AV 1 November 2014

SEE INSIDE ....

First & Foremost Asian Weekly in Europe

Mamata told to work with Centre to root out terror network

q\Z`U `]IX^\ FRJ ^`S KNJLK

See Page 25

Bilawal Bhutto booed at 'Million March' in London

Pragnesh Modhwadia - Managing Partner

mJN LQ\^X`UXLK `N\`La ! x`TXUF q`H ! lNRQ\NKF q`H ! zXLQJK\L ! tTTXZN`KXRS

See Page 26

India, Vietnam sign deals on strategic, defence partnership

020 8951 6989 info@axiomstone.co.uk QS Axiom Stone and Quality Solicitors Axiom Stone are the trading names of Axiom Stone London Limited. Company Registration No. 6546205. We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

VOL 43. ISSUE 25

See Page 26

80p

1st November to 7th November 2014

" # $ %& ' %&( ) * & + &$ ,

!

2 &

* %&4&

6 7 & 8 9

-. / 0 1 0 2 3 2 & 4& 5

Send money around the world in minutes

For o locations across Londo on and the UK visit

m mone ygram.co.uk/ u tesco

*

Even more T Te esco locations across s London to send nd and receive from

*Su Subject to agent hours of operation and local regulations. ons Tesco ons. e Personal Finance Plc is an agent of Mon neyGram International Limited in the provision of mone ey transfer services. MoneyGram, the Globe and Mon neyGram Bringing You Closer are trademarks of MoneyGr y am. All other marks are the property of their resp pective owners. MoneyGram International Limited is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. Š 2014 MoneyGram. 1014-80588 -80588

PM Cameron assures multicultural Britain for Asian electorate EXCLUSIVE

On Diwali day, in an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, Prime Minister David Cameron ensured the Asian voters that the Conservative party is doing its best to bridge any gap between the ethnic minorities and his party. This was followed from the speculation that Conservative party may tie up with the UKIP, if it fails to secure a majority in the next election. “We have a challenge and one that I want to meet� said Cameron. “British Asians have very strong Conservative values.

They believe in enterprise, they believe in putting back into society.� He went on to say, “I think

sometimes Conservative party has not done enough to demonstrate just how open it is to other communities, though you can see it has changed. We have many British Asian Conservatives in the benches of House of Commons and House of Lords and in the Council chambers, up and down the country. Now is the time that support for Conservative values can be turned into support for the Conservative party.�

After the last election in 2010, a study showed that while 40% of white voters support the Conservative party, only 16% of ethnic minorities including

Hindu Yatras

Swaminarayan Temple Tours

Delhi Akshardham I Chhapaiya I Saragpur I Gondal I Rajkot I Junagadh I Virpur I

Continued on page 17

I I I

Call 0208 954 0077

PM David Cameron with wife Samantha Cameron at the Conservative Party Diwali in Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster

Sri Krishna Temple Tours I

I

photo courtesy: Raj D Bakrania, Prmediapix

Rupanjana Dutta

Leicester's Indian community celebrates Diwali

I Mathura Delhi I Gokul Vrindavan Govardhan Parikrama I Dwarka Kurukshetra

More on page 16

From his days riding a humble Vijay Super scooter as an activist of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student group linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), across the colleges of Nagpur, Devendra Fadnavis has

Other Yatras

Ashtavinayak Darshan I Jain Pilgrimage I Sri Ram Temples I

Fadnavis to be sworn in as BJP's first CM in Maharashtra

Call 0208 954 0077

come a long way.

At age 44, he will now tour Maharashtra in the chief minister’s motorcade. Fadnavis was just 17 when he lost his father, Gangadharrao, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member in the state legislative council.

See page 25 for details

CALL

TRAVLIN

STYLE

0208 954 0077

5938

EMAIL ritu@travelinstyle.co.uk Open 7 Days a week

UK

2

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Ross Norman

with capital, but beyond that we are trusted to make all the right decisions without interference.

That trust is a very precious thing as it allows our team to feel fulfilled in our work and excited and engaged with our evolving strategy.

Effectively we work with the pleasure that comes as if we owned the business.

CEO of Sharps Pixley Ltd

Ross started his business career with computer guru Sir Clive Sinclair of Sinclair Research in Cambridge, before joining Johnson Matthey as Gold Refining Manager (then the world's largest gold refiners), before becoming a gold trader at NM Rothschild & Sons (then Chairman of the London Gold Fixing) and later Credit Suisse, where he was a Senior Dealer in physical bullion trading.

In 2010 Ross re-founded Sharps Pixley Ltd, bringing back to life a name with a long history in bullion back to 1778. Sharps Pixley is owned by Degussa who are one of the leading precious metals houses in Europe.

Ross has an enviable record within the London bullion market as the leading gold price forecaster over the last decade and he is frequently sought by the media for commentary on the bullion markets.

1) What is your current position?

Chief Executive of Sharps Pixley, London’s leading bullion broker.

2) What are your proudest achievements?

The London Bullion Market has an annual gold forecast competition and I have consistently been the most accurate over the last fifteen years.

3) What inspires you?

Creating a vision – then making it happen. To do that you need peers with whom you can argue the case, then fashion the business accordingly. A sharper mind might draw a

strategy like an architect, my style is probably more akin to braille (with bruises). It is making something out of nothing and then making it fly, fast.

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

I never entered the business world with grandiose ideas of running a major corporation – so to that extent, at the personal level, I am largely achieving what I felt was possible. We are not all Richard Branson’s and I feel I have played my cards optimally – so no obstacles as such.

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

date?

My first job was with the entrepreneur and inventor, Sir Clive Sinclair in Cambridge. He taught me about getting “buyin” from the staff. Trust them and engage with them - and they will all do whatever is possible to make the business a success. He brings to mind the words of Isaac Newton … “if I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.

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

The owners of Sharps Pixley are the largest sellers of retail gold in Europe. We are supplied

UK Businesses win the Guinness Worlds Records title

Entrevo held a world-class event in London for the greatest number of people business speed networking. The event, which had more than 500 people attend it, was opened by Dr. Vince Cable who recognized the contribution made by local business owners to the wider economy.

This event was dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business leaders equip themselves with the skills required for them to compete in today’s market.

There have been an unprecedented number of people in the last 4 years opting for self-employment and starting their own businesses. They are

increasingly seeking training programmes, to enhance their chances of success. One example of such a programme is the Key Person of the Influence, which hosted the record-breaking event.

The record break breaking event was lead by

female entrepreneur and CEO Darshana Ubl of Entrevo UK. Also featured at the event was Dale Murray CBE as seen on The Apprentice - You are Fired panel earlier this month.

Darshana says “We are passionate about helping businesses thrive which has the knock on effect of creating more jobs, contributing to society in terms of revenues for the economy. At our event we support charities such as the Princes Trust as it is important not just to grow your business but also to give back “.

7) And the worst?

To be honest there are very few, if any, downsides to the role other than wishing I could move faster – and much of that is within my gift to change. Patience is not my strong card and occasionally – being half Italian – the passion can come forward.

8) What are your long term goals?

The UK remains the global capital for gold trading, gold shipping and gold vaulting – and yet it remains invisible as an asset class other than high priced jewellery. We could learn a lot from India who recognise its role in wealth preservation, as a safe haven asset and a diversifier of risk. My long terms goals are to make gold visible and accessible in the UK because it offers a lifeboat in a crisis and it

provides protection against human folly. Ideally everyone should have the comfort that comes from that security.

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

I would make the Arts Council funding (to the tune of £340m per annum) contingent upon performers providing free events for the masses. To support this I would create more public venues – not only would it give pleasure to a wider demographic, it would reinforce the UK as somewhere that tourists would want to visit – in short, the grant would effectively be self-funding and it would allow us to showcase real talent.

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

Oddly enough, Oliver Cromwell – less for his religious zeal and his attitude to the monarchy – but more to better understand his deeply felt principles. His talents extended through politics to military strategy – and he was quite clearly a man of conviction and action. The appeal would be to challenge him on his beliefs (through modern eyes) but at the same time to better understand his motivations. Men of his stature are few and far between - and it would be a privilege to learn the art of leadership from them.

Old boys' club crumbles as women take on more City jobs

The number of women working in the City has risen in the last year.It is believed that the proportion of staff in the financial sector who are female has risen by nearly half from just 20 percent in 2013 to 29 percent this year.

Adam Jackson of recruitment company Astbury Marsden commented: "Over a quarter of City workers are now women. City firms are clearly doing better at attracting and retaining female talent, certainly in the earlier stages of their careers."

Whilst women are now well represented in 'back office' jobs the majority of top jobs are still help by

men and it is believed that the long hours culture of high finance is said to be one of the main reasons why retention amongst women with children is still relatively low.

The increasing importance of Chinese and Indian investment has also seen an increase in the number of overseas staff working in the City. It

is now believed that five percent of the workforce is now Chinese - up from 3.8 percent last year - whilst 12 percent is Indian - up from 11 percent during the same period.

These findings, says Mr Jackson, appear to suggest that the financial centre is starting to shake off its ‘old boys’ club reputation.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

COMMENT

India’s new mood of hope

Diwali has brought a new mood of hope and expectation to India. There was a noticeable spring in the step of the vast crowds thronging markets across the country, an ebullience not seen in recent years. The figures told the story. The Sensex had gained 26 percentage points since last year’s Diwali, investors’ wealth, measured by Bombay Stock Exchange’s market capitalization, rising by 37 per cent, is largely due, said the pundits, to the Modi factor and the new dispensation in Delhi. A week being a long time in politics, and fortune known to be notoriously fickle, it would wise to be circumspect. Crest the wave before the ebb-tide sets in. After all, as the novelist Charles Dickens said about an era, “It was best of times, it was the worst of times”.

On that cautionary note, one may rightly demand further proof that a new chapter for India is in the making. There has been a welcome administrative revamp at the Centre, with new faces in the Finance Ministry empowered to bring fresh ideas to put the economy on a cycle of higher growth, based on a more secure platform. Among the fine-tuning measures to kick-start the economy was the deregulation of diesel and petrol prices, and a raft of much needed reforms in the critical labour sector, to which India Inc had pinned its hopes. “Ease of business is the greatest priority for India’s success. Ease of of business will be a priority under Made in India. Labour’s problems from labour’s point of view too,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Industry bodies have welcomed his pronouncements. The services sector trade body, Assocham, saw its Secretary General D.S Rawat make a positive statement. “The simplification of procedures and introduction of a unified web portal to ensure compliance with labour laws is welcome move which will avoid harassment at the hands of inspectors.” The Confederation of Indian Industry expressed its approval of the changes, saying that

they would ease the burden of the Small and Medium Enterprises. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry gave its support to the government’s Unified Account Number scheme for all Fund contributions, which would allow portability and online tracking of Provident Fund benefits.

Among the most significant moves to extend the outreach of India’s manufacturing capability, the government has taken in hand the promulgation of a policy to invigorate India’s electronics industry, which is vital on two counts: First, it will reduce the country’s outsize import bill and its dependence on foreign suppliers in a sector that is fundamental to India’s security interests; second the sheer size of the industry which makes it a key jobs’ provider.

The Minister of Information Technology, Rudi Prasad, has visited the US and Germany in a bid to attract foreign investment in the sector; his ministry proposes to lower the eligibility threshold in the special incentive package currently in operation and extend the benefit to new product categories, such as air conditioners and refrigerators. The enlargement of the scheme is expected to relieve procedural bottlenecks. Thus far, 40 investment applications have been received under the scheme, worth Rs 14,000 crore, of which 16 projects worth Rs 2,200 crore have received official approval. The domestic demand for electronics goods is projected to grow to $ 400 billion by 2020, to which domestic industry will be able to manufacture products worth $ 100 billion. India has to travel to satisfy its needs. But, before long, the journey will have started. The pace will quicken thereafter. That step has now been taken and more are shortly to follow. This heartening development must be welcomed by every corner of the Indian marketplace, the strategic community and the ordinary Indian consumer. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the saying goes.

In a bid to encourage India’s youthful scientists to remain in the country and pursue a career in science rather than seek greener foreign pastures, the government has decided to increase its student grants by a substantial 50 per cent with immediate effect. Nearly 100,000 science research scholars and associates in different institutions across the country stand to benefit from the offer. While the removal of financial constraints is a huge step forward, other steps must surely follow to make the package truly attractive and fruitful. Among such measures are easing internal and external regulations and procedures within science institutions for processing work and the expeditious acquisition of necessary equipment. Beyond this, are questions of leadership and management. Exemplars who have blazed a trail include hallowed names like Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, Abdul Kalam, CNR Rao and the current head of the Indian Space Research Organization, Dr K. Radhakrishanan, and M.S.Swaminathin and others too numerous to mention. That India has come as it has done in fields as diverse as nuclear technology, space satellites, rocketry and agricultural crop yields are because of skill, innovation, vision and dedicated teamwork. These men and women have brought lustre to India’s manifold achievements in scientific endeaour, the last notable being the suc-

cessful Mars mission. Returning to the subject of financial increments for research, the work in progress has to be also carefully monitored and assessed.

Without correct procedures, the exercise might become a financial spree with good money thrown at projects of doubtful viability. In this context, Prime Minister Modi’s decision to celebrate the forthcoming birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first occupant of the august office, whose leap of faith in science at the time of India’s independence, when resources were scarce and opportunities few. His ambitious road in partnership with Homi Bhabha, along with the investments of those early years have borne rich fruit.

There were those at home and abroad who belittled these efforts as as white elephants, futile exercises in vanity. Nehru’s visionary role transcended party considerations; the national interest was what mattered, and this Mr Modi, to his great credit, has recognized. More will be said on the on November 14, the date of the Nehru anniversary, and the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi a few days later. She kept faith with her illustrious father’s policies in this regard, and made own imperishable contribution to India’s victory in the 1971 war, outwitting the genocidal generals in Islamasbad, and theri mentos in Washington and Beijing.

Two brazen crimes of violence in broad daylight and in full public view occurred in the Canadian capital of Ottawa. A soldier was shot dead at the National War Memorial honouring the country’s fallen in two world wars; five soldiers died when gunmen stormed Parliament, with MPs running for cover in the mayhem and confusion. Civilized communities across the world will mourn with fellow Canadians at their loss, for the barbarians we face are as pitiless as they are murderers in seeking to impose a hideous way of life, with values as hideous and repellent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message to his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper expressed India’s solidarity with the government and people of Canada. Canada has a thriving multicultural society in which people of Indian origin play a critical role in government, industry and the professions. Canada and India are wedded to democratic values and the rule of law. In his message to Mr Harper, Mr Modi referred to a similar incident in India, on 13 December 2001, when a posse of jihadi terrorists attempted to enter the

Indian parliament in Delh, but failed to do so, thanks to the presence of mind and courage of an Indian woman police guard, who sounded the alarm and took on the intruders at the cost of her own life.

There were ritual expressions of sympathy from Western governments but also detectable embarrassment since the attackers were trained and funded from across the border in Pakistan, Pakistan being an ally of the United States and NATO. One key sign of policy disturbance is the persistence with which the parties to the Washington consensus keep doing things without success, hoping that these will come right eventually, hence the Iraqi invasion, followed by the Syrian intrusion and the Libyan bombing campaign. And so it goes ad infinitum. David Cameron, it is reported, has read the riot act to the Emir of Qatar for funding the activities of ISIL, a case of shutting the stables doors after the horse had bolted. The toxins of the Middle East are spilling over in all directions, to Canada, India, the UK and beyond. The march of folly continues regardless.

Impetus to science research

Canada endures the pain of jihadi terror

3 You make a choice or set a goal and let people know about it. Then just getting started leads to the discovery of internal resources that help us to go further than we ever thought we could - Christopher Reeve (2002)

Baroness Zahida Manzoor CBE of Knightsbridge

Mental Health Stigma

We do not do enough for those suffering from mental health issues. They have been left behind in the NHS for far too long.

Health issues are very important to me. I spent a significant portion of my life working in the NHS. I was responsible for health services in the Northern and Yorkshire Regions from 1997-2001 and simultaneously served as a member of the Policy Board for the NHS. Prior to that I was Chairman of a large inner city Health Authority. These experiences have meant that the future of the NHS, and how we treat the various illnesses and ailments that affect the country’s population, is very close to my heart.

I am very proud of the work our doctors and nurses do for this country, without them we would not have a health service that stands up so well internationally and that we can all be proud of.

However, this should not make us complacent and we should not be scared at looking for improvements.

There is one area in particular where I feel we can do more, and where we still fail too many people. Mental health is still today treated with lower priority than physical, and visible, injuries yet those that suffer from it are affected just the same.

Statistics show that 1 in 4 of us will suffer with mental health issues at some point, this is a frighteningly high number. These people should get the treatment they deserve.

One of the major problems in supporting people with mental health is that, more than many other illnesses, it is still affected by stigma. People are afraid to tell people they have a mental health problem, for fear that they will be ridiculed or simply told to ‘get over it’. That is why we need to start taking mental health more seriously, bringing the problem out in the open

and treating it as the emergency health issue it so often is - too many suffer unnecessarily whilst we don’t.

I am pleased that this is something that my party, the Liberal Democrats, realise too.

Our party policy recognises the importance of proper care for mental health.

We have fought for the resources to secure equal treatment for mental health with physical health in the government.

At our party conference a few weeks ago, Nick Clegg announced a £120 million investment in mental health.

It will be an uphill struggle to get to a point where we can say mental health is taken as seriously at it should be. We have made it clear in government that we oppose NHS England’s decision to impose greater funding cuts on mental health than acute trusts. In my view, this is illogical if we are to make a real difference in improving mental health services. But as part of a Coalition Government we have announced new waiting time standards and a fiveyear plan to bring treatment for mental health problems on a par with physical health, a plan that will help end years of discrimination. But there remains much to do in the areas of accessibility to mental services and the fact that there remains greater disparity on who is sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Stigma on health issues is a major hurdle we have to overcome in society be it on mental health, obesity or prostate cancer. People suffer because of stigmas associated with certain illnesses.

This needs to stop. The scars of mental health may be buried beneath the surface but they hurt just as much as physical wounds and are clearly capable of irreparable damage if left untreated.

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 © Asian Business Publications www.abplgroup.com AsianVoiceNewsweekly

AsianVoiceNews

MIDLANDS VOICE

4

Priti Champions Indian Diaspora

Sunetra Senior

Priti Patel, MP, and promoter of commercial, diplomatic and cultural ties between Britain and India in the BritishIndian community, commended the contribution of Hindus and Indians to the UK during her visit to Leicester's BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir for Diwali 2014.

The diaspora champion was joined by Leicester East's Conservative Prospective Parliamentary candidate, Kishan Devani and also met with some of the community's leaders and volunteers: 'Leicester always puts on a fantastic celebration for Diwali and I was delighted to be

Priti Patel at the Mandir

able to visit this year' stated Priti. 'Hindus and Indians in the Midlands have a rich heritage we can be proud of and have made an enormous con-

tribution to British society (…) The Mandir in Leicester attracts Hindus from across the Midlands and I wish everyone a Happy Diwali.'

Rochdale taxi firm boss in 'race choice' U-turn The boss of a taxi firm has reversed his decision to allow customers to choose the race of their driver after 50 Asian cabbies walked out in protest.

Their strike was in response to Stephen Campbell, who runs Car 2000 in Heywood, Rochdale, saying he would accommodate

requests for white drivers.

The unhappy Asian drivers gathered in Heywood last Friday night to protest.

Mr Campbell now says drivers closest to the customer will be allocated, and hopes this "puts everything to bed". He told BBC Radio Manchester: "For a small minority of people,

they're not going to get what they ask for. I just hope they're happy with what they do get."

Car 2000 took over the now-defunct Eagle Taxis after the Rochdale grooming scandal. Two of the latter's drivers were among nine men jailed in May 2012 for running the child sexual exploitation ring.

Police hunt robber after gold chain is snatched from Dudley shop worker Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after a £2,000 gold chain was snatched from the neck of a staff member at a Black Country off-licence last month.

The robbery took place at the ‘7 til late’ Convenience Store in Bush Road, Netherton, Dudley, at around 11am on Friday, September 5.

He then ran out of the shop and got into the passenger side of a stolen grey Seat Leon with two other men on board.

CCTV image of the man wanted by police

A CCTV image of the robber, taken from a camera inside the shop, has now been released by police in a bid to trace the

robber.

DC Pat Lewis, from the Investigation Team at Brierley Hill Police, said: “The vehicle used was stolen and was later found burnt out in Weavers Rise, Netherton. Our enquiries are currently on-going but we would like anyone who recognises the man to contact us on 101 or call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.”

The suspect is described as being Asian, aged 20 to 30, about 5ft 5ins, stocky with short hair and a goatee beard.

Solicitor’s career on hold until a kidney donor can be found The ambitions of a young woman to establish a career as a solicitor have been put on hold. Instead of studying, Atika Amodo, pictured, has to spend four hours, three evenings a week in hospital having dialysis after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Earlier this year, the 25-year-old had a kidney transplant which failed and she is now desperate to find another donor.

Atika, from Rushey Mead, began feeling unwell about four years ago. She said: “I felt unwell and my joints were swollen and sore. Two weeks after seeing a doctor tests showed my kidney function was quite low and I was told I had

chronic kidney disease. It was a huge shock. I was immediately put on medication which eased the symptoms. But one of the problems was that this included steroids and my face started getting bigger and I was putting on weight.”

Atika’s kidneys were failing so badly she had to start dialysis. At first, this was peritoneal dialysis which she was able to do at home, but following an infection she had to change to hemodialysis which has to be administered in hospital.

At the end of May, Atika had a kidney transplant under an “exchange” scheme, whereby her mother donated one of her kidneys to a patient and in

return Atika received a kidney from another donor. Now Atika has no idea when she might be able to have another kidney transplant.

In Leicestershire, there are currently about 450 patients on dialysis.

Anyone considering being a live donor should call the transplant co-ordinator at Leicester’s hospitals on 0300 303 1573.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Leicester's first Sikh school finally opens “A dream come true” that’s how the opening of Leicester’s first Sikh free school has been described.

Falcons Primary, in Gipsy Lane, opened Monday. The school was supposed to open in September for the beginning of the academic year but had its funding withdrawn from the Department for Education (DfE) at the last minute following a “breakdown in relationships”.

Inderjit Singh Panesar, chair of trustees behind the new school said: “The opening is a dream come true for parents and the local community. Our aim is to provide the highest quality education supported by universal values and

Keith Vaz, Inderjit Panesar, Jasbir Mann and Harminder Jagdev

virtues which are underpinned by our Sikh faith ethos.”

Mr Panesar thanked Leicester East MP Keith Vaz and Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for schools, for their support over the past few weeks, along with the DfE. The school has opened to reception

and year one children and over time will grow to 420 pupils on roll. It has opened under the Government’s free schools programme and will provide education for children from all backgrounds with at least 50 per cent of places available for non-Sikh children.

Five deny Ikram Ullah Khan murder in Sparkbrook Five men have appeared in court and denied murdering a Birmingham fatherof-four who was stabbed in the neck last July.

Khalid Jan, Umar Zazai, Sardar Khattak, Mujahid Chambili and Mirwais Chambili all pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ikram Ullah Khan when they appeared at the city’s crown court.

Jan, 23, Zazai, 25, Khattak, 34, Mujahid

Chambili, 23, and 18-yearold Mirwais Chambili are likely to face trial in January next year.

Jan, of Ombersley Road, Sparkbrook; Zazai, of no fixed address; Khattak, of Foxwell Road, Bordesley Green; Mujahid Chambili and Mirwais Chambili, both of Adria Road, Sparkhill, were all remanded in custody.

Two other men charged with killing Mr

Khan have yet to enter a plea.

Mr Khan, 28, died after being injured during disorder which broke out in the Grantham Road and Farm Road area of Sparkbrook on July 2 this year. It was initially thought the victim, known locally as Ikram Elahi, had been shot but postmortem tests found his death was the result of a stab wound.

Woman fleeces granny out of £4,200 after being given a roof over her head A granddaughter callously stole £4,200 savings from her grandma, who had kindly allowed her to stay at her home, a court heard.

Nusaybah Al-Mansouri wept as she was sentenced to seven months detention.

James Varley, prosecuting, said: “The victim may have disabilities but she’s not stupid and when she saw her bank statement she realised money was missing. As a retired pensioner, it was money she couldn’t manage without.

The defendant fleeced her grandmother’s bank account by using a number of stolen cheques, between February 8 and March 12.”

Sentencing last Friday Judge Ebraham Mooncey said: “These offences were committed in breach of your grandmother’s trust.

Out of the goodness of her heart she’d let you stay with her. Far from being grateful, you took £4,200.

The pre-sentence report says there’s little scope for the probation to work with

you.”

Justin McClintock, mitigating, said: “She’s acutely aware of the impact of her offences upon her grandmother. Until forming a relationship with her ex-boyfriend she had no convictions. Unfortunately he introduced her to class A drugs and a rapid and worrying deterioration followed. Her offending can be traced to that unfortunate change of events and drugs were a catalyst in all her offending.”

