AV 19th January 2019

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

R

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

19 - 25 JANUARY 2019 - VOL 47 ISSUE 36

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

inside: 50-day 2019 Kumbh Mela is most expensive Kumbh yet SEE PAGE 25

Rupanjana Dutta The Brexit vote disaster on Tuesday night, is threatening the 'mother' of all democracies, with a Cabinet split and claims that the Prime Minister has been 'negotiating on bad faith'.

Prime Minister's Brexit agreement was voted down 432 to 202.

Mrs May through out the debate on Wednesday 16 January told the Parliament that she was going to hold a cross-party talks on finding a way through the deadlock.

Downing Street later calrified that Mrs May had no intention of deviating from her 'core principles' and would continue to seek an independent trade policy, and consult 'senior parliamentarians'. No 10 also said that the Prime Minister did not believe it was necessary to extend the Article 50 as demanded by Nicola Sturgeon, leader of SNP. Continued on page 6

Opposition wants 'majboor' govt, we want 'majboot' govt: Modi SEE PAGE 26

Cricketers Pandya, Rahul suspended for indecent comments SEE PAGE 32 Prime Minister Theresa May addressing the House of Commons in presence of heavily pregnant MP Tulip Siddiq on a wheelchair, who delayed her son’s birth to vote on Tuesday evening

TRAVLIN STYLE 0203 751 4242

5938

46 Church Road Stanmore Middx London HA7 4AH * All price are from and subject to change and availability*

Mumbai: Delhi: Hyderabad: Chennai: Ahmedabad: Rajkot: GOA:

£425 £400 £385 £380 £385 £525 £400

Bangalore: Bhuj: Lucknow: Kochi: Kolkata: Amritsar: Dhaka:

£380 £525 £545 £385 £400 £420 £460

Singapore :

£415

Katmandu:

£405

Bangkok:

HongKong:

£400

£410

2 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

onetoone WITH KEITH VAZ, MP

Padmini Chamund Padmini Chamund is the first Hindu Asian woman to be a Councillor in Leicester’s famous Belgrave Road area. She was born in Kenya, Africa and came to the UK in 1975 and since then has lived in Leicester. She started her first work as a machinist in the factory but was always interested in community work and helping the vulnerable. She has been a volunteer in her small organisation and also been a school Governor. In 1994, her first office job was as a receptionist and she slowly started to build up by joining in volunteer groups and charity projects. Currently, Padmini is the Secretary of Labour Party, Belgrave Branch and Vice-Chair in the charity project called Leicestershire Ethnic Elderly Advocacy Project Ltd (LEEPA LTD). She currently works as a Payroll Administrator.

Padmini was always interested in helping local people and started working side by side with Councillor Mansukhlal Chohan and joined the Labour Party which got her involved in politics. Padmini won the highest number of votes in the by-election which took place in Belgrave in December 2018, which also was a record for the Labour Party in the Midlands and Leicester.

1

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

Leicester has always been my home.

Supporting the community and ward, and making sure I do the job and achieve a good result.

2

7

What are your proudest achievements?

And the worst?

The achievements that I am proud of – a bonus, I would say – are my grandchildren, who are very proud of me becoming a councillor. I have gone from working as a machinist to become a Payroll Administrator, and now even a Councillor making history in the Midlands for the Labour Party.

The worst aspect has been the Government with its massive cuts on Local Authorities, making it impossible for them to function.

This can sometimes have the effect of splitting families.

3

I wish to continue serving my community as a councillor, and hopefully to make changes for the better.

What inspires you?

When I see women, especially Asian women, who lift themselves up and move on to achieve more.

8

What are your long-term goals?

9

4

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

Being an Asian women working in a Local Authority – having to prove myself as an Asian Hindu woman.

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

There are many policies and systems which need to be looked into. In particular, one is to introduce more help for Asian Communities to help bring them up to date.

5

10

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

The support of my family who give me the strength to continue to be a good role model and influence them.

6

What is the best aspect about your current role?

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

Narendra Modi as we have a similar background, having both seen poverty. I would be interested to meet him, and I am a great admirer of his speeches.

Family of schoolgirl, whose death was linked to air pollution win right to seek new inquest The family of a nine-yearold London schoolgirl who died of an asthma attack have won the right to seek a new inquest.

Ella Kissi-Debrah’s death was linked to unlawful levels of air pollution after she died in February 2013, after three years of seizures and 27 visits to hospital for hospital attacks.

The youngster lived 25 metres from the South Circular road, in Lewisham, one of the capital’s busiest roads.

On Friday, her family

Ella Kissi-Debrah

were given permission by the Attorney General to apply for a fresh inquest.

If the family’s request is granted, little Ella may become the first person in the UK for whom air pollu-

tion is listed as the cause of death.

Lawyers say her original inquest in 2014 did not investigate the potential impact of air pollution, concluding that Ella's cause of death was acute respiratory failure caused by a severe asthma attack.

But an expert report by Professor Stephen Holgate, quoted in a submission to the Attorney General, concluded that it was likely that unlawful levels of air pollution contributed to Ella's fatal asthma attack.

Young Kaiya Patel passes away after contracting a virus post transplant This Monday it was revealed that young and courageous Kaiya Patel had unfortunately passed away on Sunday 13th January after contracting the adenovirus after a recent transplant surgery.

Kaiya was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in March this year - a type of cancer affecting the bone marrow meaning her body produces too many white blood cells.

Her parents, Anu and Ruchit, launched the #CureKaiya campaign because just 20 percent of patients from Asian or other ethnic minority backgrounds will find the best possible match, compared to 69 percent of northern European patients.

Many organisations came forward to help organise stem cell drives in the hopes of finding a cure not only for Kaiya but for other Asian patients who are battling cancer. After months of campaigning and searching for a stem cell donor it was reported that in August, a donor had been found and in September she received her stem cell transplant. Unfortunately Kaiya contracted the adenovirus and ended up spending

Kaiya

Christmas in hospital.

Kaiya’s battle even won her the John Petchey Young Hero Award at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards ceremony on November 22 which was collected by

Kaiya with her mother Anu, father Ruchit and little sister Annika

Kaiya’s aunt and uncle Nick and Priya Desai on her behalf. Posting on the ‘Be Kaiya’s Donor’ Facebook page her heartbroken parents wrote: ‘We are heartbroken to inform you that

our Angel Kaiya passed away late last night. She had fought an incredible battle against the adenovirus she contracted post transplant, and lasted longer than any other child treated for that affliction at GOSH. That reflects determination, willpower, and strength that we cannot describe in words.

“But Kaiya was more than just those things. She was kind, diplomatic, thoughtful, compassionate, and considerate. She was loved by all. And she has taught us what it is to bring light and life and love to people. Hers was not a life led with no meaning. She did not die of cancer.

She found a cure to a cancer that was previously incurable.

“Donor drives carried out in her name have already helped many kids with cancer. And she brought about a change in a drug protocol that means that other kids with adenovirus will not suffer the same fate as her. That’s more than we have done in our lives. Thank you for all your support and love during this difficult time.”

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

UK

COMMENTS

3

19 - 25 January 2019

India’s day of glory Cricket today is India’s principal sport. Where a generation ago it was largely confined to the country’s urban centres, the game has become truly national, having spread across Tier II and Tier III towns and rural regions beyond. Players from humble backgrounds are now part of India’s most promising talent pool, catching the attention of the game’s pundits at home and abroad. Players were once paid a pittance; not so now when television rights and the IPL have made the Indian cricket board the sport’s richest by far. This has meant cricketers generally are assured of comfortable fees at the first class level; at Test level the financial rewards, which include advertisements, are considerably higher, with top stars rupee billionaires, and possibly dollar billionaires as well by the time they retire. Indian women cricketers have also benefited from this sweeping sporting and social exposure.

Complacency and inertia from the game’s administrators are possible threats that could derail the immense strides that have taken place, chief among them the conservatism, and dare one say, the lack of imagination and occasionally the sheer ineptitude of selectors. The abysmal performances of the opening pair of batsmen, come hell or high water, right through the tours of South Africa, England and halfway through the one in Australia, and the persistence in persevering with them, baffled common sense and lacked any semblance of wisdom. The make or break moment in Australia compelled the team management to dispense with the services of the abysmal Murali Vijay, with his partner in incompetence, Lokesh Rahul. Mayank Agarwal answered the desperate call, lack of experience, and all, of Australian condition, performing brilliantly at Melbourne and at Sydney. Memorable times are surely ahead when Agarwal teams up with Prithvi Shaw.

Ajinka Rahane is a spanner in the works. In a desperate bid to avoid the sack, Rahane told the media on the eve of the Sydney Test that he felt good, and hence was on the threshold of a century or even double century, but produced 18 tormented runs before being put out of his

misery by an express delivery from Mitchell Starc. Time surely for the precocious talent of the 19 year-old Shubman Gill, who won the under-19 World Cup, to take centre-stage. Yuvraj Singh, a wonderful batsman in his heyday, rhapsodized on Gill’s blazing gifts. The selectors took the call put him on India’s forthcoming ODI tour to New Zealand. Looking to the future, exit Rahane, enter Gill. Any stage has its exits entrances for all life’s players.

There is also the talented Shreesh Iyer waiting in the wings, as is the forgotten, classy Karun Nair Returning to Australia, India’s bowling attack earned the highest praise, and rightly so. With Jaspreet Bumrah leading the pack, and Mohammed Shami in close attendance, India’s pace attack harried and bullied Australia’s batsmen into submission time and again. That no Australian scored a Test century in a home series since 1890 tells its own tale. The spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin performed admirably, with Kuldip Yadav making a memorable Australian Test debut with his left arm wrist spin, returning figures of 5 for 99 at Sydney.

The first of three ODIs at Sydney ended in a comfortable Australian 34-run victory. Rohit Sharma may have scored a brilliant century, but his was a lone hand.

M.S. Dhoni’s laboured 51 off 96 balls slowed the innings beyond repair: better to lose with Dhoni than win without him has been, and is, the motto. The chances of India winning the ODI World Cup in the English summer appear bleak. Dhoni’s leaden bat will be an additional burden on his colleagues, who will be expected to start in top gear with little time to play themselves in.

Meanwhile Hardick Pandya, together with Lokesh Rahul have returned to India to face charges of coarse and indecent language about women on a Bollywood TV talk show. Despite the brouhaha in sections of the media, Pandya’s Test and ODI career thus far, with bat and ball has been conspicuously mediocre. Breeding and decency are the essence of sportsmanship.

Obscurant lunacies invite ridicule Hindutva lunacies invite ridicule and contempt in India and abroad, more so when their perpetrators seek to engage with the super heavyweights of world science, from Albert Einstein to Charles Darwin and many others, including reputed Indian scientists such as Jagadish Bose, Satyen Bose, Megnad Saha and successive generations who have specialized in fields opened up by them.

Indian Science Congresses which, in the past, attracted India’s brightest and best, while also drawing kindred talent from across continents to the country, in recent years, have been reduced to circuses of absurdist fantasy by papers passed and read by quacks and fraudsters out to make a splash with communities of the gullible and ignorant across the land. There is place for harmless lunatics in every country. America has its Creationists given to disputing Darwin, but they have had no pulpit at serious congresses of science.

Embarrassingly, an Indian university vice chancellor took issue with established, verifiable truths of Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin’s work on fossils and the evolution of life on earth, A university vice chancellor entails someone in charge of dispensing knowledge through untrammeled education rather than its adulterated copy. The Government of

India’s top science adviser, Vijay Raghavan addressed the larger problem, saying that ‘the gorillas of pseudoscience ‘are huge, numerous and freely roaming the landscape.’

They include sections of the country’s chattering class, seeking relentlessly for the solace of bogus incantations.

Mumbo jumbo is their stock in trade. Knowledge and its subversions are their abiding fear: enchained to spurious dogmas, they loath the free spirits of reasoned discourse.

Jawaharlal Nehru is derided and scorned for his call to the Indian people to seek individual and collective liberation from the ‘scientific temper,’ and thus to transform India, liberate her from the scourges of poverty and superstition. Indira Gandhi, true to her father’s vision, promoted science and scientific endeavour in the public space. Isn’t it time that today’s Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke out against the peddled egregious nonsense that clutter Sangh Parivar ranks. After all, he has been, and is, prompt in conveying his personal congratulations to scientists and engineers on each of India’s successful space missions, to go no further. Telling idiots that they are idiots may be the shock therapy to comatose them into deep silence. Militant idiocy with its political trappings can do infinitely more harm than musical hall buffoonery.

Scholar and wit Humphrey House Empires in their decline are given to serious loss of confidence, as is the case in the United States, as was the case in the late 1930s in British India. The common feature was the oft quoted Humphrey House rhyme “I spy with my little eye.” What did House spy then, and what do we spy today? No surprise, it was the ubiquitous Russian agent, Soviet then, plain Russian now.

When the literary critic and Dickens biographer Humphrey House arrived in Calcutta for a spell of teaching at the city’s famed Presidency College, then a magnet for Bengal’s best and brightest, House was in some bother with the politically intrusive College administration. To be a radical was to court danger from accusation of Communist sympathies or worse, membership of the Communist party. House with his unflinching addiction to the cause of the underdog like his hero Charles Dickens, dispensed with the financial comforts of Presidency for the modest privately funded salary on offer at Ripon College. In his three years in

Calcutta, House lampooned its babu Raj culture, its legion of spawned clerks and their lofty absurdity. But House also engaged with Calcutta’s intellectual life, with such iconic figures of Bengali literature as Buddhadev Bose, the poet Bishnu De, critic and scholar Sudhindranath Dutta, to whom House dedicated his book ‘Dickens and the World.’ House returned to the bowers of academe at Oxford, becoming a Fellow of one of its many distinguished instututions. He died in 1950, with decades of fruitful work left in him. Jadavpur University (in the environs of Calcutta) held a symposium on the work and legacy that Humphrey House left to the city and its teaching fraternity. His shade must be moved by the tributes of a later Bengali generation for whom he is is but a hallowed name.

House was a considerable literary figure in England.

The incomparable George Steiner’s magnificent tome ‘Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, carried the author’s inscription ‘In Memoriam / Humphrey House…’

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage - Anais Nin (1903-1977)

Alpesh Patel

Hard Times Hard Brexit There are countless opinions on Brexit. I thought I would give a holistic idea about the general sense of chaos that has blanketed the country by backing those views and opinions with adequate research and references.

First, let’s by discussing if the British government chooses a hard Brexit. As a reminder, a hard Brexit, among other things, would compel the government to withdraw its access to the EU’s single market and could lead to a withdrawal from the EU’s customs union. If this scenario does occur, you can expect a strong negative reaction and possibly a backlash from businesses and asset classes.

Let’s start with imported goods. The IW Institute in Cologne has estimated that exports from the rest of the EU region to Britain may fall by as much as 50 percent The UK’s exit from the EU’s customs union, according to the IW Institute, may lead to a loss of more than 15 Billion Euros of annual tariffs on both the UK and EU-based companies. These tariffs, quite obviously, will potentially lead to a domino effect of imposing higher costs on other industries.

For example, according to the British Retail Consortium, the cost of food and beverage imports from the EU may increase by as much as 29 percent and the cost of imported goods like clothing, textiles and other FMCG products may rise as much as 7 percent. Higher imported goods will likely cause a ripple effect through the entire British economy, specifically harming British corporations that heavily rely on imported raw materials from the continent. Increase in import duties will ultimately flow down to British consumers, causing them to curb their spending and impact the overall economy. Along with harm to British consumers, the impact of a hard Brexit will spread throughout the continent, particularly to manufacturers in Germany.

Specifically looking at the currency markets, a hard Brexit would, of course, impact the price of sterling. Since the Brexit referendum in 2016, markets have operated under the assumption that a hard or soft Brexit represents a binary outcome, with a hard Brexit indicating a negative outcome. You can clearly see this trend by looking at the rise and fall of the British pound. The pound has sharply reacted to news about Brexit negotiations, falling as negotiations hit roadblocks and rising as it appears that a deal will ultimately be made. And we expect this trend to continue. The British pound would fall upon a hard Brexit actually occurring, with UK-based international earners to outperform domestic UK stocks. These international earners would outperform from the appreciation of the dollar after a hard Brexit. According to the International Monetary Fund, a hard Brexit could cost the UK about 6 percent loss of the gross domestic product.

Ultimately, there is a higher likelihood of a recession in a hard Brexit scenario versus a soft Brexit scenario. According to ratings agency Standard & Poor’s, this recession could last a year or even longer. The UK’s unemployment rate would climb to more than 7 percent by 2020 and home prices would drop by approximately 10 percent over two years. Household incomes would fall annually by £2700 between 2019 and 2021, and inflation would rise to 4.7 percent by the middle of this year.

Editor: CB Patel Asian Voice is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081 Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com Website: www.abplgroup.com INDIA OFFICE Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad-380 015.

Tel: +91 79 2646 5960 Email: gs_ahd@abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

4 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

Keith Vaz in plea to stop demolition in Daman Following an outcry by members of the Daman community living in Leicester, Keith Vaz cut short his holiday and travelled to Daman a union territory in Gujarat, in order to meet the Chief Administrator if the union territory, Mr. Praful Patel.

Members of the Daman community that now live in Leicester were anxious following the decision by the government of Daman to demolish their houses.

There are 11,000 Damanese who now live in the Leicester East constituency. Many thousands more live in other parts of the country.

The concern, as expressed by the Damanese in Leicester, was that the government had destroyed their homes without giving them sufficient notice even though they had lived in them for many decades.

Keith Vaz travelled to Daman and had an hour’s meeting with the Chief

Keith Vaz pictured speaking with Chief Administrator, Mr. Praful Patel

Administrator, Mr. Praful Patel.

Keith Vaz said; “The Daman community have made an enormous contribution to Leicester.

They have settled in our local community, which has been home to many people from Indian and other parts of the world. They are already facing an anxious time due to Brexit, as many of them hold Portuguese passports.

The demolition of their homes in Daman as well as the possibility of more homes being demolished is making them extremely anxious.

“I had a very constructive discussion with Mr. Patel. I believe that Mr. Patel has a vision for Daman and he wants to develop it as a tourist and education centre. I was particularly impressed by the commit-

ments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in order to enhance the development of Daman.

“There are plans for major hospitals together with a major education centre. Mr. Patel wants to make sure that Daman becomes a key destination for tourists coming to India.

However, I pointed out that giving people 3 days’ notice that their homes were to be demolished was not sufficient time.

The matter has now gone to the High Court in Mumbai and we are now awaiting the outcome.

Mr. Patel promised that there would be no further demolitions until after the court has made its ruling and that he would talk to me about any further matters concerning this issue. I welcomed his constructive and positive approach. We must stop the demolition of these homes and give local people the chance to enter a strong dialogue with the government”.

College principal spent £40k on corporate card The former principal of a cashstrapped college spent thousands on dining out with a corporate credit card.

Dame Asha Khemka racked up more than £40,000 in expenses in five years before stepping down, as FE Week reported. Her resignation came shortly after Vision West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield asked the government for a £2.1m bailout.

But a spokesman said they have since undergone a "whole-

Dame Asha Khemka received a DBE for services to education in 2014

sale regime change".

The college has since put "strict controls" on expenses, he added. According to figures seen

by FE Week, Dame Asha spent £41,666.96 between 2013-14 and 2017-18 on the card.

More than £11,000 of that was spent on food and drink, including visits to a Michelinstarred Mayfair restaurant and a five-star hotel. She also claimed £340 after a single visit to Boots.

In 2018 the college, which had around 20,000 students on

the roll in 2017, asked for financial help.

According to a government report it had "entirely run out of cash" and the Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills said there had been "serious corporate failure".

It has since had to make more than 100 staff redundant in its bid to balance the books.

Dame Asha, who was awarded a DBE for her services to education did not respond to the BBC's approach for comment.

Former postman, 'who inspired young men to join ISIS' spared prison for spreading terrorist propaganda A notorious extremist and friend of the killer of Lee Rigby has been spared jail because of a delay in charging him.

Sajid Idris, 36, a Royal Mail postal worker from Cardiff, used YouTube to promote the radical preacher Omar Bakri Muhammad, who was banned from Britain after leaving in the wake of the 7/7 bombings.

During searches of his home, police found receipts for special delivery items sent to Michael Adebolajo, the killer or Fusilier Lee Rigby, and MohiburRahman, later jailed for plotting a machete and pipe

bomb attack.

One video was called 'Rules related to smiling' and featured an acid house-style smiley face, but actually told viewers not to smile at non-Muslims and told them martyrs died with smiles on their faces.

Another expressed his support forAbu Bakr al-Bagdahdi, the leader of ISIS, and said Bagdahdi would not be able to change the thoughts and ideas of people by intellectual debate but could 'take authority by force'and then enforce a way of life on people.

Idris, from Grangetown,

Cardiff, pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court to four counts of distributing a terrorist publication.

Charges against his wife, Sadia Malik, a primary school, special needs co-ordinator, accused of distributing links to a YouTube channel, were dropped, after Idris entered his plea.

The judge, Paul Dodgson, said the videos were a 'direct call to arms using religion as a basis to argue that there is an obligation to join the fight in Syria.'

But he sentenced Idris to 21 months in jail and suspended

Thomas National Health Service Trust. She was walking on the footpath in Dulwich, south London, when Fitzgerald, a university student, ploughed into her at the junction with Birkbeck Hill. She was taken to a south London hospital, where she died on January 26 due to traumatic brain injury.

Her sister, Neha Santasalo, said in a statement: “Although this will not bring Jasjot back, the sentencing today provides closure allowing us to focus on our sister, her life and all that she achieved.”

“This sentence shows how important it is to clear your windscreen before driving off in the morning, especially during the cold weather. This is a sim-

Dr Jasjot Singhota was killed while on a zebra crossing in Tulse Hill

ple action that takes no time at all but can prevent any other family having to go through what we have.”

Detective constable Sejal Unadkat, who led the investiga-

WESTMINSTER CAR CRASH SUSPECT PLEADS NOT GUILTY

A man has denied trying to murder police officers and members of the public outside Parliament. Salih Khater, 29, from Birmingham, is accused of deliberately driving a car into cyclists before unsuccessfully targeting two uniformed officers. The alleged attack, which is being treated as terrorism by prosecutors, ended when the car crashed into a barrier. Three people were injured during the incident on 14 August 2018. During an Old Bailey preliminary hearing, Mr Khater pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder and two alternate counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. He appeared by video link from HMP Belmarsh, where he is remanded in custody. The defendant, a British citizen who was born in Sudan, came to the UK in 2010 as an asylum seeker. The trial is set to begin on 24 June.

TWO DENY MURDER AFTER MAN FOUND INJURED IN HOUSE Two men have denied murdering a man who was found injured inside his home.

Derbyshire Police said Paul Steele, 53, later died at the property on Lapwing Close, in Sinfin, Derby, on the evening of 9 December. Talvir Singh Girn, 40, from Derby, and Kulvinder Singh Nath, 51, from Stenson Fields, both pleaded not guilty to murder at Derby Crown Court. Mr Girn, of Cloverdale Drive, and Mr Nath, of Glencroft Drive, are due to go on trial on 10 June at the same court.

BARNET MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING TERRORIST MATERIAL

Sajid Idris

the term for two years, saying there had been a delay in prosecuting him and there was a 'realistic prospect of rehabilitation.'

Man jailed for killing Indian-origin doctor in road accident A man who killed Indian origin doctor Jasjot Singhota in a road traffic collision in January 2017 after failing to clear frost from his car windscreen has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to careless driving and driving uninsured.

Scotland Yard said on Monday that Alexander Fitzgerald, 26, was sentenced at the Kingston Crown Court to 10 months imprisonment for causing death by careless driving, reduced from 16 months, and four and a half months for causing death by driving uninsured, to be served concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for 23 months.

Singhota, 30, was a doctor working for the Guys and St

in brief

tion, said: “This is an incident that could have been avoided entirely if only Fitzgerald had taken the proper precautions in ensuring his visibility was not impaired by the frost on his windscreen.

“He didn’t, and as a result Jasjot’s family, and indeed society, has been robbed of a muchloved and talented individual who worked as a doctor to improve the lives of others.”

“Through being an organ donor Jasjot has saved the lives of five other people since her death; a fact that both comforts her family in their grief, and fills them with immeasurable pride at what a selfless and kind person she truly was,” Unadkat added.

A north London man has been charged with four counts of possessing terrorist material. Mohammed Hamza Ghani, 28, of Barnet, was charged on Sunday after being arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command. He was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday. The charges relate to four separate documents made between 1 January 2018 and 12 January 2019. The documents were records of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000, prosecutors allege.

MAN BRANDISHING 'MASSIVE MACHETE' STATION ARRESTED A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder amid reports a suspect was seen wielding "a massive machete" at a railway station in south London. British Transport Police (BTP) and Metropolitan Police officers were called to Tulse Hill station during evening rush hour just after 18:30 GMT. In the course of the arrest a Taser was discharged, according to a BTP statement. The suspect has been taken into custody for questioning. One witness @Vikjas85 tweeted: "Man at Tulse Hill Station with a massive machete just been tasered by the police." BTP said there were no reported injuries and the suspect was also arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

5

19 - 25 January 2019

India League and High Commission of India to host Gandhi Martyrs Day

Highly-skilled migrants urge tribunal intervention on human rights grounds Rupanjana Dutta

The Indian High Commission and India League will host Gandhi Martyrs Day on Wednesday 30th January, 2018, 11am, at Tavistock Square in the London Borough of Camden.

Like every year, many esteemed members of the British Indian community, including MPs, Peers and Councillors will gather at the iconic statue to pay tribute to Gandhi on his death anniversary, followed by a musical tribute from the students of

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (UK).

The programme will include dignitaries paying floral tribute to the statue followed by short speeches, bhajans and vedic prayers.

This will be the first Gandhi Nirvaan Divas attended by the new Indian High Commissioner HE Ruchi Ghanashyam. They will be joined by India League Chairman CB Patel.

The event is open to public.

Hindu Shiva Shrine at Great Glen Cemetery Leicester

Britain in a policy paper on its post-Brexit approach to immigration is trying to entice migrants from countries such as India, Pakistan to fill in the shortage of highly-skilled workers. In an exclusive meeting, a senior representative from the Foreign Commonwealth Office told Asian Voice, that British officials this week are heading to India to discuss views on the 'Immigration White Paper' that was unveiled by the Secretary of the State recently. UK Government officials on 16 January visited New Delhi for these talks with the Government of India. The migration discussions signalled a new phase of cooperation and acted as a forum to discuss opportunities to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

The Migration Dialogue allowed for UK Government officials to engage directly with their Indian counterparts on the UK’s plans for a new single, skills-based immigration system after Brexit. In addition, the UK Government delegation held roundtable events with key figures from the corporate, business and education sectors in India, to gather insight and highlight how the new system will benefit them.

The proposals for the skills-based based immigration system, operating from 2021, will allow people from across the world to come to the UK for work or to study and to visit. The UK Government wants to encourage skilled workers to come to live and work in the UK and has proposed to abolish the cap on its new skilled visa route when the new system comes into effect in 2021. These proposals will mean that there would be no limit on the number of skilled people, such as engineers, doctors and IT professionals, who can come to live and work in the UK.

However while the govHighly Skilled UK told Asian provided explanations for ernment is ushering in new Voice exclusively, “The tax discrepancies. The skilled immigrants into UK, court has merged four cases delays and errors between according to a governmental of 322(5) as a test case, and different government review in the end of we have sent our intervendepartments have added to November, it was revealed tion with the support of the complications. Some that the Home Office had Migrants' Rights Network, a have had to wait for 19-24 wrongly tried to force at charity that supports rights months to get a decision, least 300 existing highlyof migrants in UK, ITN that is even after applying skilled migrants to leave Solicitors and Sonali Naik via same day service and Britain under Art 322(5), an QC as our counsel. The triappearing in person. immigration rule used in to bunal intervention on tackle criminals such as terhuman rights grounds was rorists and those judged to requested as late as in While the right to be a threat to national secuDecember, yet the Lord work has been taken rity. away, many of the appellants Justice has decided to make decision on intervention The figures further are in urgent need of monetary application on the day of revealed in the report that using the controversial backing to fight the case at court. hearing on 22nd and 23rd 322(5) provision, up to 87 Considering that the Highly Skilled January, understanding group has organised for a the dire need of the situhighly skilled migrants, crowdfunding. So far they have ation.” from various fields, While the right to including teachers, docraised £30,000 by personal work has been taken away, tors, lawyers, engineers funds, but looking to raise many of the appellants are and IT professionals, have another £15,000 to meet in urgent need of monetary actually been wrongly the costs. backing to fight the case at forced to leave the UK under court. Considering that the the terrorism-related legisHighly Skilled group has lation. A further 400 people organised for a crowdfundmay have been affected.

