Asian Voice

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London celebrates Durga Puja.

See page 7 for a detailed report

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

VOICE

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

VOL 40. ISSUE 22

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2G scam: Pranab note lands Chidambaram in a soup

In a new twist to the second generation (2G) spectrum case, a finance ministry note to the prime minister’s office says that if home minister P Chidambaram, the then finance minister allowed the auction of this resource the government could have earned billions of rupees.

In the note, the finance ministry says Chidambaram could have prevented spectrum from being given away at throwaway prices by insisting on its auction alluding that presumptive losses worth billions of rupees could have thus been avoided. The note was

Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee

prepared by a secretary in the finance ministry and shown to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee before sending it to the PMO. The note sent in March

to the PMO has turned into a searing controversy, mainly because notings establish it was "seen by" Pranab Mukherjee - suggesting that he endorsed

its content.

The Opposition says Mr Chidambaram must be asked to resign on the basis of this document.

Janata Party leader Subramaniam Swamy, who is one of the main petitioners in the telecom case in the Supreme Court, had said that Mr Chidambaram deserved to be questioned on the basis of this note.

Meanwhile, the CBI on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that there was no need to consider investigating Chidambaram's actions during the telecom scam.

Continued on page 26

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This week the paid subscribers of Asian Voice will receive a copy of the Home & Decor magazine, along with their newspaper

1st October to 7th October 2011

Aldershot turning away the Gurkhas?

The Gurkhas have valiantly given their life in the name of the Queen and Britain. They have earned their rights to live in this country, but recently, it has been noticed that the local residents and MPs have reportedly turned against this faithful and fierce community.

Continued on page 26

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Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Kabir Rayman Kabir Rayman studied Information systems at Huddersfield University. He is the owner of East z East restaurants, which serve traditional Punjabi cuisine and have won numerous awards.

1) Please tell us about your current position?

I am currently partner and joint director of a family owned business that manages East z East restaurants including two locations in Manchester as well as one in Preston and one in Liverpool 2) What is your proudest achievement?

My proudest achievement is the opening of our flagship restaurant in Kings Dock Liverpool.

It is our biggest site with a 400 seat capacity. It

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

The best thing about my current role is coming up with new dishes. When you put out a new menu and you see the customers try it and enjoy it, it is extremely satisfying.

We invest pride and enjoyment in everything from décor to food and seeing customers respond to that is the best thing.

stands as the culmination of the progress we have made over the last 7 to 8 years.

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

The biggest obstacle I have regularly had to face are concerns about finance and staffing.

However I feel it is important to take obstacles such as this in your stride and be prepared to rise above them.

ily business and therefore it is important to try and maintain the high standards we have set ourselves. We don’t want to develop the business into a chain; I want to develop the product further by keeping it close my heart.

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

If I were Prime Minister I would strive to encourage a more entrepreneurial spirit amongst the youth. We need to move away from a benefit culture that breeds laziness.

Young people need to be encouraged to be more active with stress placed on outdoor games and physical activity.

I believe that if you are active from an early age then you stay active.

6) And the worst?

Telling staff off when we feel they are not performing is not a very pleasant thing to have to do.

7) What are your long term goals?

My long term aim is to continue to build on what we have. It is a fam-

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

Blaze kills family in Neasden

years ago. ‘ T h e y Eritrean-born Ali Imposed should be will not face by unacd e p o r t e d deportation countable instantly back because judges European to where they rule he could face judges, they came from.’ 'inhumane treatplace the The five ment' rights of the would-be suiThe Home most dancide bombers Office is appealing g e r o u s were jailed for the decision and wrongdoers life after trying pledges to try to Siraj Yassin Tory MP Priti Patel the to detonate have him removed Abdullah Ali above risks faced by bombs at from the UK ordinary people.

Shepherd’s Bush, Warren Hate-filled Siraj Tory MP Priti Patel Street and Oval Tube staYassin Abdullah Ali, said: ‘This is yet another tions and on a bus in graded the highest possiShoreditch. ble risk to the public, was example of how we have A Ministry of Justice released after serving just got to abolish this half of his nine-year senappalling human rights spokesman insisted that tence for helping the July legislation that allows terpublic protection remains 21 bombers. rorists and violent crimi‘top priority’ and that He now mingles freely nals to waltz out of serious offenders face among the Londoners his prison and stay in our ‘strict’ controls and conco-plotters tried to kill six country. ditions.

A blaze in which a mother and five of her children died could have been caused by a faulty fridge at the centre of a mass recall. Bassan Kua, 51, tried to save his family after the fire started at their home in the early hours of Saturday.

Neighbours joined in but were unable to get into the property because of fumes and heat causing the windows to explode. Mr Kua and his daughter Nur, 16, managed to escape with serious burns but his wife Muna, 41, and their five other children aged between two and 14 were killed. Anyone with concerns should contact Beko by calling its free phone number on 0800 009 4837 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday or by visiting www.beko.co.uk.

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

The Wright brothers as they are most likely to find a way to fly me home!

Anni's family deliver extradition petition A British judge has ruled Shrien Dewani could be extradited to South Africa to stand trial over the alleged murder of his wife, Anni, in a fake carjacking last November.

Mr Dewani, 31, a businessman from Bristol is expected to appeal.

Vinod Hindocha says his family's lives have been torture since his daughter Anni was murdered on honeymoon in South Africa, as he delivers a petition to the Home Office calling for Shrien Dewani to be extradited.

His lawyers argue that he is mentally unfit

to stand trial and, if jailed, would face "shockingly inhumane" conditions in dangerous and overcrowded jails.

According to magistrate Jackie Redelinghuys, the trail of Xolile Mngeni, 23, and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 25, would be held in February next year. The two men were allegedly hired to kill Anni Dewani by driver Zola Tongo, who is serving a jail term after turning state witness in a plea bargain where he claimed that Anni's husband Shiren had asked him to arrange the murder.

SOC IE

Contact Mr. Mitesh Patel, Solicitor

0800 118899 Email: mpatel@levenes.co.uk Website: www.levenes.co.uk Ashley House, 235-239 High Road, Wood Green, London N22 8HF

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Human rights: Criminals over public safety?

No Win No Fee

The biggest influence on my career would have to be my father who was able to take up a role in business at age 16 in the early 1970s. I took inspiration from him as he was a migrant, but despite difficulties and language barriers was able to start a business and make it profitable.

Personal Injury

SOLICITORS

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

COMMENT

Narrative of terror continues without end Six men aged between 25 and 32 have been arrested in Birmingham by the West Midlands Police Counter Terrorism Unit, four of whom have been charged with preparing an act of terrorism and two for withholding information.

Allegations include making a martyrdom film and planning a suicide bombing campaign in the UK. Irfan Nasser, Irfan Khalid, Ashik Ali and Rahim Ahmed are accused of being the plotters, while Bahadur Ali and Mohammed Rizwan, as accessories, have been arraigned for failing to disclose information.

It is alleged that between Christmas Day 2010 and September 19 this year the accused men were preparing to commit acts of terror, to bring carnage to the streets of British cities. Two of the men are said to have travelled to Pakistan where they received terrorist training and made suicide videos before returning to the UK. The Pakistan connection is writ large over the affair.

This broad canvas is not dissimilar to previous terrorist conspiracies here. The British police and security services are given the thankless task of prolonged cat-and-mouse exercises with their quarries with no end-game in sight. The country's law enforcing agencies have come out on top for the most part through skill and a measure of luck (which is also a necessary ingredient), but the risk of a terrorist success such as that of July 7, 2005 looms menacingly in the background.

Security experts tell us that this is likely to be a long haul, that force has to leavened by flexible political tactics, if the war on terror is to be won.

Circumstantial evidence and sustained experience would appear to support such wisdom. But for this we require a strategic vision and a policy that underpins it. Which means a credible Pakistan policy in London and Washington.

The original sin of the Anglo-American 'special relationship' was the trust placed in their common Pakistani surrogate in the Cold War. Islamabad became a platform against the former Soviet Union and a spanner designed to contain India within the territorial limits of the subcontinent. Pakistan also became a conduit between the US and China in the last quarter of the 20th century for this self-same goal. The present Pakistan-China axis directed mainly at India was seeded in the 1960s and 70s. Such is the histori-

cal baggage that hobbles British and American policymakers as they ponder their moves on Pakistan.

Throwing good money - tons of it – at Pakistani rulers, civilian and military alike, with little hope of recompense has been the only show in town these past decades. Prime Minister David Cameron left a cheque of ￡650 million for educational uplift in Pakistan on his last visit to Islamabad. Andrew Mitchell, his International Development Secretary, is set to increase his departmental budget for Pakistan from the present ￡200 million to ￡400 million in 2015. Is this generosity or foolishness beyond imagining?

A dysfunctional state lacking institutional innards is in no position to use money for the common good. It is a lesson the US is learning the hard way as it attempts to cajole its foremost regional ally to play ball on Afghanistan.

The Obama Administration is in a double bind persuading and pressuring Pakistan to hunt with the Nato hounds rather run with the terrorist Haqqani hares. Pakistani ministers have taken umbrage at US charges that their country is playing a duplicitous game in the region.

Having given Pakistan some $12 billion in military aid and comparable sums for civilian programmes over the past decade, Washington as piper expects its recalcitrant client to dance to its tune. Where this will end is still far from clear, but the iconic Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has made a start by suggesting that the West stop all aid to his country as a first step toward forcing its government to implement urgently needed reforms without which Pakistan cannot move forward. He charged that foreign aid was simply lining the pockets of a corrupt ruling elite unaccustomed to pay taxes.

Economic and social malfeasance has muddied the political waters and deluded Pakistan's military to embark on a Great Game that it cannot ever hope to win, which has brought nothing but misery to its masses as they struggle to eke out a living in the caldron of civil strife, competing insurgencies and manifold oppressions of landlords, governments, over-mighty politicians, gangsters and the military, from which there appears to be little respite. The West must cut the Gordian Knot and free itself from the burdens of an increasingly toxic asset.

Proposed calendar makeover the ultimate lunacy Rumours are afloat that some bright spark in the BBC's religious service had suggested that historical time be measured by something other than the customary BC (before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini or the year of Our Lord). By this reckoning, why not change the international calendar itself, once Julian now Gregorian from the names of two popes, but calculated on the strictest principles of astronomy. The adoption of local calendars would make confusion worse confounded, but no-one in his or her right mind would undertake such an unnerving flight of fancy.

BC and AD have nothing whatsoever to do with Christian theology; they are derived from the accidents of the birth and death of a luminously inspirational figure whose influence transcends confessional divides.

Is there no limit to the lunacy of political correctness? The famous Christmas tree from the people of Norway to the citizens of London as a

token of remembrance of their shared suffering and release from the Second World War is now known by another name, thanks to the officiousness of local politicians and bureaucrats ever fearful of offending a religious minority. It becomes an encouragement to voice an offence wherein none is meant. Can't things be left well alone.

One takes some comfort that Indian scholars of their country's classical past – one recalls Sarvepalli Radhakrishan, S.N.Dasgupta, R..C. Majumdar and the like - have never cavilled at the use of BC and AD in their work.

Christmas is widely celebrated as a festive occasion by the mainly middle class citizenry of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore, the vast majority of whom are Hindu.

Better this than the use of a neutered term that conveys no sense of joy or context. Appeasing the intolerant few promise no rewards. The BBC should not make an ass of itself.

Travails of Indian governance Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was forced to cut short his visit to the United Nations summit in New York because trouble was brewing at home and his presence was urgently needed to quell a possible political crisis involving the future of Home Minister P. Chidambaram. The fallen Telecom minister A Raja, now awaiting trial for his alleged role in thee 3G scam which robbed the Indian exchequer of an approximate $40 billion, has asked that Mr Chidambaram appear as a witness in court, thus throwing the cat among the pigeons.

Mr Chidambaram had previously disclaimed all

knowledge of the tenders leading to the scam but a document has come to light that he knew more than he has revealed.

The Prime Minister has been a technocrat for most of his professional life; his lack of political nous shows in his lack of direction in this and other matters, including the mishandling of the Anna Hazare affair. The ruling Congress party appears to be in limbo. The highly regarded Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee may be emboldened to come to the rescue. Stranger things have happened.

www.abplgroup.com

Thought for the Week The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

- Buonarroti Michelangelo (1475-1564)

Cllr Rabi Martins Watford Borough Council

Reform of the House of Lords The Party political conference season opened last week with Liberal Democrats debating a whole range of issues that have significant relevance to Asians and other ethnic minority communities.

Amongst the topics debated was the Reform of the House of Lords.

The Party has been campaigning for a wholly or largely elected House of Lords for a long time. Not surprising then that most delegates welcomes the prospects of the first elections to the second chamber being held as early as 2015. Nevertheless concerns were raised the reforms would do little to make Parliament more representative. Delegates pointed out that the elections to the House of Commons had so far failed to elect BME MPs in any significant numbers and expressed their lack of confidence that this situation would change with elections to the Lords. There was a strong feeling amongst Asian and other BME delegates that if some element of appointment to the Lords was not retained the prospects of an increase in the number of Asian peers in the years ahead were bleak.

Delegates were at pains to stress that they did not doubt Nick Clegg’s commitment to addressing the ethnic deficit in Parliament. There was general agreement that the Leadership Programme he launched at conference would aid individuals from under represented groups seeking election but recognition that the reduction of number MPs would present new challenges to this group In a packed agenda it was heartening to see delegates debate the issue of violence against women.

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and

Wallington was at pains to highlight the fact that sexual exploitation of women in the UK was prevalent in so called third world countries like Thailand and Cambodia.

There were concerns that police are reluctant to take domestic violence seriously. This coupled with the tendency amongst Asian women in particular to keep such matters secret was dangerous and unhelpful said delegates. One of the worrying unintended consequences of this was that increasing number of children who witnessed domestic violence were growing up with the attitude that it was “ OK for men to beat women if they made them angry” One recent survey suggested that as many as 65% of children surveyed held this view. Baroness Sally Hamwee, pledged support for more effective legislation which would give women much needed protection.

Education continues to be a subject that is close to the hearts of our Asian Community and one that Liberal Democrats feel passionately about. No wonder the announcement by School’s Minister Sarah Teather the money available for pupil premium next year will double to £1.25 billion was so well received. It demonstrates that even in a climate of public sector cuts Liberal Democrats have managed to secure investment for our future generations.

Nick Clegg’s parting message to delegates was that he had committed the Party to working in the coalition for the duration – that is up until 2015 and the Party faithful should be proud that their Party was doing the Right Thing – Not the Easy Thing by putting the interests of the country and all its people first.

ASIAN VOICE is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 Fax: 020 7749 4081 Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com www: abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

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Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Email: majithia.meera@gmail.com

Leicester Voice Fashion graduate’s collection on sale at major high street chain

By Meera Majithia

An award-winning fashion graduate from De Montfort University will see her colourful designs sold in stores across the UK this autumn after winning a national design competition.

This year Shivani Chavda has won the top prize after wowing a panel of industry judges with her eye-catching tropical collection, which was also showcased at London Fashion Week on Monday 19th September.

The 23-year-old from Harrow, London, now has pieces from her graduate collection ‘In My Wildest Dreams’ featured in Harrods and the shop window of Warehouse’s flagship store on Argyll Street in London, and they will be sold exclusively in selected Warehouse stores nationwide.

Her debut collection features brightly coloured animal and watercolour print designs, including silk chiffon maxi dresses, palazzo pants, shift dresses, side split skirts and crop tops.

The BA (Hons) Fashion Design graduate, said: “To me fashion is wearable art and I base my designs around this. I took my love of all things ‘unordinary’ and created

Shivani Chavda

hand-illustrated prints of exotic creatures in a dream-like fashion.

After winning the competition, Shivani joined Warehouse for a sixmonth placement where she was involved with the full journey of the collection development, from the initial design process, right through to the production and marketing launch.

She added: “It’s been an amazing learning experience being involved in all aspects of the development process, from designing the garments and researching locations to shoot photos of my collection, to mocking up my own window display.

It still all seems a bit surreal the moment, but I am incredibly excited

about seeing the final products in store.”

This follows a successful year for Shivani who was also named Young Designer of the Year at the 2010 Clothes Show Live. Her designs were also a close runner-up for the Zandra Rhodes Textiles Award at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week.

Fellow graduate Ume Sacranie was also shortlisted for the Warehouse competition scooping the runner-up prize for her rock-and-roll inspired collection incorporating hundreds of birds’ feathers, intricate beadwork, chain mail and embroidery.

Della Swain, fashion design course leader at DMU, said: “I’d like to thank Warehouse and the British Fashion Council for this fantastic opportunity. We are really thrilled here at De Montfort University to secure first prize as well as the runner-up prize.

“Shivani and Ume were both very hard working students, with different strengths and identities in their work, and I wish them all the best as they make their mark in the fashion industry.”

Sewa Day service is ‘priceless’ Volunteers from some of Leicester’s faith communities have hailed their first official Sewa Day campaign as a major success.

Volunteers from Buddhist and Hindu temples, several Gurudwaras, and general members of the public dished out a variety of tasty dishes to members of the West Indian Senior Citizens Project (WISCP) on Thursday 22nd September.

With the help of Bobby’s Restaurant they served samosas, onion bhajis and barfi and showered the elderly with a wealth of Indian culture by playing the classical instrument tabla as well as giving them an opportunity to wear sarees and turbans.

Sewa Day (which actually fell on Sunday 25th September) is a special day of service to the

needy without wanting anything in return and St Philip’s Centre formed a special partnership with Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh organisations for a project titled, ‘Talk over Tea’. This involved sharing food and socialising with residents who access the WISCP. Event organizer, Riaz Ravat, from St Philip’s

Centre said: “We wanted Leicester’s campaign to be different to the rest of the country. By bringing together several faiths for this project we succeeded in our effort to continue to build inter faith relations. By putting a smile on the faces of the elderly day care users, we achieved even more.”

Those leading the

‘Talk over Tea’ project wanted to make an impact by supporting some of society’s most isolated and vulnerable communities whilst at the same time helping to build friendships between people of different backgrounds.

Bharti Acharya, a volunteer from the Hindu community said: “Our presence made service users feel very special. One commented when having a saree wrapped around her that she felt ‘royal’.

Today was all about the people we came to serve.”

Kartar Singh Bring, Sikh faith representative added: "The genuine joy of the elderly service users has made this day priceless. By bringing communities together to share in a day of giving, we have really brought out the spirit of Sewa.”

Officers raise funds for boxing club Officers from Belgrave police station put on their running shoes to complete a 10k sponsored run to raise funds for Waterside Boxing Club.

PC Gary Bailey, who is a member of the Waterside Boxing Club organised and took part in the sponsored run with Sergeant Sarah Widdowson.

Officers raised £142,

which will go towards kick starting a youth club for the younger members of the boxing club.

PC Bailey said: “I presented the money to two of the founder members of the waterside youth committee.

The committee was thrilled to receive the donation from the

police and in response have asked me to be their

president. This is an offer I am very flattered to accept.”

“I am looking forward to attending their meetings in the future and working closely with the young people. The youth club has got off to a great start and already has about 80 members.”

In brief

Britain’s Got Bhangra

Rifco Arts are heading to the Curve theatre this October with their five-star hit musical Britain’s Got Bhangra.

Winner of the ‘People’s favourite musical’ at the ‘Offies’ (Off West-End Awards) and nominated for Best Musical Production at the TMA awards, this musical has been remixed and remastered for 2011.

Following on from last years’ sell out tour, this new ‘blinged-up’ version of the unique bhangra musical charts the rise of the British bhangra music scene from the sequin clad 80s through to the RnB fusion of the current charts.

It traces the story of Twinkle who arrives in a cold UK, fresh from the fields of Punjab with a song in his heart and no money in his pocket.

The show is running from October 4th-8th.

£500,000 worth drug factory discovered

A large cannabis factory was discovered by officers at a disused factory in Swan Street, Leicester on Friday 23rd September.

The cannabis factory was found when officers attended a call from a member of the public about an insecure building.

Officers recovered a total of 1,348 plants from four different rooms within the building. The plants are believed to have a potential street value of £500,000.

Sergeant Michelle Zakoscielny is the Neighbourhood Sergeant for the Abbey Ward. She said: “This was a large cannabis factory and a fantastic discovery with a huge street value. I am really pleased that we have successfully prevented such a large quantity of cannabis from reaching our streets.

“We are committed to tackling drugs misuse and bringing those to justice that are involved in the production and supply of drugs. I would urge anyone with information or suspicions of drugs misuse in their area to contact us.”

Four people have been arrested and are currently on police bail. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about drugs misuse is urged to call Leicestershire Constabulary on 0116 222 2222 or Crimestoppers anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Husband gambled away his wife’s savings

A husband who squandered almost £17,000 of his wife's life savings on booze and gambling has been jailed for 18 months.

Kulwant Singh Nargra, 46, of Peebles Way in Rushey Mead dishonestly forged his wife's signature on a bank form, giving him access to her private account.

He pleaded guilty to fraud, which involved the loss of £16,930 at Leicester Crown Court.

His wife realised money was missing when she saw a balance of £700 and challenged her husband and son who said nothing.

Her husband then confessed and there was no suggestion her son was involved.

When arrested Nargra, who has previous convictions for deception, said he lost his job in September 2010, and did not tell his family.

Alan Murphy who was prosecuting said Nagra spent the money on gambling and alcohol.

Linda Jerman, mitigating, said he regretted his actions.

She said that once the court proceedings were over the couple may discuss the possibility of a reconciliation.

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

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Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Women on TOP Best of the two worlds

By Spriha Srivastava

Masuam – not so awesome!

When a love story is mixed with political hostilities and religious conflict, the result is not always a hit, unless we are talking about Veer Zara or Gadar among others. Mausam, the latest flick starring Shahid Kapur and Sonam Kapoor has been facing rough weather in its first few weeks of opening.

Pankaj Kapur’s directorial debut has infact also run into trouble with the Indian Air Force over an action sequence in the second half of the film.

But coming back to the story, it starts in early 90s when Aayat (Sonam Kapoor) leaves behind her home in Kashmir (following the unrest in valley) and lands at a relative’s place in Punjab.

Village boy Harry (Shahid Kapoor) falls head over heels for her but fate has some different plans. Post the Babri Masjid demolition, Aayat relocates to an unknown destination.

Seven years pass by.

Harry is now an IAF pilot. His job takes him to Scotland where he meets Aayat again. Both are shocked to see each other. Aayat, her father (Kamal Nain Chopra)

Shahid Kapur and Sonam Kapoor

and now-widowed aunt have moved to Scotland.

The romance between Harry and Aayat is rekindled.

Unfortunately Kargil war separates them again where Harry is summoned in the line of duty. Unable to trace each other post the war, the two sulk for each other for years.

Then, one day, out of the blue, Harry spots Aayat in Switzerland but takes her cousin to be her husband, and mistakes his child to be their child.

Fate throws them together once again in Ahmedabad in India when communal riots break out there. Aayat is being chased by miscreants during the riots.

Harry, whose left hand has since been paralysed, is trying to save Aayat.

And fate brings them together again.

Political events in the interim form the picture’s backdrop: from Babri Masjid, terrorism in Kashmir, through Kargil, to 9/11, and Gujarat riots. Each, in

their own ways, affects the characters. But throughout the span of 10-12 years of political unrest and conflicts, one can see that the characters remain young and fresh. They haven’t moved on in their lives, as if waiting for the next conflict to happen when they can meet again. The movie goes about an unrealistic roller coaster ride.

Shahid Kapur remains the main saviour of the film. He acts with an effortless ease and fits well into the character.

While he looks charming and suave as an IAF pilot, he dances gracefully around the trees too.

Sonam Kapoor looks a little too immature for the role.

Overall, Pankaj Kapur’s direction is good even though a number of twists and turns in the story look extremely unrealistic. However, the projection of life in Punjab has been done beautifully. Hence, the film is a mix of positives and negatives. Watch it if you are a Shahid Kapur fan.

Navratri celebration begins It’s the time of the year to celebrate festivals, eat good food and play Dandiya. For those of you who don’t know, Raas or Dandiya Raas is the traditional folk dance form of Vrindavan, India, where it is performed depicting scenes of Holi, and lila of Krishna and Radha. Along with Garba, it is the featured dance of Navratri evenings in Western India.

In Dandiya Raas men and women dance in two circles, with sticks in their hands. In the old times Raas did not involve much singing; just the beat of Dhol was enough.

"Dandiya" or sticks are about 18" long.

Each dancer holds two, although some times when they are short on Dandiya they will use just one in right hand. Generally, in a four beat rhythm, opposite sides hit the sticks at the same time, creating a nice sound. One circle goes clockwise and another counter clockwise. In the west, people don't form full circles,

Ayesha Vardag is a familiar face in the field of law. A renowned divorce lawyer, has very strong convictions and she holds on to family values- a bit of both eastern and western.

Ayesha grew up in Oxford with her English mother and Scottish grandmother. Her father, a politician, lived in Pakistan and occasionally visited Britain. He told Ayesha stories about the sophisticated world of richness, politics and colours in Pakistan, but it was only when 19, Ayesha visited Pakistan for the first time and learnt much about the culture and the language.

Ayesha spoke to Asian Voice regarding her family's political background, growing up and her profession as a lawyer. a. As a half Asian, have you faced any difficulty to reach this far in your profession?

