Asian Voice

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8 from Mumbai, 5 from Chennai die in Nepal air crash !!!

For report see page 24

VOL 41. ISSUE 3

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Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

First & Foremost Asian Weekly in Europe 19th May to 25th May 2012

1,200 Indian workers held hostage in Angola

Brent Council leader ousted by deputy leader over local concerns

40 are from Gujarat, others are from Andhra, Karnataka, Punjab and Haryana

One thousand and two hundred Indians working at a cement factory near Sumbe city of Angola in Africa have been held captive in a factory. While some who have fled to the nearby jungles, continued to suffer in silence with no end in sight to the six-dayold crisis.

Vijay Valmik hailing from Petlad town in Gujarat, who first sought help through his father from a forest, told the latter that the company had started harassing his friends at the plant to enquire about his location. The Indian workers went on strike from April 16 to demand

payment of overtime dues since February in US dollars instead of the local currency. The labourers turned violent on May 9 when the company refused to accept their demand even after agitating for 24 days.

Apart from 40 Gujaratis, other workers are mainly from Andhra

Mohammad Butt

The leader of Brent Council, Ann John OBE, has been ousted by her deputy Cllr Mohammad Butt.

Cllr Butt was elected as the leader of the Labour-run administration at a Labour AGM on Friday (May 11). He won against Cllr Ann John OBE by 21 votes to 19.

It has been rumoured that the way cuts like Navratri, and particularly library closures, have been handled by Cllr John, appeared to have been the motivating factor for this change.

Cllr Ann John had also recently run into a huge controversy when

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Grand celebration marks 40th anniversary of Gujarat Samachar-Asian Voice at a function in hotel Ramada in Ahmedabad. Seen in photo are CB Patel Editor-Publisher of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, former Chief Secretary of Gujarat P K Lehri, popular singer Mayadipak, former Indian High Commissioner in Uganda and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries NRI Committee’s Chairman K H Patel with his wife and senior journalist Bhupatrai Parekh. (Report on page 27)

Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab and Haryana, all of whom had been lured by a Chennai-based recruitment firm with a promise of handsome salaries and overtime on a two-year contract. The company told local journalists that the overtime was usually paid at site in US dollars but after February 2012, because of local issues, the banks were not issued US dollars and there was a shortage of the same.

According to Valmik’s father, his son had learnt from Angolan newspapers that the company had been defending its decision to seek police help and explaining why passports of the workers had been taken by the employers.

A top company official was also quoted as saying that work permit needed to be obtained from the Angolan authorities for employment, and to comply with this regulation, passports of all staff were submitted to the immigration department for processing of work visa.

Continued on page 26

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she was alleged of influencing the decision on a controversial planning application for the Shirdi Sai Temple, following a leaked email from a fellow Labour councillor and a formal investigation was launched by the Standard’s Committee.

It was during this controversy, Cllr Paul Lorber, leader of the Brent Council Lib Dem party had told the Hindu

Ann John

councillors to stand up to their community and local causes and fight for their rights.

Continued on page 6

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Paula Vennells, Chief Executive of Post Office Ltd Paula began her career with Unilever and L’Oreal and also spent five years with Whitbread plc as Group Commercial Director. She has held directorships with a number of major retailers including Dixons Stores Group and Argos.

Paula joined Post Office Ltd in 2007 as Network Director and became Managing Director in 2010.

Following the successful separation from Royal Mail Group in March 2012 she was appointed Chief Executive of Post Office Ltd as an independent business. She has been instrumental in setting a forward strategy that is based on growth and innovation and underpins the important role Post Office branches play in local communities.

With over 11,500 branches, more than all the UK’s banks combined, the Post Office has a presence in city centres, high streets, suburbs and villages right across the UK. Around 20 million customers visit a Post Office each week as do half the UK’s small businesses.

1) Please tell us about your current position?

These are exciting times for the Post Office as we embark on an extensive modernisation programme and bring in new business to our network. I am delighted to be Chief Executive and recognise the responsibility that comes with ensuring our branches, which are so valued by the public, continue to be relevant in today’s digital age.

2) What is your proudest achievement?

a position where there will be no more closure programmes and instead, we are investing in and modernising our network including greatly extended opening hours in many branches. Just imagine, we will have some Post Offices open from 7am in the morning to 10pm at night! I am extremely proud of the work that has been put in by Post Office colleagues, subpostmasters and their teams in branches to achieve this.

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

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

There are three! Firstly, working with really committed people who share a vision for the Post Office and know how important a job we are doing; secondly, the energy and the passion that comes from doing that; and thirdly, just how unique it is – the combination of social purpose and commercial opportunity and the nationwide support to sustain a business that has been so loved by communities across the UK for 365 years!

6) And the worst?

The occasions when stakeholders’ vested interests get in the way of what is best for the Post Office’s customers.

Juggling a work-life balance when my children were younger. They took priority, rightly in my view.

And second to that, a lack of female role models. It is so much better today though still some way to go.

The Post Office is now in

Rajay Naik appointed by government to National Council for Careers The Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) has appointed Rajay Naik, Director of Government and External Affairs at The Open University, to the newly formed National Council for Careers. The Council will drive excellence in and the development of careers guidance, the National Careers Service and other important policy areas. The Council will bring together experts from business and the careers sector to resolve challenges and recommend reforms in the careers and skills sectors.

Naik, who has been a speaker at Asian Voice

Rajay Naik

Youth Conference in March 2012, is extremely well reputed and sought after- even within the Asian community.

Commenting on his appointment, Rajay told a national daily: “I am honoured to have been invited

This week paid subscribers of Asian Voice will receive a copy of our third edition of the British Punjabi magazine along with their newspaper.

Executive as one of the most talented and resilient teams I have worked with; and Alice Perkins, our new chairman is already one of the most influential bosses I have had. But by far the biggest influence has been my husband’s ‘can do’ support and my children’s matter of fact assumption that you can do anything!

to join the new National Council. Boosting employment and skills is paramount if we are to stimulate growth and a strong economic recovery. I look forward to working with colleagues on the Council, Ministers and other partners to ensure that we give all people in society the opportunity to make the most of their talents and abilities. It is imperative that, with the aim of building a stronger and fairer society, we ensure the opportunities of employment and a successful career are open to all.

“I am proud that of our 264,000 students around the world, it is younger Open University students who are the fastest growing cohort. Through our longstanding relationship with the BBC and other innovations, we are extending the opportunities of learning and skills to those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.

I look forward to bringing this experience to the Council in our work over the period ahead.”

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

I consider myself very privileged to have worked for and with some inspiring colleagues throughout my career. I would put the current Post Office

7) What are your long term goals?

One of them at least, is to be able to look back and be proud of the Post Office; and feel that I have left it in a better place than when I joined.

8) If you were Prime Minister what one thing would you change?

Education: it is so important. I believe we should give the teaching profession more respect, recruit for ability and aptitude to teach, find teachers with a passion for their subject and we should take only the best graduates into teaching – and thus make it the aspirational career it should be. Good grades will follow good teachers.

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

I read about history, music, politics and faith, so I would choose: John Newton: a one-time slave trader who became a priest, and was influential in working with William Wilberforce to end slavery; Henry Wood - founder of the Proms; Emily Pankhurst – who fought for women’s votes – for her view on how slow we are to have women bishops; George Mallory - possibly the first person to climb Everest and who had, along with his coclimbers, endured unimaginable hardship and suffering during WW1. It is thought their experiences gave them resilience and such a familiarity with death that they were no longer fearful of it.

London's Orbit tower ready for the Olympic show

Anish Kapoor

The Arcel or Mittal Orbit tower, a 115-metre looped and twisting steel tower beside London's new Olympic Stadium that will give visitors panoramic views over the city, funded by the Mittal's (£22.7 million) and designed by Anish Kapoor is finally complete and ready for the public view.

Some critics have called the ruby-red lattice of tubular steel an eyesore. British tabloids have labelled it 'the Eyeful Tower', 'the Godzilla of public art' and worse.

But artist Anish

Kapoor and engineer Cecila Blmond, who designed the tower, find it beautiful.

Kapoor says the structure can only truly be appreciated from

inside - something most of the public will not have the chance to do until 2014. Before that, it will be open to durning the Olympic at a cost of £15.

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

COMMENT

Stop sex grooming of young girls The conviction of nine members of a sex-grooming network in Rochdale raised serious concerns about the safety of teenagers in residential care and the ease with which they fall prey to sexual exploitation. An investigation by two reporters found that a 15-yearold girl at the care was used for sex by 25 British citizens of Pakistani descent in one night, was the sole resident of the privately –run home. The staff at the centre was supposed to provide the girl 24-hour protection, yet in three months she went missing 19 times. It is a sad comment on the so-called security of the centre or about the collusion of the security with the purveyors of sex-grooming. Figures released show that hundreds of vulnerable girls in care have been abused in recent years, with poorly trained care workers seemingly powerless to prevent it. The judge Gerald Cliffon, who sentenced the nine Rochdale offenders to a total of 77 years in prison, said that they regarded their young, white victims as “worthless.” He told the offenders, eight of Pakistani heritage and a failed asylum seeker from Afganistan, that they had contempt for the children because “they were not of your community or religion.” The judge made the comments after a series of trials in which British Pakistanis were accused of collective grooming and sexual exploitation of white girls, many of them known to social services. The convicted men were among 56 suspects questioned and 26 arrested when police investigated a sex-grooming network involving at least 47 girls, aged from 12 to 16, who were sexually abused in locations across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

The incident is sad but it has opened a useful and beneficial debate. The authors of a report in the Times on 10 May, Rosemary Bennett and Andrew Norfolk said that the judge had asked Sue Berelowitz, the deputy children’s commissioner for England, to address the issue of ethnicity in relation to offences involving groups of men, saying that he wants the facts “without fear of prejudice, political correctness or partiality.”

“It is right the inquiry is asking some tough questions about cultural background and whether or not the law has been sufficiently rigorous in protecting these young people.”

Also it is true that all Muslims or most Muslims are not suffering from this 'severe' disease. The punished Pakistani men claim that they are staunch Muslims. It is important for the authorities to avoid political correctness and call spade a spade. Accused/guilty are party of a particular religion. It must be truthfully revealed for all to receive suitable lesson.

In the meantime, the Hindu Cultural Society of North London has written a letter to Lord Popat asking to protest against BBC for tarnishing names of the Asian community. The Hindu Society says that it was not fair to tar all Asian communities with this horrible crime when we all know that they are of Pakistani origin. “Majority of Asians does not propagate terrorism or abuse of English girls but strive to integrate and make a positive contribution and live harmoniously within the British society. All they will achieve by making such sweeping generalisation is a backlash against all Asians!”

India, Pakistan need to do more to boost trade India and Pakistan have taken some steps to increase trade between the two nations. Now they have to take steps like Most Favoured Nation status to India, opening more border trade routes with Pakistan and allowing movement of businessmen for furthering the trade.

These steps have the potential to be a "game-changer" for the two nations if managed properly. In order to sustain the progress, the two countries "have to keep talking" with each other and realise the "strong interdependence" that exists between India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have to realise that we have to coexist. Why should they burn energies in hate, dividing themselves and letting things go waste? They have to use their resources, try to understand each others' requirements and pool towards them. There is potential for them to work together...and when they are sitting one to one they tend to be more realistic with each other.

Trade and commerce play very important role in bringing prosperity to all parties and as a consequence help reduce tension between two countries, especially between India and Pakistan. For 6 and half decades they missed several opportunities of peaceful coexistence as well as energising and empowering its people- this point is of particular significance to Pakistan. India as the so called big brother has certain scope and responsibility for taking the first step. But obviously it requires two to tango. On MFN status India has been a willing partner since 1996. Pakistan belatedly has realised the futility of war games or proxy wars. The government of Pakistan has its own peculiar problems but they have ample opportunity to look at their most friendly neighbours such as China, how it benefited with USA through trade and commerce. Extremists and Mullahs as well elements within Pakistan's armed force have their own axes to grind. From all evidences 'aam admi' (common man of Pakistan) is willing to participate in this initiative.

Big brothers have to look after smaller siblings.

Nevertheless India has to tread carefully. India cannot forget the 'Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai' (India China are brothers) slogan when China blatantly betrayed India in 1962 and continuously since then.

A display of military nonsense erupts each sunset at the Wagah crossing between India and Pakistan.

Thousands cheer rival guards in silly hats who strut with mock aggression, lower their flags and slam shut the border gates. The display is a choreographed fun.

But underlying it are deeper mutual antagonisms generated by a history of border wars, terrorism and the original sin in 1947 of partition itself. Nowhere are the costs of these antagonisms so apparent as in the pathetic levels of trade between these two populous nations.

For years direct exchange was all but blocked.

Apart from barter by Kashmiris and the odd trainload of cargo at Wagah, goods went via third-country ports, notably Dubai and Colombo. Once-thriving border towns, such as Amritsar, slid into relative gloom.

Pakistan’s cocooned economy grew weak and uncompetitive. Even after Wagah’s road crossing reopened in 2005, when bilateral trade was little more than $600m, commerce has been stymied. Barmy visa rules keep away traders. Delays at dilapidated customs posts ruin perishable goods. Last year trade between India and Pakistan was just $2.6 billion. Unofficial trade boosts the figure, but it is still pathetic for countries with populations of 1.2 billion and 180 million respectively, and combined economies of over $2 trillion. By way of comparison, India’s trade with China, another ancestral enemy, may soon pass $100 billion.

While the going is good, both governments must be much more ambitious. Pakistan needs to focus on improving customs posts and quickly scrapping the remaining negative list on trade. But India, which stands to gain disproportionately from burgeoning trade, must make most of the running. Stable relations between two countries are a prize in itself.

Controversy over origin of Sikhism No one religion can justifiably be called 'the original' religion. Religions also evolve over time. As far as records go, Hinduism and Judaism are much older.

Christianity and Islam with several other faiths evolved later. Nevertheless the Indian courts have given separate recognitions to Jainism, Sikhism as regards to Buddhism and Hinduism. It is more like discoveries. No 'research' or 'discovery' are uniquely standing alone phenomenon. So much work has undergone prior to research/discovery. So much depend on the previous stage prior to this discovery.

The Sikhs’ grievance against comments on the influence of Islam and Hinduism on their religion is unfounded. Every religion is influenced by other religions and they take lessons from other religions, especially the religions which were formed in later stages.

Comments and criticism are part of every activity. You should know how to live with it. The importance of your religion is not going to dissipate or the believers are being influenced by such comments. They believe in the tenets and continue to do so. Their faith is not

so fickle that they start disbelieving by the comments of others.

The whole controversy is about a phone-in broadcast in March in BBC ‘s Asian Network in which the presenter touched on the relationship between Sikhism, which was founded in Punjab in the 15th century, and the other major religions in India at that time, namely Islam and Hinduism. The presenter said that a Muslim laid the foundation stone to the holiest place.

The comment was a reference to the tradition that a Muslim divine was asked to lay the foundation of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the most sacred Sikh temple. This statement did not go down well with the Sikhs. They complained to the BBC authorities against the broadcast. The BBC was forced to admit that the discussion was “less than satisfactory.” But the facts cannot be altered even if you wanted it. The Sikhs who have suffered much by Muslims may have a grievance.

Sikhs should learn to live with such criticism and accept the fact that your religion has also been influenced by other religious faiths.

www.abplgroup.com

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Thought for the Week Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves - William Hazlitt (1778 - 1830)

“Our London”

Navin Shah

GLA Member for Brent and Harrow

Glad To Be Back!

THANK YOU After the ‘enforced’ absence of two months due to the Mayoral and the GLA elections, I’m glad to be back with you to continue our dialogue on the topical issues reflecting my work in the London Assembly, my work in Brent and Harrow and present to you issues of interest. Four years ago, when I started on this journey, I promised my contribution would be informative, interesting, challenging and controversial! And the formula seems to have worked but, I’m always happy to listen, renew, take a new direction and make this dialogue more productive - so if you have any please email me at navin.shah@london.gov.uk.

Ken that the London has been transformed into world’s leading capital which takes pride in its rich diversity and its historic and contemporary heritage”.

My congratulations to Mr. Boris Johnson on his re-election with a wafer thin majority and hope that in his second term he’ll show leadership, vision and ideas for London missing in his first term. Labour made some major gains across the country in council elections and gave the Tory and LibDem coalition, who’ve plunged the country in double-dip recession, a real drubbing. In London too Labour made significant gains on the London Assembly increas-

With minds still fresh from the Londonwide elections – I have taken this opportunity to reflect on the campaign and the results. I am deeply disappointed that Ken Livingstone didn’t win the Mayoral contest. In paying tribute I simply wish to reiterate my comments in my first Asian voice column of August 2008: “The tragic outcome of the Mayoral election was the loss of Ken Livingstone –a true Londoner, a peoples’ person of the highest integrity and above all vision and dedication. It is due to that vision and single-minded drive of Red

ing its seats from 8 to 12 including unseating Mayor Johnson’s key lieutenants and came close to removing two more.

Labour ran a positive, progressive campaign, addressing the concerns of ordinary working Londoners who are struggling to make ends meet, and are hardest hit by the government’s cuts which are too far and too fast. We campaigned on pledges to deal with the cost of living in London including bringing down fares, increasing police numbers, cutting fuel bills and helping families with childcare.

Continued on page 6

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 www: abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

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Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

Leicester Voice Email: majithia.meera@gmail.com

In brief

MP welcomes new visa centre

By Meera Majithia

Welcome the Wah! Wah! Girls – Bollywood stlye East London meets Bollywood in an all new glittering musical, which is inspired by the traditional Mujra dancers in India.

For years, generations of women have entertained the rich and the powerful with their dance and song and this production focuses on the

indicidual stories of girls from East London who still practice this dance form.

Sophiya Haque, is playing the role of Soraya, who owns a Mujra club in stratford. She said: “Mujra dancing dates way back to the times of the Maharaja’s. The women at these establishments were very well trained and well educated and were responsible for teaching these young princes how to drink certain drinks, eat paan, tie their shoelaces an make intelligent conversation. It’s so far

from what the western world knows as a dancing club.”

Speaking about the rehearsal process, she added: “Most of the process has been dance dance dance and for me it’s a dream come true as I trained in dance first and foremost, but never really worked as a dancer until I lived in India and found myself doing these Bollywood numbers. We also have some amazing choreography in the show.”

Some of the famous tracks the girls will be dancing to include ‘Dil Cheez’ and ‘Mar Daala’.

Niraj Chagg is responsible for the music, which includes a mix of classic Bollywood tracks and some new songs, while Tanika Gupta has penned the script.

The stunning dance pieces have been choreographed by Javed Sanadi and Gauri Sharma Tripathi.

Award-winning artistic director Emma Rice said: “‘Wah! Wah! Girls will be part Bollywood musical, part play and part dance extravaganza! It is a contemporary British work that celebrates India, the British Asian

community and what it is to live in the UK in 2012. Leicester is a fantastic place to open a show, the audience is warm and adventurous.

Curve is so stylish and we have built a loyal following after bringing The Red Shoes and launching The Umbrellas of Cherbourg there. We can’t wait to share this new production with audiences at Curve.’

The show is running at the Curve theatre in Leicester from Wednesday May 16 to Saturday May 19.

Turmeric compounds may help cure cancer A new study has found that compounds found in curry spice could help to improve drug response in patients who have advanced bowl cancer.

Scientists at the Cancer Research UK and National Institute for Health Research Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) in Leicester will investigate whether tablets containing curcumin – found in the spice turmeric – can be safely added to the standard treatment for bowel cancer that has spread.

Earlier studies have shown that curcumin can enhance the ability of chemotherapy to kill bowel cancer cells in the lab.

The trial is being funded by Hope Against Cancer, The Royal College of Surgeons and the Bowel Disease Research Foundation.

Patients with advanced bowel cancer are usually given a treatment called FOLFOX, which combines three chemotherapy drugs. But around 40-60 per cent of patients don’t respond and, of those who do, side effects such as severe tingling or nerve pain can limit the number of cycles patients can have.

Chief investigator Professor

William Steward, ECMC director at the University of Leicester, said: “Once bowel cancer has spread it is very difficult to treat, partly because the side effects of chemotherapy can limit how long patients can have treatment. The prospect that curcumin might increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy is exciting because it could mean giving lower doses, so patients have fewer side effects and can keep having treatment for longer.

“This research is at a very early stage, but investigating the potential of plant chemicals to treat cancer is an intriguing area that we hope could provide clues to developing new drugs in the future.”

Around 40 patients with bowel cancer that has spread to the liver will be recruited to take part in the study at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital.

Three quarters of these will be given curcumin tablets for seven days, before being treated with FOLFOX. The remainder will receive FOLFOX only. Colin Carroll, a 62-year-old compliance consultant from near Loughborough, agreed to take part in the trial after being diagnosed

with advanced bowel cancer in January.

“The diagnosis came as a big shock because I’d had no symptoms apart from some occasional cramps,” said Colin.

“I’d had a few tests which had come back clear and I’d just been booked for a CT scan when I was rushed to hospital with a suspected intestinal blockage.”

Scans showed Colin had bowel cancer which had spread to his liver and, three days after being admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary, he underwent an emergency ileostomy to bypass the blockage.

“It’s been like a whirlwind,” said Colin who will need to undergo chemotherapy until mid-August. “To have something creep up on you like that when you have absolutely no control over it really makes you want to fight back. That’s why I had no difficulty in agreeing to take part in the trial.

“I’ve met some amazing people since January and my treatment on the NHS has been fantastic. The way I see it is that I’m being given the best possible chance so in that sense I feel very fortunate.”

Leicester East MP, Keith Vaz, is instrumental in welcoming new visa centre in the city to allow people to register for biometric residence permits.

Mr Vaz started the campaign in January this year by urging residents to sign a petition calling for the service to be provided and by April the petition had been signed by almost 1000 residents.

He then presented the petition on behalf of his constituents to the House of Commons on April 26.

He also met with Damian Green MP, the Immigration Minister, Rob Whiteman, Head of UKBA, and Paula Vennells, the Managing-Director of the Post Office Ltd, and following these meetings Ms Vennells agreed to provide a biometric visa centre in Leicester.

Keith Vaz said:“This is a brilliant outcome for the people of Leicester. The campaign has provided for a service that many residents will need and use “Leicester is known internationally as a hub for business and study and also for our great diversity. It is of the upmost importance that we continue to be seen as a welcoming city. With provision for the service in the city centre we will save many people unnecessary travelling time and expenses travelling out of the county.

The changes to immigration laws concerning nonEU/EEA nationals came into force on the March 1, meaning those who want to stay here for longer than six months have to have facial recognition and fingerprints taken at a specialised centre. The new rules will also include students and refugees.

There isn’t a centre in Leicestershire, with the nearest being in Beeston, Nottinghamshire and in Derby, even though Leicester is a prime candidate for the service. Mr Vaz was disappointed that constituents wanting the permits would have to travel, incurring unnecessary expense and time to get them.

University takes proactive stance on anti-doping

Loughborough University is working on an innovative new project with UK Anti-Doping to ensure that a culture of clean sport is promoted on campus.

The University has been chosen as a pilot site for the project that is designed to raise awareness of antidoping issues and to educate students and all campus users. As part of the project the University will expand its team of onsite accredited anti-doping trainers who will share anti-doping knowledge with coaches, teams and athletes. Loughborough students will also be selected to work as ambassadors for clean sport. There will be a significant increase in the use of ‘impact messages’ around sports facilities to inform about anti-doping and the actions to take to avoid making the wrong decision, as well as further promotion of the importance of a ‘healthy body’ to everyone who visits campus. This will reinforce clean sport messages to the student body, and also will be visible to visitors on campus to demonstrate the University’s unequivocal commitment to anti-doping.

The University is also working with UK AntiDoping to increase the possibility of testing within student sport on campus. As with all national governing body sanctioned competitions, testing has always been possible at University level, but the pilot project is moving this to the next level.

An increased testing programme is planned for those competing in performance sports alongside the elite athletes from governing bodies that are based on campus. Chris Earle, Director of Sport at Loughborough University said: “...Our students are the next generation of elite sportspeople, future coaches, physios, sports medics and nutritionists.

Embedding the right attitudes now will support the next generation of athletes too.”

Businessman fined over £6,000 for illegal building work A company director who made major alterations to company premises without planning permission has been ordered to pay over £6,000 by magistrates.

Faizal Aziz Ayub Osman, of Coplow Avenue, Evington, was convicted in his absence

by Hinckley magistrates of failing to comply with an enforcement notice ordering him to demolish

buildings at he’d erected without permission.

Osman, a director of Red Seal Developments Ltd, was originally granted planning permission by Leicester City Council for a two-storey building owned by the company at 2c Sylvan Street, Newfoundpool, including two first-floor maisonettes with dormer roof windows and four ground-floor garages.

Planning permission was given in 2005, but the work, which followed was not the same as what had been agreed. The building was positioned wrongly, without the expected space between it and the public footway.

There were changes to the size and shape of shutter doors and dormer windows, and a canopy from the plans was not included. Also no details

were submitted about the materials to be used on the scheme.

Despite attempts by the city council to resolve the problem with Osman and get the buildings removed, no progress was made and in April 2010, Osman was eventually issued with an enforcement notice ordering the demolition of the buildings.

The notice, which

gave the defendant three months to comply, was ignored, meaning Osman was then committing an offence of not-compliance. At a court hearing on May 3, 2012, magistrates fined Osman £2,500 for non-compliance with the enforcement notice, and ordered to pay the council’s legal fees if £3,563.91, as well as a £15 victim surcharge.

In addition, Osman faces a penalty of £200 for each day since his conviction that he doesn’t comply with the enforcement notice. If the work isn’t carried out within the next three months, Osman could be convicted of a further offence.

The city council could then decide whether to carry out the demolition itself and charge Osman for the demolition work.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

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Community severely criticises government and media for calling Rochadale sexual predators as ‘Asian’ The Rochadale grooming case has taken the country by storm. A gang of nine Muslim men from Pakistan and Afghanistan was last week found guilty of plying girls as young as 13 with drink and drugs so they could “pass them around” and use them for sex.