Third, families settled ing. So far they have raised here- many have children- a Highly-skilled migrants set routine life – which is £30,000 by personal funds, request tribunal but looking to raise another affected by Home Office's intervention £15,000 to meet the costs. decisions. A research has However many things shown out of 176 responses The issues for the highlyhaven't yet been raised with from highly-skilled appliskilled migrants are manithe Secretary of the State. cants, 33.5% have been here fold. First, Article 322(5) The New Tier 1 guidance in the UK over 12 years. Out itself is a very broad categowhich was published after of which 73.3% have spouses ry. It is essentially meant for the review, said everyone or partners. Many have chilgrievous harm and criminals whose visa were rejected dren, most of them are UK such as terrorists or war should have been interborn, and go to school. criminals. A mere tax disviewed- none so far from the Some have disabilities, crepancy cannot be featured HSM group. including autism and speech under that section- and it is A representative of the impediments. common sense. But the Eldons Berkeley Solicitors 34.1% of these people irony of the situation is, told Asian Voice, “We have have waited about 24 booked under this category, written proof that previous months to have a response a man of Muslim origin is back from Home Office. getting labelled as terrorist, interviews which were done in 2016 or potentially up After the refusal on Set(O) wrongfully, that too in the until 2017, none of them applications, their right to current climate. were recorded. Many appliwork and rent have been Second, appellants have cants had complained that a forfeited. As a result, they argued that many times the lot of things were missed or have had no recourse to case workers have decided mistyped by the interviewer, money or earning. With on the fate of the applicabut there was no proof children and family, this has tion giving generic reasonbecause they were not been harder than one can ing of refusal, sometimes recorded. Now new interimagine. even basing it on errors- in views which are conducted Speaking to the Highly one case the decision was are recorded by audio and Skilled Migrant group in taken based on someone's video. Home office need to UK, Asian Voice was told previous earnings. Many of understand these migrants that slowly one or two cases these applicants, who are have been struggling since are getting positive results Indians, Africans and atleast 3 years. They need to on their pending applicaPakistanis, have ever been tions though the appeals are called for interviews for furrealise they are dealing with human lives.” getting challenged. ther explanations, even Salman Faruqi from the when some of them have

Medical student delivers his first baby at Tube station Sailesh Raja is a businessman in Leicester who has presented Lord Shiva's statue on the grounds of the Great Glen Cemetery.

The marble statue which weighs roughly 325kg and is 4 feet tall was brought especially from Jaipur after Mr. Raja had spoken to the cemetery authorities and secured

their permission by providing the resources for maintenance. The shrine was inaugurated on 12th January but there is a Ram Dhun and Bhajan session organised on the 2nd February.

“This is the only cemetery in England with Shiva on the grounds of the cemetery,” said Mr. Raja.

Hamzah Selim, a firstyear UCL medical student helped a pregnant woman after hearing her cries at Warren Street station.

He spoke about how he saw the mother leaning against a wall by a northern line platform and when he rushed to her, he realised she was in the middle of giving birth.

Selim's training from

the time he spent working on a maternity ward kicked in.

“The mum did absolutely great given it was the first birth I was involved in outside the textbook,” he said to the Evening Standard.

Paramedics came a few minutes after the boy was born and cut the umbilical cord. The child was later taken to hospital by medics.

Hamzah Selim

6 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

Brexit for Breakfast

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Sabotaging the NHS workforce Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Council Chair, British Medical Association For over 40 years, the NHS has had an interlinked relationship with the European Union that has become integral to how we deliver patient care. Yet with less than three months to go before the UK’s withdrawal there is still no agreed deal as to how the NHS will cope with the new reality of the UK being detached from its closest neighbours. What challenges does this present for the nation’s health after 29 March?

Perhaps the most pressing issue relates to the people who deliver our care: the NHS workforce. Freedom of movement and EU laws which allow health professionals who qualified in one EU nation to practise their profession in another, have enabled many health professionals from countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) to work in the UK. At present, close to 8% of the NHS’ doctors – or one in thirteen – come from this group, which makes them a vital part of keeping the NHS functioning, especially at a time when it is under unprecedented pressure with widespread staff shortages in key areas like emergency care and general practice. Between October and December 2017 there were a staggering 100,000 vacancies across England in NHS Trusts alone. Given this environment, we can ill afford to lose this highly trained group of doctors which unfortunately under the current uncertainty could be a likely scenario. A recent BMA survey of 1,500 EU doctors found that 78 per cent are not reassured by the Prime Minister’s commitment to protect the rights of EEA citizens in the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and more than one third (35 per cent) are already considering moving abroad before Brexit had even happened.

The government has attempted to allay some of these concerns with the announcement of a settled status scheme to enable EU citizens and their families to remain in the UK after Brexit. But leaving aside the fact that our survey found a third had not heard about this option, it is clear that in the longer-term Brexit will lead to the end of freedom of movement, creating further barriers and uncertainty about the status of future EU nationals wanting to come and work here. By extension this impacts on the future staffing of the NHS. Moreover, it is likely Brexit will add to the demand to recruit doctors from overseas more widely, including the Indian subcontinent. We know that the UK Government is actively seeking to fill the gaps in the current workforce with doctors from India through a targeted recruitment initiative in partnership with Indian medical representative groups.

Furthermore, following a hard fought and successful campaign by the BMA, the Home Office announced that it would be scrapping the cap on Tier 2 visas for doctors and nurses last June, thereby removing arbitrary limits to overseas recruitment. Despite these incentives, we are still struggling to recruit enough doctors to deliver patient care.

Alongside these stark workforce issues sit a number of other unanswered questions. Medical research has benefited hugely from the partnerships across the EU, both in terms of training, funding opportunities and shared research programmes. All these now have a question mark over them.

How medicines will flow into the country and out has still not been agreed fully. And, as widely reported, the issue of Northern Ireland is incredibly important. Freedom of movement allows the pooling of resources and patients across the Irish border, a situation that could well cease after 29 March unless an agreement can be reached.

At the BMA’s annual conference last year, recognising the major threat to the NHS and the nation’s health, doctors voted to oppose Brexit. We are now working with other influential health organisations to campaign for the public to have a final say on the Brexit deal. As the March deadline approaches we will continue to warn of the risks of Brexit in order to safeguard the interests of patients and the NHS workforce. We are too dependent for the delivery of patient care on our deep and beneficial links with the EU, built over decades, to throw them away without being certain of what will replace them.

The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom.

Medical Profession

Rishi Sunak

Alok Sharma

Seema Malhotra

Virendra Sharma

Keith Vaz

Priti Patel

Suella Fernandes Braverman

Shailesh Vara

Sajid Javid

Tulip Siddiq

Continued from page 1

Among all the issues raised by the Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn, he has been right about one thing- this Brexit vote is not a failure of Theresa May as a leader, but a failure that of the government. Labour tabled a no confidence motion in the government but the DUP said it will support Mrs May. DUP leader Arlene Foster said they would work constructively with the government to get a better deal.

A majority of Indian origin MPs voted against Mrs May's withdrawal agreement on Tuesday.

Conservative Party's Rishi Sunak and Alok Sharma were the only ones to vote in her favour, according to the published House of Commons new app. Suella Fernandes Braverman, who is expecting a baby early next year, Priti Patel and Shailesh Vara voted against her. Priti was one of the key figures to have backed the 'Leave' campaign. Michael Gove and Home Secretary Sajid Javid stood

by Mrs May and her policies till the end. However two Ministerial aides, Eddie Hughes and Craig Tracey quit the government as the vote began in order to vote against the deal. In addition, Tom Pursglove resigned as a vice-chairman of the Conservative party shortly before the vote.

Among Labour MPs, Tulip Siddiq appeared in the House of Commons to vote on a wheelchair, delaying her baby boy's birth by 2 days. Tulip Siddiq, 36, who voted no, was due to have a caesarian section on Tuesday, but medics agreed to delay the operation until Thursday so that she can vote on the withdrawal agreement.

While proxy voting should have been allowed for someone with such pregnancy complications that needed a 37 week ceasarian birth, she had to make her way to vote due to lack of the provision. The Conservative party said it had offered to “pair” Siddiq, meaning a rival MP would not vote to ensure her absence did not affect the end result. But Siddiq said she was not ready to trust the informal system after the Conservatives broke a pair for a new mother MP last year.

The new baby boy will be a

great-grandson of the founding father of Bangladesha as Siddiq is the grand-daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh. The current Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina is her aunt.

The other Labour MPs who voted against the agreement Virendra Sharma, Keith Vaz, Lisa Nandy, Seema Malhotra, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Preet Kaur Gill and Valerie Vaz. Speaking to Asian Voice, Virendra Sharma said, "This evening (Tuesday 15) has proven that there is no majority in Parliament for the Prime Minister's Brexit deal and there isn't one for no-deal either.

“The Prime Minister has no support for her deal, so Labour should now renegotiate the deal based on our six tests.

“If she won't stand aside, she should let the people decide instead and hold a second referendum, with remain as an option."

Seema Malhotra, speaking at the Commons debatre on Wednesday said, “As a member of the Brexit Select Committee, today we have published a report in response to the vote last night on Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration. The report outlines the different options for the country and sets out the Brexit Committee's recommendation on how we should proceed. Please see the link below to read the report.

“The Committee's recommendation is that a series of indicative votes on the options we have set out above as soon as possible. In deciding how to proceed on 21 January, the House and the Government will need to identify not only where a majority might be found but also what decision-making process might allow for the reflection of the view of the House as a whole, including the possibility of free votes, and how to enact any decision made."

Suella Braverman in her column in The Daily Telegraph wrote, “My parents emigrated to the UK from Kenya and Mauritius in the 1960s.

They were born during the British Empire and admired the United Kingdom. The country that inspired them was confident in the world, pioneering in statecraft and

fearless in the face of adversity. A Britain that led the way for others and contributed so much good to the world. That is the vision of Britain which I have inherited and in which I have profound faith. And that is ultimately why I am unable to support the Withdrawal agreement, even after exchange of letters and sincere efforts of the PM to secure concessions.”

Shailesh Vara, North West Cambridgeshire MP resigned as Northern Ireland minister in opposition to the deal. Mr Vara who had voted 'Remain' in the referendum promised to support Brexit and has repeatedly stated that Britain has nothing to fear about a no deal situation, with trading on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms.

After the vote he reportedly said, “This is an historic vote. It’s also a decisive vote and a powerful message to Brussels that the deal they have offered to the UK is completely unacceptable.

“There’s much in the agreement that I disagree with, but I recognise in international agreement there needs to be compromise. But Brussels needs to appreciate that the unending backstop does need to be looked at again.

“I very much hope that the size of the vote against the withdrawal agreement will encourage Brussels to open up negotiations even at this late stage so we can reach an agreement which is fair and acceptable to both sides.”

European Council President Donald Tusk hinting at a second referendum tweeted, “If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?”

Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit speaking briefly to reporters said, "Now it is time for the UK to tell us the next steps. On our side we will remain united, and determined to reach a deal."

With worries, a no-confidence motion may trigger another general election, Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of the Conservative Friends of India (CFI) who has come forward to support Mrs May publicly tweeted, saying, “A general election is not the national interest,” mirroring the thoughts of the Prime Minister herself.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

7

19 - 25 January 2019

Barrister becomes the second Sikh woman to be ever appointed QC

Narita Bahra

Defence barrister Narita Bahra has been appointed to the Queen's Counsel, becoming the second Sikh woman to ever be a QC. Working for a leading Barristers Chambers- 2 Hare Court, Bahra has dealt with some high-profile cases in the country. She was named leading individual (2017) by the official Legal 500 team and was granted the Excellence in Law Award in 2015.

Speaking about her appointment, Bahra told Asian Voice, “I am absolutely delighted to have been

awarded Queens Counsel. It is wonderful to be acknowledged for my contribution to the Bar. “In a profession which still has a long way to go in terms of diversity I want to thank my family and friends, for not letting me give up and providing support at those crucial times when the going got tough.

“I am extremely proud that I can continue my work as a mentor and role model for diversity in the profession.”

She is also a part of the City Sikhs Advisory Board.

GOLDEN JUBILEE KENYA EXODUS AND SETTLEMENT IN BRITAIN Dear Readers Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have, besides providing news, views and features, persistently motivated and encouraged British Asians, promoting them and pushing them to the forefront of recognition. As the biggest Asian newsweeklies in Britain, we have made it our goal to lift our community with every opportunity we get. In Asian Voice issue of December 15, we published column on Kenyan Asians, titled, 'The Golden Jubilee Of Mass Exodus Of Kenyan Asians And Settlement In The UK'. The mass exodus of Kenyan Asians was seen accelerated in February and March of 1968. Following Kenya's independence in 1963, Kenyan Asians holding British citizenship were pushed towards migration, many of whom sought to arrive in the UK. Cut to 50 years later, the Kenyan Asian community is one of the most affluent communities in Britain. They are well-respected, recognised and are an integral part of the British society. As a way to celebrate the golden jubilee of the exodus of Kenyan Asians, we have decided to publish a special magazine in their honour. The magazine to be published in March 2019, will feature relevant information about their migration from undivided India to East Africa, particularly to Kenya. It will also record their contributions to the Kenyan economy and society.

We would like to invite you to submit any relevant information or stories; personal and/or their friends' and family's experience in the UK, latest by January 20. If you have a success story of people in public and political life, and know entrepreneurs and professionals, please send in their narratives. Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar's sole aim is to encourage, so fresh suggestions on topics and articles are also welcome.

We also seek your participation and support through sponsorship, advertisement and advertorials in this special publication. Those interested, please write to me or any of my colleague.

CB Patel: cb.patel@abplgroup.com Kokilaben Patel: kokila.patel@abplgroup.com or call (07875 229 177) Jyotsna Shah: jyotsna.shah@abplgroup.com or call (07875 229 223) Kishor Parmar: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com or call (07875 229 088) Surendra Patel: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com or call (07875 229 220) L George: george@abplgroup.com or call (020 7749 4013) Cecil Soans: cecil.soans@abplgroup.com or call (020 7749 4089) shrijit.rajan@abplgroup.com or call (+91-9879882312)(India Office) Shrijit Rajan: Yours Sincerely,

CB Patel Publisher/Editor Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

8 UK

AsianVoiceNews

19 - 25 January 2019

What Is IR35 are in or out?

IR35 is tax legislation that is designed to combat tax avoidance by workers supplying their services to clients via an intermediary, such as a limited company, but who would be an employee if the intermediary was not used.

Such workers are called ‘disguised employees’ by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). If James Backhouse caught by IR35, they must pay income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) as if they were employed. The financial impact of IR35 is significant. It can reduce the worker’s net income by up to 25%, costing the typical limited company contractor thousands of pounds in additional income tax and NICs. Liberty Williams are here to help as we have found Many people that are working through personal service companies have felt extremely hard done by with the introduction of the new rules many agencies have put a blanket inside IR35 around all contractors although they have not done a proper review on the contract and working conditions.

However, this has been challenged in the courts therefore the revenue has excepted if someone is legitimately outside IR35 then they can claim back personally the incorrectly taken tax and reimburse it to the company allowing the directors to operate the company as if it was outside IR35. This means that the accounts and tax returns need to be adjusted however you can claim back all the PAYE and NIC that was paid incorrectly across to the HMRC.

How do you know if you are outside IR35?

The revenue has lost several cases on IR35 the reasons they have lost the cases are as followed 1) There are no set hours of each day and there is no time frame for the completion of work for example the contract does not mention 9-5 Monday to Friday.

2) There is no individual mentioned as a direct report in the contract nor is there a department 3) No notice period either way is mentioned in the contract 4) The contractor decides what equipment they use to complete the assignment or task 5) The end client must agree to whatever substitute is chosen within reason by the contractor 6) Contractors must repair work at their own expense 7) Contractors must have their own insurance (you may find many agencies are now assisting now on this) 8) Contractors should not wear branded clothing of the end client 9) You must have the rights to refuse work

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

Police warning after robbers use ‘Boris’ hire bikes as getaway vehicles in Ilford Police have launched an investigation and are warning residents to be “aware of their surrounding” after suspects were seen on Saturday (January, 12) between 8pm and 9.30pm in the Ilford area.

“Please be aware of two males wearing hoodies on possibly ‘Boris’ cycles that have been committing robberies in the Mayfield bordering Clementswood area on Saturday evening,” said Clementswood Police Safer Neighbourhood Team.

“If you saw anything or have any information regarding these males, please call 101. As usual, please pass on this information, we all have a responsibility to keep ourselves, our family, friends and neighbours safe. Be aware of your surroundings when out and about.”

Hannah Chowdhry with hire bikes in the borough

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the East Ilford Betterment Partnership, said he is extremely concerned about the “potential use of Santander Bicycles run by Transport for London in robberies”.

“If the use of Boris bikes in this way is found to be true it will be of great detriment to the scheme and I urge Sadiq Khan to

use his resources to trace the use of the bikes to help find these criminals,” he said.

“These bikes must have a tracker system to prevent theft and now is the time to use the facility to catch these culprits. If the existing technology does not facilitate a tracer facility than it should be made an immediate priority for

adaptation that prevents a useful public resource becoming a magnet for crime.”

Hannah Chowdhry, Essex Youth Councillor said she cannot believe that with crime rates “as high as they are” that the government is reducing the number of local police.

“We need to urge Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to set aside funds which immediately expand policing numbers throughout London,” she said.

“The recent murder of Jayden Moodie in Walthamstow just before the launch of the Borough of Culture programme and this recent robbery debacle, in which felons are using public transport resources to facilitate crime is evidence of how crimes escalate when ignored.”

Angry landlords accuse estate agent A Slough based estate agent is being investigated by trading standards after ignoring orders from the property ombudsman to back thousands of pounds to angry clients.

Nick and Angeli Sahota say they entrusted two properties they owned to Lee Clarke - director of Berkshire Estates Ltd in Windsor Road, Slough to manage.

Mrs Sahota said: "The understanding was that he would put tenants' deposits into a DPS scheme. When we discovered he had not paid it in he fobbed me off and finally became abusive on the phone."

She said the couple had to reimburse their tenants for the lost deposits and are still owed the compensation Mr Clarke was subsequently

ordered to pay by the property ombudsman - a total debt of £4,600.

The couple have made contact with other Slough landlords who say Mr Clarke's company owes them money for rents and deposits that were not passed on.

They gathered to protest at the weekend outside his now deserted office in Windsor Road.

This week a spokesman for Slough Borough Council, which is Slough's trading standards authority, said: "We can confirm we are doing everything within our powers to establish the scope of the issue. It is a live investigation and is very complex. We are working with our partners including Thames Valley Police and the Property Ombudsman."

A statement by Katrine Sporle, the property ombudsman, confirmed that Berkshire Estate Agents had ignored its orders to pay money back to several complainants and had been reported to Slough Trading Standards and the industry regulator NTSEAT. Slough Council has confirmed that Berkshire Estates is no longer part of any redress scheme which could render the company

liable to a fine of £5,000.

Lee Clarke. who is a director of the company has not answered emails sent by the Observer asking for his comments and the office in Windsor Road has been closed with the telephone number no longer functioning.

A neighbouring business said that Mr Clarke had last been seen in the office on December 20 when he popped in for five minutes.

How tech tackles homelessness A growing number of startup enterprises are using tech to help those on the streets.

Varun Bhanot used to work at Hubble, a startup that helps businesses in finding office space, for four years when he decided to start his own organisation by selling clothes for the homeless people.

It had been a good year for Bhanot and he recently got engaged with his longterm girlfriend. The couple who felt very lucky that their lives had turned out so well and wanted to do something to help others less fortunate.Almost after a year of planning, they launched Unhoused.org an online retailer where for

every item bought, another is donated someone without a home.

“People sometimes suffer from fatigue, where there are so many opportunities to give but you never see where it ends up going and how it helps people,” Bhanot said to the Evening Standard “So we thought why don’t we

Varun Bhanot

build this transparent process where you can follow your donation to the end.”

Men jailed for funding Jihadists in Syria

Offices in Harrow, Birmingham & Cambridge For more information please call 020 3763 8500.

262 High Road, Harrow Weald, HA3 7BB

Two men from Sheffield who sent money to Syria to fund terrorism have been given jail sentences.

Abdurahman Kaabar and Badroddin Kazkaz sent money to Kaabar's brother after he left the UK to "engage in violent Jihadi activity".

Sheffield Crown Court previously heard Kaabar, a

former dental student, also gathered and shared a "breathtaking" amount of terrorist-related material.

Kaabar, 24, was jailed for eight years, with Kazkaz sentenced to four years. Kabaar, from Sheffield, admitted 15 offences relating to disseminating or possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing

an act of terrorism. The former Plymouth University dental student was found guilty by jury of two counts of terrorist fundraising rela ting to cash sent to his brother in Syria. Kazkaz, 23, also from Sheffield pleaded guilty to a similar terrorism funding offence. During the trial, jurors heard Mohammed Kaabar had left the UK in

March 2016 to fight against the Syrian government. He went with another man, Ahmed Hadrami, who sent messages to say he went to Idlib in north-west Syria "to sacrifice myself for Allah's religion".

Kaabar and Kazkaz sent money to Mohammed Kaabar between September 2016 and January 2017.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

9

19 - 25 January 2019

As I See It

Illusion of Grandeur CB Patel

On Tuesday Tory government received a rubbing nose, historic defeat, which was not a real surprise. Prior to the vote, there was turmoil in the Cabinet on this subject.

On Wednesday when we were going to the press, the Commons was debating on the Labour Party proposal for vote of 'no confidence' in the government, which Prime Minister Theresa May won by 19 votes. The ERG, and the DUP have publicly announced that they will back the Prime Minister. After all the cement of power is very effective indeed.

At the same time, to invite a general election and facilitate the potential of a labour government, especially run by the politics of present leadership has its own risk and some labour supporters are aware of it.

Before I continue about illusions let me clearly say that to force a 37 week pregnant woman to postpone the caesarian operation and make her attend the tense chamber is nothing but a shame on the glorious traditions of the British Parliamentary democracy. The system is rotten and both parties are guilty of any potential harm to the child and the mother.

Power Let us look at the illusions. The ERG group has expanded from 45 odd hard core Eurosceptics, partly because of the inclusion of axed Cabinet Ministers and others over the last 8 years of Tory government, first five with Lib Dem partnership. It was unfair of Jacob Rees-Mogg to claim that the earlier vote of the 1922 Committee in support of Theresa May ascribing was due to power seekers.

City Hindus Network appoints their first ever woman Chair

Who are in the ERG? On one hand there are little Englanders, some disgruntled office bearers, and some aspiring to be in the power if Theresa May is toppled. In politics after all with all the ideals, the primary purpose is power. Let’s not have any illusion.

Some are day dreaming about the British power and influence in the modern world like that at to the end of World War II. U.K. and allied powers won the last war. Lest we forget. The British people's willingness to stand up to Nazi assault for freedom and sacrifices were remarkable. Equally never forget that USA, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa and Canada- the British dominion and colonies in Asian and Africa contributed enormously with man and material. Undivided India’s contribution in blood and toil is a story in itself. High time it is made a subject in the British school curriculum.

Some eurosceptics demand larger defence budget partly to please USA as well as ensure Union Jack continues to fly on the top. Untimely and unrealistic proposal without logic or common sense. USA ($700 billion) China ($450bn) Russia ($80bn) and other upcoming powers allocating almost $50 bn perhaps have a right concern. But UK? Let’s not forget that U.K. is a staunch ally of the Nato Nations from its inception and all recognised for it.

International influence, even power comes from strong economy, social cohesion, peace and unity in the country, with Scotland aching to be separate, Northern Ireland where precious peace was established 20 years ago has its own dimensions.

This Year BUY - SELL - RENT INVEST in Real Estate Properties in “AAPNU AHMEDABAD”

through the World’s Most Trusted Real Estate Broking Company - RE/MAX having presence in 105+ Countries.

Get in touch with Rajesh Desai on + 91 9825731535 / + 91 7940073017 email id: rajesh@remaxrealtysolutions.in.

Nirav Vakharia: + 91 98243 96321 Harit Parikh: + 91 90997 48484

Prerna Bhardwaj

Barrister, broadcaster, writer, political correspondent and TV presenter Prerna Bhardwaj (previously Lau Sian) has become the first ever woman Chair of the City Hindus Network.

Prerna, who is a nonpracticing barrister, has formally worked in regulation at Goldman Sachs and UBS. She is also an active member of the Overseas Friends of BJP and the Hindu Lawyers Association.

On her appointment Prerna said, “I am thrilled to be appointed Chair of the City Hindus Network and would like to thank the Advisory Committee for selecting me. I look forward to taking the organisation to a higher level with all your support and meeting you at our next event.”

A 710, Safal Pegasus, 100 Ft Road, Near AUDA garden, Prahladnagar, Ahmedabad -380015, Gujarat, India

Mortgages.....Mortgages......

Major Estates Finacial Services

• Residential Mortgages • Buy to Let Mortgages • Re-Mortgages • Life Insurance

For further enquiries please call Dinesh Shonchhatra

Major Estate 77 High Street, Wealdstone Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 5DQ

020 8424 8686/ 07956 810 647

my.

Tory leadership

It is important that we keep United Kingdom united and strong rather than world wide domination and fame.

Economy Whatever Brexit we have- hard or soft, will result in bad economy says the government report, Bank of England and IMF study and analyses of CBI and other business groups.

Healthy economy is essential for any nation to survive with respect and dignity. It’s mind boggling but a small group of people are willing to invite related poverty for some dogmatic reasons. This is not the British temperament or tradition. In the modern world, strategic alliance is of great importance, in all aspects of life including in international affairs. One out of 28 with about 8 percent of its economy and other strength cannot curve out a separate niche under any circumstances, says several independents surveys. Another subject is not thoroughly examining the post Brexit competitive strength for UK and British econo-

Talk about future development in the Commons and the Country especially in the Conservative party.

To retain the power some are willing to ditch Theresa May. I believe she has performed well in the given circumstances. After the referendum result and the sudden departure of David Cameron, she has gambled with the general election. Show me one person at the helm, who succeeds in every risk they take. Inspite of the horrendous hounds surrounding her within her own party, May has worked as best as she could. Yes the Brexit package is not perfect but you cant have your cake and eat it. After all compromises in life are better than committing suicide. Let’s look at the contenders for the crown. According to The Times, Boris 6/1, Sajid 6/1, Dominic Raab 8/1, Jeremy Hunt 8/1, Michael Gove 12/1, Amber Rudd 16/1 and Jacob Rees-Mogg 16/1.

Boris is the one who has proclaimed his capability and desire for the position. His personal problems along with his track record is not an advantage for him. Sajid Javid, a sober man with good family set up has been handling Home Office well, in spite of the crisis prior to his arrival there. Is UK now ready for a non white PM, especially of a Muslim background? That is a question.

It is difficult to restrain a person or group of people who are drunk. Hunger for power is also very intoxicating, especially when coupled with narrow nationalism.

10 READERS VOICE

AsianVoiceNews

19 - 25 January 2019

Spiralling cost of hospital parking Hospital parking charges were introduced couple of decades ago, perhaps with the good intention of stopping commuters and shoppers, free lodgers who were occupying these spaces reserved for the sick and the disable visiting hospitals while on shopping expedition.

Slowly but surely these noble intentions were converted into money-making scheme, especially after these parking lots were handed over to private contractors to manage, mainly on hefty rent charge or on profit sharing basis. These charges are going up and up practically every year and last year was no exception.

Although charges may vary from one NHS Trust to another, minimum charge most of us regularly pay is some £6 an hour, so often our long visit to see a close family member, to spend some quality time with them, may cost visitors £20 or even more. This is nothing short of punishing the sick, “Milking Misery!”

Few years back I was paying £50 for a weekly pass when one of our family members was a long term hospital patient. I wonder how much it would cost now. Unlike the presumption prevailing in the society, most Asians may be comfortable but definitely not rich who could afford to spend some £200 per month on parking, besides other expenses one may have to fork out for long hospital stay.

The worse aspect of this money making scheme is that even hospital employees, including nurses are not spared ever increasing charges, although most of them earn well below £30k, the minimum pay needed to survive, stay afloat in London while annual pay of top executives average £3 million, in ever widening gap between “Rich and Poor, Have and Have Not” generation!

No wonder some of these hospital staffs, especially nurses, have to queue outside “Food Bank” to make the end meet, feed the family. It must be humiliation beyond imagination for these honest, public-spirited, hard working nurses to be part of deprived society members living on financial edge whom they serve diligently day in, day out! What has happened to British sense of justice, land of milk and honey where no one goes hungry!

Kumudini Valambia By email

Be part of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day This January, at more than 11,000 events across the country, hundreds of thousands of people will gather to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day (27 January 2019).

Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember all those affected by the Holocaust and Nazi Persecution, as well as genocides which have taken place more recently in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. As well as remembering what happened, we also find ways to take positive action and make sure they can never happen again.

The Holocaust threatened the fabric of civilisation and has implications for us all. Without a basic understanding of this recent history, we are in danger of failing to learn where a lack of respect for difference and hostility to others can ultimately lead. With a rise in reported hate crime in the UK and ongoing international conflicts at risk of genocide, our world can feel fragile and vulnerable. We cannot be complacent.

Each of us has a responsibility to know what happened. Thankfully, more people than ever before are taking part in our annual commemorations to learn lessons from genocide and help create a better future.

For more information on how you can get involved with this year’s events, go to www.hmd.org.uk Olivia Marks-Woldman Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

Racial discrimination We Gurkhas have been facing racial discrimination in our human rights issues.

Will the Gurkhas ever get their voting rights that we have been waiting for 203 years?

Yam Gurung (rtd) Watford, Herts

Blossoming friendship between India and Japan Since BJP came to power under the astute guardianship of PM Narendra Modi, India’s prestige and respect has gone up in leaps and bounds throughout the world but in particular in Western world as well as among Islamic nations of Middle East and Central Asia which were alien nations under Congress misrule! PM Modi’s notable achievement is the establishment of close, friendly relations between Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe who recently visited India at the invitation of PM Modi.

This meeting of two PMs with synchronized minds, who share common interest in trade, technology and international relations, was indeed a blessing beyond belief for India, Japan promising to build and finance “Bullet Train” between Mumbai and Gujarat capital Ahmedabad. Japan leads the world in bullet train technology, train speeding at 200 mph that will help India to modernize Indian railways mainly built during British Raj to subjugate and rule India with iron fist! Japan is also eager to transfer its industrial, manufacturing base from China to India, mainly due to ever-rising Chinese labour cost as well as breakdown in Sino-Japanese trust and friendship. This will help Modi to implement his “Make it in India” policy, as well as provide jobs to ever rising Indian population with well-educated and hard-working younger generation.

Although recent closeness between two flourishing democratic nations have attracted all the attention, all the headlines, it was under the premiership of first BJP starlet, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee under whose leadership foundation of this close and mutually beneficial “Global Partnership” were laid when then Japanese PM Yoshiro Mori visited India in August 2000. Atalji was a wise and visionary PM who made BJP popular at national level.

The recent events, the rise of Chinese dominance, brutality and bullying of “South Pacific Rim Nations” that include China’s once close and loyal ally Vietnam, as well as neighbouring nations like Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Japan itself has raised a cloud of fear and mistrust of China. The final nail in the coffin of Chinese trust and intention were laid bare when China started building artificial islands in the shallow, international waters in South China Sea, ignoring Hague judgement against China, turning them into military outpost and claiming sovereignty of the entire South China Sea, threatening lifeline of Japan for whom South China Sea is an important sea route for it exports to the world. China has similar aspiration to build such artificial islands in Bay of Bengal, in Andaman Sea littered with some 300 islands, mainly tiny uninhabited islets. So India beware!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

India-UK relationship Boris Johnson and Priti Patel had promised the Indian community that they would get benefitted after Brexit. I dont see the benefit in the coming ten years.

India and UK have been partners in business for years. Of course the dynamics have changed over the years. From colonial power to an equal partnership.

But when Narendra Modi came to the UK in 2018, his refusal to sign the illegal immigrants MoU was a proof that tensions still exist. Though the government is trying to entice in immigrants in areas where there are shortages, the problem remains they can change the law suddenly without thinking about the consequences. What happened in case of our students?

I have been in this country for last 8 years. My Indian friends are facing discrimination- as their pernanent residence being rejected on the basis of small tax discripancies, that they have actually settled a long time back. The issue is between HMRC and the applicant. The Home Office has intervened and put them under criminal bracket. It is a shame for the UK-India relationship that we are trying to build on.

Arpita Mukherjee Via email What do you think?

We want to know your views on any issue. Write to: Asian Voice, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW or e-mail: aveditorial@abplgroup.com

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit.

Please keep contributing as always.

If you are new, then write to Rupanjana at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com - AV

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

CALENDAR 2019

Paid subscribers of Asian Voice will get a copy of our brand new 2019 calendar with their newspaper this week.

Status quo As the time of our exiting the EU is approaching nearer, doubts are evolving in people’s minds as to whether we are doing the right thing, or whether a second referendum may well produce a different result. We know that the first referendum produced a 51 to 49 result – a very close margin for leaving the European Union.

A second referendum may no doubt produce a different outcome – one in favour of remaining and maintaining a status quo. So what needs to be done? Why don’t we either go for another referendum and make absolutely sure that we really need to leave a massive European power and go it all alone. As things stand,we have much to lose and little to gain if we leave the EU. We will lose the support and co-operation of other EU countries; we will find it difficult to import medicines and fresh fruit and vegetbles. Prices of essential commodities will shoot up and our passports and driving licences will become invalid in other European countries.

Most importantly, would we be able to claw back the vast sums of money, to the tune of £59 billion that we were required to contribute towards the running of the EU and in bailing out the sick partners?

The monies thus reverted back to us could be put towards the much needed funds to help our ailing NHS and other infrastructures. We must adopt threaten the EU with a carrot and stick approach.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Shiva Mandir in Aldershot I would like to thank your journalist Rupanjana for an excellent article issued 5 to 11 January 2019 in AV Page 9.

As per her two previous articles on Aldershot, Gurkhas and Nepalese this article has also highlighted very relevant Nepalese Hindus issues.

I would also like to thank Shri CB Patel and Suredrabhai Patel for coming down all the way from London to give support to the Nepalese Hindus community in their fund raising efforts.

CB Patel gave a resounding speech highlighted the relationships between Nepal and India. The Trustees of Shiva Mandir and Community Centre are pleased to report that they have raised £50.000 in the three days of Satsang by Nepal’s eminent spiritual Saptaha Vachak Shri Pandit Deen Bandhu who recited the Bhagawatam in English, Nepali and Hindi respectively.

Shiva Mandir is still short of £45,000 and looking for help from British Asians.

Major(Retired) Suryaparsad Upadhya Via Email

MAKE YOURSELF HEARD

Write to our ‘Reader’s Voice’ section about what you think regarding the various ongoing issues all around the world.

Please send your letters to aveditorial@abplgroup.com Make sure they are NOT more than 250 words.

Any letter longer than the limit may not be published.

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

- Asian Voice

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

EDUCATION

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

11

19 - 25 January 2019

Ethnic minority academics Schools census used to speak out over unfair pay enforce immigration laws More than a dozen ethnic minority academics from UK universities have come forward with allegations of unlawfully being paid less than white colleagues with similar or lesser jobs. They have spoken out following BBC revelations that ethnic minority academics are losing out on pay.

It is not only junior academics who are affected, says Pragya Agrawal who was on a grade just below professor when she discovered she was being paid about £8,000 less than white male lecturers on lower grades in the same department. She feels she was doubly discriminated against as an ethnic minority academic and as a woman.

Paying men and women differently at the same level has been unlawful since the Equal Pay Act was introduced in 1970. A government consultation on compulsory ethnicity pay reporting for companies with more than 250 staff closes on Friday. Another teacher Mansoor says he felt discriminated against after discovering he was on the lowest possible academic salary, despite his nine years of teaching experience. The extent of the discrimination became clear, he says, when his department appointed a newly-qualified academic on a higher grade to him, amounting to a pay gap of £7,000. He says he faces

"casual racism" in his department about his Arab heritage which is hard to address, because "people think academia is such a liberal environment".

Lama, another nonwhite senior academic, was horrified when she overheard two junior colleagues discussing their pay. They were newly qualified, in their first jobs as lecturers, and yet, despite her six years' experience of teaching in elite research universities worldwide, their salaries were several thousand pounds higher than hers.

Overwhelmingly, the academics who spoke to us chose to remain anonymous for fear that speaking out now would jeopardise their future careers.

Yet another teacher Maya says her head of department apologised and offered to raise her salary, but not enough to close the pay gap. When she considered challenging it further he advised her not to, saying

she might be "seen as an angry black woman" and recommended applying for a promotion instead.

The head of policy and campaigns at the University and College Union Matt Waddup, says: "Not only is this unlawful, it is a huge waste of potential, and risks driving talented staff out of the sector. We urgently need much greater transparency on pay for women and ethnic minority staff in higher education, including detailed equal pay audits at a local level. Institutions must work with trade unions to tackle the scourge of insecure contracts in the sector that disproportionately impact women and ethnic minority staff."

The Department for Education responded that addressing unfairness in higher education is a priority, adding that the government is acting to address gender and ethnic disparities in the workforce as a whole.

MPs want to introduce minister for hunger to address food insecurity amongst children A group of MPs want the government to introduce a Minister for Hunger to respond to a growth in food insecurity in the UK - especially among children.

The Environmental Audit Committee highlighted 2017 Unicef figures showing 19% of children under 15 in the UK live with adults who struggle to buy food. It says ministers have failed to recognise and respond to the problem.

The government says the number of children living in workless households is at a record low. But MPs say the number of people without reliable access to affordable, nutritious food is "significant and growing", with the unemployed, sick or those with children most likely to be affected.

The committee wants to see the appointment of a new minister with "responsibility and accountability for combating hunger and food insecurity within the UK". The job would involve exploring the scale, causes and impact of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition and implementing strategies

to improve the situation.

The committee's report also suggests a close relationship between hunger and obesity.

"Insufficient access to food may lead to risk-averse purchasing habits and prioritisation of low-priced, filling foods with long shelf lives - which are often nutrient poor but calorie-rich," the report says.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Work and Pensions said that, since 2010, one million people had been lifted out of absolute poverty - including 300,000 children.

"Household incomes have never been higher and the number of children living in workless households is at a record low, but we know there's more to do ensure that every family has access to nutritious, healthy food. We already provide support through free school meals and our Healthy Start Vouchers," she said.

But Labour MP Mary Creagh, who is chairwoman of the committee, said more children were growing up in homes where parents do not

have enough money to put food on the table.

"The combination of high living costs, stagnating wages and often, the rollout of Universal Credit and the wider benefits system, means that levels of hunger in Britain are some of the highest across Europe. We found that nearly one in five children under 15 are living in a food insecure home - a scandal which cannot be allowed to continue."

Emma Revie, chief executive of The Trussell Trust, which runs more than 420 food banks across the UK, welcomed the idea of a hunger minister. "It's time for the government to take concrete steps towards a UK where everyone has enough money for food," she said.

"Although food bank volunteers are providing vital support to those in crisis, no charity can replace people having enough money for the basics. To end hunger, we need to understand the true scale of the challenge, and work across government to ensure everyone is anchored from being swept into poverty."

The government has revoked parents’ right to retract information on their children’s nationality and country of birth submitted to the schools census, months before Brexit throws the immigration status of 3 million European residents into doubt.

Officials from the Department for Education (DfE) collected the data on 6 million schoolchildren in England, before it was halted last June in the face of opposition from critics who said it was an attempt to turn schools into internal border checkpoints.

Confusion over the policy had already led some schools to instruct only pupils who were not “white British” to bring in identity documents, spreading alarm that it was encouraging racism and a culture of institutional hostility to migrants. Now ministers have confirmed that not only will they continue to store the data already collected, but also that parents can no longer ask schools to enter “refused”, which instructs the DfE to delete their children’s data.

Schools and families have not been informed of

the change in policy, which was revealed in an answer to a parliamentary question last month. Nick Gibb, the schools minister, said the “last opportunity for parents to retract [nationality and country of birth] information was via the last [schools census] collection in summer 2018”.

Other data from the DfE will still be used for immigration enforcement, Gibb added. “Where the police or Home Office have clear evidence that a child may be at risk or evidence of criminal activity, including immigration, [that] pupil’s address and school details may be requested from the national pupil database,” he said in response to a separate question. Both questions were tabled by David Lammy, the Labour MP. The schools census is a

termly collection of details of pupils in every state school by the DfE. It includes details such as age, address and academic attainment, which are recorded in the national pupil database. Figures released in December showed that in the year to September 2018 the Home Office requested data on 835 children from the DfE, which provided it in 247 cases.

When concerns were first raised about collection of children’s nationality and country of birth, the DfE had insisted that the new data would not be shared with immigration enforcement authorities, that it was only being collected for “analytical, statistical and research purposes”, and that parents could opt out whenever they wanted.

Brexit row 'dreadful lesson' for children Young people are being taught "dreadful lessons" about behaviour by the angry rows over Brexit, says the principal of Gordonstoun the private school in Moray attended by the Prince of Wales.

Lisa Kerr warns that scenes such as the protests against MP Anna Soubry are undermining efforts in schools to teach tolerance and respect for other views.

"It seems that simply taking part in a topical and important debate now makes you a target for abuse," says Ms Kerr.

She called for a more positive example. "As well as being deeply depressing for us adults, this is teaching dreadful lessons to our children," said Ms Kerr, principal of the school that taught Prince Charles, his brother the Duke of York and their father, the Duke of Edinburgh. She is concerned about pupils watching scenes of MPs and journalists being "hounded" over their views. Ms Kerr was backed by the leader of the ASCL head teachers' union, Geoff Barton, who said teachers were "dismayed" at the behaviour in the Brexit dispute.

"It's sending out a message that you can resort to intimidation," he said.

The head teachers' leader said schools made a point of showing that you could disagree with someone but still behave with "civility" but that was "unravelling before our eyes".

The Gordonstoun principal said teachers needed to show that despite the divisions opened up over Brexit, "we can still be tolerant of each other's beliefs and recognise the value of each other's cultures".

Ms Kerr said the language should be about "taking positive action" rather than "tak-

ing back control".

She warned of the prejudices that could be inflamed by "destructive rhetoric".

"Inaccurate assumptions about people from other countries have fuelled a rise in racism, which has set people against each other," said the independent school principal.

Amit Hindocha LLM ACA

Chartered Accountant and Tax Specialist advising on: Income Tax self assessment obligations,

including preparation and submission of tax returns by 31 January deadline

Corporation tax computations and returns,

including tax minimisation strategies and tax-efficient extraction of profits from company

Inheritance tax advice, including planning

to manage liability and drafting of Wills and Powers of Attorney

Contact: 07403 739 576 Capital gains and Property tax matters

12 MEDIA WATCH

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

SCRUTATOR’S The Lok Sabha, (the lower House of Parliament), was convulsed by what purported to be a debate on the government’s acquisition of the French Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi senses that the subject might conceivably result in a bonanza of votes for his party in the forthcoming general election later this year in May/June.

CII forecast robust growth The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has predicted That India will continue to be the world’s fastest-growing economy in 2019, based on strong drivers such as the services sector, infrastructure, and better consumer demand. ‘Better demand conditions, settled GST implementation, capacity expansion resulting from growing investments in infrastructure and continuing positive effects of reform policies undertaken and improved credit offtake especially in the services sector at 24 per cent will sustain the robust GDP growth in the range of 7.5 per cent,’ said the CII. (Hindu December 31, 2018).

Hasina sworn in as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sworn as Bangladsh Minister for a record fourth time in Dhaka last week.

Her Awami League party won a landslide victory in the general

Arun Jaitley

Rahul Gandhi

Judging by his performance on the floor of the House (duly televised), this seems unlikely. Raving and ranting, he descended into incoherence, provoking a telling riposte from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who referred to Congress as the once grand old party with legendary figures, now utterly vacuous. Rahul Gandhi’s indecent exposure scarcely bodes well for his party come the general election. He is clearly unfit for purpose as a prime minister in waiting. In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav has done a deal with the BSP leader Mayawati to fight the election on a common platform.

They have rejected any alliance with Congress. India’s most populous State has the largest number of seats in Parliament, and hence looks unpromising also for the current BJP incumbent Yogi Adityanath whose administration has reduced UP to a jungle of crime and lawlessness, accentuated by the distress of the farming community faced with the collapse of the cattle market (Hindu, Times of India, TV channels).

installed base of more than 1,83,000MW of equipment globally. It has thus far contracted 57 sets of supercritical turbine generators from domestic and foreign customers (Business Line January 7).

Step forward in Gauri Lokesh case The Special Investigating Team entrusted with bringing to book the assassins of Bangaluru columnist Gauri Lokesh revealed that Shashikant Rane, the leader of an extremist Goa-based Hindu organization, Sanatan Sanstha, had funded the group that shot dead Lokesh for her rationalist views, which were considered antreligious blasphemy (Hindsu January 7).

BHEL delivers in record time Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) commissioned an 800MW thermal power unit at Kothagudam, in Andhra Pradesh in a record 48 months. This included design, engineering and production. BHEL is India’s largest manufacturer of power generating equipment, with an

Putin to Modi Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephonic New Year conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him of Russian help to India in

Bandhan Bank swap deal Bengal’s newest and fastestgrowing Bandhan Bank is set to acquire mortgage lender Gruh Finance Ltd via a share swap, a move designed to cut the bank’s promoter holding and expanding its housing fiancé portfolio. Gruh, which has over 50 per cent ownership by Housing Development Finance Corporation, will receive three Bandhan Bank shares for every five shares held in HDFC. The swap is based on the six-month weighted average price of the shares two companies. As part of the deal, HDFC will also cut its stake further by 5.5 per cent in the merged entity (Mint).

Credit growth surge Around 80 per cent credit growth came in September-November of the current financial year ending March 31, 2019. This is highest year-on-year growth in five years.

Much of this bank credit has gone towards personal loans (mostly housing) and to industry. Within the industrial sector, food processing, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum and infrastructure (roads and power) have dominated credit flows (Times of India (January 2).

Fundamentals in place Sanjay Dutt, Director, Quantum Securities, told a media reporter that India had more or less absorbed its negative trends and was now on the road to positive growth.’We are on track for fundamental, earnings shaping up better. It will give us a very good investment horizon for the two to three years to deploy money,’ he said.(Mint December 31, 2018).

would be destroyed shortly since it had spurned talks with his Administration. He keeps boasting of the awesome strength of the US military and of the astronomical defence expenditure of $700 plus billion, more than the combined expenditure of the next nine countries. What have Trump and his predecessors Obama and George W. Bush achieved for their manic interventionist policies abroad? Witness the unfolding human catastrophe on an epic scale across the Greater Middle East and North Africa. Afghan lives, Arab lives and American lives have been sacrificed on the altar of national conceit. Meanwhile inner city violence deepens, drug abuse proliferates, inner city education is manufacturing hubs for illiterates, the income gap between rich and poor widens obscenely, random shootings are a daily occurrence in the land of the free, the country’s jails are busting at the seams with blacks and Latinos: America is deeply divided, at war with herself. Hubris will be followed by nemesis as surely as night follows day.

Minister Sheikh Hasina

iconic event. India-Russia relations are moving ahead in tranquil waters (RT January 7).

Further reservation on the block The Union Cabinet in Delhi approved a Constitutional Amendment Bill providing 10 per cent reservation to economically backward sections of society in the general category. The Bill will also cover those sections of Muslim, Sikh, Christian and Buddhist who fall within this purview. The quota will be increased to 50 per cent for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The decision has clearly been made with an eye to the looming general election.

Prime Minister Modi chaired the Cabinet discussion (Hindu, Business Line, Times of India January 8).

Maruti Suzui turns south for new plant Carmaker Maruti Suzuki is set to turn to south India for its third manufacturing hub in the country. ‘If we have to expand further beyond our existing capacity in Gujarat and Haryana (put together) then South is a logical place to put up a plant. I can’t see where the third plant be set up other than in the South. That will be nerer to the market and good for exports too,’ said R.C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Why the South?

election amidst widespread violence involving the League and its principal opponent, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led

by Begum Zia, now in jail for corruption. India-Bangladesh ties are poised to reach the next level of cooperation across numerous fields (Times of India January 8).

India rebuts Trump India rebutted US President Donald Trump’s mocking remarks on Indian development projects in Afghanistan, suggesting that New Delhi should send troops to the country for a peace-keeping role.

The Ministry for External Affairs issued a statement saying, ‘India firmly believes in the critical role that developmental assistance can play in transforming human lives.

India does not send its armed forces abroad except under specific mandate of UN peacekeeping Operations.’

President Trump had told the US media and his colleagues that Prime Minister Modi had said to him that ‘he built a library in Afghanistan. Library! That’s like like five hours of what we spend for Afghanistan.’ He urged Russia, India and Pakistan to send troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban (Hindu January 4).

Trump’s amnesia The irony is that the US President barely some months ago declared to the media that the Taliban

Peninsula India with its easy access to ports is fast becoming a hub for the automobile Prime Minister Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin industry. The business-friendly Southern States offer tax rebates. combating international Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, terrorism. His call also included for example, have attracted such an invitation to the Indian player as Kia Motors, Hero Premier be Chief Guest at Russia’s MotorCorp, Hyundai, N issan and international economic summit at BMW between them Business Vladivostok nine months hence – Line January 8). a case of forward planning for an

India scripts Australian triumph

Victorious Indian cricket team

Team India registered a 2-1 Test series victory over Australia, the first by an Indian side in 71 years, also and the first ever by any cricketing nation from the Subcontinent. The margin would surely have been 3-1 but for rain on the final day at Sydney, with hosts Australia over 300 runs in arrears in the second innings and defeat staring them in ace. It was compensation for India’s disappointments in England last summer.

A new era beckons for Indian cricket. Will it be grasped? (See page3).

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

13

19 - 25 January 2019

“My biopic would inspire women to follow their dreams with faith and courage” Maya Jaishankar A household name in India and with growing popularity in the UK, businesswoman and cosmetologist Shahnaz Husain, is the founder, chairperson & managing director of The Shahnaz Husain Group. She has been to the Harvard Business School to speak on her success story of establishing an international brand without commercial advertising and has also become a Harvard Case Study which is included in its curriculum. She has lectured to students at the MIT, Oxford University and also the London School of Economics.

In 2006, she was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India and she has also walked on the red carpet at the Cannes film festival.

Having had the chance to speak to her about the international success of her Herbal beauty franchise, Asian Voice was allowed an insight into the motivating forces behind this evergrowing venture.

AV: How does it feel to have a biopic being made on your life? Would you still like to see Priyanka Chopra playing you?

SH: I believe that such a biopic would inspire other women to follow their dreams with faith and courage. Nearly five decades ago, when I started my first salon, women were just stepping out of their homes into the business world. I had to surmount economic and social hurdles, but I did not give up. When the New York-based Success Magazine made me the first recipient of the “World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award”, they commended me for having made “something out of nothing”. This is true, because I started small, by opening my first herbal salon on the veranda of my own home in New Delhi. I feel that a biopic made on my life would show my relentless determination,

chemotherapy and radiation. Therefore, after R&D in our units, we decided to formulate Chemoline, which is now distributed freely to cancer hospitals.

Shahnaz Husain

my iron will and sheer hard work that helped me build up my international enterprise and put India on the world beauty map. Yes, I would like Priyanka Chopra to play me.

AV: What was it like to single-handedly create an international enterprise, and then become a case study for brand creation at the Harvard Business School?

SH: I always say that “Beauty” is not merely my career; it is the sole purpose of my existence. My faith in my own abilities gave me the courage to reject existing salon treatments and devise my own. I adopted a breakthrough concept of “Natural Care & Cure” and also started formulating my own ayurvedic products. I adopted unique business strategies and followed customized beauty care. My products were prescriptive and available only at my salon and grew based on client feedback. Even at a time when commercial advertising was the way to go, I rejected it and instead

relied on “word of mouth” and the fact that a satisfied client was the best advertisement.

When he heard that we have never advertised, Professor L.R. Hayes of Harvard told me, “You violate every norm we teach!” I established customized beauty care with a personalised style, and I relied on the word of mouth system for promotions. We are not a faceless brand name; it is an image-based enterprise.

Other companies that are merely selling cosmetics may find it beneficial to advertise their products commercially.

AV: Do tell us about the range of products you’ve created for cancer patients.

SH: Some of the first results of chemotherapy are hair loss and skin problems, like dryness, discolouration, or sensitivity. Ayurvedic ingredients have soothing and healing properties, which we knew would be beneficial, and so we decided to innovate products that would help to alleviate the problems caused by

MP meets with Immigration Minister to discuss attacks on minorities in Afghanistan A delegation including Slough MP Tan Dhesi met with the Immigration Minister to discuss recent attacks on minorities in Afghanistan. Alongside the Slough MP, Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy and representatives from the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Southall and United Sikhs handed a dossier to the minister. The document highlights the current difficulties facing the Sikh and Hindu

community following over 100 recent attacks against minority groups in Afghanistan. Tan Dhesi MP said: “While we had raised the issue last year in Parliament, it was important that we updated he Minister

about the desperate plight of Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan, seeking reassurances for those refugees in the UK facing the risk of deportation. Emma Hard MP added: “I am pleased that the Government is going to review its country guidance on Afghanistan and we will be meeting them again at the end of March to ensure that it actually represents the situation for Afghan Sikhs and Hindus.”

AV: Your brand is known not only for its contribution to beauty but also for its CSR initiatives involving women’s empowerment. What more can we be doing to ensure socioeconomic progress for women?

SH: I believe that financial independence and selfreliance are an integral part of women’s empowerment.

Therefore, my CSR initiatives empower women to be financially independent. We have been providing free beauty training courses to the mute, audio and visually impaired, as well as acid attack survivors and to underprivileged women. In a developing country like India, education of women is the need of the hour.

Education helps improve the quality of life for women, specifically in rural and poverty-stricken settings. Great emphasis must be given to educate women

so that they can educate their daughters, inculcating values of good health and education. Education also helps in changing mindsets and creates respect for women in the family and society.

AV: What did it mean to you to have represented India at the Presidential Summit for Entrepreneurs under President Barack Obama?

SH: For me, representing India at the World Summit for Entrepreneurs was not only the greatest honour, but it was also international recognition of Indian Ayurvedic beauty care. I felt that my relentless efforts were recognised. I found that President Obama and I share similar sentiments with respect to women’s empowerment – he said that it creates a beautiful, healthy and educated world. A part of the summit was a sit-down breakfast, with Hillary Clinton and Dr Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation where I spoke about my

work and my journey and received a standing ovation.

AV: You have already achieved much success during the course of your career. What is in store for the future of the company?

SH: I never rest on my laurels! I always look for the next frontier to cross, the next mountain to climb. Our future plans include concentrated international branding, strengthening and widening our global chain of franchise ventures and appointing distributors in unprecedented new markets. We plan to take Ayurveda to more countries within the next year – U.K., U.S.A., Canada, U.A.E., Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Peru and many more.

We have recently introduced new products including the Flower Botanics range, a line of deodorants, dry shampoos, organic shampoos and conditioners. We also plan to open treatment and destress centres and spas in hospitals, where patients can relax and rejuvenate.

Groom Required SEARCHING FOR GOOD MAN TO MARRY BETWEEN AGE OF 35 TO 85

I am 35 yr old, looking for nice men between 35 to 85 with view to marriage.

Only good persons, please email bio with recent photograph:

roseworldhappy@gmail.com

14 COMMUNITY

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

Former teacher with incurable rare lung disease encourages YOU to go to the gym Preeti Bali “You can continue to be mentally, physically and emotionally devastated or you can be physically, mentally and emotionally motivated”, says 38 year-old Jay Virdee, who lives with a rare autoimmune disease that is slowly turning her skin rock hard.

The former teacher from Stoke Poges, who launched her campaign ‘Jays Fight’ in 2017 to raise awareness of the disease Systematic Sclerosis also known as Scleroderma, has organised a ‘TakeSteps/Take Health’ event with Nuffield Health Club, who will be closely working with Jay as she embarks on 12-month trial journey and documentary. The free event on 26th January encourages all to take healthy steps at Nuffield Health in Stoke Poges with an opportunity to talk with fitness experts and meet Jay. Scleroderma is a rare, chronic autoimmune condition that affects about 12,000 people in the UK. It is a connective tissue disease that causes widespread damage due to an overactive immune system. Due to her illness, Virdee’s lungs have suffered heavy scarring and doctors have warned her that any lung infection could prove fatal.

Virdee who posts about the challenges and prejudice she faces as someone with an invisible illness says, “having a condition like this devastates you in every aspect of your life, from your career, personal life, personality, mental health and energy to do things.”

Her decision to embark on a trial journey was not one taken lightly, as using her lungs would increase exhaustion and requires

Jay Virdee, Dorota Dregier, Deputy General Manager - Nuffield Health Centre and Mandy Smith, Membership consultant at Nuffield Health Centre

careful monitoring. Nuffield Health has given herthe opportunity to work on her pulmonary rehabilitation (a programme of exercise and education for people with a longterm lungs conditions) with a team of fitness experts. She will be given a set of exercises designed around her needs and abilities.

However, due to the conditions’ unpredictability of flare-ups, extreme exhaustion and seriousness, there will be days Virdee simply cannot exercise. “Certain lung dis-

eases are progressive and that means you need to ensure that your other organs are empowered such as your heart. Staying active will not only help to maintain my lung health, but also maintain my general fitness”, she told the Asian Voice.

This is not the first time shehas undertaken steps to improve her health; Virdeewas one of the selected few to undertake pulmonary rehabilitation through the NHS. “The average age of those attending is

the 70 mark. I was the youngest in the room and it broke my heart,” she told the newsweekly. Working with Nuffield Health will give Virdee the feeling of fitting in with peers, a safe place to exercise, personal trainers and in an environment where she will be challenged and monitored. Lung diseases will inevitability affect one in different ways, including mental health. For Virdee it was accepting that she could never return to the classroom. She told the newsweekly, “I lost my classroom, but now I have an opportunity to share my journey to educate others on invisible illnesses, rare diseases, lung health and mental resilience.”

Mike McKevitt, director of patient services at the British Lung Foundation said: “It’s so important for people with a lung condition to stay active as it can help improve breathing and quality of life.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a very effective way to help patients exercise. It also builds confidence and is a great way to meet people in similar situations. We’re so grateful to Jay for raising awareness about the importance of staying active and the benefits of PR, it can make such a difference.”

Jay Virdee hopes people will be encouraged to take responsibility for their health and has negotiated reduced membership plans.

For further information go to: https://www.gofundme.com/jays-fight.

To attend RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/38971242 1782888/.

“First Waves”: Faces that suffered racism Scarlett Crawford has come out with project “First Waves” after she was appointed by the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art to explore and celebrate the 1965, 1968 and 1976 Race Relations Acts.

Through 'First Waves' Scarlett worked with six partner institutions across six different cities of Cardiff, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham in the UK to capture the voices of generations who have been directly impacted by the Race Relations Acts. Her father who is from the Windrush generation had to go through a whole documentation process after the scandal broke out and helped her in parts in drawing her inspiration for her work.

“It wasn't until I was 18 that I found out that my family is of the Indian diaspora. So you find out a lot about slavery and exploitation but you don't find out about the other migration that happened across the world due to British colonialism,” said Scarlett.

As part of her exhibition Scarlett had photographed close to 140 people where men, women and children from different communities and backgrounds are seen burning papers, holding pens and bulbs and using red ribbons as a way of shar-

ing their personal racial experiences.

“So, finding out that my ancestral roots are Indian even though my father was Jamaican made me realise that there are more stories to tell. It is not just about being black and white” explained the artist.

The educator is from South London and grew in up in the politically active

area of Brixton. As a kid Scarlett always thought that she had a role to play and she talks about how she used to write to John Major when he was the Prime Minister. Coincidentally when the Windrush scandal broke out she was also working on her project over race and meeting other people. It was then that Scarlett said that she realised- “the

importance of the project and it was the opportunity for those people to amplify these concerns and show that the Parliament was engaging and willing to listen to them.”

Why colonial and race history should be taught in schools?

The project highlighted the different forms of racism

that people suffered with victims varying from being as young as 12 to as old as 99 years. Scarlett narrated one particular story of a 12 year old at a workshop in Liverpool that felt so honest and simple that she recalls her saying“Imagine a 12-year old to be so perceptive when she talks about how history is not very well touched

Portraits of people who shared their stories of racism

upon as thoroughly as the Holocaust in curriculum and why it needs to be taught in order to do away with these biases that exist in the society today” But how does Scarlett expect this project to transform and reform the education space? The images are going to be returned to the societies and communities in which they were taken. But Scarlett also hopes to create this project as an educational resource that can be taken into schools or used to generate more conversation around racism and create awareness.

If the British schools are looked at then most emphasis is around the Tudor history and concepts of Roman civilisations among other subjects. The negatives of colonial imperialism and race divisions or slave trade are hardly taught about in detail in primary or secondary schools and mostly left as an optional subject for A levels and college courses.

Scarlett believes that“the best way to become involved with politics without becoming a politician is to become an artist” The artworks created at these workshops are exhibited in Westminster Hall at present.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

SP

UK

TLIGHT

15

19 - 25 January 2019

UK

Dr Amit Patel

VARINDER SINGH BOLA WITHDRAWS MAYORAL NOMINATION

The Enlightened Leading the Blind Sunetra Senior

had extended to the authorities: “when I first registered as blind, I discovered I’d have to go on a waiting list before receiving any support. I am lucky that I have a loving partner, or else I’d have sat in my home alone for months before managing how to cope. By then, my sense of self would have utterly diminished and aid wouldn’t be effective. I was especially able to empathise with those facing this because I went from being a doctor, someone who served the public, to the person needing medical attention, overnight. I lost a huge part of myself. It was as if a light went out. It took half a year to get over that emotional loss alone. My particular sight-loss means I only see grey mist with black bubbles that float around.

This is distressing enough without being made to feel as if a nuisance or disposable by the world too.”

Amit Patel, a medical doctor, lost his vision at the professionally ripe age of 32, but now resolutely works to enlighten the public about what life is like when you have a sight impairment.

He recently made headlines when the camera he had fitted around his guide dog, Kika, captured shocking footage of uncaring commuters striking his help, often with umbrellas.

Reflected in this undeniable physical proof, Amit has brought to light society’s attitude towards those with disabilities: “people think I cannot be living a normal life, and dismiss me as ‘just a pitiful blind man.’ They think I’m riding the tube for fun as if my dreams are all gone. But I have a family and a job, and most certainly feelings.”

Indeed, Amit’s biggest issue is the confidence he has felt knocked as a result of “belittlement” of his identity.

He continued: “when you look down on people with ill health, it has a detrimental psychological effect.”

One that is an additional debilitation.

“I’ve had mothers come over to me and say, ‘that’s brave’, when I’m dropping my son to nursery school. Why? Are they The solution then appears to be a getting a medal for showing their faces? two-pronged approach, combining Others have commented, ‘where’s his improved governmental services and carer?’ when I’m alone with my son in more sensitive collective consciousthe park. I’m the same as everyone else, I just live differently.”

Amit is currently a specialist consultant for diversity and inclusion, sitting on panels and doing a variety of motivational speaking. He also raises awareness via media platforms such as Sky News and the BBC, and has lately garnered a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister and a nomination for the Shaw Trust’s Disability Power List. As well as talking on discrimination, Amit highlights the fact that much can be done to enhance the everyday for blind persons where that information is not readily available. For example: “there’s a little device that can help you detect how far your tea comes ness. This would allow those affiliating in your cup so you don’t burn with Amit to feel equipped in priyour fingers when making vate and accepted more widely: a hot drink.” The proindividual pain would be Sight-loss cess for being assigned recognised minus the patroa guide dog is meticunisation.

Significantly, means I only lous too: “you will be refusing to shy away from see grey mist assessed according the demands of visual to routine such as impairment has been a with black how fast you walk deliberate aspect of Amit’s bubbles that and where you tend campaigning: “people tend to go and the most to censor the bad parts of float around suitable dog will be life, for example even with matched to you. There are parenting, but you should conalso confidence-building front this to thrive. I reiterate: it’s exercises.” The community leader also not easy to live with a disability but you personally cares for the newly carry on despite it. Sometimes I’ll blind, providing advice and feel pressure to stay smiling positivity and accompabecause if I don’t it seems to nying them through upset others. But as I say, I’m I'm the daunting journeys: “I’ll an ordinary person who has same as go right to someone’s their ups and downs – more everyone else, so than some. To truly repdoor to help them and there are some brilliant resent, I must be as vulneraI simply live charities who do the ble as I am strong.” differently same such as the RNIB.” Thus, through his incredible expressive ethic, Amit as *** much champions holistic thought Here, however, Amit commented on as he does the blind community: “I am how his experience of marginalisation still me,” he finished. “In fact, perhaps

Amit Patel with his guide dog, Kika

even a supercharged version, being busy 24/7. I’ve gone from being a doctor who had to work intensely to a social influencer who aims to guide many. I had fallen into fear and loneliness, and have become active and heard again. It’s beautiful though a daily struggle, and important to get on.” A powerful story of life expanded then, Amit demonstrates how living is always best as an open and evolving process.

Were you shocked that people had been so inconsiderate of your condition?

Yes. When I was sighted before, I would always give my seat up for people. I could not imagine the difficulty. I am holding a cane and have a guide dog so it’s unacceptable that people wouldn’t acknowledge me. A lot of the time, these are suited commuters who probably have pets of their own at home too.

What has been particularly difficult?

My parents have always said: “Amit, do whatever you want in life as long as you don’t hurt anyone.” So I became a doctor – it was hard to lose that and it was tempting to be angry, but that never helps. Culturally, being Indian was a challenge in this sense too because I had a lot of people talking of karma and saying if I was good and prayed enough, my sight would come back. But it’s not going to. It’s about accepting that.

My Mandir is very open though, and Kika even has her own bed there for whenever we visit!

What have you gained?

An incredible bond with my wife and a deep emotional richness. My success is a partnership with her – she does so much. And, of course, our son who is a joy. At the end of the day, we are just trying to make the world a better place one step at a time.

Finally, has Kika become your best friend?

I call her the ‘blonde leading the blind’ and she has her own passport so yes! She’s filled the void when I lost my sight. Funnily enough, my wife’s mother’s maiden name is Kika and Kika and I were one of the fastest matches made between guide dog and person so it seemed destined! Additionally, Kika was completely fair when we got her and now she’s sporting brown hairs – I always joke that she’s integrating!

T: @BlindDad_UK / @Kika_GuideDog

Councillor Varinder Singh Bola withdrew his nomination from the mayor after it emerged that his wife had been involved in the murder of a 21-year-old Sikh man.

Councillor Bola’s wife, Mundill Mahil, was imprisoned in 2012 for Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) after she lured Gagandip Singh to his Varinder Singh Bola death. After she set a “honeytrap” for Gagandip at her Brighton flat, the TV executive was beaten over the head by Harvinder Shoker and Darren Peters. He was then tied up with an electrical cord, stuffed in the boot of his own car and set on fire in southeast London. It is believed that he was still alive when the car was torched.

The Labour councillor made the announcement last week that he would be the mayor-elect, but in response to criticism from the media withdrew his nomination.

“I have taken time and reflected on the events of the past weekend and the concerns of my family, friends and colleagues. I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for the mayoralty of Redbridge,” he said in a statement.

He also added that he stood united with his “beloved wife” Mahil.

16 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

19 - 25 January 2019

19 - 25 January 2019

Half a decade ago could you have imagined how data, analytics and technology can help network farmers with supply chains, monitor ethical farming practices, and improve crop management?

I couldn't have but Sachin Shende and his partner Giles Barker evolved and developed KisanHuban an agri-tech start-up. Their sole intention?

To give farmers a meaningful and a simple decision-support platform. But how did this idea of role of data management in agriculture come about?

'Farm manager no different from a portfolio manager' “I grew up in a farming background in India, and studied agricultural engineering and got into software and data” Sachin Shende, Co-founder and CEO of KisanHub. “I could see the similarity between the financial sector and the agriculture business in the sense that the role of a farm manager is not different from a portfolio manager.

Both are managing assets and there is a risk return to both the assets,” explained Shende.

However, in finance there is portfolio management or risk analytical systems like Bloomberg, Reuters while in agriculture Shende observed that is not the case. These became the starting points where Shende noticed that there wasn't a “collaborative environment” in the food&beverage industry.

“We realised the bigger problem with the top super-

markets of procurement of produce either through the farmers or the aggregators. So that's where we manage the communication and data flow between the farmers and enterprises and vice-a-versa.

From the beginning KisanHub's ambition was in building a horizontal scalable platform to bring in multiple data sources in one place that would assist farmers in taking their decisions.” reveals Shende.

KisanHub is a software service company for AgriFood Enterprises. So essentially, farmers are still the end users of their system but they have shifted their business model from one-to-one engagement with the farmers to working with supply chains. This means that they work with large food&beverage companies and through them are directly connecting the farmers.

Connecting 50,000 farmers and procuring Barley for beer “We're working with world's largest brewer AB Inbev which owns beer brands like Corona and they procure barley from some 50,000 farmers around the world and our work is to connect all of those farmers on a same platform with their procurement team.

We also make them more sustainable and ensure they are growing efficiently, using the required amount of water and full addressability of where the barley has come from and to when it goes to the factory” explained Shende.

Most of the major con-

sumer brands whether it is KitKats, or Potatoes for the crisps, there are farmers for each brand growing these crops across the world and KisanHub enables the supply chain.

Fairtrade, weather stations and satellite pictures But what about fair-trade at a time when modern slavery and human exploitation or even corruption in trade and food industry is rampant. A Fairtrade study this year found that in top grower Ivory Coast 58% of cocoa farming households certified by the scheme earned incomes below the extreme poverty line. Fair-trade is a monitoring system put in place but even after that there are not enough resources or the tech is not put in place to give consumers the confidence that the produce has come from ethical farming practices.

“KisanHub can bring the transparency in those supply chains or where the crops are procured from outside the country,” said Shende.

With KisanHub there is complete visibility on that front because every grower and supply chain is registered on their platform and they say they know everything right from where the produce has come to what chemicals were used in the production of the ingredient.

“Nowadays car insurance companies install a black-box in their cars and that way the premium is decided. Our platform is similar, because we have weather stations, sen-

sors as part of the deployment, we take satellite pictures for the analysis of the crop and have arrangements with data providers which allows us access to pictures of farm lands and monitoring of the crop management and yield growth,” explained Shende.

Trial Platforms and how less money can yield more Currently the start-up functions on a dual platform of supply chain management route to the market and trial platforms however, the latter seems to be explored.

“Trail platforms are similar to clinical trials which enables capturing and visualisation of data, collaboration of research teams within that company. It essentially means that it allows experimentation with the crop,” said Shende.

This means that farmers are involved in commercial as well as research based study.

Additionally, these trials also extend beyond the food&beverage industry and extend into fertilizer, agrochemical

companies as well. According to the UK Cross Government Program on food security research close to 48% of the food consumed in the UK is imported. It is important for the consumers to know and understand that similar sorts of farming standards of the UK are applied in those international countries as well.

“There are high standards of farming in the UK and it is not a concept of cheap food,” said Shende Mitigating the risks and improving profit margins So how can technology and data play an important role in crop management practice and help farmers in efficient and quality crop production at a time when smartphones have penetrated into rural Indian farms as well?

According to Shende, most of these farmers spray pesticides even if there is no chance or possibility of a particular infection.

“They have this PMT spraying schedule because they don't want to risk their crop to be ruined and it is

good if pesticides are used in adequate quantities.

“What we do is make them understand through weather parameters how and when the risk levels are low for a fungal infection so that there is barely any need for spraying.

We help in improving the quality of the crop as well manage their expenses and improve their profit margins,” explained Shende.

At a time when UK is poised for Brexit and IndoUK trade relations are anticipated to foster more bi-lateral trade, start-ups like KisanHub can blend the scientific prowess of the UK and agricultural strength of India.

“There are a lot of similarities between the UK and India in the agricultural sector in terms of agronomy, crop science, crop management. Some of these practises can be taken back to India which can improve the technical advisory to the farmers which would help them grow better or more using less resources”

Priyanka Mehta The upcoming Parliamentary election in India is perhaps the content for the majority of the political videos and memes that are forwarded to us on WhatsApp groups and FaceBook pages. But as Non Residential Indians (NRIs) staying here in the UK on an Indian passport, how much of a political voice do over 100,000 of us- businessmen, students or even “oversees friends”- have when it boils down to voting for the government that we want, a government that represents us and our interests?

Indo-UK bilateral trade “Casting our vote is our right and responsibility so that we can elect a progressive government that will ensure a growing economy at the domestic front as well as facilitate UK-India bi-lateral trade,” said Ghanshyam Nabar an NRI based in the UK. At present NRIs in the UK are eligible to cast their votes in an election if they are registered on the electoral rolls in their constituency. However, the fundamental issue is that it is practically not feasible for them to take a holiday from work, spend roughly £500 on flying back to India, travel to their constituency where they are physically registered just to cast a vote. In a country of 1.2 billion people, some 100,000 votes would hardly shake things but Ghanshyam argues how “my vote may not make a huge impact in deciding which political party forms the government but at least it will be for a candidate who ensures that on a business front India surges ahead.

Reforms such as ‘Make in India’ and even the ease of doing business in India bene-

fits us if a proper government is in place,” he said.

NRI Proxy Voting Bill The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2017 was earlier passed in the Indian Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Parliament) through a voice note. This Bill proposes that overseas Indians, who are entitled to vote in India, could now appoint a proxy voter to cast their votes. In essence, it seeks to give them the option of proxy voting, which till now was only available to service personnel.

“NRIs have historically been excluded from India’s democratic process.” said Manoj Ladwa, Founder & CEO, India Inc Group.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, India's Law Minister has now moved this Bill for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha.

“Unlike citizens of many other countries living abroad (commonly referred to as expats), Indian citizens have not had any practical mechanism to vote in local or national elections apart from having to physically travel to India.

“I am very pleased that the Modi government has taken this historic step to enable Indian citizens abroad to cast their vote. NRIs contribute tremendously to the country’s development in so many ways. It’s only right that they are able to easily exercise their democratic right,” Mr. Ladwa added.

Nagender Chindam, the man behind Pravasi Bharat However, this initiative to assimilate the voting rights of

My Right,

My Vote Why NRI voting matters in India's 2019 elections? the NRIs pushed forward by an NRI IT consultant Nagender Chindam who first came to the UK in 2008.

“This is not a political campaign. It is a rights-based campaign” explained Nagender.

Nagender who founded Pravasi Bharat in 2012 continues to work in the UK on an Indian passport. From writing letters to the Election Commission, going on a 3-day hunger strike and organising a march from the Mahatma Gandhi statue to the Nehru statue in London, Nagender has done what he can to voice the rights of NRIs like him in ensuring their political representation in India. He argues about how there is a system enabling expats of countries such as the UK, Canada, USA and even Lebanon today to cast their votes from different parts of the world.

“In light of the recent Bills that have been passed in the Parliament we're confident that the NRI Proxy Voting Bill would also be cleared after discussion in the Rajya Sabha.”

And while most of the

international Indian diaspora have welcomed the move of establishing a voting system there is scepticism with regards to data leaks and influence of vote in a world of fake news, Cambridge Analytica and Facebook influenced elections amidst other concerns.

Hazards of proxy voting: Data leaks and privacy of information “We get daily reports about how Russia perhaps meddled into the US elections and maybe also in the Brexit referendum. My primary concern is about data leaks and privacy of information.

As an NRI, how do I know that the person who I have nominated to vote has really voted on my behalf and furthermore casted the vote that I have asked him/her to?” asks Sanam Arora, a strategy consultant and a part-time volunteer for the National I n d i a n Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK. Another alternative to the Proxy Voting system suggested by academics is by estab-

lishing a postal ballot system wherein elections could be held at the various High Commissions or Indian embassies at different countries so that the NRIs could physically go down to those chosen locations and cast their vote.

However, at a seminar held at the London School of Economics, former Election Commissioner, Dr. S. Y. Quraishi explained how the High Commission did not have the financial or the human resources to set up physical voting booths on the day of election across different countries and then get those votes to India wherein they can be counted in time of declaration of the results.

“Casting a vote is both a privilege and a responsibility that we enjoy. If the High Commission of India can be equipped to hold postal ballot then that will perhaps be more re-assuring as opposed to the system of proxy voting,” explained Sanam.

Postal ballot voting, rigging, and influence But postal ballot comes with its own share of problemsthe most dominant being that the Election Commission regardless of his efficiency of conducting elections at a national scale cannot monitor the voting procedure out of India as these territories do not fall under his jurisdiction.

“It can be misused. There are chances of votes being rigged and more importantly if you nominate someone to vote on behalf of you what is to guarantee there is no influence?

The government is using the NRI funds, generating investments, so they should have a system established where they can get the NRIs to vote in a way that there is

no fraudulent activity,” said Sudhakar Goud, spokesperson of the I n d i a n Overseas Congress, UK. But there are two sides to this debate according to Pranav Bhanot, lawyer and one of the key authors of the book, ‘A Living Bridge: The UK-India Diaspora & The Rise of The Millennials’.

“The idea of getting NRIs to vote in the elections will ensure that they have a closer connection with their country.

But at the same time the onus also lies on the political parties as well to ensure that their policies are representative of the interests of the NRIs to get them out on the voting day. If it doesn’t help them in anyway then why will these people vote?” asks Bhanot.

But there is also a risk associated with this concept as there is a possibility that a lot of them are unaware of the domestic policies of the contesting political parties which may lead to un-informed decisions on their part. As of today, official government reports suggest that there are close to 31mn people of the Indian diaspora are as expats in international countries, many of whom fighting for their right to vote. And while the oversees friends of both the BJP or Congress have taken initiatives to call out on the “voluntary support” of NRIs, calling them 'the livingbridge', there is skepticism about the spread of propagandist messages, fake news and misinforming campaigns that might swing and influence people's votes, back in the country as well.

High Commission of India hosts mini PBD in the UK The High Commission of India organised the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas UK chapter on Friday 11th January in the High Commission of India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in every two years in India to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.

During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognise their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.

The 15th PBD Convention is being held on 21-23 January 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The theme of PBD Convention 2019 is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India". Special arrangements are also being made for participation in Kumbh Mela and Republic day parade.

Speakers at this evening's event included Lord Karan Bilimoria, Lord Ranbir Suri, Virendra Sharma MP, Former

HE Ruchi Ghanashyam, Neena Gill, Lord Suri, Lord Bilimoria, Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Nat Puri, A S Rajan, Minister Coordination, Deputy High Commissioner of India to UK Charanjeet Singh, CB Patel and other guests

Mayor Neena Gill, Nat Puri, Dr Rami Ranger CBE to name a few.

Speaking at the event, Lord Bilimoria said, “Always proud to be an Indian.” Speaking about the change in the role of Indians in the UK, Dr Ranger added, “There was a time UK complained about curry and today it cannot have

enough of it.”

Deputy High Commissioner of India to UK, Charanjeet Gill spoke about their new consular services in the UK that includes helping people with their applications and issuing urgent emergency certificates at the India House premises.

The hall in the ground floor has

Photo courtesy: Raj D Bakrania, PrMediapix

KisanHub: How does technology facilitate agriculture?

Priyanka Mehta

17

been refurbished, providing services to people in any consular services they need. The phone lines are now open every day and even on holidays and officers are there to answer all the queries. They are also planning to make the VFS an appointment free system, to ensure people are welcome any

time. The High Commissioner of India to UK, Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam told the audience, “The diaspora has gone out of India, and made us proud. There is a change in the way people look at the diaspora today. Diaspora itself also responsible for that. They have imbibed good values in their children. It is not about brain drain but it’s about brain gain through their experience and skills. Having all of you here is a joy for us.

“We are really focussed on giving expedited services for the benefit of people. The public response unit is the best performing so far.

Including the telephone line. It is tried and tested. We want to do better. We are willing to receive crisp criticism.

“We thank all the staff for issuing 32 emergency visa, 14 certificates during holidays. The diaspora contributiuion to UK's economy is is 6%. Something we should take pride in. We look forward to working with you. We work together to make India even a bigger name.”

16 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

UK

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

19 - 25 January 2019

19 - 25 January 2019

Half a decade ago could you have imagined how data, analytics and technology can help network farmers with supply chains, monitor ethical farming practices, and improve crop management?

I couldn't have but Sachin Shende and his partner Giles Barker evolved and developed KisanHuban an agri-tech start-up. Their sole intention?

To give farmers a meaningful and a simple decision-support platform. But how did this idea of role of data management in agriculture come about?

'Farm manager no different from a portfolio manager' “I grew up in a farming background in India, and studied agricultural engineering and got into software and data” Sachin Shende, Co-founder and CEO of KisanHub. “I could see the similarity between the financial sector and the agriculture business in the sense that the role of a farm manager is not different from a portfolio manager.

Both are managing assets and there is a risk return to both the assets,” explained Shende.

However, in finance there is portfolio management or risk analytical systems like Bloomberg, Reuters while in agriculture Shende observed that is not the case. These became the starting points where Shende noticed that there wasn't a “collaborative environment” in the food&beverage industry.

“We realised the bigger problem with the top super-

markets of procurement of produce either through the farmers or the aggregators. So that's where we manage the communication and data flow between the farmers and enterprises and vice-a-versa.

From the beginning KisanHub's ambition was in building a horizontal scalable platform to bring in multiple data sources in one place that would assist farmers in taking their decisions.” reveals Shende.

KisanHub is a software service company for AgriFood Enterprises. So essentially, farmers are still the end users of their system but they have shifted their business model from one-to-one engagement with the farmers to working with supply chains. This means that they work with large food&beverage companies and through them are directly connecting the farmers.

Connecting 50,000 farmers and procuring Barley for beer “We're working with world's largest brewer AB Inbev which owns beer brands like Corona and they procure barley from some 50,000 farmers around the world and our work is to connect all of those farmers on a same platform with their procurement team.

We also make them more sustainable and ensure they are growing efficiently, using the required amount of water and full addressability of where the barley has come from and to when it goes to the factory” explained Shende.

Most of the major con-

sumer brands whether it is KitKats, or Potatoes for the crisps, there are farmers for each brand growing these crops across the world and KisanHub enables the supply chain.

Fairtrade, weather stations and satellite pictures But what about fair-trade at a time when modern slavery and human exploitation or even corruption in trade and food industry is rampant. A Fairtrade study this year found that in top grower Ivory Coast 58% of cocoa farming households certified by the scheme earned incomes below the extreme poverty line. Fair-trade is a monitoring system put in place but even after that there are not enough resources or the tech is not put in place to give consumers the confidence that the produce has come from ethical farming practices.

“KisanHub can bring the transparency in those supply chains or where the crops are procured from outside the country,” said Shende.

With KisanHub there is complete visibility on that front because every grower and supply chain is registered on their platform and they say they know everything right from where the produce has come to what chemicals were used in the production of the ingredient.

“Nowadays car insurance companies install a black-box in their cars and that way the premium is decided. Our platform is similar, because we have weather stations, sen-

sors as part of the deployment, we take satellite pictures for the analysis of the crop and have arrangements with data providers which allows us access to pictures of farm lands and monitoring of the crop management and yield growth,” explained Shende.

Trial Platforms and how less money can yield more Currently the start-up functions on a dual platform of supply chain management route to the market and trial platforms however, the latter seems to be explored.

“Trail platforms are similar to clinical trials which enables capturing and visualisation of data, collaboration of research teams within that company. It essentially means that it allows experimentation with the crop,” said Shende.

This means that farmers are involved in commercial as well as research based study.

Additionally, these trials also extend beyond the food&beverage industry and extend into fertilizer, agrochemical

companies as well. According to the UK Cross Government Program on food security research close to 48% of the food consumed in the UK is imported. It is important for the consumers to know and understand that similar sorts of farming standards of the UK are applied in those international countries as well.

“There are high standards of farming in the UK and it is not a concept of cheap food,” said Shende Mitigating the risks and improving profit margins So how can technology and data play an important role in crop management practice and help farmers in efficient and quality crop production at a time when smartphones have penetrated into rural Indian farms as well?

According to Shende, most of these farmers spray pesticides even if there is no chance or possibility of a particular infection.

“They have this PMT spraying schedule because they don't want to risk their crop to be ruined and it is

good if pesticides are used in adequate quantities.

“What we do is make them understand through weather parameters how and when the risk levels are low for a fungal infection so that there is barely any need for spraying.

We help in improving the quality of the crop as well manage their expenses and improve their profit margins,” explained Shende.

At a time when UK is poised for Brexit and IndoUK trade relations are anticipated to foster more bi-lateral trade, start-ups like KisanHub can blend the scientific prowess of the UK and agricultural strength of India.

“There are a lot of similarities between the UK and India in the agricultural sector in terms of agronomy, crop science, crop management. Some of these practises can be taken back to India which can improve the technical advisory to the farmers which would help them grow better or more using less resources”

Priyanka Mehta The upcoming Parliamentary election in India is perhaps the content for the majority of the political videos and memes that are forwarded to us on WhatsApp groups and FaceBook pages. But as Non Residential Indians (NRIs) staying here in the UK on an Indian passport, how much of a political voice do over 100,000 of us- businessmen, students or even “oversees friends”- have when it boils down to voting for the government that we want, a government that represents us and our interests?

Indo-UK bilateral trade “Casting our vote is our right and responsibility so that we can elect a progressive government that will ensure a growing economy at the domestic front as well as facilitate UK-India bi-lateral trade,” said Ghanshyam Nabar an NRI based in the UK. At present NRIs in the UK are eligible to cast their votes in an election if they are registered on the electoral rolls in their constituency. However, the fundamental issue is that it is practically not feasible for them to take a holiday from work, spend roughly £500 on flying back to India, travel to their constituency where they are physically registered just to cast a vote. In a country of 1.2 billion people, some 100,000 votes would hardly shake things but Ghanshyam argues how “my vote may not make a huge impact in deciding which political party forms the government but at least it will be for a candidate who ensures that on a business front India surges ahead.

Reforms such as ‘Make in India’ and even the ease of doing business in India bene-

fits us if a proper government is in place,” he said.

NRI Proxy Voting Bill The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2017 was earlier passed in the Indian Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Parliament) through a voice note. This Bill proposes that overseas Indians, who are entitled to vote in India, could now appoint a proxy voter to cast their votes. In essence, it seeks to give them the option of proxy voting, which till now was only available to service personnel.

“NRIs have historically been excluded from India’s democratic process.” said Manoj Ladwa, Founder & CEO, India Inc Group.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, India's Law Minister has now moved this Bill for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha.

“Unlike citizens of many other countries living abroad (commonly referred to as expats), Indian citizens have not had any practical mechanism to vote in local or national elections apart from having to physically travel to India.

“I am very pleased that the Modi government has taken this historic step to enable Indian citizens abroad to cast their vote. NRIs contribute tremendously to the country’s development in so many ways. It’s only right that they are able to easily exercise their democratic right,” Mr. Ladwa added.

Nagender Chindam, the man behind Pravasi Bharat However, this initiative to assimilate the voting rights of

My Right,

My Vote Why NRI voting matters in India's 2019 elections? the NRIs pushed forward by an NRI IT consultant Nagender Chindam who first came to the UK in 2008.