I have never, so far as I know, experienced racism holding me back in my career. I encountered it a little as a child and adolescent which scarred me quite deeply, but professionally I do feel that I have had a straight run based on the fruits of my own endeavours. Perhaps if I had looked more obviously Asian I would have been more prey to prejudice, but in my own experience in the law as a profession I genuinely believe there is the opportunity to stand on your own merits.

Excellence as a lawyer depends too much on intellect to allow any quality employer to risk losing the best candidates through issues of race. b. How was it growing up in a family of mixed races?

but instead often form rows.

In UK, Navratri celebrations have already begun. Dandiya Raas is taking place from 28th September to 8th October at the Brentford Fountain Leisure Center in Chiswick. With music by Kiran & Anuradha of Strings, this event like last year is ready to rock and roll Londoners with the joy of Garba and Dandiya. Tickets can be purchased from the R.C.T Centre, Headstone Lane, Harrow.

More details available on http://www.strings-band.com/navratri-dandia.htm.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

My English mother made efforts to bring my father's culture to bear in my life. Although she was Christian she had a great respect for Islam, and, out of consideration for my father, when I was born she whispered the Kalema into both my ears and I went to bed each night as a child saying both the Kalema and the Lord's Prayer. I was, in that respect, truly eclectic. I think both Eastern and Western cultures have so much to give, and there is so much common ground, especially between the

It makes sense to delay marriage until one knows one is ready. I do personally believe that if after trying hard people still feel unhappy together and cannot make their relationship the source of comfort and joy which everyone needs through the difficulties of life then divorce Ayesha Vardag should be considered. In that people of the book, that event, the key is to part it would be better to find kindly and with a strong a way to give the chilsense of keeping co-pardren the richness of enting and familial links both. alive for the children. I feel strongly that divorce c. Would you consider doesn't have to ruin anyjoining politics at any one's life. point?

My father wanted me to go into politics to become his political heir as his old associate and rival Zulikar Ali Bhutto had his daughter Benazir. He had a clear plan for how he would achieve that with me. I was so seduced and inspired by my life Pakistan that I was partly persuaded. I planned to finish my degree at Cambridge then go back to Pakistan and engage in a political career.

However time and life, the impact of my stepmother, a return to my more familiar English culture, all combined to draw me away from that back to my future in England. As to politics here, I think right now that the combination of my firm and my family consume all my attention, but who knows in the future? d. How important do you think is community, for a person to succeed in her/his field?

I think if you have the support of your community it's a huge help.

Business and professional success have always been built on networks.

It's also hugely valuable to have that emotional support. However you can make your own networks and forge your own communities if you have to, as I did. e. Economist reported a month back that Asians are delaying marriagebecause social pressure of sticking to the marriage commitment amongst them is too high. What is your opinion about it?

f. What percentage of Asians have you ever represented in a divorce case?

Some of our biggest cases have involved Asian and Middle Eastern families. We are sensitive to the fact that if you are Asian, divorce can involve culture and family to a high degree.

We have tackled issues of polygamous marriage, polygamous divorce, validity of marriage, child contact and residence and, overwhelmingly, financial awards on divorce, within Asian and mixed families. I think our eclecticism, both in the staffing of our own firm and in the sorts of cases we do, is one of our great strengths. g. To you, what are the right ingredients of being as successful as you are?

I have always set myself the target of being the best. I'm hugely demanding of myself and of those who work with me that we pursue excellence and don't contemplate mediocrity or failure. However, more than that, I think the eclecticism of my background has made me both slightly unconventional and able to "think outside the box" and somewhat fearless in the face of old norms and expectations.

I think the strongest thing of all is to care passionately about what you do- it suffuses everything and makes you go the extra mile, and people pick up on that and want you fighting for them.

DURGA PUJA SPECIAL

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

7

London welcomes the Universal Mother, Goddess Durga In Kolkata, Durga puja is not only a religious festival.

It is a cultural and economic celebration. Initially Durga puja was organised by affluent families since they had the money to organise the festival.

During the late 19th and early 20th century, a burgeoning middle class, primarily in Kolkata, wished to observe the Puja. They created the community or Sarbojanin Pujas.

Pujas in Kolkata and elsewhere experiment with innovative concepts every year. Communities have created prizes for Best Pandal, Best Puja, and other categories. While the new comers in the field of music and dance get an opportunity to display their talents, the rural artists get a scope to do something creative, earn recognition and also a few thousands of rupees. It is also a massive opportunity for the drummers, who come all the way from different villages- to provide the background score during the pujas.

Of course in Britain, Durga puja (from 2nd October till 6th this year) is more about a meeting point for all those Bengalis, who cherish and love their culture. It is about recalling those days back at home, where the city is decorated like a newly wed bride!

Central London The London Durga Puja Dusserah Committee

organises one of the most popular Durga pujas in Central London. The protima or idol is sculpted by the legendary sculptor Shri Ramesh Chandra Paul of Kumartuli, Kolkata on commission by the world renowned industrialist Mr Lakshmi N. Mittal Chairman of LMN Group/Ispat International Ltd., for the London Durga Puja Dusserah Committee as a gift. On 2nd October, they are organising a Durga Bandona by Nritya Kuthir and musical evening with Fingerprints, a music fusion by dhak (drum) and western jazz. The pujas will be held every noon (for details see http://www.londonpuja.com/calendar.php).

South London The Sarbojonin Durga puja is held in South London at the Chak 89 banqueting hall, will have cultural programmes on Sunday and Tuesday (for children), while the puja will commence at noon every day (http://www.southlondondurgapuja.com).

The Tooting Durga puja in South London is celebrating it's 25th year in 2011. Every day from 2nd October onwards they will have aarti and pushpanjali, but will also have cultural programmes. With media partnership of Star Ananda, Pratidin and Aajkal newspapers (in Kolkata), there will be per-

formances by Saibal Guha, Amit Kr Dey, Maitree Performing group, Anshuman Biswas, Nafees Irfaan and Tridhara. There also will be a 150th year celebration of Tagore's birthday.

North London North London the Sanatan Bengali Association organises their Durga puja in Subud Hall at East Barnet (http://www.durgapuja.co. uk/home.html). Member Mrs Sukla Banik said, "Since this year the durga puja will be on weekdays, we are going to take turns to organise everything.

Whatever money will be left after paying all the bills, we will donate to a charity.

Also this year we are going to have our cultural programmes like recitation, music etc by our members on the Kali puja."

The Sanatan Bengali

Cultural Association organises their Durga puja in Palmers Green at St Monica's Hall (Intimate theatre). Mostly the pujas will be held at 1pm daily except on Saptami (Monday 3rd October), when it will be held at 5pm (www.sbcuk.co.uk). On 6th, Gitanjali- a special Musical extravaganza will be organised under direction of Dr Ananda Gupta.

East London In 1977 a group of Hindu Bengalis came together to form an association called Hindu Pragati Sangha (HPS). For over 30 years, HPS has been striving to keep Hindu religious and cultural traditions alive in London amongst a climate of ever-increasing spiritual decline, and in turn, a legacy for succeeding generations. They organise Durga puja, which is a much talk

of the town during these festival times (http://hindupragatisangh a . n e t / e v e n t s a/2011/durga-puja-mahasashti.aspx) The Utsav club will be organising their durga puja in Punjabi Centre, Ilford, Essex IG1 4BN. With daily pujas at stipulated times (mahurta), they are having their cultural programmes on October 22nd (http://www.durgapuja.or g.uk).

The Bengali cultural and social club will be celebrating durga puja at Pavillion, Old Parkonian Hall, Henault (http://www.bengali-cult u r a l - s o c i a l club.org.uk/index.html).

Mrs Nagchoudhury from the committee told Asian Voice, "Usually the sweets are made by women. We altogether ensure that the puja is held perfectly and peacefully. The members organise for cultural programmes too. This year we are having "Mahalaya Kirtan'."

West London West London Durga Puja is usually held at Slough Ramgarhia Educational and Cultural Centre, Berkshire, SL1 3BU (http://www.westlondondurgapujo.co.uk/), while the Panchamukhee Sarod utsav is held on a massive scale in Harrow at Harrow Arts Centre. They had organised a huge Kolkata

Bazaar on the 24th and 25th of September, where Shraboni Sen, Srikanto Acharya, Usha Uthup and many more had performed. They had stalls and much more, and was thoroughly enjoyed by visitors (http://www.panchamukhee.org/puja_timings.aspx).

However the famous Nirmal Mukherjee's family puja in Wembley has a new venue and will be held at Mandhatta Youth Centre Association (MYCA) Hall, 20A Rosemead Avenue (https://www.facebook.co m/event.php?eid=263526 300325796).

London Sharad Utsav (LSU) has once again organised a fantastic puja in the Ealing Townhall.

While the celebrations will start from 1st October itself, the cultural programme includes Sitar, Rabindra Sangeet in Bollywood by Shivasree Bhowmik, Rakhi Sarkar and Sudeshna Chakraborty.

Classical dance programme by Jhinook Mukherjee, Rabindra Sangeet by Shreya Guhathakurata, Shruti Natok by Pulikata Ghosh and Biplab Dasgupta, Panchakabeer Gaan by Riddhi Bandhopadhyay, comedy skits, children's performances etc (http://www.londonsu.org/pujo.php).

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Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

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Keith’s Diversity Nite

Midland men, least romantic

The true mosaic of multicultural Britain was displayed as part of MP Keith Vaz’s Diversity Nite, which took place in Liverpool on Monday this week.

Attended by people from all walks of life, cultures, and faiths, the annual Diversity Nite, part of the Labour Party Conference, aims to celebrate all strands of diversity. Senior politicians are called onto stage and introduced by MP Vaz and each is asked to say a few words. Held at the East z East Restaurant, the venue was decorated with red and silver balloons, banners, pull-up stands, all of which added to the colourful and vibrant atmosphere.

Entertainment was pro-

vided by Elusive, a Manchester-based Asian DJ. It was amusing to observe, as every year, the dash for the food queue. People of all ages pushing and shoving to get in. Mr Vaz urged all to form an orderly queue: “I have not seen such long queues since the 1930s,” he said.

Among MPs in attendance were Shabana Mahmood, Virendra Sharma, Chuka Umunna, Valerie Vaz and Harriet Harman.

Jon Ashworth, new MP for Leicester South said

Popular with Patients A GP surgery in Birmingham has been voted the best in Birmingham after receiving an 81% satisfaction rate. Dr Ashok Vora, GP at the Selly Oak-based surgery, said, “we pride ourselves on putting patients at the heart of what we do.” Bosses at NHS Choices, which carried out the poll, might want to visit GPs Mann, Shah, Ram and Poltock and receptionist Christine at Fernley Medical Centre in Sparkhill, Birmingham, who are providing, perhaps far too modestly, an outstanding patient service.

GP struck off A Birmingham doctor who cupped a patient’s breasts and called her ‘darling’ has been struck off from the medical register. Mahesh Rajeshwarv, from Sutton Coldfield, was suspended by a General Medical Council panel in 2006 following complaints from three patients. But only now has his name been deleted by the GMC after a review by the panel found he had not taken steps to retrain or address his weaknesses.

Cockroaches found

Midland men are officially the least romantic guys in England, according to new research by QVC, the shopping channel. Eighty-one per cent of Midland women said that the men in their lives have not bought them any jewellery.

Woman jailed in 25k fraud

Mr Vaz “a good friend” should be presenting XFactor. Credit to Mr Vaz for hosting this event, one which has not been matched, yet, by the

Tories or the Lib Dems.

Not to suggest, of course not, that they are any less committed to diversity.

Photo: Mr Vaz, centre, dancing the night away.

Crackdown on imported tobacco Six out of 29 newsagents, petrol stations and convenience stores visited by Birmingham Trading Standards investigators were found to be selling illegally imported cigarettes and tobacco.

Officials, who used a hand-held computer scanning device to detect illegal tobacco or cigarettes, also found fake packs of rolling tobacco which is frequently stronger and often padded out with impurities, including rat droppings and sand. While the price of a pack of cigarettes has reached £7.50, smokers can pick up imported packs on which no tax has been paid, for less than half that. The Treasury said it lost out on £2.2 billion-worth of duty due to the illicit trade.

Charity money goes missing Police have been called in to investigate claims £1.7 million has gone missing from a major Birmingham regeneration project, reports The Birmingham Post.

Nechells Regeneration Project, which managed the four-year £5 million restoration of Nechells Baths, has called in officers to investigate the missing funds. The inquiry follows an ongoing dispute between a former city clergyman and treasurer of Birmingham Cathedral, Canon David Collyer, pictured, and businessmen Tim Watts and David Bucknall.

Mosque plans rejected A popular Birmingham restaurant, Maharaja, has been temporarily closed after a cockroach infestation was discovered by health inspectors. The eaterie in Hurst Street, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, will remain shut until the council is assured there is no risk to public health. It is owned by Natt Batt, aged 68, pictured, far right, with his catering team.

Durga Jagran A vibrant spiritual event, Jagran, dedicated to the Durga, pictured, the Hindu Goddess of power and vigour, will take place at Baba Balak Nath Temple in Caldmore Road, Walsall (WS1 3PD) next Tuesday (Oct 4) from 8pm to 2am. The free event will feature discourses, devotional songs and food. All welcome.

News in Brief

Controversial plans for a new central mosque in Dudley have been rejected, prompting accusations that councillors had bowed to Islamophobia when considering the proposals. Dr Khurshid Ahmed, chairman of Dudley Muslim Association – who is recovering from a serious operation - accused a Dudley Council planning committee of lacking the moral courage to stand up to protestors after they turned down the scheme. Dr Ahmed, pictured, a former assistant chief executive of Birmingham City Council, said the issue was far from over and vowed to appeal against the refusal.

GP died of natural causes A Midland GP who was found dead at her home died as a result of heart disease, an inquest heard. Dr Uma Dasgupta, 63, was found in a bedroom by her husband Subir, also a GP, at their home in Walsall. Dr Dasgupta, who had worked in West Bromwich, had been a diabetic for about 18 years.

A Birmingham woman has been sent to prison for six months for making a series of fraudulent housing benefit claims totalling more than £25,000. Reksona Begum, 31, of Beeches Road, Great Barr, failed to declare to the authorities that her brother was her landlord.

Number crunching As the High Speed Train, HS2, comes ever closer to being approved, a reader asks: “Can the Transport Secretary actually write £32 billion in figures?” As the secretary, Philip Hammond, pictured, studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford and is a consultant for the World Bank, the answer has to be yes. Probably.

The ‘living dead’ A morgue in Turkey has built a motion-detecting alarm system – just in case ‘dead’ bodies come back to life. The slightest movement inside the fridges will now trigger an alarm. A cemetery official said: “We consider each and every possibility.”

Fun Run to raise funds Scores of people braved the rain and took part in a 5km Fun Run in Birmingham last Sunday.

Families, groups of friends and work colleagues, some in fancy dress, participated in the run to help raise funds for Macmillan Cancer. Among participants were Kalvinder Khella, 49, who runs Kingstanding News. He pushed his 81-year-old father Darshan around the route in a wheelchair.

Promotion for Rimmi Shah PR professional Rimmi Shah has been promoted to partner at Lansons Communications. Previously she was an account director with the same company, which now has a total 32 partners.

New Police job Staffordshire Police Authority has appointed Julian Blazeby, 46, pictured, as its new Assistant Chief Constable.

He takes up the role after a move by the county’s former ACC Marcus Beale to West Midlands Police.

Brum’s first food bank A dedicated food bank, Narthrex, Birmingham’s first, has been launched, thanks to a five-year £425,000 Big Lottery award. The scheme has been set up after charity workers said they were swamped with requests from those who could not afford to feed themselves. Narthrex, based at St John’s Church, Sparkhill, with the support of the Trussell Trust, which also works to combat poverty, are expecting to give out 1,200 parcels in the first year, covering breakfast, lunch and dinner, and taking into consideration religion and ethnicity. To find out more call 0121 772 0909 or email foodbank@narthrex.org.uk

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

9

Celebrating a decade of Diwali in the Square Diwali is the festival of light. It is that time of the year when all Indian communities come together and worship the light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance. Diwali in Trafalgar Square reaches a new climax this year as it celebrates its 10th Anniversary. The festivities will be held on the 16th October 2011 from 2pm - 7pm. Leading up to the festival, the launch was hosted at the London Chambers of Commerce and by Chairman Subhash Thakrar in association with the Diwali in London Committee. This was with the aim to create a better understanding of

Subhash Thakrar, Chairman, London Chamber of Commerce

Diwali and spread the message of light and hope across London. Diwali will be a free event and the public will have the chance to take part in the garba dance and free saree wearing. There will be delicious vegetarian foods on sale, variety of stalls of interest on the day and live stage performances.

Diwali on the Square is brought to you by the Mayor of London in association with DIL - the Diwali in London committee.

The evening started with a dance performance by Manasi Dabrai.

Chairman of the London Chamber of Commerce, Subhash Thakrar at the launch said- "The London Chamber of Commerce is all about business and Diwali is all about fun. I am absolutely amazed to see the 11 Hindu organisations that have come together to make this event a success. It is not very easy to organise such a huge thing. It is a great honour for the LCC and me to have done something for social causes as a business house."

Mike Conaty on behalf of Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, read out a message. He said, "Apologies that the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor are not here.

London is proud to organise Diwali on the square, celebrating the incredible 10 years. We are thankful to all the commercial and media partners such as Lyca, HDFC, Zeetv, ABPL and others."

Jitendra Kumar, First

Dubai, New York, to follow our footsteps and celebrate Diwali.

It is difficult to keep everybody happy.

Youngsters want entertainments, elders want spirituality. Putting everything together in a balanced event is a very difficult task, but we have succeeded.

Ranuben, Urvashiben, Jayminiben and others have done incredible work. We have a wonderful cohesive relation with GLA. But we always need volunteers, supports and sponsors and would like membership and contribution.

Nil has the energy and has worked incessantly.

This celebration will continue in coming years, in the Parliament, Brent and elsewhere too."

Ranu Mehta Radia from Sai School London said,- "There are three of us work very hard behind stage. I usually select the dance groups, Urvashi is the peace keeper. Shivali makes sure all the work is done efficiently.

Right after the Easter holidays finish, we send out letters to schools and encourage participation.

We do not select people whom we know. Letters go out, audition take place in July. 9-10 community performances are usually a part of the programme. Indian folk dances, classical dances, Bollywood (which has to meet our criterion) and so much more. This year 23pm there is garba, an

Jitendra Kumar, First Secretary (Consular & Community Affairs) at the India High Commission

Secretary (Consular & Community Affairs), Indian High Commission said, "It is a matter of pride the way Diwali is celebrated, how much of contribution has been made. It is a matter of pleasure as well as business. Diwali has deep symbolic meaning. The light interpreted as knowledge. Not only Goddess Laxmi is associated with it, but even trade, business are meant to be done in a certain way. Most contemporary civilisations are wiped off, but India is doing well because it knows how to business traditionally and with best of customs.

Indians have not threatened communities but created opportunities and given back to the local societies."

Harsha Trivedi, Chairman of the DIL Committee said, "This Diwali is a significant milestone. It has been an incredible working experience and I thank all sponsors and supporters."

Nitinbhai Palan, from BAPS said, “Initially on Diwali the crowd used to be less than 5000 in the square. Sunrise radio was a very active media partner, and enabled to spread the message. We have 60,000 people as visitors now. Our footsteps are followed by Eid, Vaisakhi etc. We have perhaps created inspirations in

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opportunity to participate for all the people on the square. The opening ceremony is for 15mins, Mayor lights the lamp, community performances are held. This year the theme is Kerala.

Zeetv gets international star to perform and then we have closing ceremony

Milind Kangle, CEO, of Lycamobile

with arti. Chair brings the arti group."

Milind Kangle, CEO, of Lycamobile said, "On behalf of Subashkaran Alirajah, our Chairman, and 4000 staff of Lyca, we take great pleasure in sponsoring Diwali. In our 5 year plan, our business has grown to $1bn. A call to Kolkata or Mumbai is now cheaper than Manchester- all for our community."

CB Patel, Publisher/ Editor of AV and GS

said- "Diwali is mainly for Ram followers, Sikhs and Jains. DIL has been so successful- because of women leaders like Jashodaben, Shivaniben, Jayminiben, Ranuben.

The yester year’s immigrants have now successful names. Thanks to Boris for this Diwali programme. Thanks to Ken Livingston also who started this Diwali in the Square. Subashbhai, LCC is a Hindu representative.

First ever non-white to be the Chairman of LCC. I hope more and more people will support Diwali and DIL. We Hindus are so secular, we tend to forget our origin.

I happen to know Subhash, Milind, Amitav from Lyca and their wives and families. They are community minded and have immense sense of

responsibility."

"We Hindus ensure that we don’t need police back up much. That helps Scotland Yard to save money. This country is great, we are best in education, employment and much more. In her Majesty's prison, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs are much less than other communities, because we believe in giving back to our community and civil society as citizens."

Jaymini Patel from Brahma Kumaris in concluding speech spoke about values and the rainbow colours- symbol of Diwali this year- representing many colours, many communities, many values, bound together.

The event ended with a lavish vegetarian dinner.

Nil Kumar, the MoC for the evening with the Trustees of Hindu organisations

YOUR VOICE

10

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

The known unknown

The Lost Billions

Shame to the community

Organ donation

I am still at the Labour Party Annual Conference in Liverpool. This is my third day and I look forward to hear what Ed Miliband has to say today. Late last night I was watching Andrew Neil interviewing Ed Balls on BBC2 Newsnight and getting Balls’ confirmation that yes Labour lost ￡12 in abandoned NHS IT policy while the Coalition had lost only ￡2 billion in introducing the new Healthcare Bill.

Civil servants and/or appointed advisors do not sufficiently brief politicians on facts. Labour has not lost ￡12 billion on NHS project. While only about ￡4 has been paid to date, the rest of the spending is being revised to drop the national patient database but not many other aspects of the project such as a database for someone like me at least all over London, etc. etc. and that is working very well.

I also met Neil Kinnock and spoke to him while chasing him on the elevator and down for a few minutes. I suggested to him that we should join the Euro. He said had we joined many years ago, UK scene would have been quite different. Now I am not so sure. When I pressed him that even now it is most urgent we consider it, he gave me the impression that he agreed it was a valid argument and needed serious consideration.

Gujarati Asians do not take part as much as they should, especially our young and especially of Hindu and/or Jain background. I know politics is not a perfect science but it is a very important part of daily life. More young people must enter into that career and be passionate about it. Start by being a Local Councillor and work your way upwards.

A national computer system costing £12.7 billion to store patient records for every person on the NHS register has been officially scrapped. And it's all our money that Labour has poured down the drain. The amount involved would have paid 60,000 nurses' salaries for a decade.

Or could have off set the rises in public service pensions or for a reduction in the VAT. The Coalition announced that it is putting a halt to years of scandalous waste of taxpayers’ money on a system that never worked. This squandering of public money comes on top of the billons given in grant aid to undeserving countries or for the activities in oil producing countries. No wonder the country is in such financial state.

On a slightly different note, readers of “Your Voice” column would know that earlier in the year, I described the Delhi Commonwealth Games as the “Greatest Show on Earth”. The same slogan is now being used by the media for the forthcoming Olympic Games. So once again, our AV has become the first for innovation.

It seems what they say about our justice system is valid. In this case I refer to your couple of articles that appeared in the Asian Voices, (Vol. 40, Issue 20, dated 17th September to 23rd September) on Dr Chirag Patel, the Millionaire Dentist, and (Vol. 40, Issue 21, dated 24th September to 30th September 2011) on Fake Death Certificates net millions for tourist. Both these articles bring shame to the community who on the majority are honest and law abiding.

In regard to the Dentist, I am not at all surprised that he got caught. In fact, using a Disabled Badge fraudulently is nothing new. I challenge anyone, go to either Kingsbury Road, London, near Fruit and Veg or at Ealing Road, Wembley and then examine the badges displayed against the Driver or passengers. I bet, you will find a few fraudsters there too.

Your second article on the Fake Death certificates net millions for tourist. If the Sunday Times story is true, then God help India in fighting corruption, when these crooks from our own shores seem to encourage such corruption for their personal gains.

If the authorities are unwilling to prosecute these wrong-doers accordingly, in both cases, then the insurers should be willing to take action. They should at least, blacklist such vermin and make them uninsurable for anything and for life. Real justice would then seem to have been met, and the majority of the honest citizens would be spared the ever increasing costs.

Mohindra Master Via Email

Government tried to make a law that when any person dies its organs will automatically will be taken to replace and save other people's life. Any body who does not want to donate therefore must register and carry a card. But unfortunately the government failed to pass this law. So at present if one wishes to donate his or her organs, he or she must register so that after the death, organs can be removed and given to other people to continue living in this world. Some religions do not allow organ donation and that is why Government could not implement the law .

I have been reading many good and important letters in Asian Voice. May I request all of the letter writers to give their views on this subject and if possible also to find from their Hindu priests what is written in our religion about the donation of organs after the death. My feelings are that if we need any organ and we can get it to live longer or help someone do so, then why we shouldn't we register ourselves?

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

27/09/11

Riots and right solutions In London the riots took place at night; more commercial though some houses were torched. Numbers of looters, youngsters were always in a group of 100 or more. At various places to protect human lives and public properties, 16000 police were not enough!

We all must gather and protect such aspects with self defence, unity and strong confidence. United we stand and divided we fall.