Judge Gerald Clifton, who heard the case, said in his sentencing remarks that they had treated their victims as “worthless and beyond all respect” at least in part because “they were not of your community or religion”.

The first concern is the use of the term ‘Asian’- which is generic. The perpetrators are from Pakistan and use of the common term ‘Asian’ is incorrect. Second it has proved that certain old dogmatic practices in certain community can lead to bigger issues that in the end affect many who are innocent. Third, the British society is actually disintegrating as parents do not look after their children properly, and are handed over to ‘care homes’ which cannot help these psychologically scarred youngsters.

Keith Vaz the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “There is no excuse for this kind of criminality, whoever is involved in it, but I don’t think it is a particular group of people.”

However stating that race was not a factor in the Rochdale sexual grooming case are “fatuous”, as suggested by Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He said hat the fact that the gang of nine men convicted of abusing girls as young as 13 were Asian and their victims white must not be ignored. He added it would be a “national scandal” if the authorities had failed to intervene to protect the children because of fears that it would lead to the “demonisation” of the Muslim community.

And he voiced fears that the “closed community” the men came from may have turned a blind eye to their activities, either out of fear or because the girls con-

cerned were from a different background.

As David Aaronovitch rightly commented in The Times, on May 10th in his article “Let’s be honest. There’s a clear link with Islam.”

He spoke, in his usual straight and witty fashion, “Sex grooming is committed by misogynists who want to control women’s modesty. It is a cousin of honour killing....”

He further added, “But what does Ms Berelowitz know that Mohammed Shafiq, director of the Ramadhan Foundation, whom I met in Rochdale seven years ago, doesn’t? Pointing out that of 68 recent convictions involving street grooming 59 were of British Pakistani men, Mr Shafiq, concluded with characteristic straightforwardness that the community clearly had a problem. In his view, a minority of Pakistani men had got it into their heads that white girls were fair game...”

Commenting on the above issue, The Network of Sikh Organisations UK, The Hindu Forum of Britain and The Sikh Media Monitoring Group UK in a joint statement told Asian Voice, “We note with concern that the so-called ‘Asian’ sex gangs recently and all too often in the news are in fact almost always of Pakistani origin. The use of the term ‘Asian’ to describe the perpetrators of these crimes is wholly inaccurate and unfair to other communities of Asian Origin. By law the British Government requires all authorities including the police, CPS and prisons, to collect ethnicity figures, which use the categories set out in the Census; Asian/Asian British: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and Any other Asian background. We believe that in this case the government itself is sanctioning the use of term Asian as a way of clouding responsibility...We believe that political correctness stifles debate and will not facilitate a frank and mature discussion or solutions to get to the root of why the above pattern is emerging in these crimes and how to help

A man who ran a brothel from his kebab shop and trawled city streets to persuade troubled young teenagers to have sex with him and other takeaway workers was found guilty on Monday of numerous offences against five girls.

Azad Miah, pictured, 44, from Carlisle, Cumbria, chose his targets carefully. They were children aged from 12 to 16, several of them from desperate backgrounds, and all vulnerable to the lure of money, drugs and alcohol. Some were used for sex and others were hounded and pestered in the hope of drawing them into his expanding child-sex network.

Born in Bangladesh, Miah came to Britain aged 14. For the next ten years he lived in Rochdale, Greater

Manchester, where nine taxi drivers and takeaway workers were jailed last week after an unconnected trial involving a sex-grooming ring that stretched across northern England.

Cumbria Police are now seeking to establish whether Miah had any links to the convicted Rochdale men, eight of whom were of Pakistani heritage.

Tim Evans, prosecuting, said that the selfconfessed sex addict embarked upon the “cold, clinical, calculated exploitation of the desperate and the vulnerable”. The younger the girl, the more money he was willing to pay, he said.

The businessman, whose offences took place between 2005 and

find a solution to the problem.”

Mukesh Naker from British Hindu Voice said, in the interview with the Sky news Keith Vaz stated that 51% of his constituents were from ethnic minority communities.

Whilst we appreciate his views and comments on the dangers of turning this into a ‘race/ racism’ issue or stereotyping a particular community, we however would like to point out that in this specific case and a similar case that was heard in January 2011 almost all perpetrators were Pakistani Muslim men.

We have noticed that politicians and the media interchange the word ‘Asian’ with words like Pakistani, Muslim,

2011, even attempted to persuade the mother of a 12-year-old to sell her daughter to him for cash, saying in a text message: “You give me what I want, I give you plenty money.”

Miah, who was convicted of keeping a brothel, four counts of paying for the sexual services of a child and five of inciting child prostitution, was sentenced on Tuesday.

Indian, Hindu etc within the same sentence or phrase as if all these words mean the same thing. They actually don’t...”

Prem Modgil, President Hindu Cultural Society, North London wrote a letter to Lord Popat and stated that “As a British Indian of Hindu origin we would like to register our strongest objection about those horrible people who have been grooming young English girls for sex referring to them as “Asians”. It is not fair to tar all Asian communities with this horrible crime when we all know they are virtually always of Pakistani origin. The BBC (news and in panorama) must stop being politically correct and be accurate in their coverage...”

Ed Miliband launches Labour Community Engagement Forum Labour Community Engagement Development, Keith Vaz MP, Forum. Instead of simply talking Gareth Thomas MP, Seema within the Westminster village, Malhotra MP and Navin Shah what we want to do is draw on the AM. Each spoke about the work wisdom, the advise and the knowlthey have been doing to engage edge that exists within the commuwith the Indian community in nity, to hear where you think the their areas, and answered quesLabour Party has got things wrong, tions and concerns from the where you think the Labour Party audience. needs to change, where you think The Labour India Forum will we need to focus our policy, where be held for Indian communities you think we lost trust, and how across the UK, including West you think we can win it back.

London, East London, Birmingham, Nottingham and This is not about winning your Manchester. If you would like to Rt Hon Ed Miliband, MP with left to right- Seema Malhotra MP, Gareth vote or becoming a party member. attend an event in your area Thomas MP, Ivan Lewis MP, Barry Gardiner MP, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, It is about finding out from you where you think we haven’t taken please get in touch. You can email Cllr Navin Shah AM the issues that concern you seriousLabour Friends of India at .

“The Labour Community Engagement Forum ly enough, and then changing to ensure that Speaking at the event Ed Miliband said: is in incredibly important initiative. As a party it does not happen again.” who lost a general election two Manoj Ladwa, Chair of the Labour opinions of those who attend- years ago, we have to listen and The new Community Community Engagement Forum said: ed the event, and I promise change if we are to win back peoForum is first and foremost “People often complain that politicians don’t there are many more hours of ples trust. That is why this open about listening to the British listen. I have been listening to people in the listening to come.

Indian community.

As a dialogue with the Indian commucommunity saying that the Labour Party no This is not a recruitment nity is so important, and I look party who lost a general eleclonger reflects their views and aspirations. drive. We are not here to ask forward to working with everytion just two years ago, we That it is bias towards one section of society for your vote as we know that one in this room, and in the wider know we have to listen and and ignores others. The Labour Community change if we are to win back we have to earn that. But we community, in the years ahead on Engagement & Empowerment Forum propeoples trust. Before New are asking for your help to building and strengthening this vides an important platform for ordinary Labour it was said we lisensure that we are on the relationship.” people to say what they really think and tened to the party memberright track. I know LFIN will Barry Gardiner MP, Chair actively engage with the Labour party as it be holding may more commu- of Labour Friends of India ship but not the public. Then prepares itself for the journey back to nity forums across the county said: “You will notice that we it was said we listened to the Government. in the months ahead which I didn’t invite you to a champagne public but not the party. The I am delighted to have been invited to hope you will take part in. truth is that by the time we reception. We didn’t invite you to Chair this very important initiative, and very left office, many felt that we come here and simply be talked much look forward to ensuring that the voice Ed Miliband MP had stopped listening to both at. We invited you here so that of the community is heard at all levels of the Leader of the Labour Party the party and people. On you can talk to us. And that is Labour Party.”

Thursday I listened to the very much the essence of the

Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party, launched the inaugural ‘Labour Community Engagement Forum’ in Parliament on Thursday. The evening offered people from Brent, Harrow and Feltham the opportunity to tell the Labour Party about the policies and concerns that are a priority for them, and to make suggestions for improving the way the Labour Party engages with their community.

Ed Miliband showed the Labour Party was in a listening mood, answering questions for almost an hour on topics as varied as immigration, education, healthcare, human rights in India, tax rates and the local elections.

The event for members of the Indian community from North West London was also attended by Barry Gardiner MP, Chair of Labour Friends of India, Ivan Lewis MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Labour Friends of India has consistently championed a better understanding amongst Labour MPs of India – both through informing us about the partnership between India and the UK in key areas such as trade and defence and by helping to build real and constructive dialogue between British and Indian politicians. LFIN has produced tangible results and its influence could be seen in Tony Blair’s Delhi Declaration, which laid the foundation for a much better trading partnership between our two countries.

6

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

BBC expresses regret over comments on Sikhism

By Spriha Srivastava

Indian scotch unveiled Scotland Limited, UK, in make up Mumbai as we Seven Islands Vintage’, a know it. strategic association luxury single malt scotch Also inspired by with The BenRiach whisky bringing together India’s heritage - motifs Distillery, Scotland. It the best of India and reflecting royalty and will be marketed by Scotland, was unveiled capturing the grandeur Ryan50 Scotland in London last month.

The glittering event at the Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar in London’s west end brought together whisky connoisseurs, high profile guests and dignitaries from the UK, Europe and India. This is probably the first time that an Indian Scotch has been welcomed and hugeMr C Rajasekhar, Minister (Political, Press and Information), ly appreciated in High Commission of India, London along with other guests UK. Those attendof the Mughal era are Limited in the UK maring the event included used in the branding. ket, followed by the Kulveer Ranger, Mayor The nature inspired introduction of the same of London’s Director of motifs also include the

by Tilaknagar Industries Environment and Digital Limited in India.

London, Sheetal national bird of India, The ‘Seven Islands Mafatlal, Chairperson, the peacock, decorative Vintage’ brand story was Mafatlal Luxury, Suhel elephants as well as showcased at the launch Seth, India’s renowned flower buds and tradievent using powerful adman and columnist, C. tional Rangoli designs narrative, a live saxoRajasekhar, Minister – that are considered ausphonist and guitarist and Political, High picious in India. an evocative, contempoCommission of India – The whisky is packrary dance performance.

London, Mihir Bose, aged in an equally beauSeven Islands Vintage journalist and author. tiful clear glass decanter Speaking the brand Single Malt Scotch that is a sophisticated art and its vision, Sanjay S Whisky was unveiled as deco inspired style that Dash, Director – part of the choreography. wouldn’t look out of Marketing and Sales, Guests were taken on place in any stylish bar.

Ryan50 Scotland a personal exploration of The juxtaposition of the Seven Islands Vintage by traditional and contemLimited said, “We are sommeliers, who conporary worlds perfectly extremely proud and ducted group tasting sesrepresents India and happy to be launching sions, which was greatly this brand in the UK Indians today. appreciated by the market as we wanted to The brand shares guests. A coffee table have a global launch strong synergies with the befitting Seven Islands Vintage that brings together Indian culture and the Scottish art of making whisky.

“This launch is only the first in a series of international launches of Seven Islands Vintage in fashion capitals of the world - Mumbai, Milan and Paris,” he added.

Seven Islands Vintage is mystical book – ‘India through the makers of the drink in origin and eclectic in eyes of Seven Islands’ – Ryan50 Scotland spirit. It has been paswas also unveiled by Limited - whose associasionately created and Amit Dahanukar, tion with art is not new. carefully crafted for the Chairman and Managing In the past, the company connoisseur in each one Director, Tilaknagar has commissioned and of us. This luxury whisky Industries Limited. sponsored art projects in has a rich golden colour India. In continuation of with notes of butterThe art and architecits legacy as a global scotch, honey and vanilture, the colour and fabpatron of art, Ryan50 la, mingled with a delirics of India inspire the Scotland Limited has cate hint of spices and a Seven Islands Vintage created a coffee table faint trace of apples and brand. The brand aptly book that describes pears, the company said. represents the true idenIndia as seen through Seven Islands tity of India’s vibrancy the eyes of Seven Vintage has been created taking its name from the Islands. exclusively by Ryan50 seven islands that today

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

No religion can be stated as absolutely ‘original’.

With changing history, every religion has perhaps undergone metamorphosis and a bit of co-influence.

However BBC has expressed regret to Sikhs over comments on a radio discussion suggesting that their faith is “made up of other religions” such as Islam and Hinduism.

Sikh leaders accused the corporation’s Asian Network of displaying “irresponsible and misleading” attitude and suggesting that their religion was simply a “hotchpotch” of other faiths.

It followed a phone-in broadcast in March in which the presenter DJ Nihal Arthanayake, pictured – best known as a Radio 1 DJ – touched on the relationship between Sikhism, which was founded in Punjab in the 15th Century, and the other two predominant religions in India at the time.

A text message from a

listener was read out complaining about the “incredibly offensive” way the presenters had suggested that Sikhism was “made up from other religions i.e Islam and Hinduism”.

The DJ, known simply as Nihal on air, replied: “I’m sorry with all due respect, it is, absolutely it is.” He added: “It came around in the 15th and 16th Centuries in India, how could it not be influenced?”

He went on: “A Muslim laid the stone to the holiest places, with all due respect I know more about your religion than you do.”

The comment was a reference to the tradition

that a Muslim divine was asked to lay the foundation of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the centre of Sikh worship.

But the Network of Sikh Organisations, headed by Lord Singh – who is himself a regular on the BBC, as a contributor to Radio 4’s Thought For the Day – complained, accusing the programme of a “skewed” approach.

A spokeswoman for BBC Asian Network told a daily: “We have reviewed the transmission from the Nihal phone-in on March 13 and agree that this short excerpt was less than satisfactory.

“The debate show deals with difficult subjects on a daily basis and very occasionally we don’t get the tone exactly right.

“We have spoken to the team about this matter and continue to strive to be as balanced as possible and sensitive to people’s religious beliefs, always wanting to avoid any offence.”

Brent Council leader ousted by deputy leader over local concerns Continued from page 1 Asian Voice had voiced the concerns of the members of the Shirdi Sai Temple in early 2011, when some of the gerrymandering members of the Brent council, had conspired to close it down. Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar contacted Lords, MPs and many leaders of Hindu organisations who were shocked to know about the problems faced by the Shirdi Sai Baba temple, Wembley and came forward to support its causes. Hindu organisations in London and other parts of Britain were ready to support this temple in all possible manner.

After the temple withdrew the original planning application as per the professional and legal advices on 21st February 2011, the council decided to look into the enforcement notice. A meeting took place on 23rd February 2011 to decide the fate of the temple, which was attended by Council officers, Councillors and the Temple Trustees.

On 23rd February 2011 protest against the enforcement went on for hours before the Planning Committee sat at 7pm at Brent Town Hall. More than 200 Sai Baba supporters were present to raise their concerns.

The thunderous support for the temple that planning committee witnessed on that day surely made a huge impact in heading towards a mutually accepted meeting later on.

However after much coordination with MPs by

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar along with some stalwarts of the community, with sincere persuasion by the Trustees of the Temple, the Sai group finally received justice.

The temple won its case against the council and the enforcement notice was finally withdrawn.

Soon after that allegations were made by a Hindu Councillor against Cllr Ann John, and accused her of influencing the decision of the Planning Committee by removing Hindu members who could help to reach a neutral and unanimous decision, a formal investigation was launched.

Earlier this month the Committee however cleared Cllr John of the all the allegations. But soon after that in the local AGM she lost her seat to Cllr Butt.

Speaking after the vote, Cllr Butt told a local newspaper: “It is an honour to be elected to this position.

“I would like to pass my deepest thanks to my predecessor Cllr. Ann John and look forward to her continuing to be deeply involved in the borough that I know she has loved and served for many years.

“These are the toughest financial times in the history of Brent.

“I want to develop a new approach to the relationship between councillors and officers, between front and back benchers and between the Labour Party and our residents.

“I believe that the more united we are as a borough the more effective our fight back against this government will be.

“I stand for responsibility, fairness and the values of equality that underpin the Labour party and I look forward to beginning the hard work for Brent residents in my new role”.

Cllr Butt was previously deputy leader and in charge of the council’s finances.

Glad To Be Back! THANK YOU Continued from page 3 These were popular policies on the doorstep, Londoners voted for us to deliver them and we expect the Mayor to work with us to help Londoners.

Complimenting Labour’s Londonwide campaign, I fought my Brent and Harrow campaign on specific issues vital issues to our local community such as tackling the increased level of crime as a result of Tory police cuts, hiked up transport fares, the housing crisis due to the

lack of affordable housing being built, soaring private rents and the plight of young Londoners.

I am proud, honoured and humbled to be re-elected. I will continue to stand up for the people of Brent and Harrow. I’ll work hard in the London Assembly to hold the Mayor to account and also work locally with our diverse community, voluntary organisations, residents’ associations, community groups and other stakeholders.

7

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Dee Katwa

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

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

Goodbye Mike Whitby, welcome Albert Bore Nearly three-quarters of those people entitled to vote in Birmingham, the second largest city of the seventh largest economy in the world, decided they just couldn’t be bothered whether they wanted an elected mayor or not, and over two-thirds weren’t even interested in whether self-glorifying Mike Whitby or Albert Bore should be the next leader.

A worrying indictment of local politicians and their failure to engage with their constituents. Sadly it is a pattern reflected across the country.

Birmingham voters rejected plans for an executive mayor, which had the personal backing of David Cameron, voting 57.8% against the idea and 42.2% in favour, in a referendum held on the same day as local elections. But, Birmingham could still have a directly elected mayor either to run the city or as a “metro mayor” with responsibility for the wider region, ministers have insisted.

Anyway, like it or loathe it, Albert (Lab; Ladywood) – who led Birmingham City Council for five years until 2004 – is back.

Already, he has put forward a citizens’ question time where members of the public will be allowed to quiz senior

Outgoing: Mike Whitby

councillors over roads, bins and schools. He is also set to overhaul the council’s cabinet with councillors being handed responsibility for areas including green, safe and smart; social cohesion and equalities and commissioning; and contracting and compliance.

“For too long the city has been allowed to drift,” he said. “We want to open up our council chamber and the committee rooms to our citizens.

We want to tackle the problems that hold so many of our people back.

The new structure will be

a fresh start and provide a focus on delivering for the people of Birmingham.”

Labour now has a 34-seat majority on the council after seizing control from the Tory-Lib Dem coalition. Albert admitted the Incoming: Sir Albert Bore; Inset, result was Najma Hafeez “beyond our He is the current electexpectations” and claimed ed Chair of University the result was a “damning Hospitals Birmingham verdict” on the previous NHS Foundation Trust, administration.

The Selly Oak and Queen changes are set to be Elizabeth hospitals. In adopted at the full council addition, he holds nonmeeting next Tuesday executive directorships at (May 22). By 2020, a third Birmingham Symphony of Birmingham’s populaHall, Marketing tion will be British Asian; Birmingham and National 75% of British Asian Exhibition Centre. Albert women in Birmingham are is ex-husband of Najma unemployed. Albert, aged Hafeez, inset, who was the 65, has pledged to transyoungest and first woman form this. Albert, who is a to be elected to close friend to many, parBirmingham City Council ticularly many prominent in 1983, then aged just 22. and influential British Their two sons are Omar Asians, is a former univerHafeez-Bore and Firaz sity lecturer. He was Hafeez-Bore. He also has knighted in 2002 for serva daughter, Kirsti Bore.The ices to local government. couple’s bitter split ended He has been a leading proup in the courts when tagonist of devolution and Albert was cleared of localism agendas in local assaulting her by throwing governance since entering coffee in her face. politics in 1974.

Nursery boss faces jail

Pakistani PM ‘threat’ alert

Sukpreet Kaur, the former boss of a nursery closed down by Ofsted over safety fears has admitted duping parents who continued to bring their children there.

Kaur, who owned Kare Babies Nursery in Hamstead Road, Handsworth, and her assistant Tasleem Sarwar were both due to stand trial at the city’s Crown Court last Wednesday.

But before a jury was sworn in, both women admitted conspiracy to commit fraud between November 1 and November 13, 2010, after failing to inform parents the “inadequate” nursery had been closed down by Ofsted. The case was adjourned and Kaur, 27, and Sarwar, 31, will be sentenced next month. Photo: Left, Sukpreet Kaur and right, Tasleem Sarwar.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan was forced to cancel a rally in Birmingham last Saturday over security fears. Yosaf Raza Gilani, pictured, who arrived in the UK last Tuesday, had planned to address supporters at the ICC. But the “community meeting” was suddenly scrapped “because there could be a serious security breach by protestors,” according to a Pakistani official. Mohammed Nazam, of the Kashmir Independence Alliance, said: ‘The truth is that it is too embarrassing for Gilani to appear in Birmingham. His President had a shoe thrown at him when he last visited Birmingham and I guess Gilani fears he will get an equally cold reception.’ British Premier David Cameron has promised to give Pakistan £650 million in education aid.

Crash-for-cash scams The West Midlands has been unveiled as the worst-hit area in the UK for crash-for-cash scams. The plot involves conmen deliberately causing car crashes by forcing people to smash into the back of them. Organised gangs are sending recruits out on to the roads and then making whiplash claims through their own bogus No Win, No Fee insurance firms. Latest figures show there were 30,000 crash-for-cash crimes last year. Nationwide, the practice is costing drivers over £350 million a year. Police say the fraud is difficult to detect because minor bumps do not require any police involvement. South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson, pictured, has vowed to discuss the “disgusting” practice with government bosses and is also calling on car insurance companies to properly investigate.

Spotlight on Service Birmingham Birmingham City Council’s £1 billion contract with its IT and call centre provider, Service Birmingham, is to be independently assessed on its performance. Senior Labour councillors have doubts whether the contract, which runs until 2020, is value for money. Service Birmingham hit the headlines last year over attempts to move skilled IT jobs to India, which was later aborted at a cost of £12 million to the taxpayer.

Honour for Bhangra Guru Malkit Singh, the “King of Bhangra”, has become the first Asian artist to be awarded a star on the Birmingham Broad Street Walk of Stars. Mr Singh was presented with the special honour in recognition of his global contribution to Punjabi music. His trademark anthem, Tutak Tutak Tootiyan, is the most successful and fastest-selling bhangra song of all time. In 2008, Mr Singh received an MBE from the Queen for his Services to Punjabi music.

News in Brief Traffic warden racially abused A Birmingham businessman who racially abused a traffic warden after she asked him to move his car off double yellow lines has been given a suspended oneyear jail term. Father-of-two Jaswant Sandhu, 45, “completely lost control” when Lisa Wright “did him a favour” by not putting a ticket on his illegally parked car. Sandhu, who runs a sweet centre, was ordered to pay £1,200 costs.

Benefit cheat avoids jail An “intelligent woman with a degree” from Birmingham who admitted three charges to making false statements to obtain benefit and one charge of fraud has been given a five month sentence suspended for 12 months. Saeeda Mughal, 33, from Moseley, claimed over £9,000 while hiding the fact that she was working for Barclays Bank and had a property portfolio worth over £800,000. Mughal was also ordered to do 150 hours’ unpaid work.

Uni secures £75k loan The University of Birmingham has taken out a £75 million loan to give its Edgbaston campus a facelift, also to make it more energy efficient. The 32-year loan was granted by the European Investment Bank.

University bosses said the cash would help bring the campus closer to the vision of its founder, former Birmingham mayor Joseph Chamberlain.

Cop in racism claim A West Midlands Police inspector is at the centre of an investigation after being accused of making racist comments. The officer, who has not been named, is currently performing duties elsewhere in the force while the matter is being investigated. It is understood the claims relate to comments made in front of colleagues.

Remembrance Event A bhajans programme held to mark the fifth death anniversary of Rancchodbhai Solanki brought together around 200 people at Birmingham’s Shri Hindu Community Centre last Sunday. Organised by couple Indiraben and Jayantibhai Solanki, the two-hour event was brilliantly led by septuagenarian Prabhudasbhai Parmar and his group, of Leicester, originally part of the city’s Bajrang Bhajan Mandal.

Temple treasurer Jayantibhai Jagatia gave the vote of thanks.

Driving test faker jailed A 29-year-old man from Coventry who travelled the country sitting driving tests for at least 12 other people has been jailed for 18 months, Shivan Ibrahim was paid a “going rate” of between £100 and £120 for each theory exam. Ibrahim was caught out after he booked a test for a centre in Huddersfield.

Rioters cause business to collapse Ajay Bhatia, the owner of a Birmingham newsagent ransacked by young looters during last year’s riots, is being forced to sell the business. Mr Bhatia, 52, and his wife Monika received just £3,000 from insurers and are still struggling to pay off the debt for stolen stock. “We have worked 14-hour days, every day of the week and have poured all of our money into the business,” said Indian-born Mr Bhatia, pictured, who is blaming the rioters and the banks for the collapse of his business.

Correction In an article, Temple Open Day, featured in this column (May 12,2012) it was incorrectly reported that Karsanbhai Visavadia was among the pioneers from the SSPC community who had helped lay the foundations of the temple in 1986. Mr Visavadia expired in 1979. We offer our sincere apology to his wife Gomptiben and family for any embarrassment or distress caused by this unintentional error.

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

Leading Lights

by Rani Singh

Special Assignments Editor

Abdul Khan, 26 Abdul Khan is the Founder and CEO of ratethatcurry.com. He was a digital marketer with a degree in Management and Marketing from De Montfort University. Abdul is a Virgin Media Pioneer – part of a free and open online peer-to-peer community for young entrepreneurs – and was asked to represent the UK at the 2011 G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Summit. Through Virgin Media Pioneers he represented aspiring business leaders, campaigning to change the UK’s approach to financing youth enterprise. His recommendations were implemented in the 2012 Budget.

Q Tell me about your family.