Teacher admits Syria terror offences A chemistry teacher has pleaded guilty to two Syria-related terror offences.

Jamshed Javeed, pictured, of Levenshulme in Manchester, accepted he intended to travel to Syria to join rebels fighting against the government.

Javeed admitted two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation of terror acts. He was remanded in custody after the Woolwich Crown Court hearing and will be sentenced in December.

The teacher is said to have become rapidly radicalised from living an ordinary Western lifestyle to becoming someone determined to fight in the Middle East, having changed his appearance

and behaviour from August 2013.

Det Chief Supt Tony Mole of North West Counter Terror Unit commented: "What this case tells us is that the earlier we can be told about someone's intentions to join a group like this the better. Ideally, we would

like to stop people well before they get to this stage. Anyone who goes out to fight with Isis could potentially be a serious danger to communities if they return. By the time you have been trained, had experience, built up future friendships and fully engaged with that terrorist rhetoric, you potentially become a dangerous individual so we take a robust approach to people that wish to engage with terrorist organisations,” he said.

At the time of his arrest, Javeed said he felt the British government was not doing enough to help the situation in Syria and that his actions were "honourable".

5

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

ONLY 3 WEEKS MORE

& Presents ALKA YAGNIK & KUMAR SANU

IN ITS FIRST ELECTRIFYING

MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA Powered By

AT THE EVENTIM APOLLO HAMMERSMITH, LONDON BOX OFFICE: 08442494300 WWW.EVENTIM.CO.UK

ON SATURDAY 22ND NOV 2014 DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 P.M. TICKETS SOLD AT: l VIDEORAMA (8 KENTON ROAD, HARROW, LONDON HA3 8DQ) - 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 02089070116 l QUALITY FOODS 118-126 ILFORD LANE, ESSEX IG1 2LE l QUALITY FOODS 47-61 SOUTH ROAD, SOUTHALL, UB1 1SQ. CONTACT: PIYUSH - 07984723457 / 07956321776

ONLINE K O O B TO VISIT: s.com/ gnamag www.maconcert

l A TO Z MUZIK, 7 SOUTHALL BROADWAY, (UNIT-3), SOUTHALL, UB1 1JR 0208-843 2358 / 07904213557 l STARDUST OFFICE - 0207-486 8409

TICKET PRICES: £35, £50, £75 & £100 FOR SPONSORSHIP CALL: SHRIKANT ((LONDON) - 07412176812 www.twitter.com/StardustMagnaUK www.facebook.com/StardustUK www.youtube.com/user/magnastardust GUJARAT SAMACHAR

TRAVEL PARTNER

RADIO PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNERS

6

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Spriha Srivastava

Want to look young?

The very famous Shahnaz Hussain has been extremely busy with the launch of her latest anti-ageing product called Telomere. The product is based on cutting-edge research in chromosomes, while Plant Stem Cells is another natural rejuvenation treatment.

Somewhere within the living cell is locked the fascinating mystery of the aging process. A great deal of research has been devoted to antiwrinkle treatments.

Today, there are several forms of skin rejuvenating methods. Whether they help to regenerate new cells, or stimulate the immune system, or involve surgical intervention, or Botox, removing age-related changes is definitely a possibility.

And Shahnaz Hussain’s company has been working on this for a long time now.

According to a press release from the company, with the recent trend towards fitness and youth, the age group of customers has become wider. Older people are going in for beauty care to preserve youthfulness.

The other new trend is equally surprising, the company says. It is not just older people who are the target customers.

Young women, in the 25 to 35 age group, want preventive anti-ageing treatments, in order to delay visible ageing signs on the skin. In fact, they form the bulk of the customers for anti-ageing products. It seems that preventive, rather than corrective care is driving the growth of the antiageing skin care market.

And is it only the women who use these products? “No” says Shahnaz Hussain.

“There is a demand for anti-ageing products and treatments among men too.

People today are more aware of the fact that lifestyle and work pressures lead to stress and result in premature skin ageing. That is why anti-ageing products and treatments are no longer age-related and are increasing in popularity among younger people.”

Now, coming to the Telomere range of products - Telomere DNA Defence range of natural organics for skin care is based on the most advanced biotechnology discoveries. It is the result of cutting-edge research in chromosomes, the very heart of the cell, in an effort to slow down the ageing process.

But what are Telomeres? A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome, which protects it from deterioration.

Telomeres are attached to every strand of DNA and are the protective tip at the ends of your DNA. Each time our cells divide, the telomeres become shorter. The shorter the telomere, the more the skin ages. The answer, therefore, lies in finding the means to repair and lengthen the telomeres, in order to arrest their degeneration.

After intensive research, this latest scientific breakthrough in biotechnology has been applied to formulate the Telomere products, comprising of Intense Cell Regeneration Day

Complex and Advance Cell Replenishing Night Serum.

They are designed to lengthen and maintain telomeres and thus control the ageing of

skin cells. They also repair the fragile ends of the t e l o m e re s , enhancing the function and quality of the skin cells. The formulation reduces visible signs of ageing, diminishing lines and wrinkles and porcelaining the skin.

“Telomere is the real fountain of youth…..it will herald a new era in controlling skin ageing….the single, most powerful way of putting back the hands of the clock,” says Shahnaz Hussain

Celebrating Diwali with the government

This Diwali was extremely unique, not because I celebrated it with family back in India but because I celebrated it with the government. You may ask me how? Well here it goes.

This time around there were special emails from the office of the Prime Minister and his ministers – something unique that I witnessed in a long time.

I got up in the morning on Diwali day and picked up my phone to check emails was pleasantly surprised to see Diwali emails not just from Prime Minister Narendra Modi but from every single Minister. A new and brilliant initiative by the government to reach out to its citizens on such an auspicious day.

More and more youngsters decided to stay away from crackers in order to promote a green environment.

There were I n d i a n diyas rather t h a n Chinese made lights in many homes and government officials carried less Diwali gifts to their homes. It was a very different Diwali and while it was unique in its own way, people still enjoyed and celebrated with fun galore. Kudos to the government.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Of Diwali Meant to be funny…

“Dearest Lakshmiji, Another Diwali is over.

Thank you so much for all your blessings. Thank you for making sure I got so many invites to all the Indian events this year, so I didn’t just have to watch them all on Facebook.

Although, Lakshmiji, it really reduces the value of the invitations when all my Facebook friends are going to such events. It’s not very exclusive to meet the PM when everyone I know on Facebook is seeing him too at the same event. So please Lakshmiji remember, wealth is not about how much I have, but how much I have more than others.

Thank you also for all the Awards I won this year. With your blessings of wealth I was able to buy lots through my PR firm. I have to say, even my 32nd Award for being fabulous feels like the first one. Of course unlike the first one, I no longer needed to bribe the judges – what a saving that is.

Thank you Lakshmiji for the important things in

life, like raising property prices in Little India – ‘Mayfair’. My home earnt more than me this year.

Thank you Lakshmiji for all the needy people and not removing poverty – it meant there were so many worthy charity causes this year. I felt so powerful and important. I can’t remember the causes, but I know everyone was terribly poor, or ill…or poor and ill. Or hungry, or poor and hungry and ill. But anyways, thank you for letting me do my part by being there and showing my support to them in their poverty. Park Lane hotels are just perfect for these causes.

Thank you Lakshmiji for my business success.

We now thanks to low costs in India employ so many people on so little wages that my profits have gone through the roof, and when routed via Switzerland, I have a lovely family home just a few hundred miles from central London.

Thank you for my health Lakshmiji, despite my drinking I hardly put on any weight and although some people

think I have a problem, I don’t really, it’s just that I’m blessed and celebrate, celebrate a lot.

Thank you Lakshmiji for wisdom. The wisdom to know one must think about the poor and less fortunate. Wisdom to know one should pray and be grateful for one’s wealth – because thinking alone won’t make you rich.

Now Lakshmiji, I need one more thing from you this year. I really want to be in the House of Lords.

All the rich people are. I used to be able to show off about where I lived, all my rich friends on FB, and my Bentley, and my Rich List ranking, but now every Indian has all of that. So I need to be a member of the House of Lords before they really open the immigrant floodgates and it’s still a bit exclusive.

I don’t know what they do there, but I know it’s to do with laws, and I’ve always known what everyone should do, and so I just want to make the laws.

Please Lakshmiji for next Diwali and if not your department please ask Ganeshji.”

Death of Bradford family upsets local community A father is believed to have killed his wife and two teenage daughters, before killing himself.

Police launched a murder investigation after the family of four was found dead at their home in a Yorkshire village. Early indications suggested that the bodies may have been in the house for some time. This incident has left the Asian community in the locality shocked and upset.

Detectives were called to the property in Clayton, Bradford, at 8.30pm on Monday, after a neighbour raised alarm who had not seen them for some time.

The West Yorkshire police found the bodies of Jitendra Lad, 49, his wife Daksha, 44, and daughters Trisha, 19 and Nisha, 17.

Neighbours described them as a "lovely, closeknit family" and said Trisha studied at Leeds University whilst Nisha attended the local grammar school.

Both Mr and Mrs Lad worked for Bradford Council, where Mr Lad was a control and payment specialist. He is thought to be the Chairman of the Friends of Thornton Grammar school, where his daughters Nisha and Trisha studied.

Jitendra was a watersports fanatic and changed his Facebook profile picture to one in a scuba diving gear while stating that he had 'finally qualified as an ocean diver' in April.

Sources revealed that Jitendra's was born to Maganbhai Naranbhai Lad and Ratanben, originally from a small village called Gandeva in Navsari, South Gujarat.

Daksha's parents were Jagjeevanbhai Jeevanbhai Lal and mother Savita, who were originally from a village Tundi, Surat.

The family bought the detached house on Blackberry Way, a quiet cul-de-sac, in 2006, but had lived in the "peaceful" village for at least 20 years.

On Tuesday, as we went to press, the property was sealed off with police tape. A white Volkswagen Golf was parked on the driveway and floral tributes had begun to pile up outside. Post mortems will now be carried out to

establish the cause of the deaths.

Damien Miller, Superintendent Operations of Bradford District, who leads neighbourhood policing across the Bradford District, said: “Clayton is a close knit community and I understand that local people will be understandably upset by what has taken place and I would like to reassure people there is no wider danger to members of the public. Additional neighbourhood officers are in the area speaking to people and offering reassurance.”

Cllr David Green, leader of Bradford Council, extended sympathy to the community, relatives and friends of the Lad family. “The husband and wife of the family, Jitendra Lad and Duksha Lad, both worked for Bradford Council and councillors and employees are very upset after hearing the dreadful news of their deaths.”

Get blessed at a celestial wedding in Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Where The Past Comes Alive

DIPR/942/Display/2014

For Information, bookings and details of TTDC’s Tours, Contact : Tourism Complex, No. 2, Wallajah Road, Chennai - 600 002, INDIA. Call : 91-44-2538 3333 / 9857, Fax : 91-44-2536 1385 Visit : www.tamilnadutourism.org, E-mail : ttdc@vsnl.com For online booking log on : www.ttdconline.com

Tamil Nadu Tourism

Thousands of years ago, a young princess desired the Cosmic Dancer. Of course, a girl always gets what she really wants. Meenakshi wed Lord Shiva and they reign happily here to this day at the Meenakshiamman Temple in Madurai.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

7

8

UK

Indian Finance Minister passes through London

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Diwali festivities

Last fortnight was a season of festivities and celebrations for London.

Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Ram to Ayodha after his exile. Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and with them their extended family and friends were seen celebrating this festival - thus making it a Global Festival and as the name suggests illuminating the lives of many. The Bengalis had their Kali Puja Celebrations on the same day. Over 200 temples and Gurudwaras in the UK organised special programmes and events including the London Kali Bari who had its Kali Puja at the Harrow Town Hall, a much awaited event by many.

All this was made possible only due to the thousands of anonymous volunteers who come forward to brighten our lives in the midst of all this.

They are the true heroes, their selfless support brings out the true meaning of DEEPAWALI – The Festival of Lights.

The Diwali celebrations began with the Mayor of London’s Diwali Programme which was held at Trafalgar Square on 12th October and which saw thousands of Londoners turn out in colourful dresses to join the festivity. The whole area came alive with dance, music and numerous other activities. The food too was very good and aplenty. This one big lively party brought together people from all walks of life.

This was then followed by the ‘Rashtriya Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ (Overseas Indian’s Day) that was held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on 17th and 18th October.

This was the first time the event had been held in

As I See It

Diwali themed parties.

Each is worth mentioning but space does not permit me to do so. The best amongst these was the party thrown by the Hinduja Brothers. The privileged few (approx 200) attended the much talked about party, which was held not too far from the Buckingham Palace.

The music and vegetarian food as well as the programme was excellent.

Brent’s Liberal Party held their Annual Dinner Party on Tuesday 21st October at the Blue Room Indian restaurant at Wembley and was ably hosted by Sarah Teathers MP. Rt Hon Danny Alexander, the Lib Dem Cabinet Minister responsible for UK Treasury issues, Ibrahim Taguri, Lib Dem Candidate for the marginal Brent Central constituency and I all spoke at the gathering. Mr Paul Lorber, former leader Brent Council also graced the occasion by his presence. It was wonderful to see nearly a hundred people from Brent's multi racial community being addressed here. The forthcoming issue of the Asian Voice will be carrying fuller report of this event.

This year's festivities ended with a visit from Lord Meghnad Desai to Karma Yoga House on New Year’s day. Amongst many important issues that were discussed included the establishment of Gandhiji’s statue at the Parliament Square, London on 9th January 2015 which would also commemorate the centenary of his return to India from South Africa. This would be a great achievement, and I request the entire community to come forward to help in this worthwhile venture.

London. The event was organised by the Indian High Commissioner H.E. Ranjan Mather, Sri Prem Narain, the Secretary, Minister of External Affairs & Chairman of OIFC, together with their able team and was attended by numerous dignitaries and delegates.

Minister of External Affairs, India, Smt Sushma Swaraj did the honours of inaugurating the two day event which provided the Indian community here with a platform to voice their concerns and aspirations and also be a part of the growing Indian – European Relationship. Views were exchanged and issues were addressed in the hopes it would open the doors for more investors.

The Shanta Foundation organised a wonderful Charity Programme, in support of the Mitre Rehabilitation Centre.

Brothers Bhikhu and Vijay Patel of Waymade PLC, head this organisation too. Apart from being able entrepreneurs they are also great philanthropist. Their good work has crossed the borders of UK and spread to many other countries. As in all their ventures in this too they have successfully collected some £400,000 for their charity.

Monday 20th October was the date chosen by both the Labour party and the Conservative Party, for their Diwali Parties. Both put up an excellent show. The pressure of it all was on the common invitees and the media. Different dates would have meant more enjoyment and also not had the flavor of parallel public meetings. But one thing it did highlight was that Diwali has become a Global Festival.

Several corporate houses held their own

The Indian Minister of State for Finance and Corporate affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, gave a conference about her current stance on the lively economic landscape of India, both within and outside the country on the 28th of October at The Indian Embassy in Holborn: “It's a good opportunity to come London regarding the investment in India and our new government's economic plans,” a composed Sitharaman stated.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University educated minister was passing briefly through London to meet with such bodies as the confederation of the British industry who she referred to as key 'decision makers.'

With regard to the recent telecoms corporate tax cases, in which the Indian government was criticised for its retrospective exercise of the law, she stated that

Sunetra Senior

and plan thoroughly.

According to ‘A Place in the Sun’, there has been a swing back towards more established destinations since the global downturn, with Spain, Portugal and France proving to be particularly popular - both for buying a second home and full-time relocation.

Actress Sheena Bhattessa started out in the Hindi film industry with such people as Bobby Deol and Saif Ali Khan, and mastered tongues of French and Hindi as she moved on. It is only then fitting that her first foray into the world of Shakespeare should be a celebration of culture: starting from the 29th of October, she will play Juliet in Ben Power's cosmopolitan rendition of Romeo and Juliet at the prestigious National Theatre: “I am thrilled to be playing Juliet” she told us.

“It's the first time I’m performing Shakespeare so I have loved the challenge and developed a new found love for the language and the plays. We have a multicultural cast from India to Pakistan to Nigeria; Montague vs Capulets are Indians vs Africans.

Disputes, love, politicsthese are all themes that every audience will relate to. This is a play that any culture can understand.”

The play uses the setting of an anonymous modern metropolis to explore

$ %' %""

)

- CB

With six million British nationals, including British Asians planning to head overseas when they retire, has led to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) team up with ‘A Place in the Sun’ to urge UK retirees and others considering a move abroad to think long-term

)% %'" +! /() ** ',)" ) / ** , ) " !+ )-" *

“an amendment was made and Vodafone was one of the companies affected” but that it was about “upholding fairness so it was good to leave the amendment(...) we are however working on the simplification of this tax system.”The minister also talked passionately on other areas that pertained to international pressures for example the Indian government's apprehension about the US Trade Representative's 'Special 301 Report' on India's reportedly slack intellectual property rights regime: “India understands its intellectual property rights” the minster asserted. “They

are vibrant and up-todate.”

Finishing on the topic of trade, Smt. Sitharaman commented on a question about the poor packaging of Indian products for export: “quality is the real big issue for this country. It is about what we can do to improve quality. Let's first build awareness on that. We are brining in professionals to work on this in the government and with our local industries.” The Minister met several important senior officials, including Business Secretary Vince Cable, within the space of a few days, and has now returned to India.

Bhattessa and the Bard Exclusive

Retired British nationals urged to learn more about their destination before moving With six million British nationals, including British Asians planning to head overseas when they retire, has led to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) team up with ‘A Place in the Sun’ to urge UK retirees and others considering a move abroad to think long-term and plan thoroughly.

HE Ranjan Mathai, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and Shubhra Singh

'

Sheena Bhattessa

the idea of forbidden whirlwind romance: 'In just over an hour, to be set up for marriage by your father against your will, fall in love with someone else, get married, ‘falsely’ kill yourself, then actually kill yourself is a lot to go through” elaborated Bhattessa. “It was certainly a challenge I wanted to embrace and take people on this journey with me. I want to add my own take on Juliet as well.

This character has been played many times and I would want to make it ‘my own Juliet.” This attitude encapsulates the spirit of the production.

Shakespeare's original lyrical verse will be exploded with singing, dancing and

bright colours all round: “some of the dance and bits of music may be familiar” gushed Bhattessa. “In fact, the accents by some of the characters are something everyone will recognise and will hopefully see some comedy in what is otherwise a tragic love story!”

Working with a cast who bring such eclectic personalties has been the most motivating part Bhattessa said: “and I have always dreamed of playing one of Shakespeare’s most famous characters.”

Having already been part of an Oliver-award nominated cast in the Tricycle Theatre's 'The Great Game' which was later performed for The Pentagon in 2011, we have no doubt she will also do the great bard justice: “My parents always stressed education as the most important thing. As long as I had this, I could try any profession that gave me joy. They taught me respect and hard work; if people are taking time out of their lives to watch a play, a TV show or a film, I'm going to give 110% to give them the best experience possible.”

"( '%# ) ( '%# )'% 1

!'() "! &"+

"

) %*'! '(

',&*$'. ,*"& **

)#

$"

0

*'%& ',&*$'.

% "$ * $ *

) "

/

")*+ $" !+ , & +

' )'% 1 )%*

)% ( ) "$'

"( )% $ ! ( ) "$' '& "+"'&* (($0

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

The Indian Origin British Diplomat who’s a Rising Star Nikesh Mehta, OBE, was born in London to East African parents of Indian heritage. He completed Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in chemistry at University College London before working for three years as a teacher in rural Japan. Nikesh joined the Foreign Office’s Fast Stream in 2002. He has been posted to Iraq, Uganda and Malaysia, where he is currently the Counsellor covering foreign policy, security and press matters. During his time in London, he has primarily worked on counter-terrorism issues.

He told Leading Lights that, historically, the FCO has been perceived as being elitist and detached.

“I remember the reaction of some members of my extended family when I told them I would be joining the Diplomatic Service. Some questioned my loyalties in going to work for our former ‘colonial masters’ and others wondered whether it was even allowed for someone of my background to rep-

Nikesh Mehta

resent the UK.” But he doesn’t think it’s at all radical for Asians or members of any minority group to represent the FCO; after all, the British Ambassadors in the Philippines and Indonesia are both from Asian backgrounds. “I believe that people around the world admire the UK for our diversity. I think it helps to

build cohesion within communities in the UK when people can see that there are ethnic minorities who are proud to be British and proud to represent Britain on the global stage.”

One of Nik’s postings had a personal resonance.

“My posting to Uganda had huge significance for my family as my mother

was expelled from the country by Idi Amin’s forces in 1972. Her return to Uganda to visit me completed an important chapter in my family’s history. My role there involved monitoring the peace negotiations between the Lord’s Resistance Army and the Ugandan government, and working with non‑governmental organisations to support those affected by the conflict - including former child soldiers.”

Nik enjoyed his three years in Malaysia “although from a work perspective, it’s had its ups and downs. My personal highlight was overseeing the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2012. I accompanied them throughout and was genuinely struck by their energy, charisma and kindness. The low points were undoubtedly the two Malaysia Airlines disasters. I was proud that the UK supported Malaysia in its time of need.”

He feels that the FCO has made great strides in promoting equal opportunities for individuals regardless of race, religion or gender “but the success rates for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff have remained low.

Over the last year, I’ve been leading a campaign to tackle the recruitment and development of BME

talent in order to make the FCO more reflective of modern Britain. This campaign, strongly backed by our Permanent UnderSecretary and Management Board, wasn’t simply about statistics but about a long term change in the culture of the organisation.”

I asked Nik to talk about his OBE and also a recent nomination the FCO received.

“There has never been a British High Commissioner to India of Indian heritage...”

“One of the quirks of the honours process is that you never know who has nominated you so I’m not entirely sure how it came about! That said, I was deeply humbled to be appointed an OBE. This award was as much a recognition of the talented people that I've worked with as it was my own achievements. I was really pleased for my family who have made many sacrifices to support my ambitions. I know they’re looking forward to our visit to Buckingham Palace next February.

Last month, the FCO’s University Roadshow, an initiative of the BME campaign, was highly commended for recruiting

9

diverse talent at the Race for Opportunity awards.

These prestigious awards recognise organisations that have proactively created an inclusive workplace for BME staff. To me, this demonstrates our progress over the last year.

Our 2014 University Roadshow is currently underway with 70 members of staff visiting 30 universities across the country to share their experiences of life in the Diplomatic Service” Readers might be interested to hear of Nik’s plans.

“I will be attempting to qualify for our senior management grade in the coming months and this will determine whether it’s back to London or on to another posting next Summer.

“My heart is still in Africa so I would love to be posted there again.

There are incredible opportunities to make a difference whether that’s working to end poverty or tackling the threat of terrorism. And of course, I would love to be posted to India one day. There has never been a British High Commissioner to India of Indian heritage...”

You can read more about Nikesh’s work on his Twitter feed (@nikmehta33) or on his official blog page (blogs.fco.gov.uk/nikeshmehta).

10

YOUR VOICE

Sardar Patel Memorial Society (UK)

I was very disturbed to read some negative news about the Sardar Patel Memorial Society (UK) in the Asian Voice of 24th October, 2014.

I cannot understand how a body like the Sardar Patel Memorial Society (UK) can behave like a banana republic government.

Any fair minded person would not arbitrarily terminate somebody’s membership without giving that person sufficient notice and opportunity to express himself either personally or through a representative.

The late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is highly regarded for his excellent workmanship in bringing about various Indian states together at the time of partition of India in 1947. And in 2014, in England a society formed to emulate his work is doing exactly the opposite.

No doubt non-Indians and probably many Indians as well, are making a mockery of us.

One of the persons who voted to withdraw Shri C B Patel’s membership is Jayanti Patel. I am led to believe that he is Jayanti Fullabhai Patel who is a very senior person within the Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh parivar in the UK. If this is true, this is bad news for the Hindu community. Dr. Keshavrao Baliram Hedgewar founded the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) to unite Hindus. Probably this is a case of Jayanti Fullabhai Patel has not understood the RSS/HSS nor vice versa.

Sardar Patel was known as the Iron Man of India. By their deed it is obvious that no office bearers of the Sardar Patel Memorial Society have this quality of this great leader of India.

Sardar Patel Memorial Society needs to think hard and fast.

Chuni Chavda By email

Empire debate

Regarding the Empire Debate (AV 4th Oct) one should realise that knowledge of history is one thing but right interpretation of the historical events is a different thing altogether.

The assumption of Mughal Empire being natural for India was fundamentally wrong and absurd. The Mughal Empire was a Muslim colony. It was established by invaders from outside India. Before its establishment India was the most prosperous and educationally most advanced country in the world.

There were many universities such as Takshashila, Nalanda, Ujjayini, Amravati, Kashi, Vikramshila, Madura, and Valavi. The Mughals destroyed all of them and also almost all industries. Their sole objective was to Islamise India by any means possible.