Pramod Mehta Sudbury

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

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Khana Peena Gaana Naachna I enjoyed reading special issue – Khaana, Peena, Gaana, Naachna which contains helpful information. Your readers have an opportunity to be able to spend their weekends enjoyably. I was surprised at no mention of vegetarian restaurants owned by the Woodlands group.

You have been modest in what Rupanjana said in the first paragraph under her comment.

Andy Chande Via Email (Thank you. In our introductory article we have covered mostly about all our advertisers and supporters. However, as you have brought this restaurant to our notice, may be in the next issue we would involve them somehow.

- AV)

Dropping BC and AD I understand that the BBC is dropping the terms BC and AD in favour of CE and BCE, in order not to offend nonChristians.

I would like to make it very clear that we, Hindus, will not be offended if the BBC, and for that matter any other organisation or individual, continues to use the terms BC and AD. Terms BC and AD have been in use for over 1500 years and we respect that.

If anything, it hurts our feelings if Hindus are included in “non-Christians” in this context.

I trust the BBC will take due care and not include Hindus as “non-Christians” in this issue.

Chuni Chavda Via Email

Terrorist sympathisers?

Kapil has drawn attention to UK Indian/Hindus’ apathy about Kashmir issue debated in House of Commons, yet Hindus claim Kashmir as integral part of India. It is disgusting to note that no MP of Indian origin spoke for India. Do these deserve our adulation or vote? It is no wonder that Muslims can bargain to their advantage, when Indians are apathetic with dumb-mute representatives MPs.; world accepts India is violating human rights in Kashmir.

Hindus are busy-building temples, pulling down any progressive minded fellow Hindu, busy becoming non Indian, broadminded and secular once one becomes millionaire, peer or minister, being secretive office bearer and mismanage community affairs, attend never ending kathas, spiritual discourses in oceanliner and plane etc. Being busy with yoga and ahimsa, who has time for frivolous issues like stone pelters and separatists in J&K? Hindus do selfless sewa in the UK, yet fail even to get parking places nearer to festival venue or hire low cost council halls to celebrate annual festivals; whereas Muslims unity is equivalent to strength. When will Hindus learn to be seen and heard and defend themselves against such unfair issues and anti India and anti Hindu mentality?

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

see comment on page 3

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

E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

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

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

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

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

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Interfering, bungling UN UN spokesperson, a UN adviser on forced eviction spoke to the press at Dale Farm in Essex which is under court order to be demolished, as an illegal act, comparing it to what is happening in totalitarian ruled nations like China, North Korea and Zimbabwe.

It has taken ten years for the Essex County Council to obtain such an order, after going through exhaustive legal process, as the camp was built mainly on the Green-belt land and without planning permission.

The Council has bent backward to make sure that these people which include many women and children are not made homeless, offering them council houses which are in short supply for the local, law abiding residents of Essex.

It seems unity, militancy and press coverage works wonders in democracy, irrespective of the merits of the cause, the root cause of the dispute.

Although the official UN-Habitat body distanced itself from this unofficial intervention, it will only cause more delay and misery, as the travellers were on the verge of moving out of the Basildon Site when the UN interference halted the process, thus causing more delay and expense to both the sides.

Is this the same UN that kept its silence when the West illegally attacked Iraq without UN approval and indeed it gave its blessing to wage war on Libya that caused the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians?

This is a strange, unbelievable interference when the world is going through financial meltdown, climate change havoc and starvation in Africa and Asia and wars, terrorism and piracy is endemic that should be UN priority. Is UN any different from the failed League of Nations that it replaced after the second world war!

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Visit our website: www.abplgroup.com

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Health Watch

Dharam Sahdev Ilford

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EDUCATION / UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Sikhs demand investigation into “disrespect” at European airports Britain's Sikh community has called for an investigation into allegations of “intimidation and disrespect” suffered by turbanwearing Sikhs at European airports, following complaints that they are forced to remove their turbans for security check even after they have successfully passed through scanners.

Hundreds of Sikhs held a rally outside Parliament on Sunday 25th September, demanding an end to “discrimination” against turban-wearing Sikhs and urging the British government to take up the issue with its European allies.

They said the turban, known as “Dastar,” was an important part of Sikh identity and its forcible removal was an “infringement” of their faith.

Similar protests were held in several other European capitals, including, Rome, Madrid and Brussels.

Rami Ranger, Chairman of the British Sikh Association, said the

National Hindu Students Forum (UK)

By Chirag Patel, Vice President, NHSF (UK)

Every Relationship is a Ladder

turban symbolised “the Sikh Gurus' commitment to human freedom…The Sikhs with their turbans paid supreme sacrifices in both the Great Wars and changed the course of world history. It is important that in their time of need to preserve their identity, the world repays that debt to them,” he said.

The protesters alleged that turban-wearing Sikhs were being singled for extra security checks.

“Reports from across Europe indicate that our Sikh brothers are being forced to remove their turbans at airport security.

This is a totally unacceptable infringement of our faith, it's also totally unnecessary as turban is no different than any other item of clothing in relation to a metal detector or x-ray machine,” said a spokesman of the Birmingham-based Sikh Channel, which had organised the protest, reported an Indian daily.

Amar Singh said such treatment was “deeply upsetting.”

Manjeet Singh, who had travelled from Derby to join the protest, said the turban was a “religious symbol” and Sikhs were not supposed to remove it.

Bucks Punjabi Society celebrates 5th anniversary

By Nikhil Gor Bucks Punjabi Society annual fundraising dinner and dance was celebrated on Saturday, 24th September 2011 at Marriott Hotel, Ditton Road, Langley, SL3 8TP. It was the 5th anniversary of Bucks Punjabi Society and was attended by more than 250 distinguish guest

11

Mr Amarjit S. Dassan (Senior Advisor - BPS), Mr R. S. Gidar (Vice President - BPS), Mr Chanchal Singh Chowdhry (Senior Advisor - BPS), Mr J.S. Sachar (Patron - BPS), Mr A.P.S Chawla (Patron - BPS), Mr Nirpal Singh Riat OBE (Global President - BPS)

Having not been much of a film fanatic and I rarely find myself being taken back by scenes on the big and small screen.

However, one of those rare moments did occur exactly one week before Sewa Day. I was at a friend’s house when a film was on TV. The last ten minutes of the film ‘Baghban’ captured me.

The last ten minutes of that film are the truest words which I have seen in any film and really made me question myself. For those of you who have not seen Baghban, the speech is from a father who has written a book about the ever growing generation gap with changing values and modern outlook on life. Whilst it is clear that the generations before mine were not perfect, it is up to the new generation to make the world perfect and this is the time where we ask ourselves; where is society heading? Are we happy with our direction?

During the speech the father says that the who supported to raise funds for ROKO Cancer on the same evening.

Global President of BPS Mr Nirpal Singh Riat OBE (AKA Mr Paul Riat OBE) was proud to

modern generation are engaged in meaningless relationships which they use as a ladder to further themselves and once they are done, they merely throw the ‘ladder’ away, like old rubbish.

Looking around at the state of the world today I feel that these words are an accurate representation of the world that we live in. With greedy bankers who are after bonuses, energy company salesmen who would sell their grandparents for £5 and politicians who sell out their own communities for an extra house and holiday.

The father also says that the modern generation is very practical and clever - recently we saw a record breaking number of students getting good GCSEs and A-Levels.

Society today has become so practical that we are almost becoming robots – moving away from human nature and into a more materialistic nature with no regard for the people around us as we go about our daily announce the achievements of BPS over the last 5 years which has supported many charitable organisations such as Air Ambulance, Thames Vally Crimestoppers, The Great

lives.

Whilst I am worried about where the world is heading, I know that Sewa Day provides people with many opportunities. Sewa Day provides people the opportunity to be Human, to show love and compassion to all people regardless of economic or political borders and with a way out of the black hole we are entering. It is done by connecting minds and souls from different backgrounds and experiences on a personal level, rather than through a computer. It makes the thousands of heartfelt Sewa Day stories the type to keep and cherish forever, but also to learn from.

Sewa Day is an integral tool for changing society, but it is not the answer. The answer lies within us. We must think to ourselves; what change can we make to make the world a better place – but more importantly, what can I do?

SEWA DAY: BE THE CHANGE Ormond St. Hospital, ROKO Cancer etc.

Mr Riat was thankful to all who have supported BPS especially women and youth who have worked tirelessly for days.

Breaking Barriers

11plus or GCSEs - Whats the different? given the discipline and awareness of their responsibility in becoming successful.

The fact we have done this with the 11plus does not mean it cannot be replicated elsewhere. I am now talking about some of the successes we enjoy at GCSEs where we have children as young as 12 doing their GCSEs and achieving an average grade of ‘A’.

The approach we use here is very similar to the 11plus exams – i.e. instilling a belief system in them by encouraging and motivating them; building up their confidence and giving them quality tuition centred on the above and around a solid set of lesson plans.

The results are once again a 100% success rate for the children who took their GCSEs in Maths, Hinduism and ICT, giving an achievement of a totaling of 12 A*s; 12 A’s; 3 B’s and 1 C. In addition, we also had 6 children who did Web Design

In my article last week, I spoke about the fantastic results we had achieved at The Learning Hub and about the passion and dedication employed in our teaching. The end product was that the results brought about the child to start believing in themselves through the building up of their confidence and self esteem - which many lack for various reasons. As the child progresses through our course, we ensure that they are fed the right level of material to challenge their intellectual side whilst at the same time ensuring they are

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in which they all received an OCR Certificate. The age range for these children was

What’s stopping this?’Well, at a very young age children are brought up on a certain mind

child(s) head.At The Learning Hub, we remove these barriers by giving the child the opportu-

Some of the children who achieved this are:

Hemang Hirani

Raveena Vaghela

GCSE in Hinduism - Grade A*

from age 9 to 16. The older children predominantly did Hinduism, a subject not offered at school and counts as a GCSE in Religious Studies.

If these children can do it early then, ‘Why can’t other children do it early? Or why can’t they go on to replicate this success at school in their other GCSEs, ‘A’ Levels or degree and maybe in life itself? and finally,

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Harshil Joshi

GCSE in Hinduism - Grade A* GCSE in ICT – Grade A* GCSE in Maths – Grade A*

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GCSE in Hinduism - Grade A* GCSE in ICT – Grade A*

set based on their parents and these mind sets induce barriers.

For example, parents have been ingrained by their experience of doing their ‘O’ levels at the age of the 16. So it’s logical that their child must do the equivalent GCSEs at the same age, followed by ‘A’ levels at the age of 18 and so forth. As they work to this standardised framework they as role models have introduce many barriers into their

nity to excel themselves at their pace by giving them a framework that supports their needs and one that acts as a catalyst to their development. As we succeed, the results speak for themselves and are seen to be sparkling.I hope the above has been informative but please feel free to contact us via email at info@tlhgroup.co.uk for any help or questions you may have.

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MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Scrutator’s Vietnam is listed among the world's smaller countries, with a population below 100 million, but it is a nation with the heart of many lions. The people of Vietnam have an abundance of fortitude and courage and the ability to resist predatory powers who foolishly attempt to subjugate their homeland.

Imperial Japan was repulsed in World War II, colonialist France sought to rebuild its Indochinese empire in the aftermath of that conflict and was duly thrashed at Dien Bien Phu in May 1954. The legions of the legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap, went on to inflict the first military defeat on the United States in its history.

China's hordes, seeking to teach “Vietnam lesson” through its treacherous invasion of its territory in February in 1979 were instead taught a lesson as they S M Krishna meets Vietnam's Vice-President Madam Nguyen were sent back Thi Doan reeling.

Now, Beijing's practitioners of National Socialism with a Chinese face, have commenced on a career of aggression and conquest, reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, lay claim, among other things, to the entire stretch of the South China Sea and its rich deposits of oil and natural gas. Which meant that India was required to abjure its close economic, political and military ties with Vietnam. India has been warned not to help Vietnam in oil exploration off its coastal waters. India has told China to back off. The regional bully has to be faced down.

India-Vietnam axis in motion Harsh Pant, a Professor of Defence Studies at King's College, London, posted an analysis of this imbroglio in the Wall Street Journal (September 22) - “The India-Vietnam Axis” which states: “What's new is that New Delhi is not taking Chinese aggression in the region sitting down.....Last week, Indian Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna visited Vietnam and made it clear that its state-

owned firm [ONGC Videsh] would continue to explore in the South China Sea. The display of backbone helped India strengthen its relations with Vietnam....Both sides realize that a stronger bilateral relationship starts with economic ties [which are close and deepening] New Delhi's abiding interest in Vietnam, though, is in the defence realm.....Talks are ongoing for India to sell the BrahMos

supersonic cruise missile, an Indo-Russian joint venture.

Such arms could allow Vietnam to project regional power and improve deterrence against China.”

world's most important shipping routes. It is now one of the region's major potential flash points as emerging Asian economies, especially China and India, build up their military firepower and seek the energy and other resources they need to fuel growth.”

The Page-Wright report included a quote from Chinese correspondents in India and Vietnam for the Communist Party's People's Daily, which said: “It's not worthwhile for Vietnam and India to damage the greater interests of the peace, stability and economic development between China and Vietnam, China and India, and the whole region, for the sake of these small interests in the South China Sea.”

Frankfurt awards for Tata vehicles Jaguar and Land Rover won the Autoweek awards at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Jaguar C-X16 was selected as 'Best in Show' winner, while the Land Rover Defender Concept 100 Sport as 'Best Concept'. What a u-turn in fortunes. Back in 2008, shortly after buying both brands from Ford, the global economic meltdown had many industry gurus fearing the worst for India's greatest and best known business house. Three years later, Tata is on a roll. JLR is

India, UK defence research deal A decade and a half ago, a British defence expert, Chris Smith wrote a book poohpoohing Indian defence technology and projects to manufacture weapon systems. A reviewer in the Journal of Asian Affairs, one Vernon Hewitt, described it as an “outstanding” work. Both got something wrong, very wrong.

Wherever they are now, they will surely be eating humble pie at the news that india and the UK have signed a letter of arrangement (LoA) to pursue collaborative defence research and development.

The LoA was signed in London recently by Dr V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister of India and Secretary to India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Professor Sir Mark Welland, Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), to the Ministry of Defence, UK. The LoA marks an important milestone in technical collaboration between the countries, with a number of projects planned in the coming months.

Professor Welland said: “I have seen the the exceptional dedication, expertise and skill at the DRDO personnel and know that the UK can look forward to productive and valuable cooperation with our great allies in India for

Naval ties closest While the range of India's military with Vietnam is extensive and includes “sharing experiences in mountain and jungle warfare, naval cooperation remains the focus." Here, Vietnam has given India the right to the right to use its port of Nha Trang in the south, the Indian Navy has already made a port call....By lashing out against India for its dealings with Vietnam, China has shown it will try to deter other strategic competitors from competing against it,” writes Professor Pant.

There are a number of significant omissions in his piece.

India supported Vietnam in its conflict with China in 1979, while America's sympathies lay with Beijing, both supported the genocidal Pot regime's occupation of Cambodia's seat at the United Nations. There is no mention of Vietnam's success in repelling the Chinese invaders.

Pham Van Dong, the prime minister of Vietnam at the time visited New Delhi in 1982 and backed India's territorial claims in its border dispute with China along the Himalayas. The present is best understood when the context, that is the past, is accurately portrayed to the last critical detail. Elisions don't reflect well on the writer.

Wall Street Journal reporters Jeremy Page in Beijing, and Tom Wright in New Delhi, write: “The South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety, is thought to be rich in oil and gas.....is one of the

Prince Charles at the JLR plant in Birmingham

going from strength to strength, Corus, its UK steel acquisition is going places, as are Tetley Tea and the Brunner Mond chemical works, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in high gear here and in most corners of the world. Tata Motors, writes Brian Groom in the Financial Times (September 20), “is hiring thousands of people and investing ￡ 7.5 billion to expand its product range. Tata UK is now the country's largest manufacturer....any fears that Tata's aim was to strip out technology and strip it home have long since been banished.”

This is part of the larger EastWest story, as the Economist pointed out in an editorial not so long ago (September 13). The presence of so many firms from the emerging economies, India, China, Brazil and Russia in the UK is a win-win situation for all the parties, it said, proof that they find Britain a congenial place in which to do business.

Thus epic tale began four centuries ago when British capital went to India and founded the East India Company and laid the foundations of an empire.

many years to come. India and the UK have a strong history of mutual cooperation and have thriving science and engineering communities. India is one of the fastest growing economies and is a powerhouse of technology,” he said (The Times of India, September 16)

Shaurya, Prithvi-II missiles test-fired Sir Mark Welland knew what he was talking about, which is not always true of British correspondents in India. The Times of India (September 25) reported the successful test-firing of India's newage, hypersonic surface-to-surface nuclear capable and conventional 700-kilometre medium-range missile, the Shaurya. It travels at (mach 7.5, which is seven and a half times speed of sound) and can carry a one tonne warhead in either category. It was fired from the country's Integrated Test Range (ITR), some 15 kilometres from Balasaore on the Bay of Bengal. The missile was fired from an underground silo, which can remain hidden and camouflaged

Shaurya, Prithvi-II missiles test-fired

from enemy surveillance including satellites. Shaurya, is the landbased variant of the underwaterlaunched K-15, which was first tested in 2008 from the same test range. The missile can be transported and stored in special canisters for launching. Defence scientist were pleased at what they described as a 'copy book' test.

The final configuration met all mission objectives, they said.

DRDO chief controller Avinash Chander conveyed his congratulation to those involved in the test. They were: Director of the DRDL P. Venugopal, Programme Director A.K. Chakravarti and Project Director A. Joseph and their respective teams.

A day later, (Monday, September 26) the 350-kilometre Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile was successfully testlaunched. It was randomly selected from the production lot and met its mission objectives. A battery of sophisticated radars, electro-optical systems, telemetry stations tracked the flight path until splash down.

The liquid-propelled Prithvi-II is a single stage missile equipped with sophisticated inertial navigation , control ,and guidance system. It can carry a payload of 1,000 kilogrammes and has already been inducted into the armed forces (The Hindu September 26).

A.Q. Khan spills the beans According to the US television channel Fox News, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency admitted in a report that the country had acquired nuclear weapon technology through covert means and then transferred this technology to Iran and Libya. The report was based of the ISI interrogation of rogue scientist Dr A.Q. Khan whom the Pakistani authorities have refused to surrender to the US for questioning. The ISI report was a sop to Western intelligence agencies.

General Zia ul Haq, the Pakistani military in the late 1970s and for most of the 1980s gave the clandestine operation to acquire nuclear weapon technology his blessing. “Beg, borrow or steal” were his instructions. His minions did just that.

Dubai and other Middle Eastern locations were the hubs of this traffic. Orders were given, money changed hands. Dutch, British, German, Swiss, Belgian and Turkish companies were involved. It has the making of a spy thriller, you might say.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel’s

The Politics of Faith As the new University term begins, this past week I had cause to write to the Oxford University Hindu Society and also on behalf of the Oxford Society for Hindu Studies (OCHS). Both were seeking funds, and that is fine. To both I donated and put them in touch with other potential donors.

To the members of the Oxford University Students Hindu Society, You are young, at Oxford and Hindus – three privileges which bring immense responsibilities. Your University has produced more Prime Ministers and Presidents than any other single educational institution in the world. It has produced more Nobel Prize winners than most countries. Your faith is the oldest in the world.

Men and women of your faith have given birth to the world’s largest democracy, seen the destruction of history’s largest Empire and of one of them, Einstein said, ‘Generations to come will scarcely believe one such as this of flesh and blood walked this earth.’ This heritage, together with your youth obliges you to lead lives of extraordinary achievement. Not for you the well trodden path, the 9 to 5. For you beckons sleepless nights, tireless toil, ambition beyond measure, a restless mind and a firey heart. But to what end? Not for its own sake.

You are the last line of defence of a faith that has lasted 5,000 years. Now, on your watch, what shall be its legacy? Earn this. Earn to be called an Oxonion. To be called a Hindu. Ensure, of all those left behind, in the land of your ancestors, none are ever more deserving than you of the honour.

There is a documentary. It is called ‘The Day My God Died’. It is filmed in Mumbai by the Hollywood actor, Tim Robbins. It is about child sex slavery. ‘The day my God died’. It is called this because the children believe their God is dead. You have to prove to them He is not dead.

By your deeds you can prove the very existence of God. Imagine that. Imagine you can manifest God almighty himself. You are Oxonions – nothing less would be worthy of you. You are Hindus – nothing more can be more fulfilling. If we do not look after the souls of our people, be not surprised if their souls are lost to our faith as they lose their faith in us. We will only have ourselves to blame for the demise of our religion if we cannot do our duty. You are the last line. Do not let down your heritage, your ancestors. It’s your watch now. And we are all watching you.

There is in Oxford, the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Sadly unlike the other Oxford centres it lives week by week. I want you to see merit in help raise funds for it as once we lose this – then links to Oxford and a noble seat of learning will be gone forever. And Indian Universities are not doing this work. It’s difficult explaining the importance of academia – the vedas and the scriptures – of culture and why it goes hand in hand with the political and all other agendas. Without our foundations and underpinnings, without our philosophy – there may as well not be an India for she will then join the list of ordinary nations. She exists not as a home for people, she exists because of her heritage. Her ancestors only existed so her heritage may be preserved. This too is now is your burden, your duty. Your time, your place.

And we are all watching you.

Neem Tree Care Centre Respite care is a shortterm, temporary stay in a care home. The stay can be for a week or a few weeks. Even though many families take great joy in providing care to their loved ones so that they can remain at home, the physical and emotional consequences for the family carer can be overwhelming without some support, such as respite.

Respite can also help in recovering from an operation or illness, as a trial visit before moving permanently into a care home or if the family carer is on holiday or unwell.

It also offers the carer the right to re-energise knowing their loved ones

are looked after 24 hours a day in a safe and homely environment.

At Neem Tree you can expect friendly, welcoming staff who speak Gujarati and other Indian languages. There is the chance to socialise with our other residents and take part in the daily activities including our weekly satsans in our mandir. The vegetarian kitchen provides excellent home cooked meals and our cooks can accommodate specific requirements.The luxurious en-suite bedrooms are fitted with flat screen televisions showing asian channels. Family members are welcome to visit their loved ones.

Cardiologist escapes jail, but faces ban A cardiologist who had secretly filmed women doctors in the shower and on the toilet faces being struck off.

Vivek Baliga, 33 (pictured), invited one doctor and her boyfriend to stay at his home, and invited them to use his ensuite shower.

The woman became suspicious about boxes piled up against the window. She found the device, which was still recording, in a box.

Prosecuting, Carmel Pearson said after the woman fled Baliga’s home he bombarded her with calls and texts, saying his life would be ruined if he were exposed.

But she did report him

and police examined Baliga’s computer.

They discovered more footage of the same woman showering at her home and another woman doctor using the toilet at her home – after she’d invited Baliga to stay there.

Baliga admitted three charges of voyeurism between September 2007 and December 2009. Judge Scott Wolstenholme sentenced him to a three-year community order and said he must take part in a sex offender treatment programme. And a 10-year order bans Baliga from contacting his victims or operating any device capable of recording from a concealed location. The case continues.

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Police launch campaign to curb burglaries Police in Harrow have launched a crime prevention campaign targeted at Harrow's Hindu community in the run up to the festival of Dhimant Patel (centre) will offer Navratri. advice booklets to curb burglaries The festival during the Hindu festival season starts on vention message across September 28 and this to more vulnerable week Harrow Borough members of the commuCommander Chief nity.

Superintendent Dal Dhimant Patel, Babu has called on resiowner of Healthways dents to be vigilant to Pharmacy, in Rayners curb burglaries.

Lane, has offered to This year police are include a police booklet working with pharmawith crime prevention cies across the borough advice to his customers. to help get the crime pre-

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COMMUNITY/ART

Diwali Festival of light

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Special Edition - October 2011

f ashionista

by Debasree Ghosh

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

Dear Readers,

Diwali is a month away. The New Year is knocking at the door waiting to bring in colours and light to our lives with fervour of joy and ever lasting happiness. Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar as every year will be publishing the ‘Diwali Special’ Magazine for our fabulous and supportive readers like yourself.

If you think you would like to contribute to our unique Diwali issue, why don't you write in English on either of the following topics: 1. One of your favourite childhood Diwali memories or 2. A particular charity you have supported in cash or kind or 3. Your first Diwali in the UK and how you spent it Please note that your articles must not be more than 500 words and should be emailed to Aveditorial along with your full name and contact details to aveditorial@abplgroup.com. Last day of entry is Sunday 9th October 2011.

- Asian Voice

I am sometimes amazed at what changes in the world of fashion season to season and what items draw a popular response from the general public. One of the surprises of the 2011/2012 season is the reappearance of an old favourite, polka dots. Each season there is a graphic that feels right for now, even though it is a variation on a classicthink stars, stripes and spots. For FW11, you are

Eid celebrations come to Trafalgar Square On Saturday 24 September, the Mayor of London observed Eid in the Square, the capital's celebrations for Eid-ul-Fitr, the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.

Backed by the Mayor of London, the free event brought together musicians and performers, both traditional and modern, who reflected the diversity, culture and languages of the varied Muslim communities in London.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'I would like to extend festive Eid greetings to Muslims throughout London and the UK. I know that Muslims across the world have recently finished fasting for the blessed month of Ramadan and will have spent time in prayer and contemplation.

With Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan, comes a time of celebration, happiness and jubilation. Eid Mubarak!'

Acclaimed Canadian duo The Sound of Reason, plus UK-based Akeem and MC Quest Rah, were amongst the performers at the Square to mark Eid. Other performers included reggae-fusion from Rakin Niass and poetry inspired music from RA, who fuses Arabic, African and western styles. There were acoustic jazz from Fursan as well as from Venezuelan born Nebila.

British Pakistani Suhail Ahmed Qadri, British Somalian A-level student Mohamed Madadi and the Islamia School Choir performed Nasheeds, based on a traditional form that draws inspiration from history, religion and current affairs.

going to find it hard to avoid polka dots, that's if you haven't succumbed already- this trend was a goer pretty much the moment the catwalk shows ended, but more of that later. Antiquated in name and retro by association, the polka dot hasn't been fashion's premiere pattern in ages. While the simple spots are typically associated with wholesome fare such as itsy bitsy bikinis and Minnie Mouse skirts, thanks to directional designers like Marc Jacobs, the print is reenergized and feeling fresh again.

As seen on runways and front rows all over the world, this spring, monochrome dots result in spoton style.The polka might not be something new but the way we wear it for FW11 is different and perhaps initially surprising for those of us who first

Dotted style think of Minnie Mouse when we conjure the quintessential dotty dresser.

Polka dots represent a charming, playful innocence but when are they done in rubber (as at Marc Jacobs and Louise Gray) or placed atop a sheer base (as at Stella) then the effect really can be a bit more than innocent.

The best aspect of this trend is its utility– it can be used in so many ways!

Thinking of adding some polka dots into your wardrobe? It is just a matter of creativity.

Small dots give a more sophisticated look, bigger dots are more playful. Also bigger dots on flowy fabrics tend make a person look bigger but are fine on petite frames. While bright colours coupled with spots scream playful or 50s Americana, soft pastel hues and silky fabrics make it appropriate for work. The secret to keeping things stylish is to choose a classic colour combination and let the print speak for itself, keeping the rest of the outfit plain and simple. A black and white polka dot chiffon blouse, for example, will look great paired with a black pencil skirt, or black jeans.

Personally, sometimes a trend comes along and I say to myself that I’ll never wear that. Polka dots started off being one of those. Then my very

dear friend, and the associate editor of this publication, Rupanjana, turned up at her birthday party wearing a black and white dotty dress and turned heads. And now I, the more conservative dresser, find myself lusting after a green polka dotted silk scarf in Massimo Dutti.

You know what they say about imitation being the best form of flattery. If you want to follow the trend but lack Rupanjana’s fun fearless spirit, do not think yourself a fashionloser, stockings with dots are also very pretty. As with any trends, incorporating it in your wardrobe via the way of accessories is a meek girl’s smart idea.

I could give you a list of recommended items, but I have a feeling that isn’t necessary. They are everywhere! I typed in ‘polka dots’ on Asos and has nineteen pages of results.

Nineteen!

Everything from shoes to cute bags to Marc by Marc Jacobs tees..all with a spotty spin. So be brave and awaken your inner pin-up girl and make the Mickey of your life smile!

Caring for the Community BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, held Sewa Day on Sunday 25 September 2011 by organising a special day out for over 70 elderly residents of the local community.

The elderly from local Nursing homes and Disability and Learning disability groups were invited to the party. Young and adult volunteers welcomed the guests by offering flowers at the Mandir gate. Each guest had their picture taken in the foreground of the mandir which was presented to them before the end of the party.

The programme included a sing along where the elderly joined in the singing as well as

trying their hands at playing musical instruments.

There was a beautiful folk dance presented by the young girls from the

Mandir. Guests were entertained to a comedy act which brought smiles and laughter to all and party games were played where gifts were won by the elderly. The elderly were also offered a deli-

cious meal before departing.

The elderly spoke about how deeply they were moved by the love

and care offered to them during their visit. Frank Nathen, 90 years old said, “You made me very happy today.”

Kirit Wadia, a volunteer at the Mandir expressed, “Helping and

serving others is at the heart of the ethos of BAPS. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS advocates, “In the joy of others lies our own”, and so we are all happy that we were able to bring a little joy in their lives.”

As part of its contribution to Sewa Day, the Mandir also organised a clean-up of the local roads and alleyways

around the Mandir. Cllr.

Ann John, OBE, Leader of Brent Council, Cllr.

Muhammed Butt, Deputy Leader, Cllr.

Zaffar Van Kalwala and Barry Gardiner MP, joined volunteers of BAPS in helping pick litter. Another initiative of the Sewa Day was to collect unwanted clothes, shoes, mobiles and spectacles. These will be given to the various charities to benefit those in need.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

15

Dr Sahota launched as a GLA candidate For more stories visit www.scribbledesk.com

Short Story by Neha Garg

Midnight Rescue Jill had lots and lots of toys. Every night she would pull out a chair, climb on top of it and carefully arrange all her dolls and toys on top of the bookshelf. She would then tap each one on the nose and wish it a very good night before turning in.

Each night, after Jill had gone to sleep, the toys would open their eyes and one by one climb down the bookshelf, jumping from one shelf to another.

One such night, the toys had climbed down from the bookshelf and were whispering among themselves trying to decide what game to play when they heard someone sobbing.

'Is someone crying?' asked Jumbo the elephant, cocking one of his giant ears.

'I think it is coming from over there,' said Snip the sailor doll, pointing to a large glass cabinet where Jill's parents kept the souvenirs they collected from their travels.

The toys ambled over to where the cabinet stood in the shadows. Snip climbed onto Jumbo's back and peeped in. A fair haired doll in a pretty blue dress sat in one corner, quietly sobbing into a handkerchief.

'What's wrong?' asked Snip, worried.

'I .. I want to get out .. out of here but the cabinet is locked,' sobbed the doll.

'Are you never allowed out then?' asked Snip, amazed.

'No,' said the doll, looking up at Snip. 'Jill has asked her parents to let me out many times but they are afraid I will get dirty. I have seen you playing each night. I want to play too.'

'What's happening?' asked Jumbo from below.

Snip jumped off Jumbo's back and explained.

'What can we do?' said the Skittles, gathering around. Everyone looked sad. They all wanted to help the doll but what could they do?

'I know,' said Snip suddenly, his

Sudoku

with

eyes shining. 'I have seen Jill's parents hide the keys on top of the fridge so Jill won't reach them. I bet if we all climb on each other's backs, we can get to them.'

'That's a grand idea, Snip,' said Jumbo, brightening up.

The toys trotted off to where Snip said the keys were. The Skittles all piled onto Jumbo's back and stood on each other's shoulders. They were almost there. Then Snip climbed onto the top-most Skittle's back and jumped on top off the fridge.

'Yaaaaaaaaay!!' cheered the toys, then quickly fell silent in case someone heard.

As soon as Snip was back on the ground, he raced over to the souvenir cabinet and unlocked it. The fair haired doll jumped out, beaming.

'Thank you everyone. You are real heroes,' she said.

'Come on, back to the bookshelf everyone,' said the Skittles as one.

'It's almost dawn.'

The toys together with the doll, quickly clambered onto the bookshelf and settled down just as Jill's alarm went off.

She yawned and turned to wish her toys a Good Morning when her eyes fell upon the doll. With a loud shriek she jumped off her bed.

'Oooh Oooh Oooh Doll! You are here. You are really here,' said Jill, skipping around her room happily.

Just then, her mother came in.

'Ooooh Mummy look! Can I keep her?' said Jill, holding the doll up for her mother to see.

'How did she get out of the cabinet Jill?' asked Mother, but she was smiling. She saw how happy the doll made her daughter. She agreed to let Jill keep the doll provided she take very good care of it.

Behind her back, Snip, Jumbo and the Skittles all smiled and secretly winked at each other. The doll was smiling too.

Last week’s solution

Radha Abw

Malaysia comes to Britain For the second time, Malaysia Night was organised on Friday, 23 September 2011 at Trafalgar Square, London from 3-10 p.m.

This year's winner of Masterchef Tim Anderson cooked his take on Malaysian food, authentic Malaysian street food and cuisine from 20 restaurants had their stalls and people could enjoy whatever they liked to eat. There were Malaysian cultural performances too from the state of Terengganu.

Dr Sahota, Steve Pounds MP, Virendra Sharma, John McDonnell MP and others

Harriet Harman QC MP addressed a dinner to launch the campaign of Dr Onkar Sahota, Labour GLA candidate for Ealing and Hillingdon at The Crown Conference Centre, South Ruislip on Friday 9th September 2011.

Around four hundred community representatives and Labour Party members and supporters attended the event including local GLA Assembly Members Murad Qureshi and Navin Shah, London MEP Claude Moraes, local Labour MPs Steve Pound, Virendra Sharma and John McDonnell and Ealing Council Leader Julian Bell and councillors from Ealing and Hillingdon.

Harriet Harman MP said: “I am delighted to join local MPs Steve Pound MP, John McDonnell MP, and

Virendra Sharma MP to launch the GLA campaign of Dr Onkar Sahota, Labour's candidate for Ealing and Hillingdon for next year’s all important London Assembly elections.

The London Assembly and Mayoral elections are all important. People are looking to Labour to show that there is a better, more optimistic way than the path that this Tory led government has set.

We need to elect Ken Livingstone as Mayor for London. Ken has a proven track record, a stark contrast to Boris Johnson who is cutting police numbers, hiking up tube fares, and making life harder for Londoners.

Behind the headlines on Murdoch, riots, Libya a quiet crisis is going on because people are really worried – for themselves,

their family and local community.

People are worried because they are feeling the squeeze on their living standards.

People are worried about the prospects for young people. Instead of doing better than their parents, they face the prospect of not even doing as well. Will it take longer for them to get a first job, to be able to move out and set up a home of their own.

It is our task to ensure that people see Labour in London as being on their side, and fighting their corner and offering a bold and optimistic future for London.

Onkar will be a great champion for Ealing and Hillingdon and play a leading role in London Labour's team - fighting hard and fighting to win.”

16

BOLLywOOD

Asian Voice Saturday 1st October 2011

Groom or quit, Chitrangada told Trisha to reveal all in her next Trisha is basking in the success of Ajith’s ‘Mankatha’ in which she did a very simple but impressive role. But, it is the opposite that is what you are going to see Trisha in her next film! The talented actress’ next movie is titled ‘Simran’ and she is pairing with Vishal in it.

Vishal is a longtime close friend of Trisha and it is first time that they are coming together for a movie. It is learnt that the story has

many scenes that Trisha has to wear all those revealing costumes and the actress has agreed to do it. The film would be the first in Tamil for her that she is going to don that all-revealing-superglamour doll role. So, a treat for Tamil fans from Trisha!

The actress had a big glamour role like this in the Telugu remake of ‘Bodyguard’ and she stunned fans with her revealing acts with the film!

Sonia Agarwal back in movies

Sonia Agarwal was introduced to films in Dhanush starrer ‘Kaadhal Kondaen’.

She went on to make big hits with big heroes and directors, in almost all the south languages. Then she married her director-mentor Selvaraghavan. After a brief married life she divorced her husband. Now, the actress is living a life all alone but not a lonely one.

She has again started doing movies and her hands are full with a number of proj-

ects that she is finding no time to think about her bitter past. So, how this actress could manage to grab those big offers? It is her habit of wild partying that helped her to grab big roles. Sonia has become a big party animal and she is seen in almost all big celebrity parties in Chennai where she manages to mingle with people and get acquainted with them. And, this helps her in grabbing those big offers, sources say!

‘Velayudham’ to be released in 26 UK theatres

Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s “Velayudham” broke all records earlier with its music album proving to be a sell-out, being grabbed by ardent Vijay fans. The gala audio launch event in Madurai was attended by more than 100,000 fans who thronged the location and cheered in unison to the delight of their Ilayathalapathy. Now as the movie gears up for the

release, it’s already making waves assuring a great run for the flick in Tamil Nadu. The UK-based production giant Ayngaran International has already listed major theatres in UK where “Velayudham” will be screened. It has booked a total of 26 halls there to satisfy the increasing demand of Kollywod cine-lovers abroad.

Director Sudhir Mishra gives Chitrangada Singh just two months to prove she's the right choice for 'Mehrunissa'. If she doesn't shape up in two months, she apparently could find herself out in the cold, replaced by a more suitable heroine to play the title role! Confirms a source, "Yes, director has issued her an ultimatum. She will have to master the speech, body language, clothes, culture and ethos of a Muslim girl in post-partition India within a couple of months.

Director Sudhir Mishra, apparently, has issued a strict warning to her. This is proving difficult as not only is she completely unaware of the era and culture she must embody as Mehrunissa and Mishra's demands don't end just there.

He has, apparently, asked her to make a trip to Pakistan to get a feel of the country's culture before they starting shooting. The actress, who has a packed work schedule as well as a family event to attend to before the year is through, is running against time.

But the director, it seems, is confident of his girl.

"The role requires intense preparation. She is already preparing for the part and I think she can pull it off," he says.

Madhuri Dixit to return to India by October

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar began working on his pet project 'Heroine', which was put on the backburner after the announcement of leading lady Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy. She was the heroine of film “Heroine” but Bhandarkar did not choose to work with pregnant actress. So he halted the project, and Aishwarya was asked to be out.

She also returned the amount paid to her. Her place is now taken by Kareena Kapoor who has asked for a very huge amount. Bhandarkar has agreed to pay her fat sum and has started again the halted project. "Heroine” is back on track, pre-production starts, need your blessings & prayers!!!," Bhandarkar wrote on Twitter.

Ranbir & Deepika come together again

Anil Kapoor said he wanted to focus on issues other than himself. After his international success with 'Slumdog Millionaire', he now wants to focus on social issues by lending his support to birth registration and human trafficking.

The 51-year-old actor, who has given major hits like 'Mashaal', 'Tezaab', 'Virasat', 'Taal' and 'Pukar' said that 10 years ago he was just full of himself and nothing beyond that.

"Some years back my life was all about me, myself, my film, my career, my family, my house. I was self-obsessed and then I realised that it was enough. It was then I decided to focus on other things in life than just myself," said Anil.

"I realised it was time for me to give back and do something selflessly. My wife and children motivated me to be part of social issues and it was then I got myself involved," he said. The actor has pledged his support to the promotion of birth registration, as part of the Universal Birth Registration Campaign (UBR) and also participated in an initiative to eradicate girl trafficking.

"I wouldn't have done this 10 years back. I used to wonder how people get involved with such issues. But then when I started, surprisingly I enjoyed doing it, felt happy and satisfied. It is a fulfilling experience," said Anil.

'Dabangg' sweeps six GIMA awards Salman Khan's "Dabangg" continues its winning spree. The National Awardwinning film which boasted of the chartbuster "Munni badnaam hui" walked away with six awards, including best film album, at the Global Indian Music Awards ( GIMA). Giving neck-to-neck fight was Milan Luthria's "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai," which received four awards, Sunidhi Chauhan walked away with the trophy of best playback singer female for "Sheila ki jawani" from "Tees Maar Khan."

Oscar winner A R Rahman, who has composed for international films like " Slumdog Millionaire" and " 127 Hours", was honoured with the title of Global Indian Musician. The Legendary composer Pyarelal of musical duo Lakshmikant-Pyarelal was conferred with outstanding contribution to pop music award.

Katrina is the new ‘Dhoom’ girl The hunt for a leading lady for “Dhoom 3” is over! Katrina Kaif will sizzle in the third instalment of the action-adventure series, which features Aamir Khan as the anti-hero. Yash Raj Films had been on the lookout for a fresh face for the role, which was essayed by Esha Deol and “after almost a year of searching for a new face for “Dhoom 3,” we were still unable to find the perfect debutante to play the lead role. We even reached out to international talent but were still unable to find someone who stood out," said director Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor. The choice was made jointly by Victor and producer Aditya Chopra.

"Once we decided to go with a known face and not pursue the newcomer route, Katrina was the obvious choice for all of us," Victor said.

17

Karan, Simi Grewal snub Paris Hilton Karan Johar and Simi Garewal refuse to feature America's 'self-made' celebrity on their chat shows.

Ironically America's 'self-made' celebrity, who has a slew of reality shows to her credit, finds no takers to feature her in an Indian talk show! The party-hopping socialite was in Mumbai from September 24 to 26 to launch her line of handbags and accessories. Simi Garewal was apparently approached to feature her on her chat show. But the lady refused! Apparently, Karan did not want to do an interview where the questions would be dictated to him. Paris appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's most overrated celebrity.

I want to get married: John Abraham

I was self-obsessed: Anil Kapoor

Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit will return to Mumbai by October. After living in the US for more than a decade, the 44-year-old actress is looking forward to returning India.

"Excited! Should be back in Mumbai by middle of October," she wrote on Twitter.

Asked what promoted the decision, Madhuri said, "We had been toying with the idea for quite some time. We now think maybe this is the right time. The kids need to discover their roots. India is growing into a formidable power. It's become the new land of opportunities."

"Both my husband and I felt there's so much we can do back home. Whether it's in our profession or on a humanitarian level, we feel there's a lot that we can contribute to our own lives and to society," Madhuri said in an interview.

"Once everything is settled and we've wound up our home here (in Denver) only then are we coming back."

She refused to specify if it would take weeks or months. "I don't know right now. We're in the middle of wrapping up our lives here. Only then can we decide the date of our return," she said.

Queried further on the decision to return, and if the fact she had a career in Mumbai played a role, Madhuri said that was "a small part of it".

"I was constantly travelling back and forth because my work keeps me busy in India. For my husband, his skills (as a doctor) are equally applicable anywhere, whether it is in the US or India."

She agreed that the uprooting process would be far more difficult for her husband since he has a thriving medical career in the US.

'Heroine' back on track, tweets Bhandarkar

Dharma Productions, which already has 'Agneepath', 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' and 'Student Of The Year' up for release next year, has announced its new project 'Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani'. What's making news is the fact that the Karan Johar banner has signed up once-sweethearts Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone for the film.

This is the first time Deepika will be working with Dharma Productions. There was a lot of speculation as to who would be paired opposite Ranbir in the film. There were talks of Anushka Sharma or Katrina Kaif being approached for the role, but Deepika managed to bag the film, as Karan, Ayan and Ranbir were convinced that she is the best for the role.

Deepika and Ranbir, who were last seen together in 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', had registered success on the basis of their electrifying chemistry together. YJHD is sure to exploit this chemistry to the fullest.

YJHD will be directed by Ayan Mukerji, who earlier made “Wake Up Sid” for the same banner. The line 'Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani' is taken from the famous RD Burman song from the 70s hit 'Jawani Deewani'. While 'Wake Up Sid' was a coming of age film 'Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani' will be a hardcore romantic film.

Karan Johar tweeted, "So hey...Ranbir and Deepika will be in Ayan mukerji's next titled...YEH JAWANI HAI DEEWANI!!! The wake up sid boys on the floors from jan!!"

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Big B injured during ‘Department’ shoot Amitabh Bachchan got injured on the sets of Ram Gopal Varma's “Department” while shooting for an action sequence. He tweeted: "A minor incident on set during semi action sequence got hit on chest rib cage, some damage inside, pain on breathing, bearable."

Abhishek Bachchan also recently hurt himself when he fell from a rickshaw while shooting in Jaipur for a sequence of his upcoming film “Bol Bachchan.” "Guess it’s the season for injury .. first Abhishek, now moi .. happens .. will repair on its own said doc .. he must be right," added Big B. Long time back in 1982, Bachchan had suffered a near fatal accident on the sets of “Coolie” while filming a fight scene which had shaken thousands of his fans.

Opening up about his decade-long relationship with Bipasha Basu, the actor "Whatever had to happen had happened. I think we needed to move on. And we did just that."

Denying all speculations about John cheating on Bipasha being the reason behind the breakup, the actor said, "Speculations and perceptions are usually wrong. This one is no exception. I respected Bipasha when she was in my life. I still respect her when she is not in my life." "I don't want to be known as a guy who is roaming around with five women. I can fall in love again," said John and surprised us by adding, "I want to get married," and quickly followed it up with, "Yes, I have this tag of the sexiest man but married men are attractive too."

Kangna Ranaut dating an English guy So aakhir Kangna Ranaut had to admit to it. She has revealed that she has found mohabbat with a firang fellow. The guy's from England and he's a doctor too. Kangna made the confession on Simi Garewal's chat show. She has known the boyfriend since over a year and says he is extremely romantic.

Only time can say what’s in store for them, at present, it is hunky-dowry.

Lisa Haydon is the ‘Rascals' new glam girl While Kangna Ranaut is staying away from the publicity and promotion of “Rascals,” the film’s other glamour quotient Lisa Haydon is making the best of her solo-female promotional status. Lisa, in fact, has endeared herself to the entire ‘Rascals’ team. Apparently she was supposed to perform just an item number for the film. However, she has finally ended up with a lot more than just an item number. According to a source, Lisa now has “a well-shaped character to go with the body.” Apparently her presence in the film was fleshed out after everyone saw her striking screen presence in the item song.

Priyanka has tonnes of attitude The Malaysian PM Najib Razak was recently heard saying that he thinks Priyanka Chopra is pretty but a snob. The premier says he loves SRK and is fond of Piggy Chops too but is of the opinion that she is not a very friendly person. Hai. Is that the reason why PC is stuck to SRK these days? Learning how to charm people?

18

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Indian banks in UK undergoing major changes Dear Financial Voice Reader, Those key questions for this week:

How bad is Europe and will it lose us money?

Which stocks look attractive if things get worse?

What have we learnt this pass week to help us make money?

Are Emerging Markets a safe haven?

Let me first start by telling you how it is: Politicians lack credibility – so whether they do or do not come up with a plan, the markets will continue using whatever comes out as excuse to go up for 3 days and down for 3 days. The floor is the cheap valuations of equities.

The problem is not liquidity – in that the governments have given the banks enough supply of money.

The problem is demand. Who would want to borrow, or invest, and who would want to lend when all we read is end of the world? In fact research this past week shows the more often the newspapers use the words ‘uncertainty’, the more likely people are to put off spending. That’s not surprise is it?

QE is meant to lower bond yields (never mind how) and so make other asset classes attractive. So when it does that and no one wants 5% return on Italian loans – why are we panicked?

If the Greeks and Italians can’t pay – then do what Dubai did – say you’ll pay over a longer period.

Argentina did. Dubai did. You know what happended?

The world did not end. It gives certainty. Certainty allows investment. That allows markets to move up.

The problem is not monetary – not with 0% interest rates and QE. It is fiscal – ie reduce taxes on companies if you want to chase growth.

And why is growth important? The US is still $14tr of annual GDP without 1% growth which is costing more in extra debt than the growth itself! So we wait 2 years for growth and for now hunker down without extra debt and satisfy ourselves with $14tr from the US – almost 3 times as from China.

So all the politicians are wrong in seeking growth.

They should be seeking stability through reducing tax and stating it will be so for a fixed period of, say, 2 years. Then, actually, you will get growth.

Emerging markets – take India – is seriously undervalued. The Nifty is trading below the historical 10 year average. A 10 year low however would occur if prices dropped a further 33% - so it is not a short-term no brainer to buy Nifty, but it is a longer term no-brainer.

As for which stocks look attractive? Almost all of them, or put another way, the stock indices, like the Dow, Nifty, FTSE. But people prefer to panic.

Tata Nano car worth `220 mn!

The Tata Group last week unveiled a Nano car made with gold and silver, and studded with precious stones - worth an astronomical over Rs 220 million.

But, it's not for sale the valuable and fully functional car is a unique branding and promotional initiative by Goldplus Jewellery, part of Titan Industries, a Tata Group company, an official said.

The mega-value Goldplus Nano Car was unveiled by Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata.

The Goldplus Nano Car pales the average Rs.140,000 Nano, which started with a Rs 100,000 price tag at its launch.

The Goldplus Nano Car is billed as the world's first ever gold jewellery car and celebrates the 5,000 years of jewellery making industry in India.

The car's body is made with 80 kg 22 carat solid gold, 15 kg silver, precious stones - including diamonds, rubies - and other expensive gemstones, the official said.

# " #

$ !

# #

!

Indian banks in UK are in the process of launching more effective products to facilitate the needs and likings of Indian customers, said Mr Rajnish Kumar, regional head of SBI, UK. “State Bank of India’s presence within the UK has more compelling reasons than profit - reach out to huge Indian Diasporas,” he added.

Their leading strategy is to pursue Indian companies and show their dedication to their clients. Mr Rajnish Kumar added that Indian banks are providing inbound along with outbound transactions.

“Great customer service is more important than ever before. Banks must invest more in technology to handle the growing customer needs,” said Mr Rajnish Kumar.

Mr Rajnish Kumar was speaking at a seminar on Indo European Business Forum (IEBF) held in House of Commons, London.

Besides Mr Rajneesh Kumar, other

(left to right) David Black, Insight Analyst- Banking, Defaqto, Virendra Sharma, MP (Ealing Southall), Vijay Goel, Partner, Singhania & Co. and Founder, Suvro Dutta, Head of Indian Banking Sector, KPMG, Rajnish Kumar, Regional Head, SBI, IEBF

speakers included Mr Vijay Goel, Partner, Singhania & Co. and Founder, IEBF, Mr Suvro Dutta, Head of Indian Banking Sector, KPMG, Mr Virendra Sharma, MP (Ealing Southall) and Mr David Black, Insight Analyst Banking, Defaqto.