My late father, Jahir Khan, came to the UK from Bangladesh in the 60s. He saved enough money to buy a restaurant in Manchester and brought my mother, Piara Khatun and my siblings here. I was born the day after Ma landed in the UK. My father had a number of restaurants and takeaways, but would not allow us to have it easy and work for him; he wanted us to be educated.

Q How was the idea of Rate That Curry born?

After securing my dream job in digital marketing, I attended a conference in Oxford. I was craving home-cooked curry, so I asked the hotel manager for a recommendation. She advised me to look online as she wasn’t from the area. After searching, I was surprised that there wasn’t a website for finding a curry house in an unfamiliar town. My taxi driver’s recommendation didn’t please my taste buds so I did further research. The idea was born; I was awake till the early hours with the excitement of writing my first business plan and purchasing several domains that related to ratethatcurry.com.

Q What did you do next?

I presented the idea to my family and friends.

I was eager to leave my job that weekend! I was approached by a family friend who asked if I knew anyone who would create a website for his business. Food outlets struggle to attract business because often their marketing efforts are limited to leafleting. A marketing principle is to increase perceived value – so now I help businesses by designing websites at attractive prices.

Q How did you come across Virgin Media Pioneers?

I found Virgin Media Pioneers when Googling ‘starting up a business’ and registered with their online community of entrepreneurs last year. I attended several of their free workshops and was interviewed by a film crew for their promotional material. I was asked if I would be one of three Pioneers to champion the concerns of aspiring entrepreneurs to the UK government. I volunteered to be a part of the Control Shift campaign.

We are standing on the shoulders of our forefathers – due to their success and struggles, many of us are educated and enjoying comfortable lifestyles Q What is the Control Shift campaign?

Control Shift is a report submitted to the government.

It was announced at a festival where I sat on a panel alongside Vince Cable MP; I asked him what the government was doing to make finance available to young entrepreneurs. He replied with no distinctive answer. Later on I attended a workshop with Virgin Media Pioneers, the Prince’s Trust and leaders from start-up organizations in the UK. I asked, ‘If I could easily get a loan to study an MA in business enterprise, why is it so difficult for me to get finance when I want to implement this knowledge?’ I was then invited to Westminster to present the idea of youth investment. In March this year, the government announced a £10 million pilot Young Enterprise Loan scheme.

"

9 UK UK plans to open 5 curry colleges ly grow from that base.

Suzy Jackson of the Hospitality Guild told an Indian daily, “If recruits sign up to a curry college, they get six weeks of training which includes working in a kitchen. So it’s real hands on stuff.

They will then get a guaranteed interview with one of our employers, which could lead to a twoyear apprenticeship and they will have then got a real good chance of getting a job.for life.”

But Indian restaurateur Rajesh Suri told the same daily that it would be

The British government on one hand has closed doors to foreign chefs, but on the other they have committed 1.75 million to open five curry colleges to teach Britons how to cook Indian food. This has apparently become necessary after the government effectively barred entry of chefs from the subcontinent as part of a policy to tighten immigration and reduce the number of settlers from outside the European Union.

The colleges are aiming to take in 50 students in the first year, but quick-

impossible to fill the jobs overnight. “Training people takes three to four years.”

“The immigration cap is a big blow to the industry. The local curry house has been hit the hardest.

They are disappearing because people cannot get the staff,” said Suri.

Under the new immigration rules, chefs can only be recruited from abroad for posts paying over 28,000 a year, exclusive of accommodation and meals. They must also have five or more year experience.

Britons travel round the world in taxi

Abdul Khan

Q What was it like being apart of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Summit?

The Institute of Directors selected me to be one of 400 delegates. I learnt how India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and others encourage enterprise. I met Prof Mohammed Yunus who said I should take every misfortune and turn it into a positive.

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We want to launch and grow ratethatcurry.com by serving the owners of food outlets with new marketing strategies. We are standing on the shoulders of our forefathers – due to their success and struggles, many of us are educated and enjoying comfortable lifestyles. We will offer print services, PR consultancy and web design to our clients.

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ing their record-breaking trip. The trio, from Birmingham’s Aston University, have already set a new Guinness World Record for the highest taxi journey after reaching 5,300 metres above sea level with Hannah at Mount Everest’s base camp.

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The night of submitting the report to the government, I attended a Virgin Media reception, where I was offered a free desk at Somerset House

by Steve Good, the CEO of The Big Society Network.

Ex-Dragon Doug Richard has supported me. I have met with Sir Richard Branson on several occasions; his favourite curry spot will soon be announced on ratethatcurry.com.

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Johno Ellison, 28 — drove across four continents and 50 different countries in their trusty diesel motor, affectionately called Hannah, the Daily Express reported. They had set out from London in February 2011 and returned home on last Thursday after complet-

Three Britons in their 20s have undertaken a recordbreaking trip around the world in a cab, travelling over 43,000 miles (over 69,000 km) with 80,000 pounds (about $128,600) on the meter. The three friends Paul Archer, 25, Leigh Purnell, 24, and

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10

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

Damp Squib

Satyamev Jayate

Ken Livingston’s attempt to woo one minority community at the expense of the Jews and Hindus transpired into a damp squib. The other factor why in the mayoral race of the two titans, Boris Johnson came out home and dry was because people opted for personality rather than policies.

Whatever the reason, the turnout for voting at about 36% was disappointing. I wonder how many of the ethnic minority electors voted for Ken. It appears that in his quest to woo the votes of some, he antagonised others. Besides his drastic policies, he also lacks the charm and charisma of Boris.

The other factor could be the apathy and lack of interest of the general public who are busy at work on a weekday and could not be bothered to go to the polling booth after a hard day at work. How do we achieve a better turn out at elections?

Either hold them at weekends or provide people with a reference number or a pin number and let them vote by e-mail. In this age of information technology, this could be a better alternative to having to go to the polling station and could become instrumental in electing people with majority choice.

Across the Channel, Sarkozi lost the French presidential election. Serves him right for being a thorn in the eye of the British premier! Remember the cold shoulder he offered David Cameron at an EU conference towards the end of last year when he ignored our PM’s attempt of a handshake with him?

The second episode of SJ was on child abuse, aired on Sunday, 13th May 2012.

It was well researched. I found it very explosive and shocking to note that over 50% of children in India are subjected to this sort of criminality. After the screening of the episode, I went on line to express my opinion in the Indian newspapers, and to my disgust, what do I find.

Instead of bringing such issues on the forefront, I find the headline such as “Sridevi makes special appearance on Satyamev Jayate”, under entertainment and television columns. If that is the attitude of Indian Media, to hide the blot of India, than only God can protect the innocence of an Indian child.

Furthermore, I was even more surprised and very shocked, that to date no laws are on the statute books to protect Children to such bestiality. It seems politicians in India seem to enjoy their luxury trips to attend International Organizations such as the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), giving only lip services on such issues. Shouldn’t the programme invited a prominent politician/s to be grilled on this matter?

The Anchorage case of the 2 ex-naval officers, sited by the child-line official, Mr Nishit Kumar in the episode, shouldn’t have come as a surprise that it had taken over 10 years to draw to its conclusion.

Due to lack of protection of children in the Asian countries, there have been recent cases of pedophiles making such trips to those countries, and it is very likely to continue, until very strict, draconian laws (such as punishment of drug smugglers in Thailand etc) to protect children are put in place quickly.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Liberal democrat vs NHS I have written before and I strongly believe that to vote Liberal Democrats is a waste of time. It will never come to power in this country. And it’s doing more harm than good. It played such an important part in destroying NHS by supporting the Tories.

NHS was the best estate of this country which was started by Labour in 1948.

No wonder people have voted for Labour in this year’s election and punished the Tories/Lib Dems.

J B Patel Birmingham

Brent council issues I recently read a story about Cllr Ann John losing her seat to Mohammad Butt.

I have been following the story of Brent Council since Shirdi Sai Temple controversy.

Brent’s people have many concerns, starting from political to social and its much complex. The social issues involve closure of libraries, cuts to local festival funds including Navratri and Diwali. We hope that Cllr Butt will restore our Navratri celebration and help us protect our heritage that we have built over the years in Britain, especially London.

Amit Mistry London

Mohindra Master Via Email

Sachin, political pawn Sachin may be a “Master Blaster” in cricketing term but he is a novice when it comes to politics. In any case Master Blaster does not denote a shrewd brain, it only emphasises his ability to blast a ball with power.

His nomination by the puppet President Ms. Pratibha Patil, one of the worse and least intellectual president and instigated by the ruling UPA government, headed by corrupt to the core Congress party is in itself an act of unprecedented thuggery, to capitalise on the popularity of Sachin after he scored his one hundred century, an achievement unlikely to surpass this side of the millennium.

If Sachin would like to take up his new role as a member of Rajya Sabha seriously, then he would have to retire from cricket, give a miss to partying and socializing with the likes of Ambanis and devote a considerable time and effort to political cooperative posturing to serve his flocks and the country in an effective and caring manner.

Sachin is clearly not equipped for such a role, as he himself confesses that he is by far first and foremost a sport person with little inclination or understanding of politics.

Pakistani men and child abuse I have been following the issue of Pakistani men sexually exploiting white young girls. It is indeed a tragic story. I believe the issues are just not cultural differences but it is much deeply rooted, because of years of mal practices by the multi racial communities that reside in Britain, yet cannot integrate with the Britishness.

First, it is wrong on any media’s part to be calling these men ‘Asian’. These men are not just ‘Asian’. Asia consists of many countries and one of them is Pakistan. It is derogatory to compartmentalise all countries under one name.

Second, as it was discussed earlier extensively by the media, such behaviours are often only noted in the Pakistani community. Why? The men in this community are wedded off young to girls chosen by their family, mostly from Pakistan. Often dissatisfied with arranged marriages they take recourse to such horrible behaviour outside and indulge friends and cousins into it as well.

Third, these girls are victims of bad parentage. They are moved to care homes because they cannot be properly taken care of by their own parents which often becomes a psychological scar. This often leads to adverse reaction in youngsters including taking drugs and binge drinking. People of any race with such background can be made victims in similar circumstances.

I do not support Keith Vaz MP as he says this is not a ‘race’ issue. It is definitely a race issue but it is a cultural issue too. It is a scandal that includes people with different cultural backgrounds with different set of dogmas. These together culminate into a catastrophe, similar to the one that has shaken up Britain now.

The problem is much deeply rooted and needs a different approach and tackle.

Madhav Viseswaran Bolton If Sachin would like to retain his popularity, his almost God like stature, then he should stay away from politics and the fatal charm of the Sonia Gandhi clan that would soon turn him into a puppet on a string, in line with puppet PM Manmohan Singh and a target for political hatred, tarnished with the same brush used for ill-gotten gains with billions stacked away in Swiss accounts.

Sachin should be aware of the poison chalice such an appointment would bring to his calm and dignified family life that he values so much.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

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.

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While showcasing

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

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

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

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

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

away five years from your life.

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

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

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Katiraji discusses modern sub culture versus traditional Hindu religious values facing Hindu youth in AV. His advice “do not simply conform..to what your religion tells you...to decide what is right for yourself” is applicable to subculture and not to Hindu religious tenets. Observing Hindu religious traditional values and the way of life must be compulsory for all.

But Hindu youth should not be fanatic fundamentalist pariahs.

Hindu teachings and values must be used as benchmarks to conform with sub culture, how much and limits. There is hair-thin line between conforming and sinking beyond rescue.

Hindu teachings and epics have plenty of accounts warning us against evils of sub-cultural, and damage control.

Western culture has sanitised warnings from good Hindu gospel thus people have fallen onto slippery path of sub-culture, where parents, police, priests and parliament has no control. Binge drinking, related crimes, promiscuous sex, teenage pregnancies, unwanted and fatherless children, strain national resources.

Hindus and youth blessed with protective dharma, have must always adhere to Hindu traditional religious tenets.

Hindus have reached current level of guiltless prosperity by adhereing to Hindu values. Hindu youth should have no shame to follow such values to shine among beer swilling peers.

“Dharnmo rakshati rakshitaha” has proved as lifebuoy to many errant Hindus.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

The name ‘Asians’ Recently the case of 9 men convicted of grooming young girls has been well publicised in the media - Newspapers, TV, Radio, etc.

In almost every instance these guilty men have been referred to as ‘Asians’ bearing in mind, everyone including the media are fully aware that 8 of these men were of Pakistani origin and 1 of Afghan origin.

I strongly object to use of ‘Asians’ in this context in view of the known facts.

The true description of ‘Asians’ relates to inhabitants of Asia, which comprises of 52 countries, such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, etc and not just India and Pakistan.

Baroness Warsi, the Conservative chairman also uses the word ‘Asian’ all the time, when she is fully aware that she is talking about people with Pakistani background. Lets have some straight talking rather than hide behind the term ‘Asians’ In my view, the media should use the following - British Indians, British Pakistani, etc or just British. The media should be educating the public by using the correct terminology. ‘Asian’ refers to an inhabitant of Asia.

Surendra Patel Manchester

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

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

1 Year 2 Years

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EDUCATION / COUNCIL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

Overpaid academy schools must return £15m by July Dozens of academies must return nearly £15m by July because of a government funding blunder, say accountants for some of the affected schools.

Figures obtained under a freedom of information request show 128 academies have been overpaid by the government.

On average, each affected school must pay back almost £118,000, according to UHY Hacker Young Accountants.

Ministers would like all English state schools to become academies, which are funded directly by Whitehall.

A government spokeswoman said: "Where pupil numbers don't match estimates, we claw back excess funding."

In a statement, the Department for Education said the current problem

was caused by an old funding formula used to allocate the budgets of the older academies.

"A small proportion of academies... receive funding based on pupil estimates, not pupil numbers.

This is because of the way their funding agreements were written.

The spokeswoman added that the government was working to simplify the system and ensure that all schools were funded fairly in future. But Allan Hickie, a partner at UHY Hacker Young, told BBC News there were also errors in some of the government calculations.

"The increase in the number academies meant the government agency responsible for allocating the funding was swamped by work and this led to

some of the errors. Some schools may not yet know they have a problem. It all depends whether their business manager has noticed they have been overpaid."

Mr Hickie added that schools with tight cash flow could be seriously affected by having to pay back the money which could amount to 10% of their budget.

He said his firm was acting for one primary school that had been overfunded by £190,000, a sum that could pay for five teachers. This particular school only became an academy last summer.

He added that about one in 10 academies would now have significantly less money than anticipated, and many would have already spent the money.

Brent nursery voted South of England's best Jelli Tots nursery in Christchurch Avenue, NW6 has just won the South of England regional heats of the national Nursery of the Year Awards 2012.

The private nursery, which is supported by Brent Council's Early Years service, will now go head to head with four other British nurseries for the coveted title of Nursery of the Year at the National Day Nursery Association's (NDNA) awards on 21 June.

The award which is supported by Hope

Education, is voted for by parents and recognises the contribution good quality nurseries make to the lives of children and parents.

The name of the lucky overall winner of the Nursery of the Year Award - and £1,400 of Hope Education vouchers - will be announced at an award dinner at the NDNA conference in Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham.

Wendy Kelly and Sarah Crawford, owners and managers of Jelli Tots Nursery said: "We are really pleased to be a finalist in the NDNA Nursery of the

Year Award and would like to thank all the parents who took the time to nominate us. We have a dedicated staff team who will always go that extra mile for children in our care. It is great for their hard work to be recognised through nomination for this award."

Brent's Director of Children and Families, Dr. Krutika Pau said: "Congratulations to all the staff at Jelli Tots for this amazing achievement and the very best of luck to Wendy and Sarah at the NDNA Awards this June.

We'll be rooting for them!"

London’s markets opened up to the world in time for the Olympics A project dreamed up by two Middlesex University business students, who wanted London’s Olympic tourists to make the most of the capital’s markets, has been selected as a finalist for a national entrepreneur competition.

MBA students Ravi Jay, 29, and Asaf Nahum, 31, were concerned that the thousands of Olympic visitors descending on London would fall in love with markets like Brick Lane, Camden, Borough and Portobello Road but would struggle taking bulky purchases home in their luggage. And their solution, dreamed up in the classroom, has now become a surprise success amongst small retailers and market traders with a growing web community allowing traders to sell their wares online.

This week Ravi and Asaf discovered that they had been shortlisted for the National University Entrepreneur competition (NUE2012) which

Entrepreneur competition. We know we’re up against some tough competitors, but we think we’ve got a good chance as our business is truly unique.

Ravi Jay and Asaf Nahum Such a rapid uptake from small received entries from stubusinesses and market dent entrepreneurs all traders has been very over the UK. The finals encouraging and this is will see the pair deliver testament to the amazing their business pitch to a opportunity myMzone judging panel and a 300 offers them.” strong audience made up Fellow alumni Asaf of business experts, entreNahum from Highgate preneurs and university added: “Tourists often students in June. If they comment on the uniquewin this stage, they will ness of London markets face a Dragons’ Den and we wanted to share inspired British Business that with the world, while Embassy event during helping to preserve local London 2012, pitching to markets and businesses. international entrepreThe recession has made neurs and business peotrading conditions tough ple. and we saw a lot of small Middlesex University businesses struggling. alumni Ravi Jay from myMzone hopes to alleviCamden Town said: ate this by opening up “We’re ecstatic about makthese businesses to a larging it to the finals of the er audience.”

National University

SARVAM

11

Official Charity for AAA 2012

Making a change at India's Grassroots

Empowering Families

Mr Vijay Poddar

Thirty five year old Muruguan lived with his wife, two children, parents and four siblings in a small hut in Manavali village of Pooturai panchayat in Villipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. He and his thirty year old wife, Kala, worked as daily wagers.

Work was available only 23 days a week and they had to take care of the large family. Life was very hard and the family was left with no other option but to borrow money as sustenance was becoming extremely difficult.

Repeated borrowing of money on high interest from local money lenders and increasing responsibilities had made Murugan desperate and he was contemplating suicide as told to the local coordinator of SARVAM working with the community in Manavali village. It was then that SARVAM organised a meeting with the twenty four poorest families of the village and Murugan’s story came to light.

SARVAM’s aim was to help these families with income generation, housing and sanitation. From the very beginning SARVAM made it clear to the families that it would not give them money but

would help them find avenues of change. SARVAM had already collaborated for it with the government departments of the district and the local governance system.

Kala with her two children S A RVA M ’ s classes at SATYAM and team found Murugan to be the younger one studies in good man of principles.

3rd standard and regularly Unlike most other men in attends the children’s corthe village he was not a ner organised for the drunkard and did not beat younger children in all vilhis wife. Based on the lages by SARVAM’s eduoverall family review, cation team.

Murugan’s family was India has many couchosen as a beneficiary in ples like Murugan and the first phase and was Kala who are desperate to provided help to build a break free from the vicious home. With fresh conficircle of poverty; poverty dence, Murugan was which doesn’t depend encouraged to work as a upon mere inherited ecodriver. After two years of nomics but on the inability work, with loans paid to find better alternatives back and some money to life and the changing saved, he rented an auto patterns of life style.

Muruguan with his wife, Kala

rickshaw in Pondicherry.

His wife also started to work in a nearby soap making factory and started to earn 3000 rupees a month. Kala is very good in arts and regularly wins the yearly Kollam (drawings on the floor with powdered colours) competition in SARVAM’s annual women’s festival.

The couple are very amicable and are very particular about the education of their two sons.

Their elder son studies in 6th standard and regularly attends the special extra

SARVAM is continuing to empower many more families like that of Kala and Murugan!

Housing for the villagers is a priority for SARVAM and it takes £ 2,400 to construct a small house. At the moment, 100 families have been identified for the housing initiative.

An auto rickshaw costs a £ 1700 and could be lent to those who wish to stand on their feet with dignity and live with confidence. SARVAM has identified 6 persons eligible for this.

If you would like to know more about SARVAM and their activities or would like to donate please speak to Mrs Shilpa Shah on 07404 618 933 (between 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m) or email on shilpa.sarvam@gmail.com Visit our website: www.aurosociety.org

UK '10th best' in higher education ranking The author of a report on international higher education has questioned whether UK universities can remain world leaders without more funding.

The report for Universitas 21 rated the UK 10th best at providing higher education in a ranking of 48 countries.

The study put the UK second for university research and teaching but 27th for spending on higher education.

Universities UK said other more established global rankings regularly put the UK system second to top.

Ross Williams, lead author of the Universitas 21 study, said the evidence showed the UK system was very efficient.

Professor Ross, of

University of Melbourne, told BBC News: "The model is that if you want to maintain high output you must maintain high resource levels. Think of all the extra resources that are going to higher education in East Asian countries. You are going to have to put in more resources even to maintain your rankings."

Universitas 21, an international group of universities, claimed the new ranking was the first to compare the effectiveness of national higher education systems. Their analysis put the United States top, followed by Sweden, Canada, Finland and Denmark.

The UK was ranked 10th overall despite coming second only to

the United States on the strength of the universities themselves. It came 27th for the resourcing of universities and 41st out of 48 for government spending on higher education.

The report claims: "The difference in ranking between output and resources is the greatest for all 48 countries and reflects very high productivity."

Universities UK, which represents all UK universities, said it was difficult to compare international education systems - but other more established compilers of world rankings such as Times Higher, QS and Shanghai Jiaotong consistently rated the UK as second behind the United States.

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

Scrutator’s All eyes were on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she made her way from Kolkata to Delhi, where she held talks with her Indian counterpart, Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Top of her agenda was India’s continuing reliance on oil imports from Iran, which Washington finds vexatious. Ms Clinton made gracious acknowledgement of a decrease in these imports but hoped India would do more in curtailing their volumes. Iran was once India’s second-largest oil supplier, it has declined to fourth position today.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna

Discussing the subject at a press conference, Ms Clinton referred to sanctions imposed on Iran by the “international community” - which is simply a code for the United States because of Iran’s alleged attempts to build nuclear weapons.

Will this also turn out to be another case of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), which the US and Britain foisted on Saddam Hussain’s Iraq? The heads of 30-odd US intelligence agencies in public testimonies to Congressional committees in Washington are on record as saying that there was no evidence of Iranian bomb-making activity.

The US invasion of Iraq was a disaster on every count. Do the US and its plan to reduce Iran to the shaming desolation of Iraq and destabilize the entire region?

Indian opinion hasn’t taken kindly to American pressure on Iran. US unilateralism doesn’t sit well in the country. India has sound political and geostrategic reasons for keeping its relationship with Iran in working order. It would be folly to break this on the whim of a third party.

Double Standards A brief perusal of history shows the US to have been conspicuously silent over Pakistan clandestine acquisition of nuclear weapon technology through the actions of A.Q.Khan and his military-intelligence overlords in Islamabad. The Reagan administration and its successor were fully aware of this yet to chose to remain passive spectators; also, the US never utter a boo when China handed over to Pakistan a readymade nuclear bomb in May 1990, and possibly the deliverable missile capability as well.

Why so? According to a US War College paper published in 2006 the period from 1971 to the early years of the George W. Bush administration in the 21st century was one when Washington in concert with Beijing used Pakistan to run a containment policy against India buttressed by a sanctions regime on hightech exports to the country.

History Recalled It may be salutary to recall a US State Department official’s minute, in the wake of Jawaharlal Nehru’s first visit to Washington, in 1949, as India’s prime minister, castigating India as a likely successor to the Japanese imperial aggressor in Asia. “In such circumstances, a strong Muslim bloc under the leadership of Pakistan and

friendly to the US might afford a desirable balance of power in South Asia,” it concluded. And so it was that the Nixon administration in 1971 turned a blind eye to the Pakistan military’s genocide in East Pakistan and, in tandem with Mao’s China, supported Pakistan in its subsequent war with India.

Dawn of new Indo-US era The past with its multitude of lessons is behind us now. A new era dawned with the 9/11 terror attacks on New York’s Twin Towers. Islamists groups in Pakistan and elsewhere who were once allied to Washington in the Cold War and beyond became sworn enemies and the strategic equation changed accordingly, signaling the start of a new relationship between India and America. This seminal development was sealed by the Indo-US nuclear accord of 2008, for which President George W. Bush deserves much credit.

India and America are locked into a close partnership, which could well turn out to be one of the most durable and rewarding this century. But it is a partnership and not an alliance. India is no game-keeper in an American park. That said, Secretary of State’s India visit was a success.

A return visit by a high powered Indian delegation to Washington

will follow shortly as part of a continuous process of close engagement on issues on which there is convergence and those, like Iran, which will require some compromise.

Enduring Legacy Ms Clinton spoke out against Pakistan-based terror groups, which gave India satisfaction, especially in the context of the 26/11 terrorist assault on Mumbai. The US and India speak from the same page on this and other matters including trade, investment, educational exchanges and science and technology cooperation. The Clinton visit has resulted in meaningful contacts between political leaders in Indian states. Ms Clinton told the New York Times that her meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a “remarkable experience.”

US investment in the area, she said, could be the beginning of a “new Silk Route”.

In the aftermath of her visit India has announced the purchase of state-of-the art BAe Systems American howitzers worth $647 million. This light artillery will be eminently suitable for the India’s troubled border with China since this weaponry could be transported to high altitude outposts by helicopters with the utmost speed (The Times of India May 12).

All in all, the new Indo-US relationship, with its increasing range and depth, could turn out to be one of the major diplomatic achievements of our time (The Telegraph, The Times of India, The Hindu and television networks May 6-9).

Indo-Russian Ties surveyed Alexander Kadakin, the Russian Ambassador India, addressed a distinguished audience of Indians and Russians at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, to celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the USSR on 17 April 1947. He chose as his title, “India-Russia ties: 65 glorious years, and more to come” He described the event as “marking the beginning of a long journey of mutual discovery.” He described this “as a historic step of establishing diplomatic relations between our two countries in April 1947, even before India shook of the colonial yoke.…. Today we can proudly declare that the amity between Russia and India had long ago has become a deeprooted popular tradition in both countries.”

Unbroken Trust The India-Russia relationship has its special dynamic. Soviet aid to India in the 1950s provided the platform for the country’s industrial development, while Soviet military hardware and technology helped India weather a series of critical regional challenges in its nascent period as a sovereign polity. That tradition continues to this day with the

Russian Federation sharing with India its most advanced defence technologies, something no other country has ever done or is likely to do. Russia remains the geostrategic fulcrum of Eurasia, and the India-Russian relationship unique in its quantum of unbroken trust down the years is set to continue.

Support for Pranab Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is the Indian government’s prime troubleshooter. He is regarded with considerable respect and not a affection by all sides of Parliament. He is perceived As a natural conciliator who listens and respects the Opposition and his name is increasingly heard as a suitable candidate as President of the republic when the present incumbent Pratibha Patil steps down in the next few months.

Yashwant Sinha, the opposition BJP heavyweight, has endorsed Mr. Mukherjee’s candidacy with fulsome praise of the man. “Mukherjee will make a very good president,” he said (The Times of India May 8). The ruling Congress may not be too enthusiastic about losing such a valuable political asset, while the BJP, committed to opposing any Congress brand is unlikely to be pleased at Mr Sinha’s decision to break ranks with his party’s leadership. Where do we go from here, you may well ask.

Air India Troubles Air India, the national carrier, is terminally sick. It has existed on government bailouts for as long as anybody can recall. Aviation Minister Ajit Singh reminded striking airline pilots that further disruption on their part could imperil the government’s latest cash handout. Why not be bold and resolute, Minister, and cut off the oxygen and allow the patient to expire. It’s a scandal that Air India has been sustained for all these years by the

Missile Shield Without too much fuss or bother India’s anti-ballistic missile shield has been stationed around two of its (as yet unnamed) cities, and others are being readied to follow suit elsewhere.

India thus joins four other nations, the US, Russia, France and China, in commanding this frontier technology. The missile, with its 2,000 kilometre reach (to be upgraded to 5,000 km by 2016), developed by the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), is testimony to the country’s preparedness to face any contingency in a complex and increasingly uncertain environment (The Hindu May 7).

National Security On the subject of national security, Defence Minister A.K. Antony told Parliament of the challenges that faced the country. The axis of China and Pakistan, he said, was particularly worrisome. He referred to a “volatile and dangerous neighbourhood. Under the 12th Defence Plan a new offensive strike corps and two special divisions were to be raised. Defence expenditure would have to increase in the interim, he said (The Hindu May 9).

Addressing naval officers, Mr. Antony stressed the vital importance of the Indian Ocean for India’s maritime security. He complimented naval shipbuilders for the advances made, since 44 of the 48 surface ships and submarines presently on order were being constructed at home (The Asian Age May 9).

Equality for all Reaffirmed The recent tragic death of a Manipuri Christian student in Bangalore, where he was studying, following an altercation with a fellow student has led to demonstrations by Indians from

Striking Air India pilots

Indian taxpayer. The monies invested in this profligate organization could have been better spent on poverty alleviation instead. The Delhi High Court has instructed the recalcitrant pilots to return to work. Twenty of their numbers have already been sacked by the government.

The dispute is over training opportunities on Boeing’s new Dream Liner is a major sticking point (The Hindu May 10).

the country’s North East region complaining of prejudice and harassment by locals.

Parliament in Delhi took heed of the anger, with MPs from all sides of the house condemning such discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of ethnicity.

Remedial measures need to be taken urgently if the situation is not to get out of hand. The law requires that all citizens of India be treated with dignity and respect both in word and deed.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

Alpesh Patel’s

Political Sketchbook

Rebekah and husband to be charged

Being British Indian – moving from good to great by God’s grace ‘These girls were targeted because they were not part of your community or religion’ said the judge in the sex grooming case. So not only race, but religion was an issue too. So Keith Vaz, Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee - you’re wrong when you say it wasn’t, and the judge who heard all the evidence and sat through the entire trial is right. Your Select Committee has fewer more important issues to investigate than this. Don’t do the politically astute thing of dodging the issue for fear it will harm Labour prospects among the Muslim community.

I like all British Indians do not want to be tarred as ‘Asian’ – but we’ve been whinging about that for a long time. It’s not what bothers me anymore. What bothers me is not what others may misperceive about my Indian community, but what they may indeed truthfully perceive; that they may know how we mis-treat women, that in the country of my parent’s birth,

female child sex slavery is prevalent, that the murder of girl babies is widespread simply because they are girls. And it is a Muslim, Aamir Khan, this week who launched the campaign ‘Daughters are precious: female foeticide’. India needs billion more Muslims like Aamir Khan, a billion more Hindus to be more like Aamir Khan. He is all that is great in being Indian, in Muslims, in Indian Muslims.

So before we British Indians get too holy about how goody goody we are, let us use this as an opportunity to better ourselves, rather than sitting on the side-lines to criticise others alone.

So before we take too much pride in the fact we are Indian and not Asian, and not Pakistani or Muslim, let us remember, the grandparents of all these sexual groomers were Indian. That we too live in Britain, and we too have a responsibility to engage and improve and help as well as criticise those troubled parts of our socie-

13

ty. It is too easy to leave it at, ‘they’re not Indian, we wouldn’t do that, look at how goody goody we are.’ If we really want to move from good to great then we would be looking at how we can help solve this problem, not simply point out that we are not part of the problem.

It is important to remember humility at these times – ‘there but for the grace of god go I.’ For those British Indians reading this, remember, had your grandparents been born 500 miles north of where they were, then indeed, there but for the grace of god go you. For those British Indians pointing out, ‘these Pakistani Muslims are not like us, us who are Indian and so good’ where are you when the child sex slavery of girls in your ‘home’ country of India is rife? Where? Days are too short, too much too do, work, home, can’t get involved in such campaigns? Pathetic! www.PoliticalAnimal.me

Rebekah Brooks and her husband, Charlie, are being charged with perverting the course of justice as part of the phone hacking inquiry. Three of Mrs Brooks’s staff, and News International security head Mark Hanna are also charged with the offence. Mrs Brooks is facing three charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice while her husband faces two.

Student visa ‘curb’ prevents great leaders to visit UK The restrictions imposed on student visas by the Tory government may prevent the next generation of world leaders from coming to Britain to study, the head of a leading thinktank said.

Criticising the Cameron government for restrictions on student visas, the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) said in a report that students from India and other nonEU countries should not be categorised as immigrants since most of them leave the country after studies.

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ART & CULTURE

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

India Connect

Shree Prajapati Association (UK) Q & A: Visa to India celebrates their 32nd Mahila Samelan Where can I submit a postal application? If I submit it from outside London – where does it go?

Postal applications must be sent to our centralised processing centre located at 13, Canalside, Uxbridge Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN. Jiten Vyas, VFS Global Even if you address your postal application from outside London – your envelope will still be delivered to this address only.

What is the process followed for postal applications once they are received?

The minimum processing time for a postal application is 10-15 working days. Once such applications are received, they are opened and scrutinised by our agents. If your application is lacking in required information, photo specifications are incorrect or there is any reason that prevents us from processing the application – your documents and passports will be returned back to you with a sheet stating the reason. You would then be required to rectify the error and re-post your documents back to the visa centre. Upon receipt of a complete application and required documents, the application is forwarded to the respective Mission for processing.

Can I send my application directly to the High Commission? Where does it go if I have done so?

All applications should be submitted at the specified visa application centres. If you have already dispatched your application to the High Commission of India (London) – your application will be redelivered to our India Visa Application Centre 1-3, Canalside, Uxbridge Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN. But please keep in mind that there will be a delay in the processing of your documents until they reach the Visa Centre from the High Commission.

I get a message of ‘No Record Found’ on my postal application. What is the processing timelines?

Postal applications must be scrutinised before we can begin to process them. In case there are further details required to have been submitted by you or for example, the photographs given were not up to the specification – your application will be posted back to you. In this case, since we are unable to enter your details through our system, there will not be a record to track. In such cases, you can address your concern to info.inuk@vfshelpline.com. It is always strongly advised to ensure that you have read all requirements for an application before it is dispatched through the post.

Where can I get the correct specifications of photographs?

Each Visa Application Centre (except for Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester) have in-house photo booths that will provide you with the required 50x50 size photographs for your application. The cost is £4 for a set of 2.

For more information regarding any quires about Indian Visa please contact by email or post: Email: info.inuk@vfshelpline.com Customer Relations Department.

India Visa Application Center, 60-62 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1DE

India Connect - your questions answered on India visas” a service offered by

Shree Prajapati Association (UK) Celebrated their 32nd Mahila Samelan on 22nd April 2012 in London. This is an annual gathering of mostly women from SPA (UK)’s all 14 branches from across UK. Each year this annual event is hosted in different towns and cities of UK and this year it was hosted Shree Prajapati Association, London.

The theme of the conference was “Fit for Life” in line with the Olympic 2012. The London venue was buzzing with lively ladies by 9.00 O’clock as coaches started to arrive from places like Rugby, Bradford, Wellingborough, Coventry, Walsall, Leicester, East London, Tameside, etc. Seminars and talks were given by learned specialists on Cardiology, Diabetics, the importance of regular exercises and healthy eating.

The dietician explained how the goodness can be retained especially in our Guajarati cooking and gave some tips on healthy cooking for the whole family.

The programme was interspersed with play and dances to allow easy understanding of the important information that was given by speakers. As the lectures were delivered in Gujarati; it made is easier for the

older generation to understand.

Many questions were asked during the question and answer session which showed the interest that the audience had taken in the subject.

Just to emphasise the point of healthy eating; the host branch served a healthy option meal which did not contain any sweet or fried dishes.

The VIPs of the day included Cllr Vina Mithani, Bhartiben Tailor from HFB and Kokilaben Patel from Gujarat Samachar were impressed with the subject matter as well as the number of people that attended this conference.

The hosting branch; London had nearly 70 volunteers to help on the day to see that the programme ran

smoothly and on time.

Members of Shree Prajapati Association have settled well in UK and support various charities as well as local communities. SPA (UK) organises various events and programmes such as Sports days, Mahila Samelans , Family Fundays and Singles Events to name a few. It has an International Trust fund that is responsible for collecting and distributing funds to deserving causes nationally and internationally. The 14 branches organise local events for the local community and also provide support to SPA (UK) activities It was so refreshing to see the atmosphere of total amity, friendliness and cordiality that pervaded throughout the entire event.

Congratulation to Marathon runners Jayshree Shah Congratulations to the thousands of marathon runners who took part in either the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, 15th April or the London Marathon on Sunday, 22nd April.

Their hard work, endurance and determination definitely paid off.

We all know from our doctors and all health professionals that exercise (ideally 30 minutes a day) and a balanced diet are key to healthy living. Many of us manage to fit in some form of exercise during our week, for others it’s erratic. But, every year there are a few individuals who really do go that extra mile (or 26.2) and run a marathon. More and more Asians take to the road to train and achieve this ultimate sporting goal.

Sunit Thankey, pictured, a 30 year old from Hendon ran his first London Marathon and said ‘I was amazed at the support from the public, I had a fantastic time’. He completed the Marathon in under 5hrs and vows to run one more. Sunit raised over £2,300 for the Heart and Stroke Research Campaign at Northwick Park Institute for

Medical Research.

Vashti Ragoonanan and Shiroma Atapattu both staff at Northwick Park Hospital, NW London, took part in the Brighton Marathon.

Whilst they found the route challenging, they both embraced the support from the public. For Shiroma it was her first marathon and Vashti ran her third. Together they have both raised over £2,000 for same charity as Sunit.

Dinesh Gorasia and Piyush Makanji both ran for a charity called Shishukunj completed the gruelling 26.2 miles of the London Marathon.

For Dinesh it was his third, but Piyush ran his first. ‘I found it very hard, but was really thrilled with the support on the day’ said Piyush.

So what is the attraction? Well, for some, it’s their life-time ambition, for others it’s to raise funds for a cause close to their heart, for some, who run marathons regularly, it’s an addiction! Hum..I hear you say…what is so good about running?

There are so many benefits to running:- below are just some: Running is great for strengthening the heart, bones, balance, pos-

The Rickshawalas make it to Manali UK’s Riskshawalas return home safely after 12 days of driving 3 auto-rickshaws through 1800 km of notorious Indian traffic, pot-hole ridden highways and crazy truck drivers, the Rickshawalas have completed a journey of a lifetime, where they aimed to change the lives of underprivileged children, but in turn changed their own lives forever. A group of 9 individuals, 5 guys and 4 girls embarked on an adventure to take them through India, covering the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and ending in Himachal Pradesh. Travelling by a Rickshaw through five states, not only allowed them to experience the diverse range of cultures in India,

but also see India for its true magnificence. This trip was undertaken in aid of a UK based charity, CAREducation Trust.

The Rickshawalas started in Bhuj, Gujarat at the first CARE supported centre and ended in Manali, at the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural School (HBCS), which is where the funds raised are being donated. The roads of India were in shock when they saw these

ture and improving the waistline.

Regular running improves endurance and the immune system and general well being. Also, you don’t have to join a gym…it’s free so good for the pocket too. You don’t have to run a marathon to enjoy the benefits, there are many different established runs up and down the country so why not take up a challenge and start to run? adventurous guys driving the rickshaws themselves, even more so when the ladies took the control. The busy 4 lane state highways to the single lane mountain top, cliff edge winding dirt tracks, these girls did it all!

The Rickshawalas received excellent support from the press, being featured in the Times of India, Hindustan Times, Punjab News Express and Divya Bhasker, not to mention receiving a personal letter from Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, wishing them luck on this journey of a lifetime!

Now that they have completed the Rickshaw Run, their aim of raising 30,000 is now over halfway there, to help to increase the facilities at the HBCS, Manali.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

f ashionista

by Debasree Ghosh

Noted photographer passes away

Be a Fashionista, Be You! If you have any questions or a story or a new style to share with us, please write to Shree at aveditorial@abplgroup.com So jeans I hear is changing it’s colours. Quite literally. As reliable as one’s indigo straight legs are, here’s the lowdown on the new kids on the block.

T h i n k Print: Looking to combat the basic-outfit blahs?

This the spring, freshest way to give your wardrobe a quick and easy sartorial facelift: printed denim.

An extension of crazy, the printed-pants trend, several bold patterns have now made their way into our bursting-at-the-seams denim drawer, and we couldn't be happier. Crafted by some of the major brands, these statement-making bottoms are the ultimate companion to your fave white T-shirt, or, if you want to go bolder, another print up top — just combine with caution.

Jeanius, right?!

Heavy Metal: Keep up with this seasons latest trend Metallic Jeans

Jean Scene adding a little bit of glamour to any seemingly simple outfit creating the perfect a combination of glamour and edge. This trend has swept the catwalks and runways and now its your turn. Let the jeans do the talking by pairing with a simple shirt/top and understated heels. Wearing metallic can be daring as there is a fine line between looking like a million dollars and looking you are like wrapped in foil.

Key to the trend is the juxtaposition of the rough with the smooth – the high shine with the grunge.

It is important to make the metallic item the out-shining part of your outfit and to tone

down the rest to keep the look simplistic.

Seersucker Jeans: Pay tribute to 70’s high glamour in a pair of seersucker stripe jeans. I know it doesn’t sound great on paper, but worn with the right attitude and in the right way – with a crisp white shirt or a fresh plain tee – seersucker jeans can look fabulously new season. It’s summer, light and refreshing. Try it!

White Hot: There’s something about crisp whites that feels oh-sospring. White denim can be found this season in a variety of cuts and styles, including boot cut, skinny and highwaisted jeans, too.

White jeans look best with a bold contrast, so feel free to bring on the brights! Yellow and tangerine are two of this spring’s hottest colors and look particularly fresh when paired with white denim.

You can also pair

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white with neutral colors; try a white blouse topped with a cream-colored blazer for a sophisticated look. If you are paring white with white, experiment with layering and using different textures to keep it interesting.

Pretty Pastels: From mint green and sky blue to soft yellows and pretty pinks, pastel denims are a flirty, feminine look this season. Forget potentially looking like the Easter Bunny; this season’s pretty pastels are full of soft colours and plenty of femininity. Pair your pastel pants with another one of this season's hot trends, the chambray shirt. The jeans also work great with other pastels and neutrals like white and light-coloured tops styled with a denim jacket.

Vipul Surendrabhai Rao (58) a well known and established photographer from Wembley has passed away on Tuesday after he fell down in his back garden while gardening on Sunday and accidentally hurt his head. He was immediately admitted in Northwick Park Hospital where he was diagnosed with severe internal bleeding in the head and passed away at 2:55am on Tuesday 15 May. As per his last wish, his kidney, liver and heart have been donated to NHS. Rao, originally from Nadiad, Gujarat, India is survived by his wife, son Sameer, two

Vipul Surendrabhai Rao

daughters and two grand children. If you want to pay homage to the parted soul, you can contact the bereaved family at 07958 420 213.

Leicester

A spring in your walk Gardening enthusiasts are being invited to take part in a guided spring walk through one of Leicester’s most popular parks. gardener Resident Mick Eaton will guide visitors around Knighton Park on Saturday, May 19, and will highlight some of the park’s seasonal plants, trees and other natural attractions.

The walk will also

include a tour of the Sensory Garden - the first project launched by the park’s gardening club.

The event starts at the Green Cabin, and is free to attend. It starts at 2pm and should last about one to two hours.

For more information, or to book a place, contact Leicester City Council’s parks services on 0116 229 3638.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

I am dating Siddharth Roy Kapoor: Vidya Balan

Asin, the dancing diva Kamal's ‘Vishwaroopam’ on June 29?

The latest buzz on Kamal Haasan's much talked about “Vishwaroopam,” is that the movie has been scheduled for release on June 29. A section of the media reports that the movie is currently under post production work in Los Angeles. Sources also reveal that the movie was screened thrice in Hollywood, and has already wowed the people there. Sources in the know reveal that the Tamil and Hindi versions of the movie are not completely same, and have quite a number of different scenes. Though this news is yet to be officially confirmed, we are sure that Kamal's fans world over, would be preparing themselves to revel in yet another mind blowing offering from their favourite actor!

Sneha, Prasanna tie the knot And officially they are 'husband and wife' now! Smile sensation Sneha and handsome hunk Prasanna tied the knot at Sri Varu Venkateshwara Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai last week. The wedding was indeed a traditional affair, which was followed by a reception. Clad in a wooden brown saree, undoubtedly Sneha was looking gorgeous and the gold jewellery complemented her looks. On the other hand Prasanna was seen in a gold-red shervani. Almost the entire film industry was present during the function.

Guess what is Asin busy with these days?

Apparently the actress is busy learning a new dance form, Viennese Waltz, for a soap commercial that she endorses.

The story goes like this... Asin who is busy with her Bollywood flick “Bol Bachchan,” took a day off to shoot for a television commercial.

The ad was directed

by Harvey Brown, an expert in Waltz dance form. But the South Indian diva surprised the crew by mastering the intricate dance steps in few hours. The entire crew was going ga-ga about the pretty lass for her excellent dancing skills!

Hot Garam masala Zarine Khan does a Salman, keeps her promise With her mother recuperating in a hospital, the actress rushes to Delhi to perform at an event, only to keep her word given to the organizers. “Ek baar maine commitment kar di, uske baad main apne aap ki bhi nahin sunta,” said Salman Khan in “Wanted.”

Looks like Zarine Khan, who made her Bollywood debut opposite the actor in “Veer,” believes in following her first hero’s famous dialogue. Zarine echoed these same words recently when she flew off to New Delhi to honour a professional commitment while her mother was undergoing treatment for a heart ailment in a Mumbai hospital.

Vedita Pratap Singh bares all to reveal her tattoo Sexy Vedita Pratap Singh who scorched the ramps at the Gladrags, went on to become Channel V India’s Hottest and grabbed attention in her debut movie ‘Bhindi Bazaar inc’, has bared all to showcase the latest addition – tattoo. Vedita, who is coming up with her next movie ‘Mumbai 125 km’, revealed the tattoo which moves from the lower back towards the right shoulder. The amazing artwork, as the sultry actress reveals, is an outcome from one of her trips to Bangkok. “I saw a couple of my friends getting inked and the thought occurred to my mind that why not I have a tattoo. Although I was not sure where to get inked”, said Vedita. Getting inked is not new to the B-Town although it has been a rare right now.

Kareena, Ranbir in Zoya Akhtar's next Real life cousins Kareena Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor have finally agreed to come together for a film. Only a strong script could get their nod and Zoya Akhtar managed to do just that. The two will reportedly be seen playing brother-sister on screen. Zoya has been busy with the script of the film for some time now and only recently managed to convince Ranbir and Kareena to portray the lead roles. Both Ranbir and Kareena were always aware that they couldn't pair romantically for any film. So for them to come together for any project, it needed to have an extraordinary script. Zoya narrated the idea to Kareena while she was shooting for “Talaash.” Kareena immediately loved it. Ranbir too has given it his consent.

National award winning actress Vidya Balan has finally come out about her relationship with UTV head Siddharth Roy Kapoor but says she is in no hurry to get married to him.

“I don't have any plans yet... and there is no engagement ring yet. It's a while away and I am in no hurry. But it's on my mind and there is a plan at some point. There is someone in my life,” Vidya said.

When asked whether she is dating the UTV movies honcho, Vidya said, “I will admit that I am dating him but not beyond that.”

The 'Dirty Picture' star, 34, who has been recently appointed as a Bollywood Ambassador of Victoria, was here to promote the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne which began on June 11. Asked about her take on Rakhi Sawant's claim to appear as a better lead role in a Bengali version of 'The Dirty Picture', Vidya said, “I did my

Miami University confers doctorate on AR Rahman

Oscar-winning musician A R Rahman has been conferred with his first American Honorary Doctorate by the Miami University. The Indian composer was given the honorary degree for Doctor of Music at the University's 173rd Annual Commencement Ceremony held at the Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio.

It is Rahman's fourth doctorate. He has previously been honoured by Aligarh Muslim University, Anna University and Middlesex University in the UK. Addressing a gathering of over 15,000 students, Rahman said it was great to share his love and music with Miami University.

"I wish to thank a few people who have made a significant impact in my life: My father and mother have anchored me with good values; then Mani Ratnam who is India's noted filmmaker gave me my first

17

break in the world of cinema in the film Roja," Rahman said in his address. "My Sufi teachers opened my consciousness and helped me discover myself. People from all around India have embraced me and my music without any discrimination and today, I find the same spirit of acceptance in Hollywood," he added.

Rahman has been associated with the university for past 10 years and it had also assisted him in the making of KM Music Conservatory in Chennai. "I cannot believe that it is over 10 years since my music and I have been associated with Miami University. I have enjoyed collaborating with your students and faculty and above all, every interaction has allowed for greater understanding, sensitivity and growth," he said. David C Hodge conferred the Honorary Degree on to Rahman and thanked him for his unwavering support to the University.

Deepika gets romantic with 'reluctant' Rajini Recently, Deepika Padukone flew to Chennai to shoot a romantic song with Rajinikanth. The number, an ultra-romantic love duet was choreographed by Saroj Khan. And we hear Ms Khan, known to make screen-couples sizzle on screen with their chemistry, had planned some scorching-hot moves between the two. Apparently, Rajinikanth after his illness has become acutely conscious of his age and the age-difference with his leading lady. Rajinikanth apparently asked his director Soundarya who also happens to be his daughter to...err, modify and change the love scenes. It took Deepika's intervention to convince the mega-star to cuddle and get lovely for the song. Says a source from the “Kochadaiyyan” team, "Rajini Sir wanted the romantic movements and gestures to be watered down. But Deepika insisted on letting them be. She in fact made sure Rajini Sir was comfortable." When quizzed about the romantic song the film, producer Dr Murli Manohar said, "It's a brilliant romantic song. A duet with classical undertones. It's not a classical dance number, as wrongly reported in the media. A R Rahman has outdone himself in the song. It's an extremely romantic song with classical elements woven into it. But it isn't a classical dance number."

best and I am sure if she (Rakhi) brings her own originality to the portrayal of Silk, it will be great and I will be more than happy to watch her.”

Vidya admitted that she was a bit apprehensive about how her parents would react to her portrayal of South siren Silk Smitha in the film.

“I was finally relieved after my father came during the interval and said he could only see Silk rather than Vidya. There is no bigger compliment for me than that,” she said. “'Dirty Picture' was a life time opportunity for me as an actress. It was an opportunity not to be missed also because it was completely out of my comfort zone. But it did take lot of time for me to decide about the role,” she added.

Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Department’ opens in UK on 18th May

Ram Gopal Varma’s “Department” will be opened in UK on 18th May through B4U Pictures and presented

by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.

Like his earlier hits such as “Company,” “Sarkar” and “Sarkar Raj,” Varma takes audiences on another rollercoaster ride to the dark side – this time into the guarded inner echelons of the police ‘department’, where the unnerving power struggle quickly separate the men from the boys.

Testifying the film’s thematic mantra that ‘Real Power Comes from Real Men’, “Department” features Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt alongside with Tamil artist Rana Daggubati. The film consistently packs a punch with state-of-the-art action sequences, a gripping, fast-paced narrative and powerful dialogues that will surely establish themselves as iconic lines that

define the zeitgeist of Indian cinema.

These three characters respectively embody different archetypes of machismo.

Amitabh Bachchan essays ‘Sarjeroa’ – a Machiavellian character whose power lies in his manipulation and deception; ‘Mahadev’, played by Sanjay Dutt, represents a dynamic character whose power lies in his dual personality that he very successfully hides; and Rana Daggubati’s ‘Shivnarayan’ represents a shoot-first-talk-later kind, whose power lies in his obedience to those he respects. The film’s sinister aesthetic is heightened by an adrenaline-infused soundtrack, courtesy to composers Dharam Sandeep, Bappa Lahiri and Vikram Nagi.

The musical score is punctuated by pulsating item song “Dan Dan”, picturised on Nathalia Kaur, and choreographed by Ganesh Acharya.

Emraan wants to be a mass-actor Riding high on the success of his recent films such as 'The Dirty Picture', 'Murder 2' and the recently-released 'Jannat 2', actor Emraan Hashmi insists that rather than being called as an 'A' list actor, he wants to be a strong mass actor. When asked after delivering several hit movies, if he is now moving to the category of A-list of actors, Emraan says, "I never really wanted to slot myself that way. I have always done films that I have believed in. I would rather not belong to a particular list and do films that I did, probably four-five years back, I want to do risky films, I don't want to get safer. I want to try on risky films and make them successful."