The objective of colonizing a country is economic exploitation and subjugation of its people. The British rule of India was not an exception to this rule.

However after over six hundred years of Islamic tyranny, subjugation and religious conversion the British rule came as a great relief for Hindus.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Sardar Patel Society

Britain's EU Membership

Faith Schools

I have no answer to the question raised in AV issue 11th October 'How Sardar would have reacted?' for myself but I am deeply hurt to learn that Shree C.B. Patel, a person of eminence was expelled from the organisation.

On a number of occasions I have mentioned in my speeches that C.B. is an institution for Gujaratis in U.K. I am life member and past trustee of S.P.M. Society. I had the privilege to work with Mr. Praveen Amin, C.B., Bhanubhai Pandya ( V.P.) and I must mention very important events namely the installation of a statue of Sardar at the High Commission by the Deputy P.M. of India, as well as a celebration in House of commons where the Chief Guest was Shree Keshubhai Patel the then C.M. of Gujarat. Addresses by present P.M.Shree Narendrabhai of India on very specific subject i.e (jo sardar no hot to) If there was no Sardar Patel.

Also we had an inspiring address on Sardar by Poojniya Jashbhai Sahebji. I do remember C.B. had played important role. One would be deeply hurt in view of success story of past events of S.P.M.S prior to succession to the throne by present office holders who has hardly done any event save selling £ 10 ticket. I must draw attention of your reader that never was any charge levied for any event above mentioned.

In my opinion the organisation president ought to reply to C.B.Patel under what provision of constitution new or old he and his committee has taken unnecessary divisive decision.He should have given show cause notice if C.B. had done irresponsibly wrong. Not to print or not to put photos of his committee members does not warrant such drastic humiliation of person of high integrity.

I am sure good sense will prevail and present Trustee like Jayantibhai Patel and Jitubhai will come forward to solve this impasse.

David William Donald Cameron was born 9 October 1966. British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to hold a referendum on Britain's EU membership if the Conservatives win the next election.

Mr Cameron ended months of speculation by announcing in a speech in London on 24 January 2013 that the "inout" referendum would be held between 2015 and the end of 2017.

However, he said he will campaign "with all my heart and soul" for Britain to stay in the EU when the referendum comes. Both Labour and Liberal Democrats have been against this idea of in or out as a one way ticket.

As a recent second year student of economics at the Open University, I learnt that the 17 Eurozone countries per capital PPP average income of US$35,000 per annum was the same as UK’s in 2010 and 2011.

The above decision by David Cameron to make that speech and make that promise to the British public was his biggest political mistake since he became an MP in 2001 for the first time. It was a mixed message.

If he now admits it was a mistake and that he would not hold any such referendum even if he was elected to be Prime Minister in May 2015 with a majority government, he will stand a better chance of winning in the next General Election outright.

A club 17 nations with a population of 313 million has the same skills and knowledge as UK. Do not leave this club.

I thought twice about writing in response to Mr Jayam Dalal's letter titled Faith Schools.

In his letter he says that faith schools play a very important role as the children there share the same views etc. They also build an important understanding of family traditions.

These are all valid points but what he hasn't said is that most faith schools have children of a single faith and no other children are allowed to enrol. Even the Catholic schools on the whole are only for Catholics.

The whole point of living in this country is to develop an understanding of people and faiths other than our own and indeed to learn how to be part of this country.

My particular concern is with Muslim schools where there are only Muslim children. I think it is crucially important for all of us to be part of the whole and not separate ourselves. Family traditions should be taught by the family and as for conforming we need to conform but this can be done without losing our own identity.

There are plenty of places of worship and indeed people who can guide the children. As for bullying or isolation this is a preparation for life, it is better to learn how to cope with it when you are young.

Nagindas Khajuria By email

Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of moksha by Mahavira (Jainism’s twenty-forth and last Tirthankar or prophet) at the end of his life on earth in 527 BC. It was late in the night of Diwali that Mahavira left his earthly body and achieved liberation. It is said that some eight kings of the region who were present at the time, decided that the light of their master’s knowledge would be kept alive symbolically by the lighting of lamps. Hence it is called Dipavali, from dipa, or Diwali.

[It is worth mentioning at this point that Bhagwan Mahavira sat in a round circle conference with his disciples for a period of 72 hours after attaining Omniscience to deliver his sermons. His sermons were in the form of thoughts radiating from his enlightened self. It is said that those pure thoughts emanating from Bhagwan Mahavira continue to reverberate in the atmosphere even to date].

Jains celebrate Diwali in various manners. Some fast for two days as Mahavira did. Others celebrate Diwali in the traditional Hindu fashion. Hindus celebrate Diwali to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over the evil king Ravana.

We, members of Shree Jain Sangh, East London and Essex will celebrate Diwali with a variety programme and refreshments on Sunday, 2 November 2014 at The Forest View Centre in Romford from 2 pm onwards.

Lalubhai Parekh By email The British restored education in India by establishing universities at Calcutta, Bombay, Madras and Delhi.

It was the British missionaries especially Frederick Max Muller translated the Vedas into English and propagated it outside India.

Hindus did not do that. It was the education that helped the Indian Hindus to come back to life and rediscover their real identity and finally brought the final curtain of the British rule.

Dr Jatindra Saha By email

Angkor Wat

A TV programme titled ‘Jungle Atlantis’ (part 1) was shown on BBC 2 on 15th October 2014. It was all about Angkor Wat which was first a Hindu, then subsequently a Buddhist, temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century.

I find the name of the programme

Subscribe Today Asian Voice in UK for only £28.50 for one year

ASIAN VOICE

‘Jungle Atlantis’ given by BBC rather patronising, insulting and ignoring the historical existence of that great civilisation.

To compare it to Atlantis is to say that the Khmer people of Cambodia cannot have their own identity and therefore MUST always be associated with other ancient groups like Atlantis or Egypt.

Only then can the programme be watched and become acceptable by the western viewers. This is false and a very biased attitude to hold.

It is also ignorant to believe that the BBC are somehow respecting or creating large viewership by comparing it to Atlantis. Angkor Wats MUST be allowed to have it own identity.

Atlantis is a fabled mythical city.

Angkor Wat is historically real and exists today. We don’t want to paint a false picture that their story is somehow mythical.

I also don’t like the phrase ‘Jungle’.

Yes we know its surrounded by a jungle but perhaps also suggests that the people were backwards and uncivilised.

Mr Kiran Parmar Leicester

Have something to say about the stories featured in Asian Voice?

Letters are welcome at: aveditorial@abplgroup.com Word limit: 200 words.

Please detach the form and send it with your payment or credit card instructions to address below

Tel: 020 7749 4080

Karma Yoga House Fax: 020 7749 4081 E-mail: support@abplgroup.com 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street)

London N1 6HW

UK EUROPE WORLD 1 Year £28.50 £75 £85 2 Years £51.50 £140 £160 Subscriptions are non-refundable after 30 days

Baroness Flather By email

Diwali – A Jain Perspective

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Visit our website: www.abplgroup.com

NAME

ADDRESS POST CODE Email:

TEL:

I'd like to be kept up to date by email with offers and news from ABPL

Please charge my VISA / ACCESS / MASTERCARD for £

Card No:

Signature

Card Expiry date

Date

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Another boon for Dewani's Defence

Leopold Leisser, Shrien Dewani and Zola Tongo

Recent developments in the trial of Shrien Dewani have already complicated the matter of whether the wealthy businessman is guilty in the murder of his wife, Anni Dewani, while they were honeymooning in Cape Town.

First there was conflicting witness testimony among the South African nationals originally convicted of Anni's kidnapping and shooting, then police negligence when Dewani's official police statement from the time could not be found in the records, and now presiding Judge Traverso has ruled his controversial bisexual exploits are irrelevant to the case: “Don’t ask a witness who’s a gay escort in the UK to prove something that he cannot possibly have knowledge about. I’m going to stand this witness down” she told the prosecution.

This is a huge blow to the state's prosecution, who assert that Dewani staged the killing of his

wife because he wanted to escape the constraints of a traditional heterosexual marriage without having to sully his reputation in society.

German male escort, Leopold Leisser, who had previously told the court that Dewani liked to be racially abused as part of their relations, was just beginning to elaborate on how Dewani was the first client he had allowed to stay the night, "it was extremely unusual, it was the first ever time... [it’s] usually just a couple of hours", when Traverso intervened.

Leisser, who claimed to be paid £18,000 for selling his story to 'The Sun', was forced to close his escort business since his relationship with the accused, has been brought to light.

Leisser has been asked to step down from giving intimate sexual details, but he may remain a valuable witness in giving other observational testi-

mony. He has already claimed to have sent Dewani a text asking if he 'was ok?' after noticing that the businessman had deleted his 'Gaydar' account, which took place just weeks after Anni's death, and has also told the court that he heard Dewani say he wanted out of the engagement during one of their illicit meetings.

The atmosphere of the High Court is tense this week as Zola Tongo, the taxi-driver with whom Dewani is said to have arranged the whole murder, begins to tell his version of the events. He has started by saying that Dewani underpaid him for the killing, touching upon another previous weakness in the prosecution's argument where it was questioned why Dewani would pay only 5,000 rand for a killing when the underground 'rate' for killing a foreigner in the townships is well over 100,000 rand.

UK

11

British Red Cross Reception at 10 Downing Street

Standing L to R: David Bernstein, Chairman, British Red Cross, Shahnaz Husain, Samantha Cameroon, wife of British Prime Minister and Dr. Cindy Newman, Chairperson, Red Cross Tiffany Circle

Standing L to R: Shahnaz Husain Chairperson and Managing Director, Shahnaz Husain Group of Companies seen presenting the “Being Modi” book to Helen Martine group founder of the Pink Shoe Club and Amarjeet Singh, Head of India Business Group, Dutton Gregory

Shahnaz Husain attended a special reception at 10 Downing Street earlier this week in support of the British Red Cross. The august reception was hosted by Nrs Samantha Cameron and was followed by a memorable dinner at 1 Great George Street (a venue in the heart of Westminster London) to celebrate the second aaniversary of the British Red Cross Tiffany Circle.

The Tiffany Circle is a special group of accomplished women from different walks of life who are who are using their skills and enthusiasm to make a real difference to the work of the British Red Cross in the UK and further afield.

In light of Shahnaz Husain’s passionate interest and involvement with her own charitable initiatives across India, she was honored to join the special

evening to meet with Mrs. Cameron, senior officials members and invited speakers from across the globe. In particular she was delighted to obtain valuable insights into the fantastic work of the British Red Cross through a variety of programmes aimed at protecting and supporting the most vulnerable in society and learn more about the organization’s global vision.

A teenager who lured a 17year-old boy to a Brixton estate before launching a vicious and prolonged knife attack has admitted murder.

The 17-year-old boy on Tuesday, 21 October, pleaded guilty to killing Alim Uddin following the start of his trial at the Old Bailey. He will be sentenced on Friday, 21 November. The court heard how the youth murdered Alim following a dispute

over the sale of a £90 bike.

Police were called to Tilford House, Holmewood Gardens, Brixton on Sunday, 4 May, following reports of a stabbing. Alim was found suffering from multiple stab wounds before being taken to a south London hospital by the London Ambulance Service where he later died. A postmortem examination at Greenwich mortuary and

gave cause of death as multiple incised wounds.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, led by Detective Inspector Dave Reid, began an investigation. Enquiries revealed the youth had lured Alim to the top floor of Tilford House with the promise of returning money Alim had previously paid him for a bike he never received.

Youth pleads guilty to murder

Rupee Exchange Rate You will not like to miss

Rapid Funds 2 India – You just need to visit any of our 10 branches in the UK Click Funds 2 India –

Just get online and remit money to India at ease

• Remittances to any Bank in India.

• Free remittances to Bank of Baroda branches in India For Rupee exchange rates and terms and conditions,

Terms and conditions apply

visit www.bankofbarodauk.com or call 020 7457 1515 Visit any of our 10 branches in the UK: Bank of Baroda London Main Office EC1Y 2BD T:+44 (0) 20 7457 1544

Bank of Baroda Tooting Branch SW17 7TR T: +44 (0) 20 8767 6469

Bank of Baroda Ilford Branch IGI 2RT T: +44 (0) 20 8514 8609

Bank of Baroda Aldgate Branch E1 1NL T: +44 (0) 20 7480 0000

Bank of Baroda Southall Branch UB1 1QD T: +44 (0) 20 8574 1324

Bank of Baroda Wembley Branch HA0 4TL T: +44 (0) 20 8902 7407

Bank of Baroda Kenton Branch HA3 0HD T:+44 (0) 208 909 1739

Bank of Baroda Birmingham Branch B21 9SU T: +44 (0) 121 523 5973

Bank of Baroda Manchester Branch M4 5JU T: +44 (0) 161 832 5588

Bank of Baroda Leicester Branch LE4 6AS T: +44 (0) 116 266 3970

Bank of Baroda is established in the UK with company number BR002014 and is based at 32 City Road, London EC1Y 2BD. T. +44(0)207 457 1515 F. +44 (0)207 457 1505 E. info.uk@bankofbaroda.com W. www.bankofbarodauk.com Bank of Baroda is authorised and regulated by the prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Our regulator firm reference no. is 204624

12

MEDIA WATCH

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

The Modi wave is far from over. Narendra Modi campaigned tirelessly in Maharashtra and Haryana, and the BJP surged across Maharashtra and Haryana in the State Assembly elections and looks set to lead the next governments in the former in a coalition, the latter its clean sweep guarantees a government without aid of any other party. In Maharashtra, the triumph was particularly satisfying as it is India’s foremost industrialized state,, with Mumbai, the seat of its administration, India’s financial centre. demoralized local police, has started unearthing a vast jihadi terror network across the State, whose headquarters are apparently in neighbouring Bangladesh.

The scale of the discoveries has confounded the public.

Madrassas across the districts of Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray B i r b h u m , Devendra Fadnavis is the BJP’s Murshidabad and Malda were rising star, a brilliant speaker of training grounds for terror whom great things are expected squads. Scores of jihadis were as Maharashtra’s next chief minembedded in these areas, leadister. The BJP bested the local ing a secretive existence while Shiv Sena, whose principal planning bombings in the wing, led by Uddhav Thackeray, metropolis of Kolkata under the came an honourable second, noses of the Bengal constabuwhile its rival wing, headed by lary. The Trinamool administracousin Raj Thackeray limped tion, headed by the massively near the bottom and is clearly egotistical chief minister, destined for the political wilderMamata Banerjee, is under the ness. Uddhav Thackeray gained spotlight. It’s promotion and from his outreach to nonpreservation of jihadi vote Maratha communities and banks might cost the party dear. minority faiths. The party has

moved on from its former brand of Maratha xenophobia and Search operation intolerance of peoples from diverse parts of India residing in Significant arrests have been Mumbai. The good sense of the made, but the controlling jihadi electorate has rubbed off on a masterminds, Moffazul Hussian, mass regional party and it Dalim Sheikh, Mithu showed. Haryana, long a Sheikh,Talehar Sheikh and Congress bailiwick is now a BJP Abdul Malik are fugitives on the citadel. The Times of India run, provoking a massive search referred to the significance of operation. A huge haul of trigthe ground reality.”BJP’s congering mechanisms, RDX exploquest of Maharashtra and sives and incriminating docuHaryana underscores how it has ments have been unearthed thus rapidly emerged as the as the far. But for the accidental exploprincipal pole of Indian polision in a Burdwan flat, the loss tics.” (October 20). Quite so.

The once m i g h t y Congress party is now a beached whale, lacking political direction and strangled at the top by Sonia Gandhi and her discredited son R a h u l .

Congress is adrift, bothered and son, NIA Burdwan search operation bewitched, bothered and bewildered, entrenched dynasts of lives and property across the with cloned courtiers for comState and beyond in other parts fort and support. Sonia Gandhi of India would have been truly is better off at Madame horrendous (Telegraph, Times of Tussauds.

Give Congress a India, October 19-26) chance to rebuild, because it’s in the national interest that it does Andhra Pradesh so, with the Gandhis becoming ordinary again and worthy of the devastated respect they have forfeited.

The massive tropical cyclone, Hudhud, tearing in from the Bay Bengal Terror network of Bengal struck Andhra exposed Pradesh and, to a lesser extent, Odisha. Widespread evacuation This is a work in progress. Ever of coastal communities and an since the bomb blast in Burdwan array of storm shelters kept the several weeks ago, the National death toll to 36 lives; a similar Investigation Agency, having cyclone several years back bypassed the incompetent and

42.4 metres. (Business Line, Hindu October 17).

Successful Nirbhay

Andhra Pradesh cyclone

claimed 10,000 lives, hence the experience stood the authorities in good stead. Precautions were taken well in advance of the storm, whose progress was tracked by Indian weather satellites. On this occasion the eye of the cyclone hit the port city of Visakhapatnam and left it a ruined hulk. The damage to infrastructure was awesome and it will take months to repair and put the city back on its feet.

Prime Minister Modi, who made an aerial inspection of the affected areas, has promised the Andhra Chief Minister, Chandra Babu Naidu, an interim Rs 1,000 crore relief package, with more to follow when the damage assessment has been completed (Hindu, Times of India, October 14-16).

ernment has deregulated the price of petrol and announced a new price for domestically-produced natural gas. The government is also to re-launch the previous UPA government’s flagship Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for liquefied petroleum gas to consumers denied a subsidy for want of an Aadhaar number. The price of diesel, like petrol, will now stand linked to the market without any government intervention, with retail rates reflecting the price changes in the global marketplace (Business Line October 19).

Satellite launch

Finance Ministry appointments

Nirbhay missile launch

Arvind Subramanian

With the Union budget preparation starting to roll, Prime Minister Modi has made two key appoints to the Finance Ministry, appointing Arvind Subramanian, a Senior Fellow at the US Peterson Institute for International Economics as Economic Adviser to the government for a three-year term.

Subramanian has a distinguished CV. Having graduated from St Stephen’s College, Delhi, he completed his doctorate at Oxford University and taught at Harvard University and worked for the World Bank and the IMF, where Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan was a colleague. The second appointment is that of Rajiv Mehrishi as Economic Secretary to the Finance Ministry. He was one of the architects of Rajasthan’s Land and Labour Reforms policy. (Business Line October 17)

Diesel deregulated

In the most significant of economic reform measures, the gov-

PSLV C26 has placed India’s 1,425 kg Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System into orbit, making it the 27th straight success for the workhorse vehicle designed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The IRNS 1C was the third satellite, of seven, in the series, with four more satellites to come. The present satellite carried two types of payload –navigation and ranging. The navigation will transmit navigation signals

GSLV Mark III

Meanwhile ISRO is gearing up for the suborbital test flight of GSLV Mark III , taking a step closer of sending astronauts into space. The GSLV Mark III will be the heaviest Indian launch vehicle, and is designed to make ISRO self-reliant in the heavier class of communication satellites weighing between 4,500 to 5000 kg and thus enhance the country’s capability to be a competitive player in the multi-million dollar commercial launch market. Typical parameters of GSLVIII are: (1) lift-off weight 630 tonnes. (2) Payload 4 tonnes to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and (3)Height,

India’s goal to boost strategic deterrence capability took a vital step forward with the successful test-flight of its long-range subsonic cruise missile, Nirbhay (Fearless),from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha, off the Bay of Bengal.

The 1000 plus kilometre-range missile, with a tree-top trajectory was launched from a mobile platform, carrying a dummy payload of 350 kg hit its target with the expected accuracy. Nirbhay, designed and manufactured by the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) and its sister Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADED) can carry a nuclear and conventional warhead. Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Director General DRDO, Avinash Chander, described the test as a “great moment”. Dr K.Tamilmani Director General, Aeronautical Systems, said the test would be the “basis for improved cruise missiles (Hindu October 18)

India-Russia defence ties

Apropos of Sino-Russian commerce in energy, armaments and weapon systems, The Economic Times’ Russian guest columnist, Petr Topychkanov (October 15) responded to Indian anxieties by pointing out that Russia’s military-technical cooperation with India “is significantly larger than that of Russia and China. In 2013, Russia exports to India through the military-technical cooperation amounted to $4.8 billion (30 per cent of the total amount). Russia’s cooperating with India in domains in which there is no partnership with China, such as missile production, the construction of nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.

Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation has two distinct features when it comes to cooperation not with just China, but with any other country.” Russia is developing with India weapon systems of strategic significance such as cruise missiles and nuclear submarines; and they joint develop and manufacture other military technologies as well. He reminded Indian readers that China had a vast maritime border that required protection with weapon systems that were of no relevance to its land border with India.

Hero MotorCorp Excels

Hero MotorCorp, Ltd, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has posted a second-quarterly 58.62 per cent jump in profit, exceeding market estimates. The precise sum earned was Rs 763 crore. This is the company’s highest quarterly profit. “We are only beginning to see how strong an impact we can make on the market with our innovation and technological improvements,” said company Vice Chairman and Managing Director Pawan Munjal (Mint October 17).

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

13

RPBD EXCLUSIVE

Swaraj wins the hearts of British Indian diaspora at the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

14

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Rupanjana Dutta

The Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was inaugurated on Friday 17th October in London at the Queen Elizabeth convention centre in presence of hundreds of people from the Indian diaspora, including the MPs, Peers, businessmen and community leaders.

The ceremony started with a lighting of diya by the British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Minister of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, High Commissioner of India to UK, Mr Ranjan Mathai and Mr Prem Narain, Secretary, MOIA. Welcoming the audience, the High Commissioner said that he was extremely pleased to convey his gratitude to the government of UK, British Parliamentarians, British Indian community leaders, organisations, business leaders, academics and media persons for their invaluable support.

Philip Hammond, Britain's Foreign Secretary said "I am delighted that the UK has been chosen as the host nation for this first Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas under the new Indian government.

“I want to recognise the exceptional contribution the UK's 1.5mn strong Indian diaspora are making to this country. It is a contribution felt in the British society and culture. In britain's economy and also in politics.

“India has impressive fundamentals as the world's biggest democracy and rising economic power house, with a hard wired culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Allied with PM Shri Narendra Modi's ambitious economic development programme, these characters have the capacity to make India an

HE Ranjan Mathai, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, Mr Philip Hammond and Mr Prem Narain

increasingly strong player on the world stage in the coming years- a force for good, for stability and prosperity. We want UK to be a key partner in the next chapter of India's story. PM Modi wants to

profession in which Indians have not excelled.

You have brought honour not only to this country but also to your country of origin. You have made India proud. We regard you as a pillar of great

Indian economy has already shown early signs of recovery. We aim not only to sustain the trend, but also accelerate it. Our government believes that large-scale infrastructure expansion, efficient and

transform India and we believe that UK can help. " He also expressed delight for the bilateral relations India and UK have shared, especially the decision to erect a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Parliament square- at one of the world heritage sites.

Addressing the audience, the Minister of External Affairs, Mrs Sushma Swaraj said, “I am delighted to see in this room so many distinguished British Indians, who have done exceedingly well in their chosen fields. There is hardly any

strength in our partnership with the United Kingdom.

“During this short span of my stay here, I have heard many success stories of British Indians. I go back to India not only impressed, but with a renewed conviction that India’s active engagement with its diaspora has a most promising future. It is good for India, good for the United Kingdom and good for the partnership between our two nations.

“Ever since the new government took charge a few months ago, the

value-added manufacturing, skills development, specialized education, youth development and judicious use of new technologies will put India on the path of progressive economic development.

“There is no better time than now for the Indian diaspora to come forward to join hands with us as partners in India’s growth story. My visit has reinforced my confidence in the potential and resourcefulness of the British Indian community.

“I also had a bilateral meeting with Foreign

Indian students face in the UK given the recent immigration regulatory changes.

She also addressed the issues concerning Indian diaspora in the UK especially by the Indian youth population - both homegrown and those coming from India. She also spoke on the great divide between the Indian Diaspora in the UK and those originating from India and the disconnect between British Indians and the New Modern India.

The NISU President urged the two governments to restart the Post Study Work visa, and also

offered a ready made solution to make the arrangement possible.

Ms Arora used her speech to pose the question of responsibility to the audience of business leaders, politicians, diplomats and the youth themselves – ‘Who is responsible for the plight of these students?’ A question and topic well asked and well received, Arora’s comments regarding students placed in legislative limbo upon sudden closures of colleges, mid-cycle policy changes and invasive monitoring, resonated strongly with the audience who applauded enthusiastically at her words –

‘There are no bogus students, only bogus colleges!’

Ms Arora went on to say, “We are delighted to see how well received we

Secretary Philip Hammond to broadly review the steadily strengthening relations between our two countries. We shared the view that the relationship is progressing well. We are committed to working closely with the UK in all areas of common interests and concerns, including at the international level.”

After her formal English speech, Sushma Swaraj, switched to Hindi to express her delight at her first visit to London as the External Affairs Minister.

She then spoke about BJP's historic election victory earlier this year that had the audience clapping and cheering.

Mrs Swaraj added that it's the hope and expectation of people especially youngsters that gave encouragement to change the Coalition face of India.

She went on to say that she was aware that people outside India have more hope in them. And they would do best to deliver that.

In an emotional plea to the Indian Diaspora in the UK to invest in their motherland, Mrs Swaraj said "now is the time" to come to India to tap the "immense opportunities" awaiting them.

The Minister while launching the two-day Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, also said she attached great importance to the event as it is the first large-scale engagement of the new government with the highly successful and vibrant Indian- origin community of the UK and other European countries.

While highlighting the "tremendous opportunities" and "exciting projects" across various sectors, she also acknowledged concerns of the Indian Diaspora seeking greater ease in sustaining links with their mother-

land.

"I have come here not just to address you but to invite you; now is the time to come to India. There are immense opportunities waiting there for you. I promise I will listen to all your problems and solve each one of them," she said.

"As we rejoice in the success of the Indian Diaspora, we also invite you to actively participate in India's growth story.

Our Government is fully committed to good governance, clear policies, efficiency, accountability, speedy decision making, transparency and favourable business environment," she said.

The two days event included several discussions such as: Role and contribution of Indian diaspora to the British, how can the diaspora and the government of India leverage each other's strengths to mutual benefit, leveraging new opportunities for India and UK in ICT and financial services, Investments in India: the way forward, role of social media and youth in promoting diaspora's links with India, opportunities and challenges in IndiaUK collaboration in trade and investments, NRI/PIO businesses in European countries: achievements and constraints, Scope and potential of diaspora's engagement in education, research and innovation in India, issues of concern to Indian diaspora and possible solutions and role and contribution of diaspora's cultural contacts.

Participants included MPs and Peers of Indian origin, and several community heads.

The event concluded on 18th October, with a gala dinner and cultural performance, that included music and dance representing different parts of India.

NISU addresses Indian youth issues at the RPBD

The National Indian Students Union (NISU) UK addressed the issues or problems faced by the Indian youth including foreign students at a panel discussion in RPBD. Addressing the subject “Issues of concern to Indian diaspora and possible solutions”, Ms Sanam Arora, President of NISU joined the discussion with Moderator Dr Onkar Sahota, AM, speakers such as Mr CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, Mr T K Manoj Kumar, JS (DS), MOIA, amongst others.

Ms Arora spoke about the challenges that the

CB Patel, Sanam Arora, T K Manoj Kumar and others

were and people really understood what we aim to do. The UK has previously taken on board our suggestion delivered at the Westminster Legal

Policy Forum and we can only hope both countries now collaborate on the solution presented at this conference.”

RPBD EXCLUSIVE

Indian Diaspora celebrates the first ever Dadabhai Naoroji Awards

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Rupanjana Dutta

On 17 October, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, announced the winners of the inaugural Dadabhai Naoroji Awards at a reception in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, bestowed by the British Government for services to UK-India relations, in presence of Indian External Minister Mrs Sushma Swaraj who also gave away the awards to the winners jointly with the DPM and Priti Patel MP. The Awards were judged by ministers following nominations from the public in three categories: commerce, culture and education, and presented at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office reception for the British Indian diaspora attended

by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Before making an appearance at the FCO reception, Deputy PM Clegg and Mrs Swaraj had a brief meeting, where they addressed issues that Mr Clegg touched upon during his visit to India, such as immigration- how to attract students from India, the ICT routes, tackling threats of terrorism etc. Mr Clegg also met the members of Indian press briefly before the reception, where he spoke about his india visit.

Hosted by the Coalition government jointly, the evening reception at the FCO's historic and majestic Durbar Court, started with a welcome speech by MP Priti Patel, Cameron's Indian diaspora Champion and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.

Indian Minister for External Affairs, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, addressing the gathered audience said, “I am most grateful to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for inviting me to this reception. It is a testimony to the strength and success of overseas Indians in this country and the respect they enjoy by the British

DPM Rt Hon Nick Clegg, Priti Patel MP, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Dame Asha Khemka, OBE

Government.

“I am pleased to know that the inaugural Dadabhai Naoroji awards to individuals with outstanding achievements in India-UK relations are being presented today. We regard Dadabhai Naoroji, the first British Asian in the UK Parliament, who also brought the first Indian business to the UK,

Dadabhai Naoroji

as a founder of Indian nationalism during the colonial rule. Dadabhai strived for political reforms and justice for India. He informed the world of India's plight as a colony. He worked to educate the British about their responsibilities as rulers of India to secure fair treatment for the Indian people. Naming the awards after him is a tribute to Dadabhai...

“On behalf of the Government of India, I wish the Indian community continued success.”

Concluding with an impromptu speech in Hindi, pretty much like the inauguration ceremony in the morning, she urged the Indian diaspora

Indian External Affairs Minister Mrs Sushma Swaraj met the sponsors and contributors of RPBD at a London hotel on 17th October. It included HE Ranjan Mathai, Mr S S Sidhu (Minister Coordination, IHC), Peers of Indian origin, such as Lord Navnit Dholakia, Lord Ranbir Suri, Baroness Prashar, Lord and Lady Raj Loomba, Lord Diljit Rana, organisational leaders such as Gopichand Hinduja, Dr Rami Ranger, Atul Pathak, Ashok Verma, Joginder Sanger, CB Patel and other community stalwarts.

to continue making their family back in India proud by setting example through their achievements and contributions in Britain, as they have done for so long. This comment was hugely embraced by the diaspora present in the audience, who almost immediately reacted with loud and patriotic slogans “bharat mata ki jai”, accompanied by resonating applauds.

Thereafter Deputy PM Nick Clegg announced the winners of the Dadabhai Naoroji award. The winners included: Madhav Sharma, for Culture, Dame Asha Khemka OBE, for Education and Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, for Commerce.

Presenting the awards, the Deputy Prime Minister said: “It gives me great pleasure to present these awards to three outstanding individuals on behalf of the British Government.

Patricia Hewitt, Asha Khemka and Madhav Sharma have worked tirelessly to strengthen the bond between the UK and India.

“As advocates of UKIndia relations, their work continues in the same spirit as that of Dadabhai Naoroji, helping our two great nations work together to achieve fairness, mutual understanding and economic prosperity.

“The awards remind us that our relationship with India is one which we must continue to foster, and one from which both our nations have a great

deal to gain.”

The awards were announced by the Deputy Prime Minister during his trade mission to New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore in August and are designed to celebrate individuals who have furthered bilateral relations in the fields of culture, commerce and education.

The new awards are dedicated to Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian Member of the British Parliament and the man who brought the first Indian business to the UK. The fact that the awards are in his name pays tribute to his commitment to the Indian people and his key role in historical events.

Over 80 nominations for the awards were received from members of the public. After a thorough shortlisting process, agreed by a Ministerial panel comprising David Laws, Hugo Swire, Lord Livingston, Greg Clarke and Ed Vaizey, the Deputy Prime Minister selected the winner for each category.

The awards trophies made of sandstone were designed by Andrew Vickers, a prominent stone sculptor from the north of England who creates abstract and figurative sculptures in a variety of stone. He took inspiration from the striking image of Dadabhai Naoroji in turban and glasses, whose figure he has set upon the stone block.

15

India promises to push for UK-Gujarat direct flights

On the last day of Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the Indian diaspora was assured that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs will push for direct flights between the UK and Gujarat. A number of representative groups for the Gujarati population in Britain expressed their joy at the assurance.

Mr T K Manoj Kumar, Joint Secretary, diaspora services division (MOIA) addressing the audience said, "We had prepared a strong proposal for Air India to start direct flights between London and Ahmedabad but due to financial and logistics reasons it couldn't go forward...

"I will reiterate this point strongly when I go back this time and push for it again."

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of the Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar and Chairman of the India League, who had initially started the campaign told a journalist from the Press Trust of India, "We had launched a major campaign in 1999 following which direct flights were launched in 2003. From just one flight

a week, in view of the major passenger flow that was increased to five flights but the UPA government just suddenly stopped them.”

CB had submitted more than 20,000-strong petition on the issue a few years ago and has now taken up the matter directly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He added, "The request is with Prime Minister Modi and the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Smt Anandiben Patel, we are very optimistic after Manoj Kumar's assurance.

Given the financial crisis faced by Air India, maybe this is just the right kind of business opportunity.

The demand is very high.”

HE Ranjan Mathai, the Indian High Commissioner said, "We have had a series of useful meetings and come up with some practical steps to take the India-UK relationship forward.”

Shailesh Vara, UK Minister for Courts and Legal aid said, "The UK's 1.5 million diaspora is ready, willing and able to play a part in India's growth story so that Britain and Bharat can prosper together.”

Securesafe

1. Burton Eurovault Aver S2 Size 1 G Suitable for up to £40,000 valuables.

Ext. Dimensions (HxWxD): 300x350x300mm Int. Dimensions (HxWxD): 220x270x195mm

Price: £350 including Delivery and Installation on the ground floor.

2. Dudley Home Safe Heavy 5k Suitable for up to £50,000 valuables.

G

Ext. Dimensions (HxWxD): 400x415x365mm Int. Dimensions (HxWxD): 300x315x222mm

Price: £535 including Delivery and Installation on the ground floor.

3. Chubb Safe Deca Grade 1 safe 25k G Suitable for up to £100,000 valuables.

Ext. Dimensions (HxWxD): 340x500x345mm Int. Dimensions (HxWxD): 262x424x216mm

Price: £684 including Delivery and Installation on the ground floor.

We Stock huge range of safes at an unbeatable prices.

“Securesafe creates peace of mind for a lifetime!”

For independent advise please call 0800 072 4391 (we have Gujarati and Hindi speaking safes advisers )

Contact Vikram Arpita or Rasik

Tel: 01223 654757 0800 072 4391

Email: info@securesafe.co.uk www.securesafe.co.uk

VACANCY

BAR / Waiting STAFF

Part time Bar / Waiting Staff Required for Indian Bar & Restaurant in Queensbury, Middx To be Experienced & Enthusiastic Good Rate of Pay. Must have right to work in the UK Email your CV to: jobs@regencyclub.co.uk or call 07962 397 707

16

DIWALI

Prime Minister hosts Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street

Rupanjana Dutta

The British Prime Minister Rt Hon David Cameron organised a Diwali reception at his residence in 10 Downing Street on Monday 20 October, where he addressed a room full of MPs, Peers, including that from Labour and Lib Dem party, such as Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP (labour), Lord Gulam Noon (labour), Lord Navnit Dholakia (Lib Dem), Lord Raj Loomba (Lib Dem) with Lady Loomba, organisational leaders and community stalwarts.

For the first time the had an Annakut display, by the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, Neasden. The evening started with lighting of a diya, followed by a short welcome speech by the High Commissioner of India to Britain, HE Ranjan Mathai, followed by a formal address by David Cameron.

Addressing the gathered audience, the PM said, “It is the contribution that British Hindus and Jains make to our country, over 800,000 British Hindus, perhaps 20,000 Jains. And when I

Rt Hon David Cameron addressing the invited guests

“This year we think of the 100th anniversary of the First World War, where over a million people from the subcontinent, from

should be in public life, but it is present and it must be. Thinking of karma, pleasure and fulfilment; thinking of moksha,

HE Ranjan Mathai addressing the gathered audience

liberation and release.

India, served in the Armed And thinking of artha – Forces and made such a thinking about your contribution, winning career, your skills. medal after medal, VC after VC. And we celebrate that this year, and it’s quite right that we do: the huge c o n t r i b u t i on that India made to that great struggle to prevent the domination of Europe and to Annakut display at the fight for free10 Downing Street dom...

The PM look around, whether it is went on to speak about politics, whether it’s busithe upcoming statue of ness, whether it’s arts, the Mahatma Gandhi at The British Prime Minister with sports in our country, you the Parliament square Mrs Kokila Patel, Managing can see the scale of the and Gandhi's principles Editor of Gujarat Samachar contribution. that inspired many lead“And every year I say Thinking of those things ers. He celebrated the histhis, but every year I mean together, good, strong valtory of the relationship it: there’s still more to do. ues that we should teach between Britain and India, It is great that when we look around politics we people like Shailesh Vara, Dolar Popat, Alok Sharma, and Keith Vaz. We see people at the top of our politics, but I want to see more in the House of Commons, in the House of Lords. I want to see more Member of the British armed forces invited at Diwali reception at the top of our military, more at the top of our children, and so often rejoiced the values that our judiciary, playing the when we look at each unite us, helping us fullest possible part in other’s religions we can strengthen our societies British life. But you are find values and lessons and build a better world. certainly making a huge and morals that are so The PM concluded, “I was contribution, and it’s a valuable for our children, looking at the values that contribution that we for our future...You’re Hindus celebrate and the should celebrate tonight. hugely welcome here goals of life, and it’s such a Speaking of the shared tonight and thank you for good way to bring up your history between all you do for our country. children. Talking of dharCommonwealth countries Thank you very much ma, virtue and duty, not and Britain, he added, indeed.” always as present as it

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Diwali at the Labour House

Sunetra Senior

On Monday 20th October, amid the NHS and immigration policy plans, Miliband hosted a Diwali reception at the contemporary styled Conrad Hotel in St James' Park. It was a jovial atmosphere, tinged with relief after a tough couple of months in the election drive. Through the serenade of live Indian music, senior Labour politicians such as Camberwell and Peckham's MP Harriet Harman, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP and Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan took the stage to speak while Labour councillors and supporters from across the country, including Goodness Gracious Me's Nina Wadia, conversed and exchanged ideas on the warmly lit floor below.

'This is a good opportunity to meet colleagues who are also friends' said councillor Sundip Meghani of Leicester City Council. 'We can catch up and talk about developments in a relaxed setting.' Key seat candidate for Harrow East Uma Kumaran was a particular crowd drawer. Meghani too, seemed in touch with the needs of young and working adults as we discussed the creative influence of 'The Curve' Arts centre in Leicester's cultural quarter and the issue of roadworks at Belgrave Circle.

However Miliband's Diwali address, given neatly in the middle of the evening, showed a grave awareness of the challenges that lie ahead for his party: 'We must remember our shared history' he said after an initial jolly opening: 'I think this is the best Diwali party going on tonight!'

'This is not just a celebration for Hindu, Sikh,

Rt Hon Ed Miliband,MP, HE Ranjan Mathai and Seema Malhotra MP

Rt Hon Ed Miliband with the generation next

Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition with our journalist Sunetra Senior (second from left) and George, Chief of Operations (second from right) with other invitees

Muslim and Jain faiths but for everyone in the community. We will only succeed by using every person of every faith in the national community.

Tonight is about Diwali, but we do have a journey to make ahead of us: jobs for younger people, business, our health care system. The stakes are very high.' Sadiq Khan, who has recently urged his party to take a harder stance against the Green Party for floating voters, added that 'we must work together to get Labour in charge. We

must get the policies right. This includes getting more brilliant British MPs of Hindu faiths.' MP Harman said it is vital that we get Labour into power if we are to have a 'free and prosperous' society. The lighting of candles by the children of Avanti school to represent the prevailing of 'good over evil', set an aptly sentimental mood before the beginning of the speeches. As the evening buzzed on, the attitude underlying was a cautious but determined optimism.

Leicester celebrates Diwali

More than 30,000 people attended Leicester's Diwali lights switch on to mark the start of the festival. The actual Diwali celebration was held on 23 October, considered to be the biggest outside India.

The crowds enjoyed food, music and dance before the celebrations

ended with a display of 5,000 fireworks at

Cossington Street Recreation Ground.

Indian artist Janak Chauhan came to Leicester to create a rangoli art exhibition in the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, which included creating patterns with coloured sand one of which included the elephant pictured.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

PM Cameron assures multicultural Britain for Asian electorate

Continued from page 1 Indian votes for the Conservative party. While immigration has become a favourite subject amongst Britons, UKIP is becoming increasingly popular, exploiting the issue of immigration. Supposed to have influenced Cameron's recent thought process on UK's immigration policies, it is currently believed that if the Tory party fails to win the majority vote in the 2015 general election, there are high chances of the party joining hands with UKIP leader Nigel Farage to form a Coalition: 'a disaster in the making' according to the Asian voters.

Immigration, a much debated subject in Britain has been a part of the British Asian ethos. The second generation of British Indians, born and bred in Britain, are aware of their dual cultural privilege, and look at the antiimmigrant stance as 'archaic', and multiculturalism remains a significant ingredient of their DNA, their perception of 'who is british' and that of the future of Britain.

In his interview, PM Cameron emphasised that it would be wrong of him to speak of any possible or probable alliance- including one with the UKIP: “We are not having pacts or deals with any one, before the election. That would be completely wrong. We stand as the national Conservative party.”

He explained, “Let me reassure all the people who read Asian Voice, we need to have a firm and fair control of immigration and we will deliver that.

And indeed many British Asians say to me it is necessary and they can be frustrated as anybody else by a failure to have fair controls, but that should be accompanied by a very clear commitment to maintain what we are, which is an open, tolerant, compassionate, multiracial country, that many people have come to live in and contribute to and very proud to call home.”

The Prime Minister, who will be visiting Brisbane, Australia for the G20 summit in November, will be speaking on several issues including the Ebola epidemic. Earlier, the summit decided to focus only on climate change, however it is now supposed to address economic issues, along with wider topics.

This summit is being held around the same time as the Indo-EU leaders' conclave in New Delhi (Prabodhan, to be held from 11-15 November this year). Last year the PM visited the conclave in India, though he could not say for sure if he would do the same this year: “I am not sure if that will be pos-

17

Liberal Democrats host Diwali function at Admiralty House

that this may affect the poll in 2015.

Studies in January this Rani Singh year showed that India is the second largest source There was a warm welof non-EU students for come from the Deputy British universities, Leader for the Liberal behind China. The numDemocrats in the House of ber of non-EU students at Lords, Lord Navnit UK universities has risen Dholakia, PC OBE DL, at every single year since the Admiralty House in Higher Education Whitehall on Wednesday Statistics Agency began 22nd October 2014. He keeping records in greeted everyone as they 1994/95. came in.

According to Hesa, It was the Liberal Non-EU students made up Democrats’ Diwali event 13% of the total student and Deputy Prime population at UK universiMinister, the Rt. Hon. ties in 2012-13. There was Nick Clegg was the chief a 25% drop in the number Guest. of Indian first-year stuThe rooms were all dents starting courses in packed, and the VIP 2012-13, following on guests were Mr from a 32% fall the previGopichand Hinduja, MPs ous year. The number of Martin Horwood and Paul Indian first-year students Burstow and Lord Raj starting courses has Loomba. halved in just two years, There were other sigfalling from 23,985 in nificant people present 2010-11 to like the executive of the 12,280 in 2012National Black 13.

P o l i c e Universities Association. warned the govNick Clegg ernment’s abolisaid in his tion of the postspeech that he study work visa was delighted was deterring to host the students from event in a vencoming to the erable building UK. When asked “On behalf of about that, the my part of the Prime Minister coalition.

I assured that the want to espeincreasing numcially thank you ber of scholarfor all that you ships available to do the rest of Indian students the year. All of now, would do you in one shape or form the trick, though stand tall in your community. All of you are leaders PM Cameron having a read through he made it clear Asian Voice (file photo) that he would in your own right. All of make no changes you are looked to provide to the post study work by many people in Britain, leadership and guidance visa arrangements in the impressed by the steps he particularly in times of near future. is taken as the Prime trouble and economic Mr Cameron said, Minister and also the ecochange and insecurity by “expanding the number of nomic transformation he so many people across the Chevening scholarship, I achieved in Gujarat. There country and across your think is very exciting for are lots of things to discommunities.

Indian students. There is cuss with him” Cameron I want to thank you for no limit on the number of added. the wisdom and leadership students coming to Britain Having visited India you provide to all those to study. All that is thrice already, he elaboratwho look up to you for required is an English ed on the special bond that guidance and leaderqualification and a place India and Britain shares: ship. It’s always a tough in a British university.

“I really believe in the business but it’s an honThere is also no limit on British Indian partnership our and a privilege to seek the number that can stay and it has the potential of to show people how to as long as they can find becoming one of the spemove forward in a spirit of work in a graduate job. I cial relationships of the tolerance, generosity and am not changing the 21st century. Look at the empathy and I know you arrangement for the post figures, it has more British all do that and I want to work study route...”

Indian investments going thank each and every one “I do not think we than any other G20 of you very sincerely for need more people to come nation. When you look at doing so. into lower skill employIndian investments in Secondly I don’t need ments, because we should Britain, India is investing to tell you how important be training British people more into Britain than rest Diwali is to many hunor people who are already of Europe put together. So dreds of millions of people here. It is a very good and the connections, the peoacross the world. Whether clear offer.” ple to people contact, the trade it's all there, and I think the political partnership should be very strong Gujarati Brahmin girl, Mumbai based well known too” the PM concluded.

However, a very and from well settled family visiting London for important aspect of the one month. Beautiful, Never Married, 41 years, Indo-British relations, B.A. (5│3┌ Height & 68Kg weight). Proposals remains that of Indian stufrom Gujarati or any Hindu(Vegetarian), family dents coming to Britain for higher education. It is oriented and well settled Groom are welcome. widely believed that the Serious inquiries only. hostility towards Indian Email: jayeshjoshi04@yahoo.co.uk Or phone: 0781 412 3648. students coming to study in Britain continues, and (Please leave voice message and we shall return your call soon) sible this time. I am very keen to meet with the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, which I will do at the G20,” said PM Cameron.

This will be the first time the two Prime Ministers meet face to face. Speaking about Shri Modi's upcoming visit to Britain, he said, “Mr Modi has an open invitation to come to the UK.” It is believed that Mr Cameron has specially invited the Indian Prime Minister to come during the unveiling of the Gandhi statue in January 2015 at Parliament Square. But rumours say that Shri Modi may not be able to visit in January, though a visit in the first half of the new year is likely: “We have not got a date as yet.

But the invitation is an open one. I know he will get a very warm reception

UK

Bride Looking for Groom

own best wishes to you at such an important time.

Mr Clegg then thanked Lord Raj Loomba for providing the sparklers and sweets that were in the going home bag also containing a publicity handout about Lord Loomba and his charity work.

Mr Clegg joked Rt Hon Nick Clegg with that in his role as Mr Gopichand Hinduja chief government it’s Jains, Sikhs, Hindu health and safety officer he communities, across the could not allow sparklers world, Diwali is such an in the building itself that important moment. It’s a had withstood many politimoment of joy, of light cal and metaphorical fireover darkness, of good works in its time. So over evil, of families cominstead on this “Cold ing together. Of fireworks, Autumnal evening with the of colour, of food, of winter closing in” the sweets, it is a truly joyful sparklers would be lit outmoment and celebrated in side the building in the

DPM lighting sparklers with the present guests and Lord Loomba at his Diwali reception

such spectacular style. A gathering like this cannot rival the spectacular events in Leicester or Trafalgar Square.

I wanted to express my

courtyard. “I invite you all to light the sparklers in the courtyard outside and bring light where there is currently darkness. Happy Diwali to you all.”

6 BEDROOM DETACHED HOUSE FOR SALE IN STANMORE

A rare opportunity to acquire this delightful Laing Built House within walking distance to Brockley Hill Golf Club. This stunning 6 Bedroom Detached House located on an exclusive Private Road and Prime Residential Location in the Heart of Stanmore. The property is laid out over three floors offering flexible and spacious living accommodation. The property comprising of good size kitchen/breakfast room, large reception room, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, 5 further bedrooms and family bathroom.

To the exterior there is a fabulous rear garden. In our opinion, this is a must see property and internal viewing is highly recommended. £849,950.00 FREEHOLD TO ARRANGE VIEWING PLEASE CONTACT: CHARLES RUSSELL ESTATE AGENTS TEL: 020 8863 6269 EMAIL: enquiries@charles-russell.com

18

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Who’s better for the stock market – Conservatives or Labour? Or a Coalition?

Will the parliamentarians be hung and lead to market volatility, a plunging pound, falling FTSE? Or will we get an unexpected rally?

But what about the last 12 Labour years. Well we are up over that period from being at 4445 on May 1st 1997 to just short of 6,000 when the last election happened.

It’s easy to forget we had the largest boom and the largest bust of recent times under Labour. The boom was of course the dot-com boom which started in 1995 under the Tories when the FTSE was at under 3,000 and peaked in 2000 at nearly 7,000. But during the double dip FTSE drop we had since 1997 we reached below 4,000 in both 2003 and 2009. Today the FTSE 100 is at 1998 levels still- but don’t blame the coalition – it was when Labour left too.

So who has done best from the Coalition? Well since May 2010 you made a 730% return if you invested in Ashtead. Dixons and ARM would have seen you make hundreds of percent in returns too.

And the Pound is stronger against the Euro and the Dollar. Not bad given all the supposed immigration problems we have. And Labour did a very left wing thing – they pretty much wiped out the banks and nationalised them – unintentionally of course.

Who has created more wealth per annum from the stock market. Well, actually we are nearly all time highs on the UK stock market from a pretty low base – so it is the Tories. Coincidence or causation?

