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VOL 39. ISSUE 29

India + Mobile Tax concerns for NRIs in India An expertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interpretation of the provisions under the new DTC introduced in India, which is scheduled to come into effect from 1-4-2012 is carried on Page 22.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Asher Jacobsberg Founder of Involver Asher is one of the UK’s leading experts on school councils and student voice. He has written numerous guides, training sessions and programmes for organisations including Parliament, Changemakers, Department for Education (as the DCSF) and involver, the organisation he started with Greg Sanderson last year. Through involver Asher aims to link up school councils, student voice and wider democracy. By providing training and free resources, advice and guidance for pupils and teachers involver help schools to really ‘do democracy’. This means getting the whole school involved in identifying issues, finding solutions and carrying them out. Asher studied politics and philosophy at university and he was elected general secretary of the youth movement and worked for School Councils UK. Today, as well as running involver, he’s a governor of Welbourne Primary School in Tottenham, a member of Haringey Schools Forum and a dad. 1) What inspired you to begin your career in your chosen field? I wanted to see what I could do to get more people to understand the wider meaning of being part of a democracy. I’m a politics geek, but I don’t want other people to be; I want to help them see how they can play an active role in the decisions and communities that affect them. A great place to start this is in schools. 2) What are your proudest achievements? Our first big project: working with Parliament to create the Speaker’s School Council Awards,

which has been a massive success in celebrating and sharing really innovative, inclusive student voice. But everything we’ve done in the last year has made me proud: starting from scratch we’ve set an organisation that’s really helping schools. 3) Please tell us about Involver and the types of projects that you run? Our main goal is to provide schools with free resources through w w w. i n v o l v e r. o rg . u k that help them to really ‘do democracy’. What we mean by this is to get everyone involved in real decisions and action, not just elitist or tokenistic

7) What are your long term goals? Really, I want involver to have withered away. I want the ideas that we’re pushing to be so commonplace in schools that there’s no need for us. Students and teachers will be driving forward democracy in their own communities. And I’ll be on a desert island with some historical figures. 8) If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change?

groups. Alongside this we’re setting up and running awards, campaigns and training. 4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career? Setting up an organisation with no money. We knew we had the ideas and the ability, but it’s a struggle to do anything without a bit of capital. Early on we managed to convince others that we knew what we were doing and got some projects going (and the funding that came with it).

5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date? My business partner, Greg Sanderson, if he hadn’t agreed to set up involver with me, there’s no way I would have taken the leap on my own. We complement one another very well in the way we think and the skills we have. 6) Why did you set up Involver? In schools across the UK students are told they have influence (but only the cleverest or most con-

KPMG celebrates Diwali and Eid KPMG celebrated the Asian festivals of Eid and Diwali with around 200 guests from the Asian community at a special event held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London. The annual KPMG Asian Festival Dinner was attended by some of the most prominent members of the Asian Business community including Sir Gulam Noon, the Hindujas and Dollar Popat and key political figures including Keith Vaz and Baroness Verma. There were special appearances from Ranjit Mathrani, the Lord High Sherriff of London and owner of Veeraswami and Masala World, and Ruby McGregor-Smith, CEO of MITIE Group Plc and the first Asian female on the board of a FTSE 250 company. Ruby and Ranjit both entertained the guests with stories of their rise to their impressive roles today. Nina Amin, Tax Partner at KPMG who organises the annual celebration and John Griffith John, chairman of KPMG LLP welcomed the guests and spoke about the increasing number of members of the Asian community taking up key roles in business, politics and the arts and Nina predicted that the next

fident are allowed to use it), they are told they are listened to (as long as they give the right answer), and they are free to talk about what they want (but can’t actually do anything to make things better). We want to help schools change this.

Sir Gulam Noon, Nina Amin, KPMG, Lady Noon, Shirish Amin and Dinesh Dhamija

decade would be important in seeing more women rise to prominence in the city. Talking about the event Nina Amin said : “The annual festival dinner has become a key event in the KPMG calendar and just gets better every year. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening which allowed us to take

some time out to celebrate this important time in the Asian calendar and to catch up with old friends. Year on year we have a positive story to tell about how the role of the Asian business community in helping to build the UK economy and I am incredibly proud of our event and the impressive guests that give up their night to celebrate with us.”

I’d want to do something so that people realise democracy isn’t about voting once every few years to give away power and responsibility, it’s about all of us having control of those things that affect us. An online system for direct democracy and open data and decision-making might be a good first step. 9) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figures would you like to spend your time with and why? Marx and Engels. I’d love to show them how their work has been used and abused. Then I’d love to watch them work on whether their ideas could be adapted to the modern world whilst avoiding being used by totalitarian regimes.

People ■ Nina Amin hosted what has become the premier Diwali party for ‘Club Asia’ at the Carlton Towers. Among the principal guests were Asif Rangoonwala, Rami Ranger, Gulam Noon, Lord Dolat Popat and Vinu Bhattessa. ■ What is it about Raj “lala” Loomba and the appeal he has to glamorous women? He was regaling all and sundry about his visit to New York City and the donations he’d collected from amongst others, Yoko Ono, Joanna Lumley and Preity Zinta. Raj’s wife Veena looked on sternly as he downed another glass of champagne. ■ Operation Black Vote held a party in honour of the new Black and Asian MPs.

Adam Afriyie (left) and Shailesh Vara

The Conservative Party’s speech was made by Adam Afriyie MP, who lamented the lack of diversity in the Government. Message to David Cameron; give him and Shailesh Vara a ministerial job quickly!

Six arrested in Southall market Six people have been arrested following a UK Border Agency raid on 2 wholesalers on the Western International Market in Southall. Following an intelligence tip-off, around 20 officers visited Jaystar and A1 Veg Ltd just after 02:30 on the morning of Thursday 11 November to carry out checks on staff. Five Indian men aged between 24 and 33 were arrested at Jaystar. Three had stayed in the country after their visas had expired, while 2 had entered the UK illegally. At A1 Veg Ltd a 26-yearold Indian failed asylum seeker was also arrested. The UK Border Agency will now take action to remove all 6 from the UK. Their employers could now face a fine of up to ￡ 10,000 per illegal worker, unless they can prove that they carried out the correct right-to-work checks on their staff. It was the latest in a

series of operations in the area, and assistant director John Lang of the UK Border Agency said: 'We continue to have success in targeting illegal workers in the this area, and more of these kinds of operations are planned. 'My message for businesses is that it pays to play by the rules. Check the status of your staff. 'Employers of illegal migrants can be hit with big fines - but if you deliberately employ an illegal worker you could face criminal prosecution.' Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the preventing illegal working section can call the UK Border Agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699. Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on thousands of companies which fail to carry out the necessary right-to-work checks on their staff.

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

COMMENT

Cameron charts the way out of Afghanistan Prime Minister David Cameron's Mansion House speech affirming the coalition government's schedule to withdraw all British troops from Afghanistan by 2015 will be welcomed by the vast majority of the British people. He explained: “I have said that our combat troops will be out of Afghanistan by 2015. And this week's Nato summit in Lisbon is set tomark the starting point for passing responsibility for security progressively to Afghan forces.” The Afghanistan misadventure followed on from the misconceived decision by Messrs Bush and Blair to invade Iraq in the avowed search for Saddam Hussein's “weapons of mass destruction”. It turned out to be a fruitless search but the invasion has mired America and Britain in the Greater Middle East with no hint of pacification in sight. Indeed, the arc of crisis has widened to include the Taliban-infested quicksands of Pakistan, with AfPak now an inferno out of control. Military talking heads have come to accept that their war is beyond the scope of victory in a commonly understood sense. They have fallen back on sweeter talk of winning insurgent hearts and

minds without explaining how they propose to do so. The hearts and minds of the jehadis remain implacably opposed to any American presence on Afghan soil. However, the Afghan mix has come to include the witches brew of Pakistan, with its own brand of the Taliban and myriad kindred groups bent on cleansing the country of infidels and, according to some, demolishing the Pakistan government and establishment, which they accuse of working with the evil foreigners. Washington has run out of credible exit strategies – throwing fistfuls of dollars at its cronies in Islamabad is like filling in a bottomless pit, it cannot be done, as demand follows demand for more of the same. In the current climate of austerity the national exchequers in the UK and US are severely strained. The conflict has brought in its wake the problem of terrorism and the proper measures to counter it. Mr Cameron and his colleagues have had to consider all aspects the situation confronting Britain, and a planned withdrawal of British forces from Afghanistan is deemed the most prudent course available to the government. Damage limitation in the only solution it has.

Corruption is India's scourge Corruption has long been a scourge in Indian public life. It is tolerated at the top and has seeped down into every corner of the body politic. Nothing virtually is possible without the payment o backhanders. But some brave souls have decided to take the bit between their teeth the start cleaning the Augean Stables. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has established a formidable reputation in his state for incorruptibility. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, hence he has won back-to-back elections with an enhanced majority. Economic development has gone hand in hand with good governance. What Gujarat is able to do, the centre in Delhi can do also. It has at last bestirred to act, to come out firmly against wrongdoers. Suresh Kalamadi, the erring chief of India's Commonwealth Games Committee has been expelled from the Congress Party for malfeasance in managing Committee

finances. Ashok Chavan, the erring chief minister of Maharashtra has resigned for his alleged involvement in a land scam, which included elements within the Indian Army. The latest fall from grace is the sacking of Union Telecoms Minister A Raja, who was forced to step down because of impropriety in a mobile phone privatisation sale. Mr Raja is member of the DMK, an influential coalition partner of the ruling Congress Party in Delhi. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is among the most honest public figures in the land, has, it appears, decided to bite the bullet. Prithviraj Chavan, who until recently served in Dr Singh's cabinet, has taken over from Ashok Chavan as Maharashtra chief minister. This is an encouraging start, but more measures must be put in place before honest governance in India becomes the rule rather than the exception.

Icon Aung San Suu Kyi shines a light for Burma Until recently, Nelson Mandela was one of three Nobel Peace laureates, the others being Tibet's Dalai Lama and Burma's's Aung San Suu Kyi. To this exalted list, was added the 2010 illustrious Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence. Today, the light shines on Burma's indefatigable leader, who has emerged from seven years' house arrest to give voice to the long suppressed aspirations of the Burmese people.. Her long struggle has kept alive the flame of democracy and human rights in the face of a brutal military junta, whose only solution to any problem is the mailed fist. Election results over the years have been ritually annulled, public protests silenced with gunfire and peaceful demonstrators thrown into prison, where some 2,000 and more are held today under terrible conditions. Aung San Suu Kyi's release is a time for joyous celebration, but the continuing plight of these political prisoners should not be forgotten. Burma cannot be truly free until all its peoples are free, free to exercise their civil liberties, free to go about their business without let or hindrance and free to live in peace with honour and practise their religious faiths and fulfil their local traditions. Burma's religious and ethnic diversity demands this, as does the spirit of the country's over-arching Buddhist culture. The barren decades of military dictatorship have taken taken heavy toll of the country's political, economic and cultural life. While Burma's south east Asian neighbours have higher standards of living, the Burmese people remain trapped in poverty and deprivation. Generals rank among the inept and incompetent of national managers. The marketplace and university or courts of law are unlike a military barracks or parade ground; they operate on wholly different principles. The generals are familiar with military etiquette and the command structure that under-

pins it, economic and social life, of which politics and culture are an integral part, thrive on a lighter reign. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which she formed after her return to Burma in 1988 after years abroad, was suppressed and its success at the polls abrogated. The military junta was caught in a noose of its own making; its brutality and its stubborn refusal to engage with the country's democratic formations ended in a Western economic boycott. While commercial ties with Burma's neighbours were an economic lifeline this was not sufficient to bring measurable prosperity to the country and its impoverished people. Aung San Suu Kyi's call for national reconciliation and dialogue is wise. It gives the junta a chance to save face and steer a radically different course to the one it has ploughed with such conspicuous lack of success. The League for Democracy took no part in the recent general election conducted by the generals. Now they have the opportunity to show the beginnings of wisdom by allowing the League and other political parties public space. They could follow this by making use of Aung San Suu Kyi as the country's ambassador at large: she can visit countries east and west in a bid to garner aid for Burma, a country badly in need of all the help it can get. Other steps can follow, giving rise to new possibilities. The international community including the UN has a constructive role in easing Burma's burdens by reducing economic sanctions. World and regional leaders must test the waters in Rangoon. Thanks to Aung San Suu Kyi's dauntless struggle and her release the way ahead is is surely to push open the door a little at a time so that fresh breezes can dispel the fetid atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. Thanks to her there is a flicker of light today, where there was none before.

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Thought for the Week Thinking is skilled work. It is not true that we are naturally endowed with the ability to think clearly and logically - without learning how or without practising. - "Logic For The Millions" by Alfred Mander (1947)

Steve Pound, MP Ealing North (Labour)

Valour and Sacrifice It is the contrasts that make this earthly life one of such fascination and Sunday 14th.November was indeed a day of contrasts. Although the joy of Diwali was still raising the spirits and bringing light to the darkness it was set into stark relief by the commemoration of Remembrance Sunday and the solemn and dignified parades and tributes that took place across the land. As I watched the long parade organised by the Royal British Legion in Greenford I found myself thinking of an extraordinary book that I had recently received from H.E.the High Commissioner of India;Shri Nalin Surie. This book, “Valour and Sacrifice: the First Indian Soldiers in Europe 19141918” has an elegant forward by Shri Nalin Surie but contains within it a story so extraordinary that it can scarce be believed that so few in this land are familiar with it. Statistics seldom tell the whole story but the sheer numbers of Indian soldiers who fought in the Great War is scarcely credible. 1,302,394 soldiers from every state in India as well as over 1,000 Tibetan troops fought in Europe, Africa and Asia. 53,486 died, 64,352 were injured and 3,762 were listed as missing or imprisoned at the end of the War. On the day that the War was declared the Mahatma Gandhi was in London and he, Sarojini Naidu and over fifty Indian political activists called for all Indian troops to rally to the cause of the Motherland and the Empire. Rabindranath Tagore made a similar appeal and it is evidence of the goodwill squandered by the British that both of these great men took a radically different view of the Raj in the decades after the armistice but in 1914 we were all as one. The stunning heroism of the Indian forces cannot be chronicled here – simply for lack of space – but were I to merely list the medals won then AV would have to print an extra twenty pages for this alone. Instead I invite the reader to head south towards the Sussex coast and to Patcham on the Sussex Downs where a Chattri

monument was unveiled in 1921 by the Prince of Wales and the Mayor of Brighton: Alderman B.N.Southall. Originally a burning ghat had been built for the cremation of Hindu and Sikh soldiers as the biggest grouping of Indian Army hospitals (including what is now Brighton General Hospital) were on the south coast. No time for planning objections to open air cremation then! The Chattri Monument and the Indian Gateway which is the southern entrance to the Royal Pavilion can be seen and marvelled at today. The gateway was funded by the Maharaja of Patiala and opened by the same Mayor of Brighton – Ald.Southall. As most Muslim soldiers were buried at England’s only Mosque, in Woking, there was soon a clamour for a similar monument and the burial ground for Indian Muslim close to the Shah Jahan Mosque was formally dedicated on Horsell Commons and another monument erected in 1930 at Holybrook in Southampton. India and the UK are bound together by many bonds but our nations have shed blood together in the causes of freedom and that creates a bond that cannot be broken. I cannot read the names of the glorious dead without experiencing the twin emotions of sorrow and pride. To read the names of the regiments – the 129th.Baluchis, the Meerut Divisional Signals, the 29th.Lancers (Deccan Horse), the 15th.Ludhiana Sikhs, the 9th.Gurkha Rifles, the 39th.Garhwal Rifles, the 9th.Bhopal Infantry and so many others is emotionally disturbing as it is to read the ranks of the slain: Drummer, Subadar, Sepoy, Follower, Rifleman, Naik, Sowar, Bearer and so many other titles that seem to come from a very distant past. Not for the first time I have cause to be grateful to High Commissioner Nalin Surie and not for the last time do I marvel at the ability of India to confound all expectations and for the strength of the Indo-British relationship to be so powerfully demonstrated. A wonderful book and a glorious story well told.

YOUR VOICE

Increase in student fees It is outrageous on the part of Lib Dem- Conservative coalition government to increase the university students fees from ￡3000 to ￡9000 a year. Since Lib Dem is sharing power with Conservatives, Nick Clegg says that 'he should have been more careful' when he signed the pledge not to raise the tuition fees. The issue touches on the very foundations of our parliamentary democracy. Clegg's beliefs are irrelevant. The Lib Dem members were elected on the basis of their election manifesto which included abolition of university student fees. In changing the policy and enabling the formation of a government which is opposed to most of the Lib Dem policies, the Lib Dem has subverted its own party and the whole electoral process. What is the point of parties, what is the point of elections, if the MPs behave like 'turncoats' in order to stay in power? The truth of the matter is Nick Clegg and the other Lib Dem supporters of the government have cheated and betrayed the electorate and in those circumstances students who supported Lib Dem, are right to demonstrate against the government. When 50 000 students take part in such a demonstration, some may become unruly- earning a bad name for the rest! That's the unfortunate part. Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email

Separatism must be declared as sedition Kapil’s Khichadi is excellent about Arundhati Roy and separatists’ anti India statements about Kashmir. We are aghast at helpless and unhelpful softness and double standards of India by tolerating dissent / sedition. Thus India appears to be lying that Kashmir is an integral part of India. It appears that India is interested to continue the imbroglio that undermines morale of army and nation. Kashmiri Pandits are suffering in refugee camps YET India wants to placate Pakistan!! Ministers snubbed by separatists went to venues suggested by rebels. This is insult of Indian government. Separatists should have been warned to attend. Their absence should have been treated as contempt of parliament’s strength and should have been locked up, as an exemple to other rebels. Sending interlocutors to massage separatists’ ego is like turning the other cheek. Human rights have shifted to stonepelters from suffering Pandits and army performing its legitimate duty. Indian army faces removal of special privileges thus facing potential prosecution if hooligans suffer or die. Separatism must be declared as sedition and treason carrying death sentence; article 370 must be abrogated; KashmirPakistan border must be sealed to stem anti India infiltrators; separatists must be jailed or deported. India must be tough. Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

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Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Congratulation on a Excellent Diwali Publication

Age UK Internet Champion of the Year

First of all wishing you all very Happy belated Diwali & Sal Mubarak. I read the Diwali issue over the weekend and found it yet another excellent Publication. Keep up the great work and excellent weekly read.

I am writing to remind readers that there are two weeks left to enter the Age UK Internet Champion of the Year search (deadline Tuesday 30th November). I am encouraging all computer connoisseurs aged 55+ to put themselves forward to be the 2011 Champion to be a leading light for other people in later life who may lack the confidence or skill to get online. The number of people over 65 using the Internet has increased from 18% in 2006 to 40% in 2010[i], but there are still 6 million people aged 65+ who have never accessed the internet[ii] and are therefore missing out on the vast financial and social benefits it can offer. The 2011 Age UK Internet Champion will be a ‘Champion’ for a year, helping Age UK to advocate the use of the Internet to peers. This year’s theme is ‘how the Internet changed my life’ and nominees are being asked to share the life-changing benefits they have gained from being online. To enter the competition log on to www.ageuk.org.uk/internet-champions or call 0800 169 6565 to request a hard copy of the application form.

Umesh Raichada London T hank you - AV

Dance on Saturday We saw on last to last Saturday two absolutely professional dancers namely Ragasudha and Mrinalini. For me it was my first visit to Nehru centre, so was very pleasantly surprised with the cosy auditorium even though it may not lend best to ballet. We thoroughly enjoyed the performance and left with complete admiration of the talent the dancers possessed.. The dances were full of expression and very animated which made it a joy to watch and also capturing the audience participation. With great grace and expression we were entertained ,amused and intrigued throughout the performance. I hope they progress further and that we may get an opportunity to watch them again. I do think that the Nehru centre could have charged a nominal fee to stop people walking in and out of performance- I do think it is very disrespectful and disturbing for all. To watch a ballet performance of any kind should be best done in complete silence. Nita Wheeler Via Email

Iraq war, black mark on British politicians No one in his right mind would justify Iraq war and many feel that those who were directly involved in the decision making should be tried at Hague for war crimes. Then only vanquished are tried, not the victors, as might is always right. It speaks a volume for our ignorant, misinformed and gutless MPs who prefer to tow the party line than risk their ministerial perks. But in a democracy, we do not take the law in our hands; stab an MP for his voting record. We boot them out at the ballot box. So Roshonara Choudhry’s action in stabbing her MP Stephen Timms, a well liked, helpful and decent politician was an act of madness, an attempted murder that will keep her in jail for a long time. It is a pity that such an intelligent, respectable student who has so much to offer to her community and the nation will not be able to make an impact, denied the right to make her rightful contribution to the country she considers her home. Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Martha Lane-Fox UK Digital Champion and Age UK Internet Champion judge

The 'Asian card' I could not agree more with the sentiments expressed by Vipul Ladwa in Asian Voice dated 30th October 2010. I also watched this program ' Question Time'. When the Baroness opened her mouth and said 'Asian Community', I felt how incapable she is to distinguish the people within the Asian communities. Asians also include many nations apart from the subcontinental nations. Did she mean all the nations in Asia? I am not aware yet if the authorities in her party have asked for the explanation of what she meant by Asian Community. Even the Chairman on the day did not stop her using incorrect words. Nanak Garg Via Email

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National Sewa Day As you know, there’s been a lot of talk about “Big Society” and much debate about what it means and how it’s going to work. Well, there’s a nationwide initiative which aims to lead the way – National Sewa Day. In a sentence, National Sewa Day is the most significant and ambitious cross community volunteering programme in the UK for at least a generation. At National Sewa Day, we’ve made two important realizations about “David Cameron’s Big Society”: A) Big Society is not going to be created and run out of Whitehall. If it happens, it will emanate from the temples, synogues, mosques, churches, schools and other community groups ie by the people, for the people; B) Big Society is about giving time not money. Examples of events being organised for National Sewa Day 2010: l Planting of 100,000 trees in St. Albans; l Creating and sending gift parcels to armed forces serving in Afghanistan; l Feeding the homeless in Croydon l Helping clear Moseley Bog in Birmingham l Holding a self esteem workshop in Leicester for women who are fleeing domestic violence. Join us on 21 November 2010. Please check www.nationalsewaday.org for full details. Arup Ganguly Chairman – National Sewa Day

World Citizen Shri Gandhi’s letter commenting on my letter about Sudan (AV 30th Oct 2010- pg 4) is typical of narrow minded nationalism. The press is the “Fourth Estate” after the Lords Spiritual [Clergy}, the Lords Temporal [Peers] and the House of Commons. I write very responsibly. AV readers should read “Genocide in Darfur” by S Totten & E Markusen & “Famine that Kills” by Alex de Waal. Research was carried out by 1200 interrogators over six months in 2004 paid by US State Department. Conflict for land and crops with draughts and sand storms were rampant. Over the past four centuries nations have scrambled for global power, natural resources and international markets. That era is passé. Global cooperation around shared goals of sustainable development should start. “Our very survival in the long run will be achieved by recognizing that the vast majority of people of Middle East, China, India, and the rest of the world, just as USA, long for their own prosperity and security, not for domination of others [“Economics for a Crowded Planet” and “The End of Poverty” by Jeffrey D Sachs]. Neither China nor USA with their friends and allies should think differently. Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

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

(Off Coronet Street)

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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Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Grand opening of the Five Star Hilton for Krishna cows

Kapil’s

KHICHADI by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com It's not the heat, it's the humidity

Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP opening the new farm complex called New Gokul at Bhaktivedanta Manor

Over Diwali weekend the Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, the Attorney General opened the new farm complex, called New Gokul, at Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple. Other dignitaries present included his Holiness Bhakti Cari Swami from India, Lord Dolar Popat, Shailesh Vara MP and His Excellency Dr. Suresh Chandra Chalise the Ambassador of Nepal. Praising Gokul farm for its excellence in the husbandry of cattle Mr Grieve said, “I am delighted to have been asked by the Bhaktivedanta Manor to be here to commemorate the opening of the New Gokul farm’s new facilities. These provide a sustainable sanctuary for cattle and a means whereby visitors can come and see for themselves the workings of a traditional

farm where animals and nature are given the highest respect.” Hailed as a blue-print for the future of farming, The Independent and the Daily Telegraph described the New Gokul project as being the “Hilton of farms”. The care received by the 44 cows and bulls is unparalleled. For example, relaxing music is played to the cows as they are hand-milked, and they are allowed to live their full natural life-span. The opening of the £2.5 million New Gokul project was performed by twenty saffron clad brahmins who chanted verse from the Vedic sastras. Recently inaugurated into the House of Lords, Lord Dolar Popat of Harrow said “This goshalla stands as a feat of accomplishment for the greater British Hindu community.