Shamita Shetty and Harman Baweja dating?

This is one couple who has remained out of the spotlight, it is recently learnt that Shamita Shetty and Harman Baweja have been dating for a while now.

The two some have been getting steadily closer, much too elder sister Shilpa's delight. A source close to the couple says, "They've just started dating; it's only been a few months. They first met over a year ago, when Harman was in talks to star in Shilpa's home production. They've been meeting a lot more lately, at the matches of the team owned by the Kundras. Since the relationship is still new, neither wants to come out and talk about it openly."

The source says that a month ago, when

Harman sprained his ankle while doing an action scene for Shilpa's film, Shamita was by his side the whole time.

"Shilpa will be thrilled if Harman and Shamita make it official. Now that she is happily married and expecting her first child, she wants Shamita to settle down too." When we ask her about her friendship with Harman, she predictably says, "We are very good friends. We hang together with a bunch of mutual friends, which includes Shilpa and Raj, but we are not dating." Harman too totes the same line, saying, "Shamita is a dear friend. Raj and I always hang out, and sometimes Shamita joins us. That's all."

Did Ash turn down Brad Pitt movie ‘Troy’?

Who would turn down a role opposite Brad Pitt in a big budget Hollywood movie?

It seems Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would, and did. An unconfirmed report claims that Ash was offered the part of “Briseis,” the love interest of Achilles, played by Brad Pitt, in Homeric saga “Troy.” The role eventually went to Bridesmaids actress Rose Byrne but Ash was the first choice of director Wolfgang Pietersen. Did Ash turn down the offer because of the explicit lovemaking scenes the script required? We're never likely to know. Ash has starred opposite many of Hollywood's great and good, most notably Steve Martin in “The Pink Panther 2,” but she's never landed a leading man of the stature of Brad.

18

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

Vodafone’s India tax battle to resume

Dear Financial Voice Reader, The Euro. What impact and opportunities for investors? At the time of writing we remain on the brink of an ever greater and greater collapse. Is anything doing well? At the time of writing almost 20% of UK FTSE 100 stocks are up over the preceding two weeks.

These include United Utilities and BskyB. Why? Well it reminds us there is a lot more happening which has nothing to do with the Euro.

Also utility stocks may well be the new safe haven in times of crisis – after all, gold prices behave like a dotcom stock, so you may as well invest in stable utilities that pay more in dividends than does bank interest on the same investment.

What of banks? A friend of mine put it best, ‘You will undoubtedly have read that J P Morgan has lost two billion dollars through a macro hedge that went wrong.

Gosh, that’s a lot of money. And the pundits view is that this demonstrates that JP Morgan (and probably all other banks) is (are) just too risky to invest in.

Just to make sure I’ve got the risk appetite correct: J P Morgan is a bank that makes about 5.5 billion dollars per quarter. So this error has just cost it slightly more than one month’s profit. Put another way, the company’s profits will be about 9% less this year than they might have been. And that is ‘just too risky’ to invest in.

WOW! I thought the risk of investing in bank stocks was more about northern rock risk. Now perhaps I understand why Barclays shares languish in the gutter.

They, after all, have just had to provide a further 500 million pounds for PPI mis-selling compensation costs.

That, too, is about one month’s profit. If the market’s risk appetite is such that they will not dare to invest in a company that makes £6,000,000,000 per year in case it only makes £5,500,000,000 next year then the stock probably is worthless.’

I was at the Deutsche Bank Wealth and Investor Forum this week at which Anshu Jain was speaking – their new CEO from June 1st. Even he said bank investments are not for the faint hearted. The stock having almost touched 300p now looks like it will touch 150p.

It seems to be moved by sentiment on the Euro, not on its profitability.

Barclays share price is at 1995 levels, not 2005, but 1995 levels. It’s at levels not seen since John Major was Prime Minister, when the internet was not used in the UK, I was at University. That does not mean it is undervalued now, but I can guarantee you this – given the high point has been 800p, and the low point 50p (during the credit crunch) – I suspect, for the non-faint hearted – they will from these levels outperform bank interest if they are willing and able to hold it for over a year.

Mittal urges ‘buy European’ programme Lakshmi Mittal has called on European political leaders to back a “buy European” industrial programme as part of an effort to boost the continent’s economy, as an alternative to austerity measures which he said were “not working.” “We need measures to encourage more purchases of European goods both to boost demand and to ensure any benefits are felt by

European industry rather than leading to more imports,” the chairman and chief executive ofArcelorMittal said.

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Recently Vodafone’s chief executive Vittorio Colao met India’s finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi in a last-ditch attempt to win a change of heart from India’s government. He requested Mr Mkherjee to reconsider plans to change India’s tax laws in an attempt to recoup about $2.6 billion of tax from the UK-based telecoms company.

After the meeting both men were tight-lipped about their discussions, but later Mr Colao got his answer: no.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Mukherjee delayed or altered a variety of proposed tax changes that had incensed international investors and prompted an exodus of foreign capital from India. But on his plans to reopen a dispute that had dragged through India’s courts since Vodafone’s purchase of Indian mobile group Hutchison Essar five years ago, the finance minister offered no hint of compromise.

Any lingering doubts that the long-running tax battle will now resume were unambiguously removed, when a senior official from India’s

finance ministry confirmed that the tax department was likely to send out a fresh demand as soon as the legislation passed parliament.

That bill could now be as much as Rs 200 billion ($3.7billion), a figure that includes the original tax demand along with an additional fine of the same amount and five years of interest charges.

Vodafone noted its disappointment at the developments, saying: “It would be grossly unjust if, on the basis of legislation passed five years after the event, Vodafone were to be charged tax on a gain made by someone else [Hutchison].”

The likely resumption of its battle with the revenue department is a significant setback for India’s third-largest mobile group by subscribers, which had thought it had laid the matter finally to rest after a ruling in its favour by India’s

Supreme Court in January.

The decision will also come as a disappointment to a range of international trade bodies that had lobbied on Vodafone’s behalf, along with political leaders including George Osborne, UK chancellor, and Tim Geithner, US Treasury secretary.

“There are two places it now looks likely this can end up,” says Bobby Parikh, a founder of BMR Advisors, a Mumbai-based tax consultancy. “Either it will go back to the Supreme Court or there will be some kind of settlement negotiated.”

On the latter option, Vodafone said in April that it wanted “an amicable outcome to this issue”, a signal that its management would at least consider any deal they could sell to the company’s shareholders, although there have been few conciliatory signals in return.

Analysts remain divided on Mr Mukherjee’s motivation for pressing ahead. Some cite the simple need for money, as India tries to reduce its stubbornly high budget deficit. Others see an even more basic motive: “This

Car sales growth in India slowest in last 10 months

Car sales in India opened the new financial year with the slowest growth in the last 10 months as higher interest rates, steep petrol prices and overall economic slowdown deferred new purchases.

According to April sales data released by industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), car sales grew 3% in the month at 1.68 lakh units against 1.62 lakh units in the same month last year.

Companies like Tata Motors, GM and Ford were in negative zone, while market leader Maruti could manage a 4% growth in the month despite adding a new model Ertiga MPV. The growth rate in April was the slowest since June, when sales rose 1.7%.

Company officials said demand has been weakening over the last couple of weeks as a lot of purchases happened before the

Budget on March 16 as people expected a hike in duty on diesel cars. "The coming months are expected to be quite tough. There has been no big cut in interest rates, the fuel prices are high and some state governments have increased duty on

new vehicle registration significantly. The business sentiment has rather gone down," said Shashank Srivastav, chief GM (sales & marketing) at Maruti Suzuki.

While the Budget had spared a new tax on diesel cars, the overall 2% hike on excise duty as well as a hike in duty on big cars and SUVs saw companies immediately raise prices,

leading to a negative sentiment, especially when inflation continues to remain high. "Consumer confidence continues to be weak, prices went up following the excise hikes in the Budget and interest rates are yet to come down. Given the present conditions, it is a challenging market," said Arvind Saxena, marketing and sales director at Hyundai India.

The pressure build-up can be seen when the April numbers are compared with March' 12. Most of the carmakers, while witnessing a growth on a year-on-year basis, saw numbers go down on a sequential basis. Company officials and industry analysts said demand was likely to remain weak in the coming months as apart from the host of negative factors, a weak economy and falling corporate earnings will also keep customer confidence low.

is also being driven by a sense of grievance against Vodafone by the tax department, which lost face when the Supreme Court decision went against them earlier this year,” says Nishit Desai, a Mumbai-based lawyer.

Much uncertainty still remains over the path forward, but legal analysts think a return to court is now highly likely, while Vodafone has already signalled its intention to seek international arbitration under a bilateral treaty between India and the Netherlands, where one of its holding companies is based.

“The tax authorities think they can recover a lot of money, but ultimately I believe that there will be good grounds for a constitutional challenge against this measure in the Supreme Court and under bilateral treaties,” Mr Desai says.

Whatever happens, the re-emergence of the case has further dented India’s image in the eyes of investors, while raising concerns among domestic business leaders and international experts over respect for the rule of law.

Mukesh Ambani forgoes `238.2 mn from his pay package Billionaire Mukesh Ambani decided to f o r g o n e a r l y `240 million from his annual pay last fiscal as chief of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), keeping his salary capped at `150 million for the fourth year in a row.

However, RIL's total outgo towards remuneration to its all top management personnel, as also the sitting fees and commissions for its non-executive directors, increased during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

Ambani's salary has remained unchanged at Rs 150 million since the fiscal 2008-09. In its latest annual report for the year 2011-12, RIL said that Ambani's total pay package stood at `150 million, as against his eligibility of `388.2 million as per the shareholders' approval.

Indian rupee falls to five-month low against $ The Indian rupee sank to a five-month low against the US dollar on Monday despite suspected intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as it was dragged down by global risk aversion and consistent demand for dollars from oil importers.

The dollar was at 53.96 rupees in late trade, compared with 53.63 rupees late Friday in Asia. The dollar last hit 53.96 rupees

on Dec 15.

That day it reached a record high of 54.2925 rupees.

Traders said India’s central bank sold dollars around the 53.90 level, trimming the rupee's losses briefly, but there was a resurgence in dollar

demand in the last half-hour of trade.

A quickening of inflation in April led investors to sell out of bond and equity markets, and the negative sentiment gnawed into the local currency, traders said.

The RBI's attempt to rein in the dollar by making exporters convert half their foreign currency holdings into rupee balances hasn't met with complete success, as indicated by its likely intervention on Monday.

"We think the Reserve Bank would be better off simply allowing the currency to depreciate further," Capital Economics said in a note.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

19

Buyer Beware

Suresh Vagjiani

Last week there was a Savills auction and we had our eye on a studio on 506 Edgware Rd guided at £130k; the reason being we knew this building well, we had purchased a one bedroom ground floor flat in the next door building for £230k.

The location is great, it is right near Little Venice canal, which is a very quaint place. People like to live there, as walking there gives you the feeling you’re in the country. The reason why this property was so cheap was because there were a few issues with the title and the management. The title showed the property had access to the rear garden, the actual situation was someone had built an extension of their flat into the garden and blocked access from the ground floor flat to the garden.

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

To us it did n’t see m like a big problem as long as we k new we were d efinitely ge tting t he flat in the pu rchase an d if we go t t he g arden all wel l and go od, it wou ld be a cherry on th e pie .

The other issue was the freeholder was missing, though we did manage to track him down after the transaction. £22,000 was spent on developing the property and turning it into a two bedroom. The property was quickly let out at £400pw, the property then was revalued by a mortgage company for £330,000. The drawdown based on this figure is £247,500, this means only £4,500 remains stuck in the property. The property will be producing £5,625, after mortgage payments and management fees are taken out. Not bad for an investment of £4,500.

Given the above we were naturally eager to grab the property when it came up in the Savills auction. We were ready with our client to attend the auction and bid but there was one issue, the legal paperwork was not available for examination. Normally you would get your solicitor to have a quick look at the legals prior to going into the auction.

Given our past experience we weren’t expecting the legals to be crystal clean, hence we wanted to ensure they were looked at carefully.

But there weren’t there!

We waited and waited but they did not appear until late Friday afternoon at about 3.30pm. Given it was a bank holiday weekend there would be only one working day before the auction for anyone’s solicitor to go through the paperwork. Luckily our solicitor looked at them straight away and told us the paperwork was a mess and no lender would lend on this property. This was the same solicitor who was involved in the purchase of 504 Edgware Rd so he knew the background of the block.

This is a trick used by some sellers when there are issues with a property they are selling. Sometimes there is even an addendum on the day.

It is obvio us that t he inf ormation on the ad dend um was known in advance, an d they were slipping it in ‘last minut e’ so a n aive buye r mig ht miss it.

The Real Deal Price:

£245,000

Luckily we pulled out well in time, the property ended up selling for £140,000. If this chap is going to need a mortgage he will be severely disappointed, this will need to be purchased in cash. I doubt even a bridging company will be lending on this. The opportunity cost of tying up £140,000 cash in a property like this is about £560,000 of purchasing power with a mortgage, as £140k can be used as a 25% deposit. If you were making say 10% on a £560K property, then that would be £56k. In order to match this you would need to make 40% on £140,000!

With so many naive buyers coming in to the auction rooms it has become a dumping ground for properties which cannot be sold conventionally, properties with issues. Auction means you do not always have the luxury of checking everything out prior to putting money down. You can choose to check everything out prior to the auction but this could prove very expensive if you don’t end up purchasing the property.

Here are a few stories of dud properties I’ve come across. Recently a property was sold in the auction described as part of a bigger block, a conversion. The picture which was given was of the block described.

The actual property was not in the block, it was a garden shed which had been converted into a one bedroom flat and was rented out. This was explained by way of an addendum on the day of the auction. This is an outright attempt to mislead as the property was always a converted shed and not part of the block. The person who exchanged on this property got their 10% back after threatening to sue the other side.

Another scenario was someone who buys a house, converts it into two/three flats and then resells at auction. The conversion is not only not legal - which sometimes can be fine, but the conversion is done in one day. The bathrooms and the kitchens are not plumbed in! The ‘conversion’ is designed to give the appearance of flats but actually they are not! So the buyer pays a premium for buying ‘flats’ and actually all they're getting is a house.

The other story is about a small ‘flat’ which is described as a self contained unit.

The propert y is so tin y so me one can’t even lie down in it !

l Cheapest two bedroom maisonette you’re going to find l In a strong student location, sale should complete around September, prime time for students l Three separate rooms and large eat-in kitchen make it ideal for students l Only 1% stamp duty l Rental income £20,000pa Call us now on 02070961354 to secure it, this will go fast!

This property is in a strong location in W2, so viewings on the property are never conducted. What happens is many people in the auction room purchase blind, without seeing the property. A studio flat in this location should be worth at least £250k, so when it goes up for sale it looks like it’s going for substantially less than what it should be, some investors get excited and decide to take a punt. After exchanging on the property they go to view it and after seeing the size of the property they decide to drop the exchange money. The seller of this property does this a number of times throughout the year in different auctions.

It is not always the sellers who mess around with auctions, I know of a buyer who doesn’t have a huge amount of money and so he looks at properties well outside of London: Newcastle, Manchester etc. As looking at all of these properties physically would take a day each he decides to set up many different companies which he uses to purchase the properties in. If something looks like it’s going cheap in the auction he decides to purchase. He then takes a trip to see the property, if he doesn’t like the property he simply dumps the company!!

Auctions can yield good bargains but they can be a minefield for the uninitiated. So make sure you do the right due diligence prior to purchasing.

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Tips of the Week l What to choose: New builds or existing? New

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 313 4595

builds generally have high service charges and ground rents, these will dampen the rental yield.

Existing property especially Ex Local Flats have very reasonable service charges and will give an income month to month.

l Where will your money work for you? and you

Westbourne House, 14-16 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RH

not have to work for your money? It is accepted £ per Sq Ft is higher at prime locations, but these are the areas where in the capital appreciation is maximum and renting out properties in these locations tends to be easier.

20

financial VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

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

Maria Fernandes

maria@abplgroup.com

The Assault on Family Visitors If the queues aren't getting any better i suppose we can take comfort from the fact that eventually immigration laws introduced will deter people from coming and it can then be a win win situation. The recent assault is aimed at family visitors. The government intend to do away with a right of appeal to family visitors from 2014 and for now amend the law so that the categories of family are restricted. It is a fact that the success rate ofappeals has been so high that if it occurred in other area the system would have undergone a radical overhaul. The reason given for the ending of appeals is that the vast majority of appeals succeed because additional documents are produced at the appeal hearing. The truth of the matter however is that the guidance provided with applications set out the types of docu-

Cairn India’s pipeline work suspended

ments required. However refusals are based on the fact that the documents provided are not enough.

Where this is the case it would be reasonable to ask for further information.

However rather than do this applications are refused outright presumably in order to meet their targets.

Beyond this the message that is continually being peddled is that people are not welcome. The government have stated that visitors abuse this route and remain illegally.

This is a bare faced lie.

Where is the evidence for this? This continuous negativity will have a far reaching impact on the perception of the UK as a welcoming country. By that time the damage will have been done. Very soon the issue of queues may resolve itself. Nobody will want to bother to come at all.

In other news Indian Restaurants are suffering from the introduction of rules preventing those who offer a takeaway service (even though miniscule) or a buffet service from qualifying to bring skilled chefs from abroad.

These industries are already suffering from the economic downturn and their attempt to improve their competitive edge had been given short shrift.

Recently a college has opened to train chefs. It will however take roughly 5 years to get them to a level at which they are of use to employers.

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

India’s inflation inches up in April, poses fresh headache

Oil and gas company Cairn India’s pipeline project is facing confrontations from local community and stakeholders, the company said. The project is facing objection despite company’s sustained efforts to reach out to all stakeholders to obtain alignment with land owners and stake holders in right of use (ROU) areas, the company said in a statement.

“The company has repeatedly communicated to land owners, all stake holders and district level authorities their willingness to pay higher compensation, but a breakthrough is yet to be achieved,” the company said.

Cairn India currently produces 175,000 barrels of crude oil from its Rajasthan block, transported through world’s longest continuously heated and insulated pipeline to the government of India nominated buyers, including private refiners in country.

At present, the company has informed its contractor L&T to suspend its work for pipeline laying.

Inflation inched up in April on the back of high food, fuel and manufactured product prices posing a fresh policy headache.

Data released by the commerce ministry on Monday showed the annual rate of inflation, based on monthly wholesale price index, stood at 7.23% for April, 2012 (over April, 2011) compared to 6.89% for the previous month and 9.74% during the corresponding month of the previous year.

Food inflation remained stubborn during the month. It stood at 10.49% compared to the previous month's 9.94% increase. Vegetable prices, which had shown some signs of easing in the previous, shot up an annual 60.97% in April compared to 30.57% rise in March while potato prices rose 53.44% in April from the previous month's 11.60%.

Price of pulses also shot up an annual 11.29% in April from the previous

month's 10.05%. Egg, meat, fish and milk prices also remained stubborn in April.

The index for food articles group rose by 4.9% to 206.4 from 196.8 for the previous month due to higher prices of fruits and vegetables (19%), barley (5%), tea (4%), masur, maize and bajra (3% each) and ragi and wheat (2% each) and fish-marine, gram, rice and milk (1% each).

Experts have called for increasing productivity and reducing supply side bottlenecks to ease food price pressures.

The government also revised upwards the inflation number for February to 7.36% from the previously reported 6.95% which analysts said showed that inflationary pressures remained strong.

The index for manufactured products group rose by 1.0% to 143.6 from 142.2 for the previous month.

Soft drink major Pepsico's Indian born CEO Indra Nooyi is one of the 18 women who have shattered the glass ceiling to lead America's 500 largest corporations, according to Fortune magazine's latest ranking. Nooyi, who leads the 41st biggest company in America, is listed fourth among top women

executives by the leading US business magazine.

She "has overseen a shift in focus from soft drinks into less profitable, albeit healthier, snack foods market in recent years," Others on the list that includes more women CEOs than ever before are Meg Whitman of HewlettPackard (10th) and Ginni

Rometty of IBM (19th), both of whom started within the last year. Also on the list are Patricia Woertz of agricultural processors Archer Daniels Midland, Irene Rosenfeld who heads up Kraft Foods and Ursula Burns who is CEO at Xerox and Sherilyn McCoy at Avon. Rometty

The Lesser of Two Evils As I write, the future of Greece is being ‘negotiated’ by a group of politicians, none of whom can claim to have a mandate to rule from the electorate. French voters have decided to elect a man who is promising to take the Country in a completely different direction to the one it has been going in.

In Russia, Putin has been elected as President (again) while in America, Barack Obama is gearing up to try to win re-relection. It seems that there is not only an economic crisis in the world; there is a political one too. Even here in the UK, many people are in a dilemma of who to support? The Tories seem to be doing a good job of getting it wrong. The Labour party are celebrating their recent success of winning the support of the ‘majority of the minority’ who bothered to vote. And what about the Lib Dems?

Well, what about the Lib Dems.

It is apparent that the only choices we have are bad choices and really bad choices. However, the fact

remains that a poor set of choices is better than no choices at all. And at this moment in time it truly seems that we have the lesser of two evils. The coalition between the Tories and the Lib Dems is by no means ideal, but if anyone is in doubt as to what would have happened had Messer’s Cameron and Clegg not compromised then one need look no further than what is happening in Greece. Now that is a real mess. In response to the coalitions’ critics, at least the UK has a government which is making a genuine attempt to get the country back on its feet and that it has two leaders who have put aside their ideological differences in order to ‘clean up the mess Labour left behind’. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist).

But Andrew Carnegie once said, “The 'morality of compromise' sounds c o n t r a d i c t o r y.

Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat.

Strong men don't compromise, it is said, and principles should never be com-

Tata Motors to invest £1bn more in UK's JLR Jaguar Land Rover will spend an additional 1 billion pounds with UK suppliers over the next four years to meet strong demand for the Range Rover Evoque.

That comes on top of 2 billion pounds worth of contracts awarded in March 2011 to over 40 UK suppliers for the Range Rover Evoque factory at Halewood on Merseyside.

Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata Motors, says it has tripled the workforce at the Halewood plant, to nearly 4,500, over the last three years.

The company says it will also open a new logistics plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, creating 300 jobs.

Over 60,000 Range Rover Evoques have been sold since the sport utility vehicle went on sale in September.

Earlier this month it was reported that Jaguar Land Rover is planning to

By Amit Patel

promised.”

So were Cameron and Clegg actually weak or strong? Could they have sold their souls for the keys to Downing Street? Or did they actually demonstrate courage, maturity and sensible leadership? I would say that maybe they simply decide to choose the lesser of two evils?

Sometimes as Leaders, there is no easy option.

There may not even be a right option. In such times one should choose the lesser of two evils. But when doing so, always remember the words of Max Lerner, “When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil.”

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

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

India to grow at 7.5% in 2012-13: UN report

expand its plant at Castle Bromwich to build new Jaguar models and overhaul the brand.

According to a report, JLR intends to invest around £200 million on expanding the facility by 50 per cent.

The company will manufacture the new Jaguar F-Type sports car, the successor to the historic E-type, at the Castle Bromwich plant.

It is understood the investment in Castle Bromwich has been discussed with trade unions ahead of a vote on a new pay deal at JLR, it said.

The expansion of the factory is a boost for the coalition Government, which is seeking to increase British exports and rebalance the economy, the report added.

India is projected to see a faster growth of 7.5% this fiscal on the back of higher savings and investment rates, even as most of the Asia-Pacific economies are likely to expand at a slower pace, says a UN report.

"The Indian economy's strong fundamentals, namely high saving and investment rates and rapidly expanding labour force and middle class will ensure a steady economic performance... We expect it to expand by about 7.5% in 2012-13," UNESCAP chief economist Nagesh Kumar said.

The growth estimate in the current fiscal is higher than the estimated 6.9% growth in the last fiscal year. The Indian government has projected the economy to expand by 7.6% in the current fiscal.

The UNESCAP report, however, said that weaknesses of major developed economies pose a major threat to the growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

is IBM's first female CEO and Xerox chief Ursula Burns is the first AfricanAmerican woman to head a Fortune 500 company.

The top five female CEOs on the list all held positions in strategic planning before being appointed.

There are an additional 21 female CEOs in the Fortune 501-1000, some

managing steel, oil and energy companies. About 10 per cent of the top 500 US companies, and almost 40 per cent of Canada's 500 largest companies have no women on their boards, according to Catalyst, a non-profit research organization advocating for more women in business.

Indra Nooyi among 18 women leading Fortune 500

financial VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

21

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

Euro treading on Eggshells!

Hugely arguable that concerns in the Eurozone have been spiraling out of control for a while now. Last week the issues with Greece and Spain caused the Euro to fall and further downside risk is still a major possibility. We are at a point where there is no option, but for severe actions to be taken by European finance leaders. Greece will probably be told to leave the Euro if they do not opt out themselves and Spain may have to implement further austerity cuts if not increase the amount if funds held by local banks to increase confidence and avoid collapse. Speculation over the possibility of a Greek exit from the euro zone intensified as talks aimed at forming a coalition government remained at negotiation stage. The deadlock fueled fears that a fresh round of elections is becoming inevitable and cast doubts over the country’s ability to uphold its fiscal commitments. Meanwhile, concerns over the health of Spain’s banking system persisted, pushing the yield on Spanish 10-year bonds to 6.27%, the highest level since December, after an auction of government bonds earlier saw the country’s shortterm borrowing costs rise.

sprees seen Pre-Easter as the weather turned more seasonal.

The USD has the potential to get stronger due to the Eurozone crisis. The U.S. dollar was higher against almost all of its major counterparts yesterday, as concerns over the implications of a Greek exit from the euro zone sapped investor demand for higher yielding assets.

Adding to the Euro negativity, official data showed that industrial production in the euro zone unexpectedly declined 0.3% in March, against expectations for a 0.4% increase, fuelling fears over the health of the region’s economy.