“This is not a political campaign. It is a rights-based campaign” explained Nagender.

Nagender who founded Pravasi Bharat in 2012 continues to work in the UK on an Indian passport. From writing letters to the Election Commission, going on a 3-day hunger strike and organising a march from the Mahatma Gandhi statue to the Nehru statue in London, Nagender has done what he can to voice the rights of NRIs like him in ensuring their political representation in India. He argues about how there is a system enabling expats of countries such as the UK, Canada, USA and even Lebanon today to cast their votes from different parts of the world.

“In light of the recent Bills that have been passed in the Parliament we're confident that the NRI Proxy Voting Bill would also be cleared after discussion in the Rajya Sabha.”

And while most of the

international Indian diaspora have welcomed the move of establishing a voting system there is scepticism with regards to data leaks and influence of vote in a world of fake news, Cambridge Analytica and Facebook influenced elections amidst other concerns.

Hazards of proxy voting: Data leaks and privacy of information “We get daily reports about how Russia perhaps meddled into the US elections and maybe also in the Brexit referendum. My primary concern is about data leaks and privacy of information.

As an NRI, how do I know that the person who I have nominated to vote has really voted on my behalf and furthermore casted the vote that I have asked him/her to?” asks Sanam Arora, a strategy consultant and a part-time volunteer for the National I n d i a n Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK. Another alternative to the Proxy Voting system suggested by academics is by estab-

lishing a postal ballot system wherein elections could be held at the various High Commissions or Indian embassies at different countries so that the NRIs could physically go down to those chosen locations and cast their vote.

However, at a seminar held at the London School of Economics, former Election Commissioner, Dr. S. Y. Quraishi explained how the High Commission did not have the financial or the human resources to set up physical voting booths on the day of election across different countries and then get those votes to India wherein they can be counted in time of declaration of the results.

“Casting a vote is both a privilege and a responsibility that we enjoy. If the High Commission of India can be equipped to hold postal ballot then that will perhaps be more re-assuring as opposed to the system of proxy voting,” explained Sanam.

Postal ballot voting, rigging, and influence But postal ballot comes with its own share of problemsthe most dominant being that the Election Commission regardless of his efficiency of conducting elections at a national scale cannot monitor the voting procedure out of India as these territories do not fall under his jurisdiction.

“It can be misused. There are chances of votes being rigged and more importantly if you nominate someone to vote on behalf of you what is to guarantee there is no influence?

The government is using the NRI funds, generating investments, so they should have a system established where they can get the NRIs to vote in a way that there is

no fraudulent activity,” said Sudhakar Goud, spokesperson of the I n d i a n Overseas Congress, UK. But there are two sides to this debate according to Pranav Bhanot, lawyer and one of the key authors of the book, ‘A Living Bridge: The UK-India Diaspora & The Rise of The Millennials’.

“The idea of getting NRIs to vote in the elections will ensure that they have a closer connection with their country.

But at the same time the onus also lies on the political parties as well to ensure that their policies are representative of the interests of the NRIs to get them out on the voting day. If it doesn’t help them in anyway then why will these people vote?” asks Bhanot.

But there is also a risk associated with this concept as there is a possibility that a lot of them are unaware of the domestic policies of the contesting political parties which may lead to un-informed decisions on their part. As of today, official government reports suggest that there are close to 31mn people of the Indian diaspora are as expats in international countries, many of whom fighting for their right to vote. And while the oversees friends of both the BJP or Congress have taken initiatives to call out on the “voluntary support” of NRIs, calling them 'the livingbridge', there is skepticism about the spread of propagandist messages, fake news and misinforming campaigns that might swing and influence people's votes, back in the country as well.

High Commission of India hosts mini PBD in the UK The High Commission of India organised the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas UK chapter on Friday 11th January in the High Commission of India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in every two years in India to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.

During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognise their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.

The 15th PBD Convention is being held on 21-23 January 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The theme of PBD Convention 2019 is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India". Special arrangements are also being made for participation in Kumbh Mela and Republic day parade.

Speakers at this evening's event included Lord Karan Bilimoria, Lord Ranbir Suri, Virendra Sharma MP, Former

HE Ruchi Ghanashyam, Neena Gill, Lord Suri, Lord Bilimoria, Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Nat Puri, A S Rajan, Minister Coordination, Deputy High Commissioner of India to UK Charanjeet Singh, CB Patel and other guests

Mayor Neena Gill, Nat Puri, Dr Rami Ranger CBE to name a few.

Speaking at the event, Lord Bilimoria said, “Always proud to be an Indian.” Speaking about the change in the role of Indians in the UK, Dr Ranger added, “There was a time UK complained about curry and today it cannot have

enough of it.”

Deputy High Commissioner of India to UK, Charanjeet Gill spoke about their new consular services in the UK that includes helping people with their applications and issuing urgent emergency certificates at the India House premises.

The hall in the ground floor has

Photo courtesy: Raj D Bakrania, PrMediapix

KisanHub: How does technology facilitate agriculture?

Priyanka Mehta

17

been refurbished, providing services to people in any consular services they need. The phone lines are now open every day and even on holidays and officers are there to answer all the queries. They are also planning to make the VFS an appointment free system, to ensure people are welcome any

time. The High Commissioner of India to UK, Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam told the audience, “The diaspora has gone out of India, and made us proud. There is a change in the way people look at the diaspora today. Diaspora itself also responsible for that. They have imbibed good values in their children. It is not about brain drain but it’s about brain gain through their experience and skills. Having all of you here is a joy for us.

“We are really focussed on giving expedited services for the benefit of people. The public response unit is the best performing so far.

Including the telephone line. It is tried and tested. We want to do better. We are willing to receive crisp criticism.

“We thank all the staff for issuing 32 emergency visa, 14 certificates during holidays. The diaspora contributiuion to UK's economy is is 6%. Something we should take pride in. We look forward to working with you. We work together to make India even a bigger name.”

18 FINANCE - UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader, Considering the known outcomes for a hard Brexit, let’s discuss the market implications of a soft Brexit. While a “soft Brexit” can mean any number of things, the general consensus is that there will not be a complete withdrawal from the UK’s relationship with the EU. Looking back at the British pound, we would expect a significant rally should a soft Brexit occur. As stated, the pound has recently been behaving in a way suggesting that there is a binary option between a hard and a soft Brexit. A soft Brexit is a more positive outcome and this would likely result in a rise of the British pound. It is difficult to say how much the pound will rise in response to the news, but we estimate that the rise will be significant.

In addition, a soft Brexit would likely see the UK stay in the EU’s customs union, which could ultimately signal that there would be free movement of goods within the EU and common external tariffs from third-party nations’ exports into the UK and EU. Therefore, a soft Brexit likely means that the harsh ramifications of a hard Brexit— namely, increased tariffs and the costs of tariffs flowing down to consumers—will be at least mitigated. That said, some businesses may continue to struggle (namely UK businesses selling services, rather than goods, into the EU).

In addition to this, you can look at the general market’s attitude toward a soft Brexit by looking at the FTSE 100. As you may know, the FTSE 100 is comprised of the top 100 UK companies by market capitalization. If a soft Brexit deal is announced by the UK government, we are likely to see a general rise in the FTSE 100, as it contains many British exporting companies. Therefore, if you were to invest in an ETF that tracks the FTSE 100, you should see some solid gains in the event of a soft Brexit.

Be Prepared Investing and trading is difficult—whether you are in a normal environment or in one with significant breaking news. Because of this, whether a hard or a soft Brexit occurs, it is imperative that you be prepared for both contingencies. As we approach the Brexit deadline of March 29, we urge you to stay informed. The news around Brexit is fluid, so you will want to ensure that you are properly protecting yourself in any circumstance.

Adequately preparing will ensure that you will effectively navigate the Brexit waters—regardless of the ultimate outcome. www.trading-champions.com Alpesh Patel Her Majesty’s Government’s Dealmaker For a free online trading course visit www.alpeshpatel.com

Boohoo reports 43 pc rise in revenues in 4 months Affordable clothing brand Boohoo has raised its full-year profit guidance after avoiding troubles on the high street to report strong Christmas sales.

The Aim-listed company which owns Nasty Gal, Pretty Little Thing and Boohoo websites, reported a 43 per cent rise in revenues to £328.2 million in the four months to the end of December. Group revenue grew in all its regions, with Britain 33 per cent, the rest of Europe up 57 per cent, the USA up 78 per cent and the rest of the world 35 per cent higher.

The retailer said it expected revenue growth for the full year to be between 43 per cent and 45 per cent, up from its previous forecast of 38 per cent to 43 per cent.

Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane, co-founders and joint chief executives at Boohoo, said they were “delighted”. Releasing a statement, they said, “The

global growth opportunity is significant and we will be addressing it in a controlled way, investing in our proposition, operations and infrastructure to capitalise on the opportunity.”

Retailers currently face a tough trading environment in Britain, with consumers wary about spending amid political and economic uncertainty. The retail health index shows the industry continuing to decline and Paul Martin, co-chairman of the Retail Think Tank and UK head of retail at KPMG, said December 2019 had been the worst in a decade.

Boohoo was founded in Manchester in 2006, growing rapidly in the UK and internationally. It is valued at over £2 billion.

The company is preparing to expand and recently named John Lyttle, Primark's chief operating officer, as its new chief executive.

Pasricha wants to make Gleneagles one of the best hotels in the world Born in 1980, in Mumbai, Gleneagles owner Sharan Pasricha is not a golfer. By self-admission, he has not even followed the traditional hotel school route into the industry. Although, Pasricha said, he has an intellectual curiosity that owns the way he runs his expanding empire. “I don't know how it should be done.

My perspective is one of asking why. And when something can't be done, asking why not?” He believes the key is to have the right people around to answer those questions and he has recruited Richard Solomons, former Intercontinental hotels chief executive and Airbnb's Musa Tariq to his advisory board.

“If you surround yourself with people who are way smarter than you are and can add value in ways that you can't … then you've got the beginning of something quite interesting,” Pasricha said. In

Gleneagles owner Sharan Pasricha

addition to the famous Scottish golf resort, his company owns the fastgrowing Hoxton Hotel brand. The 38 year old bought the original Hoxton in 2012, on the eastern end of London, from the Pret a Manger co-founder Sinclair Beecham. He paid a whopping £65 million for the 208-room Shoreditch property. He focused at the minutest details before

pushing it forward for expansion. “I virtually lived in that hotel for a year, tweaking, changing, and learning everything there was to learn.”

Gleneagles is also being expanded. After acquiring the 2014 Ryder Cup venue from Diageo in 2015 for an estimated £150 million, Pasricha set about turning the “sleeping giant into not just the best hotel in Scotland

but one of the best in the world”.

He has invested £30 million so far, which has helped to put the business on target to increase its underlying earnings from £8 million at acquisition to a level that could boost its value to £350 million. “It was well run and had a brand that was punching well above its weight, but lacked a clarity of vision. What is Gleneagles? Is it a conference facility? Is it a golf venue? Our challenge is to get people coming from further away, staying for longer and doing more,” he said.

Most of the funding comes from his family, particularly his father-in-law Sunil Bharti Mittal, owner of India's third-largest telecom company. If all goes as per plans, he and his father-inlaw should do well for themselves from their expanding hotel empire.

Fintech firm AccessPay raises £9m from US venture capital firms Manchester-based fintech firm AccessPay has raised £9m to boost its expansion.

The fast-growing specialist of cloud-based payments technology, received funds from transatlantic venture capital investor Beringea.

The funding round, which was also backed by US investors True Ventures and Route 66, is one of the largest investments in a financial technology company in the north. This also marks the expansion of Beringea's footprint in the region as the firm has launched its first dedicated office at WeWork in St Peter's Square, Manchester.

CEO of AccessPay Anish Kapoor said, “The world of banking and financial management has changed and continues to do so at pace. Legislation, customer demand and rapid advances in technology, mean the

CEO of AccessPay Anish Kapoor

choice of banking and financial services providers available to finance and treasury teams, especially those looking to transform their operations, is greater than ever before.” He added, “The problem we continued to see are these services operating in total isolation to one another, which often means the corporate is faced

with exposure to security, greater risk and complexity in day-to-day operations.

Connecting these services through our platform, removes these issues and enables the change finance and treasury teams are looking for. From the outset of our conversations, Beringea has recognised this challenge and the opportunity it presents for AccessPay to grow its market share, in the UK and beyond, and helping us with our mission of transforming finance and treasury teams.”

Maria Wagner, Investment Director at Beringea said, “Beringea seeks to back thoroughbreds that can become lasting successes.

Corporate payments have not seen the same level of innovation as consumer payments.

AccessPay’s platform solves a big pain point for large

corporates. “We were really impressed with the team and Anish’s leadership and we look forward to joining them on this journey to harness a global market opportunity.”

Founded in Manchester in 2012, AccessPay enables finance teams to cost and efficiency savings, as well as security improvements around global payments and cash management. The platform connects corporate back-end systems with global banking and financial services providers.

Today, the software is used by more than 500 corporate clients across the UK including Barclays, the AA, and ITV and processes over 40 million transactions a year. It will use this investment to expand its sales, marketing and engineering teams and further develop its software platform.

UK games company Improbable falls out with largest partner In a major blow to $2bn UK gaming software company backed by SoftBank, Improbable has been unexpectedly blocked from operating its largest partner platform. The company said Unity had informed it of a change in its terms of service to ban the use of its product on any cloud-based software.

Herman Narula, chief executive of Improbable, said, “We had been told before that we don't violate their terms of service, but now they've made it so we do.

Apparently, some aspect of the revenue component of our model is the problem.”

Game developers use the company's main product, a cloud-based operating system called SpatialOS, to design highly detailed virtual worlds. The system then plugs into graphics engines that render those worlds on to the screens of games consoles and computers.

Unity makes the most popular engine among Improbable customers. Half of all their online games are

powered by the product.

Narula said, “Other engine providers work with us for free and provide us support.

This is how the industry works, but it looks as though they want to change their business model, or may be they want to build a competing product, we don't know.”

The company said there had been a payment dispute with Unity during an “open commercial negotiation” and argued that developers who signed deals with Improbable

and Unity “did so on the good faith” that their terms would “allow them to be successful and not carry additional charges”.

A developer tweeted, “@unity3d my team has been developing a game via Spatial OS for over a year now.

We're an indie team of four with tons of debt because we decided to build our dream without any investment. We are ready to release in about 2 weeks then we wake up to the WORST possible news from you.”

WHEN THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Sow & Reap London Property Investment

The condition of the £245K property I went to see was at the other end of the scale. On inspection, the property needed a touch up, but nothing to break the deal. The tenant had been there for ten years, and was paying £1,100 per month. He truthfully told me the market rental was about £1,300 per month.

The property is a ground floor two bedroom flat, in a purpose built block, built approximately 20 years ago and a stone’s throw away from a Crossrail station. Crossrail has been delayed, partly due to extra funding requirements. From an investment perspective this means the window of opportunity will stay open for longer than expected.

When Crossrail finally starts here, Canary Wharf will be 11 mins away from this station and the West End only 22 mins away.

The yields surprised me. At the market rental of £1,300 this comes to a yield of 6.36%, and even at the current rent the tenant is paying this comes to 5.38%.

The rents will rise, and so will the capital values; generally, the latter rises faster. This always results in dampened yields. Central London is a prime example. A client of ours has a flat which was purchased for £3.07M, in prime central Mayfair.

The weekly rental is £1,000, giving a yield of 1.6%. After you take off the hefty service charge and the mortgage, there isn’t much left over.

These are exceptional yields and they are testimony to the fact that we are buying extremely cheap.

This location is not in the north of England where numbers even higher than this are prevalent. This area is in London, and in a location which we believe will be the fastest growing area in London in years to come. This conclusion is backed with 18 pages of research.

FREEDOM THROUGH INSIGNIFICANCE This paltry yield is revealing. It

We live in an era of amplification. Everyone is trying to be heard. Therefore, in the ensuing din voices are getting louder in order to be heard. The media perpetually bombard us with the significance of every event and issue.

quickening pace of urban life and you have a recipe for a population on edge.

Films and TV streamed 24/7 vie for our attention. They become more emotionally charged and story lines become more intensified.

So, I like to remember that 99% of what makes our lives work has nothing to do with any human being who ever lived, let alone you or me individually.

Combine this with the ever-

The sun and moon rise and set

We are all in need of perspective.

Without perspective our nervous systems are in danger of overload.

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

London, SE2 Purchase Price: £255,000

every day. Rain falls. Tides come in and go out. No material object is ever created from scratch. All we do is to change one material into another. We never manifest the original material substance from nothing. Birth itself has been designed not by human endeavour. Death too.

It is an evident reality that we control little.

There is freedom in this thinking. We can try hard. We can chase our dreams. But we

19

19 - 25 January 2019

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP!

shows a steep rise in capital values relative to the rentals. In other words, rents have not kept pace with the rise in property prices.

This weekend I went to see a property in the South-East of London. The deal has already been done, contracts are in and the solicitors are doing the conveyancing, which incidentally means the transfer of legal title of property from one person to another.

Suresh Vagjiani

REAL ESTATE VOICE

Q: Does my tenant’s au pair need to be on the tenancy agreement?

With these kinds of yields you would usually be entitled to the full Loan to Value of the mortgage.

Lenders often say they will lend 75% of the property value. However, this is on the proviso that the rental cover of 125% or 145% is met. What this means is if the mortgage is £1,000 per month the rent has to be £1,250 or £1,450. Given in London the rents are so low, in reality it is this which governs the amount one can borrow, and not the Loan to Value.

In this situation, given the rental is sufficient, the deposit required is only £61,250. It is difficult to invest such levels of funds in property in London, with this level of yield and future growth potential.

should understand life in full cognisance of the limitation of our will and control. This helps us to be more tolerant, patient and compassionate.

This gives us an edge in business because we can manage stress better and think more clearly.

Abraham Goldberg

A: This is a little tricky to answer as the answer would be different depending on whom you speak to. It might seem as if the obvious answer is yes, as they are over the age of 18, in a position of employment and are not a child of the tenant. This will give you the protection as a landlord from any problems that might arise from having an au pair or live in nanny at the property (or any other live in staff).

This may seem like an obvious and easy answer. However, if added to the tenancy agreement, the down side would be that the au pair can demand tenants’ rights, meaning if they are a terrible member of staff and they are fired they have every right to stay put and make your tenants’ life hell by refusing to leave and in turn making your life hell, as you would need to evict all of them rather than just the one person.

A better solution in my opinion is not to add them to the agreement, but have a separate addendum that both the tenant and the au pair sign confirming that they are an employed member of staff of the tenant and have no tenant’s rights to the property. This way if the au pair is dismissed and is asked to leave then it is your tenant’s problem to remove them.

If you need any other lettings guidance, please do get in touch.

Richard Bond

l Two bedroom, second floor flat l Long lease

l Low service charges

l Right next to a Crossrail station

l Rental income expected is approx £1,100 per month, generating an excellent yield of 5.2% per annum

l Superb capital and rental growth expectations due to Crossrail Call us now for more information!

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 993 0103

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

Sowandreapuk

Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

20 FINANCE - UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

World Bank pegs India’s GDP growth at 7.3 % in 2018-19 If a recent World Bank forecast is to be believed, India's GDP is expected to grow at 7.3 per cent in the fiscal year 2018-19, and 7.5 per cent in the following two years, attributing it to an upswing in consumption and investment. According to the January 2019 Global Economic Prospects report released by the World Bank, India will continue to be the fastest growing major economy in the world. China's economic growth is projected to slow down to 6.2 per cent each in 2019 and 2020 and 6 per cent in 2021.

In 2018, the Chinese economy is estimated to have grown by 6.5 per cent as against India's 7.3 per cent. Last year, China with 6.9 per cent growth was marginally ahead of India's 6.7 per cent, mainly because the slowdown in the Indian economy due to demonetisation and implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the report said. World Bank

Prospects Group Director Ayhan Kose said, “India's growth outlook is still robust. India is still the fastest growing major economy. With investment picking up and consumption remaining strong, we expect India to grow 7.3 per cent in the fiscal year 2018-19, and average 7.5 per cent in 2019 and 2020.

India registered quite a bit of pick up in doing business

ranking.

The growth momentum is there.”

Growth in India has accelerated, driven by an upswing in consumption, and investment growth has firmed as the effects of temporary factors wane, the World Bank said.

Domestic demand has strengthened as the benefits of structural reforms such as the GSY harmonisation and bank

recapitlisation take effect. The Bank said, “India's growth accelerated to an estimated 7.3 per cent in FY2018/19 (April to March) as economic activity continued to recover with strong domestic demand. While investment continued to strengthen amid the GST harmonisation and a rebound of credit growth, consumption remained the major contributor to growth.”

Private consumption is projected to remain robust and investment growth is expected to continue as the benefits of recent policy reforms begin to materialise and credit rebounds.

Strong domestic demand is envisioned to widen the current account deficit to 2.6 per cent of GDP next year. Inflation is projected to rise somewhat above the midpoint of the Reserve Bank of India's target range of 2 to 6 per cent, mainly owing to energy and food prices, the bank said.

Air India stake sale to fetch £700 million The Government of India is currently eyeing around $1 billion from the sale of national carrier Air India in the next financial year. A government official said the administration will initiate the process of strategic disinvestment of Air India in the second half of 201920 and in between it would work towards selling some of its subsidiaries and monetise assets.

Air India has a debt burden of £5.5 billion. A ministerial panel led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had approved transferring £2.9 billion debt last November, to a special purpose

vehicle (SPV)- Air India Asset Holding Company.

The official said, “We are eyeing USD 1 billion from the sale of Air India.” After a botched attempt to sell Air India in May last year, the Jaitley-led panel decided in June to scrap

the stake sale plan for the time being. It was decided to infuse more funds into the carrier and cut down debt by raising resources by selling land assets and other subsidiaries. The Centre had initially planned to offload 76 per cent equity share

capital of the national carrier as well as transfer the management control to private players. The buyer was required to take over £2.4 billion debt of the carrier along with over £800 million of liabilities. However, the stake sale failed to attract any bidders when the bidding process completed on May 31.

Earlier this month, the Parliament approved a further £234.5 million equity infusion into the airline. The ministerial panel has already cleared strategic sale of Air India's ground handling subsidiary, Air India Air Transport Services.

Anil Ambani name missing from list of Vibrant invitees Around 19 industrialists are expected the attend the inauguration of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar, on January 18.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, are among the invitees. The list, released by the state government however, has left behind Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) Chairman Anil Ambani, who is

Anil Ambani

currently at the centre of the Rafale spat between the Congress and Modi government.

One of the most enthusiastic cheerleaders of Vibrant Gujarat, Anil's absence was also noticed

when Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani recently met business leaders in Mumbai to promote the January 18-20 show.

Principal Secretary to Rupani, Manoj Das said, “Vibrant Summit is the most prestigious state government event, so we have taken the utmost care in inviting industry leaders.

We have avoided all business leaders whose names could draw even the slightest negative perception. The government's effort is to create a positive

business environment in the state.”

Anil's absence is significant as he has been on the dais for the valedictory function of almost every summit. In 2009, he was among the first businessmen to hail Narendra Modi, who was CM at the time, as the future Prime Minister.

According to the state government, among those expected to attend the summit are Mukesh Ambani, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Gautam Adani, and Adi Godrej.

No new loan to Jet till viability report: Lenders Lenders to Jet Airways, have three options to recover their dues, even as they are unlikely to extend any additional credit to the country's second-largest carrier. The lenders, led by SBI, will not release cash until they have a look at the forensic audit report by EY on Jet's business viability. Jet, which defaulted on loan obligations last week, is currently under pressure to raise funds before it is classified as a nonperforming asset

(NPA).

The first option is for Jet's founder-chairman Naresh Goyal to sell stake in the carrier before lenders initiate bankruptcy proceedings against it. Goyal reportedly has been in talks with his Abu Dhabi partner Etihad Airways for funds, but there are no profitable conclusions from that as yet. Goyal and his wife owns 51 per cent in Jet, while Etihad holds 23 per cent. The

second option for lenders is to initiate insolvency proceedings against Jet once the loan becomes an NPA. If a company doesn't repay loans within 90 days, then, as under rules it is categorised as an NPA. Jet has repayment obligations of £650 million, extending till March 2021, while its total debt stands at £800 million.

The third option is to restructure the loans in agreement with the lenders.

This will require Goyal to sell assets and cut costs. It will also require conversion of debt to equity as cash flows might not be enough to service the loans.

However, actual business viability will be known only after EY submits its forensic report, the lenders said. For now, Jet has been offering up to 50 per cent discount on tickets to certain destinations for travel in the next months, to ease its cash flow.

in brief JAITLEY TO PRESENT INTERIM BUDGET ON FEB 1 India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present the interim budget on February 1, while the full-fledged budget will be presented by the new government, sources said. The Budget Session of the Parliament will be held from January 31 to February 13, which was decided in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA), sources said. This will be the last Budget of the current BJP-led NDA government before the general elections.

As per the standard practice, a vote-onaccount or approval for essential government spending for a limited period is taken in an election year and a fullfledged budget is presented by the new government.

NILEKANI TO HEAD RBI’S PANEL ON E-PAYMENTS Nandan Nilekani, the brains behind Aadhaar, has been appointed by the RBI to head a panel on deepening digital payments. The central bank also announced norms that will allow thirdparty service providers like Apple Pay and Google Pay to store payment card data and allow customers to make cardless payments in shops using their phones. An earlier panel on digital payments appointed by the government, which was headed by former finance secretary Ratan Wattal, had recommended Aadhaar for eKYC and extensive use of Aadhaar-Enabled Payment System (AEPS). However, leveraging Aadhaar in digital payments received a setback with the Supreme Court restricting its use. Besides Nilekani, the panel will have former RBI deputy governor H R Khan, former Vijaya Bank CEO Kishore Sansi, former IT ministry secretary Aruna Sharma, and Sanjay Jain, who is the chief innovation officer at IIM-Ahmedabad’s centre for innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship.

INDIA'S INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT GROWTH PLUNGES India's industrial output growth plunged to a 17-month low in November dragged down by a contraction in manufacturing, capital and consumer goods sectors, prompting economists to say that the sharp slowdown during the month could be a blip. Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed industrial output growth slipped to 0.5% in November, lower than October’s upwardly revised 8.4% growth and 8.5% expansion recorded in November 2017. The manufacturing sector, which accounts for a bulk of the IIP, contracted 0.4% compared with a growth of 10.4% in the same month last year.

INFOSYS ACHIEVES DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN Q3 Infosys surprised investors and analysts with double-digit revenue growth in the quarter ended December. It was the first time in 11 quarters that the company touched double-digit growth. The performance - which was helped by large deal wins, especially in the banking, financial services & insurance (BFSI) sector in North America - encouraged the company to sharply revise upwards its revenue guidance for the full year to 8.59%, from 6-8%, on a constant currency basis. For the third quarter ended December 31, the company grew 10.1%, compared to 5.8% in the same period a year earlier. Constant currency discounts the effect of currency volatility over which companies have no control. Rival TCS, which also announced third quarter results, had seen its revenue grow by 12.1%, its highest in 14 quarters.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

WORLD

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

21

19 - 25 January 2019

in brief INDIAN AMERICAN QUITS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Raj Shah, an Indian American spokesman in the White House Press Office, has left President Donald Trump's administration and joined an arm of a Florida-based lobbying firm, officials said. Shah, a former researcher at the Republican National Committee, will lead the Media Group, the press wing of Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm with offices in Florida and Washington, reports said. He will work with Jamie Rubin, a Democrat who was a spokesman for Madeleine Albright, the former Secretary of State. Shah served in the Trump White House beginning in January 2017 as Deputy Assistant to the President, Deputy Communications Director and Deputy Press Secretary. His portfolio recently included helping prepare Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh for his Senate confirmation hearings to the Supreme Court.

INDIAN-ORIGIN POLICEWOMAN JAILED IN SINGAPORE An Indian-origin policewoman in Singapore has been jailed for five months for forging statement of an alleged molestation victim in a serious dereliction of duty. Senior Staff Sergeant Kalaivani Kalimuthu, 38, was an investigation officer in the case when she committed the offence. Kalaivani handled a case of a woman who was not named. The woman lodged a police complaint, alleging that she was molested by a person.

Kalaivani was assigned to conduct an investigation into the case and had to interview the woman and record a further statement. She called the woman but could not arrange an interview with her. As she wanted to complete the investigation quickly, Kalaivani forged the further statement and signed the statement with the woman's name. The forgery came to light when police again approached the victim to record her statement again.

TRAVEL BAN TO CONTINUE ON PPP LEADERS The Pakistan government has decided to continue a travel ban imposed on top Pakistan Peoples Party leaders, including chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and cochairman Asif Ali Zardari. The decision was taken at a federal cabinet meeting chaired

by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The cabinet, at its meeting on December 27, had decided to place names of 172 suspects, including top PPP leaders, on the Exit Control List (ECL). However, the Supreme Court ordered the government to review the decision. The cabinet had referred the matter to a special committee to review it.

