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Vol 45 | Issue 16

GST WILL MAKE INDIA MORE ATTRACTIVE: PRITI PATEL

Modi's I-Day speech hits Pak nerves

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20th August to 26th August 2016 Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

Pramukh Swami Maharaj passes away

New Delhi's Red Fort reached Fort Knox-level security, as India celebrated 70 years of independence. While different programmes were organised across the country, the main celebration like always, was held in the Capital. India put its cultural and military prowess on display, which was witnessed by thousands present, and others on television.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tri-colour and gave his third Independence Day speech which hit a few nerves in neighbouring Pakistan.

States like Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Odisha flaunted their cultures, and over a 100 stalls were put up showing handicrafts of different states.

PM supports the demands of people of Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK In Modi's third Independence speech, he mentioned Balochistan, attracting immediate angry remarks from Islamabad.

Around seven years after

an India-Pakistan joint statement mentioned the region, Modi put it right back on the agenda, pointing his finger at Pak for its human rights violation. He said, "Today, I want to especially honour and

Continued on page 26

Pramukh Swami Maharaj Spiritual guru and head of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Pramukh Swami Maharaj passed away at Sarangpur, Gujarat, at the age of 95. A close associate of Swami said, "He was a heart patient and was being treated for a lung infection. His last rites will be conducted on August 17."

Announcing his passing away, BAPS released a statement saying, "His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head and president of the BAPS Swaminarayan

46 Church Road, Stanmore, Middlesex, London HA7 4AH

email@travelinstyle.co.uk

Sanstha, inspirer of countless and a great servant of society, passed away today, 13 Aug 2016, at 6 pm in Sarangpur.

We deeply mourn the departure of our revered guruji.� The breaking of the news was followed by pouring in of thousands of devotees from various cities and towns, all mourning the death of their beloved Guru.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was amongst the first to express his condolences on Twitter, saying, "HH Pramukh Swami Continued on page 10

2

ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP

Asian Voice 20th August 2016

www.asian-voice.com

to

Kishan Devani

Kishan Devani is a 31 year old Politician, Speaker, and International Business Consultant for an International Wealth Management Firm. He was also a Director of a Specialist SEN School The Woodfield School in London. He is the Lead Proposer and Founder of GATES Academy a Free School proposed to open in 2017 in London (subject to approval).

He is the currently the Deputy Chairman (Membership and Finance) of the Entire London Conservative Party. He also sits on the National Association Finance Board of the Conservative Party. In addition to this he is the Chairman of Conservative Way Forward's Treasurers Committee. He stood for Parliament in 2015 for the Constituency of Leicester East and has previously stood for Council elections in 2014.

Kishan was also a candidate on the Conservative LondonWide List for the Greater London Assembly elections in May 2016.

What is your current position?

Deputy Chairman (Membership & Finance) of the entire London Conservative party (73 Constituencies) & GLA LondonWide List Candidate.

What are your proudest achievements?

While I practiced as a Teacher (before joining the world of Finance), I taught many people students who have now completed University and become successful people in their own right, as Lawyers/Doctors etc.

Seeing their successes have been most definitely one of my most proudest moments. Also being a Lead proposer/Co- Founder of a

Free School which is going to be set up in Hillingdon by 2017 (subject to approval).

What inspires you?

Humility, Dedication, Social Justice, Making a difference, Culture and British Values.

What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?

Before entering the world of Finance and becoming a Business Consultant for an International Wealth Management Firm, I practiced as a Religious Studies Teacher.

Working with young minds has to have been one of the most challenging and rewarding

things I have ever done.

Teaching is one of the most noble professions in the world and to have been part of that was truly an honour and privilege. I have been lucky to have met some great people in both fields which has allowed me to enjoy both careers with a passion. Of course both have had their tribulations and enjoyment, which are part and parcel of life. Hard work, dedication and a 24/7 work ethos is vital for both in my experience.

Who has been the biggest on your career to date?

I have to say this question is three fold. Politically I would have to say Margaret Thatcher (and as a Cameron supporter of course David!), Socially the Great Man Mahatma Gandhi, and on a more personal note my Family. All have inspired me in different ways, from being dedicated, passionate, conviction led, loyal and committed to their cause.

What is the best aspect about you current role?

As Deputy Chairman of the London Conservative party it is an absolute pleasure for me to be able to meet such amazing people within the Conservative party and in the general public.

Who are committed to their causes and passionate about what they do. To be able work with such people has been a learning experience and life

Sex offender on bail killed mother and father A coroner has demanded the Home Office to clarify the rules of bail for criminals after a knifeman was freed to kill his parents and himself. 30 year old Ashraf Amrani was high on cannabis and ecstasy when he strangled and battered his mother Zohra, 59, and stabbed father Hasan, 72.

Ashraf Amrani’s body was discovered after he fell 30ft on to a first floor roof at his address in Westbourne Park on 13th

February last year. Three days prior, Armani was arrested after threatening a man with a knife. He was released on “street bail”despite bing out on licence from a server year sentence for rape given in 2010. At the inquest at the Royal Courts of Justice the court was told Amrani should be been recalled 28 days after his arrest. Yet officers never informed the Met team dealing with registered sex offenders and

Zohra Amrani

neither his probation team.

Boy was killed when hit by car 'driven at twice the speed limit', court told A teenager was driving at more than twice the speed limit when he knocked down and killed a young boy who was leaving a mosque with his father, a court heard.

Shahzaib Hussain, 11, was struck by a Mercedes AClass with Henry Barker, then 19, at the wheel in Ashton-under-Lyne. Barker had been travelling along the narrow back street at more than 40mph and fled from

Victim: Shahzaib Hussain

the scene after the collision.

Schoolboy Shahzaib had been attending afternoon prayers at the Hamza Mosque on Mowbray Street

AsianVoiceNews

Killer: Henry Barker

with his father Javid Hussain and his uncle when he was involved in the crash on Moss Street West.

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

serving the people supersedes everything else.

enriching experience.

Being a GLA candidate has also allowed me to work closely with our fantastic London Mayoral Candidate - Zac

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

I believe David Cameron has done an excellent job as P r i m e Minister and hence we w e r e returned with a

And the worst?

Haven't really had an experience of that! Maybe you should ask me that - if and when I become am an MP!

Majoirty Conservative Government in May. I do believe I would like to see more done to build the community spirit in our nation, in order to promote more integration between communities. This idea of community cohesion and the development of it, would have a positive impact on all part's of our lives from social issues to the economy.

What are your long term goals?

In the General Election campaign I was asked this by the Secretary of State for Education - to which I replied to Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP - 'Your Job!'.

I would like to serve the various communities that make Britain what it is today. Whether I do that from the Green Benches or not - only time will tell. For me

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

It would have to be Winston Churchill - his Leadership, political career and general persona fascinate me and commentators all over the world. It would be quite an experience to say the least!

Goldsmith MP, which in itself has been exciting. The ability to be able to affect change in the community has to be the most rewarding aspect of what we do as politicians.

Employer's bias against the hijab Muslim women wearing Hijabs are routinely passed over for jobs and are sidelined at the workplace, a Commons report has found.

In what is seems as a form of “acceptable” discrimination highly qualified women who have overcome barriers to train in professions like law, are being written off because of crude assumptions ministers have found.

The inquiry by the Commons women and equalities committee was

told some women abandon wearing traditional Islamic dress to try and get a good job.

While other find themselves being interrogated at job interviews if they are married and have kids or want to, and those already working are passed over on important assignments because of the assumption they might not be “allowed” to travel. Hostility towards Muslims is acting as a “chill factor” putting off many people from even applying for jobs.

This inquiry

comes as it was revealed that unemployment among the Muslim community is over double that of the general population, some 12.8% compared to 5.4%.

Maria Miller, chair of the women and equalities committee says “The evidence was very strongly that…it was seen as acceptable to discriminate against Muslim women and that people almost didn't see it as discrimination.

You can’t have some women more equal than others.”

15 migrants found crammed into three bedroom house in north-west London

Up to 15 migrants were found crammed into a three bedroom house in north-west London.

Bunk beds were found packed into small rooms in the house in Kingsbury when council officials carried out a raid this week. The garden shed at the property also appeared to be lived in. Brent Council officials received a tip-off that the house was being rented out illegally.

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Asian Voice |20th August 2016

3

India at 70: Future prospects, present challenges A birthday is an occasion to reflect and ponder.

Nowhere has nation building been an easy task: more so in India, with its immense diversities of culture, ethnicities, faiths and tongues. Shaping democratic governance and the rule of law has posed daunting challenges which no country in modern history under a single seat of authority has ever faced and survived.

Yugoslavia, once India’s partner, has disappeared from the map; Egypt, another partner, is in shambles.

India has fought the odds and done so with a considerable measure of success. Its birth, from the stroke of the midnight hour of 15 August 1947 was celebrated amidst the blood and gore of Partition.

The world viewed the event with fascination, awe and despair, most doubting that this unique experiment in constitutional government could, or would, succeed. But succeed it did. India’s founding fathers were blessed with vision, moral integrity of a high order, and a practical sense of what was possible at any given time. The early years of Independence were fraught. Within weeks of its existence, India faced an existential threat, when Kashmir was aflame as the invaders from across the border poured in pillaging and raping, determined to wrest control in a primordial bid to build a kingdom based on scriptural tenets. The invading was stopped, turned back and expelled, much to the surprise and astonishment of the invaders and their foreign jihadi handlers. The fledging Indian Army had passed its first major test with endurance, skill and adeptness. Months later, a second challenge was mounted in Hyderabad, a thousand miles to the south. That, too, was successfully withstood.

India confounded the odds and stood tall as it looked the world in the eye. It was a period of seedtime and remedy. The first general election was held and a democratically elected government voted into office. There was little industry to speak of, agriculture was primitive , grinding poverty the norm and science and technology non-existent. An industrial platform was constructed, largely with Soviet help, the United States having refused aid without strings attached. Under the stewardship of Homi Bhabha and generous financial government support as an act of faith, and the establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on the model of America’s MIT in the United States, with American help and guidance began, in time, to produce scien-

tists and engineers of world-class quality. The Green Revolution was an breakthrough in food grains, as was the Milk revolution pioneered in Gujarat by Dr Verghese Kurien, for the dairy industry. These are in full bloom today and have changed (and are changing with greater momentum) the face of contemporary India. It is an exporter of dairy produce, it is a space power and a nuclear weapon state with missile delivery systems.

The negative features in the report card are fractious politics, the descending levels of crudity and intolerance in the public sphere, and the pervasive corruption, not to speak of obscurantism and caste oppression practiced against the weaker sections of society.

Compounding these domestic challenges are the serious external threats facing the country. The threat posed by Pakistan commenced in 1947 and is ongoing. Conceived in the womb of the Subcontinent , Pakistan was blinded at birth by a twisted ideology of consuming hatred of ‘Hindu’ India, one that, down the years, has brooked no denial. It is the sole, indivisible feature of the country’s national dentity. The jihadi terrorism it has incubated is now the monster turned against its creator, as the massive bombing of a school in Peshawar last year and, more recently, the bombing of a hospital in Quetta illustrate only too well. The country’s traditional patron, the United States of America is losing patience with Pakistan’s continuous jihadi funding and export; the Gulf Arab states and Iran have come to despise it as an unpredictable player, while the Afghanistan government positively loathes its counterpart in Islamabad.

Carpetbaggers, bounty-hunters, thrusting generals and discredited mafia politicians have laid the country low. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the Subcontinent’s Count Dracula, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, its Mussolini, who promised a 1,000-yer war with India, only to lose it in a fortnight and forfeit his life at the a hangman’s rope, symbolize Pakistan’s continuing torment. The anti-Indian malevolence of its alignment with its all-weather friend, China, offers no relief. Beijing’s bombastic pretensions cannot camouflage its own domestic problems, all partially hidden by a flimsy bamboo curtain. India’s neighborhood is among the most volatile in the world. That said, India is likely to survive its present travails as it has done those of the past.

Modi, Jayalalitha, in video conference with Putin Prime Minister Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithha and, arguably, the world’s most formidable politician, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a conversation via video link across Moscow, New Delhi and Chennai respectively. The occasion was the formal commissioning of the first reactor in the Kudankulam nuclear power complex on the outskirts of Chennai, built with advanced Russian technology. A second reactor is expected to go on stream at the end of this month and supply a further 1000MW of electricity to the southern Indian grid, adding to the 1,000MW already in operation. Work on the construction of the third and fourth reactors is scheduled to start next February.

Tamil Nadu with its allotted share of 560 MW from each reactor is the largest beneficiary of the project.

President Putin said: ‘We have big plans with our Indian friends in the nuclear area. We expect that a general framework agreement and the credit report for the construction of the third stage of the nuclear power plant for the fifth and sixth reactors will be signed by the end of the year,’ presumably when he visits New Delhi for the annual Indo-Russian summit. Mr Putin said Russia would be financing, through a loan, 85 per cent of the construction of the third phase of the

Kudakulam project.

Mr Modi said: ‘I have always deeply valued our friendship with Russia and it is fitting that we jointly dedicate the first unit of the Kudankulam plant. We are determined to pursue an ambitious agenda of nuclear power generation.’

Jayalalitha described the nuclear power plant complex as a ‘tribute’ to India-Russia friendship.

Russian engineers at Kudankulam praised Indian colleagues for their expertise in the construction and the running of the reactors. Valery Limarenko, President of Atomstroyexport Group of Companies, the engineering and construction division of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom, said the state-of-the-art safety systems were functioning exceptionally well and had surprised its design expectations.

Chairman and Managing Director of India’s Nuclear Power Corporation, S.K. Sharma, declared: ‘A single unit generates 1,000MWe power, which is higher than the capacity of any other reactor now functioning in the country.’

Meanwhile India’s negotiations with the US Westinghouse company, for the construction of nuclear power plants remain stalled.

Kolkata wetlands saviour honoured Ecologist Dhrubajyoti Ghosh, whose pioneering work on the East Kolkata Wetlands and its innovative use in treating the city’s wastewater, received global recognition with the prestigious Lac Hoffman Award, which he will collect next month at a ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ghosh’s work began with the identifying the uniqueness and opportunities of ecosystems. He named the wetlands, mapped it and calculated the value it was adding to the economy of a metropolis. He spent 10 years trying to impress global arbitrators of the critical importance of the Kolkata wetlands for the future welfare and development of the city. Eventually, he convinced his audience in 2002 and the wetlands declared a protected site. Ghosh was then chief environmental

officer in West Bengal. He has come a long way and is today one of the trustees of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

To him belongs the last word. ‘Kolkata is the cheapest metropolis as the produce grown in its fringe – fish, rice and vegetables – is available at nominal transport cost. It is actually an ecologically subsidized city and it is so by the East Kolkata Wetlands that subsidizes it.’

This is an amazing story of how a bureaucrat - rarely the target of praise as a species, from a population frequently subjected to unnecessary harassment by uncaring officials out to make fast buck – achieved so much through unceasing toil and commitment to a noble cause.

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

- Buddha

Patrick McLoughlin MP Conservative Party Chairman

Happy Independence Day to All! As people celebrate Indian Independence Day around the world, it is a chance to reflect on what has been a fantastic 12 months for the UKIndia partnership.

In November last year the home of English football was filled by the cheers of 60,000 BritishIndian voices as visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined ouar former PM, David Cameron, onstage at Wembley Stadium. The monumental event concluded a successful trip that had seen the unveiling of £9 billion of commercial deals between India and Britain. Speaking in Parliament, Mr Modi said our two countries needed to create "one of the leading global partnerships” that collaborated on issues from finance to climate change.

The start of this month saw the launch of one of those commercial deals when the world’s first ever rupee-denominated bond issued outside of India by an Indian company was listed on the London Stock Exchange. We hope this will pave the way for Britain’s financial markets to be at the heart of funding India’s rapidly growing economy and ambitious infrastructure programme.

Equally, the BritishIndian community makes a huge contribution to UK society and better yet it’s thriving. In business, in culture, in public service, in politics – there is a lot to be said and a lot to be celebrated.

Our Indian-origin Secretary of State, Priti Patel, and Minister, Alok Sharma, are both doing great work in Government, and our Indian MPs, Shailesh Vara, Rishi Sunak and

Suella Fernandes are making huge strides in politics.

In Theresa May, we have a strong leader who is committed to making our country work for everyone. I know she will take up the mantle to tackle social injustices, and carry it through with the same determination she showed on so many difficult issues as Home Secretary.

And as Party Chairman I am committed to delivering the same opportunity and equality she spoke of for our Party. I look forward to working closely with Conservative Friends of India and attending their brilliant events with the British-Indian community. The group was launched in 2012 by David Cameron and I hope that the vital work they are doing grows further under our new Prime Minister.

It is undeniable that following the EU referendum, our country is going to go through big changes. There will be challenges but also fantastic opportunities for us to do business right across the globe and of course strengthen the existing bond between Britain and India to achieve that “leading global partnership” Mr Modi spoke of nine months ago.

India and the UK have always had close trade ties: the UK is the largest G20 investor in India, while India invests more in the UK than the rest of the European Union combined. The Conservative Party is committed to further strengthening that relationship.

Happy Independence Day to you all. Jai Hind!

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Asian Voice |20th August 2016

University of Leicester launches new initiatives to promote diversity sUniversity of Leicester announced the launch of new initiatives specifically directed to address a lack of diversity in their museum sector. The School of Museum Studies celebrated it 50th Anniversary with announcements to work and improve the numbers of students from diverse backgrounds by introducing scholarships for applicants from under-represented groups.

It will also include a new course studying equality and diversity in the

museum sector and participation in a nationwide project designed to enhance student diversity led by the Equality Challenge Unit.

The School, an active institution with partnerships across the world and a range of postgraduate courses to offer, remains the only university department in the UK dedicated to the study of museums and galleries.

Kate Bunning, Programme Director for Museum Studies by

Distance Learning at the University of Leicester said, "As part of our broader efforts to foster diversity within the museum sector, we have introduced Diversity Scholarships to mark the 50th anniversary of the School of Museum Studies. We were thrilled with the response, receiving a large number of high quality applications from those who are under-represented in the sector. After careful consideration, we were delighted to inform our four outstanding win-

ners who will being their studies with us in the autumn." She added, "We are grateful to colleagues within the University, especially in the Equalities and Widening Participation teams, for their tremendous support, encouragement and advice in taking forward this new initiative."

Each scholarship winner will receive a fee discount of £3,000 on Master’s or Postgraduate diploma programmes starting in autumn 2016

Suraj Mistry trial: Off-duty medic describes how she tried to save Mistry An off-duty doctor has relived the moment she tried to save the life of businessman as he lay in the street after being shot in a brutal raid.

Amy Randle, who works at Birmingham Children's Hospital, said she attempted to help revive Akhtar Javeed.

Leicester businessman Suraj Mistry (26), is on trial at Birmingham Crown Court accused of bursting into a West Midlands business armed with a gun to carry out the robbery, which ended in Mr Javeed's murder.

The 56-year-old was

Akhtar Javeed (left) and Suraj Mistry

shot in the foot, leg, mouth and finally in the throat after refusing to hand over money.

Giving evidence on day six of the trial, Dr Randle,

said: "I saw a man on the side of the road and he appeared to be in cardiac arrest. He was lying on his back and there was blood on his mouth, his face and

his airway. There was also blood coming out of his mouth."

Medics arrived at the scene to take over from Dr Randle and Mr Javeed was rushed to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital but was pronounced dead soon after arrival.

Olaf Pathologist Biedrzycki, who conducted the post-mortem examination, said the businessman had been shot in the foot, shin, mouth and neck. But his death was caused by a gunshot wound to the throat, which would have caused his lungs to fill with blood.

Drunken man sexually molested teenager hours after prison release A drunken man sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl on a train, within hours of being released from prison, a court heard.

Ali Din, 44, downed a bottle of Jack Daniels by the time he accosted the teenager – stroking her knee and thigh, lewdly rub-

bing his crotch with both hands and putting his head on her lap.

After being escorted by police from Leicester's railway station, he again approached the girl, wrapping his arms tightly around her, telling he loved her and that he was going

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to kiss her.

The victim, unable to escape his clutches, ended up head-butting him to get free; yet he still persisted in trying to kiss her.

Din was released from HMP Peterborough that morning from a six month jail sentence for causing a public nuisance by threatening to leap off the Coventry Building Society, in Leicester city centre, on November 20 last year.

His two hour rooftop protest – to draw attention

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Illegal migrants exploiting asylum system flaws Over a third of asylum applications made by migrants who have overstayed or are illegally in the UK. Thousands of immigrants and overstayers have only claim asylum after being caught by immigration officers. Home Office data shows the level of to which migrants try to

“play the system” in a bid to prolong their stay.

36% of asylum applications over a ten year period between 20042014 were made by migrants “encountered by local immigration and enforcement staff” totalling 83,912 of the 231,100 applications received in those years.

Self Defence classes for MPs Combat techniques used

by Mossad, Israel’s secret service are being used to the train British MPs as form of Self defence in the wake of the murder of Labour MP Joe Cox. Krav Maga, Hebrew for “contact combat” has elements of judo, jujitsu, street fighting and boxing and is taught as defence move against people with guns or knives.

Politicians are being offered free lessons to help them protect themselves against political extremists and terrorists.

The classes which is being run by ParliTraining which provides coaching in lobbying and public affairs.

It is reported that two MPs and 18 aides attended the first class of Krav Maga in Whitehall last week.

Man appears before magistrates charged with sex assaults A 46-year-old man has been charged after a number of reports of women being touched inappropriately in the city centre.

Masood Anwar appeared before Leicester Magistrates' Court charged with three counts of sexual assault.

The charges relate to three incidents between Thursday 21 July and Saturday 23 July in Regent Street, Magazine Square and Market Street.

He was bailed to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 1.

Tanveer Iqbal murder trial A music shop owner was lured to his lover’s home in Birmingham where he was strangled and put in the boot of a car, it was claimed.

The body of thirtythree year old Tanveer Iqbal was later found in the abandoned vehicle.

When his wife desperately tried to find him the woman who had allegedly killed him fobbed her off claiming she had not seen him, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Zatoon Bibi, 37, her husband Gul Nawaz, 44, and a 16-year-old male, who can not be identified, have all denied murder.

Sally Howes QC, prosecuting, said that Mr Iqbal had an “unconventional” domestic relationship and that he had been seeing Bibi for a number of years and had two children by her. She said his wife Nasreen was aware of this.

However there came a point when the “veneer cracked” and Zatoon Bibi began to try and stir up trouble between Mr Iqbal and his wife, on one occa-

sion sending her a video of Mr Iqbal of a sexual nature.

Miss Howes said that on January 31 this year the victim had gone to Bibi’s home for a birthday celebration and he had been strangled there.

She said Bibi had then put Mr Iqbal in the boot of his Renault Clio and driven it to Portland Road, Smethwick.

Police found the vehicle the next day with the victim having been packed in a cardboard box wrapped with gaffer tape and nylon rope.

A post mortem examination revealed he had died from compression to the neck.

UK Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

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Aaditya Kaza

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5

A Dental Rip-off

An investigation by The Times newspaper has found that thousands of people are losing their teeth because its more lucrative for NHS Dentists to remove them that to save them. Regulators say dentists were extracting teeth to avoid offering complex treatment, for which they are paid the same by the health service.

The investigation also found some dentists earn almost £500,000 a year, as the system rewards them for seeing as many patients as possible.

Many dentists claimed the equivalent of over 60 check-ups per day, in what has been described as an unethical approach to patients. The upper limit of patients seen for a dentist is said to be 30 a day.

Reforms introduced a decade back meant dentists are paid about £25 for every “unit of dental activity” (UDA) that they carry out. Each check-up or examination, is counted as one UDA, tooth extractions count as three alongside fillings and root canal

work, regardless of how long the treatment takes.

NHS figures seen by the paper show around 30 dentists were paid for more than 15,000 UDAs last year, the equivalent of about 60 appointments a day over a working week.

Ten dentists were paid for more than 18,000 UDAs, amounting to £450,000.

It’s said dentists routinely weigh up how much time and treatment a patient needs against a desire to maximise earnings.

The warning comes before a disciplinary hearing next week of the dentist responsible for the biggest patient alert in NHS history. Desmond D’Mello, 62, treated over 20,000 people, who were later called for HIV and hepatitis testing after he allegedly failed to change gloves or clean equipment between appointments in a bid to see as many patients as possible.

The president of the British Endodontic Society of root canal specialists, Mike Waplington said “There is an incentive from the system and some dentists may say to patients ‘I

can take this tooth out simply’.” It is estimated more than two million teeth were taken out on the NHS last year as many dentists feel more comfortable taking teeth out, only 277 out of more than 40,000 are registered as specialists in root canal work. Figures show least 2,000 dentists claimed for more than 8,000 UDAs, equivalent to the limit of 30 check-ups a day.

Co-founder of Saving Teeth Awareness Campaign, Trevor Lamb said “The public are too quick to accept that teeth should be removed. They are unaware of the alternatives and some dentists exploit this. You wouldn’t go into A&E with a broken arm and expect it to be amputated.”

The General Dental Council say they cannot act because there is a lack of professional guidance which allows dentists to claim that extraction is a legitimate option. The council’s chairman, Bill Moyes said “I’m sure that if patients had a full understanding they’d be quite appalled”.

Man who avoided being deported back to Sri Lanka admits sex assault An asylum seeker who avoided deportation back to Sri Lanka after an MP led a public campaign was today facing jail after admitting sexual assault.

Sivarajah Suganthan, who spent 37 days in a detention centre , was allowed to remain in the UK back in 2011 thanks to Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams.

Mr Williams lobbied immigration minister Damian Green to grant him asylum and presented an 800-name petition to

Parliament calling for the deportation threats to end.

Suganthan, 31, went to live with friends in Bristol in 2011 but three years later he sexually abused a 21 year-old woman while staying at a night shelter in

St Paul’s.

The dad-of-two was to face trial at Bristol Crown Court but pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration.

Anjali Gohil, defending, said the guilty plea was on a full facts basis.

Record Peter Towler ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case for sentence on September 14. He told Suganthan: “I won’t be the sentencing judge. I would have thought a custodial sentence is inevitable.”

Radical preacher Anjem Choudary behind bars after drumming up support for IS Anjem Choudary, Britain’s most controversial hate preacher was behind bars on Tuesday, after finally being convicted of terrorism offences.

The 49-year-old firebrand cleric, who has helped radicalise a generation of would be terrorists, was found guilty of inviting support for a banned organisation after swearing an oath of allegiance to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

Choudary and one of his disciples, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, 33, were convicted last month following a four week trial at the Old Bailey.

But details of the case can only now be made public after a judge lifted tight reporting restrictions imposed while another trial was taking place.

Choudary, wearing a

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white Islamic robe and glasses, showed no emotion as the jury of six men and six women found him guilty on July 28 of inviting support for a proscribed organisation.

Rahman also stared straight ahead and did not react as the verdicts were returned after two-and-ahalf days of deliberations.

Choudary who has more than 32,000 followers on Twitter and is a

Mohammad Mazanur Rajman

keen exponent of social media, encouraged people to support Isil.

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Asian Voice |20th August 2016

Celebrities call upon Priti Patel to fight for gender equality In a letter written to the new International Development Secretary, over 20 leading stars and feminists, have stated that progress towards achieving women's rights is "too slow and investment too little".

The letter, which is signed by celebrities like Keira Knightley, Vanessa Redgrave, and notable feminists Sophie Walker and Caroline Criado-Perez, has asked MP Priti Patel to invest further in grassroots organisations that support women around the world.

The letter says that one in three women will face vio-

Priti Patel

lence in their lifetime, nearly two thirds of the world's illiterate adults are women, and that fewer than 4 per cent of the world's leading corporations have female CEOs. The women write, "We know that we cannot realise long-term change for women and girls without the work of grassroots women's rights organisations. They are the

backbone of the fight for gender equality. Their struggles to achieve equality for women and girls take place in communities, school rooms, courts, parliaments, conflict zones and health centres.

They campaign for and provide vital services, challenge unfair laws, fight discrimination and so much more." After a year since the historic agreement of a global goal on gender equality was announced at the UN, the women tell Priti that "we now need to see real progess".

Tyler Thompson death: Man jailed for Leicester stabbing A man who stabbed a teenage boy to death in a street fight has been jailed for nine years for manslaughter.

Tyler Thompson, 16, died after a brawl on Freeman Road in Leicester on 24 November. Derby Crown Court heard he died in hospital from a stab wound to the chest.

Judge Nirmal Shant ordered Pravdit Sian, 19, from Litelmede, Leicester to serve half of the sentence in custody and half on licence. The court heard that police were called to a fight involving a

group of men in Freeman Road North, next to Humberstone Park, in the early evening.

Joe Stone, defending, said the defendant was "not someone with a propensity for carrying weapons".

Det Insp Shaun Orton of Leicestershire Police said: "The events of that November evening were tragic and could have been prevented. A split decision taken in the heat of the moment changed the lives of two families forever."

Tyler's family said he was "like a ray of sunshine, and he had a smile for

Pravdit Sian

everyone. He is so very sorely missed by all who knew him".

In a statement, they added: "It upsets us knowing that he had his whole life ahead of him, he had a bright future, and he knew where he was going. His death has ripped a hole in the family."

Tyler Thompson

Following Tyler's death a memorial gig was organised by Bizzi Dixon, a finalist from BBC TV show The Voice.

Mr Dixon, who said the teenager was a "wonderful, bubbly, friendly young man", helped to raise £950 for the his funeral.

Indian-born fashion blogger named UK’s best-dressed vegan "The idea behind my blog is to inspire stylish dressing without the cruelty of wearing animal skins", she says. "My style is feminine and simple, and I love using colour to brighten up my outfits. I am also planning to launch my own vegan fashion brand soon!"

"Sruti's on-trend outfits show that dressing to the nines without hurting animals has never been easier", says PETA Director of International Programmes Mimi Bekhechi.

"We encourage fashionistas everywhere to take a leaf out of her lookbook and choose beautiful, compassionate designs that don't bleed."

After trawling through fashion blogs, scouring social media posts, and launching a web search inviting fashion-conscious vegans to show off their style, PETA has crowned the UK's Best-Dressed Vegan of 2016. The top honour went to Londoner Sruti Sethuraman, originally from New Delhi, for her impressive array of sophisticated outfits— which are completely free of animal-derived materials.

Flaunting her fabulous fashion on her blog Love and Blossoms, Sruti is passionate about dressing well without harming a hair on an animal's head.

Why wear vegan? On fur farms, animals such as foxes, minks, and chinchillas are confined to tiny, filthy wire cages before being poisoned, electrocuted, or skinned alive.

Every year, more than 1 billion animals are slaughtered in the global leather industry. Thirty per cent of the world's wool comes from Australia, where sheep farmers mutilate millions of lambs in a cruel procedure known as mulesing.

The exotic-skins industry kills millions of snakes, alligators, seals, zebras, and other animals.

(Pic credit: Rebecca Botin)

Chariot celebrations draws crowd of more than 30,000 More than 30,000 people came together during a mass celebration of Hindu culture in West Ealing on Sunday (August 14). The streets of West Ealing were filled with colourful dresses, short robes around waists and a host of other Hindu attire for the chariot proces-

sion from around 10am.

It began outside the Shri Kanaga Thurkkai Amman Temple, which organised the event, in Chapel Road and made its way through nearby streets including Uxbridge Road, before returning to the same spot at 5pm.

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According to the temple's chairman, Durairajasingham Ratnasingham, this year's celebration drew a crowd of around 30,000 with people visiting from all over the world.

He said: "It was very nice, we served up food for 30,000 people and the children and adults were worshiping. Everyone enjoyed it and the weather was very good - it drew people from all over the world."

As part of celebrations, revellers rolled their bodies on the road surface, carried pots of milk on their heads and also pierced their skin while music was played.

Giant, colourful chariots were dragged through the

streets as exciting crowds watched on.

Labour Ealing Council leader Julian Bell was in attendance and described the event as having a "fantastic atmosphere."

Cllr Bell added: "It is a fantastic celebration of culture and religion and it is always very well attended. It is very popular and it shows that rich diversity. Crowds are always well behaved."

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London schoolgirl killed in airstrike in Raqqa One of the three east London schoolgirls who fled to Syria to join the Islamic State, was reportedly killed in an airstrike.

Kadiza Sultana, 16, pictured, left her life behind in February last year, along with Amira Base and Shamima Begum, to join the terrorist outfit in Raqqa. As per unverified sources, Sultana was killed in a Russian bombing raid while trying to escape.

Her family said, "We were expecting this in a way. But at least we know she is in a better place. We do not wish her name to come up in the headlines again... She is gone and we would like to respect her wishes."

The three girls who studied at Bethnal Green

Academy, are believed to have married IS fighters on reaching Syria, and are among 800 Britons thought to have left the country to join the militant group. Sultana was in sorts after joining the caliphate.

Phone calls with her sister had her reportedly say, "I don't have a good feeling, like I feel scared. If something goes wrong that's it."

Punjabi contestant named in this year’s Great British Bake Off A pastor, a hairdresser, a nurse and an aerospace engineer are among those who will be seen competing for this year's Great British Bake Off crown.

Viewers will see 12 amateur bakers trying to impress judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood when the new series begins on BBC One on 24 August.

Last year's winner Nadiya Hussain was a big success and Hollywood said this year's crop had felt the pressure.

"Nadiya went to a whole new level... it put pressure on them more. I think we felt it in the tents as well. They started quite

nervously, but once they settled down they got into it," he said.

One of the contestants is Rav, 28, who claims to be "adventurous and experimental" and likes to use unusual ingredients. He is especially inspired by far eastern cuisine and enjoys vegan baking. The 28-yearold works supporting students at City University in London.

“Racist abuse is part of my life”Nadiya Hussain Star of The Great British Nadiya Bake Off, Hussain said she still expects to be shoved and insulted, because racist abuse “has become part of my life”. Speaking on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs the 31 year old, mother of three said she suffered anti-muslim bigotry over many years, revelling she received abuse after “massive things” which happened, from September 11, 2001 onwards.

She said “I’ve had things thrown at me and have been pushed and shoved. It sounds really silly … it feels like that’s become a part of my life

now, I expect it. I expect to be shoved or pushed or verbally abused because it happens. It’s happened for years.”

She says the abuse has made her more determined to be a role model to her children. Some 15 million people watched her win the baking show on BBC last year.

Two plead guilty over fatal Bradford taxi crash Two men have admitted causing a crash which killed the driver and passenger of a taxi.

Mirza Malick, 64, and Paul Hayward, 55, from Bradford, died at the scene of the crash on the Shipley Airedale Road in January.

Ismail Miah, 23, of Springfield Place and Muhammed Sikder, 27, of Sylhet Close, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Bradford Crown Court.

They will be sentenced next month.

UK Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

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The Public’s Campaign takes Flight Aaditya Kaza Following a nearly decade long campaign by the Gujarati community with the help of Mr CB Patel, this paper Asian Voice and sister paper Gujarat Samachar, today saw the inaugural direct flight from London to Ahmedabad take to skies. Air India launched the new service commemoration of the 70th Independence Day. Scenes in the departure hall of Terminal 4 where the check in for Flight AI 172 was joyful, upbeat and celebratory.

Manibhai S Patel

Our journalist Kamal Rao on the ground spoke to a few passengers to experience the first flight.

Manibhai S Patel, a frequent flyer from Upper Tooting said “Praful Patel during this time as Indian Aviation Minister shut down the previous service for his own interest.

very difficult for the chilToday’s nonstop was needdren and elders. We are ed for a long time, it is happy Modi kept his promespecially helpful for elderise and we pray the flight ly people and families who lasts long.” Rikshit pointed can now save between 3-7 out that if other people get hours. I am going to the same facilities and the Vidhanagar, Nadiyad for flight gets a better response treatment.” He added he then Air India will be offerdisappointed by the ing something no other airbureaucrats thus far and line is. fears the flight will only be in service as long as Modi is PM. Like many others Manibhai singed the campaign and congratulated CB Patel and PM Modi.

The Rai family from Thornton Heath, parents Umesha and Rikshit with children Nysa and Dheer, were Umeshaben and Rikshitbhai with going to Baroda for children Nysa and Dheer their annual holiIT Consultants days. They said “Last Hemangbhai and January when we went Nareshbhai are travelling with the full family we had with they sons Ved and to wait in Delhi which was

Air India’s Regional Manager for UK and Europe Tara Naidu

Rajeshbhai with daughter Shreya

Vastal. The flyers, followers of BAPS said they are going to pay homage in Sarangpur to the recently departed Swami bapa.

They said due to the last minute nature of the trip they had to try 3 or 4 travel agents before booking this inaugural flight though the trip is only a few days.

Rajesh Mehta from Forest Hill flying along with his daughter Shreya,

starting our nonstop flight to Ahmedabad finally. Its been a long standing demand of the gujarati community and the response we have received has been overwhelming.

The flight is full, today is the first flight going from London Ahmedabad, yesterday was the first flight that came in from Ahmedabad to London then continuing to Newark. The flight leaves at 12:30 in the afternoon and reaches Ahmedabad at 3am. Passengers are very happy with the introduction of the flight, they don't have to change aircraft, they don't have to take their hand baggage, it is especially convenient for the elderly passengers, those who are less abled, those travelling with small children, expecting mothers and so on.”

said “I went in 2006 on the direct flight. The joy I got then is similar to the joy I’m experiencing now.”

Rajesh added, “Today is like ‘First day, first show’ flying just for the pleasure” they are due to return in 6 days. Kantibhai Nagda got 13 members of the Mehta family sign the campaign to restore the nonstop flight.

On the occasion the Air India’s Regional Manager for UK & Europe, Tara Naidu said Hemangbhai and Nareshbhai ‘in our “We are very emergency this flight helped us’ excited to be

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8

READERS’ VOICE

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Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

Hate crime All hate crime is a direct result of ignorance and looking for revenge. For hatred does not cease with hatred, but with love alone. You cannot be happy in life, unless you are willing to make others happy first.

It is in the holy books of all religions that believe in one ‘God’, but that the world, is ruled by the evil one. In the Holy Bible, it is in (John Chap. 5, Ver.19) that “We are all children of ‘God’- but the world is ruled by the evil one”. So how does the evil one rule the world, with a rule book of democracy, which is over 2000 years, out of date.

It has taken me 50 years or research to update the over 2000 years old rule book of democracy, in order to produce a new manifesto of democracy, based on the ‘Laws of the Universe’ as the ‘Highest Law’, is the Laws of the Universe based on ‘Physics’ and ‘Chemistry’, and humans are the only creatures, in our solar system that do no abide by the Laws of the Universe. Hence we experience the acts of ‘Terrorism’ and ‘State Terrorism’, resulting in untold suffering, for all.

Jal Framji By email

Wake up call for Labour

The short description of Trotskyism is: The political and economic theories of Communism advocated by Leon Trotsky and his followers, usually including the principle of worldwide revolution.

The fear of some of the Labour Party leaders, parliamentarians and members is that of Trotskyites infiltrating into the Party. This is an unfounded fear as it is not possible, Labour is strong enough to ward it off.

The main thing is for Labour to put its house in order and stop the infighting. They will have to compromise and accept whoever is the winner, the result of this second leadership election in September with good grace.

Otherwise they will be heading for another crushing defeat at the next general election. This is evident to all politically well-informed Labour leadership, MPs, councilors and members, they should refrain from continuing the feud. Otherwise it will be like pressing the selfdestruct button.

A Party that has a weakened foundation, and is split down the middle, has no chance of making any worthwhile impact either in local, regional and national elections. This is a wake-up call for Labour to unite or face defeat in the forthcoming elections. The choice is clear: unite and win, divide and lose.

Baldev Sharma Harrow

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s passing

We are deeply saddened that Great Spiritual Master, His Holiness PP Pramukhswami Maharaj has left for his heavenly abode.

Swamiji inspired generations and made difference to many lives. His compassion for the humanity will live on for ever. He was the embodiment of knowledge, love, discipline who inspired many Youths. Seva Projects led

by His Holiness around the world are greatly appreciated. The Iconic Temples built under His spiritual guidance are symbols of Divinity. His Spiritual Legacy will live on for ever.

Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you not only in Leicester, but throughout the world. May you all receive spiritual strength to continue His Holiness Pramukhswami Maharaj's Mission. He will be guiding you & showering His blessings upon you all.

Subscribe Today Manjula Sood MBE Chair, Leicester Council of Faiths

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India’s Independence

Brexit, The Question Mark

We celebrated India’s independence day all over the UK this week.

We sang patriotic songs and paid tribute to our freedom fighters who fought the British to free Mother India from the clutches of a mighty ruler. We gave speeches and said how great India is.

If we think India is so great, what are we doing here? Why don’t we pack our bags and return to our motherland? Britain has given us so much and provided us with a better standard of living and the comforts which India cannot. So when we sing patriotic songs praising India, we must also sing the British national anthem and chant “Long live the Queen”.

We must also place the Queen’s photo and British flag besides the photos of our freedom fighters and India’s tricolour.

I am in no way trying to slag the land of our forefathers or demean our heroes.

They have done a great job in acquiring freedom for the country where many of us and our parents were born. They have been exemplary for others and given guidance in freeing their countries.

However, when singing praises for India, we must not at the same time say how badly Britain had treated us.

Let bygones be bygones. We must not lose sight of the fact that it is Britain who gave us shelter and a new life when the brutal rulers of African countries threw us out.

Dinesh Sheth Ilford

Though the referendum has pointed the way out of the EU, it seems to be a bit emotional outcome without giving some serious consideration and thought of future repercussions.

However, our honourable PM’s lightening decision to go for Brexit, it seems to be unexpectedly quick march toward unchartered waters. This may, create one doubts in many thinking minds in the country by a sudden jump, before appointing an all inclusive commission to study al the aspects of the problems and reporting to the parliament, which will take a final decision, to be implemented by the government.

Our honourable PM’s declared policy to create a real socialistic democracy is very praiseworthy; but this hurried run for brevet may create some worried and varied opinions about it. This whole hog hurried decision, with the formation of the cabinet for the purpose, will prove to be advantageous or no to the country, only time will tell. Or a 2nd referendum is indicated!!

Dr Naginbhai Patel By email

Terror, horror, fear

Why these terrorists throughout the world are doing horrible acts where up to now thousands of innocent people of all ages who have done no harm to them have been killed in clod blood! They attack any places may be nurses, primary, secondary schools, college, mosque, temple, church, aeroplane, bus, train car, theatre, stadium, resorts, malls etc.

There is no preaching in the Quran to kill innocent people. Why they are taking curses from these helpless parents whose life has been shattered by their cruel deeds! The nature & God helps people who does good deeds. In this beautiful world why people have to live in fear! Why? Sudha Rasik Bhati Glasgow

BJP and RSS should introspect

Narendra Modi’s remark about the so-called cow protectors is the right reaction to caste violence in Gujarat. But the reaction of RSS as reported by Asian Voice (Aug 6th issue) is very regrettable. Lashing out against their leader, beating innocent people, does not protect any cow. Now carcasses of hundreds of rotting animals lying around would show an awful sight and likely to be health hazard to the public.

Mr Modi, as Chief Minister, had achieved economic success and social stability taking Gujarat from a very low position to the top position among all Indian states. As Prime Minister of India he has achieved a similar success. It has been possible because of new vision, original ideas and hard work to achieve such a goal. Sri Atal Behari Vajpayee was an excellent Prime Minister and liked by almost all sections of Indian society. Yet he lost the 2004 election after only six years in office. If BJP and RSS don’t modernise their attitude they are likely to cause downfall of Modi in 2019 general election. Both BJP and RSS must learn lessons from history, advance with time and work for the good of all Indians.

Jatindra Saha By email

Heart felt homage to PP Pramukh Swami

I was very sad to learn about demise of His Holiness Pramukh Swami on 13-8-2016 at the age of 95 years. After getting “diksha” in 1949, he worked tirelessly to promote Swaminarayan religion and motivate followers to build magnificent temples all over the world. He preached that temples must satisfy spiritual needs and also physical needs of person, society and host country. His teachings, memory and heritage will be cherished by all who came in contact with him. I had the honor to meet him in 1975 at a temple in Mombasa, Kenya. His candid friendliness impressed me a lot. I also had similar experiences when I visited B.A.P.S. temples at Neasden. He charmed all visitors to the temple.

I assume that after leaving mortal coil, his soul would join Great Brotherhood of Saints that guard and guide world in days of peace and ward off disaster during oncoming crises. We pray to God almighty that his soul continue to bless us all. May his soul rest peacefully at the lotus feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

Good luck, Jeremy

I read with interest your news item on Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘stubbornness’ in not stepping down from the Labour Party leadership (AV 13th August 2016). In my view, politics is a short-lived egoistic dogma of power. It has no ingredient of spirituality embedded in it. It is just a materialistic game – if you have rhetoric and charisma you are a winner. Honesty and trust have no value in politics. In Jeremy, I see a man of integrity, honesty and straightforwardness. He is with the people, not apart or different.

The members see him trustworthy whereas his political

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colleagues view him as an obstinate obstacle.

Jeremy has displayed his strong characteristic of determination. He has demonstrated that he is a determined unselfish person and so, through his persistent determination, people have come to believe him as a genuinely trustful and loyal person – a person who will stand by them, always. Gandhi had this to say about determination: “Strength does not come from winning. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

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Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Kanti Nagda, Social and Community Activist So Respected he’s in Debrett’s Kanti Nagda is a distinguished social activist who has made a difference to his community.

His father was a grocer’s assistant in Kampala, Uganda. His mother was a house-wife.

Early influences and memories

Kanti told us; “In my childhood I used to read a lot of historical books and biographies of Indian freedom fighters which influenced my thinking and growing up.

This was coupled with encouragement by Kavi Dhayabhai Patel, a wellknown writer and politician in Kampala, to write stories and poems. In my secondary school and college days I used to write Gujarati stories and poems which were published in almost all Gujarati publications in East Africa.

Turning point

Kanti Nagda became a teacher but was a victim of Idi Amin’s expulsion of Asians from Uganda.

Kanti Nagda

So at the age of 26, he arrived in Harrow in 1972 with £50.00 in his pocket.

“I got involved in social activities, cultural organisations, and race relations.

“I was one of the pioneers of Harrow Community

Relations at the time.

Discrimination was very rife. To the extent that the politicians in Harrow were saying ‘don’t come to our borough, we are oversubscribed. There are no jobs, no schools, no houses for

Women rule in universities Figures show men being outnumbered four to one in some university campuses as teenage boys are urged to “stop dithering” about their futures and apply to university.

These figures come in a week when thousands of students across the UK get their A Level results on Thursday.

Judge swears in court A judge presiding a case swore back at the defendant as he hurled racist abuse towards her as he was being sentenced. John Hennigan 50, got involved in an argument with Judge Patricia Lynch QC at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Hennigan, who was sentenced for breaching an ASBO by using racist language towards a black woman and her two young children in which he said she was a “bit of a c**t”.

Judge Lynch replied “You are bit of a c**t yourself.”

This prompted Hennigan to shout back “Go f**k yourself”, and the judge replied “You too”.

As he was imprisoned for 18 months he banged the glass panel of the dock reportedly saying “Sieg Heil”.

The problem deemed “missing men” in higher education has become urgent as girls outpace boys at GCSE and A-Levels with more of them applying for university places.

It is estimated some 90,000 more women applied for university places than men. Just to give a snapshot, at

Roehampton University there wasps 75% women to 25% men. At King’s College London the ratio of students is 64% women to 36% men. At Leeds 60% to 40%.

At Edinburgh University 59% to 41% with the average gender ratio across UK universities 57% women to 43% men.

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you.’

We fought a number of discrimination cases in Harrow.”

In 1973, with a few friends, Kanti started a charity; Anglo-Indian Art Circle. He did this after witnessing a few elderly Asians sitting on public benches in the main shopping centre, who could not go back to their homes until their children returned back from work in the evening.

Immediately he started a drop-in centre, the first of a kind in the country. Here at this centre. Elderly Asians from all over London would come, meet and socialise in a hall.

The socio/cultural organisation then turned into a pressure group for the plight of Asians and other minorities. This happened with the introduction of Asian language books in all the Harrow libraries, vegetarian mealson-wheels services for house bound frail elderly, a hostel for elderly with housing problems.

He said that an early challenge was to overcome prejudicial barriers in the community work he was doing. He had high barriers to climb over; the then the Leader of Harrow Council said that ‘They (Asians) would get vegetarian meals-on-wheels over my dead body.’

Kanti challenged

9

Harrow Council when they council, and having the were checking the passRoyal seal; the ports of children. “When Centre’s opening ceremony the children wanted to get was performed by Their admission in the schools, Royal Highnesses The Earl the council was checking and Countess of Wessex.” their passports. Now the In 1982, Kanti was one rule of the nation is that if of the few Asians who got a you are under 16, you place in Debrett’s should be educated free. It Handbook of distinguished doesn’t matter where you people in British life and come from. For these peoMarquis Who’s Who in the ple to check passports was World in 1984. not on. We challenged He reveals, that them and in the end the ability to they backed down. overcome the We challenged d i f f i c u l t i e s It was a struggle.”

Kanti notes them [Harrow posed by the that now, 40 social work Council] and years later, the through “the in the end they behaviour of will to overlocal councils is come all the backed down. not as it was hurdles; and It was a then.

“Today, there were struggle. they accept many.” refugees from all He has been over the world. Now the Secretary of things are different, but Confederation of we had to fight for a level Indian Organisations (UK) playing field,” he says, nodand President of National ding and remembering.

Congress of Gujarati Organisations.

He is an active member Biggest challenge of Greenford Lions Club and has raised hundreds of Kanti founded a communithousands of pounds of ty centre (known as Sangat various charities.

Centre), at present providFinally, we couldn’t ing legal advice and repreresist asking Kanti how he sentation at immigration planned to build on what and welfare benefits trihe has done to ensure his bunals to over 1200 people legacy. He’s done so much, of all nationalities and how will he stop it from backgrounds per year. tumbling down like a pack Kanti explained that of cards 50 years from challenge was all about now? He said, “building Sangat “The work that has Community Centre, withbeen done will continue.” out a penny from the local

10

SPECIAL P Asian Voice |20th August 2016

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Pramukh Swami Maharaj passes away Continued from page 1 Maharaj was a mentor to me. I will never forget my interactions with him. Will miss his presence." He also tweeted, "HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a stalwart among humans who embodied compassion and humility. His service to society will always be remembered."

Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor in Bhagwan Swaminarayan's succession of Gunatit gurus. BAPS, in its statement, said, "For more than seven decades he had been travelling tirelessly, visiting over 17,000 towns and villages in India and abroad. However, for the last two years, because of old age and frail health, he had been residing at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur under the able care of expert doctors."

Born to farmer's family in 1921 as Shantilal Patel, Pramukh Swami Maharaj belonged to Chansad village near Vadodara in Gujarat. He is known to be strongly associated with spirituality from a young age. Swami received a letter from his guru Shastriji Maharaj at the age of 17 years, and with the permission of his parents, left home to join Shastriji Maharaj and his sadhu. "In 1939, he renounced home to become a renunciate and received initiation into the sadhu-fold from his guru, Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj and was named Sadhu Narayanswarupsad," the BAPS statement read. It said, "On completing his Sanskrit studies, he was appointed as the kothari of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur in 1946 at the age of 25 years.

Then in 1950, aged 28 years, Shastriji Maharaj selected him as the President of BAPS in his place. Since then, he had been fondly known as Pramukh Maharaj."

Swami Maharaj addresses the Millennium World Peace Summit in the US

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam presents his book to Swami

PM Modi pays his respects to Swamiji

In his lifetime, Maharaj created around 1,100 mandirs and major cultural complexes like S w a m i n a r a y a n Akshardham in Gandhinagar and New Delhi. He was known for his "untiring efforts in uplifting the tribals, liberating thousands from vices and addictions, providing relief and rehabilitation to innumerable people in times of calamity and catastrophe, and inspiring

character and faith in hundreds of thousands of children and youths were some of his many outstanding services to society."

He has also been called upon by national and international dignitaries including His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Prince Charles, late Sheikh Isa bin Salman al Khalifa of Bahrain, and late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

After completing his

Pramukh Swami meets Pope John Paul II in the Vatican City in 1984

Independence Day address, PM Modi flew to Sarangpur, Gujarat, to pay his last respects to Pramukh Swami. Saying that he has lost a "father figure", Modi was overcome by emotions during his 20-minute long speech at the temple where Swami's mortal remains were kept. "Many of you might have lost a guru, but I have lost a father," Modi said. Calling him a "combination of grandeur and

divinity", NaMo said he knew Swami from the time when he was not a public figure. He recalled a few instances with the guru, saying Swami once asked him to address a gathering of saints in Ahmedabad, to which he expressed his surprise. When asked what the saints will gain from him, Swami said "the saints should know about the social reality as they have to work to take the society in the right direction."

Modi also recalled Swami's guru Yogiji Maharaj. "We have known Pramukh Swami as a guru.

But looking at him, one also understands how a disciple should be," he said. "Long back, while strolling on Yamuna river bank, Yogiji expressed desire to Pramukh Swami to have a temple constructed on Yamuna bank. It was a desire informally expressed. After he passed away, as a disciple, Pramukh Swami constructed Akshardham to fulfil his desire."

India's former President, the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam wrote a book about his association with

Swami.

In his 'Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji', Kalam said he felt peace in Swamiji's presence. "He truly loves people unconditionally. That is why he is able to counsel and take part in their difficulties and problems. Their problems become his problems.

I can see it in him," Kalam had written.

Grieving the loss, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said, "The lifetime of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the advent of virtues, righteousness, noble thoughts and deeds, free from addictions, in the service of religion and culture as they would continue to guide the people forever."

BJP president Amit Shah in his message said, "Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a true source of inspiration. I was fortunate to have received his blessings." Former chief minister Anandiben tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the demise of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Interactions with him were true source of inspiration and wisdom."

Swami received by Prince Charles at the St Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Palace

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Delhi CM Kejriwal pays tribute to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj Since last three days, there has been a huge influx of devotees in Sarangpur to pay tributes to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Many dignitaries arrived at Sarangpur today on Tuesday, 16th August for Swamishri’s final darshan.

Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, arrived at Sarangpur to pay his last respects to Pramukh Swami Maharaj at 11 am on Tuesday, 16th August. After offering prayers and obeisance to Pramukh Swami Maharaj,

he said that first when he got the news of his demise, he could not believe it. He said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj was one of the rarest of rare souls this world has ever seen. He was a divine soul who had gifted such a sublime socie-

ty of sadhus and devotees that has strengthened the values of selfless service to society. He propagated Hinduism and Indian values across the world. The departure of Pramukh Swami Maharaj has been a great shock, but Swamiji will continue to enlighten us for ages to come.”

Smt. Anandiben Patel, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, arrived at Sarangpur to pay tributes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj. She recollected occasions of her association

with BAPS Sanstha, Swamishri’s epoch making work and his divine personality.

She said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an embodiment of purity, harmony, devotion, selfless service and patriotism. His unique vision, leadership and contribution in the fields of education, women empowerment, child care and character-building of youths are extraordinary. It is such a vibrant experience to have his last darshan.”

Other dignitaries who

came to offer their tributes were L&T Executive Chairman Shri Anil Nayak, RSS Rashtriya Mahamantri Shri Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Governor of Karnataka Shri Vajubhai Vala, Head of Namdhari Sikh Sampradaya, Head of Santram Mandir Nirgundasji Maharaj, Christian religious head of Kutch-Saurashtra region Reverend Bishop Jose and renowned cardiologist Dr.Tejas Patel.

Final Rites of Pramukh Swami Maharaj:

Wednesday, August 17th The final rites of Pramukh Swami Maharaj will be carried out at 3pm on the 17th of August, 2016 in the premises of Sarangpur mandir. Senior sadhus will perform the arti and pay floral tributes amidst divine chants and prayers followed by cremation rituals in accordance with Vedic Hindu tradition.

The cremation will be webcast live on www.baps.org and Aastha channel.

MESSAGES FROM MPS, PEERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He was a saint and a scholar; a man who forewent his life for spirituality and a man who leaves a remarkable legacy for Hindus around the globe.

He was appointed as Pramukh in May 1950, at the tender age of twenty eight, and under his leadership, BAPS has become a globally renowned institution with over one million devotees. He constantly encouraged us to be better people; to love our neighbours and to be a force for good.

This is a tremendously sad loss for the Hindu community, but also an opportunity to praise him, to salute his legacy – including the brilliant Neasden Temple, Europe’s first traditional Hindu Temple - and to thank him for all the tremendous work he has done. He was the rarest of men; a saint walking among us.

-Lord Dolar Popat

Pramukh Swami Majaraj was a remarkable man. I first met him nearly twenty years ago and was struck by his quiet dignity and serene presence. He guided the BAPS Swaminariayan Santha with great skill and wisdom, making sure that people understood what he expected of them and conducted themselves accordingly. He built more temples than his predecessors and made sure they were not just religious places but also vibrant centres of cultural activity.

He persuaded people to contribute generously to worthwhile causes and inspired great commitment and dedication as we saw in the case of resettlement of people after an earthquake in Kutch and Bhuj.

He was broad minded and advocated religious tolerance. I was pleased and not at all surprised to be included among the half a dozen original advisor of the newly built Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden along with late Lord Gulam Noon, a muslim. I know no other organisation that has trustees drawn from all major religions and none. Pramukh swamiji trained a whole generation of young leaders who can now hope to step into his shoes. We shall miss him. I salute his memory with respect and reverence.

- Lord Prof Bhikhu Parekh I am incredibly sad to hear that our spiritual Guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj has passed from this world. I send my most heartfelt condolences to the Hindu community and especially the Swaminarayan Community both in the UK and India and across the world.

He was a special man, and those from all walks of life will feel this loss. I can remember the first time I met him at Heathrow Airport when he arrived to visit the old Temple at Neasden. All around the world we see his inspiration in the Temples that have been built. A quarter of a century ago I can recall my visit to Akshardham and I marvelled at the way in which the Temple had been built.

I can remember the day my infant son Luke sat on his lap in the old Temple in Leicester. His smile was infectious. His love for us was enormous. He was a giant and in our hearts he will live forever.

Jai Swaminarayan.

- Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP Chair of Home Affairs Committee His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj dedicate his life for the well-being of others, fostering love, peace, harmony, righteousness, faith in God, and community service. His compas-

sion for humanity, and conscious efforts to alleviate problems have inspired millions around the world. His humility, wisdom and spirituality have touched many world religious and national leaders, and inspired millions to lead a life guided by Hindu principles.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was recognised and respected as one of Hinduism’s great spiritual teachers. He embodied compassion and we will always remember him for his wisdom & vision for humanity.

All of us who have felt the magnitude of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s personal blessings will deeply mourn the departure of our revered guru.

- Rt Hon Priti Patel MP Secretary of State for International Development I was very sad to hear the sad news about His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

From humble origins, His Holiness rose to become the fifth spiritual successor in the guru parampara tradition of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). For over 70 years, he has travelled tirelessly to support those who needed it and to provide relief to those suffering from catastrophe. His conviction in his faith was an inspiration to all who met him, and his humanitarian and interfaith work profoundly touched not only Hindus, but people from all religions around the world.

Pramukh Swami ji will be remembered as someone who spread joy wherever he went. His inspiration will live on eternally and his deeds will never be forgotten.

With kind regards and best wishes, -Lord Bilimoria CBE DL Chairman

We are deeply saddened that Great Spiritual Master, His Holiness param Pujya Pramukhswami Maharaj has left for his heavenly abode. Swamiji inspired generations & made difference to many lives. His compassion for the humanity will live on for ever. He was the embodiment of knowledge, love, discipline who inspired many youths. Seva Projects led by His Holiness around the world are greatly appreciated. The iconic temples built under his spiritual guidance are symbols of divinity. His spiritual legacy will live on for ever. On behalf of Leicester Council of Faiths, our prayers & thoughts are with all of you not only in Leicester , but throughout the world. May you all receive spiritual strength to continue His Holiness Pramukhswami Maharaj's Mission. He will be guiding you & showering His blessings upon you all.

-Manjula Sood MBE Chair & all the members of Leicester Council of Faiths.

“In the joy of others lies our own” is the famously coined motto of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He made his life’s purpose a selfless one, ensuring the betterment of others. But on Saturday 13 August 2016, this beloved and revered Guru passed away at the age of 95.

Today, a community is still in mourning, weeping over the loss of their beloved, revered, and admired Guru. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur is the site where thousands of devotees, sadhus, dignitaries and world leaders are flocking to pay their final respects ahead of Wednesday’s funeral rites ceremony.

I would like to pay my condolences to British Hindus, especially the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, on the passing away of H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired millions with his powerful motto: "in the good of others lies our own". This legacy of selfless service will continue to benefit humanity for a long time to come.

I remember fondly my visit to Neasden Mandir in March 2013, as Home Secretary, to speak at an inspiring conference for International Women’s Day organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

I also had the opportunity to see the fantastic work that BAPS does across the world to improve the lives of others, and people giving up their time generously to do it.

H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj exemplified the values of British Hindus whose contribution helps make the United Kingdom one of the world's most successful multi-cultural, multi-faith democracies.

- Prime Minister Theresa May He is the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s lineage of God-realised Gurus. But despite his status as the Guru, Pramukh Swami was determined to serve through spiritual and social works.

Whilst many of you may recognise him as a spiritual leader, I had a very personal working relationship with him.

In November 1991, BAPS commissioned the site of the dilapidated Neasden High School. He told me his innermost wish was to start up a Hindu school by the following September.

Awestruck, I could see only the problems of 10 months, no teachers, no students, no funds, poor buildings, and my wife being pregnant!

Bapa held my hand, tackled problems with me and gave me the support I needed to fulfil Yogiji Maharaj’s vision.

From weekly calls, letters and meetings, Bapa stayed in my heart and the school. From interviews to major financial decisions he supported me, and challenged me when I erred. But in doing so, he made me a better volunteer, and allowed the school to flourish into one the best in the UK today.

As a devotee, I miss my Guru but I take solace knowing he lives on in Param Pujya Mahant Swami, whom Pramukh Swami revealed as his successor.

- Piyush Amin Chair of Governors of The Swaminarayan School

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MEDIA WATCH

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The Lok Sabha gave a massive endorsement to the GST Bill, with all 443 MPs present voting in favour and none against.

This sends the best possible signal to investors at home and abroad that India is open for business. With monsoon rains cascading in all corners of the country the portents for bountiful harvest and revived agricultural output is expected to stimulate industrial growth and increase overall economic percentages significantly.

Finance Minister Jaitley addressing GST press conference in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley thanked all the political parties for their support in getting this game changing legislation through. The Prime Minister said: ‘GST can’t be seen as a victory of a party or the government.

It is a victory for the democratic ethos of India and a victory for everyone.’ He said the new indirect taxation regime, which is expected to subsume 7-13 taxes will free the country from tax terrorism and help reduce corruption as traders will be compelled to issue bills. ‘The consumer will be king,’ said the prime minister.

‘The consumer will be king,’ he added. GST was a triumph for Team India, the Prime Minister said.

Consensus

Opening the debate, Finance Minister Jaitley said the government’s effort was to build anacross-the board support as it didn’t want a divided Parliament.

Veerappa Moily, who led the team of Congress party speakers urged the government to acknowledge the GST concept s the brainchild of Dr Manmohan Singh and an offshoot of his liberalization of the economy. Other opposition speakers asked why as Gujarat chief minister, Mr Modi had opposed the GST. Good question! ((Hindu, Times of India August 9).

Industry captain hails GST as path-breaker

Sanjay Lalbhai, Chairman and Managing Director of textile manufacturer Arvind Ltd in a newspaper interview said, ‘I think the GST is one of the most path-breaking things to have happened in India. And I am extremely buoyant. We have had a long discussion with the Ministries of Textiles, Finance asnd Commerce as with the Government’s Chief Economic Adviser. We have been able to convince them that this is the only industry that can create millions of jobs and we can take the export figure to $80 billion in a very short time,’ (Business India August 8).

Basu lauds GST

Kaushik Basu, Chief Economist and Vice President of the World Bank, delivering a lecture in Kolkata, said the Goods and Services Bill (GST) was a ‘hugely beneficial reform’ which would

Dr Kaushik Basu

cut both transaction costs and double taxation, with long-term benefits outweighing the likely short-term impact. ‘ Would cheer it as tribute to Indian democracy,’ he said.

India vs China

Propelled by three growth drivers – deft management of fiscal and monetary policies and the good fortune of lower oil prices – India’s growth rate surpassed China’s in 2015.’As Chief Economic Adviser of the Government of India, ‘I forecast it at 2016. I was wrong…it happened in 2015.’ India was now a front runner in the World Bank’s chart of emerging economies, said Dr Basu. (Hindu August 6)

Assam terror strike

The town of Korajihar in Assam was recently subjected to a horrific terror attack in which 13 innocent people died. Five terrorists in military uniforms opened fire without warning at a marketplace crowded with weekend shoppers causing mayhem in the area and rocking newly elected Assam State government. The killings were the handiwork of a faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland which is opposed to peace talks

with the authorities. A joint operation is underway between the Army and police along the Bhutan border to to catch the terror group (Hindu August 6, 7).

Key IS operative arrested

Following an Indian request a key IS operative of Islamic State in the kingdom has been arrested. The scent started when four Maharashtra-based men travelled to Iraq on the pretext of a pilgrimage.

The National Intelligence Agency caught the leader, Areeb Majeed. His three accomplices are still at large.

Majeed under interrogation, revealed the name of Kuwaiti resident Abdullah Hadi Rahman al Enezi (32) as the IS mastermind and principal recruiter for India.

He is now in custody in Kuwait and Indian security agents will be in Kuwait to interrogate him (Hindu August 7)

Terrorist veals Infiltration trail

Pakistani terrorist Bahadur Ali who was arrested recently in Kapura, North Kashmir by local security forces is believed to have divulged the names of his collaborators in the State. According NIA Director-General Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Ali disclosed the names of local collaborators who had given him cover and facilitated his movements. The Lahorebased jihadi had crossed the border into India around the middle of June with two accomplices and got separated from them. Laskare-Taiba operative, Bahadur Ali, also revealed the infiltration route into Kashmir across the Line of Control, the survival tips to terrorist to such jihadi operatives. The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has the informatiuo. (Hindu, Times of India August 12)

Rajasthan jolts ruling BJP

The Congress party’s emphatic victory in Rajasthan’s urban municipal election and the rural panchayat polls has been a jolt to the ruling BJP State government led by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

Pradesh Congress Committee President Sachin Pilot congratulated the victorious candidates, while affirming that urban and voters reflected the widespread disillusionment with the performance of the ruling BJP government. (Hindu, Times of India August 9)

exceptional growth in its Indian market at a time when international markets are facing a slowdown. Apple CEO Tim Cook showered praise on hius company’s India operations. Speaking at company headquarters in the US, he said: ‘India is now one of our fastest-growing in the first three quarters of this year: our iPhone sales in India were up 51 per cent year-on-year.’ Worldwide Apple iPhone sales were down by 15 per cent. (Times of India July 28).

Regional aviation to surge

Kirti Vyas has a highly successful travel agency in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh State. It is home to a million people. Rapid industrialization in the past decade has led to significant prosperity in the city. As evidence, Vyas cites a six-fold increase in air tickets over the last eight years. Home to power plants and steel factories, Raipur is now connected to major Indian hubs by 32 daily flights serviced

by IndiGo, Air India and Jet Airways. ‘Business is booming.

Passengers don’t ask after the price of tickets; they simply buy whatever is on offer.’ says Vyas (Mint August 8).

HDFC Life, Max seal merger deal

The boards of HDFC Life Insurance and Max Life have signed up to a merger that will create India’s largest private-sector insurer. With Rs 1 trillion assets, the merged company will overtake ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co Ltd as India’s No 1 non-government company. It will still trail the state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India whose assets are worth Rs 21.70 trillion (Mint August 9).

ISRO readying for second Mars mission

A second Mars mission is being planned by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

,three years after the first, launched in 2013. Describing the first launch as a ‘marvel of engineering’ UR Rao, former chairman of ISRO said It was a matter of pride that first attempt to reach the planet was successful, Established space powers such the US, Russia and Europe failed with their initial attempt. He said there is much work still to be done before can we plumb the Red’s many secrets are revealed, including the origin of the universe (Hindu August 10)

Tata Chemicals sale to Norway’s Vara

Tata Chemicals has sold its urea and customized fertilizer business to Yara Fertilisers India, wholly-owned by Norway-based Yara International ASA for Rs 2,670 crore (Business Line August 11)

IIT whizz-kids in UAV enterprise

IIT Bombay alumni, Rahul, Singh. Ashish Bhatt, Ankit Mehta and Vipul Joshi, all graduates in interdisciplinary engineering science pooled their brains and skills to come up with a novel Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in a startup company named ideaForge in which each is a CEO. Their product was utilized with great success in Uttarkhand flood relief operations several years ago. Defence industry laboratories were soon to request then to design micro and mini UAVs.

Navy, Army orders

The Indian Navy followed with a request to design an auto-pilot drone in 2008. Deliveries were made the next year. The company has designed robots for the Army and oil industry. It won an international competition along with MIT - and fame. The company has 20 patents and was funded by IIT-Bombay (Business Line August 11).

PM denounces cow protection vigilantes

Prime Minister Modi has denounced the violence unleashed against Gujarat’s disadvantaged Dalits by local vigilantes opposed to their beef eating habits. A number of Dalits have been killed and injured in the violence by fanatical vigilantes. Te RSS, which is the ideological fount of the Sangh Parivar has endorsed the Prime Minister’s strong stand (Hindu, Times of India August 8, 9)

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inspecting the Guard of Honour at Red Fort, on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, in Delhi. see comment page 3

India is the forefront of Apple’s global expansion. The American electronics giant is enjoying

PM Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha video conference with Russian President Putin. see comment page 3

India waves in Apple

UK Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

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13

Labour and Conservatives share something special in Scotland On Indian Independence Day: China 300 - India 1

I write to you as a ready to fly to India, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad. This morning Trump again has spoken of protecting borders.

Somewhere there is a document authored by a Chinese policy advisor to their Politburo stating the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Indian wants peace, from Gandhi to this day, they do not believe in being offensive. That is their Hindu way, and so we have learnt with the Buddhists, so too with the parent religion of the Hindu, we can bully them to our bidding as we did in taking Kashmir from them.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This document is yet to be leaked by Wikileaks. But believe me it exists somewhere on some computer system in Beijing.

Three years ago I wrote to you from the most heavily bombed country in the history of the world. My guide told me Laos had reigned upon it during the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;secret warâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 280 million bombs at a rate of 1 every few seconds for 9 years. The bombers were the Americans of course during the Vietnam War. I get my spirit of adventure from my father. That drive from when I was a child from London to Gujarat still plays in my blood. So this Indian Independence day I wanted to mountain bike north from Luang Prabang to the Lao border with China, and by an unauthorised incursion plant an Indian flag on Chinese territory.

See how they like it for a change! That was my Mission Impossible â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an act of Independence.

After all, India Today reports there were some 300 incursions by the Chinese army into India in 2012. So why not one, just one, by an overseas citizen and nonresident of India?

As for Laos, there are lessons for India.

When that rifle bullet fired on 22 November 1963 in Dallas, few could have imagined that the assassination of an American President would ricochet to tragic ramifications half way across the

world for a decade to make this the most bombed place in history.

And what did all the bombs achieve?

The Communist flag flies proudly across this country. These Communists that the Americans tried to wipe out. The Yanks should have simply have dropped TV sets instead. Far more pervasive has been the voice of Hollywood and American â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; around the world than its bombs in the era of TV. It was American culture that defeated Communism in Russia without a single bomb being dropped â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they all wanted those darn Levis jeans and to be free to sing like Madonna.

So what is the lesson for India? Laos, like India was a colony of the West because it could not protect itself. Like India seeking help from the British to protect itself from Mughals, so too Laos sought protection from the French to protect itself from the Chinese. Empire was after all a mafiastyle protection racket played by countries instead of Italian dons.

India needs to have strong defences of course and I say this knowing soldiers have just died on one of its submarines due to a fire. But India should mirror the Chinese policy . Somewhere there is a document authored by a Chinese policy advisor to their Politburo stating the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Indian wants peace, from Gandhi to this day, they do not believe in being offensive. That is their Hindu way, and so we have learnt with the Buddhists, so too with the parent religion of the Hindu, we can bully them to our bidding as we did in taking Kashmir from them.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This document is yet to be leaked by Wikileaks. But believe me it exists somewhere on some computer system in Beijing.

As for my mission impossible to plant an Indian flag in China â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I got within 160 miles of China â&#x20AC;&#x201C; mountain biking through jungle roads, along paddy fields is tough â&#x20AC;&#x201C; my 24 year old guide was more exhausted than me!

Croydon mum jailed for forcing children to have surgery so she could claim benefits

A mother has been jailed after forcing her two young children to undergo invasive surgery so she could claim ÂŁ375,000 in benefits. The woman, from Croydon, was convicted of child cruelty and fraud at Croydon Crown Court on Monday and

was sentenced to sevenand-a-half years in jail.

The 48-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, subjected her children to unnecessary medical examinations, medicine and surgery for at least ten years.

The court heard how

she told medical professionals her children had asthma, autism, urology problems and gastric complications, causing them both to undergo surgery to have gastronomy tubes fitted despite being able to eat normally.

The Bhavanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open Day New Academic Year 2016/17 Sat 10 September 10.30am - 4.30pm

020 7 3 81 3 0 8 6/46 0 8 w w w.bhavan.net T h e B h a v a n , 4 a C a s t l e t o w n Ro a d , Wes t Kensington, London, W1 4 9 HE

tales do come true.

The Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, 34, got engaged recently on a trip to Majorca. Ms Dugdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiancĂŠe Louise Riddell, 33, is a lecturer at Edinburgh College. The two women have been in a relationship since 2008, yet it was only in April this year that the MSP made her relationship public in an interview. Ms Dugdale said â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope this brings a smile to a few peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faces and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll certainly be toasting all those campaigners and activists who made marriage equality

possible.

On the other side the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, is due to marry her long term partner Jen Wilson after announcing their engagement in May this year.

Scotland was voted recently as the best place in Europe to be gay. The leader of Scottish Ukip, David Coburn and Patrick Harvie, co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party are also gay. It is perhaps the best testament to how inclusive Scottish politics is, far from the rigid system of Westminster.

UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest eligible bachelor Hugh Grosvenor has become the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youngest billionaire and the 3rd richest person in Britain. Now the 7th Duke of Westminster, the 25 year old inherited the title following the sudden death of his father Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor on 9th August. The Duke, now the head of the Grosvenor Group, controls a ÂŁ9 billion property empire. At the heart is the 300-year-old Grosvenor estate in London, which includes parts of Mayfair

and Belgravia. There is also the family's 10,872acre country home, Eaton Hall. As well as the peerage the Duke inherited a personal wealth of an estimated ÂŁ9 billion. He attended a local primary school, followed by secondary education at Ellesmere College in Shropshire. He went on to study countryside management at Newcastle University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree with upper secondclass honours. Apart from

this not much is known about the new duke as a result of his family's efforts to maintain his privacy.

Only that he is Prince George's godfather and that his 21st birthday for 800 guests is rumoured to have cost ÂŁ5 million.

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2 2 Co u r s e s i n I n d i a n M u s i c , Da n ce , Yoga, Languages Taster Cou rses| Street Food Meet the Teachers | Cou rse Registration

It might seem like politics is an unforgiving, unloved and a ruthless profession.

The past month might reenforce the assumption, what with Brexit vote, ministerial resignations and back stabbings on both sides of the Commons aisle, a new PM installed and a party turmoil that just couldn't conclude soon enough. Yet for those seeking a sliver lining, they must only focus their eyes north, into Scotland to see something extraordinary.

Far from the Palace of Westminster among the highlands, it seems fairy-

Step inside and disc cover tth he beauty of IIn ndian arts

14

INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

Modi sets a new record On Monday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at his eloquent best when delivering his third Independence Day address, going past his own record of 86 minutes, which he had set last year.

In his 94-minute speech on Monday, Modi listed the achievements of his government, blasted Pakistan for glorifying terrorists, spoke at length about eliminating social discrimination, and also took a dig at the UPA government for delay in decision-making.

His first Red Fort speech in 2014 was 65 minutes long and the duration has only increased since then. Going by the records, Modi’s Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort on Monday was the longest ever Independence Day address by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 15 years.

Former Prime Minister

Narendra Modi

Manmohan Singh, who delivered 10 speeches over his long tenure at the helm, rarely crossed the 50minute mark in his customary speech. On two occasions, in 2005 and 2006, Singh delivered speeches that lasted 50 minutes. On remaining eight occasions, his speech ranged from 32 to 45 min-

utes.

Modi’s party colleague and the first BJP Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee rarely spoke beyond 30-35 minutes. In August 2002, he delivered a speech that lasted 25 minutes, while in 2003 he gave a 30-minute address from the historic 17th century Mughal monument.

Massive Dalit rally at Una

Muslim presence in the 10-day Dalit rally protesting against atrocities on the community

Meanwhile, 15th August saw a massive Dalit protest rally in Una, where people of the Dalit community sought independence from atrocities and discrimination amid chants of "Jai Bhim". The 10-day Dalit Pride Yatra began from Ahmedabad on August 4, and reached Una where seven Dalit youths were publicly flogged for skinning a dead cow. Also present at the rally was JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar.

Thousands of Dalits and social activists joined the yatra, holding posters and garlanded photos of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

They found support from the Muslim community in Una and other parts of the region, who marched into the flag hoisting ceremony declaring their solidarity with Dalits. The Una Dalit Fight against Atrocities Committee, decided to give 30 days to the central government to give into their demands. Jignesh

Mevani, convenor of the forum, said more aggressive courses of action would be taken if the BJP government does not concede to their demands.

The rally faced attacks during the last leg, where community members at several places, attacked buses carrying Dalits to Una. Organisers said they faced abuses, stone pelting and threat from caste Hindus. One of the organisers, Pratik Sinha said, "Convenors of Dalit Asmita Yatra have been continuously receiving calls that some buses which left for Una have been pelted with stones and Dalits in the village Samther have been surrounded by dominant castes.

Samther is the village where many accused of the Una incident live." Four people were injured in the attacks, and are admitted in the hospital.

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Women on Top AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Kasturba

Arundhati Roy

Jhumpa Lahiri

Millions of Indians came together on 15th August to celebrate the 70th edition of India's independence from years of British colonial rule.

Freedom failed to misguide the country, and instead, we stand today with pride in the global arena. How evolved is India, though? The economy's all right, we have better healthcare than most leading nations, and yes, who doesn't want to invest in our countries?

One of the major international movements currently is the movement of gender equality. Feminism is raging, and women everywhere are fighting for what

conducted over women's status in the Indian society.

Patriarchy always managed to subdue the fairer sex, pulling them down where education, economic position, health, etc., is concerned. These were the days when female infanticide was rampant, and women born weren't allowed an education. Dowries were paid to marry off a daughter, and God forbid, she was dark in complexion, and couldn't make perfectly round rotis.

Women who participated in the nationalist movement retired to their homes, making the perfect wives. The Indian government played

and how to get it. There is no field where an Indian woman hasn't made her mark. The political scenario of the country saw strong female characters pass on their power amongst leaders like Indira Gandhi, Uma Bharti, Vasundhra Raje, Jayalalithaa, Mamata Banerjee and Sushma Swaraj. The field of literature has established writers like Arundhati Roy, Anita Desai, Jhumpa Lahiri.

Cinema has Rekha, Smita Patil, Shabana Aazmi, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra. Indra Nooyi, Chitra Ramakrishna, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw,

Rekha

Indra Nooyi

Priyanka Chopra

is their's. India has come a long way where its women are concerned. The female gender has long been contributing to the society, and still does; the only change being, time. When India got independence, while the participation of female nationalists was openly and widely acknowledged, it was minimal as compared to their male counterparts. We all know Mahatma Gandhi, as the trailblazer of the 'Quit India' movement, but how many know Kasturba, his wife, as a political activist and not just his wife? The sex ratio during those times were not as twisted as it is now, and yet, women struggled.

Debates have long been

its part and made constitutional amendments, like the Sharda Act, and the Dowry Prohibition Act, yet there was no visibly radical change in the situation.

Change came during the 1960s, when a few educated women dared to venture out. India saw a rare glimpse of the female discontent with the society.

Women were finally opening up, shaking the status quo in the process. School drop out rates fell, and literacy rates increased. Girls grew up to become doctors and engineers, even astronauts and scientists.

The modern Indian woman today, is a strange being. She is daring, outspoken, knows what she wants

Chanda Kochhar, have proved their mettle in their sector. The one thing common between all these women and others, is their conviction to change the norms.

The change in the attitude of the society, and the added support of the government were also factors that helped pushed the women to the top. The Indian government introduced female-friendly laws over the years, giving a much needed nudge. While there is a lot yet to be accomplished for an Indian woman to enjoy complete freedom, a look down history shows us how far she has come, and how much she has achieved.

President warns divisive forces Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said that the recent attacks on “weaker sections” as “aberrations,” and said such incidents should be dealt with firmly and cautioned against “unmindful pursuit” of a divisive political agenda and polarising debates by groups as well as individuals. In his address to the nation on the eve of India's 70th Independence Day on Sunday, the President asked authorities and institutions of state to adhere to

“maryada” (dignity) as established in ancient Indian ethos.

He said the collective wisdom of Indian society and polity gave him confidence that divisive forces would remain marginalised. “The great tree of liberty requires constant nourishment through the institutions of democracy,” Mukherjee said.

Stating that India would grow only when all of India grows, he said, “The excluded ones have to

be included in the development process. The hurt and the alienated have to be brought back into the mainstream.”

Expressing concern over global terror activities and radicalisation, he said, “These forces, apart from killing innocent people in the name of religion, also threaten to disturb geopolitical divides, which could prove disastrous for world peace.” He said the world would have to fight them in one voice.

INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY

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15

“We are a result of our choices” AsianVoiceNews

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Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

Anuranjita Kumar, Chief Human Resources Officer for Citi South Asia speaks about her book 'Can I Have it All' Rupanjana Dutta Women on India's 70th birthday have a new maternity policy and definitely a new dream- a dream to have it all. Indian women are reaching a new pinnacle of success, globally, and it brings us immense pride not only as women but also as Indians to see them sore high. Anuranjita Kumar is one of such women- a name and success story- every woman wants to earn herself. But the question that lingers on, as asked by Ms Kumar herself- can women have it all?

Though her book 'Can I Have it All' is not limited to women only, there is a strong message for all who 'want the cake and eat it too'. My colleague Rovin and I met Anuranjita at London's Churchill hotel on a hot summer afternoon.

Anuranjita is the Chief Human Resources Officer for Citi South Asia. She has worked across Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle

East and Africa (EMEA) and USA. In 2007, Anuranjita was the first South Asian and woman leader to be appointed Head of HR, Global Banking EMEA and was recognised as amongst the 'Most Powerful HR Professionals of India', by the World HRD Congress in 2012 and amongst the 'Most Powerful Woman Leaders' by Fortune in 2013.

Her book 'Can I Have It All' has been received well in India and globally, while she has attended many book reading sessions, discussion her inspiring bookwhich reflects on the trials and triumphs of a woman at the workplace. It talks about three crossroads in a woman's life, the three 'Ms' - Marriage, Mobility and Maternity, and insists that work-life balance is definitely not a figment of imagination. While her work involves a lot of travel, her children and her husband remain a strong sup-

port- helping her achieve what she truly deserves. But why did she think of writing this book? Anuranjita told us, “It was the guilt.

We women, especially mothers suffer from it always. My son had an accident in Delhi, and I was in Mumbai. I had to fly to Delhi immediately and my husband flew down from abroad and it was the most difficult flights of our life.

There was a moment right there, when I thought to myself, what am I doing, may be I should give everything up and be around for my children more often.

But as the moment passed I realised ultimately there is nothing as dangerous as self-doubt. And that sort of

encouraged me to bring the pen to paper. My story is a reference for anyone who wishes to learn what women encounter in their careers and personal lives, often at the same time.”

The title of the book itself raises many questions. What do one mean by 'having it all'. Is the term relevant and equal for everyone?

While Anuranjita calls it 'personal and relative', the underlying factor remains that women even today, at any point of success, continue to question their place in the world as an achiever.

The guilt of failing the family or career, the self-doubts over difficult decisions- we are always torn between the

two. But is there a key to having a real work life balance? What are the factors that led her to success?

Anuranjita actually negates the cliché and attributes her work-life balance to having a great family network- a supportive husband, parents, parents in law- everyone 'who could encourage you and lend a helping hand to keep it all together'. “When I travel, my husband fills in my shoes quite efficiently.

Children sometimes suffer from separation anxiety, but he is around when I can't. And it's a great team effort,” she added.

“I would attribute my success to the choices I have made with courage and conviction, my selfconfidence that built over time and more importantly my own calling. I strongly believe that we are a result of our choices and what anchors you is ‘your own calling’.”

And what is her message to us all through this book? “I want to encourage women everywhere to live their life with courage, conviction & confidence.

“Going up the corporate ladder anywhere in the world is not easy- neither for men nor for women. It

takes a lot of courage, challenges and sacrifices- and one needs to remain focussed and passionate about their long-term goals.

“As I said earlier, women are sometimes caught amidst different roles, often under severe self-doubts and feel guilty for what they want to achieve professionally.

Ultimately, success depends on what one wants.”

The beginning is perhaps not always as you wish it to be. Anuranjita's journey had also started with enrollment for a degree in medicine. But in a few months’ time, she realised that it wasn’t meant for her.

So she chose to pursue industrial psychology, instead, and her decision was considered nothing less of a ‘blunder’ in the 1980s.

However, driven and firm as she is, Anuranjita paved her own path, and her perseverance led to success.

With a brilliant career, an inspiring book for women aspiring to be something (and another book on its way), two supportive children and a husband- she is a hope for those women, who wish they could have it all!

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16

INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY

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Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

Best Wishes from MPs and Peers

Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, Secretary of State for International Development

India is the world’s rising star. India has secured its place as one of the world’s most remarkable and resilient countries. It is driven by the spirit of its people and the power of its global vision which is why India is shaping today’s world. The UK is excited to be partner of India’s continued development and its dynamism. Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to the UK last year marked a new era in the UK-India relationship. We are two outward-looking nations shaping a global future; the world’s oldest democracy working hand in hand with the world’s largest democracy. We should continue our work together to seize the wealth of opportunities that our partnership brings and that will deliver a prosperous future for us both. That’s why last week I travelled to India, one of my first visits as the UK’s International Development Secretary, with the message that together through economic development and our people-to-people ties, we will turn Prime Minister Modi’s ambitious vision into reality. On India’s Independence Day, I want to celebrate the achievements of the Indian diaspora community in the UK who are at the cornerstone of helping the Britain and India partnership to flourish. For me, it’s the ties between our people, the invisible glue that bind us together, that makes this relationship so special. And that’s why I will continue to champion the UK’s Indian diaspora and the UK’s relationship with India. Today is a good day to take stock of how far India has come. A bright future awaits and our two great nations must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, working together to build prosperity, security and stability. I wish all Indians a happy Independence Day.

Lord Dolar Popat

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all the British Indian families who are celebrating India’s Independence Day this year.

Independence Day is a time to celebrate both our roots and also the life that we have here. It is a day we feel proud to be the bridge between two magnificent democracies. It is a day we feel proud to be both British and Indian. British Indians have played a rich and successful role in Britain’s economic, political and cultural landscape. We have seamlessly integrated into British society but also maintained strong elements of our identity and heritage. We have looked to have the best of all worlds. Last year we saw Wembley Stadium rocking as our then Prime Minister David Cameron introduced Prime Minister Modi; it was a proud moment for all of us. Let us be thankful for our shared identities and the rich bonds of history that bind these two great democratic nations together.

Lord Prof Bhikhu Parekh

Independent India marches on at an uneven speed in a largely predictable direction. Narendra Modi has brought a new perspective on India’s relations with the world, and continues to work towards it with commendable zeal and determination.

India’s relations with Britain remain as warm as ever though it is not yet clear what new direction they might take in the light of Britain’s exit from the European Union. At one level India’s importance should increase and the two countries should come even closer. Modi has also activated the Indian diaspora as a bridge between the two countries.

Additionally he has opened the Indian market to huge British investment in infrastructure and public utility as well as in financial services. Some of the restrictions on the British trained professionals practising in India are also being lifted. All in all, I expect the next year to mark India’s continuing progress domestically as well as internationally.

Alok Sharma MP, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister

I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the people of India and the British Indian community in the United Kingdom on the occasion of India’s Independence Day. I was delighted to visit India last month, my first overseas trip since being appointed as UK Minister for Asia and the Pacific. I saw at first hand the breadth and depth of the UK-India co-operation in business, education, culture, defence and counter-terrorism. At the heart of the burgeoning UKIndia relationship are our strong people to people links.

The Indian diaspora continue to contribute immensely to our country - in business, public services, culture, media and politics.Following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UK last year, we are determined to strengthen these links even further.The new British Government is committed to our relationship with India and I am deeply honoured to play my part in fostering ever stronger bonds.

Virendra Sharma MP

As India celebrates the 70th year of independence let us be aware that while much has been achieved much remains to be done. India's democracy has thrown up a good leader and let us support him in whichever we can for him to take India to the too.

Today commemorates Indian Independence, one of the most significant days in India's history. The 70th Anniversary this year is a stark reminder of how far we have come since 1947, and of how much we can achieve.As the Chair of the IndoBritish All Party Parliamentary Group I am pleased to pass on the best wishes of every member of Parliament to the Indian community along with my own.

I wish peace and success will come for everyone celebrating today, and that we will all remember the secular and tolerant messages inshrined at India's rebirth in 1947.The British-Indian relationship continues to go from strength to strength and I am proud of what India and Britain have achieved together and can achieve through common endeavor. India has proudly taken up the a committed internationalist mantle, fully engaged with multi-lateral organisations and now is a beacon of cooperation. Again my best wishes to everyone celebrating today.

I want to send my warmest wishes and congratulations to the people of India on the celebration of their 70th year of Independence. In the coming year I hope to see closer relations between the UK and India. Britain’s decision to leave the European Union provides the opportunity for a new deal between our two countries.

India has thrived as a Republic, to become a country whose culture, people and food are truly global. As someone whose parents were born in India and who has the privilege to repent the largest number of British Indians in any city in Europe my affection and love of India knows no bounds. I am extremely proud of my Indian heritage and will be celebrating with the Indian people. We in the United Kingdom salute India on this historic occasion.

On 15th August 2016, India celebrates the 70th anniversary of Indian independence. I wish all at Asian Voice and all your readers a wonderful Independence Day. I am proud that together we can reflect on progress since Independence. Across India and in the global diaspora community, the achievements of India are a matter of pride and a beacon of encouragement for other emerging nations.

India is today a global economic power with a strong base in education, science and industry. Developing strong economic ties with neighbours as well as nations across the world is vital for a strong foundation for the future. India has also seen real success as the world's largest democracy; reaching out to engage a diverse nation in a debate about

Lord Meghnad Desai

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chairman, Home Affairs Select Committee

Seema Malhotra MP, Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston

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its challenges and its future. It is exciting to see India focused on programmes for sustained economic growth, and at a time when we look to strengthen our trade and cultural relations between our two nations. We have the chance to develop new ways in which India and the UK can continue to learn from each other and work together to create a stronger world based on the values of peace and prosperity. I look forward to being a part of that journey.

Bhavesh Patel, Solicitor, Withy King Solicitors

After Brexit, there is an exceptional opportunity for the INDOUK relationship to grow and develop, especially within the legal sector.

India is an attractive destination with one of the fastest growing economies in the world. With an ever growing population already surpassing a billion, there is significant scope to expand your portfolio and enter a rapidly growing market and client base. The liberalisation of the Indian legal market has been discussed for a number of years, but after Brexit, it seems it is now only a matter of time before UK lawyers will be able to practice in India. This will not only create international practice opportunities, but also boost local opportunities for legal professionals in India, as well as increasing the global footprint into an economy with significant growth potential for legal firms. The UK’s legal sector is an example, of how access to international legal advice, for businesses can strengthen links between the countries, further providing expansion opportunities for businesses. If India follows this path, it will inevitably lead to the development of a positive relationship with the UK as well as creating economic opportunities of mergers and acquisitions between the two countries.

Meena Joisi, Founder CEO, Aardra System

Aardra Systems Ltd launched the water management product early this year and to its astonishment, Indian customers showed lots of interests in the product that compelled us to raise our priority in approaching the whole India as a country.

From the Indian government’s point of view, the project has been very welcomed in all quarters and states added with some lacking issues · Clarity of government policy of subsidising agriculture and horticulture water related equipment is not as expected. · Bureaucratic and business culture practiced in India tends to exhaust the intended investors from investment.

None the less, the project on the other hand has been well received by end users and local agriculture/horticulture communities from a surveyed point of view.

Aardra Systems principle are to benefit the agriculture/horticulture communities on two accounts A) Financially, that would be that agriculturist/ horticulturist will have the product subsidised.

B) Economically with the water management product they will able to disperse water in their farms adequately and would be practising water conserving exercise.

Abhishek Sachdev CEO, Vedanta Hedging

We are delighted that commercial trading relationships between India and the UK continue to strengthen; the UK is already the largest G20 investor into India. There is a lot of room to grow this important historical relationship, and in particular for British SMEs to have the confidence to export to the huge Indian domestic market. We are increasingly advising a number of British companies on how to do this (with respect to hedging the currency risk of GBP-INR). Indian investment into the UK continues to be strong, but still remains dominated by property investment which again, we help to advise on, to ensure that the Indian investors achieve the net returns they expect during the life of their investment.

Happy Independence Day

www.asian-voice.com Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

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18

INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

Gujarat CM Rupani promises transparency

A week after Chief Minister Vijay Rupani took over the leadership of Gujarat, he hoisted the Indian flag at Morbi, during the statelevel celebrations of the Independence Day. The event saw ministers, district collectors, heads of educational institutions, and corporates present.

Emphasising that his government is committed to work for the development of the state without making any distinctions on the basis of caste, community, and religion, Rupani said his administration would also focus on uplifting the poor. The CM made quite a few announcements; the creation of an MSME industry park near Morbi and a reduction of Rs 2.07 PNG gas being supplied to the industry,

lion water treatment plant, and inaugurated a £11.1 million underground sewage project for the city.

He also laid foundation stone for a £3 million District Panchayat building, £1.7 million police headquarters building, and a £1.9 million submersible bridge over Machchu river.

Rupani said his administration will begin a £29 million housing project and lay primacy to employment of youth in the region.

"Gujarat’s governance model has become the leading light for the country. Today the fact that the model is being replicated in the country is the victory of the state’s 65 million population," he said. Rupani praised PM Modi saying, "World is today taking note of India after our Prime

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Maharashtra Mandal London celebrates Indian Independence Day Maharashtra Mandal London celebrated Indian Independence Day at its Dollis Hill premises on Monday, 15th August 2016. Flag-hoisting was carried by prachaarak Shri Chandrakant Sharma, in the presence of Dr and Mrs Ambekar, followed by the singing of national anthem. Addressing the audience, Chandrakantji Sharma cited examples on the success and failure of empires due to unity and mental discipline or the lack of it.

He said that history has evidences that when people become self-orient-

ed, their conscience plunges and national and rational senses are

obscured. President Sushil Rapatwar has also rendered a thought provoking

speech on the occasion.

Melodious patriotic songs were rendered by Vinutha Bhat, Kshipra Kulkarni, Ritika Acharya, Dr Ashwini Pande, Aishwarya Pande, Ragasudha Vinjamuri, Palak Kamdar and Sirisha Jammi.

The program concluded with the rendition of Vande Mataram.Present were Trustees Dr Mahadeo Bhide and Mrs Madhavi Amdekar, alongside the members of Executive Committee Dr Anil Nene, Chetan Harpale, Shardul Kulkarni, Dnyanesh Daudkhane and Nimisha Deshmukh-Daudkhane.

Ladies in UK takes to Trafalgar Square to celebrate 70 years of Indian Independence An enthusiastic selection from the Diaspora support group, Indian Ladies in UK, has been practicing for a unique flash mob in Trafalgar Square to celebrate 70 years of Indian independence.

On Saturday, August 13th a large group of ladies from the group participated in a memorable event at the London landmark.

The flash mob has been choreographed by Sumeet's Step2Step Bollywood Dance Academy led by Sumeet Sachdev who has spent weeks building the confidence of the ladies

involved. This is the group’s third flash mob in the space of a year and has acted as a great tool to empower

women. The group presented Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, a crochet blanket made of thousands

of crochet squares made by the migrant women on his inaugural trip to London after winning a landslide election in 2014. This was ILU’s first community project to promote what it now holds as its tagline ‘unity in diversity’. Indian Ladies in the UK is an Indian women-only organisation that represents mainly first generation Migrant women from India living in the UK. Indian Ladies in UK is now 11,000 members strong and has connected thousands of members throughout the UK.

Largest Indian Flag outside India to be painted for Independence Day Celebrations in London the conversion of a 65 kilometre Morbi-Rajkot twolane into a 4-lane at an investment of £27.5 million, and eight additional power sub-stations.

He said his government would work with "total commitment to transparency, decisiveness, sensitivity, and development."

Rupani layed the foundation stone for a £15 million water resource development scheme and £5.9 mil-

Minister Narendra Modi reached out to them. India will very soon become a world leader." In other parts of the state, Cabinet Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama distributed roses and sweets to people passing through toll booths at Bagodara and Sanand.

Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, R Subhash Reddy hoisted the national flag at the main entrance of the High Court.

Aaditya Kaza The official Independence Day celebrations by the High Commission of India has been taking place at the Indian Gymkhana Club for the past 8-9 years.

However this year to mark the 70th year of India’s independence, public participation along with visual art performer/painter Jignesh Patel will literally set a record - To paint the largest Indian Flag outside India. This set breaking attempt will be officiated by the Guinness Book of Records.

The UK Asian Business Council (UKABC) who is co-hosting the event in association with the Gymkhana Club is set to raise £50,000 for charity.

Information about this record attempt was unveiled at a press conference at the Club a few days ago. The flag will be painted on a canvas using wooden blocks on the Gymkhana’s Hockey Pitch following which officials from the guinness book of records will give their seal

of approval. Jignesh will help in preparing the wooden blocks and direct the painting for the participants. Aiming to get some 1000 public volunteers there is no age restriction to participate and participants will get certificates acknowledging their contribution from the officials of the Guinness Book of Records.

The aim is to make as many people participate in this historical event. The UKABC have requested PM Theresa May to give a statement for creating the record and expect messages of support from

Lords, dignitaries and other ministers. To mark the event, they plan to print a brochure in commemoration. On the day various Indian media like Zee TV, Times Now, Aaj Tak and NDTV will be present to cover the event.

The aim of the coverage is to make people in India know the record that will be created on the day and to make the event as high profile as possible.

Asian Voice spoke to artist Jignesh Patel after the press conference to know more about the painter behind this record attempt. It turns out he is

no stranger to record breaking attempts. A multi award winning painter loved painting as a child who in 1995 started painting in Ahmedabad.

In 2003, he did finger painted a 5000sq ft painting in Canada.

In 2011, he foot painted a 16,000sq ft painting to raise money for the Japan Earthquake and in 2013, he created a painting using his mouth. He said on 21st, if he is assisted by some 1000 participants then the record breaking feat can be achieved in 30-40 minutes. So far 600 participants have registered with 340 of them showing a keen interest in taking part.

So come to the Indian Gymkhana to witness or event take part in this historic record attempt, people participating will not have to get anything, just turn up. Registration can be on the day or online http://indiangymkhanaclub.co.uk/indian-independence-day-celebrations-at-indiangymkhana-club/

REALESTATEVOICE

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EVOLUTION NOT DISSOLUTION AsianVoiceNews

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap London Property Investment

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Only yesterday we confirmed another deal, they are there for the taking at the moment. This one has the potential to convert from a one bedroom to a two bedroom, it’s in a purpose built block in W1 and comes with a long lease and has been agreed at £625k. The property is a great deal and is in a very desirable block and it is priced almost at the level as some ex local authority properties are.

It helped that the agent, whom I have never met, has been doing business with us since 2009. We have bought several bits from him over the years hence there was an instant connection and the deal was agreed over the phone.

Central London is a funny place, it the hub of the

wheel, you can be working with someone for years before you even meet them.

The rental cover on BTL mortgages is increasing as well as the interest used to stress test these amounts, this will have the effect of reducing the amount of loan you can get when purchasing a BTL mortgage. Traditionally this used to be 125%, meaning if the mortgage was £1,000pm your rent would need to be £1,250pm. The amount used to calculate the monthly mortgage is also increasing, instead of using the actual amount paid many lenders are using a higher percentage for this calculation.

This will mean it will be difficult for new entrants to enter the BTL market,

CUTTING CORNERS CAN COST YOU MORE THAN YOU THINK! A couple of tenants, who had passed referencing were about to rent a property. Everything was ready for the move date, so in preparation I informed the landlord of the cost of an inventory and check in at the property. "How much??? There's nothing in there, it is unfurnished" was the landlord’s response. Despite me informing him the importance of having such a document for deductions at the end of the tenancy his attitude was "I’ll do it myself, it can`t be that hard.” So he did! He conducted an inventory

and check in “report” on half of an A4 sheet of paper!

The tenants moved in, the rent came in on time and things went well. Although the landlord was getting frustrated because the tenants seemed to be reporting every little issue they found to him and making a mountain out of a mole hill. Despite this the tenancy continued for a further few months until the tenants gave notice to leave in one months' time.

After notice was given the relationship between the landlord and tenant

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

Grove End Road, London NW8 Purchase Price: £737,000

Asian Voice |20th August 2016

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soured due to the dramatisation of every dripping tap or missing light bulb and the landlord being pestered all times of the day and night by them, it came to the point that I had to relay messages between them as neither would take each other's calls (not a standard part of the service but I'm always happy to help).

The landlord advised that the tenants should leave the property on the agreed date and hand the keys back to me at the office so I could conduct a free of charge check out (again not part of the standard

especially in Central London. Many will need to start in places outside of London where prices are lower and the rents higher.

This is due to the rents not keeping pace with the capital growth of property in Central London over the last few years.

There was a golden period in the UK property history, when the doors were wide open. It seemed the only requirements for a mortgage where a clean credit score and a desire to take the plunge. The market is always changing

and evolving, reacting to changes in stamp duty, tax, lending and the economic environment.

service but I made an exception as it would take me about 30 seconds, seeing as I only had half an A4 page to go by).

toilet, sink, bath, cooker, fridge, washing machine, and the kitchen units!

Landlord saving: -£6,700

The day soon arrived, and I headed to the property.

Upon visiting the property I found that the tenants had left the property clean and tidy and that everything that was listed on the inventory was in fact still there. However the landlord had forgotten to list a few keys areas of the property which I had to inform him were no longer at the property! The tenants had removed the…

l

Highly regarded building l Long lease l High ceilings l Off street parking l Low service charges l Resale value after modernisation expected to be around £1m Call us now for more information!

As the landlord had left out these areas on the inventory, he could not make any claim from the deposit, the police classed this as a civil matter, and the insurance he had was that of occupier not as a landlord, so he had no way of receiving funds from any of these avenues.

Cost of the inventory: £300 inc vat Cost of new bathroom and kitchen: £7,000

The property market in London is a 500 year old market, one thing is for sure it will not go out of fashion.

This situation could happen to any landlord, however with our service and helpful advice we will make sure that you are provided with all the facts and options that could affect your investment from beginning to end!

Feel free to contact me at the office for a property health check, or just a chat regardless of whether we handle your investment or not!

Richard Bond

Lettings Manager Sow & Reap

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TLIGHT

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Rajeev Kumar: The Butterfly Project Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

the ground sourced the equipment to find that the number of children, and consequently the parents, who were benefitting were in the hundreds of thousands for what essentially cost the price of 2 5k runs. Each project is becoming more organically incremental too: we’ve gone from supplying simple school equipment to medical devices and infrastructure that improve the education and medical support systems for the children as a whole.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan charms capacity crowd at O2 with sufi music and Qawwali AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Would you like to move into charity or NGO work full time?

I would, but perhaps not quite yet. I would like to know we had raised enough funds to make ‘The Butterfly Project’ a bigger, sustainable outfit. I also feel the charity needs more ambassadors to take control of regions and particular projects that require time

charity work is meant to be freeing and fun

Sunetra Senior

At a time when immersive technology and media are exploding, Rajeev helps hone the focus to foster development on the inside. One of eight dedicated trustees, the rising city worker by trade is the founder of an innovative, hands-on charity that does everything to “place the donor first.” This means both respecting and involving the contributor by ensuring complete transparency during the donation process and inviting a personal stake. The Butterfly Project, which works with a diverse range of international children’s charities, not only conducts thorough background checks on your preferred handpicked organisation - so you know your money is being well spent – but also offers you the chance to travel out and see the real life impact for yourself: “these are otherwise beautiful locations,” Rajeev stated, “with communities full of strong and resilient people”. You too can then forge a connection with those less fortunate in the world: “a trustee is always available to make the trip and meet with the partner organisation. Whether it is to help build a well in Uganda, or provide science labs and an eclectic library for potential students in Nepal, 100% of the money goes to the charity. We make sure to understand their individual needs and requirements to affect the widest possible change off the back of the most effective plan.” In this way, The Butterfly Project doesn’t just break down third world boundaries, but grows and unites the human spirit as well. “I do think so many more people would give to charity if they just felt more motivated,” the savvy Rajeev aptly added. “It was about incorporating that into a working, organisational model.”

Do you think those of us who have a healthier salary have a sworn duty to help less developed countries?

Yes, personally I do. It’s important to remember that charity can be in any form; as long as you’re giving it the time of day, someone, somewhere will benefit. You can donate small amounts, simple, spare clothes lying around the house. If you like to be more active such as myself, there’s always the option of planning in a bit of charity work whilst you’re on holiday and taking time off abroad. There are plenty of projects you can get involved in: playing sports with the local kids or signing up to teach reading and writing.

How do you balance your work as a trustee with a demanding job in the city?

It’s tough because both require a lot of hard work, but the fact that I’m blessed enough to be enjoying the comforts of the western world drives me towards helping others. In the first world, we do

tend to take things for granted - spend far more time looking up the ladder than considering what’s below. It does also help that we’re partnered with reliable charities with whom we have good correspondence. That lessens much of the stress: all the well organised, small projects done together amounts to big change. For example, we donated a blood analyser machine to a hospital in Jaffna, and the partner charity there on

The Butterfly Project's mental health project in Uganda

and sustained focus, something we are hoping to be able to change over due course. This could be people of any age able to spare a little time throughout the year to bring real progress with our charitable efforts. Our lives away from being trustees at The Butterfly Project, allows us to connect with like minded individuals who help us achieve these charitable goals, whether it be fundraising, or bringing ideas to the table regarding future projects

What inspired the name ‘The Butterfly Project’?

Some of the more creative trustees brainstormed the names. We settled on a vibrant image because it is a children’s charity, and charity work itself is meant to be freeing and light. It’s not just about austerely giving money.

You’re doing something great and you should be able to enjoy it.

How exactly has your career in financial sector helped you with the charity work?

Mainly in terms of solidarity - many people share my vision. A lot of people in the city do charity work and with the rise of sports and outdoorsy activities there’s been a hearty combination of the two: marathon runs, several creative fundraising events in different public spaces.

What have been some of your most memorable projects?

I remember doing a few school- based projects up in Jaffna, at the beginning of last year. We were visiting different schools and some of these children didn’t even have money to buy a pair of shoes: we were able to clothe them and equip them with school bags and give them some basic stationary. They were so grateful that they came to touch our feet as a sign of respect - I felt almost embarrassed. All we were doing was giving them basic supplies!

It was humbling. Another incredible memory was when we were working on a mental health project in Africa, working on a playground using local materials and bric-a-brac. A child who hadn’t smiled in 4 years just gave one of our trustees one of the biggest hugs.

Finally, do you have a particular motto that helps you get through the day?

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.

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www.thebutterflyproject.org.uk

Sunday evening, a magical voice echoed through The O2 arena here in London while an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 12,000 cheered and applauded in unison. That voice was of none other than Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, nephew of worldrenowned singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who enthralled the audience with some of his greatest Bollywood hits and Qawwali - a form of devotional music popular in South Asia. The bonus was that the concert coincided with Pakistan and India’s independence weekend celebrations, quite ironically though, bringing over the festive mood to the British capital.

Packed with all the showbiz elements, this year’s London concert was no less than a spectacular extravaganza designed to enable fans to celebrate the new contemporary version of sufi music. The opening featured similar elements from his 2014 Wembley concert, such as a film introducing Rahat as a ‘legend’ and an ‘international star’.

The first song – Wohi Khuda hai- was in tribute to his uncle, which was delivered in the original version as sung by late Nusrat sahaab but, as Rahat puts it, with a “twist”. Here the sax player and band leader, Rashid Ali, deserves a special mention. His soulful opening rendition set the atmosphere for the rest of the evening.

From there on Khan and his group delivered one hit after the other including ‘O Re Piya’, ‘Surili akhiyon wale’ and ‘Dil toh bachha hai ji’, tak-

ing the audience on a spellbinding musical journey.

What stands out is how he has brought a touch of modern sensibility to his sufi-inspired music.

The highlight of the event was the closing segment when he performed his famous Qawwali, including popular numbers like ‘Kinna Sona’ and ‘Yeh Jo Halka Halka’, mixing spiritual ecstasy with raw emotions of love and longing – the quintessential elements of Qawwali music. Rahat was the centre stage surrounded by an ensemble of talented musicians on table drums, electric guitar, saxophone, keyboards, drumkit, and accompanying singers on harmonium. The whole arena was lit up with mobile flashlights just in time to the Qawwali, giving the effect of a rock concert.

Rahat’s performance had that ease, brilliance and charm which is achieved through rigorous training under a perfect master; and in his case, his gifted voice was polished to perfection by Nusrat the foremost exponent of Qawwali tradition.

Although the feel of traditional Qawwalisinging was lost in this orchestra style of presentation, the huge turnout of fans, mostly South Asians from all age groups, showed how Rahat has made sufi music popular among the masses with his own unique style.

Throughout the evening, the audience revelled in the sufiana atmosphere - certainly an experience London will cherish until Khan is back in the capital with yet another sell-out performance.

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TCS ranks among top 100 US brands AsianVoiceNews

Tata Consultancy Services has been ranked among the top 100 brands in the US in a survey by a leading brand valuation firm. The Indian IT major released a statement saying, "Brand Finance has ranked TCS as the 58th most valuable brand in the US and as one of only four global IT services companies recognises as a top 100 brand in the US, with 78.3 points, earning an AA+ rating."

The evaluation, made by Brand Finance, the world's leading brand valuation and strategy consultancy, checks the financial value of a company's brand name, intellectual assets, and trademark.

It said, "Our brand value

60% fall in Bank of Baroda Q1 net profit

Bank of Baroda has reported a 60 per cent plunge in standalone net profit to £42.36 million for the first quarter, hit by higher provisions for bad loans and contingencies. The bank posted net profit of £105.21 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) were 11.15 per cent of gross advances as of June, up from 4.13 per cent a year ago, and in absolute terms rose to £4.299 billion as against £1.72 billion a year earlier.

Shares of Bank of Baroda fell sharply by 8.95 per cent to Rs 145.95 on the BSE, wiping out £330.6 million from its market valuation.

CBI registers fresh case against Mallya

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a new case against businessman Vijay Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines, United Breweries Holding Limited and others, for allegedly causing a loss of £602.70 million to a consortium of banks.

The group has lodged a complaint with the CBI to initiate criminal action against him. They had earlier initiated debt recovery proceedings against him in the court and even approached the Supreme Court. The complaint says that Kingfisher Airlines availed of credit facilities between 2005 and 2010, but allegedly failed to keep up with the repayment of the loans after since 2009.

"The banks had not kept the accounts with the consortium banks regular, owing to which the loans were finally declared NPA," a CBI official said.

The banks have alleged that there is a conspiracy by the group company, its promoter and others to cheat them.

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

grew 286 per cent to $9.04 billion in 2016 from $2.3 billion in 2010, marking the fastest growth across the IT services industry during this period." Brand Finance Chief Executive David Haigh said TCS has emerged as a dominant force in the IT services industry and is the strongest

brand in the sector. "Its brand power is indisputable," Haigh said in the statement. The study also revealed that the company's customer focus has been central to its success, with improving scores for brand investment and staff satisfaction.

Surya Kant, President of

TCS in North America, Britain and Europe, said, "The ranking reflects the extent we are rooted in the US community, focused on the impact we can have for our customers and society."

The $16.5 billion IT behemoth has significantly invested in the US over the past year to further its business growth and brand strength. “Our new facilities such as the Digital Reimagination Studio at Santa Clara in California are fostering enhanced digital initiatives with customers,” the statement noted. The company has also been a top recruiter of IT services talent from the colleges in the US.

2016’s shining investments Among the list of top preforming investments products, gold and silver funds have come up on top this year so far. Benefiting from a huge price rise of precious metals thanks to the fears about the global economy.

The Precious-metal funds tops the 10 best-performing mutual funds both in the

US and Europe.

Said the double an investor’s money during the first seven months of 2016 according to data produced by Morningstar.

An analyst for the company Fatima Khizou said investors had flocked to precious metals on the back of weak economic

data in the US, while the UK’s vote to leave the EU also had a “drastic impact” on demand.

The World Gold Council said last week that investor demand for the metal hit a record high in the first half of 2016. The gold price is up 25% this year, to $1,330 per ounce.

Cash Payments to be history It is said London will be ready to go cashless within 20 years according to new research. In a survey carried out nearly three quarters go Londoners believe virtual money would replace notes and coins by 2036. London & Partners, the Mayor’s promotional company carried out the

survey of 2000 people.

Card providers, Visa and MasterCard reported a big rise in the number of contactless card payments in addition of the use of smartphone payment apps.

It is said contactless cards are used for one in 10 payments in the city and Visa estimates by 2020 half of

all transactions will do done on mobiles.

MasterCard who earlier this year launched the “pay by selfie” feature using fail biometrics or fingerprint technology instead of Pins and passwords. The company said contactless spending in the UK has tripled over last year.

FINANCIAL VOICE Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

Consultant Editor Financial Voice

21

Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Make in India is laudable. This has been my week: At the BBC one of the presenters told me that he was in Beijing and bought spectacles in 30 minutes, even though he did not know his presecription. There is a five block area selling nothing but different frames. And when the salesperson asked him for his lens and he said he did not know, she said she could work it out in a few minutes. She went in the back and 30 minutes later he had three spectacles for the price on one in the UK. How will you compete? Or take a friend of mine who is in the UK starting to sell on Amazon. The products she has picked I will not disclose, but her family said, ‘great, source them from India, they are made from cotton’.

The budding British Indian entrepreneur replied, ‘I would but on Alibaba, they have assured seller status, an immense range, and I just feel more trust because they are known for it’ ‘What about payment, her father asked her?’ – Oh PayPal – you don’t need letters of credit or any of that any more. Our British banks, who pride themselves on global innovation did not invent PayPal. Letters of credit I would read about in legal cases of 200 years ago.

And then there was my own experience. I called British Telecom about a faulty wifi extender I purchased. It was 1732 – apparently customer service closed at 1700. So I had a cup of tea and called Bentalls, part of John Lewis, to order some garden furniture (it’s cheaper in August – once a Gujju, always a Gujju). It was by then 1802. Sorry the lady wanted to go home so said she didn’t want to take my credit card details.

Yeah, have Brexit. We have enough hungry local workers. And India’s brand will improve compared to China’s in due course too. And a comparison between China and India in such simple terms is not fair.

What is good is the UK Government’s Prosperity initiative is working to improve Indian business incubators – I got an email just moments ago. So UK may not have invented PayPal, but maybe India will. It needs to.

Invent in India. Incubate in India. Invest in India.

All those smart tag lines need a clear vision that the cheapest and best products can be made and delivered if there is money for roads, electricity, initiatives, led by able, skilled, educated people. Make in India? Make empowered Indians.

India's direct tax collection Railway budget's surges by 24% during April-July 92-year-old journey The Central Government's direct tax collections grew 24 per cent to £15.9 billion, in the first four months of the current fiscal, while mop up from indirect taxes increased by 29.8 per cent to £27.17 billion over the same period previous year.

The finance ministry issued a statement saying indirect taxes grew on healthy growth in excise collections and direct taxes rose on high personal income tax mop up.

It said, "The figures for indirect tax revenue collections up to July, 2016 show that the net revenue collec-

tions are at £27.17 billion as compared to £20.92 billion for the corresponding period last year and thereby registering a growth of 29.9 per cent in the net collections." Till July 2016, 34.9 per cent of the budget estimates of indirect taxes and 18.82 per cent of the BE for 2016-17 has been achieved.

Central excise duty collection in the first four months of the fiscal grew 50.8 per cent to £12.32 billion as against £817.48 million collected in the same period last fiscal.

Service tax revenue during

April-July grew 25.8 per cent to £766.79 million as against £609.74 million collected last year, the statement said. Customs revenue collection in the period stood at £717.67 million as against £664.95 million collected last year.

The total indirect tax collection in July stood at £683.41 million against £553.88 million earlier.

Excise duty collection in July recorded a growth of 53.8 per cent to £317.82 million, while service tax mop up in the same month recorded growth of 25 per cent to £196 million.

Raghuram Rajan says he was open for extension RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said he was open to staying a bit longer to complete the unfinished work of bank clean up, but is perfectly happy to go.

Calling the political attacks on him abominable, Rajan said the process of dialogue with the government did not reach a stage where he could have agreed to

stay on.

With his tenure ending next month, Rajan plans to return to academia on September 4. "Some of these recent attacks were abominanle, that is imputing sort of motives, alleging things completely without any basis," he said. He, however, added that he put them aside and did not pay

any attention to them. He said when people asked him if he was open to the second term, he said that although he had structured all his initiatives at RBI with a three year horizon, there was some unfinished work like PSU banks' balance sheet clean up and setting up of monetary policy committee framework.

set to end in 2017 Ending a practice that began in 1924, there will be no separate railway budget from next year onwards, as the finance ministry agrees to a proposal asking to merge the transporter's annual exercise with the general budget.

Government sources said the finance ministry has constituted a five-member committee of officers to work out the modalities for the exercise, which will end the annual budget speech, often followed closely for project announcements by the railway minister. Sources said the finance ministry has constituted a fivemember committee of officers to work out the modalities for the exercise, which will end the annual budget speech. The move came after a two-member committee comprising Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy and Kishore Desai recommended the exercise can be scrapped. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu

had told the Rajya Sabha that he has asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to merge the railway budget with general budget in long-term interest of national transporter as well as the country's economy.

Once merged, railways will be like other government department, receiving budgetary support but under the finance ministry's oversight as far as spending and earnings are concerned. Once the overall funds are allocated, railways will then segregate them for various purposes with sources indicating that the model will be similar to the one for the postal department.

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WORLD

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PoK's Gilgit erupts against crackdown

by Pak security forces Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

GILGIT CITY: Streets of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir is rife with protesters moving against human rights abuses and crackdown by the Pakistani security forces.

Over 500 youth, including Baba Jan, top political activist, were earlier taken into custody.

They were accused of raising anti-Pakistan slogans and demanding that the Pakistan army leave the region. While protests have been going on for months, the one in the weekend focused on the release of Baba Jan, who was sentenced

to 40 years in prison and fined Rs 500,000 by the Supreme Court of Appeal in June. A Pak senator who was part of the group said that

Gilgit-Baltistan is a peaceful region, but the situation can't remain the same if the issue isn't settled. "In principle, the region can be made the fifth

province of the country.

Discrimination against this region is far more than what we had thought before visiting."

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called an all-party meeting to discuss the recent violence in Kashmir. He asserted that "PoK is ours", adding that there was a need to track people who had fled to the region. "Foreign ministry should take initiatives to develop contact with citizens of PoK settled abroad and apprise them about how their family and friends are treated there."

Imam, friend shot dead in New York NEW YORK: A leader of a New York City mosque and a friend were fatally shot in daylight after they left afternoon prayers last week.

Police said Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and Thara Uddin, 64, were shot in the head as they left the AlFurqan Jame Masjid mosque. No motive has been established, and there was no reason to believe the men were shot because they were Muslims.

A senior police official said, "There's nothing in the preliminary investigation to indicate that they were targeted because of their faith."

Police said video surveillance showed the victims were approached from behind by a man in a dark polo shirt and shorts, who shot them. However, members of the Bangladeshi

Muslim community said they want the shootings to be treated like a hate crime.

A rally was lead with more than 100 people in attendance, all chanting, "We want justice!"

On the other hand, sources said the motive in the killings may also be the result of an ongoing feud between Muslims and

Hispanics. They said a group of Muslims allegedly attacked some Hispanics a few weeks back, and the shooting might be their way of getting back at them. The assassin quickly approaches Akonjee and Uddin, from behind at Liberty Ave and 79th St. and shot them both in the head at close range.

"This guy looks like he has

shot a gun before. You don't walk up behind someone, even from 5 feet, and just get two head shots. How many times you see cops fire 16 times and they hit the guy only twice?" a police source said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed the NYPD would bring the killer of the two Bangladeshi men to justice.

"This weekend our city was stung by violence that devastated a congregation and unsettled a community.

When religious leaders are targeted, we all bear the pain those in Ozone Park feel most personally today.

While we do not yet know the motivation for the murders of Maulama Akonjee and Thara Uddin, we do know that our Muslim communities are in the perpetual cross hairs of bigotry."

Indian who survived crash-landing wins $1m lottery DUBAI: A 62 year old Keralite who was on the Emirates plane that crash landed last week, just won $1 million lottery in six days after the accident. Perhaps the luckiest man alive, Mohammad Basheer Abdul Khadar's ticket number 0845 was drawn in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire at Dubai international airport.

"I have been working in Dubai for 37 years, and I have always felt like this is my country. I live a simple life, and now that it's my time to retire, I feel like God gave me a second life when I survived the plane crash,

Mohammad Basheer Abdul Khadar

and blessed me with this money to follow all this up by doing good things,"

Khadar said. He had purchased the ticket on Eid, on way to Thiruvananthapuram for a vacation with this family. He plans to return to India after his retirement, and find a job that involves helping people in need. "I am blessed and can't wait to share the news with my family. If you ask me about my plans, I obviously want to help the children in Kerala who are less fortunate and need financial help and medical support."

Khadar earns 8,000 Dirham a month, but had to struggle to pay the medical bills of his 21 year old son who was paralysed following

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an accident. "I had to spend a lot of money on his treatment. Some years back I had to take a loan of Rs 1.8 million for a major surgery for him. I have managed to pay it back."

Khadar said he was thankful for his job that also helped him get his daughter married. “I will continue to work till I can with the company in Dubai as nothing else can give you the satisfaction of your hard-earned money,” he said. In 2007, Indian national Sadanand Raghavan, a mechanic in Sharjah, scooped Dirham 5 million in a Mashreq Bank raffle.

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PIO net mogul gets 1 year in jail for kicking girlfriend

SAN FRANCISCO: A Silicon Valley internet mogul of Indian origin, Gurbaksh Chahal, 34, has been sentenced to a year in jail for violating his probation in a domestic violence case. However, he will not immediately begin serving the sentence as judge Tracie Brown cited questions regarding evidence, giving him time to appeal her ruling. The judge determined Chahal violated the probation ordered after he pleaded guilty in 2014 to misdemeanour charges of battery and domestic violence. Prosecutors said surveillance footage from his San Francisco penthouse showed him punching and kicking his girlfriend, also trying to smother her with a pillow. Chahal was accused of violating his probation by kicking another girlfriend who also didn't cooperate with prosecutors.

Sikh holy book defiled in California

CALIFORNIA: An unidentified person tore a Sikh religious scripture in front of the public in broad daylight in California. The American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee coordinator Pritpal Singh said a man tore the Sukhmani Sahib gutka at Contempo Park, Union City and fled the spot. He said, "This is a popular place among people of Indian-origin, especially Sikhs, where they gather to discuss varied subjects in leisure. Last week, everyone was taken aback when an unidentified person tore pages of the Sikh religious scripture and threw them in the park." Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci and police officials arrived at the park to look into the situation.

Bangladeshi immigrant assaulted in US

NEW DELHI: An immigrant of BangladeshiAmerican origin has called on the Queens Criminal Court in New York to file hate crime charges against a person who attacked him yelling "F*** Indians." Ali Najmi who will represent Gazi Rahman, the victim, posted a photo of the bleeding man with a tweet that read, "This is what hate looks like. My client Gazi Rahman assaulted by a complete stranger who yelled f**k Indians."

Rahman, 46, said he was talking on the phone outside a grocery store on Hillside Avenue when a person named Christopher Porr asked for money.

"I said, I'm sorry I don't have any money," and then the man punched him and said "F*** Indians". He said he was treated for a concussion, a broken nose, and lacerations to his face.

12 newborns killed in Baghdad fire

BAGHDAD: A fire that broke out in a maternity ward in a Baghdad hospital killed 12 prematurely born babies. Around 12 other newborns and 29 women were rescued from the fire and transferred to other hospitals. It took joint efforts by firefighters and the hospital staff about three hours to put down the blaze at Yarmuk hospital.

Concerned parents rushed around hospitals looking for their children. One of the babies' mother, Shaima Hussein said, "My son's birth was difficult. I came with milk powder for him, and then this happened...they shut the electricity and the doors." The hospital has long been battling accusations of corruption and mismanagement.

Pictures of its state were shared on social media, showing cockroaches crawling from between broken tiles, patients lying in the courtyard, and overflowing dustbins.

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Republicans up in revolt, urge party to de-fund Trump AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

WASHINGTON: Over 70 Republicans have signed a letter asking the party to stop spending money on Donald Trump's presidential campaign. A draft text of the letter written to Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said, "We believe that Donald Trump's divisiveness, recklessness, incompetence, and record-breaking unpopularity risk turning this election into a Democratic landslide."

The letter called for an "immediate shift" of party funding Senate and House races, to aid down-ballot Republicans whose own election prospects have been harmed by Trump's unpopularity. The letter said, "This should not be a difficult decision, as Donald Trump's chances of being elected president are evaporating by the day. Those recent outrages have built on his campaign of anger and exclusion, during which he was mocked and offended millions of voters, including the disabled, women, Muslims, immigrants, and minorities."

"He also has shown dangerous authoritarian tenden-

India policy to decide who will be next Pak army chief

ISLAMABAD: India will play an important role in the appointment of the next army chief in Pakistan, said a leading newspaper. With Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif all set to pick a successor to the powerful General Raheel Shareef, he will have to keep the candidate's views on foreign policy issues, under consideration.

The most likely candidates are, chief of general staff Lt Gen Zubair Hayat, Multan Corps commander Lt Gen Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed, Bahawalpur Corps commander Lt Gen Javed Iqbal Ramday and IG training and evaluation Lt Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. The succession will take place at the end of November, on the retirement of General Sharif. Meanwhile Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has accused PM Sharif of offering Gen Sharif an extension because "he is afraid of the army".

cies, including threats to ban an entire religion from entering the country, order the military to break the law by torturing prisoners, kill the families of suspected terrorists, track law-abiding Muslim citizens in databases, and use executive orders to implement other illegal and unconstitutional measures."

While the letter shows the same spirit shown by several Republican national security officials in March, Trump's recent statements encouraging Russia to hack Democrat Hillary Clinton's email server, pushed others too.

Meanwhile, Trump straying from his trademark bravado, acknowledged that his

presidential campaign is facing challenges and could ultimately fall short - a rare expression of humility.

Trump's most explicit concession came as he pleaded for support at a gathering of evangelical ministers, where Trump observed he was "having a tremendous problem in Utah." The same day, the billionaire celebrity acknowledged that his lack of political correctness could cost him the election if Americans reject his blunt approach.

"We're having a problem," Trump told the ministers, adding that the next president could get to nominate up to five high court justices. "It could cost us the Supreme

Court." After trouncing 16 challengers in the Republican primary, Trump is encountering worrying signs as his campaign moves into the general election. Democrat Hillary Clinton's lead over Trump in national polls has widened in recent days, while a growing number of fellow Republicans have declared they won't support their own party's nominee.

Trump's exercise in selfawareness was a marked departure from his usual tenor on the campaign trail, where for months at rallies he would tick through poll numbers showing him winning as if they were sports scores of his favorite team. " We're going to win so big," Trump told a roaring crowd one month ago at the Republican National Convention. Yet last week, Trump was reduced to citing a poll that actually showed him a few points behind Clinton and arguing the race between them was close. Asked by CNBC how he planned to reverse Clinton's advantage, Trump said he simply planned to do "the same thing I'm doing right now."

British woman's ex-husband admits to 'honour killing' ISLAMABAD: The ex-husband of British woman Samia Shahid who died in a socalled honour killing has admitted strangling her, it has been reported. Shahid, 28, from Bradford, died in northern Punjab last month while visiting relatives. Her former husband Choudhry Shakeel has been arrested on suspicion of her murder, alongside her father Mohammed. Her family said she died of a heart attack but her second husband Syed Mukhtar Kazam claimed she was killed.

A post-mortem confirmed she died of strangulation and Shakeel has now admitted to police that he strangled her with a scarf, according to a police source. Shakeel and Shahid’s father appeared in court on Saturday and were remanded for four days.

Shakeel, who is also Shahid’s cousin, was arrested on suspicion of her murder. Her father was held on suspicion

Samia Shahid

of being an accessory to her murder. Kazam believes his wife was killed because her family did not approve of their marriage. They are understood to have married in Leeds two years after Shahid divorced Shakeel, whom she married in Pakistan.

“I am sure my wife is killed by the family,” Kazam said. “She was healthy. And she had no disease,” he said.

“I believe she was killed because her parents were not happy with our marriage.”

Bradford MP Naz Shah has written to the Pakistan prime minister seeking his intervention in the case. The MP also demanded that Shahid’s body be exhumed and an independent autopsy is carried out.

“This case does fit that classic picture and circumstances of ‘honour killing’,” Shah wrote to Nawaz Sharif.

He said that “As a women’s rights activist and an elected member of the British Parliament, this leaves me with a huge responsibility.

We must ensure justice is done for Shahid and we must ensure this never happens again. This idea that you can take your daughter to Pakistan and kill her as you can literally get away with it must be eradicated. There is no honour in killing. It is an evil which we must rid our communities of.”

WORLD Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

In Brief

33 killed, 28 injured in Nepal bus mishap

KATHMANDU: An overcrowded bus veered off a mountain highway in Nepal on Monday, killing at least 33 people and injuring 28 others, a government official said. The injured people were brought by helicopter to Kathmandu and are being treated in two hospitals, Home Ministry official Chiranjivi Nepal said. The bus veered off Arniko highway and rolled about 150 meters (500 feet). Police were still trying to determine the cause. The highway is wide enough for two vehicles to pass but has sharp turns and no guard rails. Parts of the bus, bodies and luggage were scattered on the forested slopes below the highway. Army and police rescuers were combing the slopes near Deurali village, 80 km east of the capital.

Blast wounds 13 in Pakistan's Quetta after huge suicide attack

QUETTA: A bomb struck a Pakistani security vehicle, wounding 13 people in Quetta, just days after a suicide bombing at a hospital claimed 74 people. Home Minister Safaraz Bugti said the home made bomb targeted police personnel escorting a judge, who was left unhurt in the attack. He said, "It was a judge's car that was passing, but I believe that it was the police who were the target. It was a remotecontrolled device with 3-4 kg of explosives. I think these kinds of cowardly acts will not reduce our morale." Medical superintendent Abdul Rehman Miankhel said that 13 wounded people, including four members of the security forces, were being treated at the Civil Hospital.

Bangladesh sentences ex-MP to death for war crimes

NEW DELHI: A special tribunal for war crimes during Bangladesh's independence war against Pakistan in 1971 has sentenced a former lawmaker to death and seven others to life in prison on charges of murder and other crimes.

Sakhawat Hossain, a former member of Parliament with the Jamaat-e-Islami, was present in the court along with one other defendant.

Six others were tried in absentia. All the accused must remain in prison until their deaths, which usually is 30 years in Bangladesh.

The country says Pakistani soldiers killed 3 million people and raped 200,000 women during the war. PM Sheikh Hasina initiated the prosecution of suspected war criminals, by forming the tribunal in 2010.

Pak okays bill to tighten grip on online content

ISLAMABAD: Controversial Pakistan Electronic Crimes Bill was passed last week, giving the government the power to take down online content "in the interest of the glory of Islam". The bill was sent to the national assembly for approval after amendments by the Senate in July, and only needs the signature of President Mamnoon Hussain. Activists had slammed the proposed legislation earlier, and now express fear over the new law.

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3 AP Dalits thrashed for skinning dead cow In Brief AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

AMALAPURAM (ANDHRA PRADESH): In yet another case of atrocities aimed at the Dalit community, three people were tied to trees and beaten up by farmers for allegedly stealing a cow. The incident took place a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to BJP workers where he ostracised attackers.

The three Dalit victims where hospitalised and are reportedly out of danger and seven of the eight farmers have been arrested. East Godavari SP M Ravi Prakash said the attackers were booked under the stringent

SC/ST Atrocities Act and Section 307 of the IPC. Cops said a pregnant cow had died of electrocution in Sudhapalem village, after which its owner gave the carcass to the three Dalit brothers - Mokati Elisa, Mokati

Kerala begins crackdown on narcotics THIRU VAN ANTHAPU RAM: An estimated 5 per cent of children between the age group of 6-17, in Kerala, are victims of substance abuse. The state has apparently seen a 78 per cent rise in drugs and narcotics related crimes since 2014.

With the numbers surging, authorities claim to be registering 10-15 cases in a day, and blame low staff strength for their inability to control the problem. Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh said, "We are registering 10-15 cases everyday. In 60 days, we have registered 3,000 cases under Abkari Act and 500 cases against drug abuse. We are registering cases and conducting awareness camps. We are determined to take strong action but we can't do everything just with our small team."

There are just 46 drug

controllers for the entire region, with over 19,000 medical shops. The pharmacies have strict orders from the government, and even then, a sting operation showed that one could easily avail heavy dosages of pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription. At the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, a psychology student in his twenties, admitted at a deaddiction centre that access to banned substances is not a difficult task at all.

"I have used LSD and other substances. Access is very easy once you get the contacts. It could be from autorickshaw drivers to receptionists or waiters.

There are many who can lead you. The network is well spread. In Kerala there are not much codes. Agents identify you based on your physical features," he says.

Aggarwals invite Kejriwal to Punjab, BJP worried CHANDIGARH: The Aggarwal and Samasth Vaish Bandhu, Punjab, has invited Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal as chief guest for the Maharaj Aggarsain Jayanti Samaroh in Jalandhar next month. While it is yet to be known whether he has accepted the invitation, it has managed to raise quite a few eyebrows at the Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP minister Madan Mohan Mittal who was a prominent invitee at the same function in September 2013, was instrumental in getting Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to be invited as the chief guest.

Sources in BJP said efforts are on to either get Kejriwal's visit cancelled or organise a parallel function in Jalandhar, where SAD-BJP leaders could be invited. The Samaj’s newfound love for Kejriwal has sent alarm bells ringing in the BJP. At the same function in September 2013, a few months before the Lok Sabha elections, BJP minister Madan Mohan Mittal was a prominent invitee. He was instrumental, sources in the BJP said, in getting Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal

Venkatesh and Savarapu Lakshman, to bury. Farmers of the neighbouring village were looking for their missing cows when they heard that a few Dalits were skinning a dead cow and immediately claimed the bovine to be

theirs. The victims were accused of theft, illegally skinning their cow, tied to trees and beat with sticks and hurled stones at. All the accused farmers belong to backward communities.

In another Dalit-related incident, a 22 year old Dalit youth was stripped and beaten to death by a mob. Police said the incident took plane when Avneesh Kumar and his friend Prasoon went to a local fair and got into an argument with a stall owner. While Prasoon managed to escape the escalating situation, Kumar died after he was beaten for half an hour.

Kudankulam N-plant dedicated to nation C HEN NA I: Indian Prime M i n i s t e r Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa jointly dedicated Unit 1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant to the nation.

The event took place via video conference, where Modi was joined by his team, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Putin from Moscow and Jayalalithaa from the state secretariat in Chennai. Modi said, "Kudankulam 1 is an important addition to India's continuing efforts to scale up production of clean energy in India and it also signals our joint commitment to build pathways of partnership for green growth." He said five other units of 1,000 MW capacity each, would also be set up at Kudankulam.

The unit is a monument of friendship between India and Rusia, and attained criticality

in July 2013. It, however, only began continuous power generation early this year.

Jayalalithaa recalled the steps taken by the government to assure the local residents of the safety of the reactor. She also sought the commissioning of Unit 2 soon so as to meet the growing power demands.

First of its kind, the agreement to set up Voda Voda Energo Reactor (VVER) with 1,000 MW capacity was signed between former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1988.

Since then the unit has been in the making to produce power and finally after so many years, the plant load factor has touched 90%, the highest since its commissioning in December 2014.

Winnability to be the only criteria: Amarinder Arvind Kejriwal

to be invited as the chief guest.

Sources in BJP said efforts were on to either get Kejriwal’s visit cancelled or organise a parallel function in Jalandhar, where the SAD-BJP leaders could be invited.

The association represents 365 communities, whose members are mainly traders.

Ahead of the Assembly elections, the function is a show of strength by the organisation.

Mahesh Gupta, general secretary of the Punjab chapter of International Vaish Federation, said that they have met Kejriwal twice in Jalandhar and later in Delhi.

“Kejriwal belongs to our community. Not only that, he wants to help us. He ensured us he would be coming. We honoured him when he had come to Jalandhar,” Gupta said. He said his community said Kejriwal was the new hope for the traders and entrepreneurs of Punjab.

MANSA (PUNJAB): Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Amarinder Singh has said that "winnability" will be the only criteria for selecting party candidates for the upcoming assembly elections. He said the party had already begun the process of identifying the candidates, adding that several surveys were being conducted by independent agencies to asses the performance of the ticket aspirants.

When asked whether all sitting MLAs will be renominated, he said it would depend on the winnability and if some sitting candidates need to be replaced they would be replaced. Talking about the CBI appealing against the acquittal of Sajjan Kumar in the anti-Sikh riots case of 1984, Amarinder said it was a welcome move as justice must be done and guilty punished. He said the case must be thoroughly probed without any delay.

Asked what purpose will

Amarinder Singh

Congress MPs' and MLAs' mass resignations serve against the SYL verdict in case it goes against Punjab, he said Congress would go back to the people and seek their support so that it has adequate numbers in the Vidhan Sabha to bring in a law to save Punjab's water. "There are always legal, legislative and constitutional means to correct a wrong and we will do that only by bringing in a law the way we did in 2004 by passing the Termination of Agreements Act," he pointed out, while regretting that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal wasted all these options when he could easily avail these.

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

FIR filed against expelled AIADMK MP Sasikala Pushpa

NEW DELHI: An FIR has been filed against expelled AIADMK MP Sasikala Pushpa in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, after her maid filed a sexual harassment complaint against her, her husband, mother, and son. Times are tough for Sasikala as just earlier this month a Tirunelveli man's lawyer alleged she threatened and intimidated him. She was expelled from the party by general secretary and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa after she slapped DMK MP Trichy Siva at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.

Hours before departure to US, youth falls to death

BENGALURU: Just hours before leaving for the United States, 21 year old Naveen Kumar plunged to death from the terrace of a fivestorey apartment. Kumar had gone to fix some network problem when he slipped between the railings. The police said, "He seems to have been walking around and talking on the phone when he accidentally slipped between the railings. Naveen died instantly of multiple injuries." Residents said the deceased had a coffee mug and was talking on the phone when he climbed the stairs. "There is an unfilled gap on the terrace, through which he fell down and died," the police said. Residents heard a thud and rushed out to find Naveen in a pool of blood.

Plastic tri-colour flags banned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has banned production and distribution of plastic tri-colour flags for Independence Day celebrations, in a bid to promote its green initiative. The general administration department issued a circular saying the green protocol should be adhered to during the celebrations.

Attack on RSS leader: 3 held

CHANDIGARH: Punjab police have arrested three people in connection with the attack on top RSS leader Brig. (Retd) Jagdish Gagneja.

He was shot thrice in the abdomen from close range by two unidentified motorcycle riders, and is currently recovering in the hospital. A CCTV footage released by the police showed the duo had covered their faces with black cloth. It revealed that the suspects trailed Gagneja for some time before shooting him near the Red Cross market. Punjab DGP Suresh Arora has formed an SIT, led by ADGP-cum-Director, Bureau of Investigation, IPS Sahota, to investigate.

Haryana bans film 'The Legend of Michael Mishra'

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government has banned the screening of Hindi film 'The Legend of Michael Mishra' for a period of eight weeks.

The decision was made after several members of the Valmiki community raised objections regarding few utterances in the film. An official spokesman said the government had received information that certain organisations and individuals were protesting against the exhibition of the film, as lead actor Arshad Warsi utters "objectionable words" that could potentially outrage religious views of the community. With the aim to maintain peace and social harmony, the government suspended the exhibition of the film under Section 6 of the Punjab Cinema Act, 1952 with immediate effect.

IDs for 'gau rakshaks'

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Cow Commission has decided to issue identity cards to cow protectors after it was known that fake cow vigilantes extort money from truckers. The move came four days after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that several 'gau rakshaks' are anti-socials trying to cover up their misdeeds. The state police busted the gang in April.

They charged a fee of Rs 8,000 per vehicle from traders who transported cows and other animals in Hisar district. State Cow Commission chief Baani Ram Mangla said, "There are a few criminals posing as cow protectors or cow devotees."

INDIA Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

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GST will make India more attractive: Priti Patel AsianVoiceNews

UK Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel, who was on a three-day visit to India, said that India has become a more attractive investment destination as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill will make doing business much easier now.

She said, "That is an important piece of reform, because it speaks to the agenda of ease of doing business in India, which for British companies and for Foreign Direct Investment is incredibly important, because India has made great progress not only for GST, but also on the ease of doing business. You know (it) makes India more attractive when it comes to investment opportunities and also for business to business relationship."

Later, pitching about the UK's role in aiding the development of smart cities in India, she said, "The British government has already given its indication of smart city development in Pune, Indore and Amravati as well. I met the minister for urban development and we discussed the assistance of my department and my government on technical support around the whole process of smart cities." She said Indian businessmen are very positive about explor-

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Priti Patel With Prime Minister Narendra Modi

ing new opportunities as Britain now has a new government department for international trade.

She also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We spoke very much about the strength of the strategic UK-India relationship, where we are working in collaboration on skills in particular urban development and smart cities," she said.

"During my visit, I spent a lot of time with the business community here in

India and I could tell you, they are pretty positive and encouraged by what would follow because my prime minister, of course, has established now a new government department on international trade, which for India would mean new trading opportunity, more commerce opportunities and more business opportunities, which would be really important and good for India, good for the economy in India and in the long term good for jobs

HUMOUR CORNER A police officer jumps into his squad car and calls the station. "I have an interesting case here," he says. "A woman shot her husband for stepping on the floor she just mopped." "Have you arrested her?" asks the sergeant. "No, not yet.

The floor’s still wet."

“They are protesting Irom Sharmila’s calling off fast”

*** The teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a brief, fruitless search, he gave up. His mother took up the cause and within minutes found the lens. "How did you do that?" he asked.

"We weren’t looking for the same thing," she explained. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150." *** Visiting a college campus, the prospective student spots a building called Hemingway Hall. "That’s nice," he says, "a building named for Ernest H e m i n g w a y . " "Actually," says the tour guide, "it’s named for Joshua Hemingway." "Was he a writer?" the student asks. "Yes. He wrote a big check."

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and development opportunities."

At the end of her visit, Priti said both the countries are deepening their strategic partnership in areas like financial services, investment, and skillssharing to benefit both economies. After meeting a range of Indian government ministers, including finance, urban development and external affairs, Patel stressed that Britain is open for business and remains outward-looking and engaged internationally.

"The UK and India have a strategic partnership built on a shared history, immensely strong people-to-people ties and democratic values. The government wants to deepen these bonds further, to grow our economies and boost trade and investment in both our countries. I discussed with Prime Minister Modi, who set out his ambitious vision for our relationship when he visited the UK last year," Priti said.

She added, "As India develops into a major and growing economy, it is absolutely right that UK support, including that provided by my department, has moved away from traditional financial aid, which ended last year,

to technical assistance and sharing skills and expertise. Britain is an outwardlooking and global nation and her department will continue to support UK's trading partners of the

future, working closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the new Department for International Trade, and creating opportunities for British businesses too."

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Modi's I-Day speech hits Pak nerves

Continued from page 1 thank some people from the ramparts of the Red Fort. For the past few days, the people of Balochistan, people of Gilgit, people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the way their citizens have heartily thanked me, the way they have acknowledged me, the goodwill they have shown towards me, people settled far across, the land which I have not seen, people I have not met ever, but people settled far across acknowledge the Prime Minister of India, they honour him, so it is an honour of my 1.25 billion countrymen, and that is why, owing to the feeling of this honour, I want to heartily thank the people of Balochistan, people of Gilgit and people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for having an expression of thankfulness."

Islamabad was almost immediate to react, saying this "only proves Pakistan's contention that India, through its main intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing, has been fomenting terrorism in Balochistan." Modi's statements come as a retort to Pak's strategy of bringing international attention to the situation in Kashmir.

The neighbouring country

Narendra Modi interacts with school children after addressing the nation at Red Fort

it will need sacrifices. There was a time when the government was shrouded by allegations, but now the government is surrounded by expectations." He said swarajya is about empowering citizens and improving their quality of life, and that his government was committed to bring that change to every citizen of the country.

The celebration also saw several awards conferred to heroes, some posthumously. Havildar Hangpan Dada, the man who killed three heavily armed terrorists single handedly in an encounter

has steadily on and off poked India over the never-ending Kashmir issue. Meanwhile, India has rarely raised the human rights situation in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

India has made at least two public statements calling out the Pakistani military operations against Balochs, and expressed its concern on the "spiralling violence" in the region.

Other than irking fellow nations, Modi's speech said his government was committed to attain swaraj.

"March from self-governance to good-governance is a resolve of entire nation,

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PM Modi inspects the Guard of Honour

Security Guards' bomb disposal unit and Corporal Gursevek Singh who gave away their lives during the terrorist strike on the Pathankot airbase in January, were among the 14 awardees of the Shaurya Chakra.

Other awardees of the Shaurya Chakra posthumously are Capt Tushar Mahajan (9 Para-SF), Capt Pawan Kumar (10 ParaSF), Naib Subedar Kankara V Subba Reddy (44 Rashtriya Rifles), Naik Shinde Shankar Chandrabhan (41 Rashtriya Rifles) and Lance Naik Om Parkash (9 Para-SF), Major Rahul Dev Singh (3 Rashtriya Rifles), Capt Gaurav

certificate, while Rocket was awarded the Chief of Army Staff's commendation.

Optimum Security at Red Fort The Independence Day celebration at the Fort was undertaken amid tight vigil that was maintained across New Delhi on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Indian independence from British rule. Over 12,000 police officers, and several companies of paramilitary forces were deployed in a multi-layer security that ran in and around the Mughal fort. "Adequate security arrangements have been made for the

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Independence Day celebrations and other national celebrations in New Delhi, especially at the Rajpath and other adjoining areas. We also have provided fool-proof security for the ongoing 'Bharat Parv' from August 12-18, along the Rajpath," said deputy commissioner of police Jatin Narwal.

He added, "We have installed frisking booths and anti-sabotage checkpoints at various places.

We are trying to ensure that people enjoy the events by keeping all the security arrangements intact." a special team of 400 NSG snipers and commandos formed the inner layers of the security cordon, anti-aircraft guns were deployed to filter aerial intrusion by drones and projectiles, and guards stood at over 605 balconies and 104 windows that

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in Kashmir before succumbing to his wounds last May, was given India's highest gallantry honour, the Ashok Chakra. Lt Col Niranjan of National

Sharad Jadhav (36 Rashtriya Rifles), Capt Elisen Y Jami (12 ParaSF), Naik Bir Singh (21Para-SF), sepoy Hari Chettri (9 Rashtriya Rifles), Atu Zumvu (subdivisional police officer, Nagaland) and Kukudapu Srinivasulu (police constable, Telangana).

This year's Independence Day saw two unsung heroes getting credit for their role in intensive counter-terrorism operations. Two and a half year old Belgian Malinois Rocket received an award for his work during the Pathankot airbase terrorist attack, and four year old Labrador Mansi was honoured for giving her life along with handler Bashir Ahmed War, to prevent infiltration bid by terrorists in north Kashmir.

Mansi was given a 'Mention in Dispatches'

Date

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Security was at its peak in New Delhi

open towards the Red Fort. At least 25 cops at a control outside the venue monitored live feed running from 600 different CCTV cameras.

Dog squads were sent in five times for thorough checks.

In additional measures, city borders were sealed, the area over Red Fort was a no-fly zone during the celebrations, and points like Parliament complex, international airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals, and Metro stations were flanked with high security.

Pitching in, the traffic police restricted traffic movement and were under orders to report anything slightly suspicious.

During the celebrations, Joint commissioner of police, Garima Bhatnagar said, "Detailed traffic deployment will be in place to facilitate the movement of VIP vehicles, invitees and the general public. Public are requested not to touch any suspicious object. They are requested to immediately report about the presence of any suspicious movements... to the nearest policeman."

AsianVoiceNews

HEALTH&WELLNESS

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AsianVoiceNewsweekly | Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

4 things that happen before a heart attack FOOD

FITNESS

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LIFESTYLE

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hen a person has a “heart attack” it means that something has occurred to block the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.

This can cause permanent damage to the heart and possibly even death.

4 Things that Happen Before a Heart Attack Chest Pain and Tightness: Chest pain with a sudden onset that is severe and makes you need to stop whatever you are doing could be a possible heart attack. Some people describe the feeling of a heart attack as; an elephant on the chest, full feeling, squeezing pressure, aching or pain/pressure in the middle of the chest. If you experience these sensations try to rest and if it does not go away or comes and goes you may be having a heart attack.

Sweating: When you sweat normal amounts during exercise or on hot days, this is a natural body reaction to keep you cool. If you break out in “cold sweats” during rest or when it is cool and your skin turns clammy, this may be a sign of artery blockage and you should see a doctor. On the same note, if you have “night sweats” you could have heart trouble.

Indigestion, Nausea and Vomiting: Prior to a heart attack, some people may experience stomach upset or indigestion. If you are older and already have problems with digestion, it

could be very easy to mistake a heart attack for normal indigestion. In those who do not suffer from digestive issues, a sudden onset of heartburn or indigestion could be the first sign of a heart attack.

Pain in Other Parts of the Body: This symptom, also known as “referred pain,” could be a sign of an impending heart attack.

Heart attack pain can travel to different areas including; the left arm, shoulder, throat, jaw, teeth back and abdomen. If you have any of the above symptoms with referred pain, you need to get emergency medical help right away.

Other Signs of a Heart Attack Fatigue: Fatigue can often be a common symptom of just about any condition, especially when you have fever and fatigue then

it may be just a passing illness. What is important to know is when you have fatigue coupled with the above symptoms such as; indigestion, chest pain, sweating and referred pain you may be having a heart attack and need medical attention. Women tend to report fatigue as a classic heart attack symptom more often than men.

Dizziness: People don’t often think of dizziness as a heart attack symptom, because when people think about heart attacks they often think it is associated with chest pain. Dizziness is a symptom that should not be ignored if it is accompanied by other symptoms of a heart attack. When it is associated with a heart attack it is caused by less blood and oxygen getting to the brain. You may or may not faint with heart attack

dizziness and if you are dizzy and still conscious, seek medical attention right away.

Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat: This is a tricky symptom because a racing heart beat can be a sign of many things. You may experience a fast heart rate with conditions such as; anxiety attacks, exercise, stimulant use and other things. It is a sign that the heart is working hard. This is normal if the heart rate drops back down after a period of rest. If the heart rate doesn’t drop down in a timely fashion and there is other factors involved like; smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol then you could be having a heart attack.

Shortness of Breath: People often mistake shortness of breath for a problem with the lungs. Remember

the lungs take in the oxygen that feeds the heart muscle, so sometimes breathing difficulties may be the heart telling you it needs more oxygen. If you feel short of breath with any of the above symptoms, then you should get medical help right away.

Anxiety: Anxiety is a very common condition that many people suffer from. Under normal circumstances, you may experience anxiety with increased stress or emotional upset. If you have anxiety and don’t see any “real” reason behind it you should maybe assess the situation a little further: Do you have other symptoms listed above?

Have you ever had anxiety before, or is this your first anxiety attack? Do you feel like something bad is about to happen? Does your anxiety attack seem “out of place” with your current situation or irrational?

If you answer is “yes” to any of the above four questions, it is probably a good idea to seek emergency medical attention right away. This type of anxiety that doesn’t seem to fit could be a sign of an impending heart attack and better be safe than sorry.

Important Note: The symptoms of a heart attack are different for different people. No two people have all of the symptoms or the same severity of heart attack symptoms. For instance, one person may

have crushing chest pain while another may only have a slight twinge of chest pain. A heart attack can even come on suddenly and quickly and cause the heart to stop beating (cardiac arrest). There are people that have had cardiac arrest from a heart attack without any warning at all or they didn’t notice the warning signs because they didn’t understand them. Just know that the more of the above symptoms you have clustered together, the more likely you may be having a heart attack.

How to Deal with a Heart Attack Call for Emergency Help: Time is the single most important factor in saving a life during a heart attack. If you suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack, seek immediate medical help.

Use Your Nitroglycerin: If you are at risk for a heart attack, your doctor may have already given you a prescription for nitroglycerin tablets. If you experience heart attack symptoms, then take a nitroglycerin until help arrives.

Try Taking an Aspirin: Taking an emergency aspirin at the onset of symptoms can help thin the blood and reduce the risk of a clot blocking the heart muscle. Take an aspirin tablet, chew it up and swallow it. This will help the medication get into your bloodstream quickly.

Gaming may boost teens’ school results: Australian study

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students who play online video games obtain higher scores on PISA tests, all other things being equal,” the study said.

The study said it was possible that children who were already gifted in maths, science and reading were more likely to play online games. But it added that while both gaming and socialising used time that teenagers could otherwise spend studying, video games “potentially allow students to apply and sharpen skills learned in school”.

“Students who play

online games almost every day score 15 points above the average in maths and 17 points above the average in science,” study author Alberto Posso said. “When you play online games you’re solving puzzles to move to the next level and that involves using some of the general knowledge and skills in maths, reading and science that you’ve been taught during the day.”

Students who used online social networks on a daily basis scored 20 points lower in maths than a student who never used this type of social media,

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according to the study, which used the PISA ranking for 12,000 pupils from 2012 and controlled for other influences. “Students who are regularly on social media are, of course, losing time that could be spent on study – but it may also indicate that they are struggling with maths, reading

and science and are going online to socialise instead,” Posso said.

Internet usage among teenagers is considered particularly high in Australia where 97% of 15to 17-year-olds say they frequently go online. Some 78% of the children in the

sample used online social networks almost every day or every day. Use of the Internet was not bad in itself, and Posso, from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, suggested teachers consider incorporating popular video games into their lessons – “as long as they’re not violent ones”.

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n Australian study has revealed that playing online games may boost teenagers’ school results while spending time on social networks such as Facebook could do the opposite. The research, based on the performance of 15-year-old Australians in the globally recognised Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests, looked at the relationship between Internet usage and educational outcomes.

“The analysis reveals that children who regularly use online social networks, such as Facebook, tend to obtain lower scores in maths, reading and science than students who never or hardly ever use these sites,” it said. “Conversely, the analysis shows that those

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Brazilian actress bags role in Telugu movie

Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

B

razilian actress Larissa Bonesi feels she is blessed with "south Indian looks" which helped her rope in leading lady in Sunil Reddy's Telugu movie 'Thikka'. The actress said, "Although I'm Brazilian, I think I look like a south Indian and that's what caught the eye of my producer who saw me in a television advertisement and offered me the role. I fell in love with my character and immediately decided to be part of the project."

Talking about her role in the movie, the actress said, "It's an extension of my personality and hence, I could easily relate to it. I got really excited when I first heard the narration and I knew right away I wanted to do this role."

Praising co-actor Sai Dharam Tej, Larissa said, "We've become good friends. He was very supportive and understanding and didn't mind if I ever took extra takes for a shot. We had so much fun shooting together and I loved working with him."

"I'm open to work across industries. I'd love to work with stars such as Mahesh Babu and Prabhas."

Rajinikanth's special wish for Akshay

Controversial Malayalam film granted A certificate AsianVoiceNews

T

he Censor Board gave controversial Malayalam movie 'Kathakali' an A certificate following interference from the Kerala High Court.

Director Saijo Kannanaikkal had approached the court in Jun after the Censor Board of Film Certification insisted removing several scenes.

After the film was denied certification on basis of alleged nudity and vulgarity, Saijo said that the board's move was an infringement on his creative freedom.

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CBFC regional officer A Prathibha said an A certificate was given to the movie according to the high court's directive. "The high court directed us to give an appropriate certification for the film. So we issued an A certificate to it. As it is an A certificate, the controversial scenes have been retained," she said. The movie is about an orphan man who tries to create an identity of his own. The climax sees the protagonist removing his Kathakali outfit and crossing a river as a symbolic attack on the society.

Kamal Haasan hits another milestone

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ith the release of 'Rustom' last week, superstar Rajinikanth sent a rare tweeting wishing actor Akshay Kumar. "Dear @akshaykumar … I wish you all success for your forthcoming release #Rustom" he said. The tweet is a rare display of his social media presence. The actor has posted just 31 tweets in 3 years of his online life.

In other reports, the actor's daughters Aishwarya Dhanush and Soundarya Ashwin will reportedly direct a biopic on the life of the actor. Aishwarya is in the works of writing a book on the rise of Thalaivar, and once it is complete, it will be adapted into a screenplay.

Both his daughters will direct the movie, and the cast and crew details of the project will be out by the end of the year.

Trisha's daring act for 'Mohini'

ulti-talented Kamal Haasan who injured his legs which require two surgeries is not sitting quietly.

Sources close to the actor reveal that with limited mobility he is again in movie making business.

Efforts are on to acquire the rights of ‘Viswaroopam 2’ from Aascar Ravichandran and release it for Diwali and the master of all things that cinema needs will start shooting his ‘Sabhash Naidu’ in a month’s time.

S

outh Indian hottie Trisha is doing more heroine oriented roles, and will feature in the upcoming 'Mohini', directed by Madhesh.

The actress will reportedly do a dangerous stunt scene for the movie, where she will dangle on a rope from a great height and perform.

While she is no stranger to stunts, ( R e m e m b e r 'Thoongavanam'? ) her team reveals this will be more dangerous, and is one of the highlights of the movie.

'Happy Bhag Jayegi'

Harpreet Kaur (Diana Penty) runs away from her own wedding and ends up at Bilal Ahmed's (Abhay Deol) house in Pakistan. What ensues is a tale of errors between two countries.

29

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Theatre is my love: Salman to share screen space with Chinese star Zhu Zhu Rohini Hattangadi

Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

With two Filmfare awards, a National award, and a BAFTA, actress Rohini Hattangadi has made a niche in both, theatre and the big screen. Known for her movies like 'Saaransh' across Anupam Kher, and Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi' opposite Sir Ben Kingsley, she has kept her pace going with challenging roles. After visiting the UK for the first time to audition for 'Gandhi', Rohini returns with her Gujarati drama 'Baa Tane Hu Kyan Rakhu?'. The actress talks to Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice about her stint in the field and her love for theatre.

You play Baa in 'Baa Tane...' Wasn't doing a Gujarati play difficult?

I have done Gujarati plays before and I am doing this after a gap of almost 12 years. I have done 'Jugalbandi' with Shobhna Desai, 'Sarpana' in 1982, and others. This play was offered to me and I quite liked it.

I was in the original Marathi version of the play and they told me they are making some changes and all, not to the theme, but to the plot. These changes were totally interesting and totally different to what I did in Marathi. The plot is totally different, the essence stays the same. It is working very nicely.

Who did you learn to speak Gujarati from?

From my plays! My first Gujarati play was 'Sarpana', directed by Arvind Thakkar. I had worked under him for a Marathi play and he said he would cast me in a Gujarati play. I told him I don't speak the language and he said, "Main sikhaunga tumko Gujarati!" and he stuck to his words. It was demanding initially. I would begin a sentence in Gujarati and end it in Hindi. But over the years now, I think I am getting a good grip over the grammar and am getting good at it.

Why don't we see you in a lot of movies any more? You seem to be more inclined towards theatre.

I honestly don't know. There is a lack of good scripts. The slot I was in, like the way they typecast in Hindi movies, it does not exist any more. I once played mother to Amitabh (Bachchan) and Jituji (Jitendra), but now I am not even suitable to play Maa. I am Dadi Maa now. (Laughs) Other reason being, I was busy with Telugu films.

I have worked with Mahesh Babu and

Venkatesh. Also, Marathi serials. My most recent show ran for two-and-a-half to three years. Then there is always my theatre work. 'Baa Hun Tane..' has been running for more than a year now.

Any projects lined up?

Right now I am only focused on this play.

But may be, in near future. I was asked for a Marathi comedy serial by Kedar Shinde.

He asked me if I am willing to do it and I said of course, I am willing to do it.

Shooting for Hindi television has its cons.

The schedules go awry and deadlines are missed. I have decided now that if I work in a Hindi show, it will be on my terms.

Organised and Promoted by Yati Events & Raj Limited & NP Promotion, 'Baa Hun Tane Kyan Rakhu' will run in: Ruislip: 26 to 28 August Potters Bar: 29 August London: 31 August Croydon: 3rd September Leicester: 4 September For details, contact: Narottam Patel: 07539 003083 Bhanu Pandya: 07931 708026 PR Patel: 07957 555226 Manoj: 07940 418585 Brijesh: 07883 093017 Jitu Bhatti: 07435 962350 Jay Kotak: 07809 455101 You played every body else's dream role in 'Gandhi'. What is yours?

Lady Macbeth. I have done such diverse characters and roles, some of them really challenging. But I believe every theatre person should get a shot at a Shakespearean play at least once.

K

abir Khan and Salman Khan's Eid 2017 project 'Tubelight' is already in the works, and starring opposite the actor is Chinese actress Zhu Zhu. While Salman left for Ladakh a few days back, Kabir had already begun shooting with a crew of 200. Joining the team, Zhu Zhu posted pictures of her India visit, on her Instagram.

Posting a photo with Khan standing next to her, she tweeted, "On top of the palace with Mr #SalmanKhan @ Leh Ladakh." She has shared several other photos of the location too. Zhu Zhu has worked in movies like 'What Women Want', 'Shanghai Calling', 'The Man with the Iron Fists',

Priyanka to judge international reality TV series Priyanka Chopra sure knows her way up. In another feather to her cap, PeeCee is now set to be a guest judge on Heidi Klum's 'Project Runway', a reality show based on fashion. Other celebrities in the judging panel include Emily Ratajkowskim, Nina Dobrev, Camilla Belle, Jaime King, Shiri Appleby and Sabrina Carpenter.

Anushka getting ready for next with Shah Rukh

F

ollowing the success of 'Sultan' crossing the ÂŁ30 million club, actress Anushka Sharma is preparing for her next opposite Badshah Khan, Shah Rukh. After making her Bollywood debut with the actor in 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', she will yet again romance Shah in the upcoming directed by Imtiaz Ali. Anushka tweeted, "Script and (coffee) Best companions for prepping a new film. Wonderful feeling.

Few days before we roll @iamsrk #ImtiazAli" Character sketch of both the actors are yet to be revealed.

Arjun and Shraddha getting basketball lessons

N

ational Basketball Association India has partnered with upcoming film 'Half Girlfirend' to professionally train actors Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor to play the role of aspiring basketball players in the movie convincingly. The two will share screen space for the first time in a film based on Chetan Bhagat's novel of the same name. Both Arjun and Shraddha are

reportedly enjoying the training sessions which include handling the ball, footwork, speed, agility, and basic

and 'Last Flight'.

'Tubelight' is set around Indo-China 1962 war and is a love story between an

shooting. Director Mohit Suri said, "We are very excited to have the NBA onboard. The trainers have been fantastic and extremely patient with both, Arjun and Shraddha, to ensure that they portray their characters to perfection. We really are having a ball of time during our shoots." The movie is about small town boy Madhav Jha, who falls in love with an upper class Delhite Riya Somani.

Indian man and a Chinese woman. Salman will play the role of a man with special needs in the film.

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Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

Buying groceries online might ruin your health Britain’s chief medical officer has said online shopping is making the population unfit and has suggested people walk to the supermarket and carry the bags home in a bid to get fit.

Dame Sally Davies urged the public to make “little changes” to their everyday habits warning that our lifestyle is becoming a pressing health problem that the nation faces.

Government guidelines recommend we do 20 minutes go “muscle strength-

ening” exercise twice a week in addition to aerobic exercise. She said this basic

BA cuts long-haul meals Passengers flying in economy class on British Airways long-haul flights could fly hunger after the airline said they would no longer give two meals on flights under eight and a half hours.

Passengers flying in premium economy also face the meal cuts on flight under seven hours.

The reduced menu con-

sisting of a meal and a snack prior to landing was introduced last month amid reports the airline was planning to charge for meals.

Passengers will now have to rely on snacks later on in the flight though unlike budget airlines, passenger would not have to pay for snacks according to the BA spokesperson.

Gold Maserati GranCabrio with L-plates seized in Kingston A gold supercar with L-plates was seized by police in west London, leaving its driver by the roadside.

Officers seized the Maserati GranCabrio - a basic model of which can cost up to £100,000 new on King's Road in Kingston on suspicion of it having no insurance.

The Met said the car was impounded and the owner would be summoned to court.

If found guilty the owner, who has not been named, faces a minimum £300 fine and six points on their licence

requirement can be met by a couple of journeys with heavy shopping, gardening

or by yoga.

Steven Ward from ukactive, a nonprofit organisation advocating an active lifestyle says “Modern living has made us more inactive than ever before. Where once we would walk around the office talking to colleagues and carry him our groceries, today we fire off emails and have Tesco deliver food to our door.”

Last year UK spent £8.6bn in online grocery sales, it is predicted to reach £15bn by 2020.

Cost of airport parking Drivers dropping friends and family at airports during the summer could pay “sky high charges” of up to £53 an hour according to a research the RAC. The organisation has warned drivers risk paying six times more per minute at airports. London Luton Airport has been name the most expensive in the country for pickups with short stay parking for 40 minutes costing a minimum of £7.

The airport is also the most expensive for drivers opting to stay and wait in their cars, with charges of £3 for 10 minutes.

At Birmingham International Airport, drivers pay £4.70 to park for 60 minutes, while at London Stansted drivers

pay £4.50 for a 30 minute stay.

For drivers who overstay in drop zones, they can be slapped with a £50 penalty at London Stansted for overstaying for 10 minutes, with similar high penalties across UK’s airports. However despite the sky high prices, six of UK’s busiest airports offer some free parking options.

Pete Williams, RAC’s head of external affairs said “While it is true that many airports provide a range of different parking options for drivers depending on how long they expect to stay, motorists need to be aware of the sky-high charges levied by some for parking close to the terminal.”

A Kingston Police spokesman said the driver was pulled over because officers thought the car seemed very expensive for a learner to be driving.

In March, a "gold fleet" including a Lamborghini Aventador, a Mercedes G63 6x6 and a Bentley Flying Spur were all spotted in Knightsbridge with parking tickets on their windscreens.

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ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 If you are your own boss,

then you can look forward to a fairly good week. Arians who face a strict schedule may find the next seven days a little frustrating, because this is a week where you will need a certain amount of personal space. You may be absorbing new ideas about how to create financial independence. Others may not understand, so you may have to keep your ideas to yourself.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 It's time to rethink, revise,

and reorganize your plans. Backtracking is a good idea. Daily affairs become less complicated and this frees you up to tend to more worldly goals. Your original ideas can capture the attention of your superiors. Professional opportunities abound. Love has a private feel and you are not ready to share your feelings with others.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Either you or your partner

have been going through a phase of inner doubts and uncertainties, and perhaps the main source of tension has simply been the need for breathing space in your relationship and a need to look at things more objectively. Wait before going full steam ahead with grand actions and gestures.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

There will be increased scope for varying your activities, widening your network of contacts and getting out and about. It is an excellent time for exercising your mental energies, clarifying your and other people's ideas and getting involved in discussion. Exercise caution when it comes to making financial decisions as being hasty will cost you !

The focus is on finances this week, but that doesn’t mean you should worry yourself sick. Rather, it is about finding new and improved ways to boost your earnings potential. Don’t let nebulous tendencies interfere with your plans. It’s fine to consider several options but don’t get caught up in indecision.

Schedule networking opportunities later this week.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

It seems that you will be in gregarious mood, intent on cultivating a wider circle of acquaintances. Mentally you will be in good form to make on-the-spot decisions and also get your ideas across to the right people. Ideas that you have been juggling with for quite some time will now be easily pulled into shape, allowing you to push ahead.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

There are subtle transformations taking shape in you life and a feeling of helpful influences in the background. There is much to suggest that you are in tune with your inner self and in touch with those hidden forces which often seem to take a guiding hand in one's life. Focus on essentials and establish a solid foundation, so that you feel secure.

Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success. So, if hoping to drum up support or backing, it would certainly do no harm to adopt a more pushy and outgoing approach to life. As social life will tend to draw you into a wider circle, the chances of meeting someone attractive are greatly increased.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 This is a good time to appreciate what you have already created in your life. Of course, there are still challenging issues on both a personal and practical level. It's a time of slow and steady progress that can set the stage for a long time to come. To get here you may have overcome obstacles by making important decision and choices that set the direction of your life.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

You may find yourself hard at work behind the scenes, although that may not be apparent to others. You may find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, with opportunities to advance on both the inner and outer level.

There’s a sparkle to your social life and much enjoyment is to be had simply from being in touch with other people.

Venus, Mercury and Jupiter highlight your solar eighth house. Your attention turns inward on a deeper level to personal transformations. There may be a strong focus on other's money, such as the resources of a partner, inheritance, banking and loans, or taxes. This transit should be positively dealt with to achieve any benefits.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

A wind of change may be in the air; attention should turn to the wider world and benefits come from broadening of horizons and mental stimuli. This is an opportune time to go ahead with your plans. All things considered, your health should be robust. The more you live up to your own set of principles the more you’ll gain.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

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Srikanth, Sindhu keep India’s hope alive

AsianVoiceNews

Shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and P V Sindhu kept India's medal hopes alive by entering the quarter-finals of their respective categories as boxer Vikas Krishan Yadav crashed out while the athletes continued to cut a sorry figure at the Rio Olympics.

World No.11 Srikanth continued his rollicking form to register a 21-19, 2119 triumph in 42 minutes over world No.5 Jan O Jorgensen in the men's singles pre-quarter-finals at the Rio Centrio on Monday. Srikanth had to work hard to overcome Jorgensen. In a hard fought first game, both shuttlers started on an attacking note but it was Srikanth who managed to maintain the lead with some bodyline smashes.

Jorgensen, bronze medallist in the 2014 World Championships, gave a tough fight at the end but it was the Guntur lad who proved superior to clinch the first game 21-19.

In the second game, the Denmark player upped the ante and played a disciplined game to maintain the lead from the start. But with some swift court

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Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

Kidambi Srikanth

P V Sindhu

movements, the Indian diminished the lead to stay at 17-17 and then took a one-point lead to make it 19-18 before wrapping up the game to advance into the quarter-finals.

Srikanth had entered the pre-quarterfinals after topping Group H. In quarters, he will face the tough task of beating two-time defending champion and five-time world champion Lin Dan of China.

Sindhu entered the last eight stage of the women's singles event by defeating Tai Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei in straight games.

Sindhu dominated right from the start to defeat her highly rated opponent 2113, 21-15 within 40 minutes in the pre-quarterfinal clash at Court 2 of the Riocentro Pavilion 4 on Monday.

Before Monday's match, Tzu-ying enjoyed a

4-2 advantage in head to head encounters against Sindhu. But the 21-yearold from Hyderabad was in superb form and dominated her opponent throughout the match. But Sindhu is expected to face a much tougher challenge in last eight stage as she will now face World No.2 Wang Yihan of China. The 21year-old from Hyderabad admitted that Wang Yihan will be a difficult opponent, but is confident of creating an upset.

Later in the day, Vikas had an opportunity to bag India's first medal at the Rio Olympics when he faced Bektemir Melikuziev of Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals of the men's Middleweight (75kg) category. The Haryana boxer needed to reach the semifinals to make sure of a bronze, but he was no match for the 20-year-old Uzbek, going down 27-30, 26-30, 26-30 against the silver medallist of the 2015 World Championships.

Vikas' exit brought the Indian challenge to an end.

Shiva Thapa (56kg) and Manoj Kumar (64kg) had earlier crashed out of their respective weight cate-

Sania breaks down after loss Sania Mirza broke down in front of the media after losing the mixed doubles tennis bronze medal play-off with her partner Rohan Bopanna, and raised doubts if she would be playing at the next Olympics in Tokyo.

India's hopes of their first medal at the Rio Olympics were dashed as Sania and Rohan lost 1-6, 5-7 to Czechs Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek at the Olympic Tennis Centre's Court 1 on Sunday.

"It's really hard (the loss). I don't know if I will be playing tennis in four years," Sania said with

to Americans Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram 6-2, 2-6, 3-10 in the semifinal match on Saturday.

tears in her eyes. A few minutes earlier, she wept copiously while being interviewed by a TV journalist.

Sania said it would take some time to get over this.

"Unfortunately we were not able to produce our best today," she said adding that as athletes "we have to get over losses and try to bounce back." The Indians were broken in their very first service game as the Czech pair utilised their first break point to take a lead in the first set.

The Indian pair went down in an hour and 11 minutes for the bronze medal playoff on Sunday after losing

Sania said the second set with the Czechs could have been won by them "multiple times", but they were not able to capitalise on it. "In tennis, when you don't convert your chances, that's what happens to the match. There's not much I can say at the moment. We have to move on," a visibly shaken Sania said. So disturbed was she that she declined to speak in Hindi when asked by some journalists from vernacular papers.

for the first five laps of the mammoth 25lap race, happy to trail at last place, almost as if he wanted to direct the show from the far end of the field. It may have rattled the early pace-setters as the Ethiopian Yigrem Demelash, Eritrean Zerseany Tadese and the little Peruvian Luis Ostos traded the lead among themselves.

The Kenyans then pushed a gear with Paul Tanui and Geoffrey Kamworor beginning a familiar regional joust with the Ethiopians Tamirat Tola and Demelash for

who would stay ahead of the pack, even as it slowly began to thin away - the real contenders breaking away from rest. Always figuring in the fray was the US runner, Galen Rupp whose burly physique belied his staying power in this unforgiving run. Even in all this, Farah was happily lounging at the back of the class, like some oversmart schoolboy who knows all the answers to the quiz but is too lazy to bother.

When he finally did decide to join the fun, well into the sixth lap, at around 2500m, he snatched lead, just for a lark from the Ethiopian Tola. His barging in caused a mild flurry in the

gories.

Meanwhile, it was heartbreak for the athletes who endured another dismal day at the Games.

Lalita Babbar, competing in an individual track event for the first time since P T Usha in 1984, finished 10th in the final of the women's 3,000 metre steeplechase.

Lalita clocked nine minutes and 22.74 seconds -nearly three seconds behind her national record timing in the water and barrier race - at the

Dipa Karmakar

Olympic Stadium.

The Maharashtra athlete was inside the top eight competitors midway but was not able to push as much as she would have liked to towards the closing laps.

More disappointment was in store from the track

and field events as Srabani Nanda failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the women's 200 metres after finishing 55th among 72 athletes in Round 1.

Dipa Karmakar wins hearts: India's search for a medal at the 2016 Rio continues following the defeat of the mixed doubles' tennis pair of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna in the bronze medal play-off match, the men's hockey team's loss to Belgium in the quarter-finals and the surprise exit of Saina Nehwal on Sunday. India can raise a toast, however, to 22-year-old gymnast Dipa Karmakar who finished fourth in the vault final with a score of 15.006 - well past her previous best - and missed a bronze medal by 0.150 points.

Dipa was at second place after her second attempt at the Produnova but slipped to fourth after the final contestant, American Simone Biles, put in an outstanding performance to win gold with a score of 15.966. To go where no Indian had gone before is a story in itself, and no one can begrudge Dipa her result.

Former Liverpool player turns down MBE Liverpool’s first black footballer who played for the club has turned down his nomination for MBE in protest at the brutality of the British Empire.

Howard Gayle, 58, rejected the MBE saying it would have been a betrayal of Africans who had been killed or suffered as a result of colonialism.

Taking to Facebook he said “This is a decision that I have had to make and there will be others who may feel different and would enjoy the attraction of being a Member of the British Empire and those

Howard Gayle

three letters after their name but I feel that it would be a betrayal to all of the Africans who have lost their lives, or who have suffered as a result of the Empire.”

Gayle’s signing for Liverpool in 1977 was celebrated as a victory for the black community of Liverpool.

Mo Farah defends 10,000m title despite ‘fall’

Mo Farah ran one of the strangest races of his life to successfully defend the 10,000m Olympic title here at the Rio Olympics.

He showed an awesome kick on the final bend to leave a panting Paul Tanui in his wake, winning in 27:05.17. But before that, Mo Farah even survived a mid-race, mid-pack tumble unfazed, he picked himself up and joined the run. It was just one in a series of strange events unfolding for the man who's shy demeanour of London four years ago had given way to

Sania Mirza

Mo Farah

a more seasoned steel here at the Olympic Stadium.

The Britisher sat back

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leaderpack, with the Kenyans deciding it was time to get serious about the whole thing. They kind of bunched together - old rivals, Ethiopians and Kenyans in a strange midrace solidarity.

There was the Ugandan Moses Kurong who kept bobbing up in the equation, and around the halfway mark a midpack crunch saw Farah go sprawling on the track. It didn't deter him. Getting up as if nothing had happened, he was immediately on the heels of the leading four.

Farah was happy to stay at fourth till the penultimate lap, at around 9,500m where he began steaming in, to pass

Demelash and glide past Tanui. The Kenyan pulled back on the back straight of the 24th lap, but Farah wouldn't let go.

Finally, as the bell for the final lap was sounded, Farah began a kick out of nowhere, something he had kept hidden all this while, summoning when he finally needed it. Tanui had no answer but keep the fight going even as the steam was fading.

On the final bend, Farah's now magical kick came into play. He powered on, Tanui looking like some pretender who lost his way into his mix. To think, he clocked his season's best of 27:05.64 even as Farah disappeared in a smoke to take the tape.

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Asian Voice | 20th August 2016

India win test, series against Windies

In the end, it all came very easy. India stamped their class and authority on the series with an emphatic 237 run win on Saturday to keep their stellar record against West Indies intact.

With just one Test to go, India won the four-Test series 2-0, their third successive series triumph in the Caribbean. In fact, West Indies haven't beaten India since 2002.

The pace trio of Ishant Sharma, Mohamamd Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck hard and fast to wreck the West Indies batting on the final day.

The spinners chipped in with some late strikes to help finish the job. Set to get an improbable 346 in a possible 87 overs on the final day, a woeful West Indies slumped to 108 all out to lose not only the match and the series, but also a lot of face.

It was a combination of some penetrative fast bowling and hesitant batting which put the hosts on the back foot. While Shami used the bouncer to good effect, Bhuvneshwar, who had rocked the West

Indian boat with a five for, bowled a demanding line to keep the batsmen guessing.

Shami drew first blood by getting a nervous Leon Johnson caught at forward short-leg by Rohit Sharma for a nought. Bhuvneshwar then dealt West Indies a big blow by trapping Kraigg Brathwaite plumb in front with one which, for a change, came in and then straightened. Brathwaite is one of the few West Indies batsmen who have shown the capacity to occupy the crease and his ouster would have put immense pressure on the rest of the batting order.

With the team reeling at 42, the onus was on sen-

ior pros Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo to slug it out. Samuels disappointed yet again, letting a straight one from Ishant to hit his stumps. He indicated that the ball had kept low but the fact was Samuels simply stood in the crease and had no defence to offer.

Ashwin, Saha restore parity after early blows: Earlier, West Indies bowled with vigour and discipline to leave India in a bit of a spot by Tea on Day 1 of the third Test at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia.

However, a superb unbeaten stand of 108 between R Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha bailed India out of

some trouble and took them to a decent position at 234 for 5 when stumps were called on August 9.

The pair masked all the trouble India had put themselves in during the first two sessions. It was a morning of surprises at St Lucia. The pitch was a welcome sight, offering the bowlers assistance and making it tough for batsmen to score easily. West Indies handed a debut to young fast bowler Alzarri Joseph. But the biggest surprise came from the Indian team as they made three changes to the squad that played in Jamaica, each one more surprising than the last.

With the pitch offering good bounce and carry, Umesh Yadav, who has a tendency to surprise batsmen with his pace, was dropped for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Ravindra Jadeja was preferred over Amit Mishra, while Rohit Sharma's call-up to the side in place of Cheteshwar Pujara was a bolt from the blue. Murali Vijay, presumably still unfit, did not make it back to the side.

Hanif Mohammad takes his final bow Hanif Mohammad, the man who played the longest innings in Test cricket (970 minutes), and fought a long battle with lung cancer, passed away at the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi last week. He was 81. The original `Little Master', like he always did with the bat in hand, refused to leave the crease at his hospital bed despite being put on the ventilator.

In what was later described by the Pakistan media as `miraculous', Hanif's son, Shoaib Mohammad first announced from the hospital on last Thursday afternoon that his father was no more. Minutes after Shoaib had made the announcement and tributes began

Hanif Mohammad

pouring in, news came in that Hanif was very much alive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His heartbeat had stopped for six minutes, but the doctors managed to revive his heartbeat back,â&#x20AC;?

Shoaib said in a revised

statement.

An hour later tragedy struck the family once again and this time for real.

Hanif had breathed his last at the hospital's Intensive Care Unit. Indian legends, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar were fans of Hanif who himself had repeatedly said he admired their batting and never missed their matches.

Born in Junagadh, India, Hanif belonged to an illustrious sporting family with his brothers, Wazir, Mushtaq and Sadiq also representing Pakistan with distinction in Test cricket while his son Shoaib also played 45 tests and 63 ODIs for Pakistan.

Hanif was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013

after which he went to London for surgery and returned home well.

However, his son Shoaib said the cancer had spread with time. Hanif was a member of Pakistan's first touring squad that toured India in 1954-55 and visited again in 1960-61. He went on to play 55 Tests, one of which included the memorable 337 against West Indies in 1957-58. It remains the longest innings in Test history and was also the longest in all First Class cricket for over 40 years before Himachal Pradesh batsman Rajiv Nayyar broke the record in 1999 by batting for 1,015 minutes for his 271 against J&K in a Ranji Trophy match.

Sania, Hingis end dream partnership

SanTina - the World No. 1 pairing of Indian Sania Mirza and Swiss Martina Hingis - have split. The Indo-Swiss combination, who swept everything before them in 2015 to usurp the top spot in the WTA rankings, have entered the US Open and lead-up events with different partners.

While the big-hitting Indian, whose ground game was the foundation of the partnership, will play alongside Czech Barbora Strycova, Hingis will partner American Coco Vendeweghe. Imran, Sania's father and long-standing coach, confirmed the breakup, but refused to comment.

The 29-year-old Sania and Hingis, who'll celebrate her 36th birthday next month - a dangerous mix of heavy strikes and soft hands - appeared to have lost their mojo in recent months, falling early in the French Open and Wimbledon. The World No. 1 team, having lost in the quarter-final of their last tournament together in Montreal in late July, fell to the 165th-ranked pair of Americans Christina McHale and Asia Muhammad. The straