not been verified but it is estimated that just in Kabul alone there was 30,000 Sikhs.

They became very successful entrepreneurs who prospered and contributed to the local economy that

most of the money exchanges were now in the hands of the Sikhs. This was a golden period but in 2001 their unique existence and livelihood was shattered by the sudden American invasion which overthrew the Taliban regime. This lead them to sell up or simply abandon their possessions and fled overseas mainly to neigh-

bouring Pakistan and India as refugees, a large number of Sikh refugees had made the arduous journey to Peshawar via the notorious Khyber Pass.

Most Afghan Sikhs have since migrated in large numbers to England where in Southall in west London they have become successful market traders.

Most of the Sikhs who had

fled had no information or contact with friends or colleagues back in Kabul so to verify any report was again difficult to appraise.

Bobby Singh was fortunate enough to ascertain certain facts regarding the Sikh and Hindu communities of Kabul. I had interviewed Afghan Sikh, Narinder Singh who was born in Kabul says “I run a dispensary store where I sell medicines. Life is not the same as it was decades back, most of the rich Sikh families have fled and today only the poor Sikhs remain within the Gurdwara complex as they are unable to afford their own properties. There are no schools for the children nor any teachers here, children spend most of their times doing virtually

nothing and so are void of any education. If I had a chance to leave, I would leave right now” When I asked Narinder Singh where he would travel to, he remarked “I would like to go to India where we can blend in with our fellow Sikh brothers and have a better chance of a viable future” Bobby Singh Bansal’s visit to Kabul has been quite informative for several government institutions and organisations.

He gave a short speech during his visit on the current dire situation of the Sikh community and witnessed at close hand the realisation for urgent need of financial and moral support for this dwindling community.

- Bobby Singh Bansal

world

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

In Focus Pop star Whitney Houston dies in LA

Los Angeles: Whitney Houston, who was pop music’s queen until her majestic voice was ravaged by drug use and her regal image was tarnished by erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died on the eve of the Grammy Awards she once reigned over. She was 48. Houston was pronounced dead in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton, police said. There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent, Beverly Hills police’s Lt Mark Rosen said.

Houston’s publicist Kristen Foster said the cause of the death was unknown.

Gurdwara vandalised in US

Washington: An under construction Gurdwara in the American state of Michigan has been vandalised and defaced with antiMuslim graffiti. The graffiti included vulgar language, racial epithets, the use of what appears to be a cross, a large drawing of a gun, and references to the 9/11 attacks, the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund said, urging the local and federal authorities to initiate a hate crime investigation into it. The vandalism has been condemned by the Michigan chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American Jewish Committee.

Dog bites TV anchor's face during live show

Washington: A TV anchor in US state of Colorado had to be rushed to the hospital and undergo surgery after a dog on her show bit her in the face during a live segment. Max, an 85-pound Argentine Mastiff, sunk its teeth into Kyle Dyer's face when she bent down to pet him during a morning show segment on KUSA-TV, the Daily Mail reported. Dyer, who had been working at the station for over 15 years, had reconstructive surgery. She is going to be out for several weeks for recovery. The dog had survived a harrowing rescue from a freezing pond and was on the show as part of a minireunion between him and his rescuers.

23

Resolve situation peacefully: India tells Maldives

Male: Making it clear that it will not intervene but "engage," India on Saturday asked ousted Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed and his successor Mohamed Waheed Hassan to resolve the "complex" situation in the country peacefully and democratically.

Concerned over the political crisis in this picturesque archipelago following 44year-old Nasheed's resignation last week, India, which dispatched a special envoy to the country said it was for Maldivians to take charge of the situation.

"The situation is of course complex. We would like to

see it resolved in an atmosphere of calm and peace so that it does not affect the common man in Maldives," M Ganapathi, Secretary (West) in the external affairs ministry, told a press conference here before leaving for New Delhi.

He stressed, "There is no countenancing of any intervention at all. It is engagement. It is for Maldivians to take charge." Ganapathi said the purpose of his visit was to meet the widest possible cross-section of stakeholders in Maldives.

Referring to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's letter to Hassan, he said it

A big blow for Pak lobbyist Fai at UN

Washington: A United Nations body has declined to accord special consultative status to the organization of Kashmiri separatist Ghulam Nabi Fai, who has been arrested and charged for illegal lobbying for Pakistan.

The Committee NGOs, entrusted with the task of granting special consultative status to non-governmental organizations has removed the more than decade-old accreditation application of Kashmir American Council (KAC) headed by Ghulam Nabi Fai. Currently chaired by Maria Tzotzorkova of Bulgaria, the committee in its meeting held last week at the UN headquarters in New York decided to remove the

KAC application seeking consultative status with the United Nations, which dates back to 1999, after Fai's organization failed to respond to its questions and also the three reminders send to it.

While UN officials did not say what were the questions asked to the KAC, diplomatic sources familiar with the issue said it was asked about its source of funding. Indian officials had raised objections to the application every time it came up for review.

was for "Maldivians themselves to resolve (their internal issues) peacefully and democratically within the framework of the Constitution of Maldives."

Basides Nasheed and Hassan, Ganapathi met several political leaders here as well as the Chief Justice of Maldives' Supreme Court. He is also said to have met Mohamed Jameel, Maldives' new home minister.

Ganapathi said his discussions were "very friendly" during which he conveyed the elements of the message that Manmohan Singh had mentioned in his letter.

All appreciated the posi-

tion of India, which expressed it continued support for the requirements of Maldives, he said.

Replying to a query on Nasheed seeking India's intervention, Ganapathi said, "... this is an internal development in Maldives which should be resolved peacefully and democratically by the people of Maldives and within the framework of the Constitution." Asked if India had lost out by not backing Nasheed, he said, "I think this is not a cricket match. I think this a serious issue...I think we remain continuously engaged with President Nasheed and his team."

US Senators irked by India’s Iran ties, stalled nuclear trade

Washington: India's continued engagement with Iran in the face of American pathology against Tehran and New Delhi's insistence on putting safety before commerce in nuclear energy trade surfaced as wrinkles in an otherwise smooth and upbeat assessment of US-India ties during the confirmation hearing of Nancy Powell, the US ambassador-nominee to India.

US Senators gushed about the growing closeness between Washington and New Delhi, a proposition supported by Ms Powell, but on a day India's foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai met Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other state department mandarins to present New Delhi's perspec-

tive on these and other issues, lawmakers did not hold back from expressing annoyance at the Indian stance on Iran and stalled nuclear trade with US. The sharpest censure came from New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez who virtually accused India, which is one of Iran's largest energy buyers, of ''rebuking (US-led) sanctions'' and ''looking for workarounds, including considering payments in gold and transactions that detour around” Washington's move forestall Tehran's nuclear ambitions. ''For our sanctions to be effective, it's really crucial that all nations, particularly democratic nations like India, work together to confront Iran,'' Menendez said.

24

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

SIT gives clean chit to Modi in Zakiya Jafri’s case AV Correspondent In what could give a boost to his political ambition, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has been given a clean chit from the Supreme Court- appointed Special Investigating Team in the Zakiya Jafri petition.

The widow of a former Congress MP Ehsaan Jafri, who was killed in the riots, had alleged Modi’s complicity in post Godhra riots.

The SIT filed its final report before the Metropolitan magistrate last week in which it has stated that there was no prosecutable evidence against the Chief Minister.

Importantly, sources say, the SIT has trashed claims of suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt that Modi had issued orders to police officers to allow rioters to vent their anger.

The report is a big disappointment for the riot victims and Zakiya Jafri’s counsel S M Vora filed an application before the court seeking to know whether the SIT had complied with the SC guidelines while submitting the report. “The SC has specifically stated that the SIT has to submit all the relevant documents and not just the report to the court. So we wanted to know if all the case papers and relevant documents have been submitted,’’ said Vora. The court issued notices to SIT to remain present at the next date of hearing.

Narendra Modi

Though the BJP is claming the report to be a major victory for Mr Modi, legal experts see a long drawn out legal battle now since the magistrate has to decide whether to accept the report or not. “The BJP wants to utilize this politically but it’s a fact that it’s the court that will decide,’’ said state Congress president Arjun Modhvadiya.

But for the widow of former Congress MP, Zakiya the battle for justice has only got longer.

Though disappointed, Zakiya said she would continue to fight. “Till I am alive the fight will go on,’’ she said.

Zakiya had filed the complaint in the Supreme Court alleging Modi’s complicity in the post Godhra riots. The former Congress MP was brutally burned to death by a rioting mob at Gulbarga Society on Feburary 28, 2002 along with 68 others. Zakiya had alleged that despite repeat-

ed pleas to Modi’s office by her husband no help was provided.

According to sources, the report says that there was no credible evidence to back Sanjiv Bhatt’s claim that he was present at the law and order meeting chaired by CM in which he had given orders to allow rioters to vent their anger. All seven officials present at the law and order meeting denied Bhatt’s presence at the meeting. No evidence was found to suggest that government orders were issued to fuel riots.

Sources also point out that the SIT has not relied on the report of the Amicus curie Raju Ramchandran who had suggested that the statements of Sanjiv Bhatt should not be trashed.

Another victim of the society, Rupa Mody who lost her only son Azhar in the Gulbarga attack did not understand much of what the SIT closure report meant, but reacting to this development she said, ``We believe in our judicial system and we are hopeful that the court will take one hard look at the report and we will get justice eventually.’’

While the victims continue to await justice, politics has definitely begun over the reported clean chit to Modi who in his tweet has said, “The history of the world is the history of a few men who had faith in themselves.’’

Karnataka sleaze gate ministers quit, BJP embarrassed Three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers in Karnataka resigned from their posts a day after two of them were caught watching porn on the third minister's phone in the state assembly. The opposition is already clamouring for their expulsion from the house.

All three - Laxman Savadi, C.C. Patil and J. Krishna Palemar - claim they have done no wrong and say a probe would prove their innocence.

The three said that they had submitted the resignation from the ministry to Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda "voluntarily".

"We will urge the speaker to set up a probe to prove our innocence," they said.

Private Kannada TV channels showed Savadi intently watching the porn clip while Patil appeared to take a brief look on a cell phone that they said belonged to Palemar.

Gowda, state BJP chief K.S. Eshwarappa and former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa also claimed that the resignations were "voluntary". They did not

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil Ashtavakra, from within his mother’s womb, had corrected his father, who was teaching the Vedas to his disciples. His father had cursed him that he would be born with eight crooked limbs and it took him twelve years to be free of this curse.

The most important practice for a student of yoga is ‘dharna’, the capacity to hold. In correcting his father, Ashtavakra showed that even though he had acquired knowledge in his mother’s womb, he did not have ‘dharna shakti’ or the power to hold it. He corrected his father at a very inopportune moment. Everything that we express, in words or action, has a right time and space. Unfortunately, we do not have the strength to wait for it.

For this small slip in consciousness, Ashtavakra had to pass through a cycle of twelve years to reach to that level of consciousness called dharna. This cycle is called an octave or eight, which is symbolized by Ashtavakra’s transformation from eight crooked limbs to a normal body structure. All that was still lower in Ashtavakra’s psyche was transformed to the higher.

Let us review the story from Ashtavakra’s father’s side. He was not teaching the slokas to his disciples properly. This shows two sides of him. He had knowledge but his being was low. Many of us gather a lot of knowledge but in our personal lives we still are victims of irrita-

Mystery behind Ashtavakra tion, jealousy, suspicion, and egoism. We relate to our family and friends in a very rough manner.

Despite all our knowledge, we have not changed at all. Life is not just gathering of knowledge, but transformation of being.

Change in being is brought about by purifying our emotional energy and rising above the logical mind we are trapped in. Ashtavakra has a debate with Bandi (meaning prisoner) or one who is imprisoned (in logical thinking). In Bandi’s instance, he was a master or an expert at use of the lower or logical mind.

When Rishi Patanjali talks about different kinds of samadhis, the lowest form is the one with judicial thinking. We see this very fine use of the logical mind in great thinkers, judges, and statesmen and Bandi is depicted as such a thinker.

In yoga we say that the intellectual centre is

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

Indian Nobel laureate Amartya Sen honoured in US

want to embarrass the party, the three leaders told reporters at separate meets.

Eshwarappa, however, acknowledged that the development was an embarrassment for the party. "It is unfortunate. I cannot say it has not caused embarrassment to the party," he said.

Eshwarappa said the three want Speaker K.G. Bopaiah to immediately order a probe so they can prove their innocence.

"They are confident of proving their innocence," he said.

Gowda said he had accepted their resignations and forwarded them to the governor for acceptance.

Savadi held the cooperation portfolio, Patil

handled women and child welfare while Palemar looked after environment and ports.

The opposition Congress has mounted pressure for their expulsion from the Karnataka assembly.

"Resignation (from the ministry) is not adequate.

They should be expelled from the assembly. We will insist on their expulsion," state Congress chief G. Parameshwara said. The Janata Dal-Secular party will also seek their immediate disqualification from the assembly, state JD-S chief H. D. Kumaraswamy said. The two parties plan to protest in the assembly till the three are expelled.

The assembly will meet till Feb 10.

Nobel prize winning Indian economist Amartya Sen has been awarded the prestigious US National Humanities Medal by US President Barack Obama.

Prof Sen was awarded the medal for "his insights into the causes of poverty, famine, and injustice", Mr Obama said. Prof Sen is the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Economics.

The 2011 National Humanities Medal was given to Kwame Anthony Appiah, John Ashbery, Robert Darnton and Andrew Delbanco, among others.

Prof Sen is currently a professor of economics and philosophy at Harvard University.

"We even have an economist, which we don't always get on stage," Mr Obama said referring to 78-year-old Prof Sen, before he presented the medal to him at a White House function.

"By applying philosophical thinking to questions of policy, he has

over-developed, while the emotional centre is still raw. Ashtavakra’s father was drowned in the river, where water represents our emotional centre. It takes twelve years for him to come back from the river, signifying that it takes twelve years to transform our lower emotions and reactions into higher ones. A similar period of twelve years can be observed in Arjuna’s tour of religious places and also in the twelve years that Pandavas spent in the forest. After Ashtavakra defeats him, Bandi is also drowned in the river. He now has to work on his emotions to rise from a lower samadhi to a higher one.

The story shows the transformation of three people – Ashtavakra, his father, and Bandi.

King Janaka then takes Ashtavakra as his Guru, and their dialogues are captured in the great classic called the Mahageeta. Let’s keep that for another day.

changed how standards of living are measured and increased our understanding of how to fight hunger," the citation read.

Prof Sen then went on stage to receive the medal from Mr Obama.

The economist is also the recipient of India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna or the Jewel of India.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1998 for his contribution towards understanding the underlying causes of famine.

Prof Sen has written or edited more than 30 books on economics and philosophy. He has also written widely on violence, peace, development, equality and cultural identity.

"I don't really find the division between the subjects contrary to human understanding," he once said. "But if someone were to say to me, you're an economist and you can't study philosophy, that would be contrary to how the human mind works."

Indians have stashed over $500bn in banks abroad, says CBI

Indians are the largest depositors in banks abroad with an estimated 500 billion US dollars (nearly Rs 24.5 lakh crore) of illegal money stashed by them in tax havens, the CBI director said.India, in particular, has suffered from the flow of illegal funds to tax havens such as Mauritius, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, British Virgin islands etc.

Getting information about such illegal transactions is a time taking process as investigators have to peel each layer by sending judicial requests to the country where such deposits have been made.

"53 per cent of the countries said to be least corrupt by the Transparency International Index are offshore tax havens, where most of the corrupt money goes. The tax havens include New Zealand which is ranked as the least corrupt country, Singapore ranked number five and Switzerland number seven," Singh said.

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

In Focus Over 60 pc turnout in UP polls Uttar Pradesh voted with a vengeance as polls got underway with voters braving rain and waterlogged streets to post over 60 per cent turnout in the first and second phase of polling. The surge in numbers was fuelled by young voters, who this time make up a third of the total electorate. In 2007, the state witnessed only 46% polling. The Election Commission said 62% polling was the highest since Independence, beating the 57.13% polled in 1993 when SP and BSP joined hands against the BJP after the Babri Masjid demolition. The second phase recorded over 60 per cent voting.

Student kills teacher in Chennai school In a shocking incident a 40-year-old teacher was allegedly murdered by a student of private school on Armenian Street in Parry’s Corner . When the teacher was waiting in an empty classroom, the boy allegedly walked in and is believed to have slashed her throat and stabbed her in the stomach.

The teacher raised an alarm which brought others rushing The boy was later handed him over to police.A classmate’s parent, Ajmal Khan alleged that the boy was angry with the teacher for some time.

20 killed in Kashmir accident At least 20 people were killed when a mini bus fell from a hilly road into the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. The mini bus which was on its way from Gandoh to Thatri in the mountainous Doda district. The bus rolled down at least 300 feet below from the hilly road. The cause of the accident is not known.

25 peons to be election observers Twenty-five peons at the Directorate of Census Operations here have been handpicked to be "micro observers" in the fourth round of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on Feb 19. The Directorate of Census Operations office at Indiranagar received the Election Commission order two days ago. Also picked with the 25 peons - who form Group D government staff - are senior gazetted officers.

Mumbai blasts: HC upholds death for 3 convicts The Bombay high court upheld the death sentence given to three people convicted in the 2003 Mumbai twin blast case that killed 52 people at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar in 2003. Ashrat Ansari (32), Hanif Sayed Anees (46) and his wife Fehmida Sayed (43) were awarded death penalty by a Special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) Court in August 2009 which held them guilty of planting powerful bombs in two taxis that exploded at the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar in South Mumbai on August 25, 2003, killing 52 persons. This was the first time a married couple was convicted for terror activities and awarded death sentence.