The committee presented its report recommending removal of 20 names from the ECL, including those of the PPP leaders. However, Prime Minister and his team rejected the recommendations and decided that the names of the top leaders of the PPP would remain on the ECL.

NAWAZ SHARIF'S HEALTH DETERIORATES Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's health has deteriorated in Kot Lakhpat jail, where he is serving a sevenyear sentence. Sharif underwent a medical checkup after it was learned that the leader was suffering from a high fever, headache and severe body pain. He has been advised to take caution. His daughter Maryam Nawaz met him after hearing about his ill-health. The 69-year-old PML-N leader was sentenced to seven years in jail on December 24 by accountability court.

The former Prime Minister was further directed to pay USD 25 million in fines and also barred from holding a public office for 10 years after the completion of his sentence.

Hindu representative Tulsi Gabbard to run for US presidency NEW YORK: The race for US presidency in next year's election is likely to see a Hindu representative and a senator of part-Indian-American descent vying for the Democratic Party's nomination. Tulsi Gabbard, 37, the first Hindu elected to the US Congress, announced on Friday that she will be running for presidency.

Kamala Harris, 54, who is of Indian and African-Jamaican descent and is identified as a member of the Christian Baptist sect, is expected to announce her candidature for the Democratic Party nomination next week, according to several news reports quoting sources close to her. Adding to the mix, there is speculation that Nikki Haley, who quit as US Permanent Representative to the UN at the end of last last may seek the Republican Party nomination in the event that President Donald Trump is not up for re-election next year.

The former South Carolina Governor was the first Indian American to be a member of the US cabinet and has received

Tulsi Gabbard

some Republican Party grassroots support for a 2024 run. Gabbard is not of Indian descent but comes from a Hindu family in Hawaii and took her oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita when she was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and after her three reelections.

An independent-minded Democrat who has defied party leadership, Gabbard said in an interview: "I have decided to run and will be making a formal announcement within the next

week." A combat veteran who has served in Iraq, Gabbard said of her reason for running for president: "There is one main issue that is central to the rest, and that is the issue of war and peace."

She continues to be a member of the Army National Guard with the rank of major and while serving in Congress has been mobilised for emergency duties.

Despite - or because of - her military background, she has opposed US involvement in

Syria and faced criticism for visiting that country and meeting President Bashar alAssad. Gabbard has been a strong supporter of India and closer US-India ties as well as of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She has advocated cutting US aid to Pakistan and pressurising it to end its support international terrorism.

Soon after Trump was elected in 2016, Gabbard met him amid rumours that she may be offered a job in his administration. But this year she harshly criticised Trump for not taking a strong stand against Saudi Arabia for the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

She is on the populist left in the Democratic Party and supported Bernie Sanders, the maverick progressive senator, for the party's nomination in 2016.

She accused the party leadership of being partial to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and against Sanders and resigned as a vice president of the party.

Ahmedabad woman becomes New York SC judge NEW YORK: Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant who spent her childhood in Ahmedabad, took oath as a Supreme Court judge in the state of New York. She immigrated to the US with her family in the 1970s, when she was 11. Turning 57 next month, this Gujarati will now preside over criminal cases in Queens County.

Her induction ceremony was also a first of sorts, as she took her oath on the Bhagavad Gita. As an Indian teenager in the US, her first challenge was to learn English as she was not taught the subject in her Ahmedabad public school.

But she was quick to pick up the

Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant

American culture and establish herself in the community and school.

She remained a first in many ways. After attending St John’s University for four years, where

she received her bachelor’s degree, she spent three years at New York Law School. After graduation when other law graduates wanted to join big law firms, she joined the Queens District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney. As a prosecutor, she tried numerous felony cases - from armed robbery and narcotics sales to assaults on women and the elderly.

She then advanced to the appeals division of the District Attorney’s Office. The division argues cases in the higher courts, confronting legal challenges in attempts to

26/11 plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana likely to be extradited to India WASHINGTON: There is a “strong possibility” of PakistaniCanadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana’s extradition to India before the completion of his 14year jail term in the US in 2021 for plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, an informed source said.

Rana, 58, a resident of Chicago, was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack. A total of 166 persons were killed in the attack carried out by 10 LeT terrorists in Mumbai.

In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release by US District Judge Harry Leinenweber. US officials say he is set to be released in December 2021. The Indian government, with “full cooperation” from the Trump administration, is currently

Tahawwur Hussain Rana

working on completing the necessary paperwork to ensure the extradition before his current jail term ends in December 2021.

India would not seek extradition of Rana on the charges for which he is already serving his jail sentence, as officials pointed out that the “double jeopardy” clause in the

US justice system prohibits punishing a person twice for the same crime.

India is seeking extradition of Rana on the ground that he was actively involved in planning an attack on the New Delhi-based National Defence College and Chabad Houses in several cities. There is also a forgery case registered against him in India.

Following a recent visit to the US by India’s NIA team, officials from both sides have agreed to cut down on the bureaucratic procedures so that all the necessary paperwork is ready before his current jail term ends.

As per the US law, Rana, a Canadian national, would most probably be deported to Canada if India and the US are unable to complete the cumbersome extradition process before his release.

overturn lower court decisions.

As an appellate advocate over a period of 15 years, she successfully represented the district attorney on more than 30 appellate arguments in the higher state and federal appellate courts.

Later, she left the district attorney’s office in 2015 when she was elected as a civil court judge. She presided over criminal court cases pending in Manhattan and then Queens.

While her term in the civil court was 10 years, after getting elected to the New York State Supreme Court, her term is 14 years now.

Nepalese woman, two sons die of suffocation in 'menstrual shed' KATHMANDU: A woman and her two sons died of suffocation in a remote Nepalese town after being banished to a windowless shed during the woman's menstruation. The mother, identified as 35-year-old Amba Bohora, and her two sons aged nine and 12, were found wrapped together in a blanket in the morning and were believed to have died from smoke inhalation after lighting a fire to escape cold, said Bajura district administrator Chetraj Baral.

"They died of suffocation because there was no ventilation and they had made the chamber airtight to beat the cold," police official Uddhav Singh Bhat said. "We pulled out their bodies with burned limbs."

Bohora had been banished to the "menstruation hut" in temperatures well below zero in a practice known locally as chhaupadi.

22 WORLD

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

19 - 25 January 2019

in brief PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH

Anti-corruption group finds 'irregularities' in Bangladesh vote DHAKA: Anti-corruption group Transparency International said it found "irregularities" in 47 of 50 constituencies it surveyed during last month's general election in Bangladesh, which was marred by allegations of vote rigging. The poll that gave Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a third straight term was undermined by ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and the occupation of polling booths among other malpractices, the group's Bangladesh chapter said.

The government rejected the report, saying the group had "lost its neutrality" and should be investigated for any "secret link" to the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

In its report, Transparency International said the BNP-led opposition could not effectively campaign for votes, opposition workers were threatened by government agencies, and the

Election Commission could not ensure a level-playing field for all parties. The ruling Awami League-led coalition won 46 of the 50 constituency races surveyed by the organisation.

"The Election Commission did not perform its role properly," Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International's

Bangladesh chapter, said. "We recommend an investigation by a judicial inquiry committee, because such an election is not positive for democracy," he added. An Election Commission spokesman said it would examine the group's report.

HT Imam, a political adviser to Hasina and co-chairman of Awami League's election

conducting committee, said the anti-corruption group was "a puppet of the BNP". "Now it's time to investigate the (group) to bring to light whether it has any secret link with the BNP," Imam said. At least 19 people, including workers of the Awami League, were killed in political violence on election day, according to police. Opposition leaders have so far boycotted parliament after rejecting the vote result.

All eight opposition MPs, including six from the BNP whose chairwoman is in jail, have yet to be sworn in. The United Nations this month called for an independent and impartial investigation into the Dec. 30 election, while Western governments, including the United States and the European Union, have condemned the election-day violence and called for a probe into a range of irregularities.

Pak SC reserves verdict on status of Gilgit-Baltistan ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court has reserved its verdict in a case regarding the constitutional status of GilgitBaltistan (GB) in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir and the grant of fundamental rights to its residents. A seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar took up a set of petitions challenging the ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018’, ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order, 2009′, as well as the right of the citizens of the area to be governed through their chosen representatives, reports said.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018 was earlier opposed by protesters from the region who demanded that the area should be declared a part of Pakistan instead of being administered through presidential orders.

Pakistan has bifurcated

occupied Kashmir into two administrative parts – GilgitBaltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Gilgit-Baltistan was treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan till now. Balochistan, KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are the four provinces of Pakistan.

India has termed as "entirely unacceptable" any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province.

India has also protested to China over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which goes through Gilgit-Baltistan region.

It is believed that China’s concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status.

The federal government’s proposed reforms draft states

that it intends to grant the region the status of a provisional province, "subject to the decision of the plebiscite to be conducted under the UN resolutions", with all privileges provided by the Constitution.

However, the draft states, the move would require an amendment in the Constitution, which needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament and "would take time". Therefore, as an interim measure, the government plans to give such fundamental rights to GB residents as enjoyed by the people of any other province.

The Attorney General Anwar Mansoor told the bench that objections have been raised on the proposed draft in the Cabinet and therefore as of now, "it remains only a draft". He informed the court that the funds allocated for higher courts

in the region have been transferred from the territory’s government to the GB Council.

The Government of Pakistan can also increase the number of judges in GB, he added.

At this, the chief justice inquired what the procedure of the judges’ appointment would be. Mansoor responded that the GB council has been given the authority to legislate in this regard. Justice Nisar observed that an appeal cannot be filed against a decision of the GB Supreme Appellate Court in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The GB law minister during the hearing stated that the region’s government desired the implementation of recommendations made by the Sartaj Aziz-led committee. "It’s (almost) impossible, but we have come very close to it’s [fulfilment]," he added.

Pak govt urged to take steps to control population ISLAMABAD: Describing Pakistan's rapidly growing population as a "ticking time bomb", the Supreme urged religious scholars, the civil society and the government to back population control measures, including a two children per family norm, in the Muslim-majority country. A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar made the observations during a hearing in a case related to population control in Pakistan, now the world's fifth most populous.

In its order, the Supreme Court urged religious scholars, the civil society and the government to take steps to promote population control in the country. The bench referred to the increasing population as a

www.asian-voice.com

"ticking time bomb." "The increasing population is a burden on the country's resources. It is about the future of the next generation. It would be unfortunate if the population is not controlled. Two children per home will help to control the population. There is a need for a campaign on the matter," the apex court was quoted as saying.

"The entire nation needs to

stand together to control the population," the chief justice said. According to the 2017 census, Pakistan's population was approximately 207,774,520, making it the world's fifth most populous nation only behind China, India, the United States and Indonesia. In July, the Supreme Court took suo motu action on increase in population. The chief justice, on

the occasion, remarked that there is dire need to formulate a uniform and effective policy to curb Pakistan's population growth.

The apex court came down hard on Health Secretary Captain (Rtd) Zahid Saeed after he admitted that the department could not devise and implement effective measures to control population growth. An angry Chief Justice Nisar remarked, "how could surveys be done while sitting in offices?" Subsequently, the court ordered him to submit a progress report to the court every three months. The secretary informed the court that a plan has been devised to control the population growth rate which has to be brought down to 1.5 per cent by 2025.

PAKISTAN DECIDES TO SHELVE MAJOR CPEC POWER PROJECT The Pakistan government has decided to shelve a major power project under the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that was pushed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's regime, the media reported.

Discussions with government officials suggest that Islamabad has officially conveyed to Beijing that it was no more interested in the 1,320MW Rahim Yar Khan power project in view of sufficient generation capacity already lined up for the next few years. It has requested China to formally delete the project from the CPEC list. During the coordination committee meeting, a Pakistani delegation "proposed to remove the Rahim Yar Khan imported fuel power plant from the CPEC list.

MAN JAILED FOR MORPHING PHOTOS OF HASINA, MANMOHAN A 35-year-old Bangladeshi man has been jailed for seven years in prison for circulating photoshopped images of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other politicians, including former Indian PM Manmohan Singh, amid criticism that her government is using tough internet laws to silence dissent. Monir Hossain from Tangail was jailed by Bangladesh Cyber Tribunal judge. Monir used to run his ‘Monir Telecom’ shop. He had sent doctored images of Hasina, late president Zillur Rahman and Singh to mobile phones of users in 2013, said the verdict. Rights groups have criticised the government for using the the Information and Communication Technology Act to silence criticism.

CHINA GETS RADAR THAT CAN MONITOR AREAS OF INDIA'S SIZE China has developed a maritime radar which can maintain constant surveillance over an area of the size of India. The domesticallydeveloped radar system will enable the Chinese navy to fully monitor China’s seas and spot incoming threats from enemy ships, aircraft and missiles much earlier than the existing technology, a report said. Liu Yongtan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology, is credited to have upgraded the radar technology and developing an advanced compact size radar for the PLA Navy’s carrier fleet to “maintain constant surveillance over an area the size of India,” the Post reported.

MAN HURTS 20 KIDS AT BEIJING SCHOOL WITH HAMMER A 49-year-old man injured 20 children with a hammer inside a primary school in China’s capital, officials said. Three of the children have serious but non-life threatening injuries, district officials said. The suspect, surnamed Jia, was apprehended at the scene. Jia was employed to perform daily maintenance work at the school. His contract was set to expire this month and had not been renewed. As an expression of his dissatisfaction, Jia wielded a hammer to injure students during a class.

CHINESE COURT HANDS DEATH SENTENCE TO CANADIAN A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian national Robert Lloyd Schellenberg to death for his alleged involvement in smuggling drugs amid increasing tensions between Canada and China over the recent arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. All his personal assets will also be confiscated, according to the court. Earlier in the day Schellenberg told the court that he had been framed when prosecutors pushed for a harsher sentence in a case which could further exacerbate tensions between the US, Canada and China. In his defence, Schellenberg said he was a tourist framed by criminals, rejecting allegations he had smuggled more than 200 kgs of methamphetamine in China.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

WORLD

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

23

19 - 25 January 2019

in brief CANADA GRANTS ASYLUM TO SAUDI TEEN WHO FLED FAMILY Canada has granted asylum to an 18-yearold Saudi Arabian teen who fled her family after denouncing Islam, prime minister Justin Trudeau announced. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun was already en route to Toronto from Thailand when Trudeau made the surprise announcement, after officials had previously hinted that she was bound for Australia. Qunun alleged that she was abused by her family " who deny the allegations " and rights groups also said she had renounced Islam, risking prosecution in Saudi Arabia. Qunun first said she was aiming for Australia where officials had suggested they would give serious consideration to her claim for asylum, which was endorsed as legitimate by the UNHCR.

S KOREA ORDERS SEIZURE OF JAPAN ASSETS OVER FORCED LABOUR A South Korean court has ordered the seizure of local assets of a Japanese company after it refused to compensate several wartime forced laborers, in an escalation of a diplomatic brawl between the Asian neighbors. Japan called the decision "extremely regrettable" and said it will push for talks with Seoul on the issue. South Korea's Supreme Court ordered Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. to pay 100 million won ($88,000) each to four plaintiffs forced to work for the company when Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula in 1910-45.

But the company refused to follow that ruling. Japan reiterated that all colonial-era compensation issues were settled by a 1965 treaty that restored diplomatic relations between the two governments. Japanese officials said they could take the issue to the International Court of Justice.

COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER OF CRASHED LION AIR FOUND Navy divers have located the cockpit voice recorder of Lion Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea in October, 2018 Indonesian officials said, in a possible boost to the accident investigation. Ridwan Djamaluddin, a deputy maritime minister, said that remains of some of the 189 people who died in the crash were also discovered at the seabed location. An Indonesian navy spokesman said divers using high-tech equipment found the voice recorder beneath 8 meters (26 feet) of seabed mud.

The plane crashed in waters 30 meters (98 feet) deep. The two-month-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet plunged into the Java Sea just minutes after taking off from Jakarta on 29 October, 2018 killing 162 on board. If the voice recorder is undamaged, it could provide valuable information to investigators.

CONGO PRESIDENTIAL POLL RESULTS QUESTIONED The influential Catholic Church has questioned the official results of the Democratic Republic of Congo's controversial presidential election.

Opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi was named the winner last week. However, the Church, which posted 40,000 election observers, says the result does not match its findings. The runner-up, opposition candidate Martin Fayulu said that he would challenge the official vote count. "The result is a coup and not the truth from the ballot," he said. He accused Tshisekedi of reaching a power-sharing deal with the ruling party, a claim the veteran figure has denied. There are fears the result could trigger unrest, with at least two people killed in the western city of Kikwit. Two police officers were also killed, and 10 people were wounded, another report said. If confirmed, Tshisekedi will be the first opposition challenger to win since the DR Congo gained independence in 1960.

AFRICA-SRI LANKA

Briton among 14 killed as Islamists attack Kenya hotel NAIROBI: Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, killing 14 people, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued. At least one suicide bomber blew himself up and gunmen engaged security forces in numerous shootouts during the assault on the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, restaurant and office buildings.

The Foreign and Commonwealth office said at least one British national was killed in the siege. The attack was claimed by the Al-Qaedalinked Somali group Al-Shabaab, which has repeatedly targeted Kenya since it sent its army into Somalia in October 2011 to fight the jihadist group. In a televised address, Kenyatta said some 700

Kenya security forces help evacuate people from a hotel complex in Nairobi

civilians had been evacuated throughout the attack at DusitD2. Police sources and a mortuary official had previously reported 15 dead.

It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were in total. CCTV footage showed

four black-clad, heavily armed men entering the complex on Tuesday afternoon. At least one of them blew himself up at the start of the attack. A police source said two attackers had been shot dead Wednesday morning after a prolonged

shootout. Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet said the attack began with an explosion targeting three cars in the parking lot and a suicide bombing in the foyer of the Dusit hotel.

Nic Hailey, the British high commissioner to Kenya, confirmed that a British man was among the dead. "I'm very sad to confirm that we believe at least one British national has been killed in the attack and we are providing our support to his family and friends at this difficult time and our thoughts are with them." Among the dead was an American citizen, a State Department official said.

As the first explosion and gunfire rang out in the leafy Westlands suburb, hundreds of terrified office workers barricaded themselves in the complex while others fled.

Lanka struggling to repay foreign debt: Wickremesinghe COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s prime minister said the country was struggling to pay back its ballooning foreign debt, blaming a recent political crisis for dealing a “death blow” to the economy.

Ranil Wickremesinghe said his government was scrambling to raise $1.9 billion to help service a first debt payment of $2.6 billion.

Sri Lanka faces $5.9 billion in foreign debt repayments in 2019, a record for the cash-strapped island. The country lost $1 billion in foreign reserves during a power struggle between Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena in late 2018.

“We are yet to quantify the losses, but it was a death blow to an economy that was struggling to recover,” Wickremesinghe told parliament. Three global ratings agencies downgraded Sri Lanka during the crisis, making

Ranil Wickremesinghe

it more expensive for the Indian Ocean nation to access foreign loans.

Bank of China offers US$300m loan Two sources in Lanka said that Lanka is considering an offer from Bank of China for a loan of US$300 million, which could be raised to US$1 billion, to help it meet repayments

during coming months. "The risk premium has gone up after the recent political crisis and the borrowing cost is expensive after the rating cuts. This loan will be used to repay some loan repayments in the first quarter," one source said. As of the end of 2018, nearly a quarter of Sri Lanka's total foreign debt was owed to China, which has lent some US$8 billion while building ports, highways and planning other major investments in the island state.

There was no immediate comment from Sri Lanka's Finance Ministry or the Bank of China about the offer. But a second source said Sri Lanka's Cabinet had already asked Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to negotiate the loan, which has been offered at six-month Libor plus 260 basis points. It has to be repaid within three years, the source added.

Loans worth one billion repaid Lanka's Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Harsha de Silva said the government had settled the one billion US dollars borrowed by the previous regime in January 2014 by way of international sovereign bonds. “We paid back this loan today. Unlike what we are used to, these bonds have to be repaid in one go. We have several such bonds to be repaid,” the minister said. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera confirmed that this debt had been settled in full and that Sri Lanka had maintained the record of re-paying its debts on time. He said the government was hoping to build up its external reserves through swaps, term loans from friendly countries, international sovereign bonds and through credit lines.

Indra Nooyi being considered to lead World Bank

Trio acquitted in Kampala attacks case get Sh8m

NEW YORK: Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi is reportedly being considered for the new World Bank president.

According to The New York Times, Nooyi has been “courted as an administration ally by Ivanka Trump, the president’s eldest daughter who is playing a role in the selection of a nominee.” Nooyi, 63, stepped down as PepsiCo’s chief last August after leading the company for 12 years. It is not immediately known if Nooyi would accept the nomination.

However, the report also noted that the decision-making process for the top post at the World Bank is “fluid and in its initial stages and early frontrunners and candidates often

KAMPALA: The Uganda high court has awarded Sh8 million to three Kenyans who were arrested and charged in over the 2010 Kampala bombings. Justice David Majanja awarded compensation to Mohamed Adan Abdow, Mohamed Hamid Suleiman and Yahya Suleiman Mbuthia over rights violation. The three were arrested and detained in Uganda for allegedly having a hand in the bomb attacks that took place in July 2010 at the Kyandodo Rugby Club and the Ethiopian Village Restaurant. The attacks, which left 74 people dead and at least 71 injured, were allegedly carried out by the Al-Shabaab militants.

The judgment was delivered on Tuesday hours before the DusitD2 hotel complex came under attack.

Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi

fall off the radar, or withdraw from consideration, before the president (Donald Trump) makes his ultimate pick”.

Ivanka had earlier tweeted that she considered Nooyi as a mentor and inspiration. World Bank’s current president Jim Yong Kim had earlier this month announced that he would step down from his post in February to join a private

infrastructure investment firm.

His unexpected departure came nearly three years before the end of his term.

Ivanka said she was “deeply grateful” for Nooyi’s friendship and thanked the Chennai-born executive for her “passionate engagement on issues that benefit the people of this country, and beyond.” Although Nooyi has been a source of inspiration for many, she caused a stir in 2014 when she said women cannot have it all. “I don’t think women can have it all. I just don’t think so. We pretend we have it all. We pretend we can have it all,” she had then said describing the difficulty in maintaining a work-life balance.

24 INDIA

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

in brief

SOUTH INDIA

AIADMK will forge mega alliance for LS polls, says Panneerselvam CHENNAI: The AIADMK is all set for a mega coalition for the Lok Sabha polls, announced Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. Addressing the press, he said, “Once the election dates are announced, we will move swiftly and form a mega alliance in accordance with the wishes of the people.

We are ready to face any polls, be it the local body polls or the Lok Sabha elections.” OPS said the speculation about a BJPAIADMK coalition was premature and only an assumption by the media. He said, “The BJP has allied with the DMK and the AIADMK in the past. Anything can happen during the elections. When there is a definite decision, we will inform you.”

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam

Regarding BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan's oft-repeated statement that the “'lotus' will definitely bloom in Tamil

Nadu,” OPS said each party had its own ideology and the party cadre will express their views based on that. “They are saying it because of their ideology.

Why are you taking it in a wrong way?” he asked. When asked about the charges leveled against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami by two of the accused in the Kodanad estate heist and murder case, OPS said the crime was committed two years ago.

“The weak Opposition parties that are unable to fight us are trying to defame us and gain political mileage. We will fight this and take necessary action,” he added.

He questioned why the allegations were being made now, two years after the crime was committed, especially when the election dates were set to be announced. He said, “If anyone has any evidence, they should take it to the police.”

PUNJAB

Dera chief, 3 others held guilty of killing journalist CHANDIGARH: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and three others accused in the 2002 murder case of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatarpati, have been convicted by special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh. Also accused are Dera manager Krishan Lal and two Dera carpenters, Kuldeep Singh and Nirmal Singh, who executed the murder. They have been convicted too. The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence on January 17.

Gurmeet appeared via video conferencing from the jail for the hearing. The other three accused were present in court.

CBI counsel HPS Verma said Kuldeep Singh and Nirmal Singh were convicted under Section 302 (punishment for murder) of IPC read with Section 120B (criminal

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

conspiracy) of IPC, while Dera chief and Krishan Lal were convicted under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 302 (punishment for murder) of IPC. Nirmal Singh was also convicted under Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959.

While, Krishan Lal was convicted under Section 29 of the Arms Act, 1959. According to the CBI chargesheet, Dera

manager Krishan Lal had given his licenced revolver and a walkie talkie to Kuldeep and Nirmal in the presence of the Dera chief to eliminate Chhatarpati. They shot the journalist on October 24, 2002.

He died three weeks later.

A key witness to the murder case was the Dera chief's former driver Khatta Singh. In May 2018, he had told the Panchkula

CBI court that Gurmeet had ordered his men to eliminate Chhatarpati in his presence.

The same judge had last year, convicted the self-claimed Godman to 20 years in prison for raping two female disciples.

Worried about security arrangements of transporting him from Rohtak jail to Panchkula for the recent case, Haryana police had urged the court to allow Gurmeet to attend the hearing via video conferencing.

On August 25, 2017, Dera followers indulged in large-scale violence and arson after the Dera chief was convicted of rape charges. Haryana and Punjab police had made elaborate security arrangements across the two states to prevent any recurrence of violence and arson.

WEST BENGAL

SC notice to Bengal govt on BJP’s Yatra plea NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the West Bengal government on a petition filed by the BJP challenging the decision not to allow it to hold yatras in the state.

The BJP had moved the vacation bench of the SC, challenging the WB government order that had put on hold its proposed yatras to be conducted in the state. The Calcutta High Court had reviewed its own decision, while putting the yatras on hold. A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court had said that it would review the order of the single judge, who had permitted the BJP to undertake the yatras in WB. The matter came up for hearing last week, before a larger bench headed by Chief Justice

Kargupta, and the case was sent back to the single-judge bench with instructions that it considers 36 intelligence inputs provided by the state administration before taking a

decision on the BJP's 'rath yatra' in West Bengal. Following the order of the single judge, The Mamata Banerjee-led government had approached the Calcutta High Court. It had

challenged the order of the single judge which permitted the BJP to hold Rath Yatra rallies across the state as part of its 2019 Lok Sabha campaign.

The State Advocate General Kishore Dutta moved a petition opposing the single bench order before a division bench of the chief justice last week.

The state government has roped in senior counsel and veteran Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi to plead the case on behalf of the West Bengal police. CJ Kargupta had said that any threat to public order must be real and not imaginary or likely possibility. He has also said, “Without providing for reasonable restrictions, the authorities have passed an order for total exclusion.”

MODI FLAYS KERALA GOVT’S STAND ON SABARIMALA Addressing a gathering of BJP workers at Kollam, Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that CPM-led LDF and Congressled UDF were “two side of the same coin.”

He criticised the stand of both parties on a host of issues ranging from Sabarimala and gender justice to corruption and economic reservation. He said that the conduct of the LDF government on the Sabarimala issue would go down in history as one of the “most shameful behaviour by any party and government.” Pointing out that the entire nation has been talking about Sabarimala for the last few months, he said, “We know that the communists do not respect Indian history, culture and spirituality but nobody imagined they would have such hatred.”

2 LAWMAKERS PULL OUT OF KARNATAKA RULING COALITION Two Independent lawmakers - H Nagesh and R Shankar - have withdrawn support to the government of HD Kumaraswamy in Karnataka. The move comes amid high drama over the shifting of the BJP MLAs accusing the government of attempting to poach on their lawmakers and shifting more than a hundred of them to a resort in Gurgaon near Delhi. Accusing Kumaraswamy's government of inefficiency, one the missing lawmakers, R Shankar, said, "Today is Makar Sankranti. on this day we want a change in government... so I am withdrawing my support today".

FORMER PUNJAB AAP LEADER FLOATS REGIONAL PARTY Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sukhpal Khaira has floated a new regional political outfit, the Punjabi Ekta Party, vowing to take on the “corrupt duo of Badal and Amarinder”. He had resigned from AAP a couple of days before announcing his party, citing “dictatorial” attitude of party convenor and chief Arvind Kejriwal. In an hour-long speech, Khaira lashed out at the Badal family and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for their failure to provide effective administration in the state. He said the last 21 months of the Congress government have been an extension of the misrule that the state saw under the SAD-BJP government led by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

2 BENGAL BJP LEADERS BOOKED Two BJP leaders have been booked for allegedly inciting people through their controversial speech at a rally in Birbhum district. An FIR has also been lodged against three other saffron party leaders who were present at the rally, the police said. BJP general secretary Kalosona Mondal, while addressing the meeting, allegedly advised the crowd to attack the police and also assured them that no action will be taken against them, police sources said. Mondal said, “Don't hit the TMC men. A case will be registered against you if you do so. Instead, attack the police and nothing will happen. Didn't you all see how a sub-inspector of Dubrajpur was killed by TMC people? There is nothing you can expect from the police in Bengal. If you show them weapons, they will listen to you. Our real opponents in the stat are the police and not TMC.”

www.asian-voice.com

KUMBH MELA SPECIAL

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

AsianVoiceNews

25

19 - 25 January 2019

50-day 2019 Kumbh Mela is most expensive Kumbh yet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth perform rituals at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges and Yamuna, at Allahabad.