The project demonstrates the community’s respect of the earth and those with whom we share it”. New Gokul's main features are its oak build, ox power in the fields and treadmill, ox cart rides, hand milking and humane treatment of cows and the full viewing facility so that all visitors can see the working of the farm. Already the farm has a wide range of visitors, of which ten of thousands of school children and public visit the farm annually. The Ahimsa campaign is also looking to collaborate with farms to take care of their cows until they die naturally. A pilot scheme has been launched where people can purchase Ahimsa milk. You can learn more about Ahimsa milk on http://www.ahimsamilk.o rg/

Thousands set to join inaugural National Sewa Day For the first time ever an army of Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist volunteers from across the country will be taking part in the first ever National Sewa Day (NSD) on Sunday 21 November, 2010. More than 5,000 people from over 100 cultural, community and faith organisations will be volunteering to help relieve hardship, promote environmental preservation and bring joy to older people, children, the disabled and many tens of thousands people. Recognising the importance of National Sewa Day and Early Day Motion was tabled (EDM 987) in the House of Commons on 10 November. NSD takes place on the same day as the Jewish community’s day of social action – Mitzvah Day – with volunteers giving something back to the community. And, by community it need not be just the Hindu, Sikh, Jain or Buddhist communities, but others will benefit.

Projects being undertaken on this day include: l Hugzy Bear – collection of teddy bears that will be distributed to underprivileged children l Plant a new forest – over 100,000 new trees will be planted in Heartwood Forest in Hertfordshire l Care packages – parcels of essential personal hygiene and first aid items will be packed and sent to soldiers serving in Afghanistan. l A Collectathon - collecting unused unwanted spectacles that will be given to Vision Aid International for distribution to those in developing countries l Feed the Hungry – soup kitchens and food distribution to shelters l Toys, gifts and book donations – sent to underprivileged and sick children in hospitals and hospices l Ecology and wildlife sanctuary projects – the renovation of working

farms across the UK l Local environmental cleaning and improvement programmes – including the cleaning up of stained spit marks from pan (betel nut) eating in major urban areas like Ealing Road, Wembley. National Sewa Day projects are taking place throughout the UK, including Bradford, Oldham, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Northampton, Luton and across London. Projects are also taking place further afield in Ireland & Kenya. The day is backed by celebrities, business leaders and politicians, including a special message from Tony Blair. The Advisory Board constitutes leading people from the Arts, Business, Financial Services, and Philanthropy. In line with creating a focus on social action and volunteering, no fundraising will take place on National Sewa Day, www.nationalsewaday.org.

judgement that can yet come back and haunt not just him, but American foreign policy for decades to come. He does have one ace up his Several months ago I discussed sleeve that might mitigate this gaffe. issues arising as a result of the That is to ensure that within his term, ConDems coalition and the impact the he ensures India becomes a permaspending cuts will have on these two nent member of the UN Security unlikely bedfellows. Recent polls give Council. China might play politics, but the Tories 40%, Labour 40% and it will then have to be for the other LibDems 9%. If these results had members of the Security Council to been replicated at the General exercise their diplomatic credentials Election which took place only 5 and make this happen. India will months ago, then the share of seats have to be mindful that Conservative 40% 289 seats (currently 306) it does not sell itself short in wanting this so Labour 40% 325 seats (currently 258) called prize of a UN seat. The error made by Liberal Democrats 9% 11 seats (currently 57) India’s first Prime would have been: Minister Jawaharlal Nehru has The writing is on the wall. The allowed others to steal a march. LibDems I thought would never get Letting China secure the seat might below 11%, yet here we see them at have been an act of goodwill (or stuan all time low. Those who have the pidity depending on your view), but ear of the Prime Minister really should now is the time for India to remind know better than to allow the current China that it has moral obligations to spate of haste driven policies cloudy correct the injustice of the past 50 their antenna for common sense. As plus years. Barak Obama found out, 2 years can change political fortunes in ways that SEWA – the Hindu Way you might not even have contemplated. National Sewa Day, the brain child of The swings in the opinion polls will several budding entrepreneurs and continue and no doubt the Tories will like minded professionals was born recover, slightly, and then fall back, last year and launched officially in and so on. The trend however is negJanuary of this year. The concept is ative and this after only 5 months of similar to the Jewish community’s governance. I suspect someone at ‘Mitzvah Day’ and offers all individuals Tory central office will have to bring the opportunity to donate one day in the concept of policy reconciliation each year and do Sewa. soon if they are to arrest the trend Sewa is very much the essence of that could so easily run away if left being a Hindu, but it is also connectunchecked. As they say, it's not the ed at the core and celebrated by heat that gets you, it's the humidity. Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. Sewa means ‘selfless service’, which is a Sharia in Birmingham? derivation of the original Vedic concept of ‘Nishkam Karma.’ I was amazed to learn that a Tory The first Sewa day will take place councillor from Birmingham allegedly on Sunday 21st November 2010 and twitted: "Can someone please stone already thousands of volunteers have Yasmin Alibhai-Brown to death? I signed up to offer their time for the shan't tell Amnesty if you don't. It betterment of our society. There is would be a blessing, really." still time to register and take part in The matter is of course under this great initiative, log on to: investigation and if found to be true, http://www.nationalsewaday.org and no doubt the said councillor will be be the change you wish to see in socigiven his marching orders at the ety. least. The line between acceptable humour, and unacceptable racist lanBapa Blesses everyone guage can often catch out many a headline grabbing politician when Talking of Sewa, on Sunday my wife they least expect it (just ask Harriet and I were invited to an event at the Harman!). This is another example of Shree Jalaram Mandir in Greenford to what happens in a society when the celebrate its 10th anniversary, and climate changes so much that the also Jalaram Bapa Jayanti. I recalled venting of prejudice becomes increasthe stories my mother used to tell us ingly acceptable. Nip this in the bud, children when we were young about or we will have problems in the comBapa and his teachings. The simple ing years. message of Bapa will remain with me ‘That regardless of nath, jath First the Puppet, then the forever; or samaj – the essence of Lord Rama Puppeteer is in everyone. Therefore do all your Karmic duties in God’s name.’ The President Obama made what might event was graced by thousands over become one of the most important the two days, and all I can say is how foreign policy visits of any recent US lucky we felt that we were so blessed President when he travelled to India. to attend. Jai Jai Jai Jalaram Bapa. Any head of state who elects to go to India does so knowing that it could Time for a Break end up as a total disaster if they don’t watch their ‘K’s’ and mind their ‘Egos.’ Last week I mentioned that I have David Miliband learnt this lesson (I been writing this column now for assume) the hard way. David some two years. Time flies when one Cameron learnt from this and on his is having fun. As with everything, recent trip the one mega moment renewal is equally important and to that everyone will remember is the that effect I have decided to take a blunt statement condemning Pakistan short break from Kapil’s Khichadi. My for harbouring terrorists. Obama last piece will be on 27th November – failed to go that far and therein he but as Arnie would say, ‘I’ll be back.’ may find he has made an error of

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

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Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

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

The power of trading as a family

Ten years on

The inaugural Midlands Family Business Awards 2010 took place at Thrumpton Hall, near Nottingham last Thursday. Almost two-thirds of the 4.5 million small businesses in the UK are family-run, and have a combined annual turnover of more than £1billion, producing some 30 per cent of the UK’s wealth. Five businesses were shortlisted per each of the ten award categories. Engineering firm Penny Hydraulics of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was crowned Midlands Family Business of the Year. The Personal Excellence award went to Samantha Reynolds from Woodleigh Christian Care Home, based in Mansfield. Full Support Healthcare from Northamptonshire scooped Fastest Growing Family Business title, whilst Oakland International, a distribution firm, was recognised for its Commitment to the Community. Wednesbury-

based Perfection Foods was recognised for its development of international markets. Sukhdev and Gurdeep Singh Bath, father and son, respectively, hugged each other as their firm was announced as a winner. “We’re absolutely thrilled,” said 31-year-old Gurdeep, who is one of four siblings, all involved in the business. For full list of winners visit w w w. f a m i l y b u s i n e s sawards.co.uk The awards, brainchild of sisters Charlotte and Annabel Prow, is a not-for-profit venture. This year 130 family-run or owned businesses from

Funds for Pakistan flood victims Staffordshire Police’s MultiCultural Association (MCA) has donated £500 to the Oxfam Pakistan Flood Appeal after staging its second charity summer dinner and dance. The MCA has raised over £6,500 since it was set up in 1999 as a support group for Black, Minority, and Ethnic (BME) employees and has supported BME sections of Staffordshire communities. The cash will help provide clean water for over 10,500 people. Photo: Chief Inspector Ricky Fields, deputy chair of MCA, presents a cheque to Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal, a member of the MCA and Police Authority.

Event raises £5k to help blind kids A charity dinner and dance event in Birmingham helped raise over £5,000 in a few hours for the National Blind Children’s Society (NBCS). The event, Stars in our Eyes, was hosted by Punjabi music sensation Jaz Dhami (pictured with young participants). Held at the Night Inn in Smethwick, the evening featured a henna artist, kids’ entertainer, a family photographer, an auction, raffle prizes and a table magician. Carolyn Fullard, NBCS’s chief executive, described the event “a spectacular night out for all the family.” Now in its 15th year, NBCS provides support for the estimated 24,000 children in Britain who are blind or partially sighted. It receives no statutory funding. To find out more visit www.nbcs.org.uk

Trade conference A major UK-India trade conference which aims to promote bilateral trade in the manufacturing sector took place in Birmingham last Thursday. Over 100 delegates from India attended, as did prominent British Indian businessmen and women from the Midlands. Full story next week.

News in Brief

WINNERS: (From left) Annabel Prow, Sukhdev Singh Bath, Gurdeep Singh Bath, Karen Hickling from Barclays

across the Midlands entered the awards. All proceeds raised will be distributed to three charities – The Venture Foundation, The Children’s Society and The Willow Foundation – all of which support young people. Charlotte, director at The Wilson Organisation in Nottingham, said: “One of the main aims of the awards was to demonstrate the value that family businesses bring to the Midlands economy, and I am convinced that this has been achieved, based on the high calibre of both the businesses and individuals who have entered and those that have scooped the top honours in the awards.”

Research shows that although the recession has hit all firms hard, familyrun businesses have had a better chance than most of surviving. According to the Institute of Family Business, the survival instincts of such companies are sharpened by the fact that they tend to be more cautious, borrow less, and plan better for the long-term. Do you run or own a family business in the Midlands, or know of anybody who does? Here’s your chance to enter. Full details, including categories, will be announced in January 2011 on the awards’ website – w w w. f a m i l y b u s i n e s sawards.co.uk

Digital Don Rakesh, aka Rax Lakhani has been appointed director of Onlinefire, the digital agency. Previously, Rax, pictured, worked as head of digital communications at the Ministry of Justice. He has also been working with charities including the NSPCC and TeensUnite Cancer to ensure that digital media and social networking sites form a core part of fundraising communications. Rax’s role, “gives me the chance to educate brands on how they can harness the power of digital communications to increase visibility with customers.” Rax, 32, son of Subhash and Sharda Lakhani, recently tied the knot to French bride, Stephanie. The couple live in Surbiton, Surrey.

Uday flies the flag for Birmingham Birmingham Airport has appointed Uday Dholakia as its new brand ambassador to promote Asian markets. Mr Dholakia, pictured, a senior partner with a Midlands-based consulting firm, has two decades of brand development experience. Airport CEO, Paul Kehoe, said: “We want to embrace the fact that we can connect people to over 400 different destinations worldwide. Uday’s extensive knowledge of the Asian markets and route and cargo networks in the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent will be integral to tempt people away from the ‘Heathrow problem’ and think about closer airports.” Father-of-two Mr Dholakia, an impeccably modest gent who is quick to credit others on merit, came to British shores in 1973 from his native Tanzania. He is also Vice President of the Leicestershire Asian Business Association and Chairman of IndoBritish Trade Council.

A lecture in memory of Jim Rose, co-founder of the Runnymede Trust, a think tank, will take place next Tuesday (Nov 23) at the Old Theatre, London, from 6.30pm onwards. The free lecture, entitled ‘Revisiting the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain: the Parekh Report 10 years on’ will be delivered by Lord Bhikhu Parekh, pictured. To reserve a place email events@lse.ac.uk or call 020 7 955 6043.

Vinod Mehta turns 60 Tears of joy were shed as Vinodbhai Mehta hugged his wife Jayshreeben, showing his appreciation to her for throwing a jolly good party at a local Indian restaurant to celebrate his 60th birthday. Vinodbhai is a former president of Hindu Council Birmingham. The devoted couple have been serving, selflessly, particularly the Hindu and Jain communities in Birmingham, for around three decades.

National Interfaith Week A series of events have been organised by Birmingham Council of Faiths to celebrate National Interfaith Week (Nov 20-28). Events across Birmingham will include a discussion entitled ‘Is faith too toxic for queers’, an open day and lunch at Shri Laxminarayan Temple, and a Question Time on ‘Faith and the Big Society’ with a panel of religious and political leaders at the Nishkam Centre. To find out more telephone Ann on 0121 449 6402 or email s.brown@wmfaithsforum.org.uk

Spiritual leader birthday All are invited to join in the 85th birthday celebrations of living legend Bhagawan Shri Sai Baba, pictured, in Birmingham next Tuesday (Nov 23). The event, which is organised every year by devoted couple Kishor and Nirmala Parmar, will take place from 7pm onwards at Shree Krishna Temple, Sparkbrook (B11 1JL). For more information call 07944 646884 or email m15sdp@aol.com

Networking Event The second in a series of free interactive and inspirational networking events for educators, leaders, change makers and social entrepreneurs working across the Third Sector will take place next Wednesday (Nov 24) from 2pm-5pm at the University of Leicester (LE1 7RH). To sign up, or for more information call Sharmilla on 0121 766 4570 or email sharmillanannra@unltd.org.uk

Your chance to claim TV fame Are you aged 18 or 19? Would you like to appear on Embarrassing Bodies, the Channel Four medical series? Then telephone researcher Rachelle Astbury on 0121 224 8386 or email r.astbury@mavericktv.co.uk

Suffering in silence The endometriosis and cultural diversity project carried out by Birmingham Women’s Hospital and Birmingham City University has discovered this: (1) women from Pakistani and Indian backgrounds found it difficult to discuss the problem within the family (2) they were worried it could compromise their marriage prospects. Researchers have created leaflets and DVDs to help sufferers. For more information visit www.endocul.co.uk or email Elaine.deny@bcu.ac.uk

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Brit Indians pay tribute to Anni Shrien Dewani, murdered in Cape Town The whole British Indian community stands still as Anni Dewani, a perfectly happy bride, married just two weeks ago dies a premature death after being carjacked at her honeymoon in Cape Town, South Africa on Sunday November 14th. The 28-year-old parttime model and her husband, Shrien, 30, who runs a multi-million pound luxury care home business in Bristol, were ambushed as their taxi drove towards a fashionable nightspot in a township. It is believed that Mrs Dewani was shot dead. Police are awaiting the results of a post mortem. Detectives are investigating whether the couple were forced to withdraw large amounts of cash at gunpoint. Mr Dewani, who police said was bundled out of the taxi unharmed before his wife was driven away and murdered, was being cared for by his parents and said to be “in a terrible state”. Hundreds of people signed up a memorial page on Facebook on last Monday to leave tributes. Mrs and Mrs Dewani had eaten dinner in the

Mr Shrien and Mrs Anni Dewani

Winelands region on Saturday and were on their way back to an exclusive hotel when they asked the taxi driver to drive through one of the city’s townships, Gugulethu. It is believed they were trying to find Mzoli’s Meat, an outdoor barbeque restaurant and bar which calls itself an “authentic taste of township life” and was recommended last year by TV chef Jamie Oliver. But their vehicle, a Volkswagen Sharan, was stopped by armed men who threw out the driver and kidnapped the couple in the back of the car. It is understood that

Mrs Dewani was shot three times in the chest. Her body was found in the abandoned people carrier hours later. Police were said to be confident they were closing the net on the killers. A man is being questioned by detectives investigating the murder of Anni Dewani. The 26-year-old, from the Khayelitsha township, near Cape Town, was arrested by Western Cape Police earlier Tuesday morning. A police spokesman said, "Police are working around the clock to ensure that the perpetrators of the crimes are brought to book. "Several leads are cur-

In Loving Memory of Anni Shrien Dewani Dear Anni, This is a tragedy of pain, Words which grated our souls like chains What was to be said? Our beautiful friend, Anni, has forever left Why was this done? Removed from this Earth the joy of two just become

rently being followed in a bid to solve the case." Mr Dewani was educated at Bristol Grammar School. Aged 18 he was accepted on a scholarship program by consulting firm Arthur Andersen. He went to university in Manchester and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte. However he and his brother, Preyen Dewani, left their City jobs in 2005 to expand their father’s healthcare business and property empire in the south west of England. The brothers increased the turn over of the healthcare firm by ￡3million within 18 months and have planned a care village in South Wales as well as a chain of luxury care centres for the elderly. Mrs Dewani born on 12th March 1982 in Mariestad, Sweden to proud parents Vinodbhai and Nilamben Hindocha, was raised there and studied engineering at university. Until February she worked at Ericsson, the mobile phone giant, in Stockholm. She moved to England recently and had entered Bristol’s Top Model competition under her maiden name, Anni Hindocha, earlier this year. She was the beloved daughter-in-law of Prakashbhai and Shilaben Dewani of Bristol, England. The family request that in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made using the following link: www.justgiving.com/An niDewani. Prathna Sabha for everyone is be held on Sunday 21st November from 4pm to 6pm at Shree Swaminarayan Temple Hall, Stanmore.

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How could Bhagwan Shri Krishna allow this deed To tear this wonderful couple apart? Why must destiny choose to play games? We looked forward to seeing your beauty grow each day. In this casket, you now lie; And all in all we really try To hold back our grieving tears. Seeing your hands still adorned with Henna Reignites the ashen tears. The sounds of your bangles are memories all around. Now we place them in your casket with no sound. Such joyous memories of the time we shared. Please Anni, return to the love we have here. We had so many plans in our time together forever. Now how can they ever form? The world should know that you were a goddess from the start And we will never forget your beautiful smile and big heart May your soul rest in eternal peace.

Baroness Flather calls Asian peers' actions shameful Labour peer Lord Swaraj Paul, suspended from the British House of Lords "for wrongly claiming overnight parliamentary expenses" last month, has allegedly called the panel that recommended his suspension "a kangaroo court" and alleged that two of its five members were "openly hostile" to him. Lord Paul said two members of the subcommittee for Lords' conduct – Lords speaker Baroness Eliza Mannigham-Buller and former British justice minister Lord Irvine – were allegedly hostile to him and that he wasn't given a chance to explain his position. Lord Paul appealed before the privileges committee that slightly watered down the earlier report, and reduced his suspension to four months. Baroness Shreela Flather, who has always been renowned as her

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bravery and frankness told AV, "In his interview in Asian Voice 6th November, Lord Paul claims that this whole affair about expenses was inspired "by the electoral politics of the media" and that he had been "a victim of media and political hostility". I feel that a few facts about the affair should be added to what he calls this whole affair. It is quite clear to most people who are familiar with the English language that main residence means the place where you live... In the report of the Privileges Committee he said in his defence that as an Indian he was not familiar with the concept of main residence and it was because of his Indian culture that he claimed this night subsistence for living in his own home in London. He also claimed that he hadn't understood the rules but that begs the question should he not have asked someone to clarify the rules for him. It has been a very shameful affair having three Asian peers being expelled from the House of Lords. It is particularly shaming with Lord Paul because he is the 80th richest man in Britain according to media. This affair has reflected on all of us Asian peers and no matter how Lord Paul tries to justify himself I cannot see how he can, saying that it is because of his Indian culture that he made the mistake I believe makes it even more shaming. It almost implies that he doesn't understand the meaning of the two words "main" and "residence".”