The question that comes to mind is will the Euro recover and at what cost? Investors outside the EU have been taking advantage of rates such as GBP/EUR and USD/EUR, which have seen record highs!

There seems to be no headway for the Euro and it may be that if

you are dealing with Euros you need to sell them now before the market moves further against you.

UK is in uncertainty as the first quarter saw a double dip recession a few weeks back and the general elections saw the existing party conservatives losing heavily in confidence votes.

Despite all this the GBP has remained upbeat even though the USD gained.

US markets are choppy as Eurozone instability is affecting stocks directly. Retails sales also cooled following shopping

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In conclusion technical and economic data is not having much impact on the currency front. The main concerns in the markets are politics. As we have seen since the start of this year a lot of governments are in disarray and on the brink of collapse.

Not just financially but also according to confidence and support. No government in the Eurozone is looking to address the crisis collectively and they are far from agreements domestically. However in UK the coalition has been and will continue to stick to its deficit cutting strategy regardless of the controversial arguments. We believe the reason for GBP to have gained the temporary safe haven status is because markets have seen conviction from our politicians and have the confidence in them to continue collectively.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 15th May 2012 @ 2.30pm GBP - INR = 86.24 USD - INR = 53.79 EUR - INR = 68.91 GBP - USD = 1.60 GBP - EUR = 1.25 EUR - USD = 1.28 GBP - AED = 5.89 GBP - CAD = 1.61 GBP - NZD = 2.08 GBP - AUD = 1.61 GBP - ZAR = 13.11 GBP - HUF = 364.29

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

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PakiStan-BangladeSH-Sri lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

US bill prohibits aid to Pak till it cooperates on terror war In Focus Washington: A Congressional committee in its budgetary proposals for the year 2013 has prohibited economic and security assistance to Pakistan till it co-operates with the US in the fight against terrorism and takes action against groups like Haqqani network, Taliban, alQaida, LeT and JeM. "The legislation prohibits economic and security assistance unless the government of Pakistan is cooperating with the US on counterterrorism efforts and other issues," the house appropriations committee said in a statement as it released the 2013 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill.

The bill totals USD 40.1 billion in regular discretionary funding, which is

USD two billion or five per cent below last year's level.

The bill running into 208 pages will be considered by a congressional sub-committee later.

Among other things, the bill includes USD 8.2 billion in overseas contingency operations/global war on terror funding, which will adequately provide for continued US involvement in front-line countries and other warrelated efforts.

In total, including war funding, the bill is USD 5 billion - or nine per cent- below fiscal year 2012, the House Committee said in a statement.

"It is more important than ever that taxpayer’s dollars be used in the most efficient, frugal, and common-sense way to balance our interna-

tional responsibilities with the very real economic and financial challenges we face here at home. This bill meets our commitment to providing essential security, diplomatic, and humanitarian assistance abroad, while reducing funding for lower-priority programs and providing a keen eye towards the oversight of every tax dollar," appropriations chairman Hal Rogers said in a statement.

The legislation also withholds operating funds until a transition plan is submitted and withholds assistance until certifications that proper security is in place for civilian aid workers can be made.

According to the bill, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to Pakistan may be made available unless

the secretary of state certifies that Pakistan is cooperating with US on counterterrorism efforts against the Haqqani network, the Taliban, Lashkar e-Taiba, Jaish-eMohammed, al-Qaida and other terror groups, including taking steps to end support for such groups and prevent them from basing and operating in Pakistan and carrying out cross border attacks into neighboring countries.

Other conditions include Pakistan taking strong action against IEDs, which is said to be responsible for most American casualties in Afghanistan.

The bill also seeks a set of benchmarks for Pakistan from the government and if these benchmarks are not met, the US aid to Pakistan would be suspended.

US lawmakers want Haqqani Pakistan, India to talk network named 'terrorist' group Siachen on June 11, 12

Washington: The leaders of US congressional intelligence committees, who recently returned from a trip to Afghanistan, urged secretary of state Hillary Clinton to immediately designate the militant Haqqani network as a "terrorist" group.

US officials blame the alQaida-linked network for attacks in Afghanistan, including assaults on embassies and the parliament in Kabul. The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mike Mullen, called the Haqqani group a "veritable arm" of Pakistan's intelligence service.

The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate and House of Representatives intelligence committees, in a letter to Clinton, said their trip to Afghanistan last week reaffirmed concerns about the network.

"It was clear that the Haqqani Network continues to launch sensational and indiscriminate attacks against US interests in Afghanistan and the group poses a continuing threat to innocent men, women, and children in the region," the

letter said.

In the six months since the State Department said in November it was engaged in a final review, "the Haqqanis have continued to attack US troops and the US Embassy in Kabul," the lawmakers wrote.

The letter said the administration may have been reluctant to designate the network as a "terrorist" group while trying to negotiate a reconciliation agreement with the Taliban. But US Ambassador Ryan Crocker told the lawmakers last week there have been no such talks since late last year and Afghan President Hamid Karzai has opposed their continuation.

The letter, signed by senators Dianne Feinstein and Saxby Chambliss and Representatives Mike Rogers and C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, said there was no reason not to move forward on the designation.

State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the lawmakers' letter had been received, and that the review of the potential designation was still under way.

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani faces the prospect of being disqualified as an MP for five years after Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that he "wilfully, deliberately and persistently" defied the highest court and brought the judiciary into "ridicule".

A seven-judge bench headed by Justice Nasir-ulMulk issued a 77-page detailed order regarding the conviction of the premier for refusing to act on directives to revive cases of alleged money laundering against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland.

Earlier, the same bench had issued a short order when it convicted Gilani of contempt and gave him a symbolic sentence of less than a minute on April 26.

Former law minister Wasi Zafar said Gilani's case would

now go to the speaker of the national Assembly, who will decide whether the matter should be referred to the chief election commissioner. Then CEC will decide on the issue of disqualification.

65% of Pakistanis want Gilani to go Sixty-five per cent of Pakistanis want Gilani to resign after his conviction of contempt by the SC, according to a poll conducted by Geo news. It showed the verdict had resulted in 36% saying they were happy about it, 32% expressing sadness and 31% saying they were unsure.

No one could force me out of office: Gilani Gilani has said that no one could force him out of office through unconstitutional means and he would exhaust all avenues for a fair trial following his conviction of contempt by the Supreme Court.

I s l a m a b a d : Pakistan and India will hold discussions on the Siachen glacier row on June 11 and 12, less than a month after army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani sought talks with New Delhi to demilitarise the world's highest battleground, authorities said.

The next round of IndiaPakistan defence secretaries' talks on Siachen will be held June 11-12 in Islamabad, reported Dawn.

The announcement came after Pakistan sought postponement of talks on Sir Creek that were to be held in New Delhi next week.

The Foreign Office said the new dates would be decided through diplomatic channels.

Siachen was back in the news last month when Pakistan lost nearly 140 soldiers after a massive avalanche entombed the Gayari army base on April 7.

The incident prompted Kayani to say that Islamabad

was open for talks with India to demilitarise Siachen.

"Peaceful coexistence between the two neighbours is very important so that everybody can concentrate on the well-being of the people," he had said April 18 after a visit to oversee the rescue efforts.

"Both countries should sit together to resolve all the issues including Siachen," Kayani added.

Over a fortnight later, foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that India should take "a bold initiative" to resolve the dispute over Siachen. Khar said Pakistan believed that all outstanding issues with India could be resolved through dialogue.

"I have no yearning to stick to power but I will take it to the finality and exhaust all avenues," he told journalists who accompanied him on an official visit to Britain.

He was speaking after the apex court issued its detailed order on the premier's conviction last month.

Asked about his refusal to implement the apex court's orders for reopening graft cases against Zardari and his subsequent conviction of contempt, Gilani said the

constitution explicitly spelt out the ways to remove a Prime Minister and that no one could force him out of office through unconstitutional means.

Gilani said he had the right to appeal after the announcement of the apex court's detailed judgment.

The matter of his disqualification will go to the speaker of the National Assembly and finally to the chief election commissioner, he said.

He said all his decisions were in line with the constitution and that he believed under Article 248(1), he enjoyed complete immunity and had only done what he thought was the right thing.

Gilani has rejected the opposition's demands for his resignation and said only the speaker of the National Assembly can decide on his disqualification.

Pak SC may disqualify Gilani for 5 years as MP

Pakistan tests nuclear-capable ballistic missile Hatf III

Islamabad: Pakistan's military says it has successfully test-fired a short-range missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. A military statement says the Hatf III Ghaznavi with a range of 290 km was launched at the conclusion of the annual field training exercise of Army Strategic Force Command. It is the second such test by Pakistan in the past two weeks. On April 25, Pakistan launched what it said was an intermediate-ranged missile after its arch enemy India conducted its own missile test. The country routinely test-fires what it claims are indigenously developed missiles.

Pak poet's mausoleum blown up Islamabad: The under-construction mausoleum of poet and politician Ajmal Khan Khattak in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was blown up and an hour later a second explosion wounded a dozen people who had gathered there, a media report said. The incident took place in Akora Khattak area. Ajmal Khan Khattak, a former president of the Awami National Party, died in February 2010. About 5 kg of explosives were used in the blasts that badly damaged parts of the mausoleum, reported Dawn.

Bangladeshi Islamist leader charged with 1971 war crimes Dhaka: A special tribunal set up in Bangladesh has charged top Islamist leader Ghulam Azam with war crimes allegedly carried out during the 1971 war that liberated the country from Pakistan.

Eighty-nine-year-old Azam was accused of committing crimes, including murder and torture, during the nine-month war. Azam, the most high profile Islamist leader, however, denied the charges, arguing that they are politically motivated. The International Crimes Tribunal framed the charges and fixed June 5 for starting the trial of Azam.

Top Pakistani police officer shot dead Quetta: A senior Pakistani police officer was killed in a drive-by shooting in the troubled southwestern province of Baluchistan, police said. Shah Nawaz Khan was a senior member of Baluchistan's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which investigates all offences, including terror cases and sectarian killings. "He was killed when he was going for a walk," provincial police chief Rao Amin Hashim said. "Two young persons were riding a motorcycle and one of them opened fire on him. They escaped and he succumbed to his injuries before medical help could arrive," Hashim added. The police chief said it was not immediately clear who was responsible.

Flash flood in north Afghanistan kills 27 Kabul: A flash flood swept through villages in a mountainous area of northern Afghanistan killing 27 people. It was the second major flood reported this week in the north. Abdul Jabar Taqwa, the governor of Takhar province, said flood waters broke through a dam, washed down a valley and damaged several villages in Ishkamish district. It was a very powerful flood. Dozens of villages have been hit. Rescuers have been trying to reach the site. Unfortunately, we don't have enough aid. The only way to access the area is by helicopter." On May 6, another flash flood swept through Dhy Marda village in Sari Pul province, killing 21 people, many of them members of a wedding party. Forty five homes were destroyed and another 150 were damaged in that flood as heavy rains caused floodwaters to rush down the mountains.

Pakistanis deported from Greece Islamabad: Few Pakistani nationals have been deported from Greece for illegally entering the country. The men, who had illegally crossed into Greece after passing through Iran and Turkey, reached Islamabad. Nine are from Punjab province and one is from Peshawar. They were taken to the Federal Investigation Agency's AntiHuman Trafficking Cell for questioning.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

In Focus

Ahead of polls, Obama backs same-sex marriage

49 bodies found dumped on Mexico highway

Monterrey (Mexico): Forty-nine bodies, at least some of them mutilated, were found dumped on a highway connecting the northern Mexican metropolis of Monterrey to the US border. Bodies of 43 men and six women were found in the town of San Juan on the highway to the border city of Reynosa.

Authorities closed off the highway, blocking the way for hundreds of motorists, as federal and state police, joined by Mexican troops, sealed off the scene. The discovery echoes several other recent cases in which drug gangs have left bodies scattered in public places as warnings to rivals. Thirty-five bodies were left at a freeway overpass in the city of Veracruz in September. Twenty-six were found in November in Guadalajara. So far this month, 23 bodies were found dumped or hanging in the city of Nuevo Laredo and 18 were found along a highway south of Guadalajara.

Indian cuts wife's throat eight times in Australia

Melbourne: A 24-year-old Indian, who cut his wife's throat eight times with a box cutter and left her bleeding to death, has been found guilty of manslaughter by an Australian court which acquitted him of the murder charge. The New South Wales Supreme Court found Singh not guilty of murdering his 28-year-old wife Manpreet Kaur in their western Sydney home on the grounds he was provoked. During the course of his trial, the jury heard that Singh had been jealous of the new friendships his wife had forged in her adopted country and had beaten her on a number of occasions prior to killing her on December 29, 2009.

Singh pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but said he had been provoked and was therefore not guilty of murder.

Indian American named chancellor of US varsity

California: Pradeep Khosla, an IIT alumni, has been named as the eighth Chancellor of the University of California (UC), San Diego. Khosla, 55, is currently working as the Dean of College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. UC President Mark Yudof made the announcement of Khosla's appointment, which will be confirmed by the university Board of Regents, Lynn Tierney, UC's vice-president of communications, said.

Khosla is expected to be confirmed without opposition from the board, she said.

Washington: Barack Obama last week said same-sex couples must be allowed to marry, becoming the first US president ever to publicly back gay marriage.

Obama’s move, in a TV interview, sent seismic waves through pre-election politics and sparked immediate speculation as to whether he had hindered his chances of winning a second term in November.

“It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama told ABC News. ABC said Obama described his views as personal and still believed that US states should be able to decide on the issue.

His comment came three

days after vice president Joe Biden said in a TV interview that he was “comfortable” with gay marriage. Pressure had built on Obama to clarify his views on a divisive topic where he had had so far maintained that his views were “evolving”.

Obama, who ended the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that prevented gays from serving openly in the military, said watching members of his

US sending envoy to help India cut Iran oil imports

Washington: The United States is sending a team of energy experts to help India reduce its dependence on Iranian oil, while acknowledging that New Delhi has cut back its oil imports from Tehran.

"We are working with them to help them in any way that we can offer technical assistance, and next week my energy coordinator, Ambassador Carlos Pascual, will be here in India with a team of experts," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in an interview.

"Because we know that this is hard for India, just like it's been hard for some of the European countries that were very dependent upon Iranian oil," she said. US has "worked with them and offered suggestions about alternative sources of supply at an affordable cost."

Noting that "India has reduced its dependence on

"

Iranian oil" and "their refineries have stopped asking for orders to purchase Iranian oil," Clinton said: "So we appreciate the steps that India has taken, and we're continuing to consult with them."

Asked if it does not "place friends in a difficult situation", she said: "We want to keep the sanctions pressure on, which requires - yes - our friends, nations with whom we have great areas of agreement, to have to make some tough choices.

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China storm: 30 dead, several trapped in Gansu province

Beijing: At least 30 people were killed and several others were missing after hail and torrential rains battered a mountainous region in northwest China. The storm affected around 35,000 people of Minxian county in Gansu province, 29 people were missing and 40 have been hospitalised. Roads were blocked, houses collapsed, and farmland destroyed due to the extreme weather. Officials and soldiers have reached the region to rescue trapped villagers from storm-battered areas. The storm disrupted power in six townships, damaged several homes, hospitals and schools, and destroyed over 7,000 hectares of crops.

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goal," to "prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons nation," Clinton said. "So everything in this high-stakes diplomacy that we're engaged in is an exercise in calculations," In another interview, she said India has a role to play in passing a message to Iran to come back to the negotiating table.

"Absolutely. And we know they have. I mean, we've asked them to; they have been conveying their concern about Iran's behavior," Clinton said.

"They have put themselves on the line to get Iran back into the P-5+1," she said: "They have made it very clear, publicly and privately, that Iran is not in any way entitled to a nuclear weapon."

"So they're very much on the same page we are and they are working through this very difficult issue regarding oil."

ferently,” Obama said.

Romney opposes samesex marriage and unions but supports hospital visitation rights and other domestic partnership benefits for gay and lesbian couples. “I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman,” Romney said. “I know other people have differing views, and this is a tender and sensitive topic.”

A Gallup poll released this week indicated that half of Americans believe same-sex couples should have the same right to wed as heterosexuals while 48% do not. Nearly two- thirds of Democrats support same sex marriage, along with more than half of independents, while fewer than a quarter of Republicans believe it should be allowed.

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He also mentioned his two daughters as an influential factor and said his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, shared his views.

“You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents, and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated dif-

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INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

8 from Mumbai, 5 from Chennai die in Nepal air crash In Focus Eight people from Mumbai and five from Chennai were among 15 people killed when a Dornier aircraft crashed in Nepal on Monday. The relatives and friends of those from Mumbai have arrived in Kathmandu to take away their bodies after the postmortem is completed on Tuesday.

The group from Mumbai was on a pilgrimage from ISKCON temple, Chowpatty (Mumbai) to Nepal's Muktinath Temple, one of the 108 Vishnu (Indian god) pilgrimages.

Among the dead from Mumbai, as confirmed on Tuesday, are Krishna Chaitnya, an ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) member, Kamal Omprakash Arora, his wife Menkakamal Arora and their son Shiva Kamal Arora, brothers Mukesh and Rakesh Handa and Gita Sachdev and her 13year old daughter Taruni Sachdev.

Taruni acted in the Bollywood movie 'Paa' with Amitabh Bachan as a

Cracks surface in Team Anna Over a week after activist A n n a Hazare launched his state-wide campaign for a Lokayukta in Maharashtra, Team Anna members are conspicuous by their absence, indicating sharp differences within the group. Significantly, this comes at a time when Hazare has announced his intention to share the stage with Baba Ramdev despite deep reservations among the activists on the yoga guru’s credibility.

Hazare is travelling across Maharashtra to campaign for a Lokayukta within the state. The tour that started from Shirdi on May 1, will cover nearly all major districts.

The activist is expected to address over 60 public meetings over the next month, ending the campaign on June 2, in Mumbai before joining Ramdev in Delhi on June 3. However, none of the Team Anna members have participated in the tour or plan to do so.

Sources within the group said some members felt the Maharashtra tour had brought the movement to a local level from a national one and had frittered away the advantage that the team had after the hugely successful Lokpal movement last year.

Incidentally, Hazare aide Suresh Pathare tweeted from Latur on May 6 saying, “Latur demands strong and effective act for Maharashtra, can Hon Vilasrao (Deshmukh)give this message to Congress high command (sic).’’

'Paa' child actor Taruni among dead

child artist.

The aggrieved relatives have been asking the authorities why such an

old aircraft was allowed to fly. "My friends asked me in Mumbai why these old aircrafts flew to Nepal,"

Taruni's father said. "It's about people's lives."

Last year two small aircrafts crashed in Nepal.

An Agni Air aircraft had crashed in 2010 too.

The five deceased from Chennai include Sanam Sundhar, G Raman, Latha Ethambai, assumed to be the mother of two children who survived, V Gopi and and V Swarnalakshmi.

The two children Tirumala Kidambi Sreevardhini, 9, and Tirumala Kidambi Sreepada, 6, have said that the third survivor, assumed to be Tirumala Kidambi Sreekanth, is not their father. The survivor is still in intensive care unit and as such his identity is not known. However, according to Rayan, the Chennai group tour operator, the injured is indeed the father of the two children.

Of the 101 from the Chennai group, only eight had travelled in the Agni Air aircraft, the rest in Tara Air, Rayan said.

Rayan said that the bodies of the people from Chennai will be sent once their relatives are here.

Supreme Court allows Chisty to visit Pak

The Supreme Court granted the octogenerian Pakistani virologist Mohammad Khalil Chisty permission to visit Pakistan during the pendency of his appeal against his conviction in a murder case and life imprisonment. It slated the final hearing of the appeal for Nov 20. The apex court bench headed by Justice P Sathasivam permitted Dr Chisty to visit Pakistan keeping in view his age and the fact that he has been in detention in Ajmer the past 20 years facing trial on a murder charge.

As a condition to let him to go to Karachi, from where he hails, the court directed Dr Chisty to deposit Rs 500,000 with the apex court registry within two weeks, and upon reaching Karachi to deposit his passport with

the Indian consulate there.

The court said Dr Chisty would return to India on Nov 1 and fixed Nov 20 as the date for the final hearing of his appeal challenging the Rajasthan High Court order upholding his conviction and award of life imprisonment.

Chisty was sentenced to life imprisonment for the death of a person in a brawl with him when he was visiting Ajmer in April 1992. He was granted bail by the apex court April 9 which asked him to make a separate plea for permission to visit Pakistan.

Zardari sending plane to

fly Chisty home A media report in Islamabad said that Pakistan President Zardari is sending a special aircraft to take Chisty to home.

Zardari, during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi last month, had pleaded for clemency for Chisty, given his advanced age.

Dawn reported that Interior Minister Rehman Malik will receive Chisty on his return. The two have spoken over the phone.

Malik told Chisty, who belongs to Karachi, that all arrangements have been made for his arrival according to Zardari's directions. Dawn said that Zardari had given instructions for his presidential aircraft to be made available to Chisty for his journey back home.

In a shocking breach of discipline in the Indian Army, officers and jawans of an artillery regiment deployed in the Nyoma sector of eastern Ladakh violently clashed with each other last week.

The ugly brawl ended with the commanding officer (CO) of the 226 Field Regiment deployed in Durbuk, Colonel Prasad Kadam, a Major, S K Sharma, and two jawans being admitted to the military hospital at Leh with multiple injuries. The entire artillery unit of around 550 soldiers, which was present at the high-altitude Mahe range in Nyoma to practise firing of their 105mm guns, was subsequently “disarmed” by additional forces

rushed to the spot.

The incident sent ripples down the 1.13 million-strong Army, justifiably proud of its highly disciplined ethos and esprit de corps, and as well as the entire defence establishment in South Block. Even as Karu-based 3 Division commander Major General A L Chavan rushed to the spot, Army chief General V K Singh briefed defence minister A K Antony about the incident after talking to Northern Army commander Lt-Gen K T Parnaik.

The artillery regiment will “eventually be disbanded”, much like a few Sikh regiments were in the aftermath of Operation Bluestar in Punjab in the

mid-1980s, after the court of inquiry ordered into the incident establishes the actual chain of events and identifies the guilty. The army, meanwhile, ordered an inquiry into the incident and described incident as a “minor scuffle”.

It rubbished reports that the fight was triggered by a jawan, who allegedly molested an officer’s wife.

It also denied that there was a virtual mutiny in the 226 Field Regiment, with the jawans taking control of the armoury.

The army said there was no truth to the claim that the commanding officer (a colonel), said to be backing the jawans, was beaten up by the major whose wife was allegedly molested.

Army officers, jawans clash in Ladakh

Rekha takes oath as Rajya Sabha MP

Cine superstar Rekha on Tuesday took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha, becoming yet another personality from the tinsel town to enter the portals of Parliament. The 57-year-old actor of yesteryears arrived in the Upper House in the morning and was immediately surrounded by members who greeted her profusely. Renowned journalist and nominated member H.K. Dua offered her his seat no. 97 and was seen explaining the procedure before Chairman Hamid Ansari took his seat. She was greeted with thumping of desk when her name was called for taking oath.

Gadkari to get second term as BJP chief

Decks have been cleared for Nitin Gadkari to get a second term as BJP chief, with party office-bearers approving an amendment which would enable functionaries to get two back-to-back tenures. He will be the second BJP chief to serve two consecutive terms. L K Advani was the first to get two straight terms before the party amended its constitution to bar the incumbent from getting re-elected as party chief. A meeting of party office-bearers approved the amendment which, though generic, appears to have been specifically scripted to implement the wish of RSS leadership to continue with Gadkari for another term.

Gujarati comedian passes away

Comedian Ramesh Mehta’s entry with the trademark “Oh ho ho ho ho…” on the screen was enough to send audiences into splits till he lived. And his death too had all spectators amused. When the funeral procession of veteran Gujarati comedian Ramesh Mehta, who died in Rajkot last week, hit the streets, there were no Ram Dhuns being played. Instead, roads resonated with his famous movie dialogues being played on loudspeakers. Mehta was 80 and died due to old age complications. He was bedridden since he fell down in the bathroom three months ago.

Three Gujarati diamond traders arrested in Zimbabwe

Three Gujarati diamond traders were arrested in Zimbabwe’s Mutare for illegally possessing and dealing in diamonds worth tens of thousands of dollars without Kimberley Process (KP) certificates. Four people including three Gujarati traders and one from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were nabbed in Mutare by the government agencies on May 5 for illegally possessing about 272 pieces of rough diamonds.

Mutare court magistrate Yeukai Chigodora ordered to free the four on $1,000 bail. Their arrest has created flutter in the world’s biggest diamond cutting and polishing centre in Surat.

Baingan Bharta

This is a north Indian speciality of roasted brinjals, skinned and made into a simple and exotic preparation.

Coooking Time: 10-15 minutes Servings: 4 Preparation Ingredients: Brinjals 1 kilogram, Oil 3 tablespoons, Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon, Onions, chopped 3 medium, Ginger 2 inch piece, Green chillies chopped 2, Red chilli powder 2 teaspoons, Salt to taste, Tomatoes,chopped 4 large, Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, 1 1/2 tablespoon Method: Wash, pat dry and prick eggplants.

Roast them over open flame or in a tandoor/preheated oven until the skin scorches and starts peeling off and eggplants start to shrink. Let them cool. You can cool them by dipping them in water.

Remove skin and mash

the pulp completely. Heat oil in a kadai. Add cumin seeds. Cook for half a minute and add onions and sauté until translucent. Add ginger and green chillies and cook for a minute. Add red chilli powder and mashed roasted eggplants. Cook for seven to eight minutes over medium heat, stirring continuously. Add salt to taste. Add tomatoes and cook on medium heat for seven to eight minutes or till oil separates.

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.

Benefits: Eggplant contains high amounts of fiber, making it a great food in the fight against cancer. It helps to lose weight. Fiber is a relatively “bulky” food.