Of the 350 largest UK companies – some 250 have risen during the reign of the Con/Lib coalition. And which sectors over all have done best? Leisure companies – so much for working hard for little pay.

This Government’s focus on technology, entrepreneurship has paid off because the Tech sector has been one of the best performers too. This was the coalition of TechCity remember.

What about investment from India? Well it’s hit record highs. Again you could ask who takes the credit? Governments? Those in charge of Government policy and those of us implementing it would say so – as we watched the UK India Business Council Chair receive an award for contribution to bilateral trade and investment at the Foreign Office. The UKIBC was conceived during Labour and grew during the Coalition – maybe the best answer is – everyone is working for UK Plc.

India sign MoU on Asian infrastructure bank

Twenty-One Asian countries, including India, China, and Pakistan, have signed an inter-governmental memorandum of understanding on the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank for regional development.

The memorandum will open ways for the formal establishment of the bank, proposed by China, which will be tasked with funding regional infrastructure projects.

In October last year, President Xi Jinping put forward a proposal on set-

ting up the bank. Since then, five rounds of talks with countries interested in the proposal have been held on establishing the multilateral lender and achieving its reported capital target of 100 billion dollars. Xi met with delegates from the 21 initial participants, including India, after the signing ceremony.

The signatories decided the bank's headquarters will be in Beijing and they expect it to become operational before the end of 2015, the report said.

India discloses names of 3 Swiss bank account holders

The NDA government on Monday revealed three names - Dabur's Pradip Burman, Rajkot bullion trader Pankaj Chimanlal Lodhiya and Goa's Timblo Pvt Ltd in the black money case. It was the French authorities who informed India about Burman's alleged tax evasion and stashing of money abroad.

Information about the other two - Lodhiya and Timblo Pvt Ltd - came from the German authorities.

Timblo Pvt Ltd faces prosecution along with its directors Radha S Timblo, Chetan S Timblo, Rohan S Timblo, Anna C Timblo and Mallika R Timblo.

The names were revealed by the Centre before the Supreme Court in an affidavit filed 24 hours before the scheduled hearing in the case. It said: “Several more cases are under process and the

names of persons prosecuted will become public in due course.” But the Centre's commitment to reveal names came with a caveat. “Government is committed to disclose names of persons holding illegal money abroad.

However, every account held by an Indian in a foreign country may not be illegal and the fundamental right of citizens to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be ignored,” said the affidavit mentioned by attorney general Mukul Rohatgi

before a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu.

The Centre said double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAAs) and similar treaties with other countries are vital sources of information on Indians stashing ill-gotten money in foreign banks and that the agreements and treaties mandate that information provided under these could be revealed only after court proceedings were initiated against them on completion of a proper investigation about the financial illegality committed by the

person. Meanwhile, the issue of black money put Congress and BJP at loggerheads earlier this month when the Centre told the apex court that it could not reveal the identity of account holders as it was bound by the treaties with the countries that have provided the details.

As Congress demanded that Modi and BJP leaders apologise for misleading the countrymen for two years, finance minister Arun Jaitley retaliated that certain names in the rogues' list would embarrass the party. “It has been a week since we demanded that government reveal all the information. The government should not indulge in political titillation or press sensationalism. You are the government, you control ministries. You should act,” a Congress spokesman said.

UK's New Call Telecom is acquiring India-focused instant messenger and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) player Nimbuzz and the deal is estimated at around $250 million. Nimbuzz, headed by 35-year-old IIT Delhi grad Vikas Saxena, has over 200 million registered users, with biggest share of 20% coming from India.

Company officials, while confirming the deal refused to comment on

the transaction size.

Founded in Netherlands

by Evert Jaap Lugt in 2006, Nimbuzz claims to have a fast-growing user base with subscribers in over 200 countries and a robust mobile advertising business. Apart from the original promoter, others who have an exposure in the company include Saxena, Mangrove Capital Partners and Naspers.

Saxena, who has earlier worked with companies like Bharti Airtel and

Aircel, said the deal would help Nimbuzz expand, especially in new technology areas. Sources said New Call Telecom, the sixth-largest internet service provider in the UK, will pick up around 70% stake in Nimbuzz, which currently has a revenue projection of around $15 million annually.

Nimbuzz has a little over 100 employees, mostly in India, and some of them are expected to benefit from the deal due

to their ESOP holdings.

Saxena will continue to hold some of his equity in Nimbuzz post the deal and will remain as CSO. "We see huge potential in India's nascent internet, broadband, instant messaging and data sharing markets. We hope to generate and expand a number of new and traditional revenue streams as e-commerce picks pace and broadband expands," New Call chairman Jerome Booth said.

India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plans to launch a “huge” global acquisition spree, as the energy flagship go in for an aggressive $180 billion investment push to take on Chinese rivals and drive foreign production up sevenfold by 2030.

Dinesh Sarraf, ONGC chairman, said that the group aimed to raise its international oil and gas output from 8.5 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent last year to 60 million tonnes over that period, as India prepares to meet projections of rapidly rising

domestic energy demand.

The foreign expansion is likely to see India’s largest industrial company by market capitalisation ramp up operations in almost all of the world’s energy-producing regions.

“The kind of investments which we will require is huge,” Sarraf said. “Our goals are so high we can’t pick and choose parts of the world; it will come from virtually everywhere.”

ONGC has historically been viewed as a conservative, midsized global energy player, held back by cautious management and

risk-averse political leadership in New Delhi. It also has often lost out to more aggressive state-backed Chinese energy groups in the race to snap up foreign oil and gasfields, analysts say. Recent years have seen a markedly bolder approach, however, following the launch last year of a strategy known as “Perspective 2030”, designed to bolster overseas operations. ONGC has invested about $7 billion since mid-2013 to acquire foreign assets in countries such as Mozambique and Brazil.

Sarraf pledged that this global expansion would now accelerate, potentially aided by a rapid recent fall in global oil prices. “We see this as a time we can make certain deals,” he said.

“Prices are lower, and so some new deals may be available.” India is set to overtake China to become the largest source of growth in global oil demand by 2020, according to the International Energy Agency. Almost of all of this increase will be met via imports, given India’s limited domestic production.

Pankaj Lodhiya, Pradip Burman and Radha S Timblo

UK's New Call Telecom buys Nimbuzz for $250 mn

India’s ONGC plans aggressive investment push

B A Finance & Mortgage Co. ESTABLISHED SINCE 1970

from £100K to £30M

Commercial Mortgages, Bridging Finance, Development Finance UPTO 100%.

All types of Business’s Including Retail and Restaurants.

I Nursing Homes I Rest Homes I Hotels I Pharmacies I Doctors I Dentists I Opticians.

For further information contact: Kam Patel / Tim Drakes Tel: 020 8682 0800, Fax: 020 8682 0222 Email: bafinance@btconnect.com - www.bafinance.co.uk Consumer Credit Licence No: 350996

Buy To Let Mortgages

From 1st time buyer landlords to large portfolios.

IT contractors accepted even with umbrella companies.All employment types, residency types and domicile types considered

REAL ESTATE VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

19

Peering into the Future

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

A property we exchanged upon in Pont Street, Knightsbridge for £1.5m about a month ago has now received an offer of £1.75m. This in a nutshell means from an investment of £150,000 our investor will be making £250,000 in a month.

The property consists of a two bedroom duplex flat, it’s in top condition in a lovely well-kept block; it should be well kept because the service charges are extortionate at £7,000 per annum. I was told it needed about £10k spending on it, but I honestly couldn't see where you would spend £10k unless you plated all the locks and taps in gold.

The property consisted of 1,044 sq. ft., with the benefit of a long lease of 85 years, which we were planning to extend if we ended up completing on the property. The reason being if you extend a lease which is over 80 years you don't pay any marriage value on it, basically you pay a lot less to increase the lease when it’s over 80 years.

This investor actually doesn't know that he has received an offer at this level, well hopefully if he reads the Asian Voice religiously he will now realise his flat is now under offer and in the solicitor’s hands and he stands to make a tidy sum from his investment.

The reason why we don't make a big deal of an offer is because it is only an offer, it doesn't necessarily mean the deal will be done. Just prior to exchange our investor will of course be informed and ultimately the decision to exchange will be his alone, but I think it’s hard to refuse such a proposal.

Th ere can be ce rtain obstacles in this type of tran saction one of them is the fund ing, most high stre et l ende rs d o n ot lend on prope rties which have been trad ed within a six month period ; and many bu yers are blissfull y u naware of this issue , many even exchange in the hope of gett in g a mort gage further d own the lin e be fore comple tion.

Th ere are many t raders who du mp their prope rtie s into au ctions kno wing this will be an issue fo r th e incoming pu rchaser. Man y buyers d o no t kn ow t he pro pe rty they are purchasin g is being traded an d th is is why it is being dumped in the auctio n, and o nly af ter exchang ing do t hey release this d eal can not be fu nde d by a stan dard high stree t le nde r.

fund, which keeps them locked into the investment, especially if the return can be given in a reasonably consistent basis.

Howe ver in orde r to en su re the capital colle cted is deployed effect ivel y we would need to chan ge o ur strat egy. Fo cusin g on trading propertie s is a bit l ike waiting for a bu s, the y may not come f or many mont hs an d the n all o f a sudd en they come two at a time.

It is no way to run a fund. Therefore in order to scale this project up we would need to concentrate on blocks of flats. New builds would suit the model, as you only need to put 10% sometimes 20% and then nothing till completion of the project which can be several years away. This allows you to resell the property prior to completion.

This can be like a double edged sword as if the market falls then you can be forced to complete the deal even though the property is now worth less than what you paid for it a couple of years ago.

Another danger in this type of transaction could be the incoming buyer exchanges but then fails to complete, this means we will have to complete on the deal. If we do not complete we inherit the incoming purchaser’s exchange money and lose our exchange money, so we may be slightly better off, but ultimately we will have lost the deal as we were not in a position to complete the deal.

So these types of deals come with the risks, when doing them we are always prepared to complete the deal if required. In this scenario the mortgage is in the process of being arranged.

The returns are very heavy for the cash invested, the internal rate of return on these figures go through the roof. It is for this reason we are taking a trip to Geneva this week to raise funds with the aim of ramping up what we are doing here. In many ways we will be preaching to the converted, many of these people are property veterans, but this is a different method and there are apparently no funds in the market who specialise in trading properties. Property trading is especially suited to funds because it offers a very high return to the shareholders of the

Un der c urren t cond itions this is n ot something which shou ld be en tered into lightly, however the closer yo u g et in to Cen tral Lo ndon the le ss the problems which effect the re st of t he marke t will af fect yo u. It’s like en terin g the eye of the sto rm; wh en you’re in the midd le yo u’re shield ed fro m the eco nomic woes which face propert ies in lesse r locations.

However in order to scale this up new builds are not the only method to do so, you can purchase blocks of flats which come up from time to time.

Negotiating a long completion with the seller by making the excuse of the due diligence you need to do, or to insisting on getting vacant possession on all of the properties which you know will take close to 6 months, is a good way of extending the completion. During the extended completion you resell the individual properties very very quickly and cash in on your investment.

And if you have to complete the deal you will always benefit from the government’s very kind scheme called Multiple Dwelling Relief, where you will only pay stamp duty on the average price of the property subject to a minimum of 1%. This means if you’re buying 10 properties for a price of £1m you are only eligible to pay 1%. So if you complete the deal the upfront costs are reduced and you can still resell and make a good profit.

Blocks come up from time to time, currently there’s a large bock available in Wembley which has an asking price of £12m for 100 properties of which 40 have been sold off on long leases. This represents a 25% discount on the retail price.

In general existing blocks are safer to purchase as the gains can be realised in a short space of time and doesn't require much predictive ability. Purchasing off plan means you need to be able to look in to the future and predict what the market will be like in the years to come, this can be a risky business especially when the market is in a state of flux.

The Real Deal

Marylebone, London, W1 Purchase Price: £650k l l l l

A large two bedroom flat in a beautiful block Close to Marylebone High Street Lease extension cost will be around £1m After lease extension this property will cost us around £1,570 per sq. ft., while properties in this location are being sold for around £1,800 £2,000 per sq. ft., l We expect that with a fresh lease the value of this property will be around £2,000 per sq. ft. l Excellent buy and hold opportunity Call us now to reserve!

0207 993 0103

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in

Central London Property Sourcing

info@sowandreap.co.uk

www.sowandreap.co.uk

55 Bryanston Street, Marble Arch Tower, London, W1H 7AA

Follow us online:

Sowandreapuk

SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week l Rather than selling a property and paying Capital Gains tax; it might be better to extract the increase in value of the property by just remortgaging it.

l While investing in a property, most of the money will be invested by the bank not you, remember they will always do a valuation to check their investment is secure, this is an additional check for you, the investor.

20

LEGAL VOICE

Doing business in India to get easy

The government is working to cut down the time for registering a business from 27 days to a single day to make India a better place to do business.

Towards this end, it has readied a raft of measures, such as, single registration for all labour laws, overhaul of tax systems, reduction in the number of permits required, easing up property registration, quick electricity connection and property registration - measures that are expected to make the country a friendlier investment destination.

Currently, India has the reputation of being a notoriously difficult place to do business. According to The World Bank's `Ease of Doing Business' index, India ranked 134 out of 189 countries in 2014, behind China (ranked 96) and behind neighbours Pakistani (110) and Bangladesh (130). During

the launch of the 'Make in India' campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that his government would take steps to bring the country's ranking among the top 50.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has been made the nodal agency for pushing these procedural reforms. In turn, DIPP has set a time frame of 3-6 months for implementing the changes. It has asked all

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

ministries to come on board and work to reform the regulatory structure and overhaul the investment climate. States are also being encouraged to join the Centre's efforts to improve the regulatory structure and cut down delays.

Among the focus areas are reforms of the tax system.

It has been suggested that the number of taxes be reduced and online payment of taxes allowed.

Education and higher education cess, dividend and withholding taxes can be incorporated under corporation tax to simplify the process, officials said.

The Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) for developers of special economic zones (SEZs) and units in SEZs is proposed to be abolished. There is

emphasis to expeditiously implement the Direct Tax Code and goods and service tax (GST). “To achieve all this, the government, along with the states, will need to carry out radical measures on a war footing,” said an official.

The DIPP has set timelines for various reforms for ministries and departments. For example, it has been suggested that there should be no inspection for low risk business and computer based selection for high risk ones. There is also a proposal for a uniform policy and procedure for all states so as to enable the single-window clearance system, along with a combined application form with an institutional mechanism to provide various approvals.

The DIPP has cited examples from various countries for easing up the processes and reduce delays.

Indian industry big hitters meet diaspora UK

Rani Singh

The 24th OIFC Diaspora Engagement Meet in London took place at the Montcalm Hotel on the 16th October, 2014. The event was a partnership between the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC), the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the High Commission of India, London, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The theme was the economic engagement of the Indian Diaspora with India.

First off to speak were Ms Charu Mathur, CEO, Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre; Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Chairperson, UK-India Business Council; Mr Deep Kapuria, Chairman, Hi Tech Group; Mr Prem Narain, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Govt. of India and Chairman, OIFC; H.E. Mr Ranjan Mathai, High Commissioner of India to the UK; Mr Uday Dholakia, Chairman, Indo-British Trade Council.

The Release of OIFC p u b l i c a t i o n s “Opportunities for Economic Engagement for Indian Diaspora in the United Kingdom” & “Doing Business in India – Guide for Indian Diaspora was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the OIFC, the UKIBC, the OIFC AND Gateway Asia.

The first session was on Manufacturing and Infrastructure, looking at opportunities in the “new” India.

Moderated by Mr Deep Kapuria, the panel included Mr Amitabh Kant, Secretary at The

(L-R) Charu Mathur, Patricia Hewitt, Deep Kapuria, Prem Narain, Ranjan Mathai and Uday Dholakia

Dep’t of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Baroness Sandip Verma, Minister of Energy and Climate Change, Mr Kapil Bakshi, Vice President and Europe HeadProcess Engineering L&T Technology Services, Mr Philip Bouverat, Director, JCB, and Mr Vivek Nanda, Principal, AECOM. Mr Amitabh Kant said in a round table that India has done a number of things to do with the ease of doing business.

“Opening up difficult sectors like rail and defence, we’ve put India back onto the growth story. We’ve achieved growth. FDI Investments have gone up by 75% in the last two months; the challenge is to continue this growth story at higher levels over a longer period of time.

We’ll see many more reforms unfolding in coming days.”

The feeling among speakers was that there was unprecedented interest outside India as well as inside India as to the London meet and India’s investment future.

A section on Opportunities in Skills Development had as its speakers Mr Atul Bhatnagar, COO, National Skill D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation, Mr Praveen Roy, CEO, Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, Prof Samir Dani, Prof of Logistics and Supply

Chain Management at Huddersfield University, and Mr Ash Verma, Chairman, Gateway Asia.

It was moderated by Mr Divya Baweja, Partner at Deloitte Haskins and Sells.

There was a session on Opportunities for Investors, moderated by Mr Divya Baweja; featuring Mr Kanwar Vivek, Senior President, Yes Bank Ltd, Mr Mrutyunjay Mahapatra, Regional Head, State Bank of India UK, Mr Kapil Arora, VPStrategy and Alliances, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd, Mr Dhananjay Dwivedi, Sec, Gen. Admin. Dep’t, Gov’t Gujarat, Mr Sanjay Kumar, Principal Sec. NRI Affairs, Gov’t Punjab, Mr Madhukar Jetley, Advisor, Gov’t Punjab, and Ms Rani George, Sec, Gov’t Kerala.

Next was a session on Energy Distribution Generation and Renewables, moderated

by Ms Soma Banerjee, Head (Energy), CII. There was a presentation

by Mr Upendra Tripathy, Sec., Min, New and Renewable Energy, Gov’t India, and the discussion was with Lord Christopher Peter Moore, Chief Exec., The Enersel Engine Co. Ltd., Mr P. Saxena, Advisor, Min. New and Renewable Energy, Gov’t India, Mr Rajiv Malhotra, Exec.

Dirctor, PTC India Ltd.,

Mr Sameer Parikh, VP., ILFS Energy Development Co Ltd., and Mr Vijay Goel, Partner, Singhania and Co. Then came concluding remarks.

Mr Manoj Ladwa, CEO of India Inc., representing the diaspora, gave a powerful speech in which he said that there was now a transformational opportunity with the new Shri Narendrabhai Modi Government in place. He said that there was a new path to development available now. He said that the message was that people of Indian origin matter. The UK-India relationship was very important.

He urged everyone to look at the flagship projects that India was now involved in; 1) Clean Ganga campaign. “The biggest urban regeneration project in the history of mankind. It’ll go on for generations.” 2) Make in India 3) Digital India 4) Technology India 5) Skill India. He recommended that the OIFC should have a bureau in London.

Manoj Ladwa was followed by Mr Deep Kapuria and Mr T. K. Manoj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, who summed up the gravity of the day by stating that with three Government Secretaries present and three State Governments represented, it was clear how seriously the Modi administration was taking the diaspora.

He said that the day was a “Hard curtain raiser to the big diaspora meet in January 2015 in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat, to be followed by one of the largest investment meets in India; “Vibrant Gujarat.”

Maria Fernandes

Provisions of the Immigration Act being phased in

Rights of appeal removed for students From the 20th October 2014, the first phase of the removal of rights of appeal is to kick in. The first category of people to be affected are as usual students. An Administrative review will replace a right of appeal which will only be available to the student or their family members where there is a human rights or an asylum claim.

The process itself will only be available to “resolve caseworking errors” according to the explanatory statement that accompanies the introduction of the measure. Unsurprisingly it will prohibit new evidence from being introduced.

Where an application is made in time, the leave of the person will be automatically extended whilst the Administrative Review is in progress.

The review must be made within 14 days following receipt of the decision or 7 days if a person is detained. There will be a fee of £80. This applies to those who make applications after 20th October and will not affect applications already made awaiting a decision.

Foreign prisoners who will no longer have a right to appeal against deportation or have a right to an Administrative Review.

Further tightening of domestic workers (From 20/10/2014) An additional rule will be introduced to the already strict requirements for private domestic workers which will allow refusal where a domestic worker is “living in the UK through frequent and successive visits”. The reason given for these changes are to prevent abuse. However it is hard to imagine how this works. It is a subjective rule that can be used to

refuse applications very easily.

Business visitors (From 20/10/2014) New activities will be allowed: • scientists and researchers will be allowed to share knowledge, expertise and advice on an international project which is being led by the UK • overseas lawyers who are employees of international law firms which have offices in the UK will be able to give direct advice to clients in the UK • allow graduates of nursing schools to be admitted to sit Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) Medical visitors (From 20/10/2014) Will be able to apply for visas for upto 11 months instead of 6 months in some cases.

Investors (From 06/11/2014) There is an intention to increase of funds from £1 million to £2 million.

It will no longer be possible to take a loan against assets. However topping up funds that are devalued or lost will no longer be required. There is to be a consultation on what types of investment will benefit the UK. Tier 2 (From 06/11/2014) When the points based system was brought in, it was supposed to be an objective test based on meeting the points. However that has been phased out. There will be a new rule which will require an assessment of whether a genuine vacancy exists and this will basically allow officers to refuse applications for a wide variety of reasons.

The provision that allowed employers to pay a reduction in salary due to reduced hours is to be removed.

To contact Maria Fernandes, please email at: info@fernandesvaz.com

Lloyds to cut 9,000 jobs

Britain's state-rescued Lloyds Banking Group announced that it plans to cut 9,000 jobs by the end of 2017 to slash costs. "In order to make the group more efficient, we expect to exit 2017 with a cost:income ratio of around 45 per cent and are targeting reductions in each year of the plan," LBG said in a statement.

"We also anticipate a

reduction of 9,000 full time roles by the end of 2017 and plan to make further simplification savings of £1 billion ($1.6 billion, 1.27 billion euros) per annum by the end of 2017." LBG will also close about 150 branches over the period. The bank which remains 25-per cent owned by the British taxpayer is cutting its headcount by about one tenth.

CURRENCY VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

21

Foreign Exchange

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

Economic Recovery Slowing Down Last week there were clear signs that Britain's brisk economic recovery is showing more signs of cooling after shoppers bought less, exporters took a hit from Europe's slump and banks approved the fewest mortgages in more than a year. Data released on Thursday reiterated that the Bank of England is signalling that it is in no rush to raise interest rates, even as Britain's economic growth continues to outpace that of most other industrialised nations.

The pound touched its lowest level in a week against the dollar after official figures showed retail sales fell more than expected in September.

This was also reflected in businesses ability to obtain credit.

Indeed net lending to businesses continues to fall, despite efforts from the bank of England to increase business borrowing.

Net lending to all firms fell to 3.9 Billion in the second quarter of 2014.

There was also little good news for the government in the run-up to May 2015 General Election. Government borrowing rose more than 10 percent in

Mon 20 october

the first half of the financial year, giving Chancellor George Osborne little scope to offer sweeteners to voters before a parliamentary election in May. The Office for National Statistics reported that the UK borrowed ÂŁ11.8bn in September, which is 15% or ÂŁ1.6bn more than this time a year ago.

The European Central Bank (ECB) began its new stimulus programme on Monday, buying up covered bonds, which are debt backed by cash flow from mortgages or consumer loans. It was reported that the ECB has wasted no time in mopping up debt from France.

The ECB hopes that the scheme will encourage banks to offer credit to small businesses in Europe, to drive economic activity and inflation.

Also The European Central Bank is also considering buying corporate bonds on the secondary market. Essentially this will help large European corporate companies gain greater access to financing thus allowing them to grow their operations which will help encourage growth and

Mon 27 october

stimulate the ailing European Economy.

Manufacturing output expanded at the fastest rate for three months, while growth of service sector activity was unchanged on the six-month low seen in September. In both cases, rates of growth remained historically weak and below the averages seen in the year to date.

Although output rose at a slightly faster rate, new orders barely rose in October, registering the smallest monthly improvement since orders began rising in August of last year.

Last week there were increasing signs that the American economy is getting stronger with job gains are on track for their strongest year

Mon 20 october

since 1999 and cheaper gas prices are keeping households upbeat about the economic expansion amid the weakening in Europe and emerging nations.

Faster wage increases and more broad-based improvement in the labour market would help further spur the consumer spending that makes up about 70 percent of the economy.

Fewer Americans also filed applications for unemployment benefits over the past month than at any time in 14 years as an improving economy prompted employers to hold on to staff.

The four-week average of jobless claims, dropped to 281,000, the lowest since May 2000, from 284,000 the week before. The reading for the week ended Oct. 18 climbed by 17,000 to 283,000.

Sustained demand for goods and services is encouraging companies to retain workers, even as economic growth slows abroad.

As a result, firings have hovered near historically low levels while gains in payrolls also bolster total income, giving households the confidence and the means to spend.