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Euducation/Council Voice

By Kartik S Raval

International exposure is essential to compete in contemporary world claims David Willetts Indian universities are likely to witness an increase in the number of British students wanting to receive education in one of the world's fastest growing economy. David Willetts, Minister of state for Universities and Science who is apparently visiting India has urged a need for the students from UK to travel abroad in order to live in other countries and learn from the new culture, which is likely to make them more employable. Even Britain's education leaders and employers who are expanding overseas has experienced that students here do not know many foreign languages neither are accustomed to live in any other socio-economic environment outside the UK. They have thus raised doubts on the credentials of these local students to compete on the international scale in the coming years. There are currently more than 40,000 Indian students receiving education at various universities in the UK, whereas only 500 students from the entire Britain go to India. Prior to the visit, David Willetts raised concern over this unconvincing figure and explained the need to amplify the number of UK students travelling to India in an exclusive interview with Asian Voice. Why majority of British Students do not go out of

David Willetts on the significance of international education and exposure

the UK to pursue further education? There are a variety of reasons. Some students have concerns about not being able to speak the language of the host country sufficiently well; others may have concerns that studying abroad will increase the overall costs of their education; while some maybe concerned about the extent to which the period of study abroad will count towards their degree when they get home. What is the importance of knowing, learning and understanding various culture, languages and socioeconomic environment across the world in today's highly competitive employment scenario? There are clear benefits to the individual in having spent a period of study in another culture. For example, self-confidence, the ability to understand differ-

ent cultures, different ways of doing things and work successfully with people from different backgrounds. There is also of course the opportunity to develop language skills. And in an increasingly globalised world these skills are more and more in demand from employers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so students who can offer this experience will find themselves better placed when it comes to finding a job. Not too many students travel to India even though British Government already has a few student exchange programmes in place. Is there a concern with lack of enthusiasm? As part of phase 1 of the UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a ÂŁ20 million programme which started in 2006 and aimed to substantially improve educational links between India and the UK - the UK gov-

ernment ran a highly successful Study India Programme. This has enabled 400 graduates from the UK to spend three weeks in Mumbai or Delhi, learning about Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education, culture and business. Yes, the numbers are small â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t any difficulty filling the places, so I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t agree that there is lack of enthusiasm on the part of students. What intentions do you keep in mind while visiting India? The intention is to stress the benefits to students of studying abroad and making them understand that employers value wider international/cultural knowledge and experience when making decisions about who to employ. I know from my trip to India with the Prime Minister in July that there is great interest on the part of our universities in developing similar partnerships with their Indian counterparts. The persisting issue of lack of students with experience of various culture, foreign languages and insight of global issue has been taken up seriously by the government and the plans are now in place for creating more opportunities for British students to gain international exposure by studying alongside Indians in lecture halls at universities in India.

Brent council rewarded for member development excellence bers. This award is testament to the commitment which both officers and members have shown to ensure that members have

the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and knowledge in order to be effective community leaders and representatives.

BRIDGING LOANS CLEAR & SIMPLE

Special Achievements For the past few months I have been writing about the difficult challenges that face our children in their school lives in the immediate future. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve looked at the intense competition for places at good schools and universities and then the equally hard battle that graduates or school leavers face when looking for their new job. You, dear Pankaj Vekria readers, must be tired of my CEO, Etutors doom laden forecasts by now. So it is with great pleasure that I am now writing on a more positive note about the progress made by one of the many students who have been using eTutors. I was absolutely delighted when I heard this week that this 14 year old boy, whom we have been teaching for two years, has excelled himself at school. He is now in the top stream of his class for every subject that he is taking and is actually going to take his GCSEs in Maths Physics and IT a year early. He has been taking Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology with us on from Monday to Thursday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a big investment for his parents but just look at how well it has paid off for them and him. He also won a Nobel Peace Prize this year. Actually I made up that last one, I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. Now I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say for sure that this lad would not have achieved this on his own without our help, but from the feedback that we have had from his parents, it is obvious that they feel that we have made a valuable contribution to his academic progress. Now I would not want you to think that this is our only success story. Every one of our students is a star as far as we are concerned and from the feedback we get from our pupilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents we are making a difference in all of their lives. We at the eTutors team send our congratulations to this exceptional student and to all of our other pupils who are achieving so well.

Special Announcement - Join the eTutors Team Over the past couple of weeks we have engaged four part time Ambassadors who will be spreading the word about eTutorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; services to their local community. We wish them well in their endeavours and invite further applications from people who would be interested in joining our team and earning some extra money. You work the hours that suit you and will receive full support from the eTutors Management team. Not only do you get the chance to earn some extra cash, but your children will also benefit from free tuition, which is one of the benefits that we provide. For more information about online tutoring for your child or joining the eTutors team please call 0845 004 7633 or email info@etutors.org.uk

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MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Scrutator’s Of President Barack Obama's visit to India it may be said: He came, he saw, he conquered, conquered Indian hearts and minds and reset the Indo-American button in partnership mode to face the challenges of the 21st century. The Sino-American currency spat, among other things, has put paid to the delusional hopes, during his first visit to Beijing on assuming power in the White House, of a G2 condominium to solve global problems. Edward Luce, the former Financial Times correspondent in India and now head of the paper's US desk in Washington, accompanying the presidential party on its three-day subcontinental tour, wrote from New Delhi (FT November 9): “Credit where credit is due. Barack Obama has not always shown diplomatic skill. But in India....he leaves with a strong diplomatic wind in his sails. Mr Obama had two diplomatic objectives, neither of them easy, both of which he accomplished. “The first was to demonstrate to US voters that he was not wasting his time – and their tax dollars - flying halfway around the world just a few days after they had delivered such a stinging slap in the face.....Mr Obama needed to show he could get tangible results from his economic charm offensive in India. This he measurably achieved. With at least 10 deals signed and almost $15 billion in Indian orders from US companies, the US president can say with a straight face that he helped to secure 50,000 manufacturing jobs at home. From Reliance Power's $5 billion order for GE's gas turbines, to the Boeing sale of 10 C17 [heavy lift transport] aircraft to the Indian government, these are high-paying jobs Americans fear are slipping away.”

Winning over India Skating delicately over the Kashmir issue, unlike David Miliband who blundered into it much like a bull in a china shop, Mr Luce's narrative told how “In winning over Indian hearts and minds....the US president touched the right Indian buttons, (going) beyond the

ment that the US has tabled so far. I did not detect any hesitation at all,” he said.

Security factor

number of cost and strategic considerations which will have to be looked at, but in purely technical terms, Eurofighter is ahead.” Meanwhile, a James LamontAlex Barker report (Ft November 3) revealed: “Britain has hit an early obstacle in in attempts to sell the fleet of Harrier jump jets after India, the most promising potential buyer, described the aircraft as 'iffy' and obsolete.” IAF's Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik said he would be looking to aircraft of fourth generation capabilities or better. “The Harrier doesn't fit into that category,” he said. Watch this space. President Barack Obama with PM Manmohan Singh

eral achievement was the agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.” She could also have referred to President Obama's decision to remove US restrictions on the export of dual-use technologies to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), while keeping them in place for India's Atomic Energy Authority.

autonomous momentum free of the country's relationship with Pakistan. Stephen Cohen at the Institution in Brookings Washington got it right: “I see a 100 years of conflict between India and Pakistan.” Such realism is a welcome antidote to special pleading masquerading as serious analysis.

Typhoon touted

A few weeks ago, the FT's James Lamont was touting the virtues of America's frontline warplanes for India's supposedly obsolescent airforce. He appears to have switched sides, extolling the virtues of the Typhoon, manufactured by the Eurofighter consortium of the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy, which is in contention, with planes from Russia, Sweden and the US, for an Indian Mr and Mrs Obama placing flowers on Air Force (IAF) Gandhiji’s Samadhi order for 126 airComes this cautionary craft believed to be worth $10 caveat: “Trapped by geography: billion or more. Pakistan's proximity to India According to Mr Lamont (FT and its intense hostility conNovember 4), “A bold move to strains US policy towards open the consortium to India.” This is honesty indeed, India....is a sweetener for New contrasting with AngloDelhi to buy the Typhoon, which American media mush on India's is viewed as more expensive need to engage with Pakistan in than its rivals. Discussion of the interests of its own progress. bringing India into Eurofighter What about Islamabad's promocoincides with a top-level milition of terror in India? To be tary exercise between the UK's ignored in the interests of the Royal Air Force Typhoons and West? Anyway, India's march the IAF's Sukhoi and Mirage jets into the future has an in West Bengal, where senior Indian officers said they were highly impressed with the Typhoon's capabilities.” Methinks they expressed much the same sentiments about the Typhoon's rivals, as chivalry demands. India is expected to sign up to a deal with Russia for co-production of a fifth-generation stealth fighter. The Sunday Telegraph's Praveen Swami and Dean Nelson (November 7) filed a high octane report which claimed that an IAF technical evaluation had placed the Typhoon ahead of its rivals. However, the unnamed Indian official passing on the information, cautioned: “There are a

Teresita Schaffer, veteran South Asia watcher and former State Department official, gave an arresting take on the Indo-US relationship in YaleGlobal Online (November 5). Setting the canvas to the Obama visit, she said: “The biggest success stories in the past decade entail accomplishments the United States and India achieve on their own, without third parties. The most dramatic change has been the creation of a security relationship. In 2000, there was practically none, in 2010, US officials assert that the United States conducted more military exercisBarack Obama addressing Parliament es with India than in New Delhi with any other country. Major strategic interests description of India as emerging bring the two countries together to say it had 'emerged' and had in the Indian Ocean. India's already 'risen' as a global exports to the US have doubled power....it will buy him credit in in that same period, and its New Delhi, whose support the imports from the US have grown US increasingly needs in fields fivefold. These are the essential such as the G20 summit later building blocks for a broader this week, on 'AfPak', global relationship.The crowning bilattrade diplomacy and in handling an increasingly assertive China.” Indian MPs cheered as President Obama expressed emphatic support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Strobe Talbott, Assistant Secretary of State in the Clinton administration noted sourly that this was a cheque that could bounce. However, in an adjacent column, James Lamont quoted Ashley Tellis, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington think-tank, as saying Mr Obama's support for India was more unequivocal than it had been to Japan. “This is truly the strongest endorseMrs Michelle Obama talking to students

Russian point man A report in The Hindu (November 4) tells of the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov to head Russia's side of the IndoRussian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) for trade, economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation. He replaces Sergei Sobyanin, who was appointed Mayor of Moscow last month. The decree appointing Mr Ivanov was signed by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Vladimir Radyuhin, who penned the report, writes: “Mr Ivanov's appointment is good news for the defence establishments of both India and Russia. As Russia's Defence Minister in 2001-07, he co-chaired the IRIGC for military-technical cooperation and helped formulate Russia's arms export strategy, which calls for the most cutting-edge defence technologies to India, while exercising extreme discretion in selling weapons to China.” Mr Ivanov is expected to visit India this month to prepare the ground for President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to the country in December for the annual Indo-Russian summit. The Novosti agency reports that Russia had delivered, as per its contract with India, an A-50 Mainstay AWACS aircraft to Israel to be fitted with the Phalcon radar for use by the IAF. Two of these systems have been integrated with the Russian Il76MD aircraft and is in service with the Indian armed forces.

India's first radar system The Economic Times (November 9) reports from New Delhi that, “India's first indigenously-developed Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system is ready and is being sent to Brazil to be integrated with an Embraer 145 jet. The development is a milestone in India's quest for self-reliance in advanced radars....” The AWACS and AEW&C are advanced radars, absolutely essential for contemporary for long range and precision engagement to neutralise hostile targets. The country's defences are acquiring sharper teeth. In an uncertain environment it is better to be safe than sorry.

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

India Realty Corner Vikram Goyal, Managing Director

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Alpesh Patel’s Political Sketchbook: The Politics of Entrepreneurship So at long last the politicians are getting behind entrepreneurship. it is the entrepreneur, the risk taker who will get us out of this global mess. How? Well the economist Keynes said the one thing he could not factor in any economic equation, no matter how much the State spent or lowered taxes to help the economy, was the magical ingredient of ‘animal spirits’. You and I may call it ‘fire in the belly’. It’s the thing that leads a Bill Gates to leave Harvard without a degree because he has to follow his business passion. It’s following your soul. It’s running a business because you have to do this thing, it keeps you awake at 4am. It is not being a professional, or walking the well-trodden path. It is risking everything. And these adventurers as the Prime Minister said this past week, which was World Enterprise Week, will be the people we all turn to, to get us out of this global mess. No they are not bankers. They are not that type of risk taker with other people’s money and nothing to lose themselves. They are people with everything to lose

themselves including a roof over their heads. Where are they? Well Thatcher’s Britain brought them out. I recall buying at the age of 12 my first privatisation stock – British Gas. That make’s you want to be self-employed. After a taste of making money myself, I could never, and have never had a ‘proper job’. And so it is that the inner spirit and mind of the entrepreneur is ignited. And it is why I am writing to you from a flight to India and then onwards to Malaysia and missing Diwali at Downing Street at the invitation of the PM. Because his Ministers in the Government have asked me to find outstanding next generation of entrepreneurs in these countries and help them set up a business in the UK. It’s the UK Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme and I’ve been undertaking this role since 2005. Because deep down I always knew the entrepreneur is our last line of defence against all global ills. That’s right. I said ‘ALL’ global ills. It is the entrepreneur who in the form of Cadbury and

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Rowntree built foundations to eradicate child labour in Britain. It is the entrepreneur who creates employment, not the employee. So yes, Prime Minister and MPs in Parliament encouraging entrepreneurship – you are right – but you need give us a break. We expect not to be taxed to the hilt because we believe in extra reward for our extra risk – after all risk and reward go together in all areas of life. If you don’t like it – try saving the world without us. Thankfully this and the previous Government did understand the importance of the entrepreneur – I am not talking about the greedy non-dom denying their nationality and privilege and honour bestowed on them in order to spend more time with their money sitting in an offshore account investing in some financial product – I am talking about the proper entrepreneur – the one with the talent to have worked at any investment bank but turning it down to follow a passion. They end up being patriots without knowing it.

www.incredibleindia.org

ART & CULTURE

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Diwali- a time for looking ahead

Dancers performing for Diwali at Bhavans

By Radhika Madlani

Silent Witness Ever felt guilty for arguing in front of your children? Ever wonder what impact your behavior will have on them? My husband and I were recently having an animated conversation when I realized my daughter quickly crawled across the lounge to climb on me and give me a protective bear hug. Guilt swept over my face as I realized Ria presumed from the raised voices that we were having an argument and raced across the floor to protect her mummy. My heart melted. I hugged her tightly and reassured her that mummy and daddy were just talking. We continued talking in softer voices until my little ‘silent witness’ carried on playing again. I recalled recent coverage in the press on the effects of alcohol on a pregnant woman and her baby. Doctors were debating to what extent alcohol affects the baby

His Excellency Mr Nalin Surie and Mrs Surie, Mr and Mrs Singh Suri, Lord McNally, Mr Maneck Dalal OBE, Lord Parekh

The High Commissioner of India, His Excellency Sri Nalin Surie was the Chief Guest at the Bhavan’s annual fundraising Diwali Banquet on Wednesday 18th November. The Millennium Mayfair Hotel in London was the setting for the dinner which was attended by many distinguished guests from all walks of life, including members of both Houses of Parliament. In his speech of welcome, the Bhavan’s Chairman, Mr Maneck Dalal OBE, paid tribute to the close co-operation between the Indian High Commission and the Bhavan. Mr Dalal also acknowledged the close ties between the Bhavan and the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and welcomed the Borough’s Mayor, Cllr Alex Karmel. In his speech, His Excellency Sri Nalin Surie reminded those present that Diwali was a time for looking ahead. It was also a time for compassion, sharing and rejuvenation. The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was performing yeoman service in the UK, not only in propagating Indian culture, but also the ethos on Indian civilisation. The Bhavan’s focus on Gandhian values was of particular relevance in today’s complicated world. His Excellency went on to say that India

and the United Kingdom had impacted on each other in a manner which very few countries had. India and the UK had established a strategic partnership and were in the process of adding content to this partnership in as many diverse sectors as feasible. Both countries were determined to fight the scourge of international terrorism. Both countries were also grappling with the global economic crisis and it was important that co-operation be strengthened in this endeavour. His Excellency concluded by wishing everyone a happy Diwali as well as peace and happiness for the New Year. After the loyal toasts to the Queen and the President of India, a citation from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan International was presented to the Bhavan’s former Honorary Treasurer, Mr Kishor Devani. This citation was given to Mr Devani by Sri Mathoor Krishnamurti who recalled the early days of the Bhavan in London, during which Mr Devani had played a pivotal role. After a short cultural programme involving Bhavan’s teachers and students, the Vote of Thanks was given by the Bhavan’s Vice-Chairman, Mr Joginder Sanger, who was responsible for arranging the fund-raising Banquet.

in the womb and I sat through coverage of ‘intellects’ debating how much alcohol was safe, how little research was available to prove that alcohol had a direct impact on the baby and then continued to provide footage of young children born with special conditions because of their parents abuse of alcohol and drugs during pregnancy. I was surprisingly angry watching the debate. An average woman lives for 70 years and on average only has 2 kids. It would be reasonable to therefore assume that in the 18 months (roughly 2%) of the adult life while a woman is carrying a life, the temptation of alcohol or drugs could be easily resisted. Never assume. I do urge you to think of the silent witness that has to bear consequence of your actions, in the womb and then outside. Having said that, who are you or I to

judge? As I said at the beginning, have you ever felt guilty for raising your voice, or swearing or calling your partner a name in front of your children? If you have (and I know I have), make a promise with yourself to improve. Look at the mirror and be proud of your commitment to change. As our very own Gandhiji used to say, be the change you want to see in the world. After what happened, I am very aware; aware of my role as a parent, aware of my responsibility towards Ria and most of all, aware of the impact of my behavior to ‘silent witnesses’ around me. I make a promise to protect my silent witness, do you make a promise to protect yours? I do hope so. “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” R obert F ulgh um

Should you have any comments or want to get in touch with me you can email on avmamaria@gmail.com

Seventeen And Going Strong! Seventeen years old this year and in the full prime of youth full of energy, vigour and enthusiasm…Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Manchester) which was founded in 1983 by a small group visionaries with a view to preserve, encourage and propagate the teaching and understanding of Indian art and culture as an integral part of the culture of the United Kingdom. Nearly 250 friends and well wishers of the Bhavan gathered together on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at the Britannia Country House Didsbury Hotel in Manchester to celebrate its seventeenth birthday party. Among the happy gathering were Mr. C Gururaj Rao, Consul General of India in Birmingham, The Right Honourable John Redwood, Member of Parliament for Wokingham and Mr. C B Patel, Publisher and Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. During the evening the revellers at the party experienced delicious food, excellent entertainment and interesting speeches. The evening commenced on an auspicious note with a melodious prayer sung by the Bhavan’s own teacher Rakesh Joshi. The Bhavan’s Chairman Mr. Mukund Jobanputra and his wife Urmilaben performed the traditional lighting of the lamp. This was followed by a wonderful exposition from Tarang, the UK’s Indian classical music

ensemble, The group which is made up young and up-and coming musicians is part of Milapfest, UK’s leading South Asian Arts Development Trust, run by the national charity Milap Festival Trust. Tarang had the honour of

performing at Buckingham Palace on the occasion of the reception to receive the torch of the Commonwealth games. Milapfest and the Bhavan work in close association and in fact Mr. Jobanputra is a Patron of Milapfest.Mr Alok Nayak from the Trust introduced the group. The Bhavan’s own students then put on a scintillating performance of several dances including bharanatyam, bollywood

and bhangra. Students of the Hindu Society of the University of Manchester also put on an excellent display of dances. Mr. Redwood spoke eloquently on the topic of Rising Asia and the impact of the credit crunch on the west. Mr. Gururaj Rao then followed and gave an interesting account of the rapidly improving Anglo-Indian relationships and also reminded the audience of his role as the Consul General. Mr. Patel recalled his long association with the Bhavan ever since its inception. He congratulated the Bhavan over its tremendous achievement over the last 17 years and suggested that it was high time that the Bhavan made serious efforts to obtain its own premises. He said he would be willingly help in such efforts. Dr. Krishna Korlipara, a leading General Practioner from Bolton introduced the speakers and reiterated the need for the Bhavan to find its own base. Mr Kamlesh Rajput, the treasurer of the Bhavan gave the vote of thanks. An attractive and informative brochure was published to mark the event. It was a grand and enjoyable party indeed! Although the entire committee of the Bhavan strived hard to organise the evening special mention should be made of Mrs. Alka Rauniar, Mrs. Dipti Rallan, Mrs Avni Vyas and Mr Kamlesh Rajput. Many Happy Returns to the Bhavan!

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

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Bollywood

16 Asian Voice Saturday 20th November 2010

Aamir gets special invitation from Obama Kamal Hassan turns lyricist-singer Kollywood actor Kamal Hassan is turning a lyricist and singer with his upcoming film “Manmadhan Ambu.” The actor has also penned story and screenplay for the film. Reports suggest that Kamal has written four out of the five songs in the forthcoming film. The celluloid genius has lent his voice to one of the songs in this film as well. The music for the film has been composed by the renowned musician Devi Sri Prasad. The audio launch of “Manmadhan Ambu” is

scheduled to take place on November 20 in Singapore. It will be launched at a cruise ship. Kamal has also recited a poem in this new movie, which makes it all the more unique. Kamal Hassan is going to be the main highlight of this film and Trisha is going to star as his leading lady. It also features Madhavan, Ramesh Arvind, Sangeetha in the key roles. The movie is directed by KS Ravikumar and produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Shiva in Gautham Menon film Shiva is going great guns. From ‘Chennai 28’ to ‘Va-Quarter Cutting’, he has been gaining admirers from unexpected quarters. Gautham Menon who recently saw ‘Va-Quarter Cutting’ was excessively impressed with the histrionics of Shiva. After laughing to all his one liners, Gautham immediately called Shiva to appreciate him for the terrific comedy. The call which was made to congratulate Shiva grew up into a conversation and at the end of it Gautham signed Shiva for a film under his direction. The new film

will show Shiva in an avatar which is not likely of him. He will for the first time be a romantic hero in Gautham style. The movie will start rolling after Gautham completes his Hindi remake of ‘VTV’ in February. Music for the film, in all probability, will be scored by A R Rahman.