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

25

Gujarat kids excel in British Council-organsied writing competition The competition was organised in association with Sampad to mark Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary AV Correspondent British Council Library organised an international competition in association with Sampad to mark the 150 birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. It attracted more than 1,400 entries from 37 countries.

It is a matter of pride that a young boy of Gujarati origin Viraf Patrawala’s short story was adjudged as the winning entry.

The Mumbai-based

teenager’s “The Fortress” dwells upon how man cre-

ates an image of the world around himself and falls

prey to it. As many as three school-going children from Ahmedabad – Jayaditya Mallik (poem,

Time is endless in you’re my Lord), Arashitaa Sehrawat (The Sea of Memories) and Priya Narayanan (The Divine Dilemma) made it to the 300 winning entries which were compiled and published by British Council and Sampad.

Titled ‘Inspired by Tagore’, the book was released by famous theatre personality Guy Hutchins and author Esther David at British Council Library in Ahmedabad on May 9.

Hutchins, who is the director of theatre group Moby Duck, enthralled the audience who had assembled for the release of the book by a short storytelling session. The story revolved round a “bahurupia” based in Rajasthan who plays his character of a dead man to such a perfection that his near and dear ones get scared.

Hutchins, earlier in the day organised a workshop on story telling for school children at the library.

In Focus Three international honours for Ela Bhatt

Three prestigious international honours will be bestowed upon Ela Bhatt, founder-director of Self Employed Women’s Association (Sewa), who helped turn around lives of million-odd women through her co-operative and micro-finance initiatives. Bhatt (78) will be honoured with Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award in the Netherlands.

She will be felicitated by Queen Beatrix in the presence of Anna Eleanor Roosevelt for her extraordinary efforts on behalf of some of the poorest and most oppressed women in India. She will also be awarded a doctorate for defending and promoting democratic freedom by the Universite Libre De Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium. On May 19, Bhatt will be awarded a degree from Georgetown University, Washington.

Jharkhand CM injured in chopper crash

A helicopter carrying Jharkhand chief minister, Arjun Munda, wife Meera and three others crash landed at the Birsa Munda airport. All on board the chopper are safe but have sustained injuries for which they are being treated. Munda has reportedly fractured an arm and has injuries on his leg. Munda and his wife were going to Sereikela for a function. The chopper had apparently developed a snag immediately after it took off from the airport, the pilot had unsuccessfully tried twice to land the chopper. The chopper, however, crash landed at the third attempt.

Bal Thackeray admitted to Mumbai hospital

The condition of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday, is said to be stable. Chest physician Dr Jalil Parkar said, "His condition is stable and there are no complications. He was admitted due to his chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)," Parkar said. "We are awaiting the results of some medical tests and may discharge him soon," he added.

WHO issues malaria alert to those travelling to India

The World Health Organization (WHO) has alerted international travellers against the active threat of malaria in India. In its latest 'International Travel and Health Bulletin 2012', the WHO has said that malaria risk exists throughout the year in the whole country at altitudes below 2,000m. The bulletin cautions travellers against malaria infections, especially while travelling to the northeast, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka (with the exception of Bangalore), Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra (with the exception of Mumbai, Nagpur, Nasik and Pune), Odisha and West Bengal (with the exception of Kolkata).

Presents

12th Asian Achievers Awards 14th September 2012 NOMINATION FORM *' 24'56+)+175 5+#0 %*+'8'45 9#4&5 +5 *156'& '8'4; ;'#4 $; <5 .'#&+0) 0'95 9''-.+'5 5+#0 1+%' #0& 7,#4#6 #/#%*#4 61 *10174 4+6+5* 5+#05 2#4 ':%'..'0%' ( 6*'4' +5 51/'10' ;17 -019 9*1 *#5 $41-'0 $170&#4+'5 #0& &'5'48'5 4'%1)0+6+10 (14 6*'+4 70+37' %1064+$76+10 61 6*' %1//70+6; #0& 6*' 0#6+10 6*'0 2.'#5' 01/+0#6' 6*'/ (14 10' 1( 6*' #9#4&5 .+56'& $'.19 #-' 574' 6*#6 ;17 (+.. +0 6*+5 #22.+%#6+10 (14/ #0& 5'0& +6 10 14 4 '14)' '. #: /#+. ### #$2.)4172 %1/ #&&4'55 +5 4 '14)' 4172 #4/# "1)# 175' 1:610 #4-'6 10&10

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Please tick the appropriate category Sports Personality of the Year............................................

Woman of the Year ................................................................

Awarded for excellence in sports.

The award will recognise and honour a woman who has made a significant mark in any chosen field.

Business Person of the Year ..............................................

Awarded to a business person who is a success in every sense of the word and can demonstrate a genuine passion for social issues.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year ......................................

Professional of the Year ......................................................

Uniformed and Civil Services ............................................

Professionals in the field of medicine, law, education, banking, finance and others, who have scaled the heights of their chosen profession.

For outstanding achievements in uniformed and civil services or contribution to the community through any of the above services.

Achievement in Community Service................................

Awarded to those who have acclaimed popularity internationally for his/her contribution in any particular sector and is recognised for their timeless philanthropic activities.

In recognition for an individuals service to community.

Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture ....................

Someone who has made a mark in media including print and broadcast media; cinema, art and culture.

Award for Entertainment ....................................................

For outstanding performance by Asians in the field of Dance and Music.

Awarded to an young entrepreneur (less than 35 years) with a proven track record of operating a successful business enterprise.

International Personality of the Year ............................

Lifetime Achievement Award ............................................

To honour those individuals, who during their lifetime, have made immense contributions in any given field. This remarkable individual can be marked as an example for the younger generation.

Application Form

Name of the Nominee: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Details of the Nominee (Tel & email): _______________________________________________________________ Present Occupation of the Nominee: _______________________________________________________________________ Please attach your CV which includes the following information (1) Personal background (2) (3) (4) (5)

(Please do not exceed a limit of 1000 words)

Most important career achievements till date Your contribution to the community and nation Any notable obstacles in you career that has helped you to reach where you are today Future plans, ambitions and visions

Summary- (Please include a summary in not more the 150 words

why the nominee is worthy of winning the particular award in a separate sheet)

Nominators name and contact details: _____________________________________________________________________ Nominators current Occupation/Company: __________________________________________________________________ Tel/Mobile: _________________________________

Email: __________________________________________________

NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS This is a unique event where readers nominate and an independent panel of judges comprising of eminent personalities selects the winner. Judges’ decision is final. ABPL Group will not entertain any dialogue with members of the public regarding the judging process. In order to ensure a high degree of transparency and fairness, the management and members of the staff of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will play no role in the nomination or judging process. You may use an additional sheet if the space provided is insufficient. The winners will be announced at the AAA Awards ceremony in 14th September, 2012. Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar will publish the names of the short listed candidates and winners after the event. The winners names will also appear in our e-edition www.abplgroup.com You can nominate yourself if you wish to. Nominations and entries must follow the prescribed format. All nomination forms must reach our offices on or before 12th July, 2012

210514

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26

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

China training women to kill me: Dalai Lama In Focus Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has spoken of a threat to his life from Chinese agents, saying there were reports that Tibetan women are being trained to harm him.

The Dalai Lama’s office based in Dharamsala, where the Tibetan government-inexile is headquartered, confirmed that “there is a threat perception to his life.”

“His Holiness himself received messages (about the threats),” the Dalai Lama’s private secretary Chimme Choekyappa said. In an exclusive interview with a British newspaper, the 76yearold Nobel Peace Prize winner revealed he had received reports from inside Tibet warning that Chinese agents had trained Tibetan

women for a mission to poison him while posing as devotees seeking his blessings. The Tibetan Buddhist leader said he lives within a high security cordon in his temple palace grounds in Dharamsala, in the Himalayan foothills, on the advice of Indian security officials. However, security officials here said from time to time they are reviewing his

security.

“Whenever there are some sort of intelligence inputs about perceived threats, we review His Holiness’ security thoroughly. If there are any loopholes found in the security, they are plugged,” director general of Police ID Bhandari said. The Dalai Lama said, “We received some sort of information from Tibet. Some Chinese agents training some Tibetans, especially women using poison - the hair poisoned, and the scarf poisoned - they were supposed to seek blessing from me, and my hand touch.”

He said suspicion of Chinese interference in finding his reincarnation following his death meant he may be the last Dalai lama and

that Tibetans could decide to abandon the institution.

Despite frosty relations with Beijing, he said he believes China will change its hardline stance within his lifetime and adopt democratic reforms to safeguard its economic growth Dismissing the Dalai Lama's allegations, Chinese state-run media accused him of playing an "insidious trick" and plotting "more separatist acts" ahead of this year's Communist Party meeting to elect new leadership.

"If the central government wanted to eliminate the Dalai Lama, why has it waited for such a long time? Isn't it foolish to take action against Dalai at such an old age?" state-run Global Times daily said in its editorial.

Former telecom minister Indian govt apologises over of India Raja gets bail Ambedkar cartoon row Former communications minister of India A Raja, who has been in jail since February 2011, was Tuesday granted bail in the 2G spectrum allocation case but with the rider that he could neither visit the department of telecommunications (DoT) nor his home state Tamil Nadu.

Raja, the last of the 14 individuals charged in the case still in prison, was given bail by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special judge O.P. Saini.

"Considering the progress of the trial, period of custody of the accused and the fact that all other accused have been released on bail, I am of the opinion that further detention of the accused would not serve any purpose and, for these reasons, I am inclined to grant applicant (Raja) bail," the judge said.

He also directed that Raja could not visit the department of telecommunications or Tamil Nadu without the court's prior permission.

The announcement that Raja, who has been behind bars in the capital's Tihar Jail, was granted bail triggered wild slogan shouting and cheering by his DMK supporters, mainly from Tamil Nadu, who raised slogans in Tamil like: "Raja, vazhga!" (long live Raja!)

The DMK also expressed confidence that he would come out clean. Besides the 14 individuals, three companies were also charged in the case related to 2G spectrum licences allocated during his tenure as communications minister.

"We are happy. Getting bail is part of the legal process. We are confident that Raja will come out clean in the whole episode," DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan said.

Giving details of what had transpired, Raja's counsel told reporters that the judge called Raja towards him and told him: "Your bail application is allowed."

"Raja had not moved bail until all other 13 were granted bail," he added. "Now all the accused are on bail. The case will go on."

The counsel pointed out that Raja had got bail despite the CBI's opposition.

The CBI had opposed Raja's bail application, saying he faced charges of accepting bribes of Rs 2 billion, which makes his case different from former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court last week.

Raja, in his bail application, has requested the court to release him on the ground of parity.

A cartoon on Dalit icon B R Ambedkar in an NCERT textbook rocked both houses of Indian parliament last week, prompting the government to apologise and order the removal of the "objectionable" sketch.

As opposition leaders created an uproar over the cartoon they said was insulting, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said he was not personally responsible for the row but had "no hesitation in apologising to the nation".

He said a committee formed by his ministry was already reviewing all such "objectionable matters in textbooks".

"All such content will be removed from NCERT text books next year. The cartoon was of course objectionable.

This should be withdrawn.

There will be no more distribution of such books if they are in stock," Sibal told reporters after the issue led to a huge uproar in parliament.

The issue led to the Lok Sabha being adjourned for the day. The Rajya Sabha was also repeatedly disrupted.

The cartoon, first published in 1960s by renowned cartoonist Shankar in his weekly magazine and reproduced in NCERT Class 11 political science textbooks depicts Jawaharlal Nehru

with a whip in his hand chasing Ambedkar, who is seated on a snail.

In the cartoon, Nehru is asking Ambedkar to speed up the work on the constitution.

The issue was raised by Dalit activist Thol Thirumavalavan, the Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, where protests were staged over the row.

Thirumavalavan, supported by members cutting across party lines, flashed a placard highlighting the issue and walked towards Speaker Meira Kumar's podium.

He said the cartoon was "insulting to Ambedkar, Nehru and the whole nation".

At one point, an agitated Thirumavalavan even sought the resignation of Sibal over the issue.

Leader of House Pranab Mukherjee, responding to the issue, said the printing of the cartoon in the textbook was "totally wrong" and that he "entirely" agreed with the sentiments of all sections of the house.

1,200 Indian workers held hostage in Angola

Continued from page 1 The travel documents were returned to the company after completing the process.

The issue was raised in Indian Lok Sabha on Monday by Harin Pathak, Member of Parliament from Ahmedabad (East) constituency and former minister of state for defence.

He said that all 1,200 workers (including 40 from Gujarat) in Angola are in trouble and their company has taken their passport in its custody. The Indian government should ensure that they are safe, their outstanding payments are cleared and finally they are brought back home.

Harin Pathak said, “When I raised the issue in Lok Sabha, the Speaker put this to the leader of the house, Pranab Mukherjee and he has taken note of it.”

Sources at the Centre said that government is seriously looking in to the issue and will do the needful. It has also come to light that Indian workers were sent on a visitor visa by the recruitment company. Sources in the ministry of external affairs indicated that most of the workers were brought to Angola on the visitor visa and not on work visa. So, at present the stranded workers were ‘technically’ working illegally in the African country.

Recounting the horror of being hidden in a forest in the African nation, Nitish Kumar, a stranded labourer from Gopalgunj district in Bihar said, "Company is not returning our passports. It says that all passports are pending with the Angolan government for visa process. We are living in this country without any official document with us to prove our identity. We have sent several emails to the Indian embassy here but have not received any reply so far."

He added, "We are living in hell like condition here. As many as 200 workers have been arrested from the camp site. Our arrested colleagues have been kept in the batches

of 60 people in small room for last three-four days. They have not been given enough food, water and hygiene facilities. As a result, nearly 10-15 workers in each batch have fallen ill. We are worried that infection will spread among others too." Indian embassy in Angola said that officials have been asked to visit the camp site. S K Varun, second secretary at the embassy said, "We have been briefed by our ambassador about the situation. I will be visiting the cement plant site on Tuesday.

It is our duty to do our best to help workers. But I can't comment further on the issue as the plant is 300 km away from Luanda, capital of Angola."

25 Maoists surrender in Bihar

Twenty-five Maoists, including a self-styled area commander, surrendered before the police, official sources said. The cadres gave up themselves before the Commissioner of Munger SM Raju among other officials. DIG, Munger range, AK Ambedkar was also present at that time of the Maoist surrender.

Actress lodges complaint against Kanchi seer

Tamil actress Ranjitha, who was in the news for her proximity with and devotion to selfstyled godman Nithyananda, lodged a criminal defamation complaint against Sri Jayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi Mutt. The judge has posted the matter to a later date, when Ranjitha must come again to record her sworn statement. Once that is over, summons will be issued to the persons named by Ranjitha in her complaint.

Ranjitha has sought to initiate defamation proceedings against the pontiff for his reported statements against her. She said she was a strong believer and that she used to attend several religious conferences and discourses. She said she became a disciple of Nithyananda after listening to his discourses in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Italian marines' bail plea rejected

A court in Kerala rejected the bail application plea of the two Italian security officials arrested for shooting dead two Indian fishermen and extended their judicial custody till May 25. The two - Latorre Massimillano and Salvatore Girone - were brought before the Kollam chief judicial magistrate who passed the order. The two, posted aboard cargo vessel Enrica Lexie, were arrested Feb 20 for shooting dead two Indian fishermen, Ajesh Binki, 25, and Gelastine, 45, after allegedly mistaking them for pirates.

Petition against Army Chief withdrawn

Retired Lt. Gen. Tejinder Singh withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged misconduct of Army Chief General V.K. Singh. Senior counsel Rajiv Dhawan urged the court to grant them permission to withdraw the petition. Lt. Gen. Tejinder Singh had approached the apex court on April 25 seeking a CBI inquiry on the alleged role of the Army Chief in the purported bugging of the Defence Minister's office and action against him for 'misconduct'. Earlier, the government had denied reports of bugging.

Maoists abduct BJP leader

Maoists on Monday kidnapped two people, including a local BJP leader, in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh in separate incidents.

Last month, the Maoists had abducted Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon, who was released 12 days later. Senior police officials said that Sukma district BJP secretary Mochaki Joga was abducted when he was returning home by a private bus. The Maoists stopped the bus on the way and took away Joga. In another incident in Dornapal area, Maoists abducted Mochaki Kacche, a trader.

Air India strike: 10 international flights cancelled

As the stir by over 200 Air India pilots entered the eighth day on Tuesday leading to cancellation of 10 international flights, government said the DGCA will take action against those who have falsely reported sick and not joined work. Air India cancelled around 10 international flights from Delhi and Mumbai on Tuesday morning. "We have, as part of our contingency plan, operated Delhi -Toronto, Delhi-New York routes, and hope to operate more flights tonight," an Air India spokesperson said.

Ex-judge, family held for murder bid

Four persons, including a retired judge, his wife and son were arrested for allegedly attempting to kill a pregnant woman, who was rescued in a critical condition from under the Mahanadi river barrage at Jobra.

The former additional district judge Samir Kumar Ray, wife Gitika and son Satyabrata Ray were sent to judicial custody following rejection of their bail pleas.

inDia

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

27

th

Grand celebration marks 40 anniversary of Gujarat Samachar - aSian Voice

F

our decades of staying in newspaper publishing business is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Whether the business is a multi-million dollar venture or a small familyowned establishment, 40 years is a long time to remain a viable business entity.

It was a proud moment to celebrate the successful completion of 40 years of Gujarat Samachar- Asian Voice of Asian Business Publications Ltd. (ABPL).

On 5th May, it turned 40, when the anniversary was celebrated in UK. On 10th May it was celebrated in Ahmedabad at five-star hotel Ramada with dinner and talk which was attended by many dignitaries, VIP guests, advertisers, friends and acquaintances.

The hall was overflowing with well-wishers and bouquets of flowers greeting the publications and C B Patel, Editor-Publisher of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice.

The evening began with a prayer by popular singer Mayadipak. The hall was mesmerized with echoes of ‘Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat’, bhajans and songs. The program was anchored by well-known orator Tushar Joshi.

Dignitaries were welcomed with presentation of Coffee Table books published by ABPL Group.

Ahmedabad Office Bureau Chief Nilesh Parmar gave a very warm welcome to the guests and heartily thanked readers, advertisers, well-wishers and all others who have been through thick and thin during the journey of Gujarat Samachar and

CB Patel acknowledged, “It’s you all who has nurtured us and have kept us awake.”

Asian Voice. The journey was shown through a documentary film.

Opposition leader in the Gujarat State Assembly Shaktisinh Gohil spared some valuable time in his busy schedule and attended the function. He was there for a short time but did not miss a chance to convey his good wishes. “I have not come here as a politician but as a friend of CB Patel. In fact I am here to wish C B Patel as he has truly made a strong presence in foreign lands over

Opposition leader in the Gujarat State Assembly Shaktisinh Gohil greeting CB Patel.

a span of 40 years. Happy Anniversary and good wishes to the publications.

I have thoroughly enjoyed CB Patel’s friendship in London. It was a bit difficult taking out time today but I made it a point to come in order to be part of the good cause.”

“Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice do not accept any advertisements that are misleading to the readers. The tabloids were getting many advertisement regarding astrologers, tantrik, black magic, dora-dhaga, but in order to save people from

Shaktisinh Gohil appreciated C B Patel for making a strong presence in foreign lands over a span of 40 years.

being misguided and exploited, such advertisements were strictly rejected and not carried in the weeklies. Hence it dared to lose big amount of revenue simply for the betterment of the society,” said Purvi Apurva Shah, special correspondent of Asian Voice in Ahmedabad. She also gave information of the wide circulation of the weeklies - 31,000 with 26,000 of paid subscriber copies and 5,000 of retail sale. The epaper of the publications is read by millions in the

ABPL Group Director Dr Merul Patel talked about the charity and fund-raising done by weeklies.

farthest corners of the world.

ABPL Group Director Dr Merul Patel talked about the charity and fund-raising done by the weeklies in UK and India.

He showed a presentation of Akshaya Patra that provides food to school children in India. He appealed to everyone to help the poor. Well-known businessman of London and hard-core loyalist reader of Gujarat Samachar Mahesh Patel specially travelled to Ahmedabad to attend this celebration. He said, “I know CB Patel since last 35 years, he is so lively and energetic, his personality is an inspiration for me and for everyone. Actually CB deserves to be an Ambassador of Gujarat.

He has tried to preserve Gujarat Indian culture and heritage in London.

Even in MATV, he has been promoting Gujarat.”

Senior journalist and part of Gujarat Samachar family, Mr Bhupatrai Parekh, expressed his feelings, cherishing his 36-37 years old bond with CB Patel. He talked about the successful journey of the

Well-known businessman of London Mahesh Patel specially travelled to Ahmedabad to attend this celebration.

publications in a very interesting way. Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice are not merely weeklies but are instrumental in organizing many campaigns for the cause of British Indians. In these 40 years, through these weeklies CB Patel has campaigned for the betterment of the society. It had created a movement regarding issues of Iskon mandir, Sardar Patel plaque, LondonAhmedabad direct flight and many more matters

that has been penned and called for attention.”

Well-known speaker and former Chief Secretary of Gujarat P K Lehri congratulated the weeklies and C B Patel and said, “If media hosts a program then it becomes news. People from many fields have come to this function and they have come fearlessly, the very reason for this is due to the CB’s art of nurturing relations. He is always considerate and compassionate towards his relations. My relations with him are 28 years old, when

Former Indian High Commissioner in Uganda and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries NRI Committee’s Chairman K H Patel said that he prefers to read Gujarat Samachar-Asian Voice rather than local dailies.

I was studying in London.

I have seen CB and his family working hard for these publications. He has struggled and has given lot of devotion, and at the end he has always been a winner with a happy face.

Today something remarkable has happened in London, and that is only because of CB Patel. This is a unique achievement as compared to others. When

Gujarat Samachar is ready to lose big revenue rejecting the advt misleading the readers, says Purvi Apurva Shah.

so many Indians have settled in UK and also become highly successful, it is obvious for British to be jealous and that jealousy turning into colour discrimination.

It is during this time when CB Patel and Lord Bhikhu Parekh have initiated multi-culturalism and public opinion- campaign.

These are some of the reasons for the betterment of Indians. And that is why we Indians can live with so much of progress and social status. We can hold

that we will always try to be part of social service.”

Former Indian High Commissioner in Uganda and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries NRI Committee’s Chairman K H Patel said that he knows CB since many years. He also reads the tabloids regularly. He likes to read the interesting columns of Hari Desai and Vishnu Pandya. “At times, I would prefer to read Gujarat SamacharAsian Voice rather than local dailies.” He adds, “It

Director of ABPL Group Dr. Merul Patel, Champaben and Natubhai Amin, India Today Sr. Editor Uday Mahurkar with his wife.

our head high and take pride in what we have done and what we are doing. I will not hesitate to say that CB Patel and his publications have contributed largely to all this and more. And it is not exaggeration if I say that new generation is highly obliged to such good things passed on to them.

“One more remarkable trait of CB is that whatever he has done he has always done it without any kind of discrimination and bias. He has always believed in allowing everyone to express their views and have given full freedom to all his journalists.

Well-known speaker and former Chief Secretary of Gujarat P K Lehri said that CB has been fearless and honest in penning the true picture.

Every piece of article, news and columns has been published in its true picture. He has been fearless and honest in penning the true picture. He has never censored any matter; in fact he has always tried to put forward the issue that can make the difference. CB’s age is 75 and the weeklies are at the age of 40, it’s amazing to see them full-on. Lots of good wishes and greetings on this anniversary, we also promise Merulbhai

should be highly appreciated that CB Patel does lot of social service through

Senior journalist and part of Gujarat Samachar family, Mr Bhupatrai Parekh said that this tabloids are instrumental in organizing campaigns for the cause of British Indians.

these newspapers.

England has as many as 3000,000 Asians. And this group has taken lot of efforts to solve their various issues of immigration and colour discriminations. Recently a wellinformed Coffee Table book on the 150th anniversary of Shri Sayajirao Gaekwad was also published. I enjoy reading ‘Jivan Panth’ col-

Well known orator Tushar Joshi anchoring the event.

umn of CB Patel; it is really nice that he expresses his real life experiences.

Continued on page 28

28

trAvel & woMen

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

women achievers

Sarah Rizvi

Gujarat’s only Muslim IPS officer

By AV Correspondent

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This safari package includes all tours, transfers, accommodation and meals so you will be completely taken care of for your entire holiday. Your first stay will be at an African themed resort situated in beautifully landscaped gardens and indigenous forest, with a choice of 6 restaurants offering a variety of international cuisines.

After rejuvenating post flight, you’ll be driven to Masai Mara and will be shown many points of interest en route including the Longonot earth satellite station. Following lunch and an afternoon siesta, there is a late afternoon game drive set against the back drop of a beautiful sunset. You’ll stay overnight at Mara Sopa lodge which offers a wealth of wildlife, birdlife and natural flora in every direction. The lodge is luxuriously appointed with all the mod cons you need from a Sopa lodge in the bush.

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The next day will take you to Ambolesi Sopa Lodge, which is set on the foothills of the awesome Mount Kilimanjaro. You’ll enjoy a full day game drive and a hot picnic lunch and your final night, before heading back to Nairobi for your onwards journey home.

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Masai Mara National Reserve

Sarah Rizvi, 29 is the only Muslim woman IPS (Indian Police Service) officer in Gujarat police.

She is the role model for every parent who wants to teach their girl child and for all those women aspirants of Civil Service Exams. She is from the 2008 batch of Gujarat cadre.

Born in Mumbai, Sarah belongs to an educated family. Her father Afzal Ahmed is a science graduate and mother Nigar Rizvi is an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University. Her brother Wasif Rizvi is a civil engineer employed in Saudi Arabia and sister Sameera is a computer science graduate settled in Dubai.

Sarah married to Munawar Khan, a trainee Asst.

Security Commissioner in RPF, in 2008.

After completing graduation from MMK

College, she got inspired by a lecture of Dr K M Arif, educationist and chairman of Dream Foundation. She failed in the first two attempts in the preliminary exam but succeeded in the third attempt. Initially she wanted to become a Chartered Accountant and completed Foundation Course. While doing graduation, Sarah cleared UPSC exam in 2008.