India test-fires interceptor missile India last week successfully test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile from the Integrated Test Range off the Odisha coast. The trial was conducted as part of a plan to deploy a reliable two-layer ballistic missile defence, BMD system. The interceptor was fired at 10.16; only three minutes of the 'Prithvi' firing from launch complex number 4 of ITR in Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. The interceptor successfully hit Prithvi in mid-air over Bay of Bengal.

Patel families welcome tribal bahus Seventy nine couples tied the knot in a rather unique mass marriage ceremony organized by Nana Baar Gaam Kadva Patidar Samaj in Ahmedabad. What was special about the ceremony was that at least seven brides were tribal girls who were being accepted in the Patidar fold with blessings of parents of both brides and grooms. Such marriage was considered blasphemy about a decade ago. However, the skewed sex ratio in the state, which has primarily affected the Patels among other communities, has forced them to accept tribal girls in their fold.

25

India’s Army chief loses age battle in Supreme Court In a major blow to Indian Army chief General V K Singh, the Supreme Court of India last week refused to entertain his plea challenging a government order setting his birth date as May 10, 1950 and said it would be forced to dump it if he did not withdraw it.

The court order has left Gen. Singh with little option over his dragging contention that he was actually born on May 10, 1951 – not 1950 – and that the issue concerned his “honour and integrity”.

Hearing his petition at the admission stage, the apex court also asked the army chief to honour his letters of 2008 and 2009 accepting 1950 as his birth year.

It noted that the government order recognising his birth year as 1950 does not suffer from perversity and

was not grossly erroneous.

It pointed out that some “threshold” documents Gen. Singh had submitted to the government too maintained that he was born in 1950.

The documents relate to the records of the Union Public Service Commission, the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.

The court said there was

no prejudice vis-a-vis Gen Singh and that the government had full faith in him.

Earlier in the day, the government told the court that it had withdrawn a Dec 30, 2011 order rejecting Gen Singh’s plea to reconcile his birth date to May 10, 1950 which prompted him to move the court.

Antony reposes 'full faith’ in Army chief Even though speculation is still rife that General V K Singh may soon resign after losing his battle on the age issue in the Supreme Court, defence minister A K Antony expressed hope the festering controversy was now over while reposing "full faith'' in the Army chief.

"The government has confidence in the present chief and that was conveyed in the Supreme Court also.

Everything is clear and we have confidence in him," said Antony, before leaving for a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia.

"I am very happy this controversy is over after the judgment of the Supreme Court. In the interest of national security, please forget and bury this unfortunate controversy. Whatever has happened has happened and is over now,'' he said.

"I request my colleagues to close this chapter and let us all work together to strengthen national security.

For us, national interest is supreme," he added.

Gen Singh, who has left everyone guessing over his next move after becoming the first serving military chief ever to drag the government to court, also left for a fourday visit to the UK later in the day.

Praful Patel faces CBI in-house probe over bribe link

The CBI has started an inhouse probe into pay-off allegations in the award of a $100 million Air India contract in 2007 when Praful Patel was civil aviation minister, a charge which he denied as "baseless and preposterous".

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had approached the probe agency through diplomatic channels informing it about the scandal and allegations made against Indo-Canadian businessman Nazir Karigar who claimed that he had paid a bribe of $250,000 to an aide of Patel, official sources said. The con-

tract has since been scrapped.

The CBI had recently asked Canadian authorities for a statement from Karigar, who, according to a Canadian newspaper, was to be prosecuted by the authorities in Toronto under the newly-legislated Foreign Public Officials Act. CBI sources said the matter was being investigated by the agency's Secret Unit and it was not a formal preliminary enquiry or regular case yet.

Air India had floated a tender in 2006 for computerised passenger face recognition biometrics system and

Salman Khurshid agrees to abide by Election Commission's guidelines

the businessman was representing CrypoMetrics company. Karigar had claimed that he had met Patel through former Mumbai Police commissioner Hasan Gafoor and allegedly paid the bribe amount to the minister's aide for pushing the contract in favour of his company.

The contract was, however, scrapped after internal objections by officials of Air India and civil aviation ministry. The written statement from Karigar would be helpful to CBI in carrying out further inquiry into the case, sources said.

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Commenting on the poll panel's strictures against him for violating the poll code by promoting minority reservation, India’s Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid has said that he would abide by the Election Commission's guidelines.

"It is absolutely ok; if they have said it then there is no problem in this. It is our legal set up and we have to obey that. What we cannot say today that we will not say. We will say when needed.

Let Election Commission do its work," Khurshid said.

Election Commission has its responsibility and let them work according to their responsibilities and we will work according to our responsibilities and there is no point of debating this topic and there is no problem," he added.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti said that it was for the Election Commission to decide on the episode.

"Election Commission has to decide this whether it will absolve Salman Khurshid or not but Salman Khurshid has violated the model code of conduct and I think that the Election Commission should investigate the matter but who are we to advise the Election Commission," Bharti said in Lucknow.

The alleged bribe scandal came to light after a report was published in leading Canadian newspaper Globe and the Mail which also named Patel, now heavy industry minister, as an intended beneficiary of a $250,000 bribe supposed to have been given by Karigar.

A final call about registering a case would be taken by CBI after receiving a written statement from Karigar, sources said. Patel had earlier written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh terming the allegations as 'baseless and preposterous'.

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26

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

In Focus Blasts rattle Bangkok as Israel accuses Iran A string of blasts rattled the Thai capital Bangkok on Tuesday with Israel pointing the finger at arch-foe Iran, a day after bomb attacks targeted Israeli embassy staff in India and Georgia. The explosions maimed a fleeing suspect believed to be an Iranian national. Israel linked the incident to a wider terrorist threat following Monday's attacks, which left one female diplomat critically wounded in New Delhi. "The attempted attack in Bangkok proves once again that Iran and its proxies are continuing to act in the ways of terror and the latest attacks are an example of that," Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said.

Israeli team making documentary on Bakery A group of four filmmakers from Israel are in Pune to make a documentary on the German Bakery, titled "We All Are One". Uri Artzi, who is directing the documentary, said, "When such incidents take place, a person's religion or nationality does not die; it is people who die.

Through this documentary, we want to tell the people behind these bomb blasts that we are united." The team, which came to Pune on Sunday, plans to spend three weeks here and capture the scene at and around the German Bakery. On Monday, exactly two years after the blast took place, the team spent the entire day at the bakery, recording the denizens who came there to pay tributes and condolences.

Narendra Modi wraps up Sadbhavana at Ambaji

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cal condition, having suffered serious spinal injuries from shrapnel in the device that seemed to contain nitroglycerine.

Israel blames Iran: Israel has blamed Iran for the attack. In an angry reaction, Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Iran is behind these attacks; it is the largest exporter of terrorism in the world.” He further said, “In recent months, we have witnessed several attempts to attack Israeli citizens and Jews in several countries,

including Azerbaijan, Thailand and others. Iran and its proxy Hezbollah were behind all of these attempted attacks.”

The charge was refuted by a foreign ministry spokesperson in Teheran.

“We categorically reject the accusations made by the Zionist regime. They are part of a propaganda war,” the spokesperson said.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, Indian intelligence sources suspected an Iranian connection to the magnetic bomb attack which they feel could be a retaliation against the covert attempts to thwart the Shiite regime’s relentless pursuit of a nuclear programme which the West as well as Sunni Muslim countries are convinced is meant to equip the theocracy with nuclear weapons.

Seconds later, there was an explosion and the Toyota Innova car went up in flames.

Three persons including the Israeli defence attache’s wife Tal Yehoshua Korene, who was going to pick up her children from the American Embassy School, were injured.

Investigators later got a crucial clue to the assailant in the footage from two CCTV cameras installed at industrialist Analjit Singh’s 15, Aurangzeb Road residence. The bomber, in brown jacket on a motor cycle, is seen tailing the embassy car at 3.10 pm at a distance of 2-3 seconds. The cameras could not capture the registration number of the bike.

The victim was in a criti-

come out fighting, as the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, did.

"Will the next step be scrapping the prayers which mark the start of each day in Parliament?

"These legal rulings may also mean army chaplains could no longer serve, and that the Coronation Oath, in which the King or Queen pledges to maintain the laws of God and the lessons contained in the Gospels, would need to be abolished.

Christianity gave the British a sense of fair play: and fair play suggests that those who call God by a different name, or have no god at all, must be treated equally.

"Britain has allowed religious people from many different communities to become agents in national and local life in a way which was perhaps only possible for clergy and leading Christians and Jews in the

past," said Professor Kim Knott of Lancaster University.

So what should the Church of England do?

Apart from complaining, one way forward is to take advantage of its structures and influence to become what Dr O'Toole calls a "broker and arbiter" between the State and people of all faiths.

Ms. Bharti Tailor, Secretary General, Hindu Forum Britain,Committee Member, Hindu Forum of Europe, Member European Council of Religious Leaders appreciated that the man who brought the case has a point. It is the business of a secular council and if you perform prayers, than what of those who do not wish to take part.

There is the argument that perhaps faith helps bring and activate the moral compass, helping those taking the part perhaps to act in

a morally exemplary way.

However morality is not the domain of faith only and those without faith are also made of good moral fibre.

Hindu Forum of Britain’s’ meetings begin and end with prayers. As a person of faith I find that prayers at the beginning and end of meetings help me focus and reflect, respectively.In a secular setting, it does not have to be a prayer of any particular tradition or a prayer at all. Many interfaith events start with a shared silence during which each can pray in their own tradition or just sit in quiet contemplation or meditation.So perhaps a change of mindset is needed by all, do not call it an act of worship but a few moments of shared silence for each council member to shake off the dust and focus and take a moment to remember that they are there to serve and maintain the highest morality and dignity.

Religious freedom under threat in UK

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users on their sites and giving them 36 hours to remove it if someone complains.

The new law has led to two cases being brought by individuals against internet companies.

Despite the new rules to block offensive content, access to the Internet in India is still largely uncensored, in contrast to the tight controls in neighbouring China. But like many other governments around the world, India has become increasingly nervous about the power of social media.

Google Inc , Facebook, Yahoo Inc and Microsoft Corp are awaiting a Delhi

High Court ruling on their appeal against a criminal case brought by journalist Vinay Rai related to content on their websites. The sitting judge said in January that companies were responsible for content on their websites and that he could block sites "like China" if they did not get their house in order.

Sibal said the government had nothing to do with the case. "It is between the complainant and those who have been called," said the minister, who was speaking at an event organised by NASSCOM, an industry body for information technology companies.

Fewer than one in 10 of India's 1.2 billion people have access to the Internet, but that still makes it the thirdbiggest internet market after China and the United States.

The number of internet users in India is expected to almost triple to 300 million over the next three years.

In a scathing order against former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, t h e Bombay High Court said he misused his position to allot film producer Subhash Ghai 20 acres at Film City, Goregaon, for his institute, Whistling Woods, a decade ago for just Rs 3 crore. The Mumbai collector said market value of the plot was Rs 66.21 crore in 2000.

It cancelled the land allotment and directed Ghai to immediately return 14.5 acres. The remaining land on which the institute stands will be taken back in 2014, so that the students admitted in the institute are not affected. Ghai has been asked to pay rent at market rate from 2000, when he got the land, till he returns it.

Israeli diplomat’s car bombed in Delhi

Continued from page 1

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No Indian government will ever censor social media, India’s information technology minister Kapil Sibal said, seeking to calm fears of a China-style crackdown on companies like Google and Facebook.

A court last year ordered 21 companies including Google and Facebook to block material from their websites that could offend religious groups, arousing concerns about freedom of speech in the world's biggest democracy.

"We have never had any intention nor did we ever say we are going to censor social media, but we do believe that all media must obey the laws of this country," Sibal said.

Sibal and other Indian government officials have previously denied that they were promoting censorship of the Internet.

The controversy centres on a law passed last year that makes companies responsible for content posted by

Continued from page 1

"Kahona Khuda se woh langar utha le, hum toofan ki zid dekhna chahate hai." Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi chose a poetic way to warn people of a storm of criticism, which he said would hit the state in the next 24 hours.

Modi's warning in this temple town of Ambaji comes a day before a court in Ahmedabad conducts hearing on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report on Gujarat riots, which has given him a clean chit. Interestingly, it was on September 17, five days after the Supreme Court refused to pass any order on prosecuting him in the post-Godhra riots that he embarked on Sadbhavana fasts. He wrapped up this statewide mission, a day before the hearing on SIT report. "Anti-Gujarat forces are ready with their strategy to attack me and the government again. They are unable to digest the success of Sadbhavana mission. But, I'm confident we will successfully counter this attack with our strength of peace, unity and brotherhood, and emerge unscathed," he said.

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The minister, Mr Pickles, said: "England still remains a Christian country. We have an established Church of which the Queen's the head, these kind of ceremonies have been taking place for a long time and I think it's only right they should be respected.

"I think there's nothing wrong in standing up for part of British traditional Christian culture, as indeed I think it's absolutely right that we should stand up to defend British Muslims.

"The right to worship was, he said, "a fundamental and hard-fought British liberty".

The question now is, how should the State and the judiciary defend that liberty and what part can the beleaguered national church play?

One tactic for those who believe we've lost touch with our Christian heritage is to

feStivaL & hIstory

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

27

Lord Shiva is worshipped on Mahashivratri day Mahashivratri, which falls on 20th February, is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded lot of significance in H i n d u mythology. It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.

According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when his c o n s o r t

Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.

Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and nigh fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc. It is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation.

Shivaratri Celebrations in Temples: After the ritual bath, preferably with the sacred waters of river Ganga, devotees pay a visit to the nearest Lord Shiva temple carrying the traditional puja items like milk, water, bel leaves, fruits, incense stick, oil lamp etc. Due to massive popularity of the festival several stalls selling puja items come up outside the temple and do a thriving business.

In the bigger and more popular Shiva temples there is massive rush of devotees. Long queues can be noticed as devotees, mostly women, wait for their turn to perform puja. Since, bathing of Shiva Linga with milk is part of the Shivaratri Puja tradition; little rivers are formed due to the excessively overflowing milk and fruit in the Shiva temples on this day.

Chatrapati Shivaji the great warrior of India Chatrapati Shivaji was born at the Shivneri fort on February 19th, 1630 and his birthday is celebrated on a grand scale in Maharashtra and Goa. He was a great leader and the creator of the Maratha state.

Chatrapati Shivaji is not only a hero for the people of Maharashtra but for those of India as well.

On the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti several processions are taken out and people dress up like Shivaji and his associates. Various programmes remembering the achievements of the great ruler are organized on the occasion.

He enjoys the status of demi god and his posters adorn the walls of all public and government institutions. His life story is read out to youngsters, plays depicting his life are staged across the state.

Politicians pay their respect to the great warrior by garlanding his statue in public gatherings.

The popularity of Shivaji in Maharashtra can be gauged from the fact that the International airport, major railway station, stadiums etc. are all named after Chattarpati Shivaji. Shivaji had great mind of constructive genius of medieval India.

Time may change, empires may go and dynasties may become faded, but the greatness of Shivaji is alive in the minds of the people of India. His dazzling vic-

tories and ever-ready smile made him the idol of his soldiers.

He was named after the local Goddess Shivai, to whom his mother prayed for a son. His father Shahaji Bhosle was the chief of the kingdom of Bijapur. He was however, not allowed to take charge of any fort. His mother had a great influence on him as he was introduced to Indian epics of Mahabharata, Ramayana and other holy books by her. Shivaji also gained a lot of knowledge from his father’s unsuccessful attempts to gain power.

He was inspired by his father’s military tactics, peacetime diplomacy and also possessed knowledge of Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures.

He united the Maratha chiefs from Maval, Konkan and Desh regions for a higher purpose - the promotion of Maharashtra Dharma - and carved out a small kingdom by defeating the alien powers. He established the state with effective civil and military administration and adopted a policy of religious tolerance to accommodate all religions and sects in his state.

By Dr Anil Mehta

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army

subhas Chandra Bose (1897-1945), Indian revolutionary leader, led the Indian National Army (INA) against the British in 1944 during Indian independence struggle. however, in a closedfought battle on the Assam front his army was defeated and forced to retreat.

Born in Cuttack (orissa), the son of a wealthy and prominent Bengali lawyer, Bose was educated at the universities of Calcutta and Cambridge. he left a career in Indian Civil service in 1921 to fight for Indian independence and was imprisoned several times by the British.

Bose joined Jawaharlal Nehru for independence movement. he became President of the Congress Party (1938) but was opposed by Gandhiji whose principles of nonviolence and anti-industrialisation he did not accept and was forced to resign the following year. Bose favoured industrialisation of India and believed in use of force against the British if necessary. he found his own radical group of like-minded people, the Forward Block, and looked for a more active mode of struggle than the passive resistance of the Congress. however, in the meantime he was again arrested and sent to prison (1940), but was released after hunger strike (fast unto death). In 1941 he evaded British surveillance and fled to Germany.

Bose reached Germany in April 1941. he chose to secure Nazi support as allies against the British in his struggle for India’s freedom. he had no ideological inhibitions in his search for collaborators to achieve his goal. he and other Indians in Berlin set up a Free India Centre and began regular propaganda broadcasts from the German sponsored Azad hind radio. however he failed to muster any decisive help from fascist powers and left Germany in 1943 for Japanese-occu-

pied singapore in a submarine arriving singapore in May 43.

In singapore Bose took over from an expatriate nationalist leader rash Behari Ghosh as leader of Indian Independence Movement (League) and with Japanese aid formed a trained army of 50,000 Indian soldiers of which he became supreme Commander. the soldiers recruited were Indian prisoners-of-war (PoWs); the force also included Indian residents of the area including women. It was called Azad hind Fauj or Indian National Army, thus claiming to represent free India. Bose proclaimed that the INA would free India by military means. It is interesting to know that the INA was originally founded by Captain Mohan singh in 1942 with Japan’s Indian PoWs in the Far East. however, it was disbanded in few months after disagreement with Japanese authorities.

In october 1943, Bose proclaimed the provisional government of Azad hind (Free India) of which he became head of state and PM. It was based in ‘liberated’ Andman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

Andaman and Nicobar, the only two territories under Japanese occupation were renamed shaheed and swaraj Islands, (however, independent India did not adopt the new names in 1947). Provisional Azad hind government was recognised by Axis powers such as Germany, Japan, and Italy.

In January 1944 Bose moved his provisional capital to rangoon and in March the INA along with the Japanese troops launched an attack on Indian front from the Burma side which took the British by surprise. Before INA began marching north (from rangoon) to the battle cry of ‘Chalo Delhi’, Bose said to his men: ‘our work has already begun, let us fight till our national flag flies over the Viceroy’s house in New Delhi’. he promised his men freedom

in exchange for their blood (‘Give me blood, I will give you freedom’). soon the army stormed on Indian soil and after the most fiercely fought battle of the campaign, took Kohima (April) and Imphal (May) with deafening sounds of ‘Jai hind’ and ‘Netaji Zindabad’. the INA victory, though great moral boosting, proved short-lived. the tide soon turned against them after the 1944 monsoon season.

British garrison which withstood much larger mixed Japanese and Indian forces long enough, fought back hard when the allied reinforcement was flown in after the rains, and defeated IndoJapanese forces which retreated back to Burma.

Many factors were responsible for INA defeat. shortage of equipment and supplies, depletion through casualties and desertions, lack of assistance from the Japanese including air support, and constant allied bombardments meant that the INA had no chance. they were completely demoralised and shattered. the provisional government’s aim of establishing a base in mainland India was lost forever. sadly, Bose’s promise of freedom to his men was not fulfilled.

Japanese surrender at the end of the war (1945) also led to the eventual surrender of the INA. A few days after Japan’s surrender in August 1945, Bose, while fleeing to tokyo, was reportedly killed in taiwan as a result of a plane crash on 18th August. he was 48. Although he was criticised for his fascist link, his bravery, inspirational leadership, coupled with his genuine and fierce nationalism has made him a legendary figure in India. the INA too served to inspire the Indian National Movement and evoked great pride in India. It was a cruel irony that Netaji’s dream of independent India was only posthumously achieved, two years after his death.

28

travel & women

asian voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Purvi’s travel bag

women achievers

By Purvi Apurva Shah

VARshA AdAljA

the literary woman of Gujarat

By AV Correspondent

Dharamsala

the spiritual capital of the world When you travel to Dharamsala you feel as if you are traveling in a Tibetan city. Everything here is very much Tibetan.

Since 1959 there has been lot of Tibetan migration who has made this place look like Tibet. The best part of this place is that it generates lot of spirituality, as this place is influenced by Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. A right place for meditation, yoga and a place to rejuvenate you with Tibetan energetic and Tibetan healing techniques.

To rewind and know more about this place, let’s recall the time in 1959 when the Tibetan settlement started in Dharamsala, that was when his Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee Tibet and India allowed him and his followers to settle in McLeodGanj (in Upper Dharmshala), a former colonial British summer picnic spot.

A must go and see

place is the library opened

by Dalai Lama. This library consists of 80,000 manuscripts of Tibetan works related to Tibetan history, politics and culture. It is considered one of the most important institutions for Tibetology in the world.

McLeodGanj is some-

times known as 'Little Lhasa", after the Tibetan capital city, or 'Dhasa', a compound of 'Dharamsala' and 'Lhasa'. It has become an important tourist destination with many hotels and restaurants.

There is an air of harmony, warmth and human compassion all around the valley.

There are many unique things in this tiny town...First of all the flavour of hot steaming Tibetan 'momos' to ward off the winter

chill...Tibetan food simply leaves your taste buds wanting more. Try to buy Tibetan duvet covers, Tibetan fur hats, Tibetan singing bowls for it help the welfare of the refugees.

Visit Dalai Lama home, Tibetan monasteries, Tibetan medicine practitioners and get Tibetan medical charts.

Then there is the Bhagsu waterfall. One can also spend some time at Bhagsunag temple, the Kunal Pathri temple and at the Dal Lake.

Dharamsala, a city in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh is a popular holiday resort for tourists. Dharamsala had been annexed by the Britishers who resided there. Even the Gorkhas also came and settled here.

Dharamsala has no railway station and Pathankot is the nearest railhead connecting to Delhi. Direct fights from Delhi are available. The airport is 15 km away from Dharamsala.

God do not belong to any caste: Ramakrishna Paramhansa

Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti is celebrated on the 2nd day of Phalgun Shukla Paksh every year. In 2012, Swamiji’s Jayanti falls on 23rd Feb, 2012.

The birthday of Sri R a m a k r i s h n a Paramahansa is another famous religious festival which is held every year at the Belur Math, headquarters of the Ramakrishna mission. This festival draws not only Hindus but people of other religions and Non-Indians, and millions of people converge there to pay homage to the great saint.

On his festival day large number of people belonging to different religions converge together to pay their homage to this unsurpassed saint and an ecstatic holy man, whose

teachings still remains in the heart of people.

Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa was an incomparable spiritual saint, whose teachings influenced many lives across the globe and even continues to do so till today, becoming more and more distinct as the effects of his God-centered life marked in our contemporary human culture.

Swamiji also himself practiced all different religions and worshipped Goddess Kali, Jesus Christ and Allah during his life time to experience and teach that all religions lead to one common , supreme power of Almighty!

Swamiji was born in 1836 at Kamarpukur in West Bengal, about 70 miles from Calcutta.

During the short life span of 50 years, Swamiji exercised a profound spiritual influence and encouraged people towards secularism.

He taught that there is one supreme power of Almighty whether he is Bhagwan of Hindus or Allah of Muslims, or Jesus of Christians or Guruji of Sikhs. That absolute power remains one and only one, only the name differs from religion to religion.

Varsha Mahendra Adalja is a well-known name in the literary circles of Gujarat. She has influenced several thinkers and social movements through her write- ups. She has bagged several awards for her literary works and contributions. The Gujarati feminist writer was born in 1940 in Mumbai to a family of writers.

She has an M.A. in Sociology from Bombay University.

She began her literary career as an editor first with ‘Sudha,’ the women's weekly (1973-1976), and later with ‘Gujarati Femina,’ another women's magazine (1989-90). She has held an executive position with the prestigious Gujarati Sahitya Parishad since 1978.

Varsha writes fiction and essays in Gujarati and Hindi. She is also active as a dramatist, writing for the stage, screenplays, and the radio. She has produced an award-winning television film on leprosy and has long been associated with the Gujarati

drama group ‘Rangabhumi.’ She uses her writing to explore women in contemporary middle class Indian society.

She has won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1995; Soviet Land

Nehru Award in 1976; Gujarati Sahitya Academy Award thrice for 1977, 1979, 1980; and Gujarati Sahitya Parishad Award in 1972 and 1975. The Library of Congress has twenty-four of her books.

She won the 1995 Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati language for her

novel Ansar. She has penned 40 books, including 22 novels and seven volumes of short stories.

She did her B.A. in Gujarati and Sanskrit from Mumbai University in 1960.

Recently she was in the news because of copyright problems with one of her works. Her story was used by Balaji Telefilms without seeking her permission. Finally the production house has to pay her the dues.

Adalja, 68, who started as a journalist, had to go through a horrifying two year long battle with the television production house, which allegedly used her Gujarati novel “Retpankhi” as an inspiration for their TV series “Bandini” starring Ronit Roy and Aasiya Kazi. The show ran for nearly two years, the period which was fruitful for the makers but not for the writer who had to fight for her dues. And finally, after innumerable trips to various offices and a twoyear-long wait, Varsha was paid an amount of Rs 750,000 by the production house.

By Purvi Apurva Shah

Happening State Gujarat

A live case of can-doism Authors: Prof Pravin Sheth & Dr Pradeep Mallik “You are stupid if you are not in Gujarat.” This was a comment by Tata group Chairman Ratan Tata while he shifted Nano plant from West Bengal to Gujarat. The statement made by him is very true, as the speed at which Gujarat is growing is tremendous. To know how rapidly Gujarat is growing, you have to simply pick the book’ Happening State Gujarat’ that unveils to let you know that Gujarat is growing so much that the time is not far off when Gujarat will have the largest economy in the world.

Right now, it has the largest growing economy in India; Gujarat’s GDP has been growing at 12%, as fast as China’s. This state has been phenomenal in the history of India.

What was not happening in last 45 years has actually happened in last five years in Gujarat and that too in such a way that it

has made Gujarat won 60 prestigious awards from United Nations, Commonwealth, Asian Innovation and many other awards. The awards include best governance to best sanitation, from welfare to best infrastructure in roads, ports and airports. There is hardly any segment where Gujarat is not leading.

Gujarat is one of the most prosperous states in India, having a per capita GDP 3.2 times higher than India’s average.

Gujarat holds many records in India for economic development: 20% of India’s Industrial Output; 9% of India’s Mineral Production; 22% of India’s exports; 24% of India’s textile production; 35% of India’s pharmaceutical production; 51% of India’s petrochemical production etc. Now no field has been left it to conquer.

Gujarat Chief minister Mr Narendra Modi has been voted the best CM in India. His vision is Panchamrut-Jnana Shakti (power of knowledge),

Urja Shakti (power of energy), Jal Shakti (power of water), Raksh Shakti (power of security) and Jan Shakti (poser of people). His administration has shaped the state to become Singapore of Asia.

Authors Prof Pravin Sheth, an eminent scholar of political science, Indian Diaspora, Gandhian philosophy and environment and scholar journalist Dr Pradeep Malik has made one of the best encyclopedia of today's Gujarat reflecting on its every dimension that are progressing by and large. In fact, a handbook every Gujarati and Indian should read to know how Gujarat is pushing India to its best. A must read for non-resident Indians to understand the vibrancy of Gujarat.

HealTH WatcH

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Owning car, TV ups heart attack risk

A new study has revealed that people owning a car or a TV have a 27 per more chances of a heart attack than those who didn’t.

But the study spanning 52 nations and 25,000 people holds out the heartiest promise ever: the risk of heart attack can be neutralized with the mildest of physical activity. Said Dr Aashish Contractor, a preventive cardiologist, says, “The study is heartening because it makes it clear that people don't need strenuous exercises to reduce the risk of a heart attack. Even mild physical activity can be useful.''

The global study on heart attacks includes data from India as well. A couple of years back it showed that Indians got heartattacks a decade before their Caucasian counterparts.

The new study was undertaken for obvious reasons: rising urbanization has led to a sedentary lifestyle across the world.

"A sedentary lifestyle has become increasingly common in many developing countries, and with it, the incidence of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and CV (cardiovascular) disease has also risen,'' said the study's main author, Claes Held of Uppsala University in Sweden.

The team identified

Cooked tomatoes can help in cancer cure

A nutrient in cooked tomatoes can slow the growth and even kill prostate cancer cells, a study done by an Indianorigin researcher-led team has claimed.

Mridula Chopra and colleagues at the University of Portsmouth, through laboratory studies tested the effect of the nutrient lycopene on the simple mechanism through which cancer cells hijack a body's healthy blood supply to grow and spread. The research found that lycopene , which is what gives tomatoes their red colour, intercepts cancer's ability to make the connections it needs to attach to a healthy blood supply.

The researchers are now calling for tests to check if the same reaction occurs in the human body.

"This simple chemical reaction was shown to occur at lycopene concentrations that can easily be achieved by eating processed tomatoes," Chopra said.

Lycopene is present in all red fruits and vegetables, but its concentrations are highest in tomatoes and become more biologically active when it comes from processed tomatoes with a small amount of cooking oil added.

various factors leading to ill-health: increasing urbanization, mechanization at work, more motorized transportation, "a societal structure that discourages walking but encourages the use of physical activity limiting devices (cars, escalators, and elevators), and the widespread availability of appliances that promote sedentary behaviour such as the television (TV) and computers''.

The researchers then began mapping possessions - a TV at home or car to work - versus the risk of a heart attack among people. After comparing the possessions of people who have undergone a heart attack against those who hadn't, the association was clear: while people with a TV or car or both had a 27% greater risk of a heart attack, people who had none of these machines or

owned cattle had the lowest risk.

But all is not lost in the equation linking sedentarianism-obesity-heart problems. Said Dr Prafulla Kerkar, who heads the cardiology department of KEM Hospital, Mumbai, "The West went through this a few decades back.

Their growing realization has led them to shed sedentarianism.

Some European buildings have lifts available only from the second floor onwards, forcing people to climb stairs.

During lunch breaks, the western society prefers to pack in a bit of exercises or walk. '' The study in fact focuses a lot on physical activity at leisure that can help control heart problems.

"The study shows that people doing any activity can reduce their heart attack risk (in comparison to those who don't do any

activity at all) by almost 50%,'' said Dr Aashish Contractor, who is attached to the Asian Heart Institute.

"The study says that people who do 30 minutes of activity per week in their leisure time could reduce their heart attack risk by 21%. Those who do 210 minutes of activity per week can reduce the risk by over 44%,'' he pointed out. Those who pursued activity for 60-180 minutes per week could reduce their risk by 40%.

"If we look at the figures, the study shows that one need not do fabulously hard work to stay fit. Even small steps - just 30 minutes per week - will help keep your heart healthy.''

The Interheart study provides the simplest solution: "Ideally, we should adopt the example set by the Danish and commute by bike.''

Begin your day with oats

8 glasses of water a day keeps fat away

Everybody needs to be health conscious today, because most of us face health risks due to various reasons like bad food habits, lack of exercise, stress, obesity, drinking alcohol, smoking, etc.

Being healthy begins by eating healthy. Most of us begin our day by having breakfast that is high in fat and calories, for eg butter jam toast, cheese sandwiches, omelet’s, sheera, vadas, dosas, etc. which is bad for the heart. You need to begin your day with a non-oily nutritious breakfast, for example, having oats. It's quick and easy to prepare, so you can't complain about not having the time to prepare breakfast.

Here are some of the benefits of oats: • Oats contain soluble fibre called beta glucan, which is known to help in reducing cholesterol by the blocking of re-absorption of cholesterol when it passes through the digestive system. Regularly having oats lowers the cholesterol levels in the body.

• Oats contains low levels of sodium. This

reduces the risk of contracting high blood pressure and hypertension.

• The soluble fibre present in oats tends to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, thereby reducing the spikes in the blood sugar levels, which in turn do not lead to unwanted urges to eat.

• Eating oats leaves one much fuller, therefore you tend to eat less. This is especially good for those trying to lose weight.

• Oats contains very less amount of fat and lesser calories. This makes it good for overall health.

• Being a good source of natural dietary fibre, oats are beneficial in curbing the problem of constipation.

• Oats are also known to contain compounds called phytochemicals that can reduce one's risk of cancer.

Water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off.

Water supresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat.

Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.

Here's why: The kidneys can't function properly without enough water.

When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body.

But if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work it can't operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention.

Sunshine plays vital role in protecting kids from asthma

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found at lower levels in people with asthma. The study results show that there is a higher prevalence of this illness among children in wetter places with less sun.

"Although we need more studies on this issue - this hypothesis is not even five years old it is clear that an average level of sun exposure is important for the assimilation of vitamin D, a compound that is extremely important in preventing illnesses such as asthma, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases", added Arnedo-Pena.

A new study has shown that children who live in colder, wetter cities are at greater risk of suffering from asthma, since there are fewer hours of sunlight in such places.

"Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause cancer, but it's also dangerous to avoid it. There has to be a balance between the pros and cons", Alberto ArnedoPena, an epidemiologist and a researcher said.

In fact, 90% of our vitamin D is synthesised through exposure to the sun. This vitamin, which can be found in various cell receptors, is usually

How to control hiccups cause an individual to get hiccups. In infants, the temperature drop is more noticeable. There are indeed a lot of ways to suppress hiccups. Here are some of them: • The best way to suppress hiccups is to relax and control your breathing • Drink at least two to three glasses of water without a pause • Taking sugar or honey is a popular method • Try to keep your mind off the thought of hiccup • There is the lemon method, where you cut a lemon in half and then suck the juice from each of them If hiccups last longer better consult a doctor.

Hiccups are quite common. It often occurs during emotional stress or after drinking carbonated drinks or alcohol.

Even prolonged laughter can cause hiccups. They can be partly psychological in the case of adults as well. Though no one knows for sure what causes hiccups in babies, certain research shows that some foods that a breastfeeding mom eats can increase the likelihood of hiccups in the baby. So, it is better to avoid the consumption of too much spicy food or caffeinated beverages. As a baby is introduced to solid foods, sensitivity or intolerance can cause hiccups as well. A sudden drop in temperature can

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 In this week CB Live, meet Rohit Shah, who would talk about RBI's rules and regulations and other norms to buy or sale property in India.

Also meet Depan Patel of Genie, who will be talking about career, different educational subjects, tutors and tuitions.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 Your ruling planet, Mars, will spend the first quarter retrograde in Virgo, it will also push you to focus and finish like never before. Utilise, this time to finally catch up on every loose end and unfinished project that's piled up over the past few years.

Relationships continue to be challenged and tested by Saturn in your 7th house.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

7pm to 8pm Every Thursday

For more information e-mail: blive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Coming Events l Sparks LSE 2012. 18th and 19th February, 8:30am-9pm. For venue, speakers and schedule see http://2012.sparkslse.com/ l Jalaram Bapa’s Punya 131 tithi, Friday 17th February 2012 from 9am to 5.30pm. Prasad from 1pm to 3pm and 6pm to 8pm. Maha Shivratri- Shiv puja.

Monday 20th Feb, 9am-6pm.

Shree Jalaram Mandir, 39-45 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9LB, Tel: 020 8578 8088 / 9285

COMPETITION WINNErs Q: Who is the producer of Ekk Deewana Tha? Gautam Menon Winners are: Hasu Gangadia & Harman Unadkat

A Snow Ganesh was made

by Miten Patel in Orpington with friends and family. Miten wishes all our readers a happy and prosperous 2012.

l Cardiff Sanatan Dharma Mandal & Hindu Community Centre. Maha Shivratari, Monday 20th February, 8.00 to 10.pm. Lord Mayor’s charity event for Cancer Research Wales, Saturday, 3rd March 2012, 6.00 to 10.00 pm. l Holki Dhuleti, Thursday, 8th March 2012, from 8.00pm to 10.00pm Seaview Building, Cardiff, CF24 5EB. Contact Vimlaben Patel on 07979155320. On Sunday 19th February 2012 - 3.30pm to 5.15 Bhajans by Arvindbhai Kotak + Artists followed by Arti, Maha Prasad. l On Monday 20th February 2012 - Maha ShivratriShiv puja, 11.30am until 5.00pm, Adhya Shakti Mataji temple, 55 High Street, Cowley, Middlesex UB8 2DX. Tel: 07882 253 540 l Spend a romantic Valentine’s evening with Radhika Chopra - a great geet & gazal singer from India - on Sunday 19.02.2012. Dinner @ 6.30 p.m. Programme starts @ 8.00 p.m. Venue: Sangat Centre, Sancroft Road Harrow HA3 7NS. Contribution: £20.

Contact Bhanubhai Pandya 07931 708 026 l Maha Shivratri Celebration organised by Jalaram Jyot, Repton avenue, HA0 3DW. Sunday 19th Feb, 3pm-7:30pm. 20th Feb: Shiv Pooja From 9.00am till 7.00pm.Contact: CJRabheru - 07958 27522 l Yourshiv Group present’s on Shiv Ratri Shiv Abhishek & poojan at 4am.

Contact Ashok 07727242005. l Dr Rami Ranger, MBE, FRSA, International Chairman & Mr Ashok Verma, President GPS UK Chapter celebrate the festival of Holi on 18 March 2012, 1100 – 1500 hrs Venue: Mumbai Gardens, Headstone Lane, North Harrow, HA2 6LY Ph: 020 8421 1679

A snow leopard was created by Nitin Rabadia and Sona Rabadia outside their house in Wembley.

They worked for 4 hours to create this snow sculpture and the lines were made with colours.

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief Operating Officer ABPL: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 - Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Advertising Managers: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Media Consultant: Rovin John George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Nihir Shah - Email: nihir.shah@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4089 - Mobile: 07875 229 111 Business Development Manager: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

With lucky Jupiter continuing to bless your stars, you can definitely expect to have the Midas touch. While Mars is retrograde until May, you may find your energy consumed with lovers from the past. That's not necessarily a problem as long as you realize you must sometimes go backward in order to move forward.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

Saturn, in your romance and creativity sector, has taught you a lot of lessons in love. With Mars activating your domestic sector, you'll have plenty of intensity on the home front to contend with. If you're not happy with your current living quarters, this is the time to put energy into making that change.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

Pluto has been working on deeply transforming your partnership sector (forcing you to shed the outmoded). Saturn has been weighing heavily on your family and home sector, bringing plenty of challenges your way.

Remember this cosmic taskmaster also revealed the importance of your roots.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

A good time for you, Leo, especially in the career realm while Jupiter is in the sign of loyal Taurus. Mars has activated your financial sector for some time. Your energy will be used up making (and spending) money. A good time to conserve your resources while Mars is retrograde.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 The presence of Neptune - the planet of illusion and longing - in your partnership sector, you have a tremendous amount of compassion for your partner. Just be wary of becoming too self-sacrificing. Seeing what you want to see, rather than what's real, is the true pitfall of Neptune's rose-coloured glasses.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 Karmic taskmaster Saturn has been transiting your sign for a long time.

Relationship lessons have been relentless throughout this time. It is time to make important decisions about commitment or when to quit. Jupiter in the 8th house will help you change direction in your life and renew yourself.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 With Mars in its retrograde cycle in your 11th house, we are forced to reassess our current projects, our approach to getting what we want, and our desire nature. Mars energy is essentially turned inward. The cosmos are asking us to look before we leap rather than throw ourselves into action, just for the time being.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 With the Sun transiting your house of family and home, these areas are your instinctive focus during this period. This is a time when you put down roots and seek to belong.

Besides, the focus can be on cultivating and nourishing your inner foundations that support you and your growth.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 The Sun is transiting your 3rd house of communications. You are more curious and alert than usual, and you could be quite busy with errands, paperwork, phone calls, and light socializing. The ability to express and communicate your ideas is extremely important to you at this time.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Your focus is on material affairs and comfort issues. Security is a driving force for you at the moment, and you might find that you are especially interested in accumulating possessions. This is the time of year when personal finances and possessions receive maximum attention.

Your charisma, appearance and self-expression are to the forefront. Spontaneity of expression is what this transit is about. Increased energy and a renewed feeling of confidence is with you now, so take advantage. There's nothing wrong with achieving your personal goals, it's time to carve your own path in life.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

Sport world

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

Finally something to cheer for India India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni fell just short of pulling off another thrilling run chase as his team fought out a dramatic tie with Sri Lanka in the fifth triangular series match at Adelaide on Tuesday.

Needing four to win off the last delivery, Dhoni (58 not out) lofted paceman Lasith Malinga over cover but could manage only three runs before the throw came in from the fielder patrolling the boundary.

India, needing nine off the last over, finished on 236 for nine wickets from their 50 overs, exactly the same score as Sri Lanka.

On Sunday, in a similar situation against Australia at the same venue, India needed 13 off the last over and Dhoni hit a huge six to lead his team to a four-wicket victory.

Opener Gautam Gambhir (91), who had made 92 on Sunday, once again missed out on his hundred after he was run out by a direct hit at the non-striker's end.

Dhoni called Gambhir for a non-existent single and sent him back, leaving him no chance of making his ground.

Left-handed opener Gambhir added 60 for the fifth wicket with Dhoni to anchor India's chase after Sachin Tendulkar once again failed in his bid to complete his 100th international century.

Tendulkar (15) got a thick edge to Kumar Sangakkara behind the stumps off medium pacer Nuwan Kulasekara.

Earlier, Sri Lanka lost their way during the batting powerplay, losing three wickets in quick succession.

Dinesh Chandimal (81), captain Mahela Jayawardene

MS Dhoni carves the last ball for three through the covers to tie the game at Adelaide on Tuesday.

(43) and Thisara Perera (5) got out during the five-over period which took the momentum away from the innings.

Dhoni takes India home after Gambhir heroics: Gautam Gambhir's 92 at the top and some smart batting by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the finish helped India chase down a 270-run target against Australia in Adelaide on Sunday for their second win in the triangular series.

The visitors, needing 13 runs in the last over, reached the mark with four wickets in hand and two balls to spare, aided by a huge straight six

by Dhoni who remained unbeaten on 44 to see India through.

UK minister celebrates London 2012 in Chennai UK’s Olympics Minister Jeremy Browne, MP, participated in a penalty shoot out with India’s former hockey captain and Olympian Mr Viren Rasquinha in Chennai. The event was held to inspire local school children through sports, as the UK had promised upon winning London 2012. The charity COO was coordinating this event, Mr Rasquinha spent time giving children about tips for Olympic hockey success.

Also participating in the skills clinic and a penalty shoot-out at the YMCA College of Physical Education Campus was Mr Mike Nithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai.

The charity was started by Indian sporting legends Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone. This charity aims to bridge the gap between the best athletes in India and the best athletes in the world, thus helping Indian athletes win Olympic Gold medals. The event underlines the UK’s commitment to building a stronger, deeper, wider partnership with India, including in the sporting arena.

Mr Browne added “I am delighted to have the chance to promote the London 2012 Olympics with sporting greats such Viren Rasquinha. Viren’s skill, enthusiasm for sport, and willingness to share this with the upcoming generation shows why the Olympic spirit has a bright future in India.” The British High Commission is running a series of events across India to celebrate sport and the London 2012 Olympics: www.ukinindia.fco.gov.uk.