Shriya’s role comes with suspense Though ‘Rowthiram’, a film starring Jeeva in lead role, is a ‘commercial attempt’ targeted at all sections of the audience, the role Shriya Saran plays in the film is not similar to the one we get to see in ‘masala’ movies. “As far as ‘Rowthiram’ is concerned, Shriya is not the typical heroine who romances the hero and vanishes. She has got a meaty role which is filled with suspense,” sources confirm. “Debutant director Gokul, a former assistant to Telugu filmmaker Suryakiran, has shaped up Shriya’s role in such a powerful way that

‘Rowthiram’ has got all qualities to become one of the important movies in the actress’s career.” Produced by R B Chowdary’s Super Good Films, this home project of Jeeva is fast taking shape. “If everything goes as planned, ‘Rowthiram’ will hit the screens at the end of the first quarter of 2011, as a perfect summer treat,” add sources.

US president Barack Obama has extended a special invitation to Bollywood actor Aamir Khan to visit America and promote his films. They met at a special dinner organized by Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh at his Delhi residence in honour of the visiting US dignitary. Among other dignitaries present were Azim Premji, Narayana Murthy, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Javed Akhtar, Kapil Sibal, Vishwanathan Anand and P Chidambram. Unfortunately, Aamir's wife Kiran Rao could not make it to this dinner, as she was unwell. Nevertheless, the dinner proved to be more than a fruitful rendezvous for Aamir. During his long interaction with President Obama, Aamir was thrilled to learn that Obama was well aware of his work. At the gathering, when President Obama met Aamir, after talking about his films and telling him to promote them in the US, he also asked Aamir about his wife Kiran. On learning that she was unwell, Obama told Aamir to wish her a speedy recovery. Incidentally, Michelle Obama was more familiar with Aamir's film and had told her husband about them. The confidence, with which Michelle Obama spoke about Aamir's films, was a very pleasant surprise for the actor. The US First Lady promptly told her husband that she even danced to a song from one of Aamir's films recently at

The Holy Name School in Colaba. When contacted, Aamir said, "It was a real honour to be part of such a distinguished gathering. It was a very dignified and tasteful affair. I was seated on the same table as Vishwanathan Anand, who is a big fan of mine. Mr Obama sent his regards to Kiran and said, 'Tell her we missed her'. And Michelle Obama told me that she really enjoyed dancing to my song from Rang De Basanti." You are a lucky man, Obama tells Javed Akhtar Meanwhile, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi spent a considerable time in conversation with Obama and Michelle Obama. The first thing that Michelle did on being introduced to Javed and Shabana was to congratulate her was the choice of the colour of her saree. Shabana and Javed were introduced to President Obama and Michelle as both being in

the parliament. Obama smiled and said, “Oh, so you're both artistes and you combine it with politics.” Then looking at Javed Obama said, “You're a very lucky man.” Says a friend of Shabana, “Shabana hit it off with Michelle immediately. They were soon laughing and joking together. Shabana suggested that Michelle take a look at some Indian designs and designers.” Aamir signs new film after two years After two years, perfectionist Aamir Khan signs his new film - a suspense thriller. And what’s more is that this time around he’s back with the famed “Dil Chahta Hai” team. After “3 Idiots” Aamir Khan has signed his next film - with Farhan Akhtar's Excel Production and Aamir Khan production. The movie will be directed by Reema Kagti. This is the first time Aamir is going to be seen in a suspense thriller.

Bipasha bags international project Bollywood’s dusky beauty Bipasha Basu has signed her first international project - English-French director Roland Joffe's “Singularity.” The 31-year-old is extremely excited and admits she does have butterflies in her stomach. "I am very excited...but have to admit that I am also a little nervous. Everything happened really fast," Bipasha said. Bipasha met Joffe in a chance encounter at the Taj Land's End Hotel in Mumbai in September. The $33 million movie, written by Ajey Jhankar, is a riveting tale of an impossible love set across two time periods and continents. It is set in the backdrop of the First Anglo-Maratha War of the 18th century and revolves around four characters - a British officer in colonial India and the Indian woman he falls in love with, an American

marine biologist and his researcher lover - who gets trapped in a wrecked British merchant ship. The film will be shot in Australia and India. Bipasha will be flying to Brisbane soon.

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Priyanka Chopra is now ready to get married Priyanka Chopra has finally agreed to take the plunge. Yes, news has it that she has finally decided to tie the knot as per the wishes of her parents. Buzz has it that Priyanka’s family has been doing everything to convince their star daughter to walk down the aisle, but the girl always turned a deaf ear to their suggestion. Of late, she seems to have had a change of heart. The actress, who used to ignore all shaadi talks, citing that she isn`t ready for marriage and needs time to mentally prepare herself, has shattered hearts of millions

of her fans by saying yes to marriage. In fact, many feel there shouldn’t be anything stopping her. She is a successful actress in the industry and has made her mark in Bollywood. Moreover, she is at the right age to get married and settle in life. Sources close to the actress confirmed that PC has finally declared to her parents that she is all set and ready to take on the family responsibilities. And now, all that she wants is a guy! Speaking to a daily, Priyanka said, “I am ready to get married. I am

Guzaarish

just waiting for a guy to come and sweep me off my feet. If I get that kind of guy tomorrow, I don`t mind marrying tomorrow.” In an earlier interviews, Priyanka wished her life partner to be Punjabi munda. Whether it is Ranbir or Shahid, let’s wait and watch who gets to become the prince charming of the smiling beauty.

A Sanjay Leela Bhansali flick, Guzaarish is the romantic story of a magician who is bedridden for 14 years and the nurse who has taken care of him all through. The verdant green landscape, the magnetic blue waters and the warm bright sunshine of beautiful Goa is home to one of the greatest magicians of his time, Ethan Mascarenhas. Presently hosting a Radio Show that spreads magic and hope and laughter through his irrepressible wit and humour to every listener and caller, it is difficult to imagine that this is a man who has been immobilized with a spinal injury for the last fourteen years. Ethan is aided through every moment of his present life by the epicentre of his world - his Nurse, Sofia D'Souza. Theirs is a love beautiful in its implicit silence, unwavering in its quiet strength and spirited in their constant verbal sparring. On the fourteenth anniversary of his accident, Ethan decides to seek control over his own life. He makes a petition to the Court that shocks the world and leaves Sofia in an impasse that challenges their relationship and love. Alongside all the tumult that follows, a young man named Omar Siddiqui bursts into Ethan's world with a single-minded desire to learn magic from the very best. While on one hand Ethan passes on his magical legacy, on the other, he fights tooth-and-nail to demand the most basic right that every human being is entitled to - the right to his own life. The ethics, the morality, the kindness and cruelty of this mission creates a storm in all the lives that it envelops and its resolution forms the startling conclusion of Ethan's remarkable journey. Produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ronnie Screwvala under the joint banner of SLB Films and UTV Motion Pictures, the film is directed by Bhansali. He has also scored the music and shares the credit for the screenplay alongwith Bhavani Iyer. The cast of the film includes Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Aditya Roy Kapur, Monikangana Dutta, Rajit Kapoor, Shernaz Patel, Sanjay Lafont, Nafisa Ali, Suhel Seth, Vijay Crishna, Ash Chandler, Makrand Deshpande, Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, Pralhad Kakkar, Achint Kaur, Priyanka Bose, Swara Bhaskar, Aayam Mehta and Sujata Kumar. A M Turaz, Vibhu Puri and Late Jagdish Joshi have penned the lyrics while K K, Shail Hada, Kunal Ganjawala, Rakesh Pandit, Francois, Vibhavari Joshi, Sunidhi Chauhan, Harshdeep Kaur and Shankar Mahadevan given the play back Vibhu Puri and Bhavani Iyer share the dialogues credit.

Amitabh being re-launched as angry ‘old’ man With Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer in 1973, Amitabh Bachchan introduced a new motif in Hindi cinema in 1973 as that of the "angry young man". Bachchan established himself as the defiant hero who while fighting his own battle against injustice, manages to gain the viewer's sympathy. Now, Amitabh Bachchan will be re-launched as the angry 'old' man in Puri Jagannath's film “Buddha.” The film deals with the story of an old man who is an exgangster. After ruling the city of Mumbai for long, this gangster goes away, only to return 30 years later. When he finds a new set of gangsters ruling the city, he fights each of them, one by one. Incidentally, the film will have lots of dialogues from Bachchan's old hits.

A source said, "This film will establish Amitabh as the angry old man. Buddha is a film, which he loved the moment he heard the script. Initially, Ram Gopal Varma was to present it. However, Amitabh wanted to produce the film himself under AB Corp. This will be the first film after

“Paa” to be made under AB Corp and the film will have lots of dialogues from movies like “Deewar,” “Zanjeer” etc. Amitabh's introductory scene is about his return to Mumbai after 30 years. This scene will have the famous dialogue from Kaalia, `Hum jahah par khade rehte hai, line wahi se shuru hoti hai'. There would also be dialogues from “Zanjeer.” Amitabh and Puri Jagannath remained unavailable for comments. But the source added, "Puri has also signed Sonu Sood in the role of Amitabh's son as he feels that he looks apt for it. Plus, the director has got the action director of Wanted (original) to work in his film. It is said that this role will also be one of Bachchan's most physically challenging ones."

Madhuri to make her TV appearance Madhuri Dixit, who is known for her nimble steps, unearthly grace and sensual eyes, would now make her first TV appearance in “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.” The stage is now indeed set. Madhuri has confirmed with the broadcasters of the show that she would be doing the fourth season of the show, which will be produced by BBC Worldwide Productions and starts at the end of this year. Says a source, "The modalities have been worked out. What is very exciting is that Madhuri has loved the concept of the show." However, Madhuri didn't get convinced easily. Reveals the source, "The broadcasters of the show made Madhuri see the original format of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa - Dancing With the Stars. The screening was held in Los Angeles. Only after seeing it in detail

did Madhuri say 'yes'." The Guinness Book of World Records 2010 recently announced that Dancing With the Stars is officially the world's most successful TV format based on format sales, viewing figures and spin-off shows. The format was

also named as the most watched entertainment show in the world by trade publication Television Business International. Having scored a superstar on the show, the broadcasters are doing everything to make the show a success. Adds the source, "Madhuri will be given top facilities during her stay in Mumbai. The broadcasters shall provide her with a car. And the entire expenses of her stay in Mumbai will also be borne by them." Madhuri is coming down to India in November. She is likely to be accompanied by her parents. She will start shooting for the show soon thereafter. Confirming the news, Madhuri's secretary, Rakeshnath (aka Rikku) said, "I complete 25 years of working relationship with Madhuriji on November 4, which is incidentally my 60th birthday."

Court marriage for Imran-Avantika Bollywood heart-throb Imran Khan and his finacee Avantika Malik will have a court marriage to avoid committing his big day to any particular religion. The actor has taken inspiration from Danish Aslam, the director of his upcoming movie "Break Ke Baad". Aslam opted for the same procedure to tie the knot with his actress wife Shruti Seth to avoid any religious clash. "I am from a Muslim family and Avantika belongs to a Hindu family. I personally didn't want to commit our wedding to one religion or another. We felt the best way for us was that we would keep it neutral and have a court marriage," Imran said in a statement.

"Even Danish my director of 'Break Ke Baad' was in the same situation and had a court marriage," he added. Imran and Avantika, both childhood sweethearts, got

engaged in January this year at a farmhouse owned by the latter's family in Karjat. The marriage is scheduled to take place in the second week of January next year.

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Alpesh Patel Consultant Editor Financial Voice Dear Financial Voice Reader, I write to you from onboard a flight on the way to Delhi, thereafter onwards 24 hours later to Malaysia. It’s a different world to Europe’s credit crunches and dire economic doom scenarios of Portugal and Greece and Spain. Ironic when you consider that a Pope once divided the world in two halves – the bit on the right of Italy for the Portuguese and the bit on the left of Italy for the Spaniards – after the Portuguese entered Brazil and it was making a pig’s ear of spreading the Word. How I bet Portugal and Spain wish they could lean on their past Empires now. Instead, as I was speaking last week at the World Money Show I was asked how Europeans can invest in countries like India and Malaysia. Even readers of this august paper were unsure about accessing the Indian markets. But you see there is one simple truth about investing they all neglect. Chances are whatever you invest in, wherever in the world you invest, you will only ever make between 10-20% per annum as your long term average. Sure you will have some investments that in a given year average above this. And you will always think you will win the lottery or invest in the next Google – but if like the world’s richest man – Warren Buffett you aim to get about 20% per annum – then you will be...ummm...the world’s richest man. He didn’t invest in the next Google or win the lottery you see. Why is this so? Well it’s just the way of the investing universe. 10-20% over the long term is a pretty outstanding return. In fact it’s a lot harder than you might think. Like I said, the world’s richest man does not average more than this over the long term – and that is how he became the world’s richest man. Okay, so what has this to do with India and Malaysia or China or Gold or any other investment. Simple – because another truth of the markets is that it doesn’t matter what you make your return in. A return is a return. The world’s richest man never has investing in India. He’s hardly invested in China. A lot of his returns have come from a razor blade business called Gillette and a black soft drinks maker called Coca-Cola. Most people are too busy trying to be too clever and looking for the next big thing and getting their finger’s burnt. In fact investing can be so simple I embarked in 2004 on an experiment with the UK’s largest seller of private investor software. I approached them with a proposition that I could create a ‘button’ on their software which would based on my simple trading rules looking for undervalued growth companies in the UK would outperform the world’s richest man. That button would list stocks which if an investor bought them, held them for 12 months, and sold any in that period which dropped 25% from when they bought them, they would generate a better average annual return than Warren Buffett. Then I told them I can do it in bull and bear markets. So last week after 6 completed years of running this software and this Alpesh Patel ‘button’ they told me that if people had followed me since 2004 as they did, then they would have had a 160% return. If instead they investing in Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway they would have had a 12% return in total. Oh, and for those of you who have done better than 160% since 2004 – consider it takes someone 1 second to press that button and about 10 minutes to buy the stocks – that’s their return on time – no running a business, managing properties. Why did I do this experiment on Sharescope’s Alpesh Patel Special Edition software? Because in 2004 I also won a competition in the Financial Times against fund manager’s, brokers, FT editors to predict over 12 months the value of the FTSE 100. So, I wanted to push further and see how good I really was. Oh, by the way, the difference between me and a non-expert – they are right 5 times out of 10, I only need to be right 6 times out of 10 to be an expert! Not really much of an expert after all. Alpesh.patel@tradermind.com

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Grosvenor House Hotel may soon be an Indian owned property Sahara India Parivar of Subrata Roy set to bag the deal at £470 mn Subrata Roy, one of the prominent Indian business tycoons is all set to sign a deal for the purchase of Grosvenor House Hotel, a very prestigious landmark at London’s Park Lane. Once a home to the Duke of Westminster, the Hotel is currently owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland. A report in the Sunday Times says after failing to sell the hotel at two previous auctions, RBS is now set to sign the deal with Sahara India Parivar for £470 mn. The bank earlier was expecting to pocket £700 mn.

Subrata Roy

Sahara is believed to be taking advice from consultants DTZ and Blandford Goldsmith on

the real estate deal. RBS has been trying to offload the site for three years. Grosvenor House was built in the 18th century and became the Duke's London home in 1806. It was commandeered by the government during the First World War before being knocked down and rebuilt in 1927. Sahara, which has been in exclusive talks with the state -backed bank since mid-October, is understood to have already handed over a deposit for the property. If all goes smoothly,

the deal is expected to be inked before Christmas. Both parties declined to comment on the deal. The Indian group is seen as one of the favourites to acquire the well-known London hotel by those close to the negotiations. It is the venue for many of the capital’s larger black tie events, although a final decision has not been made from a shortlist of bidders. Other parties linked to the deal include sovereign and state wealth funds from Singapore, Qatar and China.

Vodafone asked to deposit `25 bn in the tax case The Netherlands govt. also trying to settle the dispute with India Vodafone, the UK based mobile phone major has been asked to deposit Rs. 25 bn within three weeks by the Supreme Court of India. Vodafone is fighting a legal battle against Income Tax authorities in India over the demand of capital gains tax dues that, according to the Indian authorities is the responsibility of Vodafone. The UK based company was expected to deduct the tax

Dabur India acquires US firm Namaste Laboratories

Dabur India, the FMCG major well known for its Ayurvedic products is set to enter the US market with the acquisition of Namaste Laboratories LLC and its three subsidiaries. Anand Burman, chairman of Dabur India said, “This acquisition is in line with our strategy to build a global presence in the international FMCG market.” The acquisition of Namaste Laboratories LLC and its three subsidiary companies -- Hair Rejuvenation & Revitalization Nigeria Limited, Healing Hair Laboratories International, LLC, and Urban Laboratories International, LLC along with its South African arm has been done through Dabur’s US-based subsidiary Dermoviva Skin Essentials. The firm said the acquisition marks Dabur's entry into the fastgrowing $1.5-bn ethnic hair care products market in the US, Europe and Africa. "Namaste Group will also serve as a gateway to the US market for our portfolio of consumer products," Burman said. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2010, subject to regulatory approvals in the US, the company said.

liability amount from the proceeds of the stake deal that it signed and executed with Hutchison. Meanwhile, according to another report in an Indian financial daily, The Economic Times, The Netherlands government is trying to help Vodafone reach an out of court settlement in the tax dispute. The Indian apex court has also said in its order, issued on Monday, 15th

November that Income tax department was entitled to withdraw the amount from the supreme court registry. In case the authorities withdraw the money and Vodafone wins the case, authorities will have to pay interest on the amount to Vodafone. Further, the Court has also asked Vodafone to furnish bank guarantee of Rs. 85 bn within 8 weeks. The Supreme Court

has fixed February 24 next year as the final date for Vodafone hearing. In September, the income tax department had issued an order raising a tax demand of Rs. 112.18 bn on Vodafone International holdings BV, treating it as an assessee in default for failure to deduct tax as required before making a payment of $11,076 million (about Rs. 550 bn) to Hutchison.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Property Focus Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director of Sow & Reap, a Property Investment & Financing company.

POPULAR SAGAR – SANAND Last week I wrote about a new project that we are launching. Here are some more details on this opportunity. l Integrated Township with 2 and 3 Bedroom apartments with Penthouses, Showrooms, Shops and Offices l POPULAR SAGAR is just 4 kms away from Sanand Industrial Zone where Major Multi Nationals are coming up Tata Nano is already there l This guarantees future demand for property in the area l You’re entering right at the beginning, at the cheapest rate – THE BEST TIME TO ENTER IN A DEVELOPMENT l As usual we have thoroughly checked this development out before bringing it to you l If you have been delaying investing in India , this is a good project to dip your toe into, being modestly priced and in the earliest stage of growth l Sarkhej Chokdi is 8 km away from this development l The unique location means the property is just outside of Ahmedabad on the borders of Sanand, just outside the AUDA boundary

The three most important points in investing in property is Location, Location Location…

The position of this development is its strongest growth factor! Gujarat is said to be the growth engine of India, and Ahmedabad in turn is the engine of Gujarat, and within Ahmedabad Sanand is the most exciting area…and within Sanand this development is in the primest location to take advantage of this growth.

Integrated town ship in Sanand Scheme Name Developers Site Location

POPULAR SAGAR SAGAR DEVELOPERS Ahmedabad – Viramgam Highway Sanand Sarkhej Road Sanand Architect Jignesh Patel (Creative Designs) Structural Consultant Sarjan Consultants Total Plot Area 24000 Sq. Yd Apox. No. of Blocks 12 Blocks 8 Blocks of 2 BHK: 145 Sq.yd (S.B.A) 4 Blocks of 3 BHK: 195 Sq.yd (S.B.A) Apartments 2 BHK 256 Apartments Apartments 3 BHK 128 Apartments Floors of Blocks Apartments Basement + Hollow Plinth +8 Floors Apt. per Floor 4 Apartments per floor Pent Houses 16 Pent Houses There are also 48 Commerical shops and Show Rooms available. Specifications Fully Loaded Club House with all Indoor Board Games Mini Home TheaterLibraryBadminton Court Children’s Play Area Ample Recreational Activity Areas Huge Common Multipurpose Plot in the Centre Green & Beautiful Landscaped Garden, Walking Paths/ Jogging Track Internal RCC Roads, Dust Free Environment Ample Parking Space C.C T.V Camera at Security Cabin, Security Staff This is an excellent opportunity so call us now for more details on 0203 384 5323 or email info@sowandreapdesi.com. We are planning seminars for this development towards the end of November. To book a place please contact us.