Sarah’s first posting was in Jamnagar district of Gujarat as a probationer IPS officer for six months and then she was transferred as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Gondal, Rajkot.

Recollecting from the past she says on the first day of her duty she solved a case where four bikers looted a man within 24 hours.

“That’s the most memorable day of my life,’’ says Sarah. “After becoming an IPS officer, I loved my job and never got upset with my duties. In fact I am

proud to be a woman IPS officer. When Naxalites killed 78 CRPF personnel in Dantewada, I felt very bad. That day was my worst day,” she said. As a member of MESCO, a Mumbai- based NGO, they call her often in their programmes to inspire and guide others.

She loves her mother tongue Urdu. To cater to her hobby she listens to Urdu Gazalas and also tried her hand in writing in Urdu. “I used to write articles in my college days which got published. I also like to cook and do it very often for my family,’’ says Sarah.

Speaking about her role model, she says, while in training as an IPS officer, she was very impressed and learnt a lot from the director of the academy K Vijay Kumar.

He was the director of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in 2009-10, an IPS from Tamil Nadu cadre.

Grand celebration marks 40th anniversary of Gujarat Samachar - Asian Voice Continued from page 27

Amboseli National Park

Flamingos at Lake Nakuru

Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Lot of good wishes so that he can live longer and keeps on doing such good work.”

The program ended with a speech by CB Patel, who felt overwhelmed with people’s love and concern for him and the publications. He acknowledged, “It’s you all who has nurtured us and have kept us awake, we meet here to cherish the feel good factor of togetherness. I believe that we were simply lucky to get a chance to work for the betterment of the mankind. We got a chance to do good work for Vakaner eye hospital and Goraj Muni ashram. We have just accepted the project of providing education to poor children in Vrindavan.

We have always been lucky to receive support and cooperation from our readers, advertisers and donors.

And one thing for sure, that we never boast of anything fake or untrue about our work or publications.

“When India was under BJP rule, there were five direct flights between London and Ahmedabad.

Then Congress government came when Praful Patel was aviation minister and also previously director of Jet Airways. It was then the Air India flights were shut down, and flights of Jet and Kingfisher were started.

But now there are no direct flights existing. It is of utmost need to start the facility of direct flights,

40th Anniversary celebration in Ahmedabad at five-star hotel Ramada and was attended by many dignitaries.

especially for the convenience of patients coming for medical tourism as well as senior citizens, pregnant women, children and others. He appealed to people, especially journalists in India, to work towards this issue.

Powerful organizations like Gujarat Media Club should think and take action towards this.” CB thanked everyone for their valuable presence in the program. The program was followed by delicious dinner.

Keyboard artist Tushar Tapodhan, tabla artist Maulik and Saravya sound system entertained the guests.

Dignitaries present: Senior Journalist Ajay Umat-The Times of India, Dr Pradip MalikAhmedabad Mirror, Uday Mahurkar-India Today, Pankaj Mudholkar, Chinu Modi, Vishnu Pandya, Dr Bhavesh Parekh-Dr Urvi Parekh, office-bearers of Gujarat Media Club –Brajesh Kumar Singh, Sanjay Pandeya, Binu Alex - Cancer surgeon Dr J D Patel, Vishwa Gujarati

Samaj President Krishnakant Vakharia, Rajesh Patel-Dharmaj, Bharat Vyas-Rajpipla, Natubhai Amin C h a m p a b e n -Va d o d a r a , Dilipbhai Shah, Dentist Dr Hemal Shah and Dr Hemang Jhala, Dr Kumar Barot, Vinit Shah of Binori Infra, Ajay Kapadia and Priyam Kapadia of Swastik Advertising, Ajay Patel of Suryam Group of Companies, Dhiren Vyas of Himalaya BuildCon, Aaditya Vyas and Vijay Mandloi of Akshay Ads, Sumic Raj of S.R Estate Consultancy, Rahul Zunza of Dhanushya Group, Rajan Kishorkumar Madhwani and Ahisheikh Paropkari of Gopal Developers, Chandresh Chokshi of K.R. Infracon, Paresh Shah and Dharit Shah of G.B Builders, Nayan Dave of Nesture Properties.

Rakesh Shah of Sankalp Properties and Dilip Gadhavi of Gujarat Council of Science city had joined us with their families.

HEALTH WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

29

Avocados may help ‘keep you young’ Any quest ions

write to mam ta@thin

By Mamta Saha ks Psychologist

palondon.com

Be remembered for what you do

This week I spoke to Meena Dhawan who has worked for the Royal Mail for 32 years.

She is a Business Customer Advisor. On top of her day job, she has done women's networking, diversity, Bullying & Harassment, coaching & mentoring for frontline women into management and has been heavily involved with charity work.

Why do you devote your time to charity I've always enjoyed helping others and over the years my organisational skills have got better. With each event getting bigger & better than the last and seeing the rewards & benefits to the charities involved has encouraged me to do more & more. The sense of achievement and fulfilment is so satisfying that as soon as I have finished one event, I want to do another one ! As my children have grown, I have found more time to be able to devote to it because of the pleasure it gives.

How did you first get involved in fund-raising & charity work.

The first fundraising event I can remember doing is at my sons reception school. He was 4 yrs old and the school had a tacky small concrete playground.

When I attended the school PTA meeting, all the parents were saying the school had no money to invest into the play ground & that it needed swings, slides & climbing frame with rubber mats. However each event they had organised previously had only generated a few hundred pounds. I put myself forward and said I would do a event and raise money as long as the school matched pound for pound the money raised. The headmaster who was on the PTA committee laughed & agreed.

However, he did not allow for my creative & persuasive skills & I went on to organise a school fete that raised £2500 in just under 4 hours. £5000 meant a whole new playground, with equipment, a small garden AND new school fence & gates !!!

Everyone was just amazed. That day I realised I had a special skill. A few years later my nephew was born at 26 weeks and was in a Paediatric ward for 6 months. With the help of friends & family I arranged a street party to raise money to donate back to the ward to give thanks for his care and well being.

What motivates you to commit to charity work?

I am motivated by making a "Difference". Today society has become very materialistic and selfish. Technology has become so advanced that we can see & speak to each other every minute of every day. Yet it cannot teach us KINDNESS or COMPASSION to help those of us who are ill or less privileged I commit myself to charity work so that others can learn from me & choose to make a difference too.

I have been involved in many charities for the last 15 years. Barnados, Cancer Research, Mind, British Heart Association to name a few but the closest to my heart is Great Ormond ST Children's Hospital (GOSH) In the last 5 years, I have been privileged to see the amazing work being done in this hospital.

The devotion, passion, love and care by all the doctors and nurses to save the life of every child that's comes their way is just phenomenal . No child is turned away and all service is free. That's why the hospital needs £50m of donations a year to keep it running. My motivation comes from knowing that there are children who lives may be saved because I put aside a few hours of my time to do something for them. I'm not a doctor, or a nurse. I do not have the medical skills to save a life but I have the skills to raise money that will help those that have the right skills to be able to do so. I also donate blood every 6 months & that's something every healthy adult should do. It SAVES lives !

So how much have you raised ?

In the last 5 years with the help of others, I've contributed in raising £100,000. I must stress I could not do this alone. I usually work with a team of 5/6 people who are all tasked with jobs contributed to their individual skills to bring an event together. One event to raise money for breathing equipment for a ward on GOSH, took 12 people & 9 months to organise, with monthly meetings, memos, reminders, emails, etc .

That event alone raised £30,000 in one night !!

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to try charity work and doesn't know where to begin?

My advice to anyone starting out is first choose a charity that is close to your heart. Unless you are connected to it,you will lose the drive needed to go through with it. It's hard work ! Wether you decide to run a marathon, walk 5k, hold a school fete or organize a dinner & dance event.

It's hard work, so you must find a connection with your chosen charity.

Secondly, have a target to aim for, it can be as little as £100 or as high as £10,000.

But a target is essential in determining how to raise the money and in winning people into your cause. Thirdly, don't go into it alone. Talk about it to everyone around you. ASK people to join you and when they ask why, speak about your charity with passion, engage them in your drive.

Fundraising needs funds, funds come from people, so you need people to bring in people with cash . That's the bottom line.

What types of things have you done for charity?

Well, I've already mentioned school fete, street party, dinner & dance but I've also done, bucket collections, fancy dress, pub quiz, race night, 70's disco, Bollywood nights, walks, car wash & selling raffles.

At work, I've helped people fundraise for their own charities. Helping them with their own ideas and often going along to support them at their events too.

What would be your message to our readers of Asian Voice ?

We all have one life and it's pretty short. You can be remembered for having done nothing in your life or you can chose to be remembered for having done something pretty amazing. I chose the later.

What did you do?

Avocados could help fight ageing and several diseases as they bolster cells` power centres against harmful free radicals, say scientists. A number of environmental factors such as pollution, cigarette smoke and radiation - can turn the oxygen molecules found in mitochondria, the power plants of cells, into free radicals.

These unstable molecules destroy virtually all the normal molecules forming cells, such as lipids, proteins and even DNA, by turning them into free radicals, too.

This destructive phenomenon is associated with aging and occurs in a variety of diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, which represent major challenges for health systems due to their great social and economic costs.

Many studies of antioxidants in vegetables and fruits, such as carrots and tomatoes, have been completed with few encouraging results.

“The problem is that the antioxidants in those substances are unable to enter mitochondria,” said Christian Cortes-Rojo, a researcher at Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo in Morelia,

Michoacan, Mexico.

“So free radicals go on damaging mitochondria, causing energy production to stop and the cell to collapse and die. An analogy would be that, during an oil spill, if we cleaned only the spilled oil instead of fixing the perforation where oil is escaping, then the oil would go on spilling, and fish would die anyway.”

2009 and 2011 found that yeast mitochondria are very resistant to free radicals due to the sort of fat that forms its envelope, which is highly resistant to oxidation.

“The same kind of fat can be found in avocado oil; but, in addition, avocados also contain some plant pigments that inhibit oxidation. That is why we decided to test whether these avocado properties could increase even more the yeast`s resistance to mitochondrial oxidation.”

The results of this research, he said, show that avocado oil allowed the yeast cells to survive exposure to high concentrations of iron, which produces a huge amount of free radicals, “even to higher levels to those found in some human diseases.”

“These results could be attributed to the fact that avocado oil caused accelerated respiration in mitochondria, which indicate that the use of nutrients for producing energy for cell functions remains effective even in cells attacked by free radicals and that mitochondria itself could produce little amounts of damaging free radicals,” he continued.

But Cortes-Rojo is prepared to reveal the first research results showing the protective effects of avocado oil against free radicals in mitochondria.

The research team used yeast cells – those used in wine and beer production – to examine avocado oil`s properties.

“The reason why we have chosen yeast,” explains Cortés-Rojo, “is that (a) this microorganism is easier to study than other biological models due to its relative simplicity and (b) because studies our group published in

A mouthful of curd for good health Curd or yogurt is used since ages to gain its nutritional and health benefits or as a beauty product. According to Ayurveda, curd should not be consumed at night.

Though it provides lot of health benefits, over consumption should be avoided. Make sure that you consume curd when it is fresh.

Apart from providing nutritional and health benefits, curd is also used as a beauty product. If curd is massaged on facial skin, it acts as skin bleach. It also brings softness in skin. It also acts as an excellent hair conditioner and can be used for treating sunburns.

Nutritional and health benefits provided by curd or yogurt - helps improve the digestion, strengthens the immune system, increases the capacity to absorb nutrients and minerals form other food stuffs. It is also helpful for those who are lactose intolerant, for strong bones and teeth as its calcium content is high.

It helps fight against osteoporosis. Helps minimize the risk of high blood pressure and also helps control high cholesterol.

How to consume curd?

There are many ways to consume curd apart from having a cup of it regularly with your lunch.

Curd rice which is quite popular in South India is quite wholesome and tasty

&

too. You can also have curd (instead of milk) and museli for breakfast. You can use curd when you do not like spicy food. For example; if you do not like to eat spicy gravy you can add a spoonful of curd.

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 This week in CB Live CB Patel will pay 'Shraddhanjali' (homage) to late Shri Manubhai Madhvani. Maya Deepak will be singing bhajans and appropriate songs.

Ramnikbhai Lakhani from Dar Es Salaam will be also singing some selected songs written by himself.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your third house of communication. People around you may seem insincere. In fact, you may have a hard time getting your ideas across in a warm, genuine manner. As Venus also rules your partnership and income sectors, both of these things may come up for review during this retrograde cycle.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

7pm to 8pm Every Thursday

CB LIVE Every Thursday on MATV (SKY 793) 7pm to 8pm For more information email: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk or call Alka Shah on 07944 151 893

Sankalp opens branch in London

Rt Hon Bob Blackman cutting the ribbon during inauguration with Gaurav and Khushboo Maken Sood

“The first thing that I want to do when I come to India is to go to Sankalp Restaurant and have a dosa there with the delicious Sambhar which I have been missing over so many days” is the line that most of the Gujaratis use when they visit India. For such die hard patrons of the brand Sankalp, it was a more than welcomed occasion on the 12th May when Sankalp Restaurant was finally opened for people in the UK. The scenario at the grand opening of the Sankalp Restaurant at Honeypot Lane was worth watching this Saturday the 12th of May 2012.

Rt Hon Bob Blackman, MP along with the councillor Mr. Manji Kara, his colleagues and

more than 100 invited guests were present at the launch. With the pooja ceremony and the ribbon cutting the grand celebration started and the invitees were pleased to be welcomed at the doorstep by the fabulous couple Gaurav Sood and his wife Khushboo Maken Sood who are the owners of this franchise.

The Sankalp Chain which has more than 90 restaurants across the globe has added yet another feather in its cap with opening of this restaurant at Honeypot Lane. Sandy Cove and Fresh Juices along with the Sankalp bench mark Kozhi Sukka, Lamb Pepper Fry, Telangana Aloo and Mini Uthappa were relished by all the invitees.

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief Operating Officer: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Business Development Managers: Rovin J George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Nihir Shah - Email: nihir.shah@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4089 - Mobile: 07875 229 111 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Coming Events l Hasta Hua Nurani Chehra with Gohil sisters, Sat 19 May, Byron Hall, Harrow Leisure Centre at 6:30pm, Contact: Videorama Pan Centre 020 8907 0116 and Sunday 20 May, 4:30pm Archbishop Lanfranc School, CR9 3AS, Contact: 020 8665 6080 l Chandra Sodha presents Gunj uthi awaz, Sunday 27 May, 5-7pm, The Studio, Harrow Arts Centre HA5 4EW l Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Saturday 2nd June, 3pm. Queen's Gardens, Croydon.

Contact: Nitin Mehta 07910 875 908 l Tribute to Dr Bhupen Hazarika at Nehru Centre on Tuesday, 26 June 2012 at 7:00pm.

The Nehru, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF l The Winning Mindset – 9th Young Jains UK Convention, Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd Jul 2012, Canons High School, Shaldon Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 6AN l BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London celebrating the 110th birth anniversary of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj on Saturday 19 May 2012, 8.00pm to 9.45pm, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London NW10 8LD. l Standard Bank East Africa staff having their 32nd Annual Lunch Gathering on Sunday at 12 noon on 20th May 2012 at The Clay Oven Restaurant, London W5 2PJ. Contact Vinod Malviya 0208907 02067

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your second house of money and values. Take the time to re-think your sources of income and how you spend your cash during this period, and avoid making any big purchases until July. Venus rules your sign, suggesting that you could be distancing yourself from others.

Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your sign. This cycle will affect the personal image you project to others.

Because Venus rules your romance sector, don't jump to conclusions if a loved one is acting a little distant. Wait it out. Your desires from love and relationship may be hard to figure out for the time being.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your twelfth house. What you want from love and your desires are very ambiguous and obscure during this cycle. Deal with your past so that you can put it behind you, but don't do it at the expense of your present. Relationships with friends and family may be a little strained.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your eleventh house of friendships, groups, and aspirations. Your friendships or associations with groups may be a little strained during this period. Venus-ruled areas of your chart are career, authority figures, and communications. Extra caution in these areas of life may be necessary now.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

Your horizons have most certainly been expanding with Jupiter in the area of your chart ruling long-distance travel and philosophical thoughts. With Venus retrograde, transiting your career sector, you will want to re-assess whether you are spending too much time at work. Time to create a better work-life balance.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

Long-term partnerships are reinvigorated by Jupiter's transit of your Solar 8th house.Whether you're single or attached you will have a busy time ahead of you. As Venus is retrograde in your Solar 9th house, e extremely careful as an argument over personal philosophies of life can get you into hot water.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your eighth house of intimacy, shared resources, and personal transformation. Hold onto your money, work on a budget, and avoid arguments with loved ones that revolve around intimacy and sexuality. You could also be dealing with past actions or karma. It's time to redefine what it is that you want out of life.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

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Venus has gone into retrograde motion for some time to come. This is going to be a time of frustration and re-assessment. It’s all about cultivating patience until planet goes direct. This is evident mainly in the arena of relationships, but it could also flow over into business partnerships and joint ventures. While you wait, don’t waste any time organise yourself.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your sixth house of work, health, and daily routines. The social aspect of relationships on the job may be strained for the time being. Do your best not to let people get to you. Your career as well as relationships with lovers and children are also affected. The desire to get on with people around you is very strong in this period.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your fifth house of romance, pleasure, speculation, and children. Because the cycle directly affects your sector of romance and speculation, you should be careful.

An old lover may come back in your life, complicating matters. There could also be strained relations with family members, and avoid purchases of new property.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your fourth house of home and family.

Relations with your family may be a little strained. You might want to wait until Venus is direct (in July) before you express your frustrations with family members! This retrograde cycle also affects your communications and intimacy sectors.

Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

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Asian Voice - Saturday 19th May 2012

IPL Results of 54 to 64 matches played till Tuesday, 15th May Match Date 54 09 May

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Teams MI v/s RCB at Mumbai RCB won by 4 wickets Brief scores: MI 141/6 (20 overs); RCB 142 (18/20 overs) DC v/s DD at Hyderabad DD won by 9 wickets Brief scores: DC 187/4 (20 overs); DD 193/1 (16.4/20 overs) RR v/s CSK at Jaipur CSK won by 4 wickets Brief scores: RR 126/6 (20 overs); CSK 127/6 (18.1/20 overs) PW v/s RCB at Pune RCB won by 35 runs Brief scores: RCB 173/3 (20 overs); PW 138/9 (20 overs) KKR v/s MI at Kolkata MI won by 27 runs Brief scores: MI 182/1 (20 overs); KKR 155/4 (20 overs) CSK v/s DD at Chennai CSK won by 9 wickets Brief scores: DD 114/5 (20 overs); CSK 115 (15.2/20 overs) RR v/s PW at Jaipur RR won by 45 runs Brief scores: RR 170/4 (20 overs); PW 125/9 (20 overs) KXIP v/s DC at Mohali KXIP won by 4 wickets Brief scores: DC 190/4 (20 overs); KXIP 194/6 (20 overs) RCB v/s MI at Bangalore MI won by 5 wickets Brief scores: RCB 171/6 (20 overs); MI 173/5 (19.4/20 overs) KKR v/s CSK at Kolkata CSK won by 5 wickets Brief scores: KKR 158/6 (20 overs); CSK 160/5 (20 overs) DD v/s KXIP at Delhi DD won by 5 wickets Brief scores: KXIP 136/8 (20 overs); DC 140/5 (19/20 overs)

Action at a Glance Olympic flame lit for London Games Greek actress Ino Menegaki, playing the role of High Priestess, lights a torch from the sun's rays reflected in a parabolic mirror during the torch lighting ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece. The Olympic flame was lit in Ancient Olympia in Greece in a solemn ceremony filled with mystery and tradition that signals the final countdown to the start of this year's summer Games in London. Actors in ancient Greek costume invoked the god Apollo in the ruins of the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, using a concave mirror to harness the sun's rays and kindle a flame on the torch for a relay that will take it around Greece and Britain.

England Lions crush West Indies England Lions crushed West Indies by 10 wickets on Sunday, dealing a further blow to the brittle confidence of the tourists ahead of the first Test which starts at Lord's. Joe Root (115 not out) and Michael Carberry (72 not out) led the Lions to victory in Northampton with a session to spare on the final day of the four-day game, finishing on 197-0 after the West Indies had been bowled out for 390 in their second innings.

Federer becomes world No. 2 after winning Madrid Masters title Tennis ace Roger Federer has become world No 2 after winning his third Madrid Masters title against Czech Republican Tomas Berdych. After winning the Madrid title, Federer has overtaken Radel Nadal in world rankings. Federer won the title after defeating Berdych 3-6, 7-5, 7-5. "We both played a nice match, but Roger showed why he's the star," Berdych said, adding, "He was able to win in the conditions, it was well done." The Swiss, with 16 Grand Slam titles, will now stand behind Novak Djokovic on the ATP list after sending Nadal to the third position. "I feel amazing," said Federer, who came through on his fourth match point as Berdych ploughed a forehand into the net.

Mahela Jayawardene guides Delhi into playoffs Delhi Daredevils beat Kings XI Punjab by five wickets.

Mahela Jayawardene's half-century may have been the slowest for Delhi Daredevils this season but it was compiled under trying circumstances and helped his team become the first side to qualify for the playoffs.

Jayawardene's composure under pressure ensured that an incisive fast-bowling performance from Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav, which restricted Kings XI Punjab to a middling total, was not in vain. With a place in the top four secure, Daredevils need to win only one of their last two games to secure No. 1.

Kings XI, on the other hand, needed victory on Tuesday night and in their remaining two games to be assured of a playoff spot.

They cannot afford another defeat and will have to depend on net run-rate and on a permutation of results in other matches to qualify.

Kings XI had persevered to make a below-par total competitive in their first clash against Daredevils, in this season's 64th game, but did not have enough runs in the end.

Daredevils unleashed their quick bowlers, supported by a crack fielding unit, and a steady fall of wickets ensued after Kings

Mahela Jayawardene plays a pull shot.

XI chose to bat. They had made a brisk start but Aaron ended that with his first ball: Shaun Marsh caught glancing down the leg side. In his second over, Aaron had the free-

swinging Mandeep Singh pulling to midwicket, where Virender Sehwag dived forward to take a low catch.

Kings XI were progressing well, though, and

Indian Premier League 2012 Points Table (15 / 05 / 2012) Teams Match Won Lost Tied Delhi Daredevils 14 10 4 0 Mumbai Indians 14 9 5 0 Kolkata Knight Riders 14 8 5 0 Chennai Super Kings 15 8 6 0 Royal Challengers Bangalore 14 7 6 0 Rajasthan Royals 14 7 7 0 Kings XI Punjab 14 7 7 0 Pune Warriors 15 4 11 0 Deccan Chargers 14 2 11 0

Spot-fixing: BCCI suspends five players The five uncapped cricketers exposed in India TV's sting operation were suspended from all forms cricket by the IPL governing council on Tuesday.

The council has asked Ravi Sawani - head of the ICC's new anti-corruption unit - to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within 15 days, following which "proper action" will be taken. The players suspended are Abhinav Bali, T.P. Sudhindra (Deccan Chargers), Mohnish Mishra (Pune Warriors), Amit Yadav and Shalabh Shrivastava (Kings XI Punjab).

Responding to the expose, BCCI president N Srinivasan was at pains to assure that everything possible would be done to locate and excise all malpractices.

"We will ensure that the integrity of the game is protected. BCCI believes in the integrity of the game. We will take the

reached 50 for 2 in 6.2 overs. Yadav was the fifth bowler introduced, in the eighth over, and struck with his second ball. Nitin Saini drove loosely at a fast outswinger and Sehwag was stooping at first slip to catch the edge.

After David Miller was run out by a direct hit from Pawan Negi at mid-on, Azhar Mahmood, the last of Kings XI's proper batsmen, was in as early as the 10th over. He stayed only until the 12th, when he hoisted Yadav towards long-off, where Irfan Pathan back-pedalled and caught the ball over his right shoulder on the edge of the boundary.

Kings XI were eventually in danger of being dismissed and David Hussey, who had been crying out for a reliable partner in vain, had to play within himself. He even turned down singles in the final two overs and dragged his team 136 for 8.

strictest possible action.

We will have to have the tapes and the moment we see it, whoever is the player, we will take very, very strict action," he said.

Speaking to reporters, IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla said, "The IPL governing council met via teleconference on Tuesday afternoon and recommended to the BCCI president strict action against those found guilty and found suspicious on the television footage shown on India TV." "Since it also involved matter relating to other matches and previous IPL (s), it was referred to the president. The president after due consideration has decided to have a preliminary inquiry for which a commissioner has been appointed. Ravi Sawani, who was the ICC ACSU chief and now advisor will conduct the inquiry and he will submit a report to the Disciplinary Committee."

"Pending inquiry the

five players have been suspended from all cricket activities with immediate effect. We will await the report of the preliminary inquiry and proper action will be taken only after that," Shukla added.

On Monday, India TV had claimed to have exposed "murky deals" in the IPL and Indian domestic cricket. These nefarious practices included spot-fixing, and murkiness in player payments and transfers to other franchises.

The channel showed some of the suspended cricketers admitting on hidden camera that they were paid much more than what was the prescribed limit for that category of players. The channel had also claimed that spot-fixing was prevalent, not only in low-profile domestic fixtures but also in IPL matches, with women ('honey traps') playing an important part in luring players.

N/R 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1

Points 20 18 17 17 15 14 14 8 5

Net RR +0.715 -0.056 +0.390 +0.214 -0.072 +0.335 -0.293 -0.477 -0.680

BCCI invites Pakistani club for Champions League Twenty 20

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday invited a Pakistan team to participate in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament, scheduled to take place in September this year. This will be the first time since 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai that a Pakistan team has been invited to play in India.

BCCI chief N Srinivasan confirmed that an invitation has been sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Although the two nations have faced each other at neutral venues, they haven’t played in each other’s territory.

The cricket boards of the two countries have showed their interest in resuming the cricketing ties, but it wasn’t possible because of reluctance of the Indian government.