Mr Vijay Goel gave an introduction and overview of the history of the Indian banking sector within the

UK as well as its growth and contribution to society today. He further elaborated on the significance of Indian banks that have supported Indian companies in UK during the credit crunch. He concluded that the 2008 credit crisis has thrown up a lot of opportunities for Indian banks in the UK. Mr Virendra Sharma said that he was happy to see the progress of Indian

Sensex surges 400 pts; RIL, ICICI gain 4 pc Indian equity market which remained in the red for the whole last week, bounced back on Tuesday with consistent buying across sectors and strong global trend strengthened and pushed them 2.6 per cent higher. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 414.5 points to 16,465.61 and the 50share NSE Nifty jumped 125 points to 4,960.20.

Nifty 4800 Put shed 200,000 shares in open interest, which indicates huge put writing.

Nifty September 5000 call added 400,000 shares in open interest, which indicates huge buying or call writing happening.

Heavyweights Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank shot up more than 4 per cent. Technology stocks like TCS and Infosys rallied 3.5 per cent each;

Wipro rose 3 per cent.

BHEL too gained 3.5 per cent. SBI, ONGC, ITC, Bharti Airtel, HDFC and HDFC Bank were up 1.5-3 per cent.

Tata Motors was the biggest gainer on Nifty surged 6 per cent. DLF,

Jaiprakash Associates, Reliance Communications, Hindalco and SAIL moved up 4.5-5.5 per cent.

However, only Cipla was trading in the red tick.

About 3.5 shares gained for every share falling.

Among European mar-

kets, France's CAC rose 2.7 per cent and Germany's DAX went up 3 per cent.

Britain's FTSE climbed 2 per cent. The Dow Jones futures gained 89 points and the Nasdaq futures moved up 20 points.

Earlier, Indian equity benchmarks rallied 2 per cent on hectic buying in major sectors like oil & gas, financial, technology, metal and capital goods.

Strong global cues played a key role in the up move. The 30-share BSE Sensex was trading at 16,425, up 374 points and the 50share NSE Nifty moved up 110 points to 4,945.

Asian markets too extended their gains Kospi shot up 5 per cent.

Taiwan, Hang Seng and Nikkei jumped 3 per cent each and Shanghai rose over 1 per cent.

Moody's downgrades three US banks Moody's Investors Service lowered debt ratings for Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc and Wells Fargo last week, saying the US government is getting less comfortable with bailing out large troubled lenders.

The government is "more likely now than during the financial crisis to allow a large bank to fail should it become financially troubled," said the rating agency, a unit of Moody's Corp.

"This is crystallizing the fact we're in a new political reality," said Jason Ware, equity analyst with Salt Lake City-based

Albion Financial Group.

Moody's decision hit Bank of America hardest, as it downgraded the longand short-term debt of the holding company and long-term deposits at its main banking unit.

The ratings agency downgraded only shortterm debt at Citigroup and limited the Wells' cut to its senior debt and to deposits at its lead bank.

Bank of America is struggling with billions of dollars of mortgage losses, litigation and stresses from the need to raise capital to meet new regulatory obligations.

After Moody's down-

grade, the cost to insure $10 million of Bank of America's debt for 5 years in the credit default swap market rose 48 basis points to $378,000 per year.

But analysts and investors said the downgrade was likely to have little immediate impact on Bank of America's business.

"It certainly doesn't look good, but operationally it shouldn't affect them that much," said Jon Finger, managing partner of Finger Interests Number One Ltd, a Houston-based investment firm that owns Bank of America shares.

banks in UK. He congratulated Indian banks and wished them all the best for their flourishing voyage on their Indian banking conduit.

Mr David Black enlightened those present at the seminar by informing them that Indian banks have the ability to find out, from screening the current account of their customers, which product could be most suitable for them. He added, ‘There is an intense competition in the banking sector. Of the total lending in the UK, 81 per cent are controlled by six lenders. The changing time demands the up scaling of the marketing using mobile banking and social media’.

Mr Suvro Dutta said that that the new banking regulations would be implemented in due course which would give their customers more opportunities to gain a bigger market share within the UK.

Warren Buffett’s co to set up $245 m plant in Dahej

US based Lubrizol Corporation, managed by well-known investor and business magnate Warren Buffett, plans to set up a plant in Dahej at an investment of $245 million.

The 80-year-old Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc acquired Lubrizol for $9 billion earlier this year. This is Lubrizol’s first investment in Asia after the takeover.

Lubrizol will set up the Certified Process Validation Professional (CPVP) industrial unit in a joint venture with Astral group in the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation estate in Dahej.

Tom Frubus, chief of Lubrizol Corporation (US) and Sandip Engineer, managing director of Astral Poly Technic met Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi earlier to finalise the project.

The construction work of the unit will start in January 2013 and the production will be started by October-2014. Frubus said that CPVP products have great demand in southeast Asia, middle-east and Africa.

The company has chosen the state for setting up its unit considering the investor-friendly and transparent policies and infrastructural facilities in Gujarat, a statement said.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

19

To Sell or Not To Sell?

Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director Sow & Reap A Property Investment & Financing company.

This week we completed on a three bedroom flat close to the pretty Little Venice canal. The property required refurbishment, but at £325,000 the price was very cheap.

The comparables around the area gave indications of the prices being around £395,000.

The property is currently being refurbished at a cost of £16,000. A property in this location can pretty much be rented in any state and within days. The main customer of this type of property used to be the local authority. Then it did not matter the condition of the flat as beggars cannot be choosers, all you needed was a gas safety certificate in place. Now this sector of the market is not offering competitive rents, a three bedroom according to the LHA register generates only £340pw way below the private market rental.

Now the ren tals are swing in g back t o the private sector, so it pays to spend mo ney and have an attractive prope rty.

The aim of the re furbishment is n ot just fo r lo oks but also for a hassle free five year ren tal perio d.

This was a pharmacist who purchased the property. Many of our clients currently buying property are pharmacists, probably because no matter what the economy does the two things which will not decrease is people getting ill and dying. However they are all complaining things are not as they used to be, and regulation has shaved their profits.

Hence the reason why many are now ploughing their profits into property as they see theirs as a dying business.

Most run their own business and consequently will not be able to so forever, as the business will collapse without them running it there and therefore the income they have been used to will cease. Often it does not justify to sell the business as it will only achieve a fraction of what it is worth to the owner. As a small business the business success is based upon the owner, without the owner the business will start to decrease.

Propert y has t wo attribu tes, on e is it d oes not requ ire t he owner to spen d his time o n the propert y to gene rate mon ey. It produ ces two types of inc ome on e is a mon thly cash flow and the o ther is the valu e o f t he propert y increases over time. Over a me dium t o l ong term pro pe rty price s always increase .

This is in stark contrast to running a business where when the owner is taken out the monthly cash flow decreases and the value of the business comes down.

This is why property is a good investment to ultimately substitute your business one day.

Looking at a recent purchase, the property and the refurbishment cost comes to £340,000 but the property is worth we estimate at £400,0000. In order to expand the portfolio these funds need to be extracted. There are two ways of doing this, one is to sell and realise the profits. This would incur agent’s fee. The cost of purchasing this property would have been high, stamp duty is 3% + legal fees and sourcing

fees. About 8% of costs would have been incurred in purchasing and selling the property. Another way is to refinance this as 75% of the gain can be extracted leaving only 25% buried in there and the property still increasing in value for you. Therefore £56,250 can be extracted from this property after a six month period without the need to resell. This would go towards purchasing a second property.

If you sold the property the selling and purchasing costs come roughly to £30,000, leaving you left with £45,000 and no property.

So in this case it makes sense to keep the property. The location ensures good capital growth and upward pressure on the rental.

Very few of our clients want to purchase one property and then sit back down. Most have dreams of building a portfolio. It is our role to see how to get them from where they are at to where they want to go, with what they have. We make very conservative assumptions and always keep an escape route in place.

We never consider the property as the main goal but a working relationship is our goal.

Westbourne House, 14-16 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RH Purchase Price: £233,000 Placed on the ground floor of a smart purposebuilt apartment building, this well proportioned one bedroomed flat offers great living space in an attractive area close to a range of local shops and amenities.

The property comprises bright and airy reception room with dining area, spacious kitchen, bedroom and shower room.

Morris House offers a great location close to the shops and amenities of Paddington, Maida Vale and St. John's Wood while the closest transport links are Marylebone Station (Bakerloo line and National Rail Services) and Edgware Road Station (Bakerloo line).

flat. The angle is to convert the property, rent it out as a 2 bed at £350pw and keep as a BTL or resell as an investment opportunity. Estimated resell price will be around £290,000 £310,000.

Accommodation: Entrance Hall, Reception Room, Kitchen, Bedroom, Shower Room Tenure: Leasehold Lease: 103 years Services Charges: £360 per annum

Executive summary: This is an extremely hot deal equally sized flat in a nearby block is due to exchange next week at £263,000. This property is a very spacious one bedroom flat which could easily be converted into a good sized two bedroom

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now: Specialists in: l Property Sourcing l Mortgages l Commercial Finance l India Properties

UK Sales 0207 313 4595 India Sales 0203 384 5323 Westbourne House, 14-16 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RH

Tips of the Week l For refurb projects in central london better to look for ones which you can add extra rooms l For buying and holding pay careful attention to service charge and management company

20

financial voICe

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

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

Knowing Who You Are

maria@abplgroup.com

Maria Fernandes

Third party national carers of British Citizens to get right of residence In March 2011 the European Court of Justice reached a decision which is likely to have a significant impact on third party national parents/carers whose immigration status does not permit them to work in the UK. One of the fundamental aspects of EU law is the right of citizens to move and reside within the EU boundaries. Any attempt to impose barriers to this aim has met with resistance from the European Court of Justice.

As far back as 2004 the Court rejected the argument by the UK and Irish Governments that a child did not have the capacity to confer rights to third country national parents and that such rights if they existed were solely dependent on the child actually exercising a right of free movement.

This decision was made under old provisions which have since been replaced. In reaching the decision that a child has the right to be accompanied by his/her parents the Court laid down a pre-condition, that the child must not become a burden on the state and therefore this required the child and family to have sickness insurance

and sufficient resources.

The UK Government interpreted ‘sufficient resources’ strictly by rejecting the argument that the parent/ carer should be given a right to work in order to enable them to acquire sufficient resources and this view was endorsed by the UK courts. It was based on the fact that although parents could join their minor children they did not acquire an independent right of residence.

Things are now set to change. The latest case has developed this principle further and has established a Member States can not reject an application from a third country national who has minor children and as part of that must give the parent a right to work. The reasoning for this is that failure to do so would deprive those children of the genuine enjoyment of the substance of the rights attaching to the status of European Union citizenship.

Until now the British Government’s position was that they did not permit work. However they have now accepted the latest decision and have announced that they will consider applications with immediate effect.

Changes to the current regulations are being made but in the meantime certificates of application will be issued to those who can demonstrate the following conditions: • evidence that the dependant national is a British citizen; • evidence of the relationship between the parent/carer and the British citizen ; and • adequate evidence of financial dependency between the applicant and the British citizen.

Applicants will be allowed to work whilst their applications are being considered and employers will be able to accept the certificate of application as proof of a right to work.

Interestingly although the decision will affect a large number of children the decision of the UKBA acknowledges a wider net of applicants who could benefit.

Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 25 years.

Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 02087330123, by email on info@fernandesvaz.com.

India remains immediate growth target: Mittal India remains an “immediate” target for ArcelorMittal, said Lakshmi Mittal, chairman and CEO of the world’s largest steel maker.

"Immediate targets remain Brazil and India," Lakshmi Mittal said in a presentation to investors on company's annual investor day.

Stating that steel demand would continue growing in China, he added there was a significant, broad-based growth in steel consumption beyond China as well.

"We expect continued growth in steel consumption in the developing world," he said, adding approximately one-third of the company's shipments

mated investment of $6.5 billion in Karnataka. It had earlier announced its plan to invest over $10 billion each in Jharkhand and Orissa for setting up plants.

"ArcelorMittal possesses core strengths that place the company in a strong position to respond to evolving market conditions. We remain committed to our plans for growth since our core projects are not dependent on strong economic conditions," Mittal said.

Chief Finance Officer Aditya Mittal said that the company had received written approvals from its banks to extend $4 billion of credit facilities from a maturity in 2013 to 2015.

currently go to emerging markets.

"We are already the No.1 steel producer in Brazil and Africa and the second-largest in the CIS. We can leverage this platform for our capacity growth," he added.

ArcelorMittal plans to set up a 6-million tonne per annum steel mill in two phases, with a captive 750 MW power plant at an esti-

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Last week Hewlett Packard fired the CEO Leo Apotheker signifying a loss of confidence in his strategic vision for the company. It was a little over 12 months ago when Mark Hurd resigned (after a gentle nudge from the board) as CEO and now HP has its third CEO in Meg Whitman.

However, the announcement that Whitman was taking over was only met with more scepticism and the share price fell even further. Times are indeed tough for the Technology giant, more worrying than the share price is the fact that there is a perception that the company is losing its identity.

Branding is a huge business. It determines how an organisation is perceived and more importantly what it is associated with. For example, if someone asked you what comes to mind when someone says the word Apple – would you say ‘a fruit’ or would you say ‘i-phone’? There are many companies and consultants who can help

with external branding.

However, internal branding – portraying a clear vision to the people within the organisation is, in fact, far more important.

Ensuring people know ‘WHY’ they are doing something and ‘WHAT’ they are trying to achieve is infinitely more valuable then training them ‘HOW’ to do it.

And this doesn’t just apply to businesses. For many the difference between the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was this – in Afghanistan people knew why the troops were sent there and what they wanted to achieve.

In Iraq things were somewhat more blurry and this led to the mass protests and unease over the whole issue.

To be successful knowing one’s identity is essential. Identity is more than just knowing who you are, it is security.

“Security represents your sense of worth, your identity, your emotional anchorage, your selfesteem, your basic personal strength or lack of

By Amit Patel

it.” Steven J Covey.

Some of the biggest companies in the world are run by very distinctive leaders who are known not only for their achievements, but also for their ‘persona’. What sets them apart from other leaders is the fact that they have been able to communicate their vision and get other people to buy into it too. Or in other words, they have convinced others to take on their identity.

All too often people get caught up in thinking of fancy names which will be eye catching – but the name is actually irrelevant. Saying that you work for Apple can be something to be proud of, not because of the name, but because of the identity. Steve Jobs came up with the name Apple because he spent a summer working in an apple orchard. Creating the identity took a little longer. To do that you have know who you are.

Global CEOs head for India India's significance as an emerging market is growing steadily with more global CEOs flying into the country to review operations and look at growth opportunities. While the trickle used to start closer to the winters, this year it seems to have picked up pace early. The latest to join the list is GlaxoSmithKline CEO, Andrew Witty who arrived in Mumbai this week for a two-day visit.

Around the same time the top leadership team of GE, including CEO Jeff Immelt, top bosses of Tokio Marine Holdings, Shuzo Sumi, and EMA Partners International, James Douglas, would also be flying down, while that of German giant Siemens Peter Loescher and Reckitt Benckiser, Rakesh Kapoor were recently in India.

Other top bosses like that of Walt Disney and ANZ Grindlays were also on a visit here recently.

Sources said Witty reviewed the domestic company's operations and discuss future plans of the subsidiary. GSK India has

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HCL Tech to create 400 jobs in Washington

4.2% share of the Rs 600 billion organized retail market, and grew around 8% in August ( IMS Health). Overall, the pharma market had a growth of around 16%. One of the top products of the company, antibiotic drug Augmentin is the largest selling retail brand with sales of around Rs 2.40 billion. The company is ranked fourth in terms of market share and has been posting a strong growth over the last couple of years. In an attempt to improve access to medicine, Witty has been making key changes in the company's strategy, and `tier pricing' policy in developing countries like India is a step in this direction.

India is becoming a key driver for global companies, with its growing domestic market, steady growth rate and burgeoning middle class. Emerging economies like China, Russia, Brazil and India are attractive to global companies across sectors as most developed markets are stagnant.

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Indian IT company HCL Technologies said it has opened a global delivery centre in Redmond, Washington, where its initial investment of $4 million will create over 400 jobs in the Seattle area over the next two years.

"The new centre will support the company's continued global expansion and increased focus on business innovation in software product development, test engineering and business critical platform development," it said in a statement.

HCL has also announced Microsoft as its first official enterprise customer. Microsoft director Brad Weed pledged $200,000 from the workforce investment act fund to HCL to assist with the training of future employees from Seattle area. The collaborative engineering hub will have a seating capacity of 350 people and will provide both engineering and product development services in the areas of internationalization and mobility.

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

21

Foreign Exchange Rajesh Agrawal is the Chairman & CEO of RationalFX, Currency Specialists.

For any further information call 020 7220 8181 or e-mail info@rationalfx.com

World markets tumble – The Euro remains defiant!

We have seen some extremely turbulent markets with stocks across the world nose diving with £64 billion wiped off the FTSE 100 and more than $2 trillion wiped off the global markets in less than twelve hours – enough to give even the most bullish investor a heart attack! We have seen investors scurrying to place their funds where they feel they are safe. All the major economies are struggling to keep their head above water and not fall back into a double dip recession – with the US and UK now talking about more QE and the IMF deciding on how best to help Europe we are likely to see some difficult times. This time however it is not the Banks that are putting us in this predicament but the Governments themselves...

Greece is determined not to default but there Tax payers paint a different picture!

We still have no solution over Greece. Over the weekend of the 24th September the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh changed the mood of European leaders. They have now accepted market’s interest in expanding the €440Bn stability fund however there was no conclusive agreement

of the full package. The general expectation is an extension of €2-3Tr needed to create confidence in the Euro zone.

Additional to this, plans to provide the needed €8Bn aid to Greece to avoid a default next month.

The Greek politicians are adamant that Greece will not default, they are committed to staying in Europe and they are preparing to introduce more austerity measures and Tax increases – however I was watching the BBC news over the weekend and not only did we see riots in the Greek streets, which have now become common place but they said that more than 48% of Greeks don’t pay Tax anyway!!! On top of this a poll suggests that 60% of Greeks believe that Greece will default... The big question remains that how will they pay back all the money they are borrowing? We are now reaching a point where the world cannot be fobbed off by European Finance ministers simply stating that ‘everything is fine but we must remain vigilant!’

We are now also hearing rumours that the ECB may reduce the interest rate – So increasing it only a few

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 27th September 2011 @ 10am GBP - INR = 76.40 USD - INR = 49.16 EUR - INR = 66.36 GBP - USD = 1.55 GBP - EUR = 1.15 EUR - USD = 1.35 GBP - AED = 5.71 GBP - CAD = 1.59 GBP - NZD = 1.98

months ago consecutively was a mistake! Or was the head of the ECB Trichet attempting to end is term on a positive note; I think we can safely assume that is not going to happen!

The Euro seems to be artificially strong – if you were an investor what would you do?

Invest in a currency as long as there is some stability and a higher interest rate. China is also heavily supporting the Euro... Well there are still some very strong economies within the Euro zone and it

does make sense to buy assets whilst they are cheap! I do believe that China bought out the majority of Greece’s shipping industry for a bargain price!

Adding to the global output downgrade by the IMF, pressure continues to mount on the European economy leaving investors diving into the safe havens with the US dollar being their best choice.

The US dollar strengthened to almost a 52 week high against the Great British pound.

GBP - AUD = 1.57 GBP - ZAR = 12.36 GBP - HUF = 331.57

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

22

PakIstan-Bagladesh-srI lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

US-Pak tension escalates, army chief Kayani cancels UK trip In focUS Islamabad: Pakistan's army chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has canceled his visit to Britain amid escalating tension with the US since it accused the spy agency, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), for having links with the Haqqani network which Washington blamed for attack on its embassy in Kabul.

"Kayani was staying in Pakistan to hold talks on the crisis sparked by the US accusations against Pakistan's military-run Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency," said a Pakistani official on condition of anonymity.

The two senior most US military officials, Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Leon E. Panetta, the secretary of defense, levelled serious allegations against ISI last week and told the US Senate Armed Services Committee that the spy agency was closely working with the Haqqani network, an Afghan insurgent

Bangladesh to keep out 'toxic ship' MV Asia Union Dhaka: Bangladeshi officials have ordered the country's coast guard not to allow a suspected toxic ship into its waters. Their move follow complaints that the vessel may contain harmful chemicals and poses a health and safety threat.

At present the ship, the MV Asia Union, has been anchored around eight nautical miles (12km) off the coast of the southern port of Chittagong. Officials say agents of the ship have sought permission to bring it into Bangladesh for dismantling. Environmental groups say it may possess hazardous substances, including asbestos, toxic paints and chemical residues which are harmful to human health and the environment.

Bangladesh has become one of the world's leading ship-breaking nations, with dozens of cargo ships and tankers from around the world being brought to yards.

Ashfaq Pervez Kayani

group, to subvert US war aims in Afghanistan.

Mullen called the Haqqani network a "veritable arm" of ISI while Panetta threatened "operational steps" against Pakistan.

General Kayani dismissed the allegations as baseless.

The link between the Directorate of ISI and the Haqqani network had always been of great concern to the US but it never expressed its grievances so loudly at public forums as Admiral Mullen and Leon Panetta did recently before the senate.

Despite intense pres-

sure from the US to act against the militant group, Pakistan's military ruled out to launch offensive against the Haqqanis. The decision "not to act against the militant network" was taken in an extraordinary meeting called by the army chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Sunday to discuss the country's security situation in the wake of US allegations.

Pakistan's army has also publicly acknowledged its contacts with the Haqqani network, one of the most feared Afghan insurgent groups.

"Any intelligence agency would like to maintain contact with whatever opposition group, whatever terrorist organisation ... for some positive outcome," Pakistan's military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said in an interview.

However, he said, those contacts do not mean that the ISI supports or endorses the organization. "If someone is blam-

A Q Khan’s letter reveals Pak's N-tryst with China Washington: In an angry, bitter letter he wrote to his wife, Pakistan's nuclear architect A Q Khan has seriously implicated the Pakistani military and the Chinese government in proliferation of nuclear technology and material, and instructed her to take a "tough stand" if Pakistani establishment "plays any mischief with me".

"Tell them the bastards first used us and now playing dirty games with us," Khan concludes in a letter to his Dutch wife Henny, asking her to contact the media, in particular British journalist Simon Henderson, his confidante for many years, in a December 2003 letter.

Henderson, custodian of many of Khan's secrets revealed to him as an "insurance" against harassment or worse by the Pakistani establishment, has periodically leaked them to the western media each time Islamabad has

A Q Khan

turned the screws on Khan, who has been under house detention and close watch ever since Pakistan's proliferation activities were exposed early last decade.

In the latest such expose, Henderson last week provided Fox News with Khan's letter to his wife in which the nuclear engineer reveals a stunning degree of proliferation between Islamabad and Beijing, evidently with government compliance.

Pakistan has insisted that the proliferation was a rogue operation by Khan

Pak takes legal route to ban Indian films Lahore: A group of Pakistani film producers, directors, actors and writers have decided to take legal action to stop the screening of Indian films across the country.

The artists, including actors Moamar Rana, Shaan, Meera, Sangeeta, Syed Noor and Shahid, directors Aslam Dar, Altaf Hussain, Masood Butt and Pervaiz Rana, and producers Jani Malik and Chaudhry Kamran, pledged to go to every extent to stop the screening of Indian movies.

They claimed they were perturbed by the public interest in Indian

ing us as the only country maintaining contacts with the Haqqanis, there are others, too," Abbas said.

There is a huge difference between maintaining contacts with such a group to facilitate peace and supporting it against an ally, he added.

About the Haqqani network, Pakistan's foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that the group was the Central Investigation Agency's (CIA) "blue-eyed boy" for many years.

"If we talk about links, I am sure the CIA also has links with many terrorist organisations around the world, by which we mean intelligence links," she told al Jazeera in an interview.

"And this particular network, which the United States continues to talk about, is a network which was the blue-eyed boy of the CIA itself for many years I think we must not be tested more than we have the ability to bear," she remarked.

movies shown in local cinema halls and the fact that Pakistani films hardly drew crowds.

During a meeting at Evernew Studios here, the artists said the film industry would regain its strength by standing tall against the screening of Indian films in the name of foreign films.

Aslam Dar said the filmmakers would file a petition in court against the exhibition of Indian films. He said he and other like-minded filmmakers, directors, actors and producers would try to hire an eminent lawyer to fight their case.

Moamar Rana said he wanted a concerted effort on the issue. “We should have some good lawyers to fight our case,” he said.

He said had Indian films not been screened, Pakistani films released on Eid-ul-Fitr could have done much better business.

Chaudhry Kamran, who recently produced the Urdu film "Bhai Log" that is doing good business, endorsed Rana's views.

Syed Noor said Pakistani films had given a boost to the industry this year. Many movies had done good business and this was enough to silence critics, he claimed.

and the government or the military had nothing to do with it.

But in the letter Khan says, "You know we had cooperation with China for 15 years. We put up a centrifuge plant at Hanzhong. We sent 135 C130 plane loads of machines, inverters, valves, flow meters, pressure gauges. Our teams stayed there for weeks to help and their teams stayed here for weeks at a time. Late minister Liu We, V M (vice minister) Li Chew, vice minister Jiang Shengjie used to visit us."