The Domino Effect We are currently involved in purchasing a two bedroom property in Maida Vale W2 for a client of ours, Mr Patel – this one actually is a Patel, he’s purchased through us previously. We purchased his previous property for him about two years ago for the price of £142,500 in May 2009. It is an ex- council property in North Wembley, Middlesex. That property was a repossession and was passed to us by an agent we regurlary work with. The property was financed by remortgaging an existing property Mr Patel owned.

streams of income will even earn him money without him even being alive. Many people miss this important distinction. It is not just a question of getting a return on your money which counts, but on how much hassle and time is involved. Property by nature if managed properly will provide income for you. If your time is sacrificed in earning your money, there is only limited enjoyment of the money earned. As no matter how much you earn your lifestyle will not change because in order to earn this money you will still be running your busi-

In order to fund the new purchase of £315,000 the previous Wembley property had to be remortgaged to raise funds as a deposit. When the remortgage lender conducted the valuation for that property they valued it at £180,000. This means our client has made over £35,000 in about a year and a half, as a consequence of following our advice. Apart from the capital growth the property has been generating an income for him over this period. This is the valuation the lenders valuer provided even in the current economic climate. It is important to note he would not have been able to save this amount of money over this period. The property has been rented for £900per month. This comes to £10,800 which presents a yield of 7.6%. The property was funded by way of a remortgage of an exiting BTL property which our client already owned. So this is a domino effect whereby the first property funded the purchase of the second, and the second property is now funding the third property which is in the pipeline, we are hoping to complete the purchase this side of Christmas. This client is not too aggressive in acquiring his property portfolio, he has a drinks wholsesale business which churns out cash for him and so from time to time he will be able to extract monies from the business and allocate it to his growing property portfolio. This together with the uplift in property prices will allow him to grow in a steady and secure way. The idea here is to build streams of Passive Income. Passive being the operative word. Unlike his business which requires him to be in his business to generate money, these streams of income from his properties will earn him money without taking any of his time. These

ness, or perhaps it can be said your business will be running you? The property being purchased will attract a rental of £500per week. This will give an annual income of £26,000. The deposit required for the property purchase will be 25% of the purchase price which comes to roughly £80,000. The rest will be borrowed at a special BTL rate of 3.75% we were able to secure. This was a limited launch lenders do from time to time. These products normally have a very short window of opportunity and if not moved on they disappear. We used this product both for the remortgage and the purchase. Therefore if we consider the whole amount of the property which is £315,000, the annual cost will be £11,800. Against this there will be an income of £26,000. This means an income of £15,000, allowing for management fees and service charges this will leave an income £11,000 per annum. The amount extracted from the first property will be £135,000 which still leaves some cash to save for the next property, as only £80,000 was needed for this purchase. This client has a slow and steady approach and all his purchases yield a positive cash flow, we recognise each client has completely individual requirements and try to tailer our service accordingly. Many have called and said the example given looks too good to be true. I can confirm ALL examples given are true, and I am happy to show whatever proof is required to the serious prospective investor. We are currently organising a UK property seminar in Croyden in the beginning of December, please call our office to register your attendance.

n Mortgages n Commercial Finance n Property Sourcing n Gujarat Properties - Sale & Resale T: 0207 706 0187 F: 0203 014 8484

E: info@sowandreap.co.uk W: www.sowandreap.co.uk

31 Southwick Street, Paddington, W2 1JQ Registered in England No. 05083823

finAnCiAl voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Leadership Matters

By Amit Patel

Because We Can Maria Fernandes maria@abplgroup.com

A cap on small businesses? It is not surprising that David Cameron has announced that intra company transfers will not be included in the cap although they form 60% of all Tier 2 applications. It was suspected all along that the sponsorship rules would favour the larger businesses and multi national companies. The details of the new permanent cap has not yet been announced The interim cap has however introduced more changes introduced which really are an indication that this could mean the end of work permits for smaller businesses and restaurants. Until last month the advice was that extensions would be considered first followed by shortages. Employers waiting to be allocated Certificates other than for extensions are in for a shock. The allocation for Certificates of Sponsorship will be split between extension applications and new hires as is the system now. Then the new hires will be split into shortage and non shortage. Shortage applications requests will be assessed as shortages “on the day the panel meets” It is not clear what this means. For example is there a plan to manipulate the shortage list so that shortages can be removed from the shortage list prior to a panel meeting? The next process is that all new applications will then be ranked according to salary, starting with the highest salary considered first. Those who earn £40 000 or above will be first in line to be considered. A table provides a graded salary system. Shortage occupations are now 7th in line. The initial indication from a reading of the new rules is that shortage occupations will not receive any preference status. What this means for restaurants or care homes is that even if the job is in a shortage list of occupations the allocation will fail on the next ranking system on the basis that the salary is not high enough. Salaries in the restaurant or care

business is rarely as high as £40000. Most chefs and care workers earn around £18000 as this is the recognised salary within the industry. In short, these posts will no longer qualify despite the recognition that there is an acute shortage and even though David Cameron has stated that the views of smaller businesses (which employ 60% of all staff) should also be taken into account. The Migration Advisory Committee was set up to provide independent evidence based information to the Government on labour trends. The new Government have cynically ignored their advice and continued to push through damaging changes which will have a devastating impact on smaller businesses particularly for restaurants and care homes. As the new policy is contained merely in guidance there is no obligation to consider the impact of the rules on equality and because it is not subject to parliamentary scrutiny the changes can be manipulated at will. The judges in the High Court threw out such cases for this very reason. Unless challenged the ability to bring staff in shortage areas will disappear. Rather than do away with the shortage occupation list completely (which would be seen to be unfair and contrary to common sense) the Government have come up with an ingenious device, ie to place such jobs so low down in the order of priority that they will not succeed in getting an allocation at all. In Jamie Oliver’s words “job done”. True the Government will statistically bring down numbers (artificially) but at what cost? Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 25 years and is accredited in Immigration Law by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 020 8733 0123.

102 fold rise in Tata Motors’ net profits for Q2 in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ended September 30 at Rs 22.23 bn on account of robust demand across categories. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 217.8 mn in the corresponding period last year. The consolidated total income from operations during the second quarter

Driving on the fast lane, Tata Motors Ltd., the Indian auto major has reported a phenomenal rise of 102 fold in net profit for the 2nd quarter of FY 2010-11, ended 30 September. Helped by robust demand across all categories, the company clocked a net profit of Rs. 22.23 bn. Tata Motors reported a massive 102-fold jump

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also increased by 36.48 per cent to Rs 287.82 billion from Rs 210.88 billion in the year-ago period, it added. "Favorable macroeconomic conditions, good monsoons and good finance availability led to robust domestic demand during the quarter, resulting in volume growth across all segments," the company said.

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George Herbert Leigh Mallory was a British Mountaineer who may have been the first man to reach summit of the world, Mount Everest in 1924, 29 years earlier than the first men to ‘officially’ scale the peak than Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Mallory was the epitome of the ‘Great British Pioneer’ – never one to shirk a challenge, never one to step back when facing adversity. He was the embodiment of determination. At the conservative party conference David Cameron made a rallying call to the country, referring to his idea for a ‘Big Society’ and giving people more freedom and control, he said, "It's not government abdicating its role, it is government changing its role. It's about government helping to build a nation of do-ers and go-getters, where people step forward not sit back, where people come together to make life better…When we say 'we are all in this together', that is not a cry for help but a call to

Amit Patel has over 15 years experience in the field of Leadership and Human Resource Management the globe by sitting on the sofa on a Saturday night watching X -Factor. British Asians have the unique advantage of heralding from one great nation and living in another great nation. We are here because our forefathers immigrated to the UK seeking opportunity. Now it is our turn to seize that opportunity. When asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, Mallory stated the famous words, ‘Because its there’. Why should British Asians heed the Prime Ministers call to think higher, to be better and to do more? To put it simply – ‘because we can’.

Grand opening of new Texaco Forecourt & SPAR Shop on A13 Margaret Hodge, Member of Parliament for Barking, was the Chief Guest for the opening of a newly refurbished Texaco Forecourt Petrol Station this Friday (5th November) at 2-30pm. The owners of Kennford Limited have spent over £750,000 on the redevelopment of the site and employ 20 local staff from Barking & Dagenham. The newly developed site has been transformed and has a High Speed Vapor Recovery II Gilbarco Pumps, fully equipped new Jet Wash machine with 4 programs. The site has also installed new LPG tanks in collaboration with AUTOGAS. The fully fitted out brand new SPAR Shop serves full range of groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables and “to go” hot lunch snacks by Cuisine De’France. Coffee Nation has installed a brand new coffee machine with added flavors. The site will also benefit from National lot-

tery. A 24 Hour P r e m i s e s License has also been granted by the local authority. A fully integrated security system and till scan system to Forecourt and Shop has enhanced the efficiency and “Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP for security of the Barking with Ken Popat owner director of Barking Service Station” well served site including 24 resenting Forecourt Trade hours operated CCTV Magazine was Ms Amy cameras. Lanning. There were repRepresentatives resentatives from Richard attending from Chevron’s House Children’s Texaco brand were Mr Hospice, the local charity Brian Worrall – GM for in Barking who conducted International Productsa raffle on the day and all Europe, & Mr Philip proceeds were raised for Sinclair – Property & the Charity. Margaret Facility Manager- Europe Hodge said: “I’m delighttogether with representaed to be opening the refurtives from Capper & Co, bished forecourt. It’s a SPAR, Mr Bryan Walters – source of employment for Sales Director for Capper around 20 people in the & Co, (SPAR Retails Borough which is very Distribution Company) welcome. I’m also pleased and Ms Stephanie – Sales that a franchise has been Coordinator and Mr secured on the site for a Stuart Ware – Sales further 5 years which Controller and finally rephelps guarantee jobs.”

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arms. Society is not a spectator sport. This is your country. It's time to believe it. It's time to step up and own it." Stirring words which invoke memories of a long gone age when Britain was the epicenter of global technology and invention. Pioneers such as George Stephenson (Steam Engine), Alexander Graham Bell (Telephone), Alexander Fleming (Penicillin), Alan Turing (Computer Science) – to name but a few, stand as testimony to Britain’s contribution to the world. The ‘British Spirit’ was known around the world as the epitome of courage, creativity, endurance, perseverance and sheer ‘bloody minded’ grit. It is this spirit that Cameron is trying to invoke to inspire young people to make a difference in our communities, our country and our world. We need more James Dyson’s and JK Rowling’s than we do Wayne Rooneys. This Island Nation did not exert its influence across

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

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

Unpopular Federal Reserve QE Measures America decided to announce a second round of quantitative easing, causing dollar weakness, and a feeling amongst the other G20 countries that this could lead to protectionism and capital controls. The Federal Reserve Bank stated that ‘we will adjust the programme as best needed to best foster maximum employment and price stability.’ This attitude from the American Central Bank is being to affect trade relations between the US and the emerging giants in the east and the Eurozone alike. America were looking for China to use the next G20 meeting in Seoul to accept the Fed’s proposals that net exporters should limit their current account to 4% of GDP. The prospect of any such agreement now looks impossible. Once the Federal Reserve had announced the next round of QE to ease pressure in the US economy, a Chinese Government spokesman said that ‘that measures to cap trade surpluses would hark back to the days of planned economies’

and that other areas than trade agreements, such as QE, would need to be addressed. The German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble also expressed concerns that in his opinion, the United States quantitative easing policy was clueless. The Federal Reserve’s plan to expand QE by $600 billion on top of the $1,700 billion already used has upset economic experts from around the world,

in particular the Eastern Giants and the Pacific Rim trading nations. This is likely to undermine the problem solving nature of the next G20 meeting. The QE money that has been pumped into the US economy is being used to Purchase Treasury Bills and Gilts as well as some mortgaged backed securities while allowing the US Government to keep spending, recapitalising banks and forcing stock markets higher.

In recent weeks big players in those markets such as China, Brazil and Germany think the US has gone too far and are beginning to say so. The fears are that the measures the US are using, are having the effect of depressing the dollar so boosting American exports at the expense of other economies, while a lower dollar also reduces the real value of the huge debts that America owes the rest of the world. The emerging market economies now have to worry that their currencies can be conceived as ‘safe haven’ status making them even stronger and making it more difficult to maintain their desired export levels. Brazil has already imposed capital controls, and in response to QE2, a string of East Asian central banks are preparing to defend their economies against large capital inflows. These negative impacts of QE outside the US are now beginning to impose damage on competing economies forcing investors to seek refuge in commodities and tangible assets.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 16nd November 2010 @ 1pm GBP - INR = 72.525 USD - INR = 45.25 EUR - INR = 61.68 GBP - USD = 1.5986 GBP - EUR = 1.177 EUR - USD = 1.3680 GBP - AED = 5.8792 GBP - CAD = 1.6233 GBP - NZD = 2.0756 GBP - AUD = 1.6331 GBP - ZAR = 11.203 GBP - HUF = 325.37

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.

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Kashmir no more a dispute, says UN J&K removed from the unresolved disputes list, Pakistan protests

In a huge, strategic setback to Pakistan, the UN Security Council has removed Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) from the list of unresolved disputes. J&K is a state of India enjoying a special constitutional status, while a part of the state is under Pakistan occupation and India identifies it as Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Pakistan envoy, when noticed the removal of J&K from the list, lodged a protest with the world body.

Amjad Hussain B Sial, Pakistan' acting envoy to the UN, said, “We understand this was an inadvertent omission, as Jammu and Kashmir is one of the oldest disputes on agenda of the Security Council.” Sial was speaking at the UN General Assembly session, which was discussing the functioning and reform of the Security Council. It was organised by the UK that holds the presidency of the Security Council this month. Pakistan has been asking the UN to intervene to

help resolve the issue but India has always maintained that it has to be resolved bilaterally between the two countries. Speaking earlier at the

General Assembly, the UK envoy to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, said that "some longrunning situations, including in the Middle East, Cyprus and Western Sahara remain unresolved, as do issues where the Council has become engaged in recent years, including Nepal and Guinea Bissau. Huge challenges remain in Sudan, Somalia and the DRC”.

While expressing concern about the unrest, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that the UN will not intervene until requested by both parties. At the debate in the General Assembly, the UK also repeated its support to see India on as a permanent member of the Security Council. “On the Council's structure, we continue to support permanent membership for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, as well as perma-

nent representation for Africa," said Philip Parham, deputy envoy to UK. The UK representative also suggested "an intermediate model" of reform, which would create new seats with a longer mandate than the present two year term. Pakistan, which objects to India being on the Council, argued that the new council should include a few large states, a number of medium sized States and a majority of smaller States.

Direct Tax Code (DTC) - A nightmare for NRIs standing of these proposals requires examination of the tax exemptions under the present Income Tax Act ,1961 [IT Act] as compared to proposed provisions of the DTC . These exemptions are independently discussed. RAJESH H. DHRUVA Chartered Accountant News reports in the Economic Times in India; Emirates247.com in UAE and other media regarding global income of NonResident Indians (NRIs) to be taxed if an NRI stays in India for 60 days or more in a financial year have created confusions and fears amongst the Indians abroad across the globe. Well, "the sky has not fallen on our heads" as these news- reports are incorrect and misleading. As a matter of fact, a specific tax exemption has been granted in all cases of NRIs who will be eligible for tax exemption irrespective of their stay in a year if they fulfill either of the conditions of being a non-resident under the Income Tax Act,1961 [IT Act] in nine out of previous ten financial years or who have stayed in India for less than 730 days in preceding seven financial years. Well, the good news end here as a seriously grave situation not talked about pertains to a change regarding interest on Foreign Currency Non Resident (FCNR) deposits of NRIs with Indian banks being taxed if their stay totals to 60 days or more in a financial year commencing on 1st April and ending on 31st March. As a matter of fact, the Direct tax Code, 2010 (DTC) proposes three different criterias for granting tax exemptions as regards interest on NonResident External (NRE) account , interest on FCNR deposits and tax exemption of NRI's global income. A clear under-

I. INTEREST ON NRE ACCOUNTS: A. Tax exemption under the IT Act: 1. Presently, interest earned on NRE accounts is exempt from income tax for NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who are covered by the definition of "Person residing outside India" under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 [FERA]. 2. Under FERA an NRI continues to be "Person residing outside India" so long as he does not return to India for permanent settlement. 3. Thus under the present IT Act, an NRI's stay in India during the financial year is not a relevant criteria for availing tax exemption of interest on NRE account. B. Tax exemption under the DTC: 1. The DTC continues to exempt interest income on NRE accounts to NRIs and PIOs who are covered by the definition of "Person residing outside India" under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 [FEMA] . 2. FEMA definition is almost similar to the one under FERA except for a clause regarding number of days of stay in India in the immediate preceding year which is not important as the same applies only to residents of India or person who is returning to India for permanent settlement i.e. for taking up employment, business, vocation or any other purpose whereby his conduct proves an intention of settlement in India. 3. Thus, under DTC also, NRIs will continue to enjoy the benefit of tax exemption on interest on NRE account irrespective

of number of days stay in India. II. TAXABILITY OF GLOBAL INCOME: A. Tax exemption under the IT Act: 1. Global income is exempt from tax in India in case of an NRI who is covered by the definition of Non-Resident or Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (R but NOR) under the IT Act. 2. Although there is no specific tax exemption provision, an inference regarding tax exemption is taken from the reference of the Taxing Statute which states that global income will be taxable in India only in case of an individual whose residential status under the IT Act is determined as Non Resident or as Resident and Ordinarily Resident (R & OR). 3. An NRI will be eligible for this tax exemption if his stay in India does not exceed 181 days in the current year and if it does exceed then even the global income continues to be exempt from tax if he is covered by Tax definition of a non-resident in nine out of previous ten financial years or if he has stayed in India for less than 730 days in preceding seven financial years. 4. The global income of an NRI is taxable only if his stay exceeds 181 days and is not covered by either of the two beneficial conditions: B. Tax exemption under the DTC: 1. Under the DTC, global income is taxable in India in case of an individual who has been a Resident in India. Now an individual is treated as a Resident if his stay in India exceeds 181 days in a financial year or alternatively if his stay totals to 60 days or more in current year together with stay of 365 days or more in previous four financial years . 2. But a specific tax exemption as regards global income is granted irrespective of stay during the

current year in case of NRIs who are covered by Tax definition of a nonresident in nine out of previous ten financial years or who have stayed in India for less than 730 days in immediate previous seven financial years. 3. Now these exemptions granted under DTC are absolutely similar to the exemptions granted under the IT Act by virtue of the definition of R but NOR. 4. Thus NRIs who have stayed in India for all 365 days in a year will continue to enjoy tax exemption on their global income so long as they are covered by specifications of ten years / seven years immediately preceding current year. III. INTEREST ON FOREIGN CURRENCY NON RESIDENT (FCNR) DEPOSITS: A. Tax exemption under the IT Act: 1. Under the IT Act, interest on FCNR deposits is exempt in case of a person who is covered by the definition of Non-Resident or R but NOR of the IT Act. 2. Thus, a person whose stay in India does not exceed 181 days in a year or if an NRI's stay exceeds 181 days, then if he is covered by Tax definition of a non-resident in nine out of previous ten financial years or who have stayed in India for less than 730 days in immediate previous seven financial years, he enjoys tax exemption as regards interest earned on FCNR deposits placed with banks in India. B. Tax exemption under the DTC: 1. From 1st April 2012 upon the DTC being implemented NRIs having FCNR deposits will have an option to pay tax on interest earned or withdraw the FCNR deposits as an NRI who is not covered by the definition of "Non-Resident" will lose the tax exemption as regards interest earned on

FCNR deposits in India. 2. Thus, an NRI whose stay in India exceeds 181 days in the current year or even if the stay totals to 60 days or more and 365 days in preceding four years he will be liable to income tax on the interest earned on FCNR deposits in India. 3. This Clause is matter of great concern as almost US$ 14.75 bn of FCNR deposits of NRIs are presently placed with various banks in India. 4. Being person residing outside India under FEMA, such NRIs are freely allowed to place FCNR deposits in India. 5. Now, if the interest on FCNR deposits is taxable from 01/04/2012, under the present scenario, interest rates in India being almost at par with interest rates across the globe, NRIs will be left with no choice but to withdraw FCNR deposits from India and place same outside India. 6. It may be worthwhile to note that while FCNR deposits with banks in India will be taxable if a person is not covered by the definition of "NonResident" placing such deposits with offshore branches of Indian banks like Singapore, Bahrain or Dubai NRIs will continue to enjoy tax exemption. 7. This seems to be a drafting error and not the intention of the Statute as Government does not have a reason to tax FCNR deposits of an NRI on the basis of stay exceeding 60 days, while granting total tax exemption of interest on NRE deposits irrespective of stay totaling to even 365 days in a financial year. But having put forward the logic every Statute is a Law and what is written therein speaks for itself. 8. As a matter of fact, it would be appropriate to make a strong representation to the Finance Ministry for adopting a common criteria as regards tax exemptions on NRI's interest on NRE deposits;

interest on FCNR deposits and global income more particularly in view of the DTC granting tax exemption on interest on NRE deposit to an NRI covered by the definition of "person residing outside India" under FEMA which will also harmonize, simplify and equalize the definitions under FEMA and Direct Taxes. 9. Universally, stay of 181 days or less is accepted for granting NonResident status. The present IT Act also adopts the criteria of 181 days or less for Non Resident Indians visiting India. An example can also be drawn from UK Tax Laws as also from India - USA Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and India - UK DTAA which adopt stay of 181 days or less for granting various exemptions to tax residents of both the countries. And finally, the objectives of introduction of DTC- 2010 are consolidation and amendment of the Law related to direct taxes. Universally, taxing statutes are formulated on the fundamental of justice, equality and simplicity. It is, therefore once again suggested that the tax exemption as regards interest on FCNR deposits and global income may be synchronized with the criteria of tax exemption as regards interest on NRE deposit i.e. interest on FCNR deposit and global income may also be granted exemption in case of NRIs defined as person residing outside India under FEMA. And if the said changes are not effected NRIs will be vulnerable and exposed to taxation of interest earned on FCNR deposits whereby such NRIs will have no choice other than to withdraw FCNR deposits from Indian banks and place the same with overseas banks outside India. Queries, if any may be sent to Asian Voice or sent to rajesh@femaonline.com [+91-281-2453367]

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

INDIA

Ahmedabad city wins second spot at Shanghai World expo A typical haveli, the heritage symbol of Ahmedabad and by now, the unique developments – the BRTS (a dedicated public transport bus service project) and the Sabarmati Riverfront projects, showcased artistically at the Shanghai World Expo in China earned Ahmedabad city the second rank in a tough competition that had participation from 223 countries and international organisations. The expo was organ-

ised in Shanghai, China, between May 1 and October 31 this year. Talking to media persons recently, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner IP Gautam said, "The theme for Expo 2010 was 'Better City, Better Life', which focused on creating better living conditions in cities. The theme was chosen to reflect the explosive population growth that has taken place in the cities of the world." A h m e d a b a d Municipal Corporation

was the only pavilion that was selected from amongst the Indian entries, apart from a small pavilion of Pondicherry. The entrance of the Indian pavilion also had the famous model of Ahmedabad’s famous Sidi Saiyyad ni Jali. More than 300 million people had a glimpse of the Indian pavilion. The AMC pavilion was declared second best from among the 80 models of various cities across the world.