Devotees took the holy dip in river Ganga at Triveni Sangam with chants of “Har Har Gange” in the early hours of Tuesday. It is widely believed that taking the holy dip in river Ganga would wash away one's sins and bring them salvation. Kumbh Mela, which commenced on January 15 on the festival of

£423.6 million for the Kumbh Mela 2019, an iconic Hindu festival that is celebrated every six years. Budget for the event which is held in Prayagraj (earlier known as Allahabad), is more than thrice the budget of the Maha Kumbh in 2013. State Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal said, “The UP

More than 16,00,000 devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers and the mythical Saraswati.

Makar Sankranti, saw people taking the ritual bath, Shahi Snan, in the holy waters of the Sangam in Prayagraj.

Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, has called out to the religious for centuries.

Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has allocated a budget of

government has allocated £ 423.6 million for 2019 Kumbh Mela. The previous state government had spent around £130 million for the Maha Kumbh, which was held in 2013.”

Of the overall budget, the Uttar Pradesh government is investing £200 million, and the Centre has allocated

Read • Think • Contemplate - Awake

Your Voice for 45 years, 200,000 readers

ear One y ion for t ip nd r c s sub amachar aonly tS is a r K a U j in Gu Voice Asian

Save lots of money by subscribing for both papers 1 Year 2 Years

EUROPE A.V. Both £79 £131 £147 £252

Please Note: Subscriptions are non-refundable after 30 days

world's biggest spiritual congregation is being held in Prayagraj in the form of

waters is believed to deliver worshipers from their past sins and lead them to

Please detach this form and send it with your payment or credit card instructions to address below

Gift your loved ones an Asian Voice subscription

UK G.S. A.V. Both G.S. £30.50 £30.50 £36.50 £79 £55 £55 £66.50 £147

Pilgrims from across the world will arrive in Prayagraj as the Kumbh Mela begins amid a heady mix of spirituality, politics and tourism. Devotees take spiritual-cleansing dips in the Sangam during the Kumbh Festival, in Prayagraj.

£220million, of which, £120 million has already been released. Apart from the budgetary allocation, some other departments have also allocated funds for the mega event. Agarwal said this time the Kumbh Mela has been doubled to 3,200 hectare as compared to 1,600 hectare area in the previous melas.

Naga Sadhus take holy dip on auspicious Makar Sankranti day during The largest peaceful the Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival in Prayagraj. gathering of pilgrims who come together every three moksha, or liberation from Kumbh Mela,” the Religious years in Haridwar, the cycle of birth and death.

Affairs Minister said.

Prayagraj, Ujjain, and History A vast tent city dubbed a Nasik, Kumbh this year is “pop-up megacity” has been Kumbh means pot or expected to host around built around the delta in pitcher, while mela means 150 million people from Prayagraj to accommodate festival or fair. According to across the world. the millions that will come to ancient Hindu mythology, The mela premises is submerge themselves in the Lord Vishnu released drops an entire city in itself, with sacred rivers. Worshipers will of an immortality nectar 247 km streets inside the line up before sunrise, and (carried in a kumbh) in four venue, a parking capacity proceed into the water places where the festival is of 5,63,000 to 1,22,500 throughout the day. On Feb. now celebrated. The festival toilets and 58 police 4, the most auspicious rotates approximately every outposts. Over 2,132 bathing day, 30 million are three years through these medical personnel and expected to attend. cities, with the exact dates, around 20,000 police Sadhus also play essential places and length largely officials, including home roles in the tradition. There determined by astrology.

In guards, PAC companies, are a variety of sadhus, some 2017, UNESCO added the and central para-military of which are recognizable by festival to the List of forces have been deployed their matted hair and naked Intangible Cultural at the venue. This year, the bodies coated in ash. While Heritage, citing the event’s theme of the Kumbh is they generally lead lives of “central spiritual role in the ‘Swacch Kumbh, Surakshit isolation, at Kumbh Mela country.”

Kumbh,’ which means Naga Sadhus of the Nirvani Akhada these holy men come The main ritual of the ‘Clean Kumbh, Safe march through Allahabad as they prepare together en masse in pursuit festival is bathing in the Kumbh,’ showing the local to enter the Kumbh Mela premises. of enlightenment. rivers. Washing in holy

Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary

RATES VALID FROM 1-2-2018

government’s backing of this festival.

This year, to manage the massive flow of pilgrims, police have said that worshipers may not bathe longer than 41 seconds so as to avoid deadly stampedes, such as the one in 2013 that killed more than 40 people.

UP Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said the religious congregation is being held after 350 years as Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj and it is perhaps for the first time since Independence that proper arrangements, including milk, ghee, food, blankets and firewood, have been made for the seers, ashrams and akharas. “Nearly 350 years ago, the name of Prayagraj - considered a prominent centre of Hindu culture and Sanatan Dharma - was changed to Allahabad.

However, last year, under the leadership of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it was decided that Allahabad should be renamed as Prayagraj, as mentioned in ancient Indian texts including the Vedas. And it is after 350 long years that the

G.S. £95 £174

WORLD A.V. Both £95 £154.50 £174 £288

GUJARAT SAMACHAR & ASIAN VOICE 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081 E-mail: support@abplgroup.com • Website: www.abplgroup.com

NAME ADDRESS

POST CODE

Please tick as appropriate:

Gujarat Samachar & Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

TEL:

Email: I’d like to be kept up to date by email with offers and news from ABPL I enclose a cheque/ postal order of £................... made payable to Gujarat Samachar Please charge my Visa Mastercard Credit Debit card for £ Card Expiry date Card No: Signature

Date

CALL NOW 020 7749 4080

or Email: support@abplgroup.com I www.asian-voice.com I www.gujarat-samachar.com

26 INDIA

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

Opposition wants 'majboor' govt, we want 'majboot' govt: Modi Dubbing the anti-BJP grand alliance as a "failed experiment", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the opposition parties are coming together as they want to form a 'majboor' (helpless) government to promote nepotism and corruption, whereas the BJP wants a 'majboot' (strong) dispensation for all-round development. Modi also attacked the Congress over the Ram Temple issue, saying it doesn't want a solution to the Ayodhya dispute and is creating hurdles through its lawyers.

Addressing the BJP's National Convention, the prime minister said the parties that were formed

primarily to oppose the Congress and its culture have now join hands with it.

"We want a strong government so that we can put an end to corruption.

These days there is a failed experiment taking place in the country which is known as the grand alliance. They have all gathered together to make a helpless government. They don't want a strong government which will lead to shut down of their shops," Modi said.

His comments come after the BSP-Samajwadi Party announced their alliance in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, in which the BJP had won maximum seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Narendra Modi addressing the BJP's National Convention

"They want a helpless government so that they can indulge in corruption. We want a strong government so that we can put an end to corruption. They want a

helpless government so that they can do good for their relatives. We want a strong government so that we can usher development for everyone (sabka saath, sabka

vikas)," he said.He also slammed the governments of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh for withdrawing general consent to the CBI in their respective state and asked why they were afraid and what irregularities they have done. At the same time, he mentioned about his experiences with the central agencies during the UPA rule.

"Despite being harassed by the UPA government for years when I was Gujarat CM, we didn't ban entry of CBI in state," he said. The prime minister said 10-per cent reservation in education and government jobs for the youth from economically

weaker sections will enhance the confidence of 'New India' and asserted that the new arrangement will not encroach upon anyone's rights.

Modi said that for the first time in the country's history, there has not been any charge of corruption against a government. The BJP rule has proved that the country can be run without corruption, he added. He said earlier governments saw farmers (annadata) as only 'matdata' (voters), while his government was constantly trying to address challenges faced by them.

"We are working day and night to double farmers' income by 2022," he said.

British Deputy High Commissioner Geoff Wain bids adieu, Peter Cook steps in “BRITAIN IS HERE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A BEAUTIFUL NEW RELATIONSHIP.” Mitul Paniker British Deputy High Commissioner Geoff Wain's tenure has come to an end, and he has passed on the torch to Peter Cook, an optimistic diplomat with a special corner and connection for India. Since arriving in Ahmedabad in 2015, Wain has placed IndiaUK relations on priority, bending backwards to deliver results and boost dealings between both the countries. Since his arrival, what was a 2-person trade office in the city, has now expanded to an 8-person Deputy High Commission.

He believes Cook is the best person to further the growth.

In a press interaction with local reporters, Wain said he was sad to leave, but will do so on a positive note.

He praised Gujarati companies and state politicians for their support and encouragement. Under his tenure, the Deputy High Commission celebrated several firsts, like the opening of a Visa Center in 2017, an exceeded trade target, multiple activities, and a positive thriving environment. Wain called inward investment, from UK to India is at a remarkable position, and so is outward investment.

“Britain-India relations are better than ever. 24 per cent more visas were issued last year. Number of student visas issues rose up 16 per cent, and 94 per cent Indians who applied, received their visa. It should also be noted that Indian nationals get more work visas from the UK than other nationalities.

Geoff Wain interacting with the media

So those who say this is not the right time to work in Britain, the scenario is much different,” Wain said.

Summing up his tenure in the state, Wain said “Guest is God philosophy is not just a philosophy in Gujarat.” After the completion of his term of office on Saturday, he will leave for London, where he will join the Diplomatic Academy.

“This is personal to me.”

Born in Calcutta, on August 15, Peter Cook believes he has been training his whole life for this job. He even studied in a school in West Bengal for six years, before he left for the UK. He has worked as diplomat for 35 years, running operations in New York, Istanbul, Turkey, and Denmark. He has been in charge of

political teams. “This is personal to me,” he said.

“And the warmth of the people in Gujarat makes it easier to keep this personal.”

He said his aim is to build a modern relationship. “We have a history. I am a part of that history. But the future, that needs to be modern,” he said. Praising Wain and his team, he said it is remarkable the range of work they have done.

Cook said he was excited to take on new challenges, and by the period changes.

Some new areas to explore, he believes is solar power and cyber security. “I would like to think we can do more in new industries,” he said.

However, the most important aspect is, “How can we communicate freely.

How can both the countries trade freely.” He also intends

to stress on a sustainable future, and try and encourage the production of less waste. Another huge sector for the partner countries is the port sector.

When asked about his focus on the education sector, Cook said “We will look for new ways to make our education facilities more successful. We are very selective of how we can help, but we will help. We intend to focus on vocational skills.

This is an area in which UK, I believe, has a better understanding.”

“We are here to help, and the support we offer is practical. That is sort of our mission statement. We have not just come here to talk,” Cook said. He added, “We are going to be here 365 days a year, and I want each day to be a success.”

India got Michel in return for Dubai's Princess Latifa?

Allegations that Christian Michel, an accused in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal, was extradited from Dubai in return for India sending back Dubai’s Princess Latifa have led Michel’s family’s lawyer in London to declare he is sending Michel’s case to the United Nations. Toby Cadman, an international human rights lawyer from London, is the lawyer who took the Latifa case to the UN. He is now advising the Michel family. He said that the idea Michel’s extradition had been a swap has “been alleged on more than one occasion.”

“It is a matter that will need to be properly investigated and this is a matter which will be taken to the UN,” he said. “I cannot divulge the nature of the evidence... I can confirm there are serious concerns as to the nature and procedure concerning the extradition... It is anticipated that the Indian Christian judicial authorities will Michel recognise that there is no proper legal basis to hold he runs a business, last Michel and he should be month and is being discharged immediately,” interrogated by the CBI and Cadman said. the ED. The decision to Michel, 57, a British extradite him came just arms dealer, was extradited eight months after India to Delhi from Dubai, where sent back Princess Sheikha

Latifa bint Mohammed alMaktoum, the 33-year-old daughter of Dubai’s billionaire ruler. Her yacht was intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard off the coast of Goa when she was attempting to flee her imprisonment in UAE to travel to the US in March 2018 and she was sent back to Dubai in a joint India-Emirati operation, despite her demanding asylum.

Radha Stirling of Detained in Dubai, a criminal justice NGO in the UAE, said: “This joint operation was approved by Prime Minister Modi after a

personal telephone call from Sheikh Mohammed.

Because of India’s participation in this illegal action, they have faced considerable international criticism, including an official inquiry by the UN. In short, the UAE owes India a favour; it appears that expedited extradition may well be a gesture of reciprocal appreciation by the UAE for India’s role in the abduction and return of Princess Latifa back to the Emirates.”

A member of Michel’s legal team said: “That there was a swap deal is my understanding too.” India

and the UAE have an extradition treaty dating back to 2011 that covers citizens of the two countries, but the extradition of a third party national is unusual. “It enters a murky part of international law,” said one diplomat. The CBI has filed a chargesheet accusing Michel of criminally conspiring with Indian officials to ensure Britain’s only helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland (now called Leonardo Helicopters) wins the 12 VVIP helicopter deal from the Indian government.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

27

19 - 25 January 2019

Blue Tea All You Need To Know About This Herbal Tea That May Help In Weight Loss Herbal teas have a lot of takers nowadays, as more and more people come to know about the potential side effects of caffeinated drinks like regular tea and coffee.

A number of herbal teas have made their mark on tea lovers across the world, including those made from flowers like chamomile and blue pea. While chamomile is very well-known for its mild and soothing flavour that acts as a stress buster, tea made from blue pea flowers is not that well known.

Dried blue pea flowers yield a brew that is stunning in colour and that can be enjoyed cold or hot. Blue tea, made from blue pea flowers, also has a number of health benefits. Some people even use blue tea for

weight loss, other than its antioxidant properties and its ability to fight stress.

Blue tea, or butterfly pea flower tea, is a caffeine-free herbal concoction, made by seeping dried or fresh leaves of the Clitoria ternatea plant. The butterfly-pea is also known as blue pea or pigeonwings and it is a plant common to most South East Asian countries. The deep blue colour of the flower's petals has traditionally been used to make dye. The tea is popular in Thailand and Vietnam, where it is served post dinner, usually with lemon and honey added to it. Adding lemon juice to the tea changes the pH of the drink, making it change colour from deep blue to purple. Thanks to popularisation through travel blogs

and shows, the blue tea leaves are now available in stores and supermarkets for purchase by tea connoisseurs around the world. The tea leaves are also used to change colour in cocktails as well.

Blue tea contains catechins, which are said to be instrumental in burning belly fat and aiding weight loss. Drinking butterfly-pea flowers seeped in warm water is said to be an effective way to rev up the metabolism, which in turn, makes the body burn more calories. Here are some other benefits of blue tea that you may want to know, before trying it out: 1. The tea is rich in antioxidants, which makes it a great beverage to include in your detox diet.

Antioxidants protect the body against free radical

action.

2. Blue tea is said to be great for the skin, due to its claimed anti-glycation effects, which fight skin ageing. The flavonoids present in blue tea may also stimulate collagen production.

3. The earthy flavour of butterfly-pea flower tea is said to be a mood enhancer.

The tea is said to have stress busting effects that may also help reduce symptoms of anxiety.

4. Blue tea is said to help in losing water weight as it is a natural diuretic drink.

5. Blue tea is also said to have a role in regulating blood sugar levels, although there is not much scientific evidence to suggest that it is helpful in managing diabetes. Some people have also claimed that blue tea is helpful in managing fatty liver diseases and reducing levels of cholesterol in blood, but there is not enough research that suggests the same. Blue tea can be a great alternative for caffeinated beverages like tea or coffee and you may consume it as such, in order to reduce your caffeine intake. The tea is now available for purchase in a number of supermarkets, grocery stores and on websites online.

Costly 'scale and polish' service 'may be unnecessary for those with good teeth' For years, dentists have insisted that a traditional scale and polish is an essential part of proper oral hygiene. But the often costly service may be unnecessary for those with good teeth after evidence found it makes ‘no difference’ to dental health.

The professional clean involves scraping to remove deposits of plaque and a polish to make the teeth smooth. Many patients are offered the treatment during a check-up once their teeth have been examined.

Now a review of evidence has found that for most adults with healthy teeth who regularly visit the dentist, the treatment makes ‘little or no difference’ to certain indicators of dental health such as the early stages of gum disease.

There may also be ‘little or

no difference’ in plaque levels over two years.

The treatment costs £11.40 on the NHS and around five times that at some private practices. It aims to remove plaque – a sticky film of bacteria and sugars that constantly forms on the teeth. Plaque is the main cause of cavities and gum disease, as well as tartar or calculus – a deposit that forms when plaque hardens.

Polishing after the scaling treatment removes stains from coffee, tea,

cigarettes or red wine, and makes it more difficult for plaque to stick to the teeth.

The review of the treatment’s effectiveness, which analysed the most up-to-date evidence, was conducted by Thomas Lamont, Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Dundee’s Dental School and Hospital.

Side-effects from scaling and polishing can include tooth sensitivity, and damage to tooth surfaces. Twicedaily tooth brushing is the best way to avoid plaque building up in the first place.

But Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s scientific adviser, urged caution over the study. He said: ‘Patients were found to value the procedure as part of their routine dental care.

Calculus can’t be effectively removed by tooth brushing.

‘Gum disease is often caused by a build-up of plaque bacteria, and the best way to remove this is by twice daily tooth brushing.

‘In some hard-to-reach areas, plaque bacteria can accumulate and may eventually mineralise to form a tough, crusty deposit called calculus or tartar. You can’t remove this just by brushing your teeth, but a dentist, dental therapist or hygienist can remove it.

‘If calculus isn’t removed, more plaque can build around the tooth and under the gum line, leading to the progression of gum disease. Further research would be required to establish the cost-effectiveness of scale and polish, as a separate consideration from reducing gum disease.’

Scientists discover two new strains of deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria Two new species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been discovered in the blood of patients in China.

Scientists discovered two patients were carrying unidentified species of Enterobacteriaceae that did not respond to penicillin or the cephalosporin group of

antibiotics in the lab.

Enterobacteriaceae exist in the gut and are usually harmless, however, they can cause meningitis if they enter the blood or pneumonia if they get into the lungs.

The scientists worry the emergence of new species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement any advice. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

will make deadly infections harder to cure, with delays in treatment often leading to sepsis.

The scientists, from Sichuan University, Chengdu, were led by Dr Wenjing Wu, from the centre of infectious diseases.

The study comes amid growing fears of antibiotic resistance - driven by the unnecessary doling out of the drugs - which has turned once harmless bacteria into superbugs.

The World Health Organization has warned if nothing is done the world is heading for a 'post-antibiotic' era.

In the US alone, around 2million become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria every year, resulting in at least 23,000 deaths.

Pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea and salmonellosis are among the growing number of infections that are becoming harder to treat.

in brief GPS COULD GET MORE GENEROUS PENSIONS TO STOP SO MANY LEAVING The NHS will not hit its target of hiring thousands of extra GPs next year, the Health Secretary has admitted. Matt Hancock said the Government's pledge to employ 5,000 extra family doctors by 2020 could take five more years. In the same interview, he said GPs could receive more generous pensions in a bid to stop them leaving the health service early. GPs currently have to pay tax on any pension savings above £1million but this law could be relaxed to encourage them to work into their 60s. Mr Hancock revealed plans to increase doctors' pension cap and the recruitment delay in an interview with specialist GP magazine Pulse. Loosening the regulations on doctors' pensions could allow them to save more than £1million taxfree for their retirement. The cap was lowered from £1.25million in 2016, but there is no suggestion of what the figure would return to if Mr Hancock's rule change went ahead. Research by Which? last year suggested a retired couple could live comfortably off a pension of £210,000.

The average age of retirement for family doctors is 58, but the number retiring in their 50s hit a six-year low in 2018.

Doctors' organisations have welcomed the idea of increasing pension pots but the Government's Treasury is sceptical.

HALF OF PATIENTS WITH CFS CLAIM THEY ARE DISMISSED

BY DOCTORS WHO SAY THE ILLNESS IS PSYCHOLOGICAL Almost half of people suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have been dismissed by doctors who claim their illness is psychological. Scientists have warned there is a 'profound' lack of understanding of the condition, also known as ME, in hospital settings. Around 40 per cent of patients avoid going to A&E in fear they won't be taken seriously because of claims it's 'all in their heads', a study found. The Georgetown University Medical Centre study is the first known investigation into how CFS is treated in the emergency department. It suggests the majority of patients are not receiving proper care, or being misdiagnosed with something else. The study was conducted on 282 participants, who were predominantly women, educated, and had physician-diagnosed CFS. Only 30 per cent of patients reported receiving appropriate treatment in an emergency, according to the research. Two-thirds of respondents reported that they'd either not go to an emergency department because they believed they wouldn't be taken seriously, or had previous unsatisfactory experiences, Dr Baraniuk said. The findings, published in the journal Open Access Emergency Medicine, found that 42 per cent of patients were dismissed as having psychosomatic complaints.

MILLIONS ARE AT RISK OF AN EARLY DEATH BECAUSE THEY DO NOT EAT ENOUGH FIBRE, WARNS MAJOR STUDY Millions of people are at risk of an early death because they do not eat enough fibre, according to a major study. A review commissioned by the World Health Organisation found that people who get plenty of fibre in their diet cut their risk of early mortality by up to a third. They also cut their risk of a heart attack, stroke, type two diabetes or bowel cancer by up to a quarter. Yet the vast majority of adults in Britain - around 91 per cent - eat less than the recommended daily amount. Similar figures exist in the US. The findings are a blow for trendy low-carb diets, which have boomed in popularity in recent years and have also driven down fibre intake. Fibre - sometimes referred to as 'roughage' - is vital for digestion and helps keep people feeling fuller for longer. It is found in high levels in fruit, vegetables, and cereals, as well as bread and pasta made with wholegrain and wholewheat. But the rise of processed food - which often cuts out much of the fibre in raw ingredients - has meant people often get too little of these ingredients. Researcher Professor John Cummings, of the University of Dundee, said the new review - published in the Lancet medical journal - will have a major impact. His team combined the results of more than 230 previous studies, involving 215,000 people. They found people who ate more than 30g a day of fibre - the amount recommended by Public Health England - were 24 per cent less likely to die early from any cause than people who ate 8g a day. And for those who ate more than 35g the risk dropped by over a third. To make sure people get enough fibre, potatoes, pasta, bread and other starchy carbohydrates - traditional foods which are dropping out of fashion - should form the main components of a healthy diet, health officials say.

28 BOLLYWOOD

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

'Gully Boy' trailer takes the internet by storm

Apna Time Ayega! Ranveer Singh is back and this time, he has gotten into the skin of a rapper for Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy'. The film, which is based on the lives of Mumbaibased rappers Naezy and Divine, who shot to fame from the city slums, is a classic story of the underdog.

If you thought the teaser was good, wait till you see the trailer! The trailer has not only got the internet excited, but also Bollywood, with other celebrities commending movie.

Leaving behind the messy actor in him, Ranveer takes on the character of a mellow rapper from Mumbai slums, while lead

Ranveer's 'Simmba' enters Rs 200 crore club Ranveer Singh starrer 'Simmba' continues to roar at the box office. The Rohit Shetty directorial has earned Rs 202.83 crore in 12 days, entering the coveted Rs 200 crore club.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the latest figures of the cop drama, saying that the film has done solid business i n

weekdays too. In another tweet, he shared the benchmarks crossed by the film.

Incidentally, 'Simmba' happens to be the biggest opener of Ranveer’s career so far. The film had collected Rs 20.72 crore on the opening day itself. The actor has had a successful 2018, beginning with 'Padmaavat' and ending with this blockbuster.

This is Rohit Shetty's third film in the Rs 200 crore club, after 'Chennai Express' and 'Golmaal Again.'

actress Alia Bhatt plays a medical student.

The trailer has been receiving love from everyone. One of the many stars to share their reactions on the trailer is actress Katrina Kaif, who shared a poster of the film, tagging Akhtar, Singh, and Bhatt and writing that she found the trailer “awesome”. Other actors to tweet are Ayushmann Khurrana, who said, “Kya trailer hai bc!!! I got goosebumps, tears, adrenaline rush, probably a mini orgasm too. All at once. Kudos.” Vicky Kaushal tweeted, “KYA TRAILER HAI BOSS!” 'Gully Boy' releases on February 14.

Two biopics on Narendra Modi 'Munna Bhai 3' to go on floors this year

Actor and BJP MP Paresh Rawal has said he would make a biopic on the Indian Prime Minister's life, just a few days after another biopic on the leader was announced.

Actor Vivek Oberoi recently announced a film on Modi, which will be produced by his father Suresh Oberoi. However, Rawal shows no plans to back out with his version of the Modi story. The film will be produced by him and also feature him in the role of the PM. “It is the most challenging role of my career till date. I have a hunger for good roles. I want to be challenged and I am looking forward to this experience. We will start work this year itself,” Rawal said, He said the film is very much in development but did face some hurdles at the script and financial level.

“We are stuck at

the script level and bit on the financial, production levels. I am producing it.

We are going to do it, 100 per cent. I am playing Modi,” the BJP MP from Ahmedabad East said. He said he has not seen Oberoi's m u c h discussed look from the movie, which will be directed

by Omung Kumar. “It is all about getting closer to the real person.

The basics are the same, white hair, beard, and spectacles. (But) for me, it is about capturing his eyes, his anguish and the burning desire to take the country forward, his hatred for corrupt people. All this should reflect in the character,” Rawal said.

When asked if it is a propaganda film, Rawal said, “If we have done something good then we should be proud of it and we are showcasing that in a film. How is it a propaganda film?”

To the collective delight of the entire country, actor Arshad Warsi has confirmed that the third instalment of the hit franchise 'Munna Bhai' will go on floors by the end of this year. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the series chronicles the story of an affable goon and his loyal sidekick, played by Sanjay Dutt and Warsi, respectively. When asked about the third instalment, Arshad said, “I do know that the script is pretty much ready. I do know from Raju that the film will go on floors this year- either mid or the end of the year. The work on the script is going on. As of now, yes it's Sanju

and me. These are the things I've been told.”

While the gap between the first movie 'Munna Bhai MBBS' which was released in 2003 and its sequel 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' is three years; this time there would be a gap of over 10 years and Warsi said it's slightly “scary” to pick up the character from where he left. He said, “I tend to do my film and forget about my character and I move on to the next one. I tend to forget, which is what happened with 'Munna Bhai'. When I came for the second part, I was doing the same role differently. I realised something isn't

quite right. Then Raju and I saw a couple of scenes from the first one and remembered how I should be doing. This time too, I'm sure I'll do it.”

He also revealed that the fifth instalment of 'Golmaal 5' will also happen. In Rohit Shetty's recently released 'Simmba', the 'Golmaal' gang had a cameo in a special song where they hinted about the upcoming film. He added, “That will happen too. All of us know, Rohit knows, that he owes it to the audience.” Arshad is currently gearing for the release of 'Fraud Saiyaan', directed by Sourabh Shrivastava.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

KOLLYWOOD

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

29

19 - 25 January 2019

Rajini's 'Petta' sets screens on fire

Vidya Balan takes Tollywood by storm with Telugu debut

Director Karthik Subbaraj sets a cracker of a premise to create whistle-worthy moments in Rajinikanth-starrer 'Petta'.

Thalaivar makes a whirlwind entry as a temporary warden of a college hostel and in the process of instilling discipline in the institute, ends up picking a bone with a local goon. There is, however, a backstory to the particular episode that leads to the tussle.

Rajini as his character

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, who made her Telugu debut recently with the prestigious 'NTR Kathanayakudu', a biopic on the life of legendary actor-politician Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), has received an enthusiastic thumbs up from audiences in the Teluguspeaking states. Balan plays the role of NTR's wife Basavatarakam, acing the role of a housewife who comes across as her husband's backbone.

Her role is well-etched and it is to be noted that the script writers have not reduced her into just a “housewife”. Instead, she is a strong-headed woman who stands by the hasty decisions her husband takes.

Vidya's character goes through a lot of emotions, including the death of her first son Nandamuri Ramakrishna. The 'Dirty Picture' actress does not need to prove her worth, and just with the way Balan has adorned the whole personality of Basavatarakam, she takes away our hearts. Overall, this role is a worthy debut for a powerhouse performer like Balan and she has without a doubt, given her best. Her impeccable lip-syncing has too impressed the Teluguspeaking audience.

TIME

16:00:00 17:00:00 17:30:00 18:00:00 18:30:00 19:00:00 19:30:00 20:00:00 20:30:00 21:00:00 21:30:00 22:30:00 23:00:00

TIME

18:00:00 18:30:00 19:30:00 20:00:00 21:30:00 22:30:00

TIME

17:30:00 18:00:00 18:30:00 19:30:00 20:00:00 22:30:00 23:30:00

TV PROGRAM NAMES

RASOI SHOW THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 2 NAMASTE BREAKFAST RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI UTTARAN DIL KI PUKAR INTERNETWALA LOVE ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN JAHAANARA BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE RED ALERT TANTRA JAHAANARA

SATURDAY 26th January 2019 TV PROGRAM NAMES RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI UTTARAN FAMOUSLY FILMFARE - PREMIERE DANCE DEEWANE ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA TANTRA

SUNDAY 27th January 2019 TV PROGRAM NAMES

ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN - WEEKEND KA MAHA EPISODE RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI UTTARAN THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 2 DANCE DEEWANE GRAND FINALE ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA TANTRA

Arunraja Kamaraj's debut directorial venture 'Kanaa' starring Aishwarya Rajesh and Sathyaraj in the lead roles was a hit venture at the box office.

The crew recently met at a private hotel in Chennai for the success meet when actress Aishwarya Rajesh took a dig at the fake success meet functions taking place in Kollywood. While she meant it in a light hearted manner, it appears the comment was not received well by certain section of the industry.

Following certain backlash, the 'Vada Chennai' actress took to Twitter to make an apology if her comment had hurt anyone. She tweeted, “Hi guys.

It' was just a fun. Speech for #KanaaSuccessMeet I din. Mean. Any movie. Here. an. Neve hurt anyone I always. Pray for all d movies to become blockbuster hit .. I know how hard it is to make a movie an make it huge. Success. Really sorry if my statement hurt. Any...”

SATURDAY 19th January 2019 TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES

* Schedule is subject to change

17:00 17:30 18:30 20:00 21:30 23:00

TIME 16:30 17:30 18:30 20:00 21:30 23:00

Keys to Kismat Crime Patrol The Kapil Sharma Show Super Dancer Chapter 3 The Kapil Sharma Show Crime Patrol

SUNDAY 20th January 2019

TV PROGRAM NAMES

Meet the Drapers Crime Patrol The Kapil Sharma Show Super Dancer Chapter 3 The Kapil Sharma Show Crime Patrol

MONDAY 21st Januay - Friday 25th January

TIME 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00

TV PROGRAM NAMES

Vighnaharta Ganesh Mere Sai Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai Chandragupta Maurya Main Maayke Chali Jaaungi Patiala Babes Ladies Special Crime Patrol

MONDAY 21st - FRIDAY 25th January 2019

19:30: 20:00: 20:30:

UDANN

SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI KESARRI NANDAN

21:00:

GATHBANDHAN

22:00:

SILSILA

21:30: 22:30:

ROOP

VISH YA AMRIT SITAARA

Wednesday January 23, 2019 01:43 Film : Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara 06:00 Film : Login 08:03 Film : Samurai The Warrior 10:55 Film : Jaan Se Pyara 14:00 Film : Krantiveer * Schedule is subject to change 17:03 Film : Shaurya Sunday January 20, 2019 20:00 Film : Shaitan 01:55 Film : Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar 22:32 Film : Saaya 06:00 Film : Bas Ek Tamanna Thursday January 24, 2019 08:11 Film : Jwalamukhi 01:10 Film : Four Pillars Of Basement 11:00 Film : Hero 06:00 Film : Jwalamukhi 14:24 Film : Baadshah 08:41 Film : Shiva The Power Man 18:00 Film : Zanjeer 11:15 Film : Gurudev 20:47 Film : Grand Masti 14:31 Film : Dhadkan 22:48 Film : Fox 18:00 Film : Jayantabhai ki Luv Story Monday January 21, 2019 20:41 Film : Aitraaz 01:10 Film : Bombay 23:53 Film : Shaitan Friday January 25, 2019 06:00 Film : The Silent Heroes 02:12 Film : Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd 08:20 Film : Ilaaka 06:00 Film : Krishna Arjun 11:30 Film : Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya 08:33 Film : Mast 14:23 Film : Shikaar 11:22 Film : Andha Kanoon 17:00 Film : Welcome 20:22 Film : Mere Dost Picture Abhi Baki Hai 14:44 Film : Shaurya 17:34 Film : Keemat 23:00 Film : Jurm 21:00 Film : Phata Poster Nikla Hero Tuesday January 22, 2019 23:59 Film : Ishq Click 02:30 Film : Chor Bazaari-Ek Atrangi Prem Kahani Saturday January 26, 2019 06:00 Film : Sweekar Kiya Maine 02:26 Film : Nazar 08:45 Film : Badmasho Ka Badmash 06:00 Film : Cheetah The Leopard 11:26 Film : Jahan Tum Le Chalo 08:54 Film : The Perfect Girl 11:00 Film : Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan 14:19 Film : Agnivarsha 13:46 Film : Aitraaz 17:05 Film : Grand Masti 17:00 Film : Lakshya 19:10 Film : Star Stop 20:50 Film : Entertainment 20:00 Film : Jayantabhai ki Luv Story 23:45 Film : Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd 22:41 Film : Kasoor

SATURDAY 26th January 2019 TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES

18:30: * Schedule is subject to change

There is intense style and swag, and if you are a fan of Rajinikanth, this commercial potboiler is for you. While the entire Thalaivar fandom is having

a meltdown, even celebrities can't stop heaping praises on the film. The film casts Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the antagonist, and also includes Vijay Sethupathi, Sasikumar, Simran, Trisha, and others.

With 'Petta', Rajinikanth's second film in two months, Karthik Subbaraj had promised to bring back the vintage Rajinikanth. He delivers that. The film is a classic Rajinikanth film that his fans should not miss.

Aishwarya Rajesh apologises for her comment

* Schedule is subject to change

MONDAY 21st - FRIDAY 25th January 2019

Kaali is everything synonymous with the actor.

19:30: 20:00: 21:00: 22:30:

SUNDAY 27th January 2019

TIME

TV PROGRAM NAMES

KHATRON KE KHILADI JIGGER PE 18:30: KHATRON KE KHILADI JIGGER PE TRIGGER TRIGGER DESI BEAT 3.0 19:30: INSIDE ACCESS WITH MISSMALINI NAAGIN - SEASON 3 (SEASON 2) KHATRON KE KHILADI JIGGER PE 20:00: NAAGIN - SEASON 3 TRIGGER 21:00: KHATRON KE KHILADI JIGGER PE ANDHADHUN (Colors UK TRIGGER Premiere) 22:30: UDANN

30 UK

AsianVoiceNews

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

19 - 25 January 2019

Pujya Mahant Swami inspires devotees in Mumbai and Surat

Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha head Pujya Mahant Swami is currently on his vicharan in Surat. Earlier, he was in Mumbai till January 14.

Devotees flocked in to participate in his daily pooja every day. Annakut Day was celebrated on January 8. Around 1000 different food items were presented on the dais on that day.

On January 10, Mahant Swami conducted a pooja of the Circle of Unity. On January 11, Mahant Swami said in his aashirvachan that a person who has the three virtues of patience, forgiveness and creativity, they will succeed in life. On January 13, Jholi Parva was organised in Bhakti Park, Wadala.

Mahant Swamiji reiterated Pramukh Swamiji's philosophy of doing charity. Over 12,000 devotees were present at the event. Mahant Swami arrived to a rousing reception by sadhus and devotees in Surat.

Coming Events

l Shree Jignyasu Satsang Mandal to organise Shree 108 Hanuman Chalisa on January 20, Sunday, 11.00 am to 5.00 pm, followed by dinner prasad, at Social Club Hall, Northwick Park Hospital, Walford Road, Harrow, Middx HA1 3UJ

Indian embassy in Berlin hosts seminar on good governance

The Embassy of India, Berlin in collaboration with Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi organised a Seminar on “Good Governance – How Innovative Approaches Can Really Make a Difference: Indian Experience” on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the Embassy Auditorium.

The Seminar focused on the democratic ethos of India

and the achievements attained through Democratic Governance and Development Governance.

Ambassador of India to Germany Mrs Mukta Dutta Tomar, in her welcome remarks, highlighted the strong connect between Democracy and Good Governance and the importance of citizen participation in Good Governance.

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.

Sneh Joshi

shoplifters, could be spared jail every year under the proposals, the Telegraph reports.

Offenders could face sanctions such as community sentences but no alternative penalties have been confirmed.

Overall, the measure could reduce the prison population by about 3,500, although it would require legislation.

The Ministry of Justice is now considering preventing courts from imposing prison terms of less than six months unless the sentence is for a violent crime or a sexual offence.

Arguing for the need for

reform, Mr Stewart told the Daily Telegraph Magazine: "You bring somebody in for three or four weeks, they lose their house, their job, their family, their reputation.

"They come (into prison), they meet a lot of interesting characters (to put it politely) and then you whap them on to the streets again.

"The public are safer if we have a good community sentence... and it will relieve a lot of pressure on prisons."

Since they took up their posts last year, Justice Secretary David Gauke and Mr Stewart have both made it clear they want to reduce

solar axis of 5th and 11th houses in your chart, affecting your investments, friendships, children and romantic relationships. Friendships need to be scrutinised carefully. This could manifest, as a romantic proclamation from a lover, a creative project coming to its own conclusions, or your child revealing something significant to you.

It seems that the winds of TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 change begin to gather momen-

tum, with the lunar eclipse on the 21st January, putting a strong focus on family and career matters. Your sector of house and home, property, family, parents, and foundations is involved. This could involve a project that you have been dealing with on the home that demands attention.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 This Lunar Eclipse on the 21st

January, activates your solar 3rd and 9th houses of communication, travel and spiritual knowledge. It signals a time of mixed emotions. Surprises surrounding your siblings, neighbors, or communications are in store. A flurry of activity in your immediate environment or neighborhood that requires attention, is also noticed.

Be careful with your expenditure as you have a tendency to be extravagant, especially as the Lunar eclipse on the 21st January falls in your financial axis.

Something that has been bothering you comes to light, or there is a significant fruition or culmination. This is an excellent time for dealing with long-term money natters.

the use of short prison sentences.

The prison population has doubled in England and Wales since the early 1990s, rising from about 40,000 to more than 80,000 in 2018, official figures show.

Almost two-thirds of prisoners released after sentences of less than 12 months reoffend within a year.

More than half of the 86,275 offenders sentenced to immediate custody in England and Wales in 2017 were handed sentences of six months or less, according to a Parliamentary response from Mr Stewart last month.

Doctors to be asked if they would help terminally ill patients die Doctors will be asked asked if they would help a terminally ill patient to die and whether the law should be changed to allow assisted dying.

The Royal College of Physicians is to poll its 35,000 members and fellows next month on whether or not there should be a change in the law to permit assisted dying. It will also ask whether its members would be prepared to "participate actively" in assisted dying if the law was changed.

RCP president, Professor Andrew Goddard, said the email survey was essential to the college

understanding its members's views.

He added: "The Royal College of Physicians is frequently asked for its stance on this high-profile issue, which may be cited in legal cases and parliamentary debate, so it is essential that we base this on an up-todate understanding of our members' and fellows' views."

The RCP said it will adopt a neutral position until two-thirds of respondents say that it should be in favour or opposed to a change in the law.

It said this means it will neither support or oppose a

Dyslexia going undiagnosed Dyslexia is no longer being diagnosed by councils that claim the disorder is “scientifically questionable”.

Children across Warwickshire and Staffordshire now have little or no access to taxpayerfunded assessments, as officials have “embraced a policy of not differentiating” between dyslexics and others who simply struggle to

read. However, experts have criticised the argument as a smokescreen for cuts.

It follows criticism of both authorities in the House of Lords last October for a co-authored document arguing that “a diagnosis of dyslexia does not provide any additional information that is useful for addressing the difficulties not does it predict the rate of progress.”

change in the law so it can reflect the differing views of its members and fellows in discussions with government and others.

Assisted dying is illegal in UK, with doctors facing a jail term of up to 14 years under the Suicide Act 1961.

There is no specific prohibition of assisting a suicide in Scottish law, but anyone doing so could be charged with murder or culpable homicide, the RCP said.

The college defines assisted dying as "the supply by a doctor of a lethal dose of drugs to a patient who is terminally ill, meets certain

Editor: CB Patel Chief Executive Officer: Liji George Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Deputy Editor: Urja Patel Advertising Managers: Kishor Parmar Head - New Projects & Business Development: Cecil Soans Graphic Designers: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 Email: support@abplgroup.com Leicester Distributors: Shabde Magazine, Shobhan Mehta Mob: 07846 480 220

The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 The lunar eclipse falls in the

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

Ministers consider ending jail terms of six months or less The Ministry of Justice is considering banning prison sentences of less than six months in England and Wales.

Ministers argue that short jail terms are less effective at cutting reoffending than community penalties.

Prisons minister Rory Stewart told the Daily Telegraph that such sentences were "long enough to damage you and not long enough to heal you".

If such jail sentences were to be scrapped, it is thought it could free up thousands of prison places.

Some 30,000 criminals, including burglars and most

The Lunar Eclipse on the 21st January activates your solar 1st and 7th houses. The focus will be on yourself and your relationships.

Your sector of personal appearance, initiative, and "me first" energy is involved. Finding a balance between self rule and dependence is what this Lunar Eclipse is about for you. Use tact and diplomacy to smooth and ruffled feathers.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

This Lunar Eclipse on the 21st January stimulates your solar 12th and 6th houses. This part of your life is about the compassionate care and attention you give others - self-undoing, privacy, and dreams are involved. Finding a balance between health concerns and spiritual matters is what this Lunar Eclipse is about for you.

This Lunar Eclipse on the 21st January stimulates your solar 11th and 5th houses. This surrounds your long-term goals, friendships, and group affiliations and possibility of romantic liaisons. A busy social calendar is likely to lead to a hectic time ahead. Once you set your mind on a goal you stay the course no matter what obstacles you encounter.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

The Lunar eclipse on the 21st January falls in your solar 10th and 4th houses, focusing on your home and work issues.

You need to strike the right balance between the two, if you want peace and harmony. This could manifest, for example, as a career change or challenge that you didn't expect, a new promotion or career direction dropped into your lap, and other such possibilities.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

criteria that will be defined by law, and requests those drugs in order that they might be used by the person concerned to end their life".

The new poll will also ask members what they think the RCP's position on assisted dying should be.

A similar survey by the college five years ago found that a majority of respondents did not support a change in the law.

When the RCP asked members in 2014 whether they would personally be prepared to "participate actively" in assisted dying were it legalised, 58.4% said no.

Asian Voice Head Office Karma Yoga House 12 Hoxton Market (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 Fax: 020 7749 4081 www.abplgroup.com

© Asian Business Publications

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar Switch board: 020 7749 4080 Advertising Sales: 020 7749 4085

020 8518 5500

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

The Lunar eclipse on the 21st January, falls in your solar 9th and 3rd houses, affecting travel and communications.

Matters of personal philosophy, faith and travel may be in store.

This could manifest as a sudden opportunity to travel or for higher learning. Decision making will be difficult, given your wavering mind. Seek professional advice and then steam ahead.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

The Lunar eclipse on the 21st January falls in your financial axis of solar 8th and 2nd houses, highlighting wills, legacies, taxes and joint resources. You need to re-assess your future for example, the paying off of a loan, the loss of financial support, a change in your spouse's status, etc. Do not allow your emotions to cloud your judgement when making decisions.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

The Lunar Eclipse on the 21st January activates your solar 7th and 1st houses. There will be a lot of things that need to be dealt with regarding partnerships and relationships. There are decisions to be made if something that has been bothering you and comes to light. Whatever you decide now, will impact your future.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

The Lunar eclipse on the 21st January falls in your solar 6th and 12th houses highlighting health matters, behind-the-scene activities and losses. You can use this surge of emotional energy to make positive changes to your life.

Do something to improve your work conditions and get going on your exercise or nutrition program that you've been thinking of.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

SPORT

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

31

19 - 25 January 2019

in brief DHONI SCORES 10,000 ODI RUNS Former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the fifth Indian to reach the elusive 10,000-run mark in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for the country. Dhoni, who was missing the feat by just a run, entered the 10,000th club with a single in the ongoing first ODI between India and Australia. The Ranchi stumper had earlier accumulated a total of 10,173 runs in the 50-over format during a home series against West Indies in October 2018. Before Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli had scored 10,000 ODI runs for India. Overall, Dhoni is the 12th player in history of ODI cricket to reach the 10,000-run club.

KOHLI, SHASTRI GET HONORARY MEMBERSHIP OF SCG Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri received the honorary life membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). They were given the membership for their contribution to cricket and the ground's history. Apart from Kohli and Shastri, the only other international cricketers who have been granted the honorary membership of the SCG are Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. An elated Shastri, after receiving the honour, took to Twitter and posted a picture alongside the Indian skipper. The team under the leadership of Kohli and mentorship of Shastri became the first ever Indian team to win a Test series on Australian soil. India clinched the four-match series 2-1 with the final Test in Sydney ending in a draw. “The SCG congratulates Team India for securing its first Test series win on Australian soil,” SCG Chairman Tony Shepherd was quoted as saying.

SAWHNEY TO BE NEXT ICC CEO The International Cricket Council has appointed media professional Manu Sawhney as its new chief executive officer, replacing incumbent David Richardson, who will step down after the World Cup. Sawhney, the former CEO of Singapore Sports Hub and Managing Director of ESPN Star Sports, will join the organisation next month before formally taking over the reins from Richardson in July, the ICC said in a statement. The appointment was ratified by the ICC Board following a global search and appointment process led by the apex body's chairman Shashank Manohar and the Nominations Committee.

IPL stays in India despite Lok Sabha elections Despite the possibility of 17th Lok Sabha elections clashing with the 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) announced that the T20 tournament for 2019 will be played in India. A total of 20 venues will be kept ready for the matches to pick and choose from, in order to not clash with the polls.

The members of the CoA, after consultations with all eight franchises of the IPL, the Union Home Ministry and concerned stakeholders over the last two months, arrived at this conclusion post a meeting held between Vinod Rai, Diana Edulji (CoA members), BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and the league’s chief operating officer Hemang Amin.

Should the league clash with the elections – which will most likely be the case towards the second-half of the tournament – the BCCI is already considering the possibility of changing the tournament’s home-and-away format and making it venuespecific. Matches will be scheduled at neutral venues

where polling would have already concluded or coming up at a later date.

“If the league and election dates clash, it may be difficult to have the home-and-away format. In such a scenario, there’s a likelihood of shifting matches to neutral venues.

Everything else remains the same. But again, this is mere assumption right now. Specifics will begin to emerge only once the election dates are out. We

Mary Kom tops AIBA rankings India's celebrated M.C. Mary Kom’s unprecedented sixth world title triumph has propelled her to the number one position in the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) latest world rankings. The diminutive Manipuri became the most successful boxer in world championships’ history when she claimed the 48kg category top honours in November last year in Delhi.

In the updated rankings put out by AIBA, Mary Kom is placed top of the charts in the weight

M.C. Mary Kom

division with 1,700 points. The 36-year-old will have to jump to 51kg in pursuit of her 2020

win two matches in 2017 at Asia’s most high-profile ice hockey tournament but also maintain a burning desire to compete.

Humble beginnings When winter months arrive in Ladakh, ice hockey is the only game in town. Youngsters can’t play football or cricket. Instead, they take to ice hockey on surfaces like Gupuks, just outside Leh

Promising all-rounder Aniket Sharma collapsed on a cricket field and died moments later owing to a possible cardiac arrest, hospital officials said. Aniket, 21, from Paikpara Club (Kolkata), was brought dead to RG Kar Medical Hospital. He is survived by his parents.

Pakistan selectors recalled fast bowler Mohammad Amir in a 16-man squad for the five-match series against South Africa starting later this month. The 26-year-old fast bowler failed to get a wicket in his last five One-Day Internationals, including three Asia Cup matches in September last year. He was left out of Pakistan's last series against New Zealand, but was redrafted for the one-day side on the back of good form in the ongoing Test series in South Africa. The five-match series starts in Port Elizabeth on January 19, followed by matches in Durban (January 22), Centurion (January 25), Johannesburg (January 27), and Cape Town (January 30).

Olympic dream as 48kg is not yet included in the Games roster. The mother-of-three enjoyed a stellar 2018, picking up gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and a tournament in Poland. She also won a silver at the prestigious Strandja Memorial in Bulgaria.

Among other Indians, Pinki Jangra is placed eighth in the 51kg category list. Asian silvermedallist Manisha Maun holds the same position in the 54kg category. Former world silvermedalist Sonia Lather was

placed at the second spot in the 57kg division despite enduring a disappointing 2018, during which she finished medal-less at the Asian Games. World bronzemedalist Simranjit Kaur (64kg), who was crowned the national champion a few days back, took the fourth position in her weight category. Following her was former world champion L Sarita Devi at the 16th spot.

India Open gold-medallist and world bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain took the fifth position in the 69kg category.

Journey of Indian women's ice hockey team

KOLKATA CRICKETER DIES ON THE FIELD

PAKISTAN RECALL AMIR FOR SA ODI SERIES

have 20 venues to choose from,” say sources.

All the franchises in IPL, broadcasters Star India, the league’s central pool of sponsors, members of the BCCI and the Home Ministry are learnt to be in agreement with the final decision taken. IPL2019 will begin on March 23 and conclude on May 12, a good 23 days before India are scheduled to play their first World Cup match in England. The 50-over

ICC World Cup is slated to begin on May 30.

While the schedule of IPL matches - who plays whom and on what date - will be announced soon but the BCCI will not be able to announce the venues until the dates for general elections are out. “The last three general elections trends suggest that polling usually begins in the second week of April.

If that is the case, IPL will have a clear window for the first two weeks. So, calls will have to be taken on scheduling only once we get to know the election schedule,” sources said.

The BCCI had done recces in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), keeping in mind the possibility of shifting the tournament overseas – either fully or partly – like in 2009 and 2014. At the same time, the CoA carried “preliminary discussions with appropriate authorities” to figure out the possibility of hosting the league in India.

Based on the discussions, “it was decided that the 12th edition will be played in India,” a statement from the CoA said.

Ladakh, a region with a population of approximately 3,00,000, has produced every member of the Indian women’s ice hockey team.

Members train on natural frozen ponds that last for just two months. These natural rinks lack facilities needed to play the game – like dasher boards made of Aluminium extrusion, HDPE / Poly Carbonate and Acrylic, which form the fence around an ice rink. India’s only full-sized artificial international rink in

Dehradun remains closed for want of support. The only option for players is to travel to Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia or countries like UAE to train on full-sized ice hockey rinks.

These training expeditions could be possible only if funds are provided.

They use equipment borrowed from relatives and compete on a shoestring budget without no financial assistance from the state. So, it’s astonishing that these women not only managed to

town, or Karzoo, where the pond freezes over the winter. According to the Ladakh Winter Sports Club, there are approximately 10,000– 12,000 Ladakhi youth who play ice hockey in one form or another.

Major tournaments like the IHAI (Ice Hockey Association of India) National Ice Hockey Championship are often held in January every year.

Kohli, Dhoni star as India beat Australia to level series 1-1 Continued from page 32

Chasing a tricky target of 299, India got off to a solid start with openers Shikhar Dhawan (32) and Rohit Sharma (43) contributing 47 runs for the first wicket. Rohit, then recorded a crucial 54-run partnership with Kohli, keeping India's run-chase on course. After the departure of Rohit, Kohli then strung a 59-run partnership with Ambati Rayudu for the third wicket. Rayudu was looking in good touch but got out for 24 after playing a poor shot against part-

timer Glenn Maxwell. But Kohli held the Indian run-chase together from one end. He along with MS Dhoni added 82 runs for the fourth wicket, taking India closer to the target. Towards the end, Dhoni (55 not out) along with Dinesh Karthik (25 not out) took India across the line with four balls to spare. The Australian bowlers had a poor outing as none of them were able to make any real impact. Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell managed a wicket apiece.

32

Sport

www.asian-voice.com

19 - 25 January 2019

AsianVoiceNews AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Cricketers Pandya, Amir Khan prefers Rahul suspended for career than profit indecent comments Former world champion Amir Khan said that he choose a greater challenge against American rival Terence Crawford for less money rather than meet fellow British rival Kell Brook. Khan will fight the Omaha welterweight world champion, who is ranked in the top three, on April 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York. A UK television deal is yet to be finalised for the fight, but the two men came face to face in London at a news conference.

Neither man broke a sweat, Khan even brushing off the view of the American that the Briton is “around No 6 or No 7 welterweight in the world.” However, Khan was clear about one thing: The battle with Brook can wait.

“His last fight did hardly any ticket sales and the performance was that bad that it upset even the fans who came to see him fight,” said Khan of Brook’s contest against journeyman Michael Zerafa in December. Khan even went as far as to agree that Brook will always be the B-side. Khan can create a legacy for himself should he

Hardik Pandya, Karan Johar, KL Rahul

Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul were suspended pending an inquiry into their outrageevoking comments on women during a TV show, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai said.

The cricketers, who have been in the eye of a storm following their sexist remarks on ‘Koffee with Karan’, has since returned to India to face the inquiry.

“Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry,” Rai said. The decision comes after Rai’s CoA colleague Diana Edulji recommended suspension till further action against the two after the BCCI legal team refused to declare their comments a violation of the code of conduct. Edulji had initially suggested a two-match suspension for the duo but referred the matter to the legal cell after Vinod Rai agreed with her and recommended the same.

“It is imperative that players be put under suspension till further course of action is decided for this misconduct as was done in case of (BCCI) CEO (Rahul Johri) when he was sent on leave on sexual harassment matter,” read Edulji’s response to the legal opinion. Their remarks on the show were also condemned by India captain Virat Kohli, who called them inappropriate. Pandya had

boasted about hooking up with multiple women and being open about it with his parents during the interview.

Rahul was, however, a shade more restrained in his responses on relationships.

CoA members fight over disciplinary action As Rai and Edulji are not in agreement over how the inquiry should be conducted, there is a question mark over the time frame of the suspended players' return to the Indian team fold. Their IPL participation, too, will depend on the outcome of the disciplinary process. The twenty20 league starts on March 23.

Rai has communicated to Edulji that he won’t be part of the process if it doesn’t follow the BCCI constitution. The CoA chairman wanted cricket board chief executive Rahul Johri to commence the inquiry. Edulji didn’t agree, saying that the CEO conducting the inquiry would present “bad optics”, as he himself had been embroiled in a sexual harassment case. Edulji wanted BCCI office-bearers to be part of the process instead.

Rahul, Pandya record statements with BCCI Pandya and Rahul on Tuesday gave their statements to Johri, who initiated the inquiry into their comments on women that have split the

Committee of Administrators (CoA). It is learnt that both players deposed via facetime after having tendered unconditional apologies in reply to the fresh show cause notices issued by the BCCI. “Johri called both the cricketers. He spoke to them for five to seven minutes on facetime. He explained to them the clauses under which this inquiry is happening. They admitted to their mistake and repeated what they’ve mentioned in their apology letters,” a BCCI official said.

It’s learnt that the BCCI’s legal representative too participated in the discussion.

“Johri will prepare two separate reports of both the cricketers and mention what they’ve had to say and keep it ready to be submitted to the ombudsman (whenever one is appointed). The CoA expects an ombudsman to be appointed when the next court hearing on the BCCI case happens on January 17.

If an ombudsman is not appointed on that date by the Supreme Court, the CoA will appoint an ad-hoc ombudsman.

The CEO will then submit the reports to the ombudsman and once the latter comes up with the directives on punishment/ penalty, it’ll be sent to the CoA to ratify,” he said.

Former world champion Amir Khan

leave the New York ring with his arms raised. “I am in a division and position where I am a big name globally. I can almost get any big name to fight me,” Khan said.

“I’m not going there as an opponent; I’m the best fighter he’s been in the ring with. Other fighters like Jeff Horn took him nine rounds and I’m a better fighter than all the fighters he’s faced; I’d beat all the fighters he’s

faced. He’s moving up in levels and so am I, he’s a big test for me and someone at my own weight division where I’m more comfortable.”

“This will be like a chess match,” Khan said. “I will not go in and get hurt, I will try to win, otherwise I would not have taken it. I had an easier fight there for me with the Kell Brook fight. But I feel this fight will put me where I need to be.”

England cricketers miss India tour following rape trial disclosures Two promising England cricketers have missed their India tour following a former teammate’s rape case. Joe Clarke and Tom Kohler-cadmore were due to fly with the England Lions, but they have been told to stay at home after England and Wales Cricket Board bosses learnt of their involvement in a Whatsapp group, which prosecutors used as evidence in the trial of Alex Hepburn, the Worcestershire cricketer.

Hepburn, 23, is facing a potential retrial after jurors at Worcester Crown Court failed to reach a verdict on two counts of rape. The court was told evidence on

Hepburn’s phone included a Whatsapp group recording details of women its members slept with. The chat mentioned “freshies” and “reheats” referring to women they had either slept with before or not.

According to the prosecution, the “rules” of the group included “freshies” being rated out of 10 with the winner earning bragging rights and a free night out paid by the other two. Hepburn was accused of raping a woman in a dark bedroom shortly after she had consensual sex with Clarke. The woman said she thought she was still in bed with Clarke when she woke

to find the cricketer performing a sex act on her, while Hepburn told the court that it was the woman who had initiated it by kissing him. Clarke was arrested but released without charge. Kohlercadmore was not present when the alleged rape happened. Hepburn posted rules of the game five days before the alleged rape, which the prosecution alleged motivated him.

Summing up, Judge Jim Tindal said: “It was effectively a competition – and I regret to use this word but it seems to be accurate – to ‘collect’ as many sexual conquests as possible.”

Kohli, Dhoni star as India beat Australia to level series 1-1 Virat Kohli produced a sublime 104-run knock as India defeated Australia by six wickets in the second One-day International (ODI) in Adelaide on Tuesday to level the three-match series 1-1.

Riding on the 39th century from the skipper, India also registered the second highest successful run-chase at the Adelaide Oval.

Continued on page 31