The C-130 military transport planes were given to Pakistan by the US under a military aid program; Washington has continued to lavish Islamabad with such aid even after reports of its misuse. In fact, documents relating to Pakistan's proliferation through much of the 1990s suggest US was asleep on the watch.

PoK leader snubs Geelani

Islamabad: In a virtual snub to separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's stand that Pakistan should not talk to India on matters like trade till the Kashmir issue is resolved, senior PoK politician Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry last week said things should "start moving and rolling". Chaudhry, said he had conveyed his position to Geelani during a recent meeting in Srinagar. "Geelani has his views and wants (J&K) to join Pakistan... I told him that status quo does not suit us. Things should start moving and rolling," he said.

Bill introduced in US House to freeze all aid to Pakistan

Washington: A key American lawmaker from Texas has introduced a resolution in the House of Representative to freeze all US aid to Pakistan. The House Resolution if passed will freeze all US aid to Pakistan with the exception of funds that are designated to help secure nuclear weapons. "Since the discovery of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan has proven to be disloyal, deceptive and a danger to the United States," Congressman Ted Poe said in a statement after tabling the resolution in the House on Friday. "This so-called ally continues to take billions in US aid, while at the same time supports the militants who attack us. "The United States must immediately freeze all aid to Pakistan," said Poe, who is a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

26 students killed in Pak bus accident Islamabad: Twenty-six students were killed and 78 others were injured in a bus accident in eastern Pakistan on Monday night, Xinhua reported. The accident took place due to overloading near Kalar Kahar town, about 125 km from Islamabad, said Kamran Rashid, the spokesman for the emergency police rescue service.

Pak to lease 50 rail engines from India Islamabad: Pakistan Railways has decided to lease 50 railway engines from India to restart some defunct services, a media report said on Sunday. The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by railway minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour in Peshawar earlier this week, the Urdu daily Jang reported. The option of leasing the engines was among the options, and found favour as India had already expressed its willingness to consider the lease of the engines. Addressing the meet, Bilour said the railways needs 200 to 300 locomotives to improve its performance.

Hindus feel deprived and live in fear in Karachi Karachi: The ongoing violence in Karachi has had its impact on various religious minorities too, including the Hindus, most of whom feel deprived of their rights in a city under siege. They live in fear of the extremists.

The minorities, who have no political affiliations, and are yet gunned down because of their beliefs or caught in a crossfire between rivals.

Gunmen kill 29 in Baluchistan Islamabad: At least 29 people were killed in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province last week when gunmen opened fire on Shia Muslim pilgrims travelling in a bus to Iran in an apparent sectarian attack. The bus carrying 45 pilgrims came under attack in Baluchistan's Mastung district. "About 10 attackers riding on a twin-cab pick-up and armed with AK-47 rifles and rocket launchers intercepted the bus. They ordered all the passengers to vacate the bus. As soon as the pilgrims came out, the attackers opened indiscriminate firing and killed many of them," said Khushal Khan, the bus driver who survived the attack.

Pakistan Supreme Court's website hacked Islamabad: The website of Pakistan's Supreme Court was on Tuesday defaced by a hacker who asked the Chief Justice to ban all pornographic websites and do more to help the poor. A message posted on the apex court's website by the hacker using the name Zombie Ksa mocked security measures, saying the site was in "wrong, untalented hands". The hacker, who appeared to be a Pakistani, said the Supreme Court's website was chosen for hacking to "convey a message" to Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

China executes Pak man on drugs charges Beijing: China has executed a Pakistani man, Zahid Husain Shah, despite last-ditch appeals for clemency.Mr Shah, 35, was arrested in 2008 and was convicted last year of drug smuggling.He was put to death by lethal injection in Shanghai.Human rights groups had called on Beijing to stop the execution and urged Islamabad to take up appeals on his behalf. There was no comment from either government.Relatives were allowed one last meeting with Mr Husain at Shanghai Detention Centre His cousin, Tasneem Fatima, told the BBC the family expects to travel back to Pakistan later this week, once his body has been returned to them.The last thing he told her was that he was innocent, she said.

Pak orders detention of prominent militant Islamabad: Police say the Pakistani government has placed under house detention an Islamist militant accused in dozens of killings but released from prison two months ago. Police officer Sohail Chatta says that the Punjab provincial government issued the 10-day detention order against Malik Ishaq because he was exacerbating tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.Ishaq is a founder of the banned Sunni extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

woRld

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

In focus Michael Sata wins Zambia presidential poll

Lusaka: Michael Sata, who lost three previous ballots but steadily built his own organization over the last decade, defeated the incumbent in Zambia's presidential elections, Electoral Commission said. With tallies completed from nearly all the country's 150 constituencies, Sata won with 1,150,045 votes, or 43 per cent of the total. President Rupiah Banda had 961,796 votes, or 36.1 per cent. Eight other candidates shared the remainder, Irene Mambilima, the Electoral Commission's chairwoman, announced on Friday.

Saudi women gain right to vote, run in polls Jeddah: Saudi Arabia will allow women to stand for election and vote, the king announced on Sunday, in a significant policy shift in the conservative Islamic kingdom . In a five-minute speech, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud said women would also take part in the next session of the unelected, advisory Shura Council, which vets legislation but has no binding powers. "Because we refuse to marginalize women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior ulama (clerics) and others... to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from the next term," he said in a speech delivered to the advisory body. "Women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election and will even have a right to vote."

Women's rights are regarded as a litmus test for the government's appetite for social and political reform.

Japan launches new spy satellite Tokyo: Japan launched a new spy satellite into orbit, in its latest effort to beef up surveillance against the threat of North Korean missiles. The Japanese H-2A rocket carrying a new information-gathering optical satellite lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. Japan currently has three informationgathering satellites in orbit and the latest satellite will replace one of them which has passed its use-by date.

The three are all optical satellites, which can capture images in daylight and in clear weather. In the next two years, Japan plans to launch two radar satellites, which can capture images at night and in cloudy weather.

2 IITians among 400 richest Americans Washington: Two Indian Institute of Technology alumni have made it to Forbes' list of the 400 richest Americans topped for the 18th year in a row by Bill Gates with Warren Buffett second. According to the US business magazine Forbes, Bharat Desai with $1.35 billion gets the 329th spot with Vinod Khosla two notches below at 331st place with $1.3 billion. Kenya born Syntel co-founder Desai, 58, an IIT, Bombay graduate founded the outsourcing outfit in 1980, took the company public in 1997 and now has some 16,200 employees. Fellow IITian Vinod Khosla, 56, according to Forbes "is the rare Silicon Valley venture capitalist able to generate profits from a clean tech portfolio."

US soldier jailed for Afghan murder Tacoma: The youngest of five US soldiers accused of killing unarmed Afghan civilians in cold blood was sentenced to seven years in prison for gunning down a teenage boy whose corpse he posed with as if it were a trophy. Andrew Holmes pleaded guilty to a single count of murder - reduced in a deal with prosecutors from the more serious charge of premeditated murder admitting he made a "bad decision" when he shot the young villager at close range. "I wish I could tell the father and brothers in Afghanistan I'm sorry," the tearful 21-year-old Army private said.

US to sell arms to Taiwan, infuriates China Washington: The US has announced a $5.85 billion arms sales to Taiwan, including upgrading its 145 F-16 fighter jets, a decision which immediately infuriated China which warned the move will hurt Sino-US defence ties.

"It is our strong view that these sales will make a significant contribution to Taiwan's air defense capabilities because it is upgrading the backbone capability of Taiwan's air force," US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell told reporters.

23

Terror plotter Rana seeks a fresh trial Chicago: Pakistan-born Canadian Tahawwur Rana, convicted of aiding Pakistan based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) held responsible for the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, is seeking a fresh trial.

Cleared of any involvement in the Mumbai attacks, but facing a stiff sentence for providing material support to LeT in a foiled plot to attack a Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, he has argued in new court filings that he should have been given separate trials for the two plots, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

arousing suspicion.

Rana's lawyers argue in new federal court filings that Rana should be granted another trial because, if the Mumbai evidence were not put before jurors, the panel would not have convicted him on the other counts, the Sun-Times said. Attorneys argue that prosecutors improperly sought to tie the two plots together, prejudicing jurors. 'Rana should not have been forced to defend the Mumbai and Denmark plots simultaneously,' Rana's lawyers wrote.

'Charges of involvement in a single terrorist plot creates immense fear,

prejudice, and the risk of emotion overwhelming a jury even in the best of circumstances. Forcing a defendant to defend two terrorist plots simultaneously is simply untenable.'

They also argue that the convictions should be thrown out because the bulk of the government's evidence came from emails, recorded telephone calls and recorded conversations that they had access to under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Rana's lawyers say that the act is supposed to be used to collect intelligence, not for criminal prosecutions.

Nasa satellite remains lost for ever

Putin to run for presidency in 2012

Cape Canaveral (Florida): A six tonne Nasa science satellite crashed to Earth on Saturday, leaving a mystery about where the space debris may have landed. The US space agency said it believes the debris ended up in the Pacific Ocean, but the precise time of the bus-sized satellite's re-entry and the location of its debris field have not been determined.

The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, or UARS, ended 20 years in orbit with a suicidal plunge into the atmosphere on Saturday, Nasa said. The satellite would have been torn apart during the fiery re-

Successor chosen

by Dalai Lama 'illegal': China Beijing: China said that any successor chosen by the Dalai Lama would be "illegal" after the Tibetan spiritual leader announced that he, and not Beijing, would decide whether he should be reincarnated. The Dalai Lama, who is 76, said that he would decide when he was "about 90" whether he should be reincarnated, in consultation with other monks, and that China should have no say in the matter. Under Tibetan tradition, monks identify a young boy who shows signs he is a reincarnation of a late leader, but many predict China will simply appoint its own successor to the Dalai Lama. "The title of Dalai Lama is conferred by the central government and is illegal otherwise.

Tahawwur Rana

Rana's eight-day trial in Chicago last June featured the testimony of his boyhood friend, admitted terror plotter David Coleman Headley, US-born son of a Pakistani father and an American mother who changed his given name of Daood Gilani in 2006 to scout targets for the Mumbai attacks without

entry, but about 26 pieces, the largest of which was estimated to have weighed 150 kg, likely survived the fall, officials said.

As it fell to Earth, UARS passed from the east coast of Africa over the Indian Ocean, then the Pacific Ocean, across northern Canada and the northern Atlantic Ocean to a point over West Africa.

Most of the transit was over water, with some flight over northern Canada and West Africa, Nasa said.

"Because we don't know where the re-entry point actually was, we don't know where the debris field might be," said Nicholas Johnson, chief

orbital debris scientist at Nasa's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "We may never know."

Stretching 35 feet long and 15 feet in diameter, UARS was among the largest spacecraft to plummet uncontrollably through the atmosphere , although it is a slim cousin to Nasa's 75-tonne Skylab station, which crashed to Earth in 1979. Russia's last space station, the 135tonne Mir, crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 2001, but it was a guided descent.

Nasa now plans for the controlled re-entry of large spacecraft, but there was no provision in case of UARS when it was designed.

Moscow: Vladimir Putin agreed to run for the Russian presidency in 2012, almost certainly ensuring his return to the office he previously held for eight years and likely foreshadowing more years of strongman rule. His United Russia party also approved his proposal that the current president Dmitry Medvedev take over his Putinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role as PM. Putin ruled Russia as president from 2000-2008 with a steely command that was widely criticized in the West. Because constitutional changes have extended the presidential term to six years from four, Putin's power is likely to be even more enhanced.

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INDIA Pledge to raise awareness and support to save Yamuna river

24

Brajraj Sharan, a world campaigner for the Yamuna

On 26 August, a few days after Janmashtami, Hindu leaders gathered at the Iskcon Soho branch to hear about the plight of the river Yamuna, which no longer flows through Lord Krishna's holy land Mathura.

The presentation was given by Brajraj Sharan of the Maan Mandir Seva Sansthan Trust, a world campaigner for the Yamuna. It was presented that 97% of the Yamuna's waters are diverted at the Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana and only 3% is allowed to flow toward Delhi. This water soon dries up and is followed by a dry sand bed for miles.

What then actually flows through the holy town of Mathura-Vrindavan is nothing more than untreated sewage, domestic and industrial waste from the Shahdara drain.

Of the one and a half million Hindus in Britain, many travel for pilgrimage to this holy land, and most vulnerably perform all their religious rites in the Yamuna. They bath and also sip the waters for purification, and most disturbingly sprinkle the ashes of their dear departed relatives. The fact that the politicians of India still turn a blind eye to the pollution, despite a Supreme

Court recommendation that solves the problem, simply beggars belief.

Shocked by the presentation, the UK's Hindu Leaders representing the National Council for Hindu Temples, the Hindu Council UK, the Hindu Forum of Britain, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Iskcon decided to back the campaign and do what is within their power and influence from here in the UK to affect the situation. At the conclusion of the meeting the following resolution was drafted: 'The national Hindu leaders pledge to raise awareness and offer full support to the Save the Yamuna Campaign. Not only is the river of incomparable religious significance to Hindus, but its care is of great ecological importance. Considering both the environmental damage and the dangers posed to the health and hygiene of the many pilgrims, it is wholly unacceptable that the status quo remain. The neglect and abuse undermines religiosity (dharma) and ecological necessity.'

AThe seminar to keep ahead withnow taxprofiled planning on the basis seminar regarding impact of taxation and

tax planning was held by John Cumming Ross Limited, Chartered Certified Accountants, at The Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in the City on 22 September 2011 on the topic of “Keeping Ahead – tax, the wealthy and HMRC”.

The seminar was well attended by a cross section of the business community and professionals as well as the clients of John Cumming Ross Limited.

The seminar facilitated an opportunity to discuss the intricate tax issues with the speakers. It provided tips to minimise the

reduce the stress of taxpayer The expert speakers were Andrew Gotch BA MA CTA (Fellow) and Iris Wuenschmann-Lyall MA (Cantab) TEP Solicitor.

Well experienced Andrew’s detailed analysis on the draconian HMRC compliance approach in the country’s current economic deficit proved to be very useful to attendees.

He also talked about the aggressive nature of the compliance initiatives currently adopted by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and explained how a typical taxpayer is

of “behaviour” right across the fiscal spectrum.

He gave advice to be proactive and self disciplined in the compliance aspects of taxation in relation to HMRC at all times.

Iris highlighted about Inheritance Tax planning.

She outlined at length how tax efficient will planning together with the available exemptions and reliefs can effectively mitigate the inheritance tax liability.

She also drew attention to the planning opportunities available for the UK nondomiciliaries with regard to their inheritance tax position.

Govt okays import of plane for Surat-Mumbai air taxi

(Courtesy: The Times of India)

Fresh tremers… Centre is helping HM with relief and rescue operations – not in Sikkim, but 2G spectrum case

The Surat-Mumbai air taxi could soon be a reality as the proposal of the Mumbai-based air service company interested in the project to import a 19seater LET 410 aircraft for non-scheduled air transport services for Gujarat has been approved by the ministry of civil aviation.

A group of diamantaries led by the Lexus group are in talks with Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Private Limited (MEHAIR) to connect Surat and Mumbai and other destinations in Gujarat with a 19-seater aircraft. The move comes after Air India rejected repeated requests by diamantaires and textile tycoons to connect Surat with Mumbai.

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

Foundation of life Rishi Lomesh took the Pandavas into the forest known as ‘Brahmavana’, which belonged to Lord Brahma. Here, Yudhisthira heard the roaring sound of the mantra ‘Aum’ filling the whole forest. The rishi told Yudhisthira that even though the sound was so loud it came from three hundred thousand yojanas away.

Rishi Vishwakarma, the father of Shakuntala, had performed a big yagna there.

In that yagna he had invited Rishi Kashyap, the progenitor of the devas and the asuras. At the end of the yagna, Vishwakarma gave the whole earth (Prithvi) to Kashyap as a dakshina for performing the yagna.

Prithvi felt deeply hurt and angry that someone had the audacity to give her away. She told Lord Brahma, “I have been given away to an ordinary mortal. The rishi will not reap the fruit of his yagna.

I shall drown myself into the ocean and live at depths where no life will be possible”. Brahma asked Rishi Kashyap to appease Prithvi. Kashyap sat in deep austerity singing hymns in praise of Prithvi. Pleased with his tapas, Prithvi rose from the ocean in form of a huge island, still mostly in

water. Rishi Lomesh told Yudhisthira that this rising point of land was the holy spot where the first glimpse of Prithvi was seen as she rose up.

The rishi told Yudhisthira that he should climb up to the top of this point and meditate upon Prithvi. In doing so, he would become very powerful and good fortune would follow him. The rishi allowed only Yudhisthira to climb the point, saying that Prithvi never let anyone to that spot and if anyone touched it, she would go back into the ocean. The rishi told Yudhisthira that he should chant slokas praising Prithvi so she would allow him to climb up the point. He asked

Yudhisthira to repeat the following verse, “O lord of the ocean, you are the semen of Lord Vishnu, the birth place of amrita, and the elixir of life. You are the source of fire and it is through you that man attains final salvation”.

Saying these words, Yudhisthira ascended the point.

Rishi Vyasa is talking about the Muladhara Chakra, which also is the centre of sex energy. It is called Prithvi and it is the base/support of our lives.

The next chakra is the Swadhisthana, which stands for water or ocean.

In the story, Vishwakarma gives away Prithvi in alms and Prithvi drowns in the ocean. This shows that as long as we waste sex energy in dreams and thoughts, the very foundation of our lives drown.

If we utilize sex energy properly, then it rises above the ocean. The yogi fuses the two chakras in such a way that Prithvi is now above water. This can only happen with the rising of sex energy. With this, Prithvi is pleased and she blesses the yogi with happiness and good fortune.

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

Salman Rushdie spars with Taslima Nasreen on Twitter

Days after he joined Twitter saying he was now in the “madhouse”, author Salman Rushdie may be realizing that the social media site can be just that.

Last week, Rushdie and Taslima Nasreen got into a micro-blogging spat, with the Bangladeshi writer accusing him of “begging” for followers and chasing women.

“Salman Rushdie is begging everyone to follow him on Twitter. He’ll feel embarrassed if he doesn’t get a million followers,” she tweeted, adding, “Be aware of Salman Rushdie! He wants to get girls in his ‘whipped cream range’.”

The tweets got numerous responses from her followers on Twitter, many of these uncharitable towards Rushdie. She approvingly retweeted some responses, that is, forwarded these to her 16,000-odd followers.

One such tweet read: “Ha ha, since there’d be no 72 virgins for him, he wants to make the most of it before he probably turns 72.”

Several hours later, Rushdie fired back.

“Somewhere in the distance I hear the envious miaow of #TaslimaNasreen being catty about me. Tut, tut, Taslima. #Shame #Lajja,” he wrote, using several hashtags to show he is a fast learner. On Twitter, hashtags are used to emphasize words as well as to enable search engines to pick the terms quickly.

Though she did not directly mention Rushdie, Taslima had also tweeted about sexist men. “Sexist men are unappreciative,

narcissistic, hateful who’ll do anything on earth as long as it makes them think they’re smarter than any female,” she wrote.

Responding to Rushdie’s shot, Taslima tweeted, “Big writers should hv a big heart. No reason to be ‘envious’. It wasn’t abt writing, it was abt ‘whipped cream’.”

Many would find the spat surprising, since the two authors have faced similar situations – both having come under fire from Islamic fundamentalists.

InDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

In focus Anna Hazare gets invitation to visit Pak

A two-member delegation from Pakistan met social activist Anna Hazare at his native village Ralegan Siddhi and extended an invitation to visit the neighbouring country. The delegation comprised Justice Nasir Aslam Jahid, a former judge of Pakistan's Supreme Court, and Karamat Ali, a well-known peace activist. Ali said that the success of Hazare's anti-corruption movement had boosted the morale of the activists in Pakistan. Hazare later said that like India, Pakistan too faced a serious problem of corruption and "I would like to go there if my visit is going to help" the anti-corruption movement there.

Former DMK minister held on murder charge Tamil Nadu police arrested former Fisheries Minister K P P Samy of the DMK for the kidnapping and murder of a fisherman in Puducherry. According to the police, Samy was arrested for planning the murder of Chelladurai, whose wife had reported him missing in 2006 and filed a habeus corpus petition. Chelladurai's body was later found in Puducherry. The motive has its roots in differences over the distribution of 2004 tsunami relief to fishermen in Tiruvottiyur area of north Chennai. Samy's brothers, K P P Shankar and K P P Chockalingam, and four others have already been arrested by the police and lodged in the Vellore prison. On investigation, police found that Samy's brothers and four others were involved in the kidnapping and murder Chelladurai in Puducherry.

Centre to give Rs 500 mn grant to quake-hit Sikkim

After assessing ongoing rescue and relief efforts in quake-hit Sikkim, India’s home minister P. Chidambaram said the Centre would give Rs 500 million immediately as grant for relief and rehabilitation work. Our prime motive is providing relief to 5,0006,000 persons in camps, he added. He further said that prime minister Manmohan Singh would visit Sikkim once he comes back from Washington. "The earthquake of 6.8 magnitude has caused massive damage to life and property in Sikkim. I feel property worth rupees one trillion has been destroyed in the earthquake. We have decided to grant Rs 500,000 as ex-gratia compensation to the families of those killed the calamity. We will also give rupees 50,000 to the injured victims as compensation," said Sikkim chief minister Chamling.

Gujarati couple killed in Nepal plane crash A Sunday morning flight to view the Mt Everest in its splendour turned into a tragedy when 19 people on board the aircraft were killed in a crash minutes before it was due to land at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. Ten of those killed were Indians, including eight tourists from Tamil Nadu and a Gujarati couple - Pankaj Mehta, 57, and his wife Chhaya. Mehta was the chief of the food and nutrition programme of Unicef in Nepal and had held many important positions in the UN office. The couple originally came from Saurashtra, according to Mehta’s colleagues. Mehta was considered a health and nutrition expert of Unicef who advised the government on a number of schemes.

Kannada actor back in jail for wife assault Leading Kannada actor Darshan was back in jail for assaulting his wife and has moved the high court for bail after two lower courts rejected his bail plea. The high court is likely to hear the plea. Darshan was arrested on Sept 9 after Vijayalakshmi gave a five-page complaint to police detailing the beating she had suffered. She said Darshan also pointed a revolver at her and threatened to kill her and the couple's three-yearold son Vineesh. But within hours she changed her statement to say she was injured from a fall in the bathroom and not due to any beating by Darshan. However, two lower courts declined to accept her changed statement and rejected Darshan's plea for bail.

Orissa legislator shot dead A legislator of the ruling BJD in Orissa, Jagabandhu Majhi, and his personal security officer were shot dead by suspected Maoists at a public meeting in Nawarangpur district on Saturday. The 39-year-old Majhi, a prominent tribal leader, who represented Umerkote assembly constituency, had gone to Gona village to distribute land pattas when the incident took place. Patta distribution was under way at a public meeting in the Naxal-hit area when about four unidentified armed persons stormed the venue and fired killing Majhi and his PSO. Involvement of Maoists in the killing was suspected.

India test fires Prithvi-II missile India test fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable ballistic missile Prithvi-II off the Orissa coast, defence sources said. The missile was blasted off from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. The mediumrange missile, which can carry a pay-load of 500 kg, has a maximum range of 350 km. India had successfully test fired its surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shourya from the same test base.

25

Manmohan slams West for using force to change regimes Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh strongly criticized Western powers for using force to change regimes in other countries, a reference to Libya amid calls for a similar intervention in Syria, cautioning that societies cannot be reengineered by outsiders.

In a direct criticism of Western military operations in Libya and likely action in Syria, the PM asserted at the UN General Assembly that absence of democracy and rule of law cannot be a pretext to violate sovereignty and integrity of countries.

“The observance of the rule of law is as important in international affairs as it is within countries.

Societies cannot be reordered from outside through military force.

People in all countries have the right to choose

an emerging power as well as its willingness to play a bigger role on the international stage. “We wish to quicken the pace of India’s transformation in partnership with the international community. A fast growing India can expand the boundaries for the global economy. A democratic, plural and secular India can contribute to tolerance and peaceful coexistence among nations,” he said.

Although consistent with India’s historical insistence to respect sovereignty and integrity of nations, the blunt remark warning about the perils of the West succumbing to the temptation to impose democracy underlined a growing disconnect between India and the US. After the close relationship fostered by Singh, the criticism is jarring.

Manmohan Singh speaks at the 66th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters on Saturday

their own destiny and decide their own future,” the prime minister said in a speech which also drew applause for a strong call for expanding the UN Security Council.

Significantly, Singh also used the occasion to make plain his desire to continue efforts to improve ties with Bangladesh, say-

ing the upswing in bilateral ties was beneficial to the security of both: a possible pointer to a fresh effort at persuading West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to drop her resistance to the accord for sharing of Teesta waters.

The speech also saw the Manmohan highlighting India’s new status as

Anna Hazare writes to Manmohan, tells govt of other items on his platter

Keeping up the pressure to bring a strong Lokpal bill, activist Anna Hazare reminded the government of other agendas on his platter including tackling corruption in judiciary, electoral reforms and amendments to the land acquisition bill.

In his first communication to prime minister Manmohan Singh - after the Ramlila Maidan agitation - Hazare said while the government had assured that a strong Lokpal bill would be brought, this was not enough to tackle corruption in the country. The Gandhian said that electoral and land reforms were also necessary.

He added, "It gives me no pleasure to agitate but when I sense the government is creating obstacles, I have no choice but to fast.'' Hazare has already announced a yatra starting with poll-bound states and his colleagues including

Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi have announced that they will campaign against those candidates that do not support the Jan Lokpal bill in the Hissar constituency by-election.

Expressing concern that the current Judicial Standards and Accountability bill did not tackle judicial corruption, Hazare said that a new law must be drafted to ensure that the issue is dealt with.

In his letter dated September 21, he said the country needed electoral reforms in the form of 'right to reject' in polls.

The activist pointed out that there were so many tainted elected representatives in Parliament that it was essential to bring changes in election laws.

He proposed that 'right to reject' be brought as a law so that people can use that option if they feel that none of the candidates deserved their vote.

'Love not crime', says court "The act of falling in love cannot be punished in the way other criminals are punished".

With this observation, a trial court acquitted 22-year-old Sanjay of Jahangirpuri on charges of raping his 15year-old girlfriend, although it held him guilty of kidnapping as he had not taken the consent of her parents.

The girl went missing on April 1, 2010, on which her father lodged a complaint that she had been kidnapped. She, however, returned home after a week. The teenager told the court that she had gone on an "outing" to Haridwar with her lover of her own will. The court

also noted that the relationship between the two was later approved by both families.

Convicting Sanjay on charges of kidnapping, additional sessions judge Anju Bajaj Chandna sentenced him to three months in jail, but the term was set aside against the period of imprisonment he had already undergone in the course of the trial.

"It is clear that emotion of love and affection compelled the convict to take this step wherein he failed to acknowledge the presence and sanctity of consent of the parents of the girl," the court said.

"Sanjay is a young man

He reiterated his earlier stand that the land acquisition law should be amended to allow greater voice for gram panchayat representatives. He said, ''The Centre and the state should not be allowed to acquire any land without the permission of the gram

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26

INDIA

Modi now wants easy visa for Pakistanis visiting Ajmer Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said that the procedure to get visas should be relaxed for Pakistanis wanting to visit Ajmer Sharif shrine.

Modi was inaugurating the annual convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators XXVII IATO at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagary when he suggested this to Union Tourism Secretary R H Khwaja, who was present at the event. Modi said, “Many Pakistanis come to India to watch cricket matches and may wish to visit Ajmer Sharif shrine, but their visas are allowed only for the match venue. The procedures should be made easy.”

He also suggested that the Union government should give airfare subsidy to people of Indian origin to motivate them to witness Kumbh melas.

Targeting the UPA government Modi said, “I don’t know whether the present Union government will consider it as secular or not but it will boost tourism to a great extent.”

He added that the Kumbh Mela subsidy should be treated like Haj pilgrimage subsidy. The CM said that to boost tourism in the country the Union government should start various religious tourism circuits.

Recall governor, Narendra Modi tells Centre Says Congress using Raj Bhavan to run parallel Govt. in state Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has demanded the recall of governor Dr Kamla during the ‘maha rally’ of thousands of party workers and supporters on Sunday afternoon.

This is the first time that Modi has openly asked for the governor’s recall in a public meeting.

Before this, he had raised the issue in a letter to the prime minister, which had become controversial.

Petitions were filed against the chief minister accusing him of contempt of court by releasing the letter to the media when the Lokaykta issue was already in the high court.

To cater to both the national media and his local supporters, the chief minister alternated between Hindi and Gujarati during his speech as he accused the governor of being a pawn in the hands of the Congress.

“For the last three years, the Congress has used the Raj Bhavan to run a parallel government in Gujarat.

In the name of organizing district visits, the governor has been issuing directions to the local administra-

2G scam: Pranab note lands Chidambaram in a soup Continued from page 1 While the CBI argued that "the Finance Ministry note is nothing new," the Centre told the Supreme Court that the document will be examined by the CBI. The lawyer for the CBI took strong exception to this stand, and argued, "Someone can't put words into our mouth and say we will investigate. I strongly object to this statement.

The CBI is an autonomous body. " The CBI's lawyer also said that the finance ministry note is a "conclusion drawn from a 500-page file which we had examined."

The government has so far backed Mr Chidambaram vociferously, with the prime minister stating that the home minister enjoys his "complete confidence."

Mr Mukherjee has described Mr Chidambaram as "a pillar of strength" to the government in what's being seen as an attempt to assuage his upset colleague. Mr Chidambaram reportedly told Manmohan last week that the note against him was the result of an orchestrated campaign within the government against him.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi met both Chidambaram and Mukherjee to quell the dispute between them.

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

While the Supreme Court is monitoring the CBI's investigation into the telecom scam, the case is actually being tried by a lower court. The government has argued that it should be up to this lower court to handle issues like whether to consider the finance ministry note against Mr Chidambaram.

According to the note, in a meeting with the telecom minister A Raja on Jan 30, 2008, Chidambaram had said 'he was for now not seeking to revisit the current regimes for entry fee or revenue share' of spectrum.

Politically, the note has come to light at a time when Subramanian Swamy submitted some documents in the Supreme Court demonstrating what he alleges direct involvement of Chidambaram, as the then finance minister, in spectrum pricing.

Swamy presented the documents before an apex court bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice A.K. Ganguly that is hearing his plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Chidambaram's role in the scam.

The opposition was quick to react, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) demanding Chidambaram's resignation.

Dr. Kamla and Narendra Modi

tion. We have made several efforts to persuade the governor against this. We cannot have two parallel governments in Gujarat.”

The chief minister refused to comment on the Lokayukta issue saying it was sub judice.

The BJP distributed a pamphlet - a ‘chargesheet’ against the governor - in the massive crowd which accused Dr Kamla of not clearing Bills, like impact fee and women’s reservation, which were in the interest of the people.

Gujarat BJP chief RC Faldu also read out a resolution, asking the Centre to recall the governor and was passed with a voice vote from the crowd. Modi called the resolution a voice of the people.

“The governor raised the same objections as the

Congress did in Assembly, while returning various bills,” Modi said to prove his point. He made out a case that the central government saw Gujarat as an enemy state and did not even give Gujarat its just share of fertilizers and kerosene.

“Since 2009, the governor has been acting against the state, but we kept quiet as the government was committed to the development of the state.” Modi even called former governor Naval Kishore Sharma a patriot and a lawyer who upheld the Constitution and did not listen to the diktats of the Congress.

Modi called the Congress the proverbial rotten potato and said that the party had now become a burden for the country.

“I was asked to chair one of the eight committees formed to tackle inflation,” Modi said. “The committee submitted the report eight months ago and the PM had acknowledged my efforts. But even after eight months, he has not even opened the cover of my report.”

We sadly announce the death of Shri Gunvantlal Mugatlal Shah who passed away on 27th September 2011 in Mehsana, Gujarat India. He was 86 years old. He was the father of Alkaben Shah (Gujarat Samachar/ Asian Voice). Sasra of Rajnibhai Shah, Banevi of Vinodbhai Kapashi and Fuva of Mukeshbhai Kapashi.

Alka Shah: 07944 151 893 or V Kapashi: 07947 581 584

Advani says he's not in the race to become PM Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani has ruled out that he is in the race for the post of prime minister.

Advani made the statement while addressing a press conference after meeting Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur. "From the RSS, to the Jan Sangh and to the BJP, I am happier to be a part of the party.

I do not want to become the prime minister," Advani replied when he was asked if he is the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections.

Advani claimed that his party and supporters had given him "much more" than what the prime minister's post will ever be able to give him. Advani claimed he had come to Nagpur to seek Bhagwat's blessings for the rath yatra.

"I met the RSS

Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and asked for his blessings. He gave me his full support and blessings and wished him all the best for the yatra," Advani said.

He also met BJP President Nitin Gadkari and enquired about his health.

Gadkari had undergone a bariatric operation on September 12 and is recuperating.

Advani, who is starting his anti-corruption yatra from Bihar on October 11, had met Bhagwat to explain his decision about the movement. October 11 is the birth anniversary of veteran socialist leader Jaiprakash Narayan and Advani's yatra is to begin from Sitab Diara in Saran district of Bihar, which is the birth place of Narayan.

The senior leader said he would go to BJP-NDA ruled states and insisted these were better governed than others despite having some shortcomings.

Aldershot turning away the Gurkhas?

Continued from page 1 It's a pity and a matter of shame, that these ex soldiers are at the receiving end today, despite of the sacrifices they have made for the Britons.

Reportedly, Sam Phillips from Aldershot, who had initially signed the petition for the Gurkhas with Lumley, has now allegedly turned against her, starting facebook groups. Last week Gerald Howarth, the Aldershot MP, told The Sunday Telegraph that the Lumley campaign was “a very good example of how politicians should not be swept along by movie stars”.

But then came perhaps the most dramatic intervention of all. Joanna Lumley, The Sunday Telegraph reported further had written on Thursday to David Cameron and Nick Clegg, conveying the message that: “In view of what is happening in Aldershot, can I add my voice to saying 'Come on, let’s get this sorted out.’”

She told a national daily, “There is a terrible problem in these towns. I live here in Stockwell, south London, where people come from all parts of the world and all colours of the rainbow, and everyone is comfortable with each other. What I hadn’t expected was that in these garrison towns, there would be

such a hateful, xenophobic reaction. The bitter irony is that, if these protesters ever went to Nepal, where the Gurkhas come from, they would receive the warmest welcome and the best of everything from some of the poorest people in the world.”

“I know that there is a snarl-up with money at the moment and that public funds are scarce, but this has to be made to work by more resources being provided. It should have happened long ago. The Government cannot just make a decision to let the Gurkhas settle, then throw it in the air and leave it to land wherever. These brave and valiant men have fought alongside us, and for us, for 200 years and we have a duty to make good our promises to them.”

However, on the wake of this controversy, British Gurkha Welfare Society chairman and Greater Rushmoor Nepali Community president Major Tikendra Dal Dewan (retired), met with Mr Howarth on 24 September to express concern at remarks that future Gurkha settlers should be ‘dispersed’ in response to increasing pressures on local services in the borough of Rushmoor.

The delegation highlighted concerns of Nepali residents over the

remarks, while stating a desire to work together to resolve the pressures being placed on community services. The delegation did, however, stress the need for long-term planning to cope with the care requirements of Gurkha veterans and their families in later life when some are likely to need access to care homes – and stressed the importance of equal pensions.

The BGWS and GRNC have claimed that following the meeting they are reassured that Mr Howarth’s comments on dispersement were not intended to label Gurkhas as asylum seekers, but were made with a view to ensuring that future migrants have access to local services and care that would be more available in other boroughs than Rushmoor, where services were not in a position to cope with any further population increases, rather than just those from Nepal.

Major Dewan has also confirmed that he is liaising with the leaders of Facebook groups and a planned march on the pressures facing Rushmoor in order to develop a communitywide solution.

Major Tikendra Dal Dewan (retired), Chairman of the BGWS and President of the GRNC, said:

“I am heartened by our discussions with Mr Howarth.

This was a frank but very amiable and constructive meeting, from which I believe he understands and respects the concerns of Nepalis over his recent comments and shares our desire to work together for benefit of everyone in Rushmoor, as well as those Gurkha veterans and the families who either already reside in the UK or might choose to come here in the future.

“We are in full agreement with Mr Howarth that Gurkhas considering moving to the UK from Nepali must be better informed of the standard of living they can expect – and equally we have reiterated to him our belief that granting Gurkhas equal pensions will prove a cost effective solution that is to the benefit of everyone.

While the Gurkhas love the UK and its people, we must accept that many have moved here to access a quality of life denied to them in Nepal. Granting them equal pensions will allow them their preference of returning to friends and family in Nepal – and will relief the UK of an increasingly costly burden of care as these veterans reach the later stages of their lives and need greater support, perhaps including access to care homes.”

fesTivaL / TRAVEl

asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Dussehra marks victory of good over evil Dussehra is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil and victory of gods over demons.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ram killed Ravana on the tenth day of their battle and it came to be known as Vijayadashmi or the Victory on the Tenth Day. Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of Aswin according to Hindu calendar and falls between October and November.

This year it falls on 6th October, when the celebration will be organized in a grand way. The preparations for Dussehra are carried out days in advance. Dussehra day is considered a most auspicious day. It is a timehonored belief that if any new venture is started on this day, it is bound to be successful.

Hence, all the undertakings, be it laying-in of foundation of a new building, opening of a new commercial establishment or even initiating a child into the world of learning- are started on this day. Also on this day implements of agricul-

ture, manufacturer's machines, household articles, the children's school books are placed before the idol of Durga and worshiped.

Burning of the effigies of Ravana: According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama performed chandi-puja (holy prayer). This was carried out in order to invoke the blessings of Durga Maa for the killing of Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka who had abducted Seeta, wife

of Lord Rama.

Durga Maa divulged the secret to Rama on how he could slay the great Ravana. Hence upon vanquishing the demon Ravana, Lord Rama with Sita and younger brother Laxmana, returned victorious to his kingdom of Ayodhya on the day which is called 'Diwali'.

PurVi’s traVel bag

By Purvi Apurva Shah

Revelers across northern India re-enact the legend at sundown in a performance called the Ramlila, featuring actors dressed as Rama shooting flaming arrows at effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghanad stuffed with firecrackers.

Dussera is celebrated in different parts of India differently: In Mysore in the hilltop Chamundi temple, Dussera is a picturesque festival. The goddess is the Maharaja's family deity and a procession of elephants, courtiers and court symbols attracts tourists by the thousands as it wends its circuitous way to the temple, decorated splendidly for the festival. With the decline of the royal family of Mysore, however, the festival has lost some its traditional lustre.

In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, families arrange dolls (Bommai Kolu) and arte facts with decorative displays of lamps and flowers. Women traditionally exchange gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets.

Indian Wedding Pre marriage ritual

Panda Kaal Muhurtham: It is customary to invoke the blessings of the family deity before the marriage and families of both bride and groom pray to the deity.

Receiving the Groom: When the groom and his family arrive at the wedding hall, they are welcomed and rose water is sprinkled on the groom.

The bride's brother applies a sandalwood paste and kumkum on his forehead and garlands him. It is also customary to break a coconut to the ground as this is believed to help ward off evil spirits.

Vratham: It is usually performed a day before the wedding by the families of both bride and groom. They recite Vedic hymns in the presence of a priest and seek the blessings of a family deity.

Next, they invoke the blessings of all their ancestors and pray for their intervention in removing those obstacles that threaten to disrupt the wedding proceedings.

Pallikai Thellichal: In this ceremony, the family of the bride fill clay pots with nine varieties of grains. Then water is

sprinkled over the grains.

The next day when the grains sprout, these pots are immersed in a pond.

Naandi: This ceremony involves honouring Brahmins with gifts and sweets.

Nicchiyadharatham: The bride's parents perform Ganesh Pooja in the presence of the priest. The bride is also present during the ceremony. The groom's side gives the bride a new sari. She wears it. A tilak of chandan and kumkum is

Muhurtum: On the wedding day, the groom is welcomed by the bride’s father in the mandapam. This is followed by washing the groom’s feet with water by the father- in- law. Then the bride sits on her father's lap holding a coconut. Then both the bride and her father offer coconut to the groom. In the meantime, the bride's mother puts water over the coconut. In this way, the father gives away his daughter to the groom. A nine-yard sari is presented to the bride by t h e groom’s family which is to be worn on the marriage mandapam.

In the mandapam, the bride’s father is made to sit on a sack of paddy kept on the mandapam floor.

The bride sits on her father’s lap and a yoke of a farmer's plough touched on her forehead. Touching the sacred thread Mangalsutra, the priest and relatives bless the couple which the bridegroom ties in two knots putting it around the bride’s neck.

The third knot is tied by the groom’s sister.

Saptapadi: Then they circle around the ceremonial fire 7 times, with each time the bride touching her feet to the grindstone.

Tamil Brahmin wedding applied on her forehead, while the pallav (part of the sari near the border) of her sari is filled with fruits, paan-supari, turmeric, kumkum and coconut.

Rituals followed during the weddings: Mangala Snaanam and Kashi Yatra: At dawn on the wedding day, the bride and groom have an auspicious holy bath.

Garlands exchange and Oonjal: Garlands are exchanged thrice between the bride and the groom.

After this they are seated on a swing. Then the married women feed the newly weds with banana pieces and spoonfuls of milk.

Kanyadaanam and

27

Living like king on the Mandvi beach Camps on the sandy beach? Every season is amazingly wonderful at Mandvi beach. Whether it is sunny or chilly winter.

Drenching in rain is most beautiful.

It’s mesmerizing to be around sapphire water all the time. The deluxe camps on the Mandvi beach are equipped with air-conditioners, roomheaters, tiled bathrooms, furniture and other articles of royal ambiance. It’s like living king’s life on the beach.

The beach is a curving stretch of white sand fringed by blue waters, with windmills on one side, the Sunset pavilion on the other, and an uninterrupted view of the sea in front. The sea is safe for swimming and the beach is ideal for walking, making Mandvi a beach-holiday paradise. Camel and horse rides on the dunes of the beach is lot of fun.

The camp also has a restaurant made of thatch and bamboo with a majestic view of the Arabian Sea. It is a multi cuisine restaurant, serving Indian,

thatched umbrella and sun-bath lovers can either soak in the sun after a long swim.

Till date, Mandvi Palace has been the prime location for filming many Bollywood Blockbusters. It’s time to go Gujarat and spend a few days in the palace of peace and solitude.

Mandvi is located on the banks of the

Gama is said to have used sailors from Mandvi to navigate the stretch from Mombasa to Zanzibar.

This place is known for its 400 year old ship building centre. The local carpenters still make ocean going dhows in much the same way that their ancestors had done a century ago. One can go and visit the men at work,

Rukmavati river, barely one km away from the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch. On the sea shore 60 km to the south of Bhuj. It is 381 km from Ahmedabad and can be reached by road. Mandvi was earlier a famous har-

shaping the great vessels with hand tools and coaxing the seasoned timber into shape.

Also a chance for photographing birds like the flamingos, godwits, sandpipers, gulls.

The beach in Mandvi is of pristine beauty, with blue waters that run over white sands, serving as the perfect backdrop for a laidback vacation. There are many options for water sports like para sailing, skiing, water scooting, surfing, and speed boat riding There is also an ancient temple that is located nearby, in the village of Somnathpur. This temple attracts a lot of tourists too.

The Maharao's private beach, behind Vijay Vilas Palace, is 8 km from town, and requires a small fee (the other beaches are free and open to the public). More secluded than the others, the Vijay Vilas Beach has nice white sand, lovely places to swim and accommodation available in air-conditioned tents along the shore.

Vijay Vilas Palace

Continental and Chinese fare as well as the local flavours.

The sea-food and tandoori delicacies are a speciality. A romantic, candlelight bar-be-cue on the beach is a must have! The restaurant is also a great hit with the Army and Airforce officers stationed in Kutch.

The resort on the beach is also a good option. A lounge, with arm-chairs under the

bour. It was connected with South Africa, Zanzibar, Arabia, Malaysia, China and Japan.

Navigators of Mandvi were famous all over the world.

Mandvi is also famous for its ship building yards and for its blue water serene bleaches. It is famous for its tie-dye, silver work and for its stunning architecture.

Mandvi is a picturesque town with many old buildings. Even Vasco Da

28

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 This week highlights from Asian Achievers Awards 2011 will be shown on CB Live. Comedian Dinkar Mehta from Ahmedabad, India will also be interviewed and he will present some Gujarati jokes.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500

7pm to 8pm

For more information e-mail: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Coming Events l India League and Indian High Commission organises Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October at Tavistock Square, 11am. It will be attended by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, HE Rajesh N Prasad, the Acting High Commissioner of India, British MPs and Lords. l Mr. Ashok Kumar Verma, President of Global Punjabi Society (UK) Chapter announces GPS's Award Nite and Diwali Dinner and Dance, 7pm on Saturday 29th October 2011 at the Liecester Stage Hotel, Wigston Fields, Leicester LE18 1JW. Contact: gpsuk@dcscare.org/ 07710433964. l 20 Great Human Values- from Bhagavad Gita, Monday 3 Oct- Wed 5th Oct, 7-8:30pm. Conway Hall, London WC1R 4RL, Free admission. l Asia House, 3 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7LP- Film Screening: Everywhere and Nowhere with post-screening talk with Director Menhaj Huda, Friday 30 Sep, 2011 6:45 PM

Navratri Special l Aden Mitra Mandal celebrates Navratri, 28th of Sep to the 6th of Oct, and follow up the sharad purnima garba on the 11th of Oct at Alperton Community School, HA0 4PW. l Surrey Gujarati Hindu Society celebrates Navratri festival, Kingsley Junior School ,Chapman Road,Croydon,CRo 3JT, 28th September to 5th October. Sharad punam, Tuesday 11th October 2011 with music. 7.30-11.00pm. Admission free.

Contact: Ghanshyam Patel on 0208 773 1828. l Anandmilanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebrates Navratri, Guildford Community Centre, Leapale Lane, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4LY, 28th Sept to 6th Oct, 8pm to 11pm.

Entry is free to members and, in 2011, membership to Anandmilan is also free. l Kingston Navratri Festival: 28th September till Thursday 6th October at the Tolworth Recreational Centre, Fullers Way North, KT6 7LQ from 8.30pm till late. Sharad Poonam-11th October with 'Rangeela Orchestra'. Entry free for all children under 14 years and paid members. Contact: Mahendra Thakar 07508 346810 l LCEL celebrates Navratri, from Wednesday 28th September 2011 and Sharad Poonam, 11th October 2011, Oasis Banqueting Hall, 6 Thames Road, Barking, Ilford: IG11 0HZ 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 of Operations ABPL: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 - Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Advertising Managers: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Media Consultant: Rovin John George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Business Development Managers: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Nikhil Gor - Email: nikhil.gor@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4009 - Mobile: 07875 229 200 Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Unexpected developments could have a favourable long-term effect on your prosperity and you may place your expectations at a higher level. You may feel at times that the results of your efforts are not coming up to expectation. However, this seems like a temporary blip in what is otherwise a highly constructive state of affairs.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

l Hari Aum Arts and Cultural Association Presents Navratri Festival, Hindu Cultural Society 3 Lyndhurst Avenue (Entrance), London N12 0NE, 28th September 2011 To 6th October 2011 Poonam Celebration On Saturday 8th Ocober 2011, 8.00pm Till late. Free.

Contact: Suresh H Depala- 020 8446 5057 l Navratri Garba at Jalaram Jyot, Repton Avenue, Sudbury, Wembley, Middx HA0 3DW daily from 8.00pm from Wednesday 28th September till Thursday 6th October. Free entry. Interested sponsor- Contact: Usha Purohit - 07894 858 566 l Cardiff Sanatan Dharma Mandal & Hindu Community Centre organises Navratri from 38th September-5th October, 8-11pm. Sharad Purnima on Tuesday 11th October, 8-11pm Seaview Building, (Opposite Splott Market), Lewis Road, Cardiff CF24 5EB l Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford - Navratri Festival: Wednesday 28th September to Thursday 6th October 2011 from 8pm to 10pm - Durga ashtami havan: Tuesday 4th October 2011 from 11am to 4pm Contact: 0208 578 8088, Shree Jalaram Mandir, 39-45 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9LB COMPETITION The correct answer for last week's competition is Harris Jayaraj.

The winners are Priyen Gosrani and Manoj Maniar.

We request the winners to email their postal address to aveditorial@abplgroup.com by Saturday 15th October 2011.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 This is a good time to appreciate what you have already created in your life.

There are still challenging issues on both a personal and practical level. It's a time of slow and steady progress that can set the stage for a long time to come. To get here you may have overcome obstacles by making important decision and choices.

You might feel that life

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 is in the doldrums, but

appearances could prove deceptive. The underlying trend indicates that deep creative energies are stirring within you and that seemingly insignificant events and meetings will play a vital role in the future enrichment of life. This is a time to flow with the tide.

It seems that the winds of change begin to gather momentum and put a strong focus on domestic matters. The outlook remains optimistic and the way forward will bring you a sense of real achievement. However, this is not likely to be an easy-going week because demands on time and energy are going to be heavy.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

Decision making will prove to be a bit of a bind because of your wavering mind - seek professional advice and then steam ahead. You will also be in great demand socially and you can expect to be invited to a few get-togethers. Be careful with your expenditure as you have a tendency to be extravagant.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 A progressive time ahead regarding money and the material world, and the keyword is increase. Personal charm and confidence is on the increase, so get involved in high level talks. During this phase, choose your words carefully as you can upset people around you. Some of you will be tempted to have extra marital affairs !

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 With both Venus and Mars resonating powerfully in your Solar chart, amorous affairs are likely to become extremely intense. Sometimes it is better to get a more objective view of the pattern of your life. You may find that you can enrich your lifestyle by simplifying certain areas and re-organsing your priorities.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 There is a rather secretive aura surrounding new romance, which could turn into something very special. Give top priority to important official matters and communications. This applies particularly to financial and commercial interests. If you can manage to get away from usual routines, this will prove to be highly enjoyable.

207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel/Fax: +91 79 2646 6061 Chief Executive Director: Kamlesh Amin Tel: +91 922 710 4308 Email: kamleshamin123@yahoo.co.in Editorial Co-Ordinator (BPO): Nilesh Parmar (M) +919426636912 Consulting Editor (BPO): Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Tel: +91 79 2630 4142 Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 205 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel / Fax: +91 79 2646 5960 (M) +91 9913346487 Email: horizonadvt2009@yahoo.in Neeta Patel, (Advertising Manager) (M) +91 98255 11702 International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group(South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 222471 4122 Email: jainmedia@eth.net

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 There will be increased scope for varying your activities, widening your network of contacts and getting out and about. It is an excellent time for exercising your mental energies and getting involved in discussions. Exercise caution when it comes to making financial decisions as being hasty will cost you !

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 There are subtle transformations taking shape in you life and a feeling of helpful influences in the background. There is much to suggest that you are in touch with those hidden forces which often seem to take a guiding hand in one's life.

Focus on essentials and establish a solid foundation, so that you feel secure.

Either you or your partner have been going through a phase of inner doubts and uncertainties, and perhaps the main source of tension has simply been the need for breathing space in your relationship and a need to look at things more objectively. Wait before going full steam ahead with grand actions and gestures.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

The pattern of significant relationships in your life will continue to favour you. It seems that a great deal of mutual benefit will accrue because of various interactions.

This is an excellent time for dealing with long-term money matters. You also stand to benefit through a bonus, rebate or perhaps a lucky windfall.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

HealtH WATcH

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Early risers are happier and slimmer "Early to bed, early to rise keeps a man healthy, wealthy and wise," Benjamin Franklin famously said around 300 years ago. Now, scientists have confirmed it.

Researchers at the Roehampton University in the UK found claimed that early risers were slimmer, happier and healthier than those who got up later in the day.

Worst off are night owls, the researchers said, as late nights appear to be

taking their toll on health and happiness.

For their study, the researchers quizzed almost 1,100 men and women about their health and sleeping habits.

Around 13 per cent of those questioned were larks, getting up before 7am during the week and seeing no need for a lie-in at the weekend.

Night owls, who fall out of bed just before 9 am from Monday to Friday and sleep in on Saturdays

and Sundays, accounted for another 6 per cent.

The remaining 81 per cent fell somewhere in between. The analysis revealed the early risers to have fewest signs of depression and anxiety.

They were also more likely to eat breakfast something that has previously been linked with slimness.

Study author Dr Jorge Huber said, "These effects are small - and in some occupations and situations there are clearly advantages to being an evening person - but they are highly statistically significant.

"If you are an evening type, you are not necessarily a miserable person but there is some difference."

Dr Huber wasn't sure of the cause, but he believes it may be that late bed times make for a worse night's sleep.

Five vegetables for good health Green leafy vegetables are arguably one of the richest sources of nutrition. While everyone knows that green vegetables are good for the body, most of us tend to still avoid eating them.

Consuming veggies need not be a chore. With the wide variety available, you can easily find one to suit your tastes. Here are some top green vegetables that can do your health wonders.

Broccoli: Broccoli is considered a wonder food for its ability to help prevent cancer. The vegetable is recommended for those suffering from heart disorders and strokes. Being packed with iron it’s ideal for anaemia patients as well. Boil or steam your broccoli flowers lightly and eat so that they don't lose all the nutrients.

Cabbage: Whether consumed raw or cooked in a dish, cabbage has many

benefits. It is said to be great for the skin and eyes as it’s full of vitamin A. The phytonutrients present in this vegetable help the body fight against the free radicals. It also helps with lung, stomach and colon prostate cancer. Those interested in body building may want to eat cabbage as it’s full of iodine that is needed for muscle development.

Bean sprouts: Sprinkled on salads or eaten as a between meals snack, sprouts are a great way of getting some nutrients. They are rich in vitamin C and a handful of fresh sprouts can provide you with three-quarters of your daily vitamin C

requirement. In addition they also contain vitamins A, B and E as well as calcium, iron, and potassium.

Spinach: The vegetable contains carotenoid that help prevent cancer. It's also loaded with vitamins like C and A that helps with good eyesight and glowing skin. The high level of potassium makes it very beneficial for high blood pressure patients.

Further it strengthens muscles and helps those suffering from anaemia.

Lettuce: Depending on the variety, the nutrients in lettuce vary. Romaine lettuce is said to be the most healthy one boasting of vitamins A, B, and C, folic acid, manganese and chromium.

It makes for an excellent salad as it is low in calories.

Lettuce is also a good source of iron which helps with blood formation. It also has magnesium, vital for the brain and the nerves.

29

Any quest ions writ e to m amta @thinkspalon

By Mamta Saha don.com

Psychologist

How to face your fears and achieve your dreams In this weeks article I spoke to Geeta Prajapati founder of the event management company: Social Angel. Despite being a busy, full time working mum of two small boys Geeta has made the time to realize her passion and dreams by setting up this brilliant company. Read below to find out how she did it – despite life’s challenges and hurdles.

Q. What motivates you everyday?

A. The love and support of my husband and sons, and the passion to make a difference in the community, especially to Mums.

Q. What inspired you to set up Social Angel?

A. From as far back as I can remember, I was always organizing family functions and events for friends. When I became a Mum, I organized gettogethers and nights out for Mums. People were always saying they were impressed with my organizational skills and to me to become an events manager. So here I am… To me, I love seeing people have a fantastic time.

Q. Tell us about your business A. Social Angel is an events production company that specializes in organizing events predominantly for local woman. Us Mums are so busy that time can escape us and we want to get out but just don’t have the time to arrange it. Mums need to have chance to just be

themselves, glam up and forget the home, husbands and kids for a few hours.

I’m here to solve that issue.

Q. What advice would you give to individuals who have a passion but are too scared to set up a business?

A. Just go for it! If you have your house, kids and partner organized then, you can start a business.

Apply those rules to your business and you will surely succeed. I also see a business like a newborn baby. You have to put the hours in to get the rewards just like we do with our children.

Q. What do you do to get through any fears?

A. I use positive thinking and visualization. On top of that, my wonderful husband and some very close friends who are like family are great sounding boards. Sometimes you just need to talk through things out and then realize that your fears have no basis.

Q. What is your attitude towards politics and troublemakers?

A. Rise above it and them or let them have their opinion and move on.

It also depends on the situation. I believe that kind of behavior stems from some deeper issue or insecurity.

Q. What is your life motto?

A. Give love and be loved.

Q. Who inspires you

and why?

A. Any person who has strived hard, and overcome the odds to become a success in their field, dream or life. That doesn’t just mean monetary wealth but in all aspects of life. My favorite, inspirational celeb is Kimora Lee Simmons. I love her fun but straightforward attitude to life and that she has similar insecurities just like us about her body image and pushes forward woman of color.

Q. How has thinkspalondon coaching helped you to set up your business and be a success?

A., Mamta's advice has been invaluable from the start from thinking of a name but predominantly about bringing out my confidence in myself and making me learn to believe in myself. Her style was particularly helpful in advising me on how to overcome my fears in public speaking. She has been an absolute great sounding board too.

For further information search for Social Angel on Facebook.

I am conducting a 2hour webinar on October the 23rd on ‘How to face your fears and achieve your dreams’. You can be a part of this seminar from the comfort of your own home – all you need is access to the Internet. To find out more contact me: mamta@thinkspalondon.c om. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter: thinkspalondon and ‘like’ us on Facebook.

Eating fruits, veggies lower heart disease risk People who consume more fruit and vegetables have a lower risk of dying from ischaemic heart disease the most common form of heart disease, says a European study.

However, the authors point out that a higher fruit and vegetable intake occurs among people with other healthy eating habits and lifestyles, and that these factors could also be associated with the lower risk of dying from IHD. Data analysed from the

European Prospective Investigation into Cancer

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and Nutrition (EPIC) Heart study has shown

that people who ate at least eight portions of fruit and vegetables a day had a 22 per cent lower risk of dying from IHD than did those who consumed fewer than three portions a day. A portion weighed 80 grams, equal to a small banana, a medium apple, or a small carrot.

Dr Francesca Crowe of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford, UK, and the first author of the paper by the EPIC study collaborators, said: "This study involved

over 300,000 people in eight different European countries, with 1,636 deaths from IHD. It shows a 4 per cent reduced risk of dying from IHD for each additional portion of fruit and vegetables consumed above the lowest intake of two portions. In other words, the risk of a fatal IHD for someone eating five portions of fruit and

vegetables a day would be 4 per cent lower compared to someone consuming four portions a day, and so on up to eight portions or more."

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is characterised by reduced blood supply to the heart; people suffering from it can develop angina, chest pains and have a heart attack.

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30

Sport

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

Anand to fight for honours at Grand Slam Masters final First there was Linares.

Then you had Monaco.

Mainz and Bilbao followed. Chess had these unique events over the last three decades and it’s time to move on.

Welcome to Sao Paulo, which hosts the first half of the Grand Slam Masters final, a six-player double-round robin tournament which started on Sunday with more features added to those which were already experimented over the years.

In short, it will be a fusion of chess tournaments held so far but the format remaining classical. No draws and football scoring system (three points for win and one for draw) were part of the Grand Slam Masters in previous editions but the Sao Paulo half adds a sound-proof, air-conditioned glass box as the venue inside a park, to make chess fully open to the public.

World champion Viswanathan Anand, World No 1 Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Hikaru Nakamura (US), Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine) and Francisco Vallejo Pons (Spain) will be the star attractions in the event which will be shared between Sao Paulo (September 25-October 1) and Bilbao (October 6-11). Continuing the trend of sharing the event with a partner city, Bilbao (original hosts) has added Sao Paulo this year as co-hosts.

Close to a million visitors are expected to be at the Ibirapuera Park in Sao Paulo as the top six players would fight it out inside a transparent box in the middle of the park for honours in the 4th Grand Slam Final Masters.

“The eyes of the chess world will be focused on Brazil during that week,” said GM Gilberto Milos, one of the organisers. Several other activities are planned to be performed in parallel with this great event to entertain the public and promote chess among non-practitioners.

The chess programme will run from 10 am in the morning until 9 pm. Gilberto Milos, the brain behind bringing the event to Brazil, is excited to give a special tournament to the football city.

Former England all-rounder Cork retires at 40 Former England all-rounder Dominic Cork has announced his retirement from cricket at the age of 40. Cork played 37 Test matches and 32 one-day internationals during a career which included spells with Derbyshire, Lancashire and Hampshire in the county game. Cork says his decision is partly motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family following the death of his father recently. He says "it's a hard decision, but it's the right decision for me." Cork made his England debut in a one-day international against Pakistan in 1992, and his Test debut in 1995 against West Indies at Lord's. He played his last England matches in both forms of the game against India in 2002.

Goodbye, sweet Prince

By Premen Addy The death of Mansur Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi, in New Delhi last week, marked the passing of one of the most naturally gifted batsmen of his generation. He followed in the footsteps of his father Iftikar, who captained India in England on the resumption of international cricket in the summer of 1946 after the Second World War. He had earlier appeared in English colours in the notorious bodyline series of 1932-33 in Australia, scoring a century on his Test debut. He earned an Oxford blue as one of the varsity's most prolific batsmen.

His son Mansur Ali played for Winchester, one of England's most prestigious public schools, before going on to Oxford, where he gave notice of his precocious talent. He scored two hundreds in the Varsity match against County champions Yorkshire in 1959, with the legendary fast bowler Freddie Trueman in his pomp. The young Pataudi was clearly destined to be a superstar when tragedy struck. Driving through Sussex, the county for whom he played, his car was involved in a crash which damaged his right eye, blurring his vision ever more and blighting his prospects for true sporting greatness. A lesser being would have thrown in the towel, but Pataudi, made of sterner stuff, adjusted his stance to cope with the express bowlers of his day such as West Indians Wes Hall and Gary Sobers and England's John Snow against whom he scored a memorable 148 in the Headingly Test on India's 1967 tour of England.

At 21, he became India's youngest ever Test captain in 1962. He introduced professional standards in fielding, being himself a superb performer in the covers for Sussex. He made 103 against England in his second Test innings in

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi

Madras and played gloriously against Australia on a couple of occasions, reminding followers of the game of the natural gifts that were never to bloom because of the partial loss of sight.

The late Sir Gubby Allen, who captained England in Australia and the West Indies and became President of the MCC, and was interviewed by me for the Calcutta magazine Sports World, had no doubt that the younger Pataudi would have been one of the three best batsmen of his time if destiny had dealt him a kinder hand. The veteran cricket writer Jim Stanton was equally convinced that he would have been one of the best batsmen if he had two fully functioning eyes. But that, alas, was not to be.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was always good to hear on radio and television for his presentation of the facts and his lucid analysis of them, leaving the twaddle to those whose knowledge and understanding of cricket barely

equalled the wisdom of his thumb or little finger! But that is how it is in India, where only money seems talk.

Pataudi was a gentleman to his fingertips, the sweet Prince who has gone to his rest and will be heard no more.

••• Moving on to more mundane mattes, England fell woefully short at the Oval in their Twenty/20 encounter with West Indies. Having won the first match in a canter, they banked on a perfect end to what would have been the perfect season - such stuff as dreams are made on.

The tourists were shot out for 113, but they surprised their opponents by dismissing them for a paltry 88. A shellshocked Graeme Swan couldn't explain his side's collapse, but it will take a brave spirit to wager that England's good times are drawing to a close. They are too talented and professional for that.

That said, watch out for the West Indies Under 19s who will shortly be touring India. There is budding talent in their midst waiting to blossom.

Courtney Walsh, the former Caribbean fast bowling great, is the manager; his wealth of experience at the game's highest levels should stand the youngsters in good stead in unaccustomed surroundings.

Postscript: Athleticism brings a spring to the step of all sportsmen and women. Who is not thrilled by the power and stride of the 100 metre sprinter Usain Bolt. The Kenyan marathon virtuoso Patrick Makau belongs surely to this elite category, having broken the world marathon record in Berlin, where he clocked an astonishing 2 hours 3 minutes and 38 seconds, shaving a full 21 seconds off the previous mark, set on the same course three years ago by the Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie, who failed to finish this time because of stomach pains.

Lionel Messi closing in on Kubala’s 194-goal Barca record Lionel Messi is determined to keep breaking goal-scoring records at Barcelona after his 12th career hattrick for the European and Spanish champions took him to 192 at the club.

The 24-year-old Argentine magician hit his latest hat-trick in the 5-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid and is now just two behind Hungary's Laszlo Kubala who scored 194 in his career at the Camp Nou in the 1950s.

Once he gets past that, the all-time club record of 235, set by Cesar Rodriguez between 1939 and 1955, will be easily within his sights.

“I'm pretty calm about it. I just take it a game at a time, but obviously I'm

Lionel Messi

very excited about becoming top scorer,” Messi told fcbarcelona.com.

“Many years have gone by and it's still the same player (Kubala).

Hopefully I can beat his stats. I want to continue breaking records here”.

Atletico are his favourite victims with 14 goals scored against the Madrid side, including three hat-tricks.

Barcelona have racked up 22 goals in five La Liga games this season, but Messi insists there is still room for improvement, especially getting used to playing a 3-4-3 system that coach Pep Guardiola has chosen.

“We feel pretty comfortable with it.

There are some things we still aren't doing well, just like with the previous system, but that's OK,” he said.

Indian cricket board seeks apology from Akhtar Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar may feel he is entitled to an opinion, but his comments on Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in 'Controversially Yours' - a new autobiography - have not gone down well with the Indian cricket board.

Some BCCI officials are now demanding that Akhtar apologise to the players for his "offensive" comments. IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said: "Has he forgotten how Tendulkar treated him during the Centurion World Cup match in 2003? He was whacked all over the park. He should apologize to both Tendulkar and Dravid for saying what he said in the book.

"A player like Tendulkar does not need a certificate from Shoaib. He has got that from Australian legend Don

Shoaib Akhtar

Sachin Tendulkar

Bradman. Regarding Rahul Dravid, he has made centuries in all conditions and against all attacks.

Both don't need to prove anything to Shoaib. Who is Akhtar to write all this?"

In the book, Akhtar has scoffed Tendulkar and Dravid's

match-winning capabilities and suggested that Tendulkar appeared to be 'scared' of his short-pitched stuff. Tendulkar has refrained from reacting.

Following the furore over the comments, though, the book's launch in Mumbai was called off on Saturday and protests contin-

Rahul Dravid

ued till Sunday.

Shukla added: "He (Tendulkar) is still touching new heights and as far as Dravid is concerned, he is continuing to play some great knocks which underline his commitment to the team. He showed what he could do with the bat in England.

Whatever Shoaib has written is distasteful," Shukla added.

BCCI CAO Ratnakar Shetty, said: "His comments don't deserve any attention."

"Akhtar is a retired cricketer and we can't even ask the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to intervene. He has spoken a lot of ill even about Pakistan cricket and how their fast bowlers tampered with the ball. No one can take any action against him. But since he has been a cricketer, it's his moral responsibility to apologize to the Indian cricketers for what he said," Shukla insisted.

"It's a gentleman's sport and that is why Akhtar should seek an apology for his own dignity.

It's not in the BCCI's jurisdiction to stop someone from writing a book. But what he wrote is not cricket."

SPort WorLd

Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011

ICC dismisses Sachin’s ODI proposal The ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat last week shot down Sachin Tendulkar's proposed changes in the ODI format making it a four innings 25-over-affair rather than current 50over format.

"There is no need to change the format," Lorgat told reporters at a breakfast interaction in Colombo.

Tendulkar, a prolific run-scorer in ODIs with over 18,000 runs, 48 centuries and 95 half centuries had written a letter to Lorgat, seeking a radical switch from two 50-over innings to four phased out innings of 25 overs each, a method tried in Australian domestic cricket.

"We did receive a written proposal from Sachin, but that was a long time back. I myself have spoken to him many times about it, the last one as recent as during the World Cup in

Haroon Lorgat

April. The success of the tournament showed that the 50-over format was sound in health and there was no need for dramatic changes," Lorgat added.

He further added," The executive board meeting after the World Cup decided that the present format was doing well. That has not changed,"

Lorgat stressed.

The senior batsman had argued that four alternate innings of 25 overs would be a fair way to balance the advantage gained by the team which won the toss in conditions such as bad weather, sub-quality pitches which historically had proven that a match can virtually be decided by the toss of a coin.

Lorgat also commented on another point of contention with India - the DRS. He thought the system was working well despite Indian dislike towards it.

"Even the best of umpires have a success rate of 95 per cent. We see a five per cent improvement because of the UDRS while there can be 1 per cent margin for error. The question is if we want to sacrifice 5 per cent for 1 per cent?," Lorgat questioned.

ICC unveils 2012 World HC rejects IPL franchise Twenty20 schedule Kochi Tuskers plea

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the match schedule and unveiled the event logo of the 2012 World Twenty20, which will be staged in Sri Lanka from September 18 to October 7.

Reigning champion England will start its title defence at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 21, against one of the two qualifiers for the tournament.

Stuart Broad's side will complete its opening group commitments two days later against 2007 champion India at the same venue.

Au s t r a l i a , chasing the one global trophy to have eluded them, will go head-to-head with the other qualifier in Colombo on 19 September, part of a doubleheader that also features India and a qualifier.

Sri Lanka, which lost to England in the semi-final of last year's tournament in the West Indies, will open its campaign against Zimbabwe under lights in Hambantota on the first day of the tournament (September 18) before taking on South Africa at the same venue on September 22.

If Sri Lanka reaches the

Super Eight, it will then go on to play in Pallekele before moving to Colombo if it qualifies for the knock-out stage. Pakistan has been grouped with New Zealand and Bangladesh, and will play its matches in Pallekele on September 23 and 25 respectively.

Pallekele will also host the New ZealandBangladesh match on September 21.

If everything goes according to pretournament seedings then Pakistan and India will lock horns in a Super Eight match in Colombo on September 30.

The tournament will include two teams qualifying from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012, which will be staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from March 13-24.

"It will be exciting to see who eventually qualifies. In 2010, Afghanistan made history by qualifying to play on the global stage which was great reward for them and the development of the game," ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.

The event logo - "Modern Spin" - was also unveiled by Lorgat.

The Bombay High Court last week rejected IPL franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala's plea seeking to restrain the Cricket Board (BCCI) from encashing or enforcing its bank guarantee of Rs 1.54 billion.

"I refuse to give any relief and I am rejecting the application," Justice S F Vajifdar said in a brief order, the

details of which would be given later.

On September 19, the BCCI had terminated the contract of Kochi Tuskers Kerala for alleged breach of contractual terms, prompting the IPL franchise to move the high court.

The BCCI had announced earlier that it had decided to encash or enforce the bank guarantee of Kochi Tuskers in their possession and also termi-

nate the franchise as they had allegedly breached the contractual terms.

The consortium, which was mired in a bitter ownership dispute since its very inception, had defaulted on a Rs 1.54 billion annual payment it was to make despite repeated reminders from the IPL authorities.

Kochi Tuskers chairman Mukesh Patel had reacted sharply to BCCI's decision to terminate the franchise, saying they had not defaulted.

He said BCCI will pay them Rs 120 to 150 million next month as part of central revenue.

Patel had further said that BCCI did not cut down franchise fees despite reducing the number of matches in IPL 4 from 94 to 74 due to packed international calendar.

"The number of games in Tender Document was 94, they then reduced it to 74 but did not reduce the franchise fees."

The franchise, which was bought for Rs 15.50 billion, was supposed to make the yearly payment for next 10 years. Kochi's termination means the 10-team tournament would now be reduced to nine for the next season.

31

Serena Williams named Unicef’s ambassador Tennis superstar Serena Williams has been appointed Unicef's newest international Goodwill Ambassador. Unicef Executive Director Anthony Lake announced Williams' appointment last week, saying she is also known as a philanthropist and champion of children. Williams teamed up with Unicef in 2006 when she travelled to Ghana for the African country's biggest health campaign.

Volunteer health workers immunized children against childhood diseases and distributed free mosquito bed nets to prevent malaria. With Unicef, Williams will use her popularity to support the UN agency's mission to provide a quality education for vulnerable children. Past and present Unicef ambassadors include Audrey Hepburn, David Beckham and Shakira.

'Shy' Nadal strips again for new Armani campaign World No.2 Rafael Nadal, who recently revealed that posing in an undergarment was very 'tricky', has stripped down again for a brand new Armani campaign. One image shows the 25year-old Spanish tennis player displaying his impressive torso as he poses in dark underwear while holding a dark leather jacket. Another image shows the star lying on a wooden floor in the Armani shorts, showing off his pumped up muscles. Earlier this year, the Spaniard, had said that his new modeling sideline had been a positive influence. "Now that I'm working with Armani [it] is a new experience," he had said.

"It's a different world that is very positive for me. I enjoy it a lot." And according to him, though posing in underwear is nothing 'really new', he has always been shy while dealing with it. "Well, that's nothing really, really new. But for sure it's always . . . I'm a bit shy, which you saw [in the unveiling]. With underwear, it's always tricky," he was quoted as saying.

Geoff Marsh appointed Sri Lanka cricket coach Sri Lanka has appointed former Australian batsman Geoff Marsh as its national team coach. Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement that Marsh has been offered a two-year contract starting Sept. 27. The 52year-old has played 50 tests and 119 one-day internationals for Australia and coached the Australian and Zimbabwe teams.

New IPL chief Shukla wants to keep controversies away Rajeev Shukla, the new IPL chairman, is known for his proximity to all the T20 league's franchise owners. So, it did not come as a surprise for the cricket fraternity when BCCI gave him the job of leading the pack of Governing Council (GC) members.

Shukla, who is also the minister of state, parliamentary affairs, knows that his role is important and demanding. He also wants to ensure that IPL is managed without controversies.

In an interview he talks about his new challenges and other matters. He said that IPL chairmanship is a challenging task and he has to fulfill the aspirations of millions of cricket fans. “I am thankful to the BCCI president N Srinivasan

Rajeev Shukla

and former BCCI boss Shashank Manohar for showing confidence in my abilities. I know all the owners personally and share a good rapport with them. The team owners are important stakeholders in the

league and their views will be given due weightage.”

On future plans to make IPL more interesting, he said, “we have to bring in new elements to make IPL more interesting and capture more eyeballs. But the sanctity of the game is important for us. Cricket is the most important bit in this tournament and we don't want to sacrifice it at any cost. As far as the cheerleaders are concerned, it's the franchisees' call. Some of the franchisees want to add local flavours as well, which they are free to do. Any other suggestions from team owners are always welcome and we will consider them in the GC meeting. But we are against the late night parties. It tires the cricketers. The main thing for the all

team owners is to ensure that the players get enough rest and they are fresh for matches.”

On raising the number of foreign players, he said, “so far, we have the system of allowing four foreign players in the playing XI and right now, there is no move to change it. Earlier, some of the teams had demanded more than four in the playing XI, but we have to remember that this is a domestic tournament. Some of the new faces of Indian cricket have come from this tournament. This tournament helps Indian players get noticed.”

On the termination of Kochi franchise and the future of Kochi players, he said, “we will decide once the GC members meet next month. We are OK

with any format - nine or 10 teams. But the GC members would have to take a final call on the format. He said that the Kochi players need not worry about their future as BCCI would take care of their dues if there was any problem. They could be up for auction if need arises. We want to keep IPL away from all controversies. It's the most well-known tournament under a lot of media glare.

“For me, GC is the decisionmaking body not a ratifying body. All the issues of the team owners, right holders and cricket lovers will be assessed before taking any call on any decision.

There will be a difference of opinion on many issues but my job will be to bring consensus on most,” he added.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 1st October 2011