Mon 27 october

Mon 20 october

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 28th October 2014 @ 2.50pm GBP - INR = 98.89

USD - INR = 61.18 EUR - INR = 77.92 GBP - USD = 1.62 GBP - EUR = 1.27

EUR - USD = 1.27 GBP - AED = 5.94

GBP - CAD = 1.81

GBP - NZD = 2.04

GBP - AUD = 1.83

GBP - ZAR = 17.55

GBP - HUF = 392.27

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.

Mon 27 october

22

WORLD

'Modi Express' to take PM's fans from Melbourne to Sydney

New Delhi: In appreciation of Narendra Modi's humble beginnings, over 200 fans of the Prime Minister will travel 870 km by a special train dubbed "Modi Express" from Melbourne to Sydney for a diaspora event on Nov 17.

Carrying 220 Modi fans, the four-carriage train decorated with tricolour balloons will depart from Melbourne's Southern Cross station for Sydney at 8.30 pm on Nov 16, spokesperson Balesh Singh Dhankhar of the Indian Australian Community Foundation (IACF) said.

About 1,000 such fans are expected to arrive from Melbourne to Sydney. As the train's capacity is just 220, only that many will travel, he said. Modi will reach Brisbane to take part in the two-day G20 summit starting Nov 15. It will be followed by a community reception in Sydney on Nov 17 during which Modi will address the Indian diaspora. He will also address a joint

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

parliamentary session in Canberra the next day.

According to the 2011 Australian census, around 295,300 people in Australia were born in India while around 390,900 had Indian ancestry. The Modi fans have plans to savour Gujarati cuisine during their journey, Ashwin Bora of the IACF said. Some fans said that the train journey will hold a unique place in their memory.

"Since Modiji has travelled a lot by trains as a grassroots BJP worker, we came up with this idea," said Modi fan Sanjeev Bhakri.

"We have plans to put

up Modiji's banners and enjoy Gujarati food during our journey," said another Modi fan, Vijeth Shetty.

Dhankhar said people were "enthusiastic about watching the charismatic Modi live in front of thousands of people who will congregate at Sydney's Allphones Arena on Nov 17". He said that while planning Modi's Australian tour, it was believed that the Brisbane visit for the G20 summit, the parliament address in Canberra, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott's banquet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground would be enough.

"It was only after learn-

ing about such a huge interest from Indians in Sydney that the Indian Prime Minister's Office realised how much significance the Sydney visit could hold for the Indian diaspora," the spokesman said.

In Sydney, the organisers also have plans to highlight a new historical, archaeological and linguistic evidence indicating human migration from the Indian subcontinent to Australia around 5,000 years ago.

"It will show how the link between India and Australia has been much older and deeper than many people believe," he added.

Event organisers in Sydney said more than 21,000 people have registered through their local community organisations to attend the event, which can accommodate only 16,000.

Another 20,000 people are expected to register when organisers open a number of seats for allocation by lottery.

Islamabad: Former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf rubbished the theory that the recent face-off between Indian and Pakistani forces began after India beat Pakistan in the Asian Games, calling it a "cock and bull story".

He said it would be stupid on the part of Pakistan Army to open a front with Indian forces at the LoC and International Border when they are involved in fighting terror in tribal agencies in Waziristan.

"Pakistan Army at the moment is involved in fighting terrorism in the tribal agencies of North Waziristan. They are totally involved in that. They would be stupid and senseless to open a new front with India," Musharraf said in an interview. In his first interview to an Indian news channel after his release, the former president spoke about various issues, including derailing of the peace process

between India and Pakistan, the role of Pakistan Army in Kashmir, war against terror, his future plans and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "anti-Pakistan" stand. He again attacked Modi for being "antiMuslim and aggressive towards Pakistan". "He started with negative credentials as far as Pakistan is concerned. What we are seeing from across the border, here in Pakistan, is that he is anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan. These are his credentials with which he started. And he was even denied visa to the United States."

When asked if the Pakistan Army is sending terrorists inside India, he

vehemently denied it and said, "I have said there are people in Pakistan ready to sacrifice and go across.

We have been actually controlling them." In a veiled threat, he said, "Like you are exploiting our instabilities in Pakistan, we have the capability of exploiting your instabilities too."

He accused India of being involved in destabilising Pakistan through Indian consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad and of indulging in antiPakistan activities. He said the RAW agents have training camps in Kandahar. But when he was asked to give specific evidence, like India has given in dossiers, he was evasive but dubbed evidence given by India about Pakistan's involvement in terror activities as "nascent". He also sounded a warning on terror group Islamic State (IS) being a big threat to the subcontinent. "It has the potential to destabilise our region. And when I

say our region, I mean Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. So please don't keep India out of it.

Therefore, we must help each other fight and defeat terrorism and extremism too."

Talking about war against terrorism, he said the "need of the hour is to support Pakistan's fight against terrorism" and that the world should assist Pakistan in fighting terrorists instead of increasing "our problems to fight and confront them".

Musharraf dismissed speculation about him still nurturing political ambitions, saying he led his country for nearly 10 years and has no desire to become the prime minister or president of Pakistan. "I came to Pakistan knowing very well what will happen to me, knowing very well that I will have to face all these cases in court. My compulsion is only my mother, who is 95 plus," he said.

Islamabad: Despite the UN’s indifference to its plea for intervention in J&K, Pakistan continues with its diplomatic offensive. Recently, it briefed the entire diplomatic corps in Islamabad about the LoC situation and told them that the credibility of UN is at stake over the J&K issue.

Its foreign office said the “entire diplomatic corps” was invited for a briefing on the situation

arising due to the ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the ‘Working Boundary’ (WB) by the Indian armed forces. “The briefing included a detailed presentation by a senior representative of the military operations directorate to explain the situation on ground, the frequency and intensity of unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling by the Indian security forces since

September 30 and details of civilian casualties, injuries and damage to property,” the foreign office said.

The military officials also alleged that efforts towards restoring peace on the LoC and WB through available means of communications were not responded to by the Indian side.

Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to the prime minister, referred to “the posi-

tive overtures of PM to the previous and present Indian governments” and said that restoration of peace is of “paramount importance to the region.”

Fatemi underlined that “the credibility of the UN system was at stake if its resolutions remained unimplemented as all member countries look up to this sole international body to address issues relating to peace and stability.”

Musharraf rules out conflict with India

Pak tries to internationalise Kashmir issue again

In Brief

Immigration: Archbishop of Canterbury flays Defence Secretary

London: The Archbishop of Canterbury Rev Justin Welby has condemned Defence Secretary Michael Fallon for terming the immigration as a "deep menace" which will "overwhelm" the country for voicing unChristian and un-British rhetoric. After the Archbishop's comments, Fallon apologised for making such a comment. The Archbishop, whose grandfather came to Britain as a German Jew, said clergy across the country are reporting an upsurge in “frightening” racist language in their communities.

Women ignoring heart symptoms

London: According to a study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, women were more likely to delay seeking medical care when heart symptoms strike. "The main danger is that when someone comes to the hospital with a more severe or advanced stage of heart disease, there are simply fewer treatment options available," says Dr. Catherine Kreatsoulas, lead author of the study and a Fulbright Scholar and Heart and Stroke Foundation Research Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Met Office pledges reliable weather forecasts

London: The Met office has promised to give more accurate weather forecasts with the installation of a new £97 million 'supercomputer. Met office said that in future the forecast would be more accurate and will even bring an end to getting caught in the rain without an umbrella.

Over 200 Pak lawmakers suspended

Islamabad: Over 200 lawmakers of Pakistan's Parliament and provincial assemblies were temporarily suspended by the Election Commission for failing to submit the annual details of their assets. Under the Constitution, the lawmakers are bound to report every year the details of their wealth by September 30 which can be extended by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for 15 days. The ECP had set October 15 as the deadline for the submission of assets. In a notification issued at the end of deadline, the ECP directed that those failing to comply cannot attend the session of their respective assemblies during the period of suspension.

Barber slashes man's neck with a razor

London: A barber who slashed a man's neck with a razor avoided jail after persuading a judge that he was unaware that he was holding the blade when he punched his victim. Judge Tom Little accepted that Lloyd Dobrodumow was so used to holding the razor at work that he failed to realise it was still in his hand when he attacked the man outside his shop.

Dobrodumow, 45, punched Robert Smith after an argument broke out in Jack’s, in Newcastle, leaving him with a four inch wound to his throat.

Nanny denies strangling baby in Dubai

Dubai: An Indian nanny has broken down in tears in Dubai as she swore that she did not murder a British baby – a crime which carries the death penalty. The woman, known only as RT, is accused of killing the British baby in January in Dubai when her employers would not give her permission to return to India for a family funeral. "Sir, I did not kill that baby," the 30year-old told the court. "I loved her like my own children. I am a mother of two kids and there is not way on earth I would or could have done such a thing.

I was tortured while I was in detention. I have suffered a lot because of this case. I swear I did not commit anything wrong." The verdict will be delivered later.

Iran shells Pakistan border town

Islamabad: Iran fired mortar shells at a small Pakistani border town to register its growing anger at Islamabad’s failure to curb terrorist attacks in its restive Sistan Baluchestan province. Its border troops fired six shells at Mashkail, causing widespread panic before Pakistani reinforcements returned fire. The firing came a week after Iranian forces were reported to have killed a Pakistan Frontier Corps guard in Mand district and seized Nokundai, another Pakistan border town.

Russian poetry lover gets 8 years for murder

Moscow: A 53-year-old former teacher and poetry lover from the Urals has been sentenced to eight years in a penal colony for stabbing his 66-year-old friend to death during an argument about literary forms. The teacher had paid a visit to his comrade in the town of Irbit, 1,200 miles east of Moscow, where the pair were soon downing shots of vodka.

WORLD

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

In Brief

American evangelist's comments anger Kenyans

Nairobi (Kenya): American evangelist Pat Robertson's comments in a recent TV broadcast in which he warned that towels in Kenya could transmit AIDS has angered the Kenyans. Robertson made the remarks last week while answering a question in his show “The 700 Club” from a viewer about whether a planned trip to Kenya is risky. Robertson responded: “You might get AIDS in Kenya. The people have AIDS in Kenya. The towels could have AIDS.” The Christian Broadcast Network issued a correction but Kenyans on social media are demanding that Robertson apologizes personally on the TV show.

Parents must be allowed to take children out of school for holidays

London: Council leaders say that parents should be able to take their children on holiday in term-time without being threatened with fines or arrest.

Currently, if an absence is not authorised, local authorities have an obligation to fine parents and enforce legal proceedings on behalf of schools.

Under the current system, parents who take children out of school without permission could face a £60 fine per child, rising to £120 if it is not paid within 21 days. Those who fail to pay can face prosecution, with a maximum fine, if convicted, of £2,500 or a jail sentence of up to three months.

British couple found dead in Indian hotel

Agra: A British couple were found dead at a hotel in Agra, India. They were surrounded by sleeping pills, anti-depressants and other drugs. The woman had desperately tried to wean her husband off drugs, her family said. Alex Gaskell, a talented photographer with a first-class degree, had been vehemently against drugs all her life and was seen as the ‘salvation’ of her husband James, they said.

George Osborne wants more mothers back to work

London: George Osborne, the Chancellor, wants to see nearly 500,000 more women in the workplace by the beginning of 2016, which would allow the UK to match the female employment rate in Germany. The Treasury said it would achieve the target by increasing access to childcare across the country, giving Britain one of the highest rates of female employment in the world.

Savers who cash in pensions face emergency tax charges

London: Savers who cash in pensions next year face "emergency" tax charges worth up to a third of their funds, which they will need to claim back, reports said. Withdrawals of anything above £4,500 are likely to cause a tax charge of 40 per cent on part of the fund, analysis of official documents showed. Many people using new freedoms to withdraw pension savings will be taxed at 45 per cent - even if they are withdrawing as little as £20,000. The charges will leave pensioners thousands of pounds short of their anticipated windfalls, and forced to claim refunds from the taxman.

1984 riots: US court summons Amitabh Bachchan

Jalandhar: Bollywood mega star Amitabh Bachchan has been summoned by Los Angeles federal court for allegedly instigating violence against the Sikh community during the November 1984 Delhi riots.

Bachchan has been accused of raising "Khooon Ka Badla Khoon" (blood for blood) slogan on October 31, 1984 after then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her two Sikh bodyguards. As per the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Bachchan has 21 days after the service of summons to respond to the charges of human rights violations. "If you failed to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for relief demanded in the complaint", reads the October 27 summon issued by the US federal court.

Miliband has failed to connect with voters: Tony Blair

London: Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said that Conservatives would win the next general election because of Ed Miliband’s failure to connect with voters. David Cameron will remain in power next year because Labour has not persuaded Britain it is ready to govern, Blair apparently told friends.

Blair’s verdict on Miliband follows criticism of the Labour leader’s performance from several MPs and will increase concern within the party about his ability to win in May.

23

Hong Kong police clear protesters, barricades at key site

Hong Kong: Hundreds of Hong Kong police staged their biggest raid yet on a pro-democracy protest camp before dawn last week, charging down student-led activists who have held an intersection in one of their main protest zones for more than three weeks.

The operation in the gritty and congested Mong Kok district, across the harbour from the heart of the civil disobedience movement near government headquarters, came while many protesters were asleep in dozens of tents or beneath giant, blue-striped tarpaulin sheets.

The raid was a gamble for the 28,000-strong police force in the Chinesecontrolled city who have come under criticism for aggressive clearance operations with tear gas and baton charges and for the beating of a handcuffed

protester. Storming into the intersection with helmets, riot shields and batons at the ready from four directions, the 800 officers caught the protesters by surprise. Many retreated without resisting.

"The Hong Kong government's despicable clearance here will cause another wave of citizen protests," said radio talk-show host and activist Wong Yeungtat, who wore protective goggles over his whiterimmed glasses and sported a boxer's sparring pad as a shield. The protesters, led

by a restive generation of students, have been demanding China's Communist Party rulers live up to constitutional promises to grant full democracy to the former British colony which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The police sweep of the protest camp had been expected for several days.

It reduced the number of protest sites that have paralysed parts of the Asian financial hub since September 28, but could rekindle defiance.

"We have urged protest-

ers to maintain a kind of floating protest strategy to guard the streets," said Wong, flanked by protesters who stared down advancing lines of uniformed police. Police gave a short warning on loud hailers before moving in although no direct force was used, witnesses said.

Calm returned through the rest though the number of protesters was expected to swell at the main protest site, in the central Admiralty district, as students finish classes for the week. "Here is the base of the resistance," media magnate Jimmy Lai said, referring to Admiralty. "If they want to quit here they have to arrest people. I think this will be the end game," said Lai, an outspoken critic of Beijing who has backed pro-democracy activists through his publications and donations.

when he dropped the baby as he juggled her and a kitchen knife and struggled with her paternal grandmother, authorities said.

The grandmother was fatally stabbed and suffered defensive wounds.

The suspect told police he put a handkerchief in the baby's mouth to quiet her, then wrapped a towel around her head and put her in a suitcase when he left the sixth-floor apartment, according to an affidavit filed by police.

Indian in US sentenced to death for killing baby, her grandmother

N o r r i s t o w n (Pennsylvania): A man from India who said he'd rather accept the death penalty than sit through arguments over his fate after being convicted of killing a baby and her grandmother from India was sentenced to die. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that jurors agreed on the death penalty for Raghunandan Yandamuri in the sentencing phase of his trial after he was convicted in the 2012 slayings of 10month-old Saanvi Venna and 61-year-old Satayrathi Venna in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

He was convicted of firstdegree murder.

Prosecutors said the 27-year-old Yandamuri had planned to kidnap the two but botched it. They said he wanted money to pay for gambling debts. At a hearing, Yandamuri told a judge he'd rather be executed than listen to others debate his fate. After consulting with his courtappointed attorney at the judge's urging, he agreed to remain at the hearing.

The slain infant's father, Venkata Konda Siva Venna, and mother, Chenchu Latha Punuru, moved to the United States from India in February 2007 and moved into the apartment in King of Prussia in 2012.

Satyavathi Venna was visiting from India to help take care of the baby.

Authorities said Yandamuri, a family friend, hoped to hold the baby girl hostage to get $50,000 from her software-engineer parents but instead killed her and her grandmother in a botched kidnapping.

The plot unravelled

24

INDIA

Jaya returns home after 3 weeks in jail

Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa reached Chennai on Saturday (October 18) evening to a huge welcome from party workers. Thousands of AIADMK workers thronged the airport to receive their leader.

Earlier, Jayalalithaa was released from Bangalore jail after 21 days, a day after Supreme Court granted her bail in an 18-year-old disproportionate assets case.

Jayalalithaa stepped out of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bangalore shortly after special court judge John Michael D'Cunha issued the release order.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

J Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu chief minister O Pannerselvam, several ministers, MPs and legislators were in attendance to receive her near the prison after which she headed to HAL airport to fly back to Chennai by a special flight.

The special court had issued the order for release of

Bangalore, 11 other cities to be renamed

Bangalore: Bangalore and 11 other cities in Karnataka will be renamed after the central government has approved the request of the state government.

Bangalore's new name will be Bengaluru.

Mangalore will be renamed Mangaluru, and Mysore will become Mysuru. Bellary will be called Ballari in official records, while Belgaum will be renamed Belagavi.

Hubli will become Hubballi.

The new names of other cities are Tumakuru (Tumkur), Vijapura (Bijapur), Chikkamagaluru (Chikmagalur), Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Hosapete (Hospet) and Shivamogga (Shimoga).

Union home ministry officials said the Karnataka government, Survey of India, railway ministry, department of posts, ministry of science and technology and Intelligence Bureau gave their clearance to the

proposal. Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju, too, gave his approval, which will now be followed by a final clearance from union home minister Rajnath Singh.

The NDA government waited for the Maharashtra assembly elections to conclude because the decision to rename Belgaum could have cost the BJP votes in villages bordering Karnataka.

Sources said chief minister Siddaramaiah spoke to Rajnath Singh. Things moved fast after Siddaramaiah, at a meeting with Kannada litterateurs on October 10, announced that Belgaum would be renamed Belagavi.

The issue of renaming Belgaum was triggered by Jnanpith awardee U R Ananthamurthy at a meeting to discuss celebration of Karnataka's golden jubilee in December 2005.

Badal wants back Punjabi speaking areas of Haryana

Pheruman: After BJP leadership in some districts of south Punjab has threatened to contest municipal elections without its alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) if the latter refuses to increase the saffron party's share of seats, it's now latter's turn to reciprocate. On Monday, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal renewed his pledge to get back Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas of Haryana to the state even if party had to struggle for it, a statement that could further widen the gap between SAD and BJP. While renewing the pledge for transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas of Haryana, Badal, while talking to media said, "Every Punjabi is equally concerned with these emotive issues of the state which have, till now, been hanging in fire due to the discriminatory attitude of the successive Congress governments at the centre," adding that he would take up the issue with central government. Though it is an old

Parkash Singh Badal

demand of party, but SAD had not been touching these issue in recent past but chose to rake them up a day after BJP formed its government in Haryana. Badal was here to pay tributes to Shaheed Darshan Singh Pheruman who had laid down his life while observing fast unto death for the sake of getting back the Punjabi speaking areas and Chandigarh back to the state. Earlier BJP had send strong signals through former member parliament from Amritsar Navjot Singh Sidhu who publicly exposed 'wrongdoings' of Akali in a run up to Haryana assembly elections and then BJP's national secretary Tarun Chugh's demand of resignation of chief parliamentary secretary Avinash Chander.

Jayalalithaa from jail in accordance with the Supreme Court order granting her bail in the disproportionate assets case.

The release order by special judge John Michael D'Cunha came after a bond for Rs 20 million was furnished and surety of assets offered. Copy of the Supreme Court order was also produced before the court by Jayalalithaa's lawyers. Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala and her relatives Sudhakaran and Elavarasi also fufilled similar conditions.

The special court had sentenced them to four years in jail in the Rs 666.5 million disproportionate

assets case on September 27. The Supreme Court made it clear that Jayalalithaa and three others will complete their appeal with all relevant documents before the high court in a matter of two months and thereafter, it will ask the high court to expedite and complete the hearing on the appeal within three months.

The court told senior counsel Fali S Nariman, appearing for Jayalalithaa, that it will not grant a day more to his client if they don't complete the paperwork of their appeal before the high court with all the documents within a span of two months.

10-year-old becomes 'police commissioner' of Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A 10-year-old terminally-ill boy's dream to become Hyderabad police commissioner came true recently. Clad in khakis, sporting insignia and holding a baton just like the commissioner, the child played the perfect top cop for a day.

The boy is Mohammed Sadiq, 10, son of Mohammed Raheemuddin, a transport businessman from Peddapally in Karimnagar district. Sadiq, who has been suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), is undergoing treatment at MNJ Institute of Oncology & Regional Cancer Centre in Hyderabad since May 2014.

When representatives of NGO 'Make-A-Wish Foundation' met Sadiq at the hospital a month ago, he told them that his dream was to become the Hyderabad police commissioner one day. "Normally,

when we ask them to make a wish, most children, suffering from acute illness, wish to meet celebrities or their heroes. However, Sadiq wanted to become police commissioner and we approached Hyderabad CP M Mahendar Reddy," said Dr Pushpa Devi Jain, programme coordinator, MakeA-Wish-Foundation of India, Hyderabad.

The police commissioner responded positively to the proposal of the NGO representatives and agreed to make Sadiq police commissioner of Hyderabad for a day.

Thieves make 100 feet tunnel to steal millions from Haryana bank

Chandigarh: Robbers tunnelled 100 feet under a street to break into the main branch of Punjab National Bank in Gohana town of Sonipat district and rob jewellery and cash. A special investigation team (SIT) has been set up to probe the robbery. The bank is located in a residential cum commercial area, near Old Bus Stand of Gohana city.

The daring robbery came to light when bank manager Devender Malik opened the strong room. He found the cupboards in the strongroom broken open and Rs 4000,000 cash missing. Apart from this, 88 out of 360 lockers had been prised open and their contents like jewellery and cash missing. Sources say loss could run into millions of rupees.

The house from where the robbers started digging the tunnel is unoccupied as it is a disputed property.

The robbers seem to have been digging for some days as the tunnel was 2.5 foot in circumference. Tools and

earth dumped in the vacant house indicate that the burglars knew the exact location of the strong room and lockers in the bank.

Preliminary investigations also suggest that the culprits chose Sunday to strike when the area is deserted.

Unlike other places where strongrooms and locker rooms have at least one feet of concrete covered with thick iron sheet, this one had an ordinary floor which was easily punctured by the burglars. We have constituted teams to crack the case at the earliest,'' said Sonipat SP Arun Nehra.

Bank officials have asked the clients whose lockers were broken open to provide details of their contents.

South Brief

UK firms have created 100,000 jobs in TN

Chennai: Companies from the United Kingdom have created 100,000 jobs in Tamil Nadu, including 30,000 in Chennai. An official release said Vince Cable, British Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, provided this information at his interaction with Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and senior officials of the government recently.

Cable, who led a delegation, said the UK’s investments in India was higher than in the United States and Japan combined. The State government invited the UK to participate in the Global Investors Meet proposed to be held in Chennai in 2015. They also discussed the recent programme to send five teachers and 25 students of Government Arts and Science Colleges to British universities, technical cooperation and exchange of information and best practices in public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects.

Rajiv Gandhi murder case: SC rejects Nalini's plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court rejected Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict Nalini's plea for release from jail. Nalini, whose death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2000, had moved the Supreme Court challenging Section 435(1) of Criminal Procedure Code that mandated Tamil Nadu government to consult the Centre before releasing seven life convicts in the case.

Nalini, along with six others, is currently lodged in Vellore Central Prison in Tamil Nadu.

The accused in the Rajiv assassination case were convicted by the trial court on January 28, 1998. All were awarded death penalty.

But, the SC on May 11, 1999 upheld the death sentence for four and awarded various jail terms to many while acquitting some.

North Brief

83% of winners in Haryana are crorepatis

New Delhi: Money power seems to have emerged the winner in this round of Haryana assembly elections with an overwhelming 83% of the winning candidates are part of the crorepati club. About 75 of the 90 newly elected MLAs in Haryana are crorepatis with BJP leading the pack. Forty of its legislators boast of assets in excess of Rs 10 million.

Though the total number of criminal netas winning declined, BJP topped the list of legislators with pending charges against them. Analysis by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) shows that nine MLAs have criminal charges pending against them, of which five belong to BJP.

Under attack, SAD govt restores Sidhu's security

Chandigarh: Under fire from ally BJP, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government in Punjab scrambled to restore the security cover of former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, less than 24 hours after the four personal security officers (PSOs) attached to him were withdrawn. "All the securitymen returned to my house this morning. The disappearance (of those men) on Tuesday was mysterious and their return is equally mysterious. The vendetta politics must stop now," Sidhu said.

The move to withdraw his security was slammed by BJP leaders in Delhi and Punjab, including state president Kamal Sharma.

BMW hits tree and breaks into three pieces

Ludhiana: Two persons were killed while another was critically injured when their BMW car veered off the road and hit a road side tree. The impact of the collision was such that the car broke into three pieces on Sarabha Nagar road, police said. Gagan Sharma and Rajjat Dua were killed on the spot, said Parmjit Singh Pannu, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP). The owner of the car, Dhani Ram, who was rushed to a local hospital with multiple injuries, is stated to be in critical condition.