Clint McKay, the most successful bowler for Australia on Sunday with three for 53, made it easier for the Indians by bowling a no-ball in the last over.

Left-handed Gambhir laid the foundation for India, stitching together two fiftyrun stands with fellow opener Virender Sehwag (20) and later with Rohit Sharma (33) for the third wicket.

Suresh Raina (30-ball 38) and Dhoni then added 61 runs for the fifth wicket before Raina fell with India still needing 31 runs for victory.

Ravindra Jadeja also departed soon but Dhoni stayed till the end to ensure there were no further hiccups.

Earlier, solid half centuries from David Hussey (72) and debutant Peter Forrest (66) took Australia to 269 for eight after captain Michael Clarke opted to bat after winning the toss.

India manage a win over Lanka: Thanks to Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin India managed to clinch a four wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Commonwealth Bank triangular ODI series at WACA last week. The match was swinging from one end to the other before Jadeja and Ashwin managed to swing it to India’s favour.

India required 53 runs from 14 overs – the side was 181 for six – when Ashwin joined Jadeja. Sri Lanka, which has made 233 for eight after electing to bat, was closing in for the kill.

Ashwin (30 not out) and Jadeja (24 not out), both spin bowlers, handled the situation with a calm mind. They collected ones and two by relying on deft placements.

Only when the ball was lacking in direction or length did they venture into the bigger strokes.

Jadeja cut Tillakaratne Dilshan, while Ashwin timed paceman Lasith Malinga through wide mid-off and pulled seamer Dhamika Prasad past the ropes. Soon, India was home. Ashwin, who had contained and struck with his off-spin to finish with figures of three for 32 in the Sri Lankan innings, was adjudged Man of the Match.

Virat Kohli's 94-ball 77 held the Indian innings together. Sachin Tendulkar made 48.

National Hindu Students Forum (UK)

By Kiran Patel, Central Zone Coordinator

Annual sports competition

The National Hindu Students Forum (UK) will be organizing its annual sports competition on February 18th in Tipton. The day will see Hindu students from across the UK endeavour to be crowned champions. The competition will be one of the biggest events of the NHSF (UK) this year and will be brought to the West Midlands for the first time, having been hosted at Loughborough University in the past.

With 37 chapters taking part, as well as sixth form teams, this year is set to

be the biggest event and allows more teams to enter and new sports to be added to the day.

In addition to football, netball and cricket, as well as kabaddi and kho kho, this year’s competition will see the introduction of badminton to be played as a mixed-doubles sport event. The annual NatCom AllStars kabaddi match will be one to watch.

Like every year Shiv pujas and sale of book to complement the work of NHSF will also be organized. In order to motivate the participants, the 20th anniversary is being named ‘Arise Arjuna.’ All players should be as focused as Arjuna when Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravs brought together his pupils to see how focused they were. They were asked to pick up their bow and arrows and aim at the eye of a bird perched high up on the branch of a tree.

However, those called up saw other things amongst the small bird, and therefore the Guru told them to take a step back.

Arjuna, the Pandava prince was called up who said that all he saw was the bird’s eye – nothing but the target. Therefore, concentration is required to be successful and confident. This only comes through practice, and with many chapters doing weekly sports practices, to get this far itself is an achievement.

Challenge yourself, inspire yourself. Step forward to attend the NHSF (UK) National Sports Competition with your affiliated chapter if you have what it takes to be crowned champion amongst some of the strongest teams seen in recent years. Even if you are not participating, come to cheer your teams. For more information on the event, please e m a i l sportscomp@nhsf.org.uk.

31

Action at a Glance Gavaskar inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame in Dubai, receiving his commemorative cap from fellow Hall of Famer and team-mate Kapil Dev. Gavaskar is one of the initial 55 inductees in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame which was launched in January 2009 in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) as part of the ICC's Centenary Year. He now joins a club that includes 72 male and female cricketers. In the presence of ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and former Pakistan captains Aamir Sohail, Ramiz Raja and Waqar Younis, Gavaskar accepted the cap from Dev in front of a select gathering last week.

Sania Mirza-Rodionova triumph in Pattaya Open India's Sania Mirza and her Australian partner Anastasia Rodionova beat Hao-ching Chan and Yung-jan Chan of Chinese Taipei to win the women's doubles event at the Pattaya Open on Sunday. The top seeds came back from a set down to win the title in a nervy super tie-break 3-6, 6-1, 10-8.

The Indian-Australian pair won 68 per cent points on their first serve and took an hour and six minutes to dispose of their opponents. Earlier in the day, Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova successfully retained her singles title after beating fourth seed Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-3.

Sehwag’s record 219 earns him ‘VS’ series bat

India`s dashing opener Virender Sehwag`s record-breaking 219 against the West Indies in a One-Day International in Indore last year has earned him a special series bat from Sanspareils Greenlands (SG). The innings is the highest individual score in ODI and Sehwag en route to the landmark broke Sachin Tendulkar`s 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior. Sehwag`s 149-ball innings was studded with 25 fours and seven sixes. As a mark of respect for Sehwag`s knock, SG, the leading manufacturer of cricket equipment, launched a limited edition series "VS 219." Paras Anand, director SG, said the bat has been designed for big hitters.

Confusion persists over Ajmal's bowling action Pakistan cricket authorities and the International Cricket Council (ICC) clarified the confusion over Saeed Ajmal's bowling action, saying the spinner had been cleared within the specified limits. Ajmal himself created more confusion, by claiming he has special dispensation from the ICC to straighten his arm beyond the allowed 15 degrees. The 34-year-old off-spinner, who took 24 wickets in the 3-0 Test series whitewash of England, claimed that the ICC has allowed him extra leniency, up to 23.5 degrees.

England football manager Fabio resigns Fabio Capello has resigned as the manager of England national team, the Football Association (FA) has confirmed. His resignation came after a meeting with FA chairman David Bernstein and FA general secretary Alex Horne at Wembley Stadium. "The discussions focused on the FA board's decision to remove the England team captaincy from John Terry, and Fabio Capello's response through an Italian broadcast interview," the FA statement said. "In a meeting for over an hour, Fabio's resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England manager with immediate effect," it added.

32

Asian Voice - Saturday 18th February 2012

England beat Pak by 130 runs

Paceman Steven Finn took a career-best 4-34 and Alastair Cook hit his highest score to help England beat Pakistan in a fortuneturning 130-run win in the first day-night international on Monday at Abu Dhabi.

Finn, left to serve drinks during England's 30 defeat in the preceding Tests, destroyed Pakistan's batting with four early wickets off 29 balls to dis-

miss them for 130 in 35 overs after Cook's 137 helped his team to 260-7.

The win gives England a 1-0 win in the fourmatch series after a disastrous Test series -- their first as world number one in five-day format.

Pakistan looked all at sea against Finn who used the wind to move the ball.

The 22-year-old lanky paceman, who showed frustration at being side-

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lined in the Tests, showed his talent by trapping Mohammad Hafeez (5) and Asad Shafiq (0) off successive balls in his second over.

He then had Younis Khan (15) in his fourth and Imran Farhat (10) in his fifth to leave Pakistan tottering at 40-4.

Left-arm spinner Samit Patel then further shook Pakistan with the wickets of Misbah-ul Haq (14), Shoaib Malik (7) and Shahid Afridi (28) to finish with 3-26. Graeme Swann, who took 2-19, had Umar Akmal (22) and Umar Gul (2).

Earlier Cook, whose previous best of 119 came against Sri Lanka at Lord's last year, hit 14 boundaries during a fluent 142-ball innings and shaped well against Pakistan's spindominated attack.

Given out leg-before off Mohammad Hafeez when 30, Cook successfully reviewed Australian umpire Simon Taufel's decision and carried the batting until the 47th over

England celebrate during Steve Finn's opening burst that helped them to a 130-run victory in Abu Dhabi

when he was finally bowled by Saeed Ajmal who finished with a career-best 5-43.

Cook added an invaluable 131 runs for the third wicket with Ravi Bopara (50) to revive England after they lost two wickets in the 13th over.

England's ploy to open with Kevin Pietersen, who managed just 67 runs in the Tests, worked well as Cook and his new partner put on 57 by the 13th over

as Pakistan opened the bowling with paceman Umar Gul and Hafeez.

Pietersen though managed 14 before he became one of two Shahid Afridi victims, bowled through the gate off a googly by the leg-spinner. Next ball Afridi dismissed Jonathan Trott with a sharp turner.

Bopara notched his seventh fifty in one-day internationals off 67 delivery but two balls later jumped out to drive Ajmal

and was stumped. He hit four boundaries.

Cook hit Afridi for two fours to enter the 90s and then cover drove Ajmal to the boundary to reach the three-figure mark off 110 deliveries.

Ajmal's previous best of 4-33 was against New Zealand on this same ground in 2009.

Patel (17) and Swann (13) put together 28 in the last 3.1 overs to propel England to a fighting total.

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