Ahmedabad airport to have Sardar Patel’s statue, finally Sardar Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad in the city will finally get a statue of the man after whom it is named, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The AAI has sanctioned around Rs 5 mn for installing the statute. Praful Patel, Civil Aviation Minister of India had

promised that the statue of the Iron Man of India will be installed at the airport. According to sources in the AAI, the estimated cost of the statue and its installation will be around Rs 5.2 mn and the Ahmedabad Airport Authorities has already invited tenders for the

Two Kalmadi aides arrested in the CWG scam CBI raids OC office, residences of Darbari, Mahendroo T S Darbari and Sanjay Mahendroo, two key members of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CWG OC) were arrested by the CBI in New Delhi on Monday. The agency raided the premises of the CWG OC and residences of the duo on Monday and has recovered incriminating documents. CBI says the two colluded in systematic corruption. Darbari was Director General of the Organising Committee, and was a close aide of Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the OC. He has been arrested for forgery and cheating while handling the Queen’s Baton Relay in London in September 2009. In the absence of any

contract, the OC paid £ 250,000 to a Londonbased company - AM Films. Owner of the firm, Ashish Patel, has a disconcerting business record. Along with deputy director-general Sanjay Mahendroo and Patel, Darbari reportedly doctored documents to suggest that AM Films had been recommended by the Indian High Commission in London to provide services like screens, taxis and portable toilets for the London event. The CBI is investigating the different layers of corruption that seems to have been a byproduct of Team Kalmadi. The OC chairman was dismissed last week as the Secretary of the Congress Parliamentary Party.

work. The statute is likely to be installed by the end of this financial year. The official said that the statute, which is being made by the AAI somewhere in Delhi, is around 10-12 feet high and would be installed right opposite the entrance of the new International airport.

Orissa renamed as Odisha Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament last week cleared a constitutional amendment seeking to rename Orissa as Odisha and the language spoken in the state as Odia from Oriya. The bill to alter the name of the eastern state was introduced in this year’s budget session and was passed on the first day of the month-long winter session by electronic balloting. MPs overwhelmingly supported the constitutional amendment bill to do away with the legacy of British name given to the state. The central government had received a proposal from the Orissa government in 2008 after the state assembly moved a bill to change both names in deference to the manner in which the name of the state is pronounced in the local language.

UK Gujarati women commits suicide in Mumbai Sunanda Valand was reportedly upset over her India visit Reportedly upset over her visit to India, Sunanda Valand, a 37-year-old British national of Indian origin allegedly committed suicide in Mumbai just a day before she and her husband were set to return to UK. Sunanda jumped off the terrace of a Juhu hotel. According to Mumbai police, Sunanda and her husband, Ajay had arrived in India on 29th October, for visiting Ajay’s native place in Anand district of Gujarat. Sunanda was not happy to be in India and wanted to return early. Ajay is a security officer at the London airport, while

Sunanda was working as a receptionist at a hospital in the British capital. “After checking in at the Juhu hotel at 6 am on Thursday, 4th November, the couple went for a walk at Juhu Chowpatty. They returned at around 8 am and had breakfast. Soon after that, Sunanda went up to the terrace and jumped from there,” said Inspector Ashok Pimple of Juhu police station. Suicide confirmed "It is a clear case of suicide and there is no suspicion, as she fell straight on her feet and had internal injuries. If she was pushed, she

would have fallen on her head. We are investigating the reason for her suicide. A shocked Ajay told police that they had come to India for a vacation but Sunanda wanted to leave early, as she did not like being here. Police officials added that Ajay was clearly traumatised and could not fathom the reason for his wife's suicide. The couple was married in 2002 and was childless. Another report suggests that Ajay has been asked by the Mumbai police not to leave India before the investigations are over.

In divine light By Rajen Vakil

Eklavya and the level of being One day when Guru Drona was sitting alone, a young boy came to meet him; his skin was dark and his manner pleasing. He introduced himself as Eklavya, the son of the king of the Nishadas, fell at the guru’s feet and asked to be accepted as a disciple. Drona told him that it would not be possible for him to accept the boy as his disciple as he only taught Kshatriyas and the Nishadas were a lower caste. The boy retreated into the forest where he made a statue of Drona out of mud. He called this mud image his guru. He worshipped this statue every day and practiced archery. Eklavya’s onepointed devotion to learning this art soon made him an adept and he mastered the art of archery. One day the Kuru princes went into the forest for a picnic. The Pandavas had taken a pet dog with them. The dog had wandered away into the forest. Here the dog saw a strange person dressed in leopard skin. This was Eklavya who, over the years, had grown into a young man. By then, he was an expert archer and could not resist the temptation to close the mouth of the dog with seven arrows. The arrows had been shot so artistically that they completely sealed the mouth of the dog. The dog ran away back to where the Pandavas were camping. Everyone was amazed at the skill with which the arrows had been woven around the dog’s mouth; it was sheer poetry. They went in search of the archer. After a long search they found Eklavya, who introduced himself as Guru Drona’s disciple, deep in the jungle. Arjuna, the guru’s favourite disciple, was not happy with this and went back to remind Drona of his promise of making him the greatest archer in the world. He topped it up by saying that it looked like Drona had given the same promise to someone else as well. Drona did not know what Arjuna was talking about and so together they went into the jungle. Drona had forgotten everything about the young boy who had

come to meet him. When Eklavya saw his guru he ran to greet him and then he told him the whole story of how he had acquired the knowledge at the feet of his statue. Drona was shocked that someone could acquire this great knowledge just by worshipping a statue. In his heart he was happy, but he remembered his promise to Arjuna. He paused a moment and told Eklavya that as he was his guru, he should offer ‘gurudakshina’ to him. In return for the art that Eklavya had learnt from him, Drona asked Eklavya to give to him the thumb of his right hand. Eklavya did not flinch for a moment; he took out a crescent shaped arrow from his quiver, severed his right thumb, and gave it to Drona. Both Arjuna and Drona then returned to their resting place. Many events in the Mahabharata look cruel and full of injustice on the surface and the story of Eklavya is a peculiar one. Here, Guru Drona comes out as a cruel and vicious person full of injustice and favouritism for Arjuna. Also, Eklavya is seen as a devoted student full of sacrifice and deep reverence for his guru. If one tries to look beyond the obvious, one can see the deeper message that the great Rishi Vyasa is trying to portray. On the spiritual path we progress in two directions simultaneously. One is our level of being and the other our level of knowledge. Many of us gather a lot of knowledge but our being remains at the same level – we suffer from the same irritation, we have the same complaints, we live the same mechanical reactive life we did before; with all our knowledge nothing has changed at the level of being. Our being is like a ladder with different levels; each moment of our lives we have the choice to rise or fall in our being. Now Eklavya was a Nishada, this translates as ‘shada’ to sit and ‘ni’ to sit lower. Thus Eklavya, despite the appealing story, represents a lower level in our ladder of

being. Arjuna is a ‘kshatriya’ meaning a higher level of our ladder of being. We should not mix this with social classes but see them as two different levels within our psychic structure. Drona refuses to take Eklavya under his tutelage because at that level of being, we are not worthy of the knowledge that we aspire for. Within ourselves, when we rise to a higher level, then from the level of Eklavya we have come to the level of Arjuna. At this level we are now ready to digest the higher knowledge that the guru gives us. Even though Drona had refused to take him as a student, Eklavya did not understand that he was not worthy of the knowledge but tried to get it by making a mud statue of Drona. Eklavya did not have the awareness to realise that Drona’s refusal to be his master was a sign that he had to rise first in his level of his being, worthy enough to be a disciple. Eklavya comes from the root ‘lu’ meaning to pierce. He used the power of his one-pointed attention to gain the knowledge which was not meant for him, at his level of being. This symbolises that secret knowledge can be acquired by dark ways. Whenever, by indirect means, we acquire esoteric knowledge of which we are not worthy, we have to pay for it or undergo some kind of suffering. This suffering is symbolised by Eklavya having to sacrifice his thumb for the knowledge wrongly acquired by him. The thumb is symbolic of power and will, two qualities that are of great importance on the path of spirituality. In our spiritual quest, we must always strive to bring our level of being closer to our level of knowledge. A point should not come where we have more knowledge than we can ever hope to live up to. A great enlightened master said, “Once you have known a truth, start living it immediately otherwise that very truth will destroy you”. (Edited by Chintu Gandhi)

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

INDIA

Shaktisinh Gohil, Gujarat opposition leader in London Shaktisinh Gohil, leader of opposition in Gujarat legislative assembly and a veteran Congress leader is in UK, attending the International Parliamentary Governance Seminar as a delegate. The seminar has been organised by the Commonwealth Shaktisinh Gohil Parliamentary Association. Having already arrived in London, Shaktisinh will be here till 26 th November, 2010. One can contact him at 07551568727. It may be worth a mention here that Shaktisinh has immensely supported the campaign for restoration of Air India’s London – Ahmedabad direct flight and also helped Asian Voice - Gujarat Samachar’s signature campaign in a big way.

Ratan Tata shelved airline plans as minister wanted a huge bribe C M Ibrahim, former aviation minister feels offended, threatens suicide A minister in the government of the day, around 10-12 years back wanted a huge bribe from Ratan Tata for permission to set up an airline that the Tata group was planning to setup, in collaboration with Singapore Airlines. Though the Tata group chieftain did not name the minister and hoped that the issue will not be investigated now, Civil Aviation Minister in Deve Gowda government, C M Ibrahim felt offended. He has gone to the extent of threatening to commit suicide unless Ratan Tata names the min-

ister. Tata said any investigations now could cast shadows on a wrong person. C M Ibrahim, who was Aviation Minister in 1996 says he did stop the Tata project - but that his reasons for doing so were in national interest and saved the government thousands of crores. Tata said he was on a flight and "another industrialist who was sitting next to me said 'I don't understand... you people are very stupid... you know the minister wants Rs.150 mn... why don't you pay it?'

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Black and Asian candidates face racism in Westminster, report finds Black and Asian people hoping to become MPs face “outright racism” as they struggle to overcome “dinosaur attitudes” among party activists, a report has warned. In one case a local councillor told a parliamentary candidate, “people like you clean toilets at Heathrow”, while another prospective MP was regularly “marched out” to defend the party against allegations of racism. The study from Quilliam, the counterextremism think tank, warned all three major parties that they must work harder to eliminate prejudice from Westminster politics. Researchers conducted 70 in-depth interviews with MPs, parliamentary candidates, councillors and party members, for the report, Skin-Deep Democracy. They found that the

major parties had made progress in recent years, with a record 27 non-white MPs elected at the May 2010 general election. However, prejudice and sometimes “outright racism” remained significant hurdles, particularly in the selection of candidates at local level. George Readings, the report’s co-author, said that promoting the integration of minority groups through involvement in Westminster politics would help tackle extremism in Britain’s “diverse society”. Asian Voice asked the Asian peers if they have ever faced such discriminations or if they think ever Britain will have a PM from ethnic backdrop, Lord Navnit Dholakia said, "Of course racism raises its ugly head from time to time. As a former President of the Liberal Democrats. I have ensured that there are policies and

practices which will not tolerate racism of any kind. Equality and Liberty is at the heart of our values. But these things do happen look at an email that I received last week “you do not represent us in Hythe. Please go back to where you came from” "Who would have thought that Obama would be elected President in the USA. Well, I shall look forward to a similar development here." Baroness Flather said, "We have all been victims of subtle racism and straightforward racism and even physical attacks. When I first stood for the council one woman rang up the party office to say that she would never again vote Conservative if they were going to bring people like me onto the council. Yes it happens to all of us. For me personally I would say that there

also many many good things that happen when you put yourself out in public. Whether racism will ever stop I do not know but we will never stop either. When we look at our own communities they are rife with all kinds of discrimination, gender, colour, ethnic origin, regional. We should be quite used to discrimination as Indians and also not to take any notice of it. Yes, there will be a Prime Minister from the minority community but at the moment I do not see anyone lined up for it. When the right person comes along his or her colour will not be an issue. His or her ability will be the issue. (Asian Voice is expecting more comments to come through from Asian peers in the coming weeks and will be published as and when they are received)

US President counts jobs as he ‘experiences’ India Barack Obama supports permanent membership for India at UNSC If he described his three day’s visit to India as an ‘experience’ the US President Barack Obama sent a message to his countrymen from Mumbai where he landed, that he created 50,000 odd jobs

through $10 billion business deals. Obama impressed the audience in his address to the Indian Parliament, as he clearly spelt out what Pakistan needs to do to rein in terror networks operating from their soil. He also pleased the Indian leaders with his open support for India’s quest to get a permanent membership in the UN security council, when it is expanded. Obama charmed his audiences even in Mumbai, while he scored on his immediate goals of securing jobs in USA with major aircraft and other deals with India. He acknowledged that India is already on way to

Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to India were highly impressed by the simplicity of the memorial. He even want to say that he would not be addressing the Barack and Michelle Obama walk at Indian parliament, the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at if he had not been Rajghat in New Delhi November 8 inspired by become a super power. Mahatma Gandhi. That the US President Mr. and Mrs. Obama is a fan of Mahatma visited ‘Rajghat’, the Gandhi is a well known memorial of Mahatma fact for long. But the huge Gandhi. inspiration that he draws During his stay in from the great Indian Delhi, Obama held a cruleader is awesome. cial meeting with Indian Obama and his wife Prime Minister Dr. Michelle paid a visit to Manmohan Singh on Rajghat, the Samadhi of wide ranging issues.

Scams and Scalps: India grappling with corruption in high places The recent weeks has witnessed India grappling with many a scams and quite a few leaders being scalped for their alleged roles in corruption in high places, It is worthwhile to note that comparatively, Gujarat has emerged spot free, with nothing for the opposition to corner atleast Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The latest leader forced to resign was A Raja, a DMK MP from Tamil Nadu who was off late better known as ‘Spectrum Raja’. Comptroller and Auditor General of India has indicted him a whopping scam that is believed to have caused the national exchequer a loss of Rs 900 to Rs 1,400 bn. He had ignored advises from every quarter, including the Prime Minister’s Office during the first tenure of

UPA between 2004-09. It may be recalled that at the time of the formation of the new cabinet for UPA 2, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was not prepared to accommodate Raja, but reluctantly agreed in the face of compulsions of a coalition. Prior to that, Maharashtra witnessed a change of guard after Ashok Chavan was asked to resign for his role in the Adarsh Housing Society Scam. He had got 3 flats allotted to his in-laws family, presumably in return of favours in clearing the society which was originally formed to provide flats for families of Kargil war martyrs or surviving brave hearts of the last war with Pakistan. The huge Commonwealth Games scam too was a hot item for the media, but it was only

after the Games got over and the US President Obama left India that the Congress leadership acted and removed Suresh Kalmadi as secretary of the Congress Parliamentary Party. It is a significant fact that all these scams have Congress leaders or leaders of their allies involved as the masterminds. Only leader from opposition, BJP stalwart from South and Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yedyurrappa is facing allegations of nepotism and shielding corruption. Gujarat and Chief Minister Narendra Modi stand out among the rot, as not just the Congress but a whole lot of leaders from the other parties too are ready to pounce on anything, but have not been able to find anything against Modi personally that can be even remotely called corruption.

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

One Avighna Park – a new landmark shaping up in Mumbai A residential and commercial project being developed by an NRI will have the IGBC certificate for its eco-friendly credentials Not just waxing eloquent about environment concerns and green projects, One Avighna Park, a unique housing project coming up in Mumbai will ensure in letter and spirit the philosophy of being an eco-friendly project in energy efficiency, water harvesting and waste water recycling as well as waste collection and treatment. Mr. Kailash Agarwal, Chairman of Avighna India Ltd., the promoters of the project and an NRI businessman is so committed to the green credentials of the project that he has decided to use special material between the window glasses to considerably reduce heat effect of the sunlight in the houses while allowing natural light to be used in an optimum manner, thus reducing energy consumption for both – lighting and maintaining a cool ambience. Further, to ensure the quality of work in most crucial areas of construction work, even pipes are to be imported to give a touch of durability and reliability to the entire project while ensuring zero maintenance and trouble free living to the residents. One Avighna Park, a unique housing complex is

coming up at Lower Parel, just near Dadar in the heart of Mumbai, the commercial capital of India. It will also have a 35 storey commercial structure apart from two 64 storey premium residential structures. As the project is shaping up under the Cluster Redevelopment Policy of Maharashtra Government, it will have 7 buildings of 23 storey each

friendly features. Residents will enjoy a 50 per cent concession on their property taxes as offered by Municipal authorities for incentives to green projects. Mr. Agarwal, an entrepreneur was basically not in the business of real estate, but having seen a huge scope to do something really different for providing quality living to the residents of Mumbai, he decided to venture into the realty business too. His venture, Avighna India Limited already has one premium

much more than a residential complex, a vision that offers you the best of both worlds… in the heart of the city with a pure joy of green living. A multi crore eco- friendly project, ideally constructed with a smart design, and requires minimal maintenance.

pool, health club and more. Minute attention has been paid to each and every detail, to such an extent that each parking lot system is provided with drainage system to ensure that they remain dry after the cars have been washed. While the whole world goes agog over the ‘green’ threats we are facing right now, Mr. Kailash Agarwal Chairman Avighna India Ltd. has just one thing to say: Environmental protection is no longer about being green, reusing towels and recycling paper.

project completed to its credit – Nishika Terraces at Worli Sea Face in Mumbai. One Avighna Park is

Needless to say, the project is designed to have all the essential facilities for a quality lifestyle: a jogging track, swimming

Today, the main focus is on corporate responsibility by practicing environment protection and sustainability in every

Nishant Agarwal & Kailash Agarwal

for the rehabilitation purpose. The project will have IGBC certification to give authenticity for the eco-

sense of our act. And more importantly, truly believing in the cause and that is what reflects in all his developments Mumbai’s world class residential cum commercial project According to Mr. Kailash Agarwal, “One Avighna Park is aiming for a world class residential cum commercial project which will be characterized by style and hospitality and sustainability”. It will offer 8 floors of podium parking with a capacity of 2,200 cars, more than 1 lakh sq ft of open space with a jogging track, swimming pool and a health club along with a sewage and water treatment plant for its 64storey project. Mr. Agarwal has contributed towards the growth of the economy and has brought in new ideas and innovations within the real estate industry. It is the uncompromising entrepreneurial spirit of the Agarwal family that propels the company forward into new markets, technologies and ventures. The company focuses on an innovative luxurious development experience blending personal preferences with attentive and uncomplicated lifestyle.

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IN fOCUS Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy Lahore: In the first such case, a Pakistani court has sentenced to death a Christian mother of five for blasphemy, sparking protests from rights groups last week. Asia Bibi, 45, was sentenced by a local court in Nankana district in Pakistan's central province of Punjab. Pakistan has yet to execute anyone for blasphemy, but the case spotlights the Muslim country's controversial laws on the subject which rights activists say encourages Islamist extremism in a nation wracked by Taliban attacks. Asia's case dates back to June 2009 when she was asked to fetch water while working in the fields. But a group of Muslim women labourers objected, saying that as a non-Muslim, she should not touch the water bowl. A few days later the women went to a local cleric and alleged that Asia made derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed. The cleric went to local police, who opened an investigation. She was arrested and prosecuted under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries the death penalty. Sentencing her to hang, Judge Naveed Iqbal "totally ruled out" any chance that Asia was falsely implicated and said there were "no mitigating circumstances", according to a copy of the verdict. Asia’s husband Ashiq Masih, 51, said that he would appeal her death sentence, which needs to be upheld by the Lahore high court, the highest court in Punjab, before it can be carried out.

Indian vegetables in Pak menu

Islamabad: The Pakistan government has allowed import of vegetables from India, amongst other countries, in a bid to tackle a sharp rise in its prices following the destruction of agricultural fields due to floods. The Commerce Ministry here has issued a notification to amend the Import Policy Order of 2009 to allow the import of vegetables. Among the items whose import will be allowed through the Wagah land border are green chilli, capsicum, cabbage, radish, ladyfinger, cauliflower, ginger and carrot. Officials said the floods that devastated large parts of Pakistan earlier this year had submerged agricultural fields and destroyed thousands of acres of crops. The government feared that prices of vegetables would rise due to a rising gap between demand and supply and thus allowed the import of vegetables. The move will help prevent a shortage of vegetables and curb inflation, officials said. They acknowledged that Pakistan will lose foreign exchange on the import of vegetables. About 42 importers had approached the Commerce Ministry to get exclusive rights for vegetable imports, officials said. The move to permit vegetable imports from India was vetted by the Law Ministry.

Taliban abduct, threaten to kill kin of Frontier Gandhi

Islamabad: Pakistani Taliban have threatened to kill Frontier Gandhi Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan’s grandnephew, Ajmal Khan, if the government didn’t release its top commanders captured during Pakistan army’s campaigns against it by November 20. Khan, who has been in Taliban captivity since September 7, urged the government to fulfil Taliban demands. “I appeal to my students, teachers and sincere workers of the Awami National Party to press the government to fulfil the ordinary demands made by these people,’’ Khan said in a Taliban video released. Khan is vice-chancellor of Peshawar’s Islamia College University. In an earlier video in October, Khan had said he was abducted for being Asfandyar Wali Khan’s cousin. Asfandyar is the chief of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s ruling Awami National Party, which has been supporting military operations against militants. Khan is the grandson of Khan Sahib, Frontier Gandhi’s elder brother, who was dismissed as NWFP chief minister for refusing to salute the Pakistani flag in 1947.

19 killed in Karachi suicide blast

Islamabad: At least 19 people were killed and more than 110 were injured last week when an explosivesladen vehicle rammed into a police station in a highsecurity zone in downtown Karachi, authorities said. Inspector General of Police, Sindh, Sultan Babar Khattak, said 'four-five terrorists attacked the police station from two sides and exchanged fire with security personnel at the check post for five-ten minutes'. Home Minister of Sindh, Zulfiqar Mirza, said the 'truck was carrying around 1,000 kg of explosives and the nature of the blast was very much similar to the attack at Marriott Hotel in Islamabad in 2008'. The blast site is just a few steps away from the house of Sindh province chief minister, five-star hotels, the US consulate and other important buildings. A meeting of Sindh cabinet was underway at the chief minister's house when the terrorists struck. Police sources said that the attack targeted the Crime Investigation Department (CID) police station because 'a Taliban commander arrested a day before along with six other suspected terrorists was kept there'.

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Pak cabinet slams Obama’s support for India’s UNSC seat bid

Islamabad: Pakistan has passed a resolution against United States President Barack Obama's support of India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying that it would disturb the balance of power in the region. The resolution was passed in a cabinet meeting chaired by prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Islamabad. "This decision has grave ramifications for the direction and prospects of the system of multilateral cooperation as envisaged by the founding fathers of UN Charter," the Daily Times quoted the resolution as saying. "This is most explicitly illustrated by India's disregard of Security Council

resolutions on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and gross and systematic violations of the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiri people," it added. The resolution further stated that Pakistan, along with a large number of members of the international community, supported a principled process of reform of the Security Council. "The future of the UN and of succeeding generations cannot and must not be premised on considerations of power politics, politics of expediency, bereft of morals and ideals, which must be the guiding spirit for an enlightened international order," the resolution said. "This process should be based on respect for the cardinal principles of the

UN Charter, including the principle of sovereign equality of states," it added. Earlier, Obama had backed India for a permanent seat on the UNSC while addressing a joint session of Parliament in New Delhi. "The just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is effective, efficient, credible and legitimate. That is why I can say today: In the years ahead I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member," Obama had said. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s foreign secretary Salman Bashir conveyed his country’s concern to US ambassador Cameron

Munter. Bashir told Munter that it was completely forgetful of New Delhi's conduct in relations with its neighbours, disputes that engulfed the region, and its violations of the UNSC resolutions on Kashmir. Pakistan's military establishment also will be conveying its sentiments during meetings with US Commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus, who will be arriving shortly. Islamabad is understood to be focusing on China, the only Security Council member which is yet to announce its support for New Delhi's bid. The other three permanent members in Security Council - Russia, Britain and France - have declared their support for India.

Ilyas Kashmiri emerging as new Osama

US agencies say the Pak militant is planning fresh strikes in Europe and America Washington: Ilyas Kashmiri, the one-eyed rabid anti-India leader of a Pakistan-based terror group is suspected by counter-terrorism officials to be fast emerging as a new international jihadist plotter, planning fresh strikes in Europe and America. Considered the ‘world’s most wanted man’ by counter terrorism organisations across three continents, the 40-yearold Kashmiri, is seen as a terror successor to Osama bin Laden, CNN reported quoting top US intelligence officials.

Ilyas Kashmiri

The US TV network said the bearded man, who sports aviator style dark glasses is now masterminding Mumbai style

attacks in Europe and US, and threat of these attacks has not subsided despite leakages of the plot, CNN reported. “He (Kashmiri) may be determined to go ahead with the execution of the plots in spite of leaks and heightened vigil,” the network said quoting August Hanning, a former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service. Kashmiri brands India as his enemy number one and his group HarkatulJehad-Islami was suspected to be behind bombing of a popular bakery in Pune in 2009. But he has

made it public that he has ambitions beyond south Asia, CNN said. Born in Mirpur in the PoK, Kashmiri was once considered to be run by the Pakistan’s military intelligence ISI, but is reported to have turned rouge to join and form close relationship with alQaida. Now American and European security agencies believe that Kashmiri is trying to infiltrate highly trained terrorists into Europe and US to launch coordinated Mumbai style attack in Paris, Berlin and London, CNN said.

Hindu woman moves court to stake claim over temple Peshawar: A Hindu woman in this northwestern Pakistani city has moved the high court to stake claim over an old temple. The court directed the archaeology and revenue departments to present the temple records. A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court directed the Peshawar district revenue officer and the director of archaeology and museums to produce the

records of the temple located in the walled city locality of Gor Gathri, the News International reported recently. The court took suo moto cognizance of an application filed by Phool Vati, who claimed rights over the temple. She claimed in her application that her family was caretaker of the temple before Pakistan became independent and her title to the temple

should be restored. Phool Vati said that in 2002 the archaeology department took possession of the temple. The authorities took away precious statues and a trident made of gold. She mentioned that she had moved a civil court for seeking ownership of the temple and adjoining residential quarters. However, the court dismissed her plea on the ground that it had

no jurisdiction to hear it. Director of Archaeology and Museums Saleh Muhammad Khan informed the court that the Peshawar Development Authority had set aside a sum of Rs.2.5 mn for the preservation of the temple. In a previous hearing, Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Khursheed has said that the temple was on an archaeological site.

Mush accuses India of creating ‘anti-Pak’ Afghanistan New York: Pakistan's former leader Pervez Musharraf said last week that India was trying to create a hostile state in Afghanistan as he hit back at criticism of his country's role in fighting extremists. Musharraf, who was touring the United States as part of a comeback bid, said he has seen photographs of Kabul-based "Pakistan terrorists" - a likely reference to Baluchistan separatists meeting in India with intelligence agents. "If I'm allowed to be

very, very frank, India's role in Afghanistan is to create an anti-Pakistan Afghanistan," Musharraf, a military ruler who stepped down in 2008, said at the Council on Foreign Relations. "This is very clear to me. There are consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad (which) are actually involved in creating trouble in Pakistan. They have no other role," Musharraf said. Pakistan has long voiced concern about India's role in Afghanistan. US officials

Pervez Musharraf

have given little credence to the assertions, with President Barack Obama in a speech to the Indian parliament praising New Delhi's assistance to the war-torn country.

‘I tried my best to resolve Kashmir issue’ In an interview with NPR, Musharraf said India and Pakistan were "moving forward towards drafting an agreement" on Kashmir during his tenure and that Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh was genuinely committed to peace in the region. "I was certainly trying for it (peace). And we were reaching success. I have always praised prime minister Manmohan Singh (of India) for his sincerity to reach peace," said Musharraf.

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

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Yangon: Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, freed from seven years of house arrest, told thousands of wildly cheering supporters on Sunday that she would continue to fight for human rights and the rule of law in the military-controlled nation. She called for face-to-face talks with the junta's leader. However, the measured tone of her remarks indicated she is well aware she is walking a tightrope in balancing the expectations of the country's

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27 WORLD Let’s speak directly, Suu Kyi tells junta leader

headquarters of her political party – the first stop for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate after leaving the lakeside residence that had Aung San Suu Kyi (C) leaves the National been her League for Democracy (NLD) prison – she headquarters in Yangon on November 16 urged her followers to work democracy movement and for national reconciliation. the realities of limited free"If we want to get what dom under a tough miliwe want, we have to do it tary regime. Speaking to a in the right way; otherwise crowd of more than 5,000 we will not achieve our people at the dilapidated

goal however noble or correct it may be,'' she cautioned. She told reporters her message to junta leader General Than Shwe was, "Let's speak to each other directly.'' The two last met in secret talks in 2002 at the encouragement of the United Nations. "I am for national reconciliation. I am for dialogue. I hope people will support me,'' she said. She said that she did not want the junta to fall but to change and serve the country better.

New Zealand Parliament has been celebrating Diwali since 2003. In New Zealand, this festival has become very popular and is celebrated in all major cities such as Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch and tourist centres such as Rotorua, on a large scale. The Maori community too is intimately involved in the annual Rotorua Diwali Festival. The speakers at the Parliament ceremony

recognised Diwali as a festival of religious significance to the Hindu people which is now celebrated by members of all New Zealand communities and religions. The Governor General greeted everyone with “Namaste, Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal, Kam Cho” and said “this festival has specific spiritual meanings in Hinduism and other religions as a celebration of the victory of good over evil and the release from spiritual darkness”.

NZ Ministers, Hindu Council members celebrate Diwali at Parliament Auckland: Diwali was celebrated at the New Zealand Parliament last week. Hosted by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, chief guest for the occasion was Sir Anand Satyanand, GovernorGeneral of New Zealand. A number of MPs, including Bill English, Minister of Finance and Acting Prime Minister; Phil Goff, Leader of Opposition; Peter Dunne, Minister of Revenue; Dr Rajen Prasad and

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Members of Parliament representing the Indian community and other members representing various political parties were present at the festival. Diwali is celebrated not only by Indians but also by Hindus from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Fiji, and South Africa etc. It was heartening to see some of them representing the Hindu community at the Parliament function.

Indian tourism chalks up an incredible success By Rudy Otter

Nikki Haley becomes first IndianAmerican woman governor Washington: Riding a Republican wave, Nikki Haley, the daughter of Sikh immigrant parents from Amritsar, created history as the first Indian -American woman to win the Governor's race in South

Carolina state. Haley, born Nimrata (Nikki) Randhawa will be the first woman chief executive of the State and America's second Indian-American governor after Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

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India is helping to lift tourism out of the world's economic doldrums and putting it on the road to recovery. This proud claim was made by Mr R.H. Khwaja, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, during India's packed press conference at the annual World Travel Market exhibition which ended its 5-day run on 11th November. Mr Khwaja added: "You will be pleased to know that foreign tourist arrivals in India has gone up to around 10 per cent this year. In October, when the Commonwealth Games were held, foreign arrivals in Delhi rose by 5 per cent."

India's pavilion took up a massive 750 square metres of space this year to accommodate 72 tourism representatives under the "Incredible India" banner. Its theme, Colours of India, translated into giant posters emblazoned all over the sprawling ExCel Docklands venue displaying the country's attractions from trekking to wildlife. "India today," Mr Khwaja said, "is emerging as a major economy with a growth rate of more than 8 per cent a year, and the tourism industry is set to grow at an even greater pace." He mentioned a two-way flow with not only more foreign tourists

visiting India but more Indians being able to afford to see the world. Infrastructure is improving, he said, with a new "world-class airport" in New Delhi and new airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore as well as upgradings of other airports. "We are a year-round destination," he declared. "Incredible India offers everything from the magnificent Himalayas in the north to the beautiful and serene backwaters of Kerala in the south; from the legendary forts of Rajasthan to major heritage sites like Hampi in Karnataka; from excellent beaches of the west to east coast lakes; from exotic

one-horned rhinos of Kaziranga to majestic elephant herds of Bandipur; from the impressive lions of the Gir to royal tigers of Sunderbans. Our rich cultural and natural heritage is unparalleled." He said tourists can "feel the pulse of India through its colourful festivals, from the Snake Boat Race of Kerala and Kite Festival of Gujarat to the desert festival of Jaisalmer and festivals of Leh, Dussera in Mysore and Puri in Orissa." India, he said, also offers "world-class medical and wellness services at very competitive rates, and we expect to receive around 350,000 medical tourists by 2012."

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

This week meet Shaktisinh Goel, ex opposition leader of Gujarat Assembly and leading Congress party member who is attending the 5th International Parliamentary Governance Seminar as a delegate in the UK.

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 This week you will be

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 mentally alert and have

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Best Wishes of Eid al Adha for our Muslim readers and Guru Nanak Jayanti for our Sikh readers - Asian Voice Coming Events l Saturday 20th November, 19:00 – 22:00: Nalini in concert @ Zoroastrian Centre, HA2 9TL. Contact - Jemini: 0208 382 8018 l Sunday 21st November, 09:00 onwards: Grahshanti Pooja @ Gujarat Hindu Society, PR1 8JN. Contact: 0177 225 3901 l Tuesday 23rd November, 19:00 onwards: Discussion with Shri Gopal Krishna Gandhi @ Nehru centre, W1K 1HF. Contact: 0207 491 3567 l Discover your Enlightened Side: Swami Nityapragya of the Art of Living. Sunday 21st November, Coliseum Suite, Ilford, IG1 1QW

Prince William to marry Kate Middleton Clarence House announced the marriage of Prince William with his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton next spring. The couple initially met at St Andrews University and became engaged in October while on holidays in Kenya. Ms Middleton, raised in Berkshire village of Bucklebury is the eldest child of businessman Michael Middleton and former air hostess Carol, who are self made millionaire. Overwhelmed with the news, the Queen, Prime Minister David Cameron, leader of the labour party Ed Miliband, Scotland's first

Lord Dholakia, Lord Parekh and Preity Zinta given honorary degrees by UEL Lord Dholakia OBE and Professor Lord Parekh were bestowed with honorary doctorates, both in Law by the University of East London on Friday 29th October. As a tireless campaigner for social and racial equality, Lord Dholakia is considered to be the most significant Indian politician working in the west. He served as a member of the Commission for Racial Equality for 25 years and in 2005 he received the Pride of India Award in recognition for achievements in public life in the UK. Lord Parekh is considered to be one of the great political philosophers of the twentieth century; having devoted his life to the academic study of political systems and multiculturalism in India and England. Indian actress and humanitarian Preity Zinta admitted to being “incred-

ibly humbled” by the award of an Honorary Doctorate from UEL, and pledged to use the accolade to forge a positive relationship with the university. Dr Zinta is wellknown in the Indian media for openly expressing sometimes controversial opinions on a range of issues, including the role of women in Indian society. In 2003 she was the only witness not to retract in court her earlier statements against the Indian Mafia during the Bharat Shah case, for which she was awarded the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Award.

Prince William with Kate Middleton

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

There may be a discrepancy between the energy you put out and the actual result achieved. You can do much to minimise this effect by avoiding distractions and concentrating on only what is most essential at a day-to-day level. Try to take things in your stride rather than anticipating what might happen. With Jupiter in your solar 10th house, your career is lit up and bodes well for the coming month. Some of you will be in a reflective mood and taking stock of your lives and working out the best direction to take. This is a good time to take up yoga and meditation or even take time out for a while.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Domestic and home matters are disturbed and a source of concern to you. You could find family members hostile and difficult to reason with. It is a period of handling matters with utmost diplomacy and calmness. Mercury in your sign ensures that you are extremely communicative and that people will listen to what you have to say. The accent’s very much on relationships. The opening up of a more diverse social life is a point in favour of romantic attachments. You will achieve a lot more, especially when you're motivated by your own desires. The general pattern of things continues on a progressive and buoyant theme.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

You are endowed with a level of determination that others sometimes find formidable. Once you set your mind on a goal you stay the course no matter what obstacles you encounter. Saturn's placement in your Solar 2nd house often denotes a phase of restriction, sometimes frustration, in one's working life.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

You will begin this week with positive attitude towards life and will have good communication skills. This will also make you feel very confident in all areas of your life. You will continue to wield power and authority in whatever you do. You will also spend a lot of your free time helping charitable institutions.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 Mars and Saturn placement in your chart sets a rather challenging theme. Although this gives increased potential for tension and conflict with other people, it also means that you are able to confront issues and sort any problems out. If this involves a close relationship, you can now resolve your differences.

minister Alex Salmond and many more passed on their compliments to William and Middleton family. Even when the news reached the cabinet, it was greeted with a great cheer and banging of the table from fellow ministers.

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the ability to sort out any practical problems. Matters of the heart are not favoured this week, so expect some setbacks. Plan ahead for the long term where finances are concerned as this is a good time to invest. The atmosphere at home is likely to be convivial and joyous.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 You have everything to gain by following creative inclinations. If you have new ideas, now is the time to put them into practice. Whatever your present interests you are likely to find that new doors open and the way ahead offers increased scope for expressing your real self. A great time to meet and interact with people. CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 The need to push ahead with personal interests and to assert yourself with added force will take precedence over everything else for some time to come. Mentally you will be in top form, perhaps feeling quite passionate about expressing your ideas and views. Indeed, a goal you have been striving towards will at last be reached. AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 This is a good time to cut back on extravagant spending and consolidate your finances. Your social calendar is likely to keep you very busy and you will have lots of opportunities to promote yourself. For some of you this is also a good time to meet like-minded people which could lead to romantic liaisons. PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 With Jupiter in your sign, you should enjoy a very popular phase in your life where everyone wants to invite you to parties. You will meet people of your own calibre and pursue any romantic liaisons. Your communications are extremely high making it easy to to make friends.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

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Watch furtifely Road marker Luau music maker Minor invention Potency Austere Detroit labor grp. Spoon-ender Geller Hands-on munch B, literally Baking need Kinks’ title women

Sudoku-113 6

Solution of Crossword-112

Wrestiling ring due hitchcock thriller __chi ch’uan Small, horned viper Spot for reporters Latte topping Rocky outcrop Mia of soccer Garden perennial Slender reed Roundish Decisive defeat

Mollycoddle Melville tale Wolverine’s group O’Hara’s “___ the Terrace” 35 Shankar of the sitar 36 Irdescent gem 37 Biz honchos 40 Likely 44 Kabob holders 46 Cherry center 47 River to the Caspian 50 Big brass 51 Party invitee 52 Vandalize 53 Camouflages 54 Desist 55 Do some road work 56 Top pair 57 12 o’clock high 62 Three-letter sandwich 63 Shade

1 No longer on deck 2 Computer mishap 3. Parson’s spread 4 Bymes or Roush 5 Egocentric 6 Imposing 7 Subsidy 8 Verse maker 9 Game plan 10 B, literally 11 Narrow passage 12 Southern side dish 13 Abound (with) 18 Legedary lawman 23 Tank contents 25 B, literally 26 Brussels ___ 30 Harangue

31 32 33 34

Down

66 Ballet__of Monte Carlo 67 Vexation 68 Tolkien trees 69 Thomas and Green

C R O S S W O R D - 113 1

pass

SPELLATHON - 113

Today’s Ratings: 01-average |02-good |03-outstanding

How many words of four or more letters can you make from the letters shown in today’s puzzle? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each word must contain the central letter. There should be at least one seven-letter word. Plurals, foreign words and proper S names are not allowed. British English Y I Dictionary is used as reference.

N G

I F

KAKURO - 113

Solution of KAKURO - 112 20 12

The numbers in the pink squares refer

Example to the sums of the digits that you must fill into the empty spaces directly below or to the right of the pink square containing the number. For instance, in the given example, the 2 boxes below 12 must contain 2 digits that add upto 12, whereas for 20, the 3 boxes places horizontally next to it must add upto 20. No zeroes are used here, only the digits one through nine. Note: A digit cannot appear more than once in any particular digit combination. For instance in the example, we cannot have the combination of 8+4+8 for 20.

Solution of Spellathon - 112 going, gong, ling, lingo, LOGGING, long, ogling

By Dr Anil Mehta

A day to remember Remembrance Day – a day of remembrance for the dead of the two World Wars falls on 11th November of the year, the year WW1 ended in 1918. However, in Britain it is actually observed on Sunday nearer to the 11th November (hence Remembrance Sunday), which is 14th November this year. Before WW2 it was known as Armistice Day, however, the 2nd WW followed barely 20 years after Armistice, so the Remembrance Sunday now commemorates those who died in both the wars. Each year on this day a two-min silence at 11 o’clock is observed in honour of those who died serving their country. In the US, it’s known as veterans’ Day. On Remembrance Sunday there are special thanksgiving church services and wreath-laying

The Cenotaph, London

pies are sold to raise money for war veterans, hence, Poppy Day is the alternate name for Remembrance Day. In addition to Cenotaph, the tomb of an unknown soldier was created in London’s Westminster Abbey in 1920 where the remains of an unknown soldier were put to rest in a ceremony to symbolise thousands of unknown soldiers. Another war memorial in London is M e m o r i a l Gates on Constitution Hill which honours men and women from t h e Armed Forces Memorial, near Lichfield Commonwealth nations who ceremonies at war memoserved with the British rials up and down the Armed Forces during the country, the most famous two wars. of which is at the One of the war monuCenotaph, the national ments worth visiting is the war memorial in London Armed Forces Memorial where the monarch in the National Memorial accompanied by the memArboretum near Lichfield bers of the royal family (Staffs) which pays tribute lays wreath of red poppies to the 16,000 died in the on behalf of the nation, line of their duty since joined by political leaders, 1948 including as a result members of the Armed of terrorist actions or Forces, and other digniwhile on UN peace-keeptaries. This is followed by ing missions. It contains a parade of war veterans. some 130 memorials of Designed by Sir national importance Edwin Lutyens (the archispread over 150 acres of tect of New Delhi), the countryside. Cenotaph was erected in A visit to the war 1920, in the middle of memorial provides the Whitehall near the sense of history and Houses of Parliament. It national pride. As the is an austere structure, traumatic events of wars made in Portland stone fade from human memory inscribed simply with the and becomes history, tribwords ‘the glorious dead’. utes should be continued It takes the form of a tomb to be paid to all those who on top of a high plinth. The word ‘cenotaph’ derives from the Greek meaning ‘empty tomb’ describing any monument erected in honour of a person whose remains lie elsewhere. Lutyens opposed Christian symbolism such as the Cross on the monument and made it secular on the grounds that the fallen were not all Christians. Poppies so prevalent in the field of Flanders symbolise the bloodshed of the Western Front of War Memorial, New Castle WW1. Wreaths of poppies are placed on World have served their country War memorials throughwell and paid the ultimate out the nation and popsacrifice.

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Health Watch

By Kartik S Raval

The healer can be the killer if consumed irresponsibly With booming development in the field of Medicine with the help of Health Science, Biomedical Research and Medical Technology, thousands of potential remedies are available today for the same cure while even more are in the pipeline. This has led to nothing but confusion in the mind of the patients and they end up mixing some medicines which can sometimes lead to illhealth much worse than the state that initially called for medication. However Doctors say there are safe and easy ways to manage your medication and prevent the side effects. “Even the smallest of tablets has huge altering effects to the body's mechanism and hence it is very important to take it in the manner and time prescribed by your Doctor or else the same medicine can have the ability to act as poison”, warns Dr. Prashant Bhumani, Chartered Clinical Psychologist with British Psychology Society. We are in an age, where we have easy availability of medicines for quick healing of burns, wounds, cough and cold, flu and various other hundreds of ill-state of health. But this very factor has led us to a heavy dependance on medicines to maintain healthy state of mind and body and prevent any kind of threats to health. According to a study, majority of people aged 40 or above are on at least one prescribed drug per day while plenty are on eight to nine medicines which has resulted to 50 percent of people failing to take their medicines on time or in a manner it is prescribed. Intake of medicines has witnessed a massive jump in the last decade partly because of the scientific success and hence people today are very casual while taking them and often forget to follow the basic procedure. For an instance, some tablets can be crushed and dissolved in water while a few others are formulated in a capsule to release slowly over time as they have a sustained release and if it is broken into granules and consumed all at once, the person will not only get too much

active ingredient too quickly which in the case of some painkillers cause gastric bleeding and its pain reducing effectiveness will highly wear off explains Dr. Bhumani. Further it

also leads to increasing amount of medication intake to cure the pain which only one tablet can do if taken in the right manner. Moreover based on the effect of a medicine it is necessary to take it at the right time of the day. Statins are best to be taken in the evening so they will be in your bloodstream by breakfast, ready to mop up any cholesterol that starts flying about. Diuretics are better taken during the day so one won't be up all night needing the loo. While some blood pressure drugs are best in the morning as they can have a stimulant effect and anti-depressants on the other hand will help you sleep so it should be taken at night. It might look confusing but if the patient takes the effort to understand these effects by a simple conversation with a GP and not try to be a doctor himself, he can very well without confusion be on track of the right method of consumption. Moreover, some medicines interact with each other, sometimes even with food, causing severe side effects like disturbing the intestina flora, killing the healthy bacteria of the body or simply canceling out each other's effect and hence it makes it even more essential to consult a doctor before taking any type of medi-

cine. “I have seen patients not describing the problem precisely which is very important to receive the right remedy. The doctor totally needs to be aware of every other dose of medication the patient is consuming in order to give the right pills to avoid any kind of side effects”, Dr. George Summerville, a North-London based GP tells Asian Voice. The contemporary world needs everything done and sorted in a supersonic speed. They need a miracle every day to deal with many of their problems. But medicine is no miracle that can diagnose severe health issues overnight. It needs time and the right care to rebuild your health to the fullest as Dr. Bhumani says “The factor that is causing almost all the problems today with medication management is, people are not patient. They want to regain 100 percent health overnight. But with many disorders or diseases its not possible. So they go on to add the dose of medicine prescribed by their GP and end up at the hospital” But a check that is of highest importance is to make sure the medicine being consumed is well before the out of date boundary as after that some tablets end up being toxic. Doctors and Psychologist in UK dealing with patients facing problems to manage their medication say there is a simple start. A 10 minute conversation with your GP, where you inform him of all the tablets consumed can make you avoid all the possible side effects. People taking more than a couple of medicines a day and struggling to remember which tablet to take can use the service of leading pharmacist like Boots. There is Boots Medisure, which is free to all and helps one divide doses of medicines into personalised, time-marked blister packs. Hence while amount of people going about randomly with consumption of medicines is increasing, doctors are concerned and are calling for responsibility from their patients.

Deadly superbug from India kills five in the UK A health threatening superbug imported from the Indian sub-continent that is resistant to the most powerful antibiotics has been linked to the deaths of five patients in NHS hospitals.They were among the toll of 64 Britons infected with the bug, most of whom were health tourists who had returned from surgery in India and Pakistan. Health watchdogs have warned that patients who have been treated there should be tested for the superbug containing New Delhi Metallo (NDM) enzyme before coming back to the UK for further treatment. Looking at the population flow they claim that NHS could face a rapid rise in cases without better monitoring and screening, and that cuts

affecting the infection control service could exacerbate the problem. Dr. David Livermore, Director of Health Protection Agency, stressed the superbug was not the direct or the only cause of death because all the patients had serious medical conditions but says with concern, "The fear has to be that they get traction within UK hospitals and they start to spread from patient to patient within the UK." Healthy people are unlikely to be at risk of contracting serious illness caused by NDM bacteria from an infected person. However, there have been cases of cross-infection in hospitals as the bacteria have potential for spread between people and clearly between countries.

“Infections have varied from being mild to potentially life threatening or fatal. The level of risk depends upon which part of the body is affected by the infection, and the general health of the patient”, adds Dr. Livermore. The bacteria cause opportunistic infections in hospital patients, with common sites of infection including: the blood, urinary tract, lungs, and wounds. The resistance makes the infections much harder to treat. It is believed that the NDM-1 resistance was already circulating in India in 2007 and the first case of a bacterial infection with this resistance was identified in January 2008. Monitoring of this resistance began in 2009 as more cases were identi-

fied. Another similar enzyme, circulating in Brazil is named SPM, as it was firstly found in the town of Sao Paulo. Dr. Vishwa Katoch, Member of Indian Council Medical Research said the country has been unfairly singled out and such superbugs are present in almost every country. The deaths have heightened concerns that surfaced in August when a study in The Lancet medical journal reported that 50 Britons were infected. However, Dr. David Livermore reveals his biggest concern, "with the emerging threats from organisms like NDM-1, this is totally not the time to cut infection control budgets as it can prove fatal for the health of the public."

Ice-pack could slow healing From ages, people have been told to freeze torn, bruised or sprained muscles to reduce the swelling. But now for the first time, researchers have found that it could slow down the healing as it freezes and prevents the release of a vital repair hormone. This discovery turns the conventional belief that swelling must be controlled in order to encourage healing and prevent pain and could change how much patient monitoring is required when potent anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed over a long period. Experimental Biology Journal of Federation of American

Societies have mentioned “for wounds to heal quickly we need controlled inflammation, not too much, and not too little.” Though the exact research in the development continues it is now understood inflamed cells produce a high level of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which significantly increases the rate of muscle regeneration and muscle inflammation after acute injury is essential to repair. The development has asked questions over the conventional beliefs and prompted researchers to explore and evaluate new therapies for acute muscle injuries that lead to inflammation.

Ray of hope for stroke victims The stroke victims have their fingers crossed as a team of doctors in Southern General Hospital of Glasgow pioneered implanted stem cells into the brain to test whether it can treat damaged areas of brain and improve quality of life for victims of Ischaemic stroke, which is caused by blockage of

blood flow in the brain. As the study Pilot Investigation of Stem Cells in Stroke (PISCES) is first of its kind, the patient being treated will be kept under close monitoring for two years to see if treatment is successful and if it is, it will be one of the biggest achievement in the field of Medicine.

Death rate at a record low The rise in the use of c h o l e s t e ro l - l o w e r i n g statins has been largely accredited to the fall in death rates in Britain. According to the data released recently by Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the year 2009, about 491,348 people died in England and Wales compared to 509,090 the previous year. Experts said the introduction of statins, which combat cardiovascular diseases, had contributed to the dramatic fall in deaths. The drugs are taken by millions of Britons to lower their cholesterol in order to cut their risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It is estimated that about five million people in Britain are on statins, which are credited with saving 7,000 lives a year. But according to the ONS the decline is also due to a whole host of reasons including a better public understanding of heart disease risk factors, important government policies aimed at improving lifestyles and more effective treatments. There were 6,573 deaths per million population for males and 4,628 deaths per million

for females. The figures also show that over the past five years deaths resulting from heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases have also fallen by a third and the age-standardised mortality rates had not been so low since 1952 when the population was smaller and relatively healthy. The infant mortality rate in 2009 was also at its lowest point. The fall in age-standardised mortality rates for cancer was more gradual, with death rates 15 per cent lower for males and 13 per cent lower for females in 2009 than a decade earlier. The data released by ONS also mentions the leading cause of death for both sexes was ischaemic heart diseases, which accounted for about one in six male deaths and one in eight female deaths in the year 2009.Lung cancer was the second leading cause of death for males, accounting for more than seven per cent of male deaths while for females stroke was the second highest cause of death claiming more than one life amongst 10 deaths.

SPort worLd

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Younis fightback helps Pak draw First test

Jaidev Unadkat named in Indian Team

through mid-off and deep cover. Morkel opted for a bruising, round-the-wicket line of attack once again and after a series of bouncers engaged in some heated banter with Younis. Both Misbah and Umpire Daryl Harper stepped in to appeal for calm, Harper warning Morkel for running on the pitch, and amid an eventful spell Misbah survived an enthusiastic appeal for lbw off the same bowler. After Younis flowed past his hundred with 12 runs in a single Botha over, Misbah brought up his own fifty with a mighty slog-sweep over deep midwicket just before tea, and suddenly it appeared that Pakistan might have a world-record chase in mind. {Brief scores: Pak 248 and 343 for 3 (Younis 131*, Misbah 76*) drew with SA 380 and 318 for 2 dec (Amla 118*, Kallis 135*}

Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan is again in trouble due to his fitness. The Baroda bowler, suffering from a groin strain has been left out of the Indian team to play the third and last test match, to be played Jaidev Unadkat at Nagpur. Jaidev Unadkat, the new face and Saurashtra bowler has been called in to replace the veteran. Ishant Sharma could be drafted in for the final game to partner Sreesanth, who picked up four wickets in the Hyderabad Test.

Poor South Africa fielding let them down at Dubai

Younis Khan, in a strong partnership with Azhar Ali held the fort for Pakistan on Tuesday, the fifth and final day of the first test match against South Africa at Dubai. Younis, helped by poor fielding that gave him three lives, defied South Africa till the end, cracking an unbeaten 130 - his 17th Test hundred and his third fourth innings century in his last three Tests against the South Africans. Pakistan's top order resisted everything South Africa's bowlers could hurl at them and, befitting the occasion on the first day of Eid, passed a number of records in a feast of runscoring. Azhar Ali contributed a brave 63 and helped Younis in holding the fort for the team. Azhar also added an unbeaten 186 for the fourth wicket captain Misbah-ul-Haq Pakistan's highest partner-

Younis Khan celebrates his fourth-innings century

ship in Tests against South Africa. The match was called off shortly after entering the final hour of the day as Pakistan reached 343 for 3, their highest fourth innings total in Tests. While Botha kept things tight, finding a reasonable amount of turn and variable bounce, Kallis tested Azhar's mettle with a series of shortpitched deliveries with

fielders circling close in at midwicket, cover and short leg. Younis burst into life after the interval. With no forewarning, he leapt down the wicket to smite a floated offspinner from Botha high over long-on and followed that up with a powerful sweep to long leg. Steyn returned with the old ball and was immediately slapped for two smouldering fours,

BCCI relents, ready for arbitration on RR franchise issue Bombay High Court judge will arbitrate on termination case

After repeatedly saying that the decision to terminate the franchise of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL was final, the BCCI finally relented on Monday. At the hearing of the case before Justice B N Srikrishna of the Bombay High Court, the board agreed to settle the dispute through arbitration. Next hearing of the case is to be held on Thursday, 18th November. The Royals had filed a case in the High Court challenging the board's

decision to unilaterally terminate the franchise. The IPL franchise agreement specifically provides for arbitration in the case of a dispute that cannot be settled amicably. Clause 21.1 of the agreement, states that "such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration and conclusively resolved by a single arbitrator appointed by mutual consent." The BCCI decided, on October 10, to end the franchise's IPL affiliation on charges of transgres-

sion of shareholding and ownership norms that threatened to "shake the very foundation of the tender process", as the notice put it. The Kings XI Punjab franchise was also terminated the same day and they too have filed a case in the Bombay High Court disputing that decision. Given that the franchise contracts are the same in both cases, it is likely that their case will also wind up in arbitration with the board. The announcement to

terminate agreements with the two franchises came after days of hectic speculation and raised further questions about its implications. Though the BCCI president Shashank Manohar said the decision had nothing to do with Lalit Modi, both Rajasthan and Punjab have co-owners who are relations of the ousted IPL chairman. Neither team was given a chance to explain the charges levelled against them before they were terminated.

Vanishing Pakistani wicketkeeper By Premen Addy Nothing featuring Pakistani cricket is likely to be boring. From matters on the pitch and events off it, from the actual state of play, to the shenanigans of bookmakers, fugitives with bizarre tales to tell, compounded by the mystery surrounding the death of Pakistan's coach, Bob Woolmer, in his hotel bedroom in Jamaica, a few years ago, each is a potboiler in search of an author. Not so long ago, Zulqarnain Haidar, was Pakistan wicketkeeper, whose swashbuckling performance with the bat had turned almost certain defeat for his team in an ODI, in Dubai, against South Africa, into a wildly improbable 1 wicket victory. Without informing a soul, our hero departed for the airport and took off for London, where he asked for political asylum. He claimed he and his family back home in Lahore had been threatened with death if

Zulqarnain Haidar

he failed to throw the match in question. If he complied and did what he was told, he would become richer than the fabled Ali Baba. If not kaput! Mr Haider told the Sunday Telegraph of a previous match in Lahore, where his team coach one Sajad Akbar ordered him to keep on a bowler who was cascading runs. Mr Haider is expected to share his experiences later this week with the ICC's antiCorruption Unit.

The paper's principal cricket correspondent, Scyld Berry, who interviewed the fugitive cricketer, gave a Shi'a-Sunni twist to the tale. “Haider is one of less than a handful of Shi'a Muslims out of Pakistan's 202 Test cricketers to date, even though Shia's make up at least one-quarter of the country's population. Normally, a cricketer’s religion should be a private matter. In this case, the values Shi'asm may well be relevant, for it focuses on self-sacrifice

and martyrdom for a noble cause, and followers are usually have-nots of this material world.” In other words, hinted our scribe, Haider felt hard done by for lack of career opportunities in domestic and international cricket. Scald Berry concludes: “The evidence suggests Haider is an outsider, an attitude which the Pakistan's board cancellation of his contract will only reinforce; and that he has chosen sacrifice, even martyrdom in terms of his professional career, for a noble cause, rather than being drawn into an evil in which, as he sees it, 'a lot of people are involved'. He upped that to say he had been told in Pakistan, that 'many people are involved'. And the probability is that Haider is right.” That legend among cricket commentators, John Arlott, remarked cricket reflects its society. How right he was. May his shade be thrice blessed.

Gayle scores a historic triple-century at Galle

Chris Gayle, the hard hitting West Indies batsman scored his second triple ton, becoming just the fourth batsman in test cricket to have registered two scores of 300 or plus. His domination of the Sri Lankan bowlers at their home grounds helped West Indies pile up a huge score of 580 for nine Chris Gayle declared on Tuesday, the 2nd day of the first test match at Galle. Interestingly, of the four batsmen to have two triple tons to their credit, two are from the Caribbean, while the first man to do it is unmistakably Sir Don Bradman. The other one is Virender Sehwag of India. Lara is ahead of all, having one score of 400 runs.

PCB not interested in a tour by Indian veterans Plans for T20 matches to help raise funds for flood victims fail to take off Veterans Cricketers Association of India (VCAI) had agreed to a tour of Pakistan and play some T20 matches to help raise funds for flood victims of Pakistan, but Pakistan Cricket Board has declined a request by Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) to write to BCCI and extend a formal invitation for the same. PVCA though has not given up and Fawad Ijaz Khan, president of the association has written a letter to Pakistan President and patron-in-chief of PCB, Asif Ali Zardari seeking his instructions for PCB. Fawad said, “The tour is being organised for a noble cause and therefore the cause should be supported as it will only help in rebuilding the lost image of Pakistan.” There has been no international cricket in Pakistan since the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in March last year, while a breakdown in diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks in November 2008 has affected cricketing ties between the two countries. Pakistan cricketers have not featured in the last two IPLs, and haven't played India in a bilateral series for long.

China Asiad Medals Tally (After 4 days) Country China South Korea Japan North Korea Chinese Taipei Hong Kong Kazakhstan Uzbekistan India Malaysia

G 77 22 15 3 3 3 2 2 1 1

S 28 17 34 6 5 5 5 5 4 1

B 28 27 29 9 13 3 9 6 7 3

EPL games this week

Total 133 66 78 18 21 11 16 13 12 5

Saturday, 20 November Arsenal v/s Tottenham Emirates Stadium Birmingham v/s Chelsea St. Andrews Ground Blackpool v/s Wolverhampton Bloomfield Road Bolton v/s Newcastle Reebok Stadium Man Utd v/s Wigan Old Trafford West Brom v/s Stoke The Hawthorns Liverpool v/s West Ham Anfield Sunday, 21 November Blackburn v/s Aston Villa Ewood Park Fulham v/s Man City Craven Cottage Monday, 22 November Sunderland v/s Everton Stadium of Light

12:45 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 17:30 13:30 16:00 20:00

Asian Voice - Saturday 20th November 2010

Sachin is ambassador for World Cup 2011

After the first test match at Ahmedabad during the new year celebrations ended in an anti-climax like draw, it was New Zealand at the defensive in the second test match, played at Hyderabad, though Brendon McCullum slammed his first double century in test matches to guide New Zealand to a safe draw on Tuesday. While the wait for Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th Test century continues, VVS Laxman has extended his success against another team from the down under, playing important innings in the both the tests against New Zealand. Kiwis, the No. 8 side in the world, have now held India, the No. 1 side, to four consecutive draws; in two of those India have done the surviving. India, who seemed to have given up surprisingly early in the morning, have now conceded 400 or more in at least one innings of their last seven Tests. McCullum got his runs with ease. He did it with some style and noncha-

Harbhajan Singh celebrates his century in unique fashion

lance. India tried to pack the leg side and bowled round the wicket, only to see him casually reversesweep them for boundaries. Sreesanth finally removed McCullum. Then he bounced Tim Southee, who had hit him three times with bouncers when he was batting. Some softening-up and eye-balling later, Sreesanth bowled Southee. Perhaps to keep their tail away from any more bouncers, New Zealand declared during tea, and

bowled 17 overs before the last hour. Virender Sehwag, usually bored in such situations, helped himself to a quick fifty, giving the crowd some entertainment. Harbhajan’s maiden century at Ahmedabad Harbhajan Singh realised every bowler's dream of making a Test hundred and VVS Laxman burnished his already lustrous second-innings record to steer India to safety on the final day of the first Test. Chris Martin

and New Zealand couldn't replicate the venom with which they had bowled on Sunday and their chances of victory vanished with the 163-run association between Harbhajan and Laxman. The injuries to Hamish Bennett and Jesse Ryder didn't help New Zealand either. A serious push for victory against the world's No. 1 side appeared difficult to sustain once Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum, with 12 overs of international experience between them, were given the ball in the morning. {Brief scores: 2nd Test - NZ 350 (McIntosh 102, Guptill 85, Zaheer 4-69) and 448 for 8 decl. (McCullum 225, Williamson 69) drew with India 472 (Harbhajan 111, Sehwag 96, Vettori 5135) and 68 for 0 (Sehwag 54*. 1st Test - India 487 (Sehwag 173, Dravid 104, Harbhajan 69, Vettori 4118) and 266 (Harbhajan 115, Laxman 91, Martin 563) drew with NZ 459 (Williamson 131, Ryder 103, McCullum 65, Taylor 56, Ojha 4-107) and 22 for 1}.

Ashish Kumar wins India’s first gymnastics medal at Asiad Other contenders fail to deliver, India pushed to 9th spot on day four India’s Ashish Kumar created history on Tuesday after he became the first ever Indian to win a medal in the gymnastics event at the Asian Games. In swimming too, Virdhawal Khade earned India a medal after 24 years. Ashish won a bronze medal in the Men`s Floor event of the Artistic Gymnastics at the ongoing 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Kumar clinched the bronze with an aggregate of 14.92 behind gold medallists Chenglong Zhang of China and South Korean Soo Myun Kim, who finished at an identical scoreline of 15.40. In the first round, Kumar scored 6.30 points while in the final round, the Indian managed to accumulate 8.62 to finish

third in the event. "I am very happy because it is the first gymnastics medal in the history of Indian gymnastics (at the Asian Games)," said the Allahabad-based gymnast, whose performance is even more praiseworthy considering that the team`s foreign coach Vladimir Chertkov deserted the squad before the commencement of the Games and returned to India. The 19-year-old Indian had scripted history last month when he won a silver and a bronze in vault and floor for India in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Ashish Kumar of India receives his medal Many other in the floor of artistic gymnatics during medal hopes failed to the awards ceremony at Guangzhou on live upto the expectaTuesday

tions, leaving India at a poor 9th position in the medals tally on Tuesday. Virdhawal Khade broke the swimming medal drought after 24 years as the contingent added three bronze to its kitty in an otherwise dismal fourth day of competitions here on Tuesday. The 19-year-old Khade also scripted history as he became the first Indian swimmer in 24 years to clinch an Asian Games medal by notching up a bronze in the men's 50 m butterfly event. Harika Dronavalli also clinched a bronze in the women's individual chess.

He has a fan following not just in India. For youngsters everywhere, S a c h i n Tendulkar is an icon. The little master has been named the official ambassador for the Cricket World Cup 2011, to be played next year. In another milestone, Sachin will become just the second cricketer globally who would have played six ODI World Cups Tendulkar will be called upon to promote and support a variety of ICC initiatives for the tournament, which is the third biggest sporting event in the world and will take place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2 next year, the ICC said in a statement. “I am really looking forward to playing in another Cricket World Cup,” said Tendulkar, who will join Pakistan’s Javed Miandad as the only other player to take part in six World Cups. “In terms of limitedovers cricket, the ICC Cricket World Cup is the highest level you can play so it is always a thrill to take part in such an important and widely followed event. “The fact that the 2011 event will be staged here in the sub-continent makes it even more special for me and I am keen to ensure we play well. As a team we would be doing

everything we can to win the world cup on home soil,” he added. ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said the governing body was lucky to get the support of a player of Tendulkar’s stature. “We are very lucky to have such an extraordinary player as Sachin supporting our flagship event. “I don’t think any other player has inspired a nation like he has and the respect and affection he enjoys goes way beyond his native India. Many other athletes and sports fans around the globe admire what he consistently achieves and what he does for cricket,” Lorgat said. Since making his debut for India in 1989 at the tender age of 16, he has scored more international runs than anyone else in history while also adhering faithfully to the spirit of cricket. Tendulkar has scored 14,292 runs in 172 Tests, while amassing 17,598 in 442 ODIs.

Victoria Bitter’s huge offer for Ashes win All Australians will get free beer Victoria Bitter, sponsors of Australian cricket has made an enticing offer for OZ fans. If Australia wins the Ashes, all OZ adults will get free beer. If the Australian team takes back the Ashes, vouchers for Victoria Bitter will be printed in five national newspapers following the final test Jan 8, the New Zealand Herald reported Tuesday. At the current retail price, the promotion would cost $19 million if all of the 13 million adult Australians redeem their free drink. However, cricket

experts say Victoria Bitter has timed the promotion well, as this is the first series where England appear to have a strong chance of winning. The first Test begins Nov 25 at the Gabba in Brisbane.