All of them were of the age group between 25 to 27 years.

Khattar sworn in as Haryana CM

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Manohar Lal Khattar, a low-profile organisation man with active Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh background, was sworn in as chief minister of Haryana on Sunday where BJP has formed government for the first time on its own.

The 60-year-old Khattar, a first-time MLA from Karnal and a non-Jat leader known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was administered the oath along with nine ministers

by Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki at a function attended by a galaxy of BJP leaders including the PM, party chief Amit Shah, union ministers, chief ministers of BJP ruled states and veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.

The six cabinet ministers are Kavita Jain, state BJP president Ram Bilas Sharma, Abhimanyu, Om Parkash Dhankar, Anil Vij and Narbir Singh. Three others - Vikram Singh Thekedar, Krishan Kumar Bedi and Karan Dev Kamboj -are ministers of state (independent charge).

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, whose party Shiromani Akali Dal had opposed the BJP during the assembly elections despite being an National Democratic

Devendra Fadnavis was on Tuesday elected by the Bharatiya Janata Party legislators as the new chief minister of Maharashtra.

The BJP elected Fadnavis as its legislative party leader in the presence of the central observers, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and party general secretary JP Nadda.

The swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister

will take place on Friday at the Wankhede stadium.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the BJP legislature party meeting, the meet between the Shiv Sena and the BJP remained inconclusive. BJP has told Shiv Sena that any decision on ministries can be decided later and they would have to first declare unconditional support.

Sena, it may be noted had been seeking plum ministries.

Also, NCP, which had offered support to BJP after the poll result, said it would have no problem if Shiv Sena joins the government.

"We will not be part of the government but do not want to create instability by voting against a minority government. So, NCP will abstain, if there is voting," party spokesman Nawab Malik said.

Sena has of late softened its stand against the BJP with an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna on Monday saying that the party was ready to back any BJP CM. Sena leaders also hinted of a possibility of their joining the government later on.

The BJP leaders have described Sena as their "natural" partner pointing out its member Ananth Geete remains a member of Union Cabinet.

on the occasion. Police and members of other organisations like National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Social Service (NSS), Scouts and Guides and Home Guards would perform march-past in all district headquarters for which necessary instructions have already been issued to the concerned departments.

Sardar Patel

was born October 31, 1875, at Karamsand in Gujarat. A barrister with a successful law practice, he joined the Indian national movement under Mahatma Gandhi and grew up to become one of its tallest leaders. He played key role in organising peasants' movements in Kheda, Borsad and Bardoli in Gujarat and promoting the 'Quit India Movement' against the British regime.

In a departure from the past, the oath-taking function was held at Panchkula instead of Chandigarh, the common capital of both Haryana and Punjab.

Khattar is Haryana’s first non-Jat chief minister in nearly two decades. Jats have for long dominated politics in the state.

Fadnavis to be Maharashtra's next CM

Manohar Lal Khattar

Alliance constituent, also attended the ceremony.

Among union ministers who were present were Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Power Minister Piyush Goyal, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister of Shipping and Transport Krishan Pal Gujjar, Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, Minister of State of External Affairs V K Singh and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar.

Chief ministers of BJP ruled states including Madhya Pradesh’s Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Vasundhara Raje from Rajasthan and Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel were also present on the occasion.

Devendra Fadnavis

Sardar Patel's birth anniversary to be celebrated as National Integration Day

The Central government has announced to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary October 31 as "National Integration Day." "Awareness about Sardar Patel's contribution is very low...which is very unfortunate.

Recently, I came to know that in the history book of Class X, there is mention of Sardar Patel only once," said Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Sardar Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India", was instrumental in the merger of over 500 princely states to create a modern India, just after independence between 1947-1949, the minister said. Javadekar said the central government would make the "National Integration Day" or "Rashtriya Ekta Divas" as a popular mass movement with voluntary participation from all sections of the society.

As part of the action plan, he said a 'Run For Unity' will be organised in towns and villages all over India on the morning of October 31.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will himself participate in the event and also broadcast a short radio address

Statue of Unity work to begin on Oct 31

The construction work on the 182-metre tall Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel would begin on October 31 at Sardar Sarovar Dam site.

The Gujarat government on Monday formally presented work order to L&T company for construction of the statue.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel who made the announcement in this regard said that work would be completed in four years at a cost of Rs 29.89 billion.

"The statue will boost tourism in the state. It involves construction of not just the world's biggest statue but also an underwater fish aquari-

um, agriculture development and water management centre, a museum dedicated to Sardar Patel and other attractions," said Patel.

According to an estimate, the statue will be built using 75,000 cubic metre concrete, 5,700 metre structural steel, 18,500 metre reinforced bar and 1,900 metre bronze of 8mm thickness. The statue will provide opportunity to visitors to view the dam from a height of 450 ft.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Statue of Unity project in October 2010 when he was chief minister of Gujarat.

25 INDIA Mamata told to work with Centre to root out terror network

India's national security advisor Ajit Doval met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and told her that the state is sitting on a ticking time

illegal madrassas were thriving in Bengal and were being used by jihadis to recruit and train terror operatives.

Doval pointed out that it

Ajit Doval and Mamata Banerjee

bomb and that the state government had to work with the Centre.

He cautioned Mamata that the terror module unearthed after the Burdwan IED blast had far more sinister designs than believed, say sources.

The Narendra Modi government wanted West Bengal to allow more access to central agencies and march in to root out the terror network. It’s unprecedented for the NSA and NSG chief J N Choudhury to visit a state on the same day and just 48 hours after NIA boss Sharad Kumar personally inspected the terror hubs in Bengal and the India-Bangladesh border.

Doval’s visit coincided with reports in the evening that Yousuf Sheikh, one of the key leaders of the JMB terror module, may have been arrested on the IndiaBangladesh border by a joint NIA and Kolkata Police STF team. Officers of both agencies refused to confirm the arrest, though.

The rush of so many security and intelligence chiefs along with several top home ministry officials to probe a case that was initially not taken seriously by state police and CID is sure to mount pressure on the Mamata government. Doval, who visited the Khagragarh blast site in Burdwan in the morning, flew down to Kolkata to meet Mamata, where the talks rolled on for over two hours.

Sources say Doval apprised Mamata about jihadis “playing havoc in Bengal” and pointed out how terror elements were using Bengal for their gain.

He minced no words as he stated clearly how

was wrong of the Bengal government not to raid the Simulia madrassa where jihadi training was conducted, saying it helped one of the key players Yousuf Sheikh to flee.

BJP's rise rattles TMC, three dead in clash Meanwhile, the horrors of Keshpur and Nandigram returned to haunt Makra village in Birbhum as Trinamool Congress and BJP men fought for turf control, killing three people, including an 18-year-old.

There were flashbacks of Nandigram as Trinamool, desperate to halt BJP's rapid march in these restive Muslim-dominated belts, tried the CPM tactic of using police as a shield to push its armed supporters into opposition-held territory. It backfired badly as BJP supporters fought back hard. Police were held at bay with bombs even as violence continued for over two hours in the village.

The armed takeover bid came just four days after the Parui police station in charge was bombed during a raid in Chowmandalpur village for hidden arms and explosives. The subsequent police crackdown lit a powder keg. This part of Bolpur subdivision had seen sporadic Trinamool-BJP violence and the Chowmandalapur attack proved to be the breaking point.

Birbhum, which bears a gory legacy of violence the Suchpur and Nanoor massacres stand out seems to be going through the same cycle again.

Earlier, it was Congress and Trinamool that took on the ruling CPM. Now, it's BJP against Trinamool.

26

INDIA - LONDON

Cyclonic storm Nilofar heading towards Gujarat coast

Hectic and intense disastermitigation preparations were underway as Gujarat geared up to keep its October 31 date with Nilofar, a very severe cyclonic storm with winds currently gusting up to 125135 kmph. “Nilofar is expected to make landfall near Naliya in Kutch on Friday morning,“ said the additional director of IMD, Ahmedabad, Manorama Mohanty. On Monday, when Nilofar lay centered 1,170 km southwest of Naliya, chief minister Anandiben Patel convened two meetings to review preparations.“Fishermen have been called back from sea and trees around the landfall zone have been trimmed to avoid destruction with their falling,“ Anandiben said. Around 1,900 fishermen -1,700 from Porbandar and the rest from Kutch -are expected to return soon. Around 1,000 boats from Veraval, Mangrol, and other coastal districts of Junagadh and Gir Somnath are at sea at present. Nilofar will move with furious wind speeds reaching up to 130-140 kmph. However, as the system comes closer to the Gujarat coast, it will weaken from being `very severe' and cross inland as a severe cyclone. IMD officials said that squally winds blowing at 45-55 kmph and gusting up to 65 kmph will commence along and off the Gujarat coast from Thursday morning.

India, Vietnam sign deals on strategic, defence partnership

Seven agreements were signed during the two-day visit of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to India. They are in the fields of strategic, defence and cultural partnership. After meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the two leaders addressed a joint press conference.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi termed Vietnam as an important pillar of India’s Look East Policy while his Vietnamese counterpart Dung said that there was a greater role for India in the region and international arena. This visit holds importance keeping in view that China’s top foreign policy official on Monday, made his second visit to Vietnam in four months, as the neighbours work to repair ties strained to breaking point by a territorial dispute. According to a Channel News Asia report, Beijing had moved a deep-water oil rig into waters claimed by Hanoi in May, prompting a monthslong high-seas stand-off and triggering deadly antiChina riots in Vietnam.

The rig was removed in July. Earlier, Vietnamese Prime Minister had visited Bodhgaya in Bihar on Monday where he said, “Buddhism binds us together.” Vietnam is also a victim of China’s hawkish policy in South China Sea and it seeks India’s “active support” to peacefully resolve all disputes and sought its greater linkages

Narendra Modi and across the region, a report said. Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Vietnamese PM had made it clear that Vietnam has and will continue to allow ships from India, which is crucial in the light of a month back development when an Indian naval ship INS Airavat was asked to exit Chinese waters as it was approaching a Vietnamese port.

Underlining his Government’s policy to have a friendly relationship and cooperation with India, Tan clarified, “Vietnam supports India to increase multidimensional linkages with South East Asia. For the purpose of friendship and exchange, we have and will continue to allow ships from other countries including India to visit Vietnam.”

In fact, China has been showing opposition to Indian presence in the disputed South China Sea for oil exploration. The report says that territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve both island and

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Nguyen Tan Dung maritime claims among seven sovereign countries of the region which includes- Brunei, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.As far as Vietnam’s stand on resolving the dispute is concerned, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said, “Vietnam is determined to protect its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos as well as its sovereign rights and jurisdiction rights in these waters.” Report says that Itu Aba Island, also known as Taiping Island, of the South China Sea is one of many disputed islands in the South China Sea. As China is trying to lay a siege around India through Nepal, Pakistan and Maldives, Indian diplomacy is witnessing a drastic change under the new Government. Unlike the previous UPA Government, the present Modi-led Government is determined to not let China have its way.

A sketch of architect Kalsi Sunetra Senior

Amarjit Kalsi (19572014) was responsible for visualising such modern iconic structures as the Millennium Dome, the Lloyd's building and the distinctive roof of Heathrow's terminal 5. A Nairobi- born Indian, Kalsi was associate to one of Britain's greatest architects Lord Richard Rogers and was known for his precise and vociferous nature; both traits which complimented his talent.

His is an emotional rags-to-riches story.

Though he managed to get a place at the prestigious Architectural Association (AA) in the tough social climate of the Fifties, he struggled with the strict focus that the institution placed on Modernism. However they did not need to worry. Kalsi would go on to pass the test of life when Lord Richard Rogers gave him the opportunity for conceptual freedom. Visiting the Association as a critic, Lord Rogers spotted Kalsi's gift and gave him a place in the office.

Having struggled through his own mental barrier of Dyslexia, Rogers saw through the superficiality of Kalsi's setback, and sure enough, the prodigy realised his flair for adding unusual but beautiful twists to traditional building forms. He took on the Lloyds's

Amarjit Kalsi

project with great gusto and was made director by the age of 30. It was here that Kalsi, known as 'Amo' among his colleagues, envisioned the rolling roof and rainbow coloured bamboo interior for 2006 Stirling prize-winner Barajas airport.

The architect was also a huge foodie whose favourites included the French dish of choucroute. He loved to cook Indian food for his friends and family from a stunning kitchen of his own design.

Wife Gurjeet, a school assistant, and four daughters, Mangla, who is a PA, Anju, an optical assistant, Noori, a textile graduate and Miri who is at secondary school would all congregate at the table to enjoy their father's banquets. He would play the Beach Boys or old jazz records as he sizzled up the ingredients.

Kalsi passed away on the 26th of August. He will be remembered for his talent and his equally unique personality.

Bilawal Bhutto booed at 'Million March' in London

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 26-year-old chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party or PPP was heckled when he tried to address a protest rally in London on Sunday.

The protest, called the "Million March" and organised by a UK-based group to demand a just and peaceful resolution of longstanding Kashmir issue as well as protesting against India’s human rights violations there, fizzled out as only a few hundred people gathered to wave placards and flags as they walked from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street.

As Mr Zardari stepped on to a makeshift stage to speak, the crowd began to jeer and threw empty plastic bottles at him, refusing to let him speak.

"This march was to be about Kashmir and for the welfare of Kashmiris.

Bilawal has no business being here," said a group of angry protesters who had travelled from Derby in the East Midlands region of England.

The march was led by Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, whose supporters call him a former prime minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and was supported by British parliamentarian Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotherham.

During the protest officers from the London Metropolitan Police took into custody Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s nephew, Hasan Niazi, and some other party supporters when they reportedly started throwing water bottles at Zardari. They also shouted “Go Nawaz Go” and “Go Bilawal Go” slogans and was using the event as his personal political launch pad.

Niazi says he was briefly detained by the UK police after the incident, according to a tweet from his official account. “I was detained for a little while but then released - nothing serious. I protested bcz

#babychicken misused the s t a g e #KashmiriMillionMarch,” Niazi tweeted.

Following the incident, Bilawal’s sister Aseefa Bhutto Zardari tweeted that her brother is safe and alleged that Indian agents tried to stop him from speaking but they did not succeed. “Indian agents tried to stop my brother from speaking but Alhamdulillah they did NOT succeed. He completed his speech & Alhamdulillah he is safe,” Aseefa tweeted.

According to a statement from Bilawal House in Karachi, “some unidentified people tried to disrupt the party chief’s

speech at the Kashmir rally but he faced the unruly mob with bravery and completed his address to the participants”.

Commenting on the incident, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz lashed out at the PTI in a tweet, saying that several people belonging to a certain family were involved in hooliganism against rival parties. She also confirmed that Hasan Niazi was involved in the incident in London.

Meanwhile, some unconfirmed reports said that some “Indians” had attempted to sabotage Bilawal’s speech. The information could not be independently verified.

Bilawal had recently created quite a stir in the Indian media when he lashed out at the Indian occupation of Kashmir, saying Kashmir is and would always be Pakistan’s part.

“Lavangey lavangey poora Kashmir lavangey.

Humara nara sab se bhari, Rai shumari Rai shumari,” Bilawal said in a tweet before his address.

As many expressed

their frustration at the turn of events, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference submitted a memorandum to Britain seeking an early resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue at the end of a march.

India has made it clear to Britain that such events provide opportunities to some groups to impede UK-India relations and had objected to Britain allowing the march during the recent visit of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, but London had reiterated its commitment to freedom of speech as well as its reassurance that it was for India and Pakistan to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue, without third party intervention, least of all by Britain.

"With that reassurance, we are quite comfortable of any march being organised, be it the so-called million march because we, as I said, are country of a billion. Millions do not overawe us," ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

Unlike previous years, when such anti-India

events here led to much concern in Indian quarters, there was a quiet confidence that India need not be overly rattled by them, beyond formally making known concerns. This approach was also evident during the 11 September debate on Jammu and Kashmir in the House of Commons.

India has made it clear to Britain that such events provide opportunities to some groups to impede UK-India relations.

In a significant intervention, Dr Virander Paul, India's deputy high commissioner to UK, had recently sounded a cautionary note on Indo-UK relations before a London audience comprising Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Paul had said: “From time to time, we find that there are certain tendencies in certain sections of the society, which are not in the interest of our strong relations. We need to watch out and be mindful of any such efforts. We should not allow any such tendencies to succeed. And this is our shared responsibility”.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

HEALTH WATCH

E

xperts say that if you are overweight or tend to get most of your calories from processed and salty food, eight to 10 glass of water could actually help you reduce your weight.

Water could lower your BMI. If you drink eight to 10 glass of water everyday you will end up eating less and also drink fewer calorie-laden beverages. Drinking about 500 ml of water before meal can cut the calories and help in losing weight and as a result lower body mass index (BMI). Water helps in burning fat. You

Ravi Bhanot’s Health Blog

can burn about 50 per cent more fat after drinking water compared with a higher calorie beverage.

Water helps you play your sports better.

Sweating away just two per cent of your body's water content affects the performance of a sportsperson to a great extent.

Drinking enough water can improve your game and save you from the risk of dehydration.

Water can fight hangovers. Being adequately hydrated is the best way not to feel lousy and grouchy after a late night party. Drink a couple of glasses of water hours before the event. Even when you are flying a long distance flight, staying hydrated helps you fight hangover.

Drink 10 glasses of water a day to cut fat Brown rice is good for health

W

hile parboiled rice in addition to the white rice has been finding its use in Indian food since ages, the health conscious in India is now slowly inching towards exploring the health benefits associated with brown rice.

One thing that makes brown rice score a point is the sweet after taste that it leaves on your palate after

N

But replacing the white rice with the brown rice takes sometime till one gets used to the aroma, flavour and taste.

Here's what can be tried with brown rice: • If you feel the regular brown rice takes much time to cook and needs to be soaked for a while, try the long grained brown rice which equally tastes good.

• Kheer with brown rice won't be a bad idea at all.

• Replacing the parboiled rice with brown rice while making dosa or uttappam, will also yield good results.

• One can also try making the curd rice using brown rice. It will make for a delectable treat. And it would add a dash of variety too.

• Try experimenting.

This will give you an idea of making the best use of brown rice at home.

Playing football can lower blood pressure, control diabetes you

ew studies suggest that football training produces significant changes in body composition and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients, and effectively lowers blood pressure in men with high blood pressure. The studies were carried out by the Copenhagen Centre for Team Sport and Health at the University of Copenhagen.

The studies show that 24 weeks of twice-weekly recreational football training sessions lower blood pressure and improves heart function in men with high blood pressure and men with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, men

savour it. Not to mention the fibre rich properties.

with type 2 diabetes lost 12 per cent of their abdominal fat and reduced their blood sugar 20 per cent more than inactive control subjects.

These effects are likely to reduce the risk of developing heart diseases, including heart failure and myocardial infarction, and

the participants had a reduced need for anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive medication on completion of the studies. The projects investigated the effects of football training in 21 men with type 2 diabetes and 32 men with high blood pressure aged 30-60 years with focus on metabolic and cardiovascular changes. "I feel I have more energy in my day-to-day life, and it's definitely connected with

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement it. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

being fitter," says Soren Sonberg with type 2 diabetes, who participated in one of the projects.

"The average heart rate during training was higher than 80 per cent of maximum heart rate, and for significant periods it was higher than 90 per cent. This type of training is very effective, and after 24 weeks of training physical fitness, measured as maximal oxygen uptake, was 10 per cent higher for the participants with high blood pressure and 12 per cent higher for those with diabetes. At the same time, the diabetes patients lost almost 2 kg of fat. A better fitness combined with a lower body fat percentage makes it easier to carry out daily activities," Professor Jens Bangsbo, leader of the projects, said.

"We found that football training in men with type 2 diabetes significantly reduced abdominal fat and improved glycaemic control, which is essential for managing diabetes and preventing diabetic complications," Bangsbo said.

27

Hair Loss or Hair Thinning?

10 reasons why you must simply come to this FREE seminar!

Lets turn the problem on its head ...

Let Ravi Bhanot, author of Hair Today... Hair Tomorrow, show you: Ravi Bhanot

JP MRPharmS Dip(Nutr) Dip(Hom) Dip(Ayurv) Dip(Stress Manag) Dip (Massage) Pharmacist, Ayurvedic, Complementary Health and Nutrition Consultant, Lecturer, Researcher and Author. He is a celebrity columnist for many magazines and is Director of The Ayurveda Institute of Europe and Coolherbals Ltd.

1- How to find out what the cause(s) of your hair loss or hair thinning is.

2- What you can do about it 3- You will learn what foods to eat.

4- What life style changes you could easily make.

5- Learn how to comb your hair to make a difference.

6- How you can use your mind more effectively for healthier hair.

7- Whether the hair products you are using are right for you.

8- How imagination can help you have healthier hair.

9- See the latest technique in hair loss.

10- Simple ayurvedic secrets could help you.

It is a free entry but it is by invite only.

There are only 10 places left in the Harrow event and 14 in the Ilford venue!

Tue 4th Nov 7.30pm Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow HA1 2XY Wed 5th Nov 7.30pm Kenneth More Theatre Ilford (opposite Town Hall) IG1 1BT To reserve your place email info@coolherbals.com or fill in and post/email the voucher below or phone 020 8597 9039.

Name:........................................................................... .....................................................................................

Address:....................................................................... ..................................................................................... ..................................................................................... .....................................................................................

Email:...........................................................................

Mobile No: .................................................................

Venue of choice:...........................................................

28

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Nayanthara 'Papanasam' wrapped in 39 days gets her wish T fulfilled eam ‘Papanasam’ has taken just 39 days to complete the movie and the director Jeethu Joseph is very happy with the outcome. Sources say that Jeethu will be starting the post production work from next week and if everything goes well, the movie will be released for Pongal, 2015.

Kamal’s ‘Viswaroopam 2’ and ‘Uthama Villain’ is also in the final lap and the fans of Kamal are waiting for an official confirmation on which movie would come out

first.

‘Papanasam’ boasts Kamal, Gauthami, Niveda Thomas, Kalabhavan Mani, Asha Sharath, and many more to its cast. Ghibran, who is on a high after ‘Amara Kaaviyam’ is expected to continue his stellar form while Wide Angle Creations is bankrolling t h i s drama thriller.

Will Trisha romance Dhanush?

K

Hansika braves on despite a setback

nown for her cute and bubbly acting, a few years ago the men in Chennai went crazy for her smile when she made her debut in “Maapillai.” Hansika is now busy juggling her shoot schedules and is one of the most sought after actresses. She is currently shooting for Sundar C's 'Aambala' in Ooty.

It is reported that this favorite actress injured her left hand during the shoot of “Aambala”. She was stung by a honey bee and her hand swelled noticeably. Sources say that the dutiful actress continued her shoot after an injection and some medical attention. The movie is all set to release by Pongal 2015. For her intense dedication and hard work we wish Hansika a successful Pongal blockbuster.

A

couple of weeks ago, Nayanthara has announced that she got bored with the regular run of the mill characters and wants to perform daring stunts in her future movies. Much to her delight, Jayam Raja, who is directing her in ‘Thani Oruvan’ has scripted her role as an IPS officer and canned a high voltage action episode recently. ‘Thani Oruvan’ is touted to be an action thriller and Jayam Ravi is said to put in loads of hard work to get under the skin of his character. Produced

by AGS Cinemas the movie has bankable Devi Sri Prasad as the composer and the movie is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2015.

'Super Nani'

C

inematographer turned Director, Velraj has got the green signal from Dhanush to work on a new script after the stupendous success of ‘VIP’ and it seems that he has chosen Trisha to play the female lead.

Dhanush’s career graph has hit an all time high and the trade sources are eagerly waiting for ‘Anegan’.

Post the release of ‘Anegan’ Dhanush will be simultaneously working with Vetrimaran for ‘Soodhadi’ and an untitled project with

“Super Nani” is directed by Indra Kumar and the film stars Rekha, Sharman Joshi, Randhir K a p o o r, A n u p a m Kher, Rajesh Kumar and S h w e t a Kumar in lead roles. The film is based on the Gujarati play, “Baa Ae M a a r i B o u n d a r y. ” The film gives a strong message to all the women that their power lies within themselves; all they need to do is discover and use it. The journey of Bharti Bhatia (Rekha) is definitely a one to be experienced, as the fun, laughter, tickles, and tears of happiness will leave you with a light heart and a changed mind.

Balaji Mohan. Trisha, the reigning queen of Kollywood is looking forward to the release of ‘Boologam’ and the much expected ‘Thala 55’.

The ‘VTV’ girl is romancing Jayam Ravi and signed the dotted line for a Jai starrer recently. An official announcement regarding the Dhanush – Velraj project is expected to out in a few weeks time and that will confirm whether Trisha is an integral part of the project or not.

'Rang Rasiya'

Rang Rasiya is a film based on the life of the 19th-century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. The film is directed Ketan Mehta. It stars Randeep Hooda, Nandana Sen and a newcomer Triptha Parashar in the lead roles. His new film is an adaptation of a Marathi writer Ranjit Desai's biographical novel Raja Ravi Varma. This bilingual in English and Hindi is titled as “Colour of Passion” and “Rang Rasiya” respectively.

Anushka, Virat Kohli make first public appearance

B

ollywood actress Anushka Sharma and cricketer Virat Kohli, long rumoured to be seeing each other, made their first public appearance together at the Indian Super League's football game in Pune. They have been grabbing headlines ever since they were first spotted together during India's tour of New Zealand earlier this year. A while back, the grapevine suggested that Virat's family reportedly met Anushka and her family at her penthouse recently, leading to rumours of an engagement.

29

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Priyanka's cousin Manaara shows her body in 'Zid'

P

riyanka Chopra's first cousin, Barbie Handa, who is making her debut in Hindi film “Zid” has now changed her name to Manaara to make her name more 'marketable.'

Manaara admits she'd been planning the change for a while now, urged on by her family. "I liked Manaara, a Greek word meaning 'something that shines', and everyone approved," she beams.

She has done a course in fashion designing and has a Bachelor's degree in B u s i n e s s Administration before relocating to Mumbai. She admits being Priyanka Chopra cousin helps in Bollywood. "You get invited to industry events and meet the right people," she points out, quickly adding that she had to go through five rounds of auditions before she was selected for Zid.

Manaara features completely nude in the movie's poster and is blasé about it.

"We are in 2014 and I can't be in a ghoonghat. If I wanted to be all covered, I'd do a saas-bahu serial. I have a hot body and I don't mind showing it," she says proudly.

And what was Priyanka's reaction?

"Before the poster was shot, I called up Priyanka who was in Barcelona for a film.

She told me to go for it, but ensure that it's done aesthetically and didn't look sleazy. I took her advice and am getting lots of compliments," she smiles.

Deepika keen to act in French, Iranian films

A

ctress Deepika is Padukone ready to work in beyond films Bollywood, but she is not gunning for Hollywood. The versatile Indian actress is instead, keen to do a French or Iranian film, and she has even identified directors she would like to work with.

“I think French cinema is as beautiful as Indian cinema and like I said before, I don’t think the medium matters as much as the story and the script. If I find something exciting, I would do it,” the 28-yearold said at the 16th Mumbai Film Festival. “‘Priceless’ is one of my most favourite French films. I have watched some Iranian films as well. I do like some directors and I have identified some directors I would like to work with,” she added.

I would love to direct Amitabh: British director Webber

B

ritish director Peter Webber, best known for his Scarlett JohanssonColin Firth starrer feature debut ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, says he would love to make a cross-cultural film with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

“I would love to work to with Amitabh

Bachchan.

Who would not? He is a living legend. He is amazing and I would like to make a movie with him, which has elements of both India and England, basically a crosscultural film.

That would be interesting,” Webber said in an interview.

The director was in India to judge the International Competition section at the Mumbai Film Festival.

Webber said Bachchan and other Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan enjoy huge popularity in England.

“There is a big Indian community in England, so we all know about Bollywood actors and they are really famous.”

Webber said he was

looking forward to watching some Bollywood films as he is not well acquainted with contemporary Indian cinema. “I am not an expert on contemporary Indian films. I have not watched any but I am fond of the old era of Satyajit Ray and Guru Dutt’s times. I like those movies.

I am hoping to catch on some good Indian stuff now,” the filmmaker said, adding that he would like to collaborate with Indian filmmakers. Webber, who mostly chooses history as his main subject in his films, will next direct ‘Piano Tuner’, based on Daniel Mason’s acclaimed historical novel. It is set in 1886 and follows a piano tuner who receives a request by the British War Office to deliver a rare grand piano to a legendary British Officer in the remote jungles of northeast Burma.

Paris Hilton wants to romance Hrithik

B

ollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has found a new fan in socialite and hotel heiress, Paris Hilton. The 33-year-old American met Hrithik at a restaurant launch in Dubai, and later tweeted, “Yes! He’s Hot,” after she was asked by friend Sheeraz Hasan if she would like to play his love interest in his n e x t Bollywood film.

Hilton went on to praise the 40-year-old actor, sayi n g , “Hrithik’s

Happy New Year enters Rs 100 crore club

S

hah Rukh Khan's latest movie “Happy New Year” is rewriting Bollywood history, and leaving competition way behind. The Farah Khan-helmed film has broken all opening day collection records: It touched a whopping Rs. 108.86 crore over the first on weekend domestic ticket windows, the fastest for any film to enter the Rs 100-crore club.

The film collected Rs 104.10 crore in Hindi, while the Telugu and Tamil dubbed versions earned another Rs 2.92 crore and Rs 1.84 crore respectively. Reacting to the box office report, Gaurav Verma, Chief Revenue Officer RCE said, "We are thankful to all our partners, exhibitors and especially YRF for helping us achieve this significant milestone."

a gentleman, very sweet and charming, and we hung out all night. I have heard so much about Bollywood, and Hrithik represented India in the most elegant and romantic way! I can’t wait to go back to India (she was last here in 2012). I love the culture, the people and the fashion ... India rocks.”

Hilton had also retweeted a picture of the two at the event. The photo went viral instantly. Following the photo from Hilton, Hrithik also posted another picture of the two of them together, from the same event, and wrote, “With d extremely gentle n kind hearted Paris Hilton at Cle dubai. Now that’s a spot dubai needs to celebrate!

Amazing (sic).”

Sonakshi shoots a 'grand' song for 'Linga'!

S

onakshi Sinha is quite excited about her film Tamil “Linga” opposite ' T h a l a i v a ' Rajinikanth. The film which went on-floors earlier this year also stars Southern actress Anushka Shetty.

While the film is on the verge of a wrap up, the actors are busy shooting for a grand number. Sonakshi confirmed about the same on a micro-blogging site. "Its time to sing and dance... In tamil!! Shooting the last song for Lingaa, royal and grand," confirmed Sinha. The film is directed by K.S. Ravikumar and the music of the film is done by A.R. Rahman. “Linga” is slated to release on December 12, 2014.

Shraddha dances away even with injured leg

D

edication is rare a and virtue S h r a d d h a Kapoor seems to have it in The hordes. young actress didn’t step back from performing recent a at awards function an despite injured leg. At recently the shot Star Box Office India Awards, Shraddha staged an entire dance performance without creating any fuss. “Her spirit was undeterred and seeing it, the choreographer designed simple hip-hop steps for her,” said a source. Shraddha was among the several star performance at the awards ceremony, which recognised achievements of Hindi films at the box office.

UK

30 Sneha Yadav

Stardust is set to take a step ahead in celebrating all things Bollywood. It will present an enthralling concert in London by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik, who are known as the king and queen of melody.

The singing sensations were at the Magna Lounge in Mumbai recently to unveil the concert’s logo and address the media about the upcoming show.

Joining them on the dais were Nari Hari, Chairman, Magna Publishing Co Ltd, and the host for the event, Rajeev Paul.

It is the first time the duo is collaborating with Stardust for a live concert and they promise to create magic on stage on 22nd November, 2014, at the Apollo Theatre in London.

When asked about the rapport they share with each other, Alka replied,

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

London Calling

“The bonding that we share is that of mutual understanding, both onstage as well as off-stage.

We also quarrel sometimes as there are situations where we don’t agree with each other’s opinions. But at the end of the day, we forget all our differences.”

They were asked their views on the music of today and they both said they did not approve of the current trends. Be it Yo Yo Honey Singh or

Himesh Reshammiya, they fail to understand why their music and lyrics

are popular and hope it’s just a phase.

Alka was asked if she ever received offers to act, to which she said, “Yes, I used to get a lot of offers, but I was focussed on my singing career. You need to be really passionate about being an actor and I was not.”

Kumar and Alka have given a number of hits in the ’90s and they obliged the crowd at the Magna Lounge by singing a few lines of Mein toh raste se jar raha tha and Maine socha na tha to much applause.

British Kutchi Special

(BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad.

Tel. +91 79 2646 5960 Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (M) +91 94266 36912 Email: nilesh.parmar@abplgroup.com Consulting Editor: Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Tel: +91 79 2630 4142

Extra drive and initiative enable you to accomplish more than usual. You should be successful in both your mundane routine and health issues - some of you will start a healthy regime and even join the gym. Loved ones will be feeling especially close. Not a good week for gambling or financial risk-taking.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

Charm is your ally in your dealings with others. Others will be impressed by you and your personable ways. Singles are apt to meet with new romantic opportunities. A good time to spend some time researching your investment options. Rely on your own research or your intuition. You need to exercise careful judgment regarding whom you'll confide in.

ng/bradford_remembers/bradford_remembers

l Sun 2nd Nov 2014 - Mataki Chownki by Shree Budhdevbhai, Shree Manubhai and Shreemati Rituji, sponsored by Rishi and Nitika Walia at 3pm followed

by Maha Prasad. Adhya Shakti Mataji Temple. Cowley, Middlesex UB8 2DZ. 07882 253 540 l DKNS-UK to host a grand Diwali celebration at ARK/Copland School on 1st November. 2Pm till midnight. Contact: Upendra Solanki 07701 027 190

l 2 Nov 2014, Shree 108 Hanuman Chalisa, Social Club Hall, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow HA1 3UJ, 11-5pm. Contact: 020 8459 5758/ 07973 550310

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 You may be anxious to spend extra time on a work-related project, but here are responsibilities at home that will also demand attention. You may feel a bit hemmed-in or pressured at times. The Jupiter in your solar house puts emphasis on your social-romantic life and how you go about having a good time. Once you get going there is no stopping you.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 Projects of personal interests and home and family-centered activities are in focus as the week begins. Creative interests are highlighted. Excellent time for work of a mental nature. Local travel is a delight. Some of you will begin an exciting romance. Charm in self-expression will open doors for you now.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

The focus is on finances this week, but that doesn’t mean you should worry yourself sick.

Rather, it is about finding new and improved ways to boost your earnings potential. It’s fine to consider several options but don’t get caught up in indecision.

Schedule networking opportunities later this week.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

Your charisma and self-confidence will be heightened while the Sun transits your solar first house. The planet Mercury in your solar 12th house assists you in obtaining needed aid or enlightenment concerning private problems and limiting conditions, and can also help you to catch up with neglected tasks.

Great Britain has about 40,000 people of Kutchi origin, mainly of Patel community. Their achievement in education, profession, entertainment, community service and other positive aspects of life will be included in the forthcoming special issues. For further detail, please contact Daxa Gami, Special Project Coordinator at 07875 229 111 or Kamal Rao, News Editor at 07875 229 211 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 Accountant: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@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 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Graphic Designers: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com

You'll probably be in the mood for peace and quiet as Sun, Venus and Saturn transit your solar 7th house. You will be feeling a bit edgy as the week begins. You will need to guard against the possibility of injury due to dashing first and looking later.

Everyone is a bit sensitive now. Either you or someone you're dealing with may over-react - be calm !

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

Coming Events

l Bradford is marking the centenary of the first year of the First World War with a look back to November 1914.

Bradford Industrial Museum will be looking at a week at war to reflect the local and global experiences of early November 1914.

The event 'A Week at War' will be held on Saturday, 1 November at 11am until 1.30pm in the Cafe Gallery, Bradford Industrial Museum.

Harbinder Singh will be talking about 'Invisible Heroes' and the involvement of Indians fighting for British forces and how this continues to impact on their descendants today.

To find out more about events commemorating the First World War visit http://www.bradford.gov.uk/bmdc/community_and_livi

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Don't take short-cuts in legal or official matters. It will be only too easy to feel exasperated by bureaucracy but you won't be doing yourself any favours if you lose your cool. This is a fine time for you to get away from the mundane realities of life and relax. Some of you will probably go abroad.

Urvashi Jagadeesan (India) Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 2012, Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad. Tel +91 79 2646 5960 Email: horizon.marketing@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Hardik Shah (M) +91 99250 42936 Email: hardik.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Neeta Patel (Vadodara) M: +91 98255 11702 Email: neeta_abplgroup@yahoo.co.in Business Co-ordinator: Shrijit Rajan M: +91 98798 82312 Email: shrijit.rajan@abplgroup.com International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group (South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 022 2471 4122 Email: jain@jaingroup.net Delhi Office: Tel: +91 9311581597

Asian Voice Head Office

Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080, Fax: 020 7749 4081 www.abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

Asian Voice switchboard: 020 7749 4000 Gujarat Samachar switchboard: 020 7749 4080 Advertising Sales: 020 7749 4085 AsianVoiceNewsweekly

AsianVoiceNews

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 The Sun travels through your twelfth house now, marking a time of retreat and regeneration. This also heralds a time for research and unfinished behind-the-scene activities.

Matters which have dragged on for a while should now be re-assessed and put to rest. Some of you will be looking to spiritual enlightenment and take up yoga and meditation.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 Try not to be drawn into a contest of wills. Cooperation is the key to success in any dealings, be it personal or monetary. Job concerns may get you down a bit, but agreements will be reached with patience and diplomacy. You'll be able to successfully combine business with pleasure as new opportunities come your way.

You will meet with chances now to improve your income and status. Be ready to capitalize on opportunity when it strikes. You will be sowing the seeds today for a future success. However, don't expect immediate results. Be patient and allow sufficient time for your efforts to reap the rewards.

Remain positive and the pieces of your puzzle will begin to fit soon.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

Improved productivity marks the beginning of the week, but your efforts may slacken later. You may be searching for some answers, but take care that introspection doesn't cause you to withdraw from others. With the Sun in your solar ninth house, you will be thinking of far off lands and some of you will travel.

Terry Walsh to remain as India's hockey coach

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

SAI agrees to Australian's demands and promises him a fresh contract

Terry Walsh may after all stay on as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team.

In a development that could make the Australian change his mind and withdraw the sudden resignation, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said it was ready to meet the demands of the chief coach including giving him more freedom in the decision-making process.

SAI had a “lengthy, free and frank” discussion with Walsh, two days after he tendered his resignation, following which the body said it would come up with a renewed contract before November 19, the last day of Walsh's contract with the national team.

Walsh, on his part, said that he has not withdrawn his resignation, but hinted that the impasse might soon end as the concerned parties were “trying to come up with a better solution” to move forward. “I haven't withdrawn my resignation nor anyone has tried to push me to do so.

We are trying to come up with a better solution to move forward. November 19 is the deadline for us to make sure that those things are in place and then we can move forward very effectively,” he said.

“It's not a change of heart. It's to ensure that steps should be taken to take us to a better tomorrow. And we have to take those steps today. During the discussion, he (Walsh) made it very clear that he has no problems with

regard to the tax deduction or remuneration. His major concern was about the lack of functional autonomy in deciding the technical matters relating to hockey,” SAI director General Jii Thomson said in a statement.

“He was of the view that he, along with the High Performance Director (Roelant Oltmans), need to be given more freedom in the decision-making process. “From SAI side, we have absolutely no

issues on this. This is a matter that needs to be discussed with Hockey India.” Thomson said SAI was planning to convene a meeting under the chairmanship of the sports minister “for thrashing out this issue.”

Walsh had also raised the issue of the number of holidays he was entitled to and SAI said it could be sorted out. “We have expressed our readiness to reconsider the holiday package,” Thomson said.

Thomson further said that SAI also asked Walsh to help the body in preparing a long-term development plan for hockey.

“Walsh has not withdrawn his resignation. As per the contract, he has to give one month notice for resignation. Since the resignation will officially come into effect from November 19, 2014, it was decided that the contract will be renewed before November 19, incorporating these clauses,” Thomson said.

West Indies cricket plunged into further uncertainty and was left staring at financial ruin after an incensed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unanimously decided at its working committee meeting to suspend all bilateral ties with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

West Indies abruptly pulled out in the middle of an India series recently to sort out a payment dispute involving players, the players' association and the board. Left staring at heavy losses after the pullout, the powerful BCCI took a “unanimous“ decision, in just under an hour, to suspend bilateral ties. West Indies players, however, will still be allowed to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

A BCCI statement did not clarify the quantum of damages it would seek but mentioned initiating legal

proceedings. India were expected to play five series against West Indies in the next eight years, including four visits to the Caribbean, all potentially huge money-making exercises for the WICB, which has emerged as the biggest loser in the entire episode.

After having hastily arranged a five-match ODI series with Sri Lanka in November instead, sources said BCCI officials were still calculating losses.

“The figures are being worked out and it will take some time before we get an accurate picture. But it could be over Rs 2 billion,” a BCCI source said.

“All bilateral tours between BCCI and WICB stand suspended,” said a terse note from BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel. “BCCI will initiate legal proceedings against WICB due to the abrupt cancellation of this tour.”

Board sources said effort was being made to minimize losses to those associations which missed out on hosting a game because of the pullout.

Cuttack, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad, which were to host the West Indies, will now host ODIs against Sri Lanka instead.

The West Indian cricket team pulled out of the tour to India after ODI at Dharamsala over a contract dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board and West Indies Players Association. Just before the ODI, the entire West Indian team had gathered behind captain Dwayne Bravo to show their unity over the issue at the toss. Speaking at the toss, Bravo had said that the team was playing only because they didn’t want to make the game of cricket and its fans suffer.

With the Caribbean nation forfeiting the 5th ODI, India won the series

3-1.

The 5th ODI was scheduled to be held at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The ODI series was to be followed a T20I at Cuttack, with three Tests at Hyderabad, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

The pay dispute between the West Indian players and the board has been going on for some time, with Bravo having written a letter threatening to pull out of the tour before the first ODI at Kochi but after winning the match, Windies players continued to play three more ODIs.

but their encouragement and support means the world to me. Any tournament I play, whatever the competition, it's always for India,” the Hyderabadi

said and added, “the love and support of my fans has been incredible.”

Sania and Black, who ran through their opponents, Taiwan's Hsieh Suwei and Peng Shuai of China the second seeds and defending champions -much like a hot knife through butter, winning 12 straight games, won 61, 6-0 in just under an hour.

The soon-to-be 28year-old, the first Indian woman to clinch this title, shared $500,000 with Black. Sania also became the first Indian, man or woman, in almost four

No cricket with West Indies, says BCCI

The 27-year-old Indian glamour girl Sania Mirza, who partnered veteran Zimbabwean Cara Black won the season finale the WTA Finals - in Singapore on Sunday.

Sania who won the title in her maiden appearance at the event, said: “This title for India, my country. I've always had great support from my family, my parents in particular. My mother (Nasima), who was there with me, has been my lucky charm. My state Telangana has also been very supportive.

There are so many emotions going through me

West Indies pull out of India tour

SPORT WORLD

Gujarat's Parul makes history at Para Asian Games

Gandhinagar paraathlete Parul Parmar did India proud by winning a gold and a silver medal in the women's badminton event at the 2014 Para Asian Games that recently concluded in Incheon, South Korea. Top-seeded shuttler Parul's victory over Kamtam Wannaphatdeein of Thailand in the summit clash of the women's singles (SL 3 category) meant she became the first player from Gujarat to win a gold medal at the Para Asian Games. The 87-athlete Indian contingent finished 15th in the medal's tally with a total of 33 medals three gold, 14 silver and 16 bronze. Besides Parul's gold, the two other gold medals came from Amit Kumar and Sharad Kumar. For the 41-year-old Parul, an Arjuna Awardee, it was a matter of double delight as partnering with Raj Kumar she won the silver in the mixed doubles category after they went down 21-14, 21-15 to the Indonesian pair of Setiawan Fredy and Leani Ratri in 21 minutes. Parul, who has been polio-stricken since the age of three, has the distinction of being the only para-athlete from the state to have won multiple Para Asian Games medals. She clinched a bronze medal in the same category at the 2010 Guangzhou Para Asian Games.

“After Guangzhou Games, I went to National Institute of Sports, Bangalore in 2011-12 to attend a coaching programme. My game improved considerably after working with top coaches there.

My first gold at the world championship in Germany in 2013 and the Incheon gold are the result of the hard work I put in there,” Parul, the sports inspector at the Postal department, said.

Senzo Meyiwa, South African goalkeeper, shot dead

The captain of South Africa's national soccer team was fatally shot when armed men broke into the house where he was staying, police said.

Goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was killed after two gunmen entered a house in Vosloorus township near Johannesburg while an accomplice waited outside, the national police force said on its Twitter account. The three assailants then fled on foot, according to the police service, which offered a reward of nearly $14,000 for information leading to arrests in the case. Police said there were seven people in the house during the attack, and that the shooting followed an "altercation." Authorities said they would do everything possible to find the killers. South Africa has a high rate of violent crime, but it was not immediately clear whether the house where Meyiwa was staying was targeted by thieves or gunmen with another motive.

Solomon Makgale, a South African police spokesman, declined to comment. South African soccer club Orlando Pirates said in a statement that it "has learned with sadness about the untimely death of our number one goalkeeper and current captain Senzo Meyiwa. This is a sad loss whichever way you look at it - to Senzo's family, his extended family, Orlando Pirates and to the nation," Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza said.

Sania Mirza-Cara Black pair wins WTA Finals title

right now, it's an amazing feeling and I'm truly grateful.

“I'm not always able to get back to my fans on social networking sites,

31

decades to win the season finale. The first and only previous Indian to win the title was Vijay Amritraj in 1977, when he won the men's event alongside American Dick Stockton.

“It's a very special feeling, to be the first Indian in such a long time,” Sania said. “Given that our country has produced a number of great players Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes, Vijay and Anand Amritraj, Ramesh and Ramanathan Krishnan - this achievement means a lot.”

Singapore was the last tournament together for

Sania and Black, as the 35-year-old Zimbabwean is considering a limited schedule next year. The Indian will team up with one of her opponents on Sunday's, Taiwan's Hsieh, next season.

“To finish on a high with Cara is fantastic,” Sania said. “We started our partnership with victories in Tokyo and Beijing (late last year), and we're finishing the same way . In a way, our partnership has come full circle. I would put this win on par with my Grand Slams (three mixed-doubles titles).

32

SPORT

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 1st November 2014

Kohli to lead against Lanka; Dhoni, Bhuvneshwar rested

India's selectors have rested skipper MS Dhoni and seam bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the upcoming five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, with Virat Kohli chosen to lead for the first three ODIs. Bengal's wicketkeeperbatsman Wriddhiman Saha will keep wickets in place of Dhoni, while Jharkhand pacer Varun Aaron replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Ishant Sharma, who replaced Mohit Sharma during the West Indies series, has been retained.

Offie R Ashwin, who was rested for the West Indies series, comes back into the squad. He replaces chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, who has been dropped without getting a chance to prove himself. Leggie Karn Sharma and talented keeper-bat Sanju Samson, who had travelled with the team to England, were also kept out of the frame. All three, though, will feature in the

India `A' team which will play a one-day practice game against the visitors at the CCI in Mumbai on Oct 30. Middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu, who has not really impressed in his last few outings, could consider himself lucky to be retained. The selectors are also keeping a close watch on Rohit Sharma, who was injured during the second ODI against England in Cardiff. Rohit has been named in the side for the warm-up fixture only, meaning selectors

still need to be convinced about his return to full fitness. If he proves he is match fit, Rohit could feature in the last two ODIs and be on the plane to Australia for the World Cup. Manoj Tiwary has been named skipper for the warm-up fixture.

Squad for first 3 ODIs: Virat Kohli (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh

Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Murali Vijay, Varun Aaron, Akshar Patel. (In: R Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha, Varun Aaron; Out: MS Dhoni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav) India A squad: Manoj Tiwary (Capt), Unmukt Chand, Manan Vohra, Karun Nair, Rohit Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, Sanju Samson, Parvez Rasool, Karn Sharma, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaspreet Bumrah, Manish Pandey, Kuldeep Yadav.

Advani emerges World billiards champion

Pankaj Advani, the 29year old Indian from Bangalore, set a record of sorts when he defeated Peter Gilchrist 6-2 in the final of the World billiards championship (points format), at Leeds recently.

It was Advani's 10th individual World title and his third of the year in different formats of the game, having won the World 6-Red Snooker and the World Team Billiards titles earlier. "I'm in 11th heaven!

I returned to India to focus on this very event and it has paid off.

Gilchrist was the most dangerous competitor of the tournament and it was a dream final. I am happy with the way I performed. The job is only half done. I have to now focus on the longer format and try for a double," said Advani after the final. Advani, who skipped two seasons of billiards for a stint on the professional snooker tour, trailed 1-2, but won

five frames on the trot to regain the title he had last won in 2012.

In winning his 10th individual World title, Advani vindicated his decision earlier this year to give up his professional status in snooker to pursue his billiards career. Advani thus avenged his 2-3 defeat in the league phase to Gilchrist, the 46-year old England-born Singapore resident who has three World titles to his credit. Gilchrist was quick off the blocks as breaks of 144 in the first frame and 74 in the third gave him a 2-1 lead, but Advani surged back to take the next two frames and heading into the break leading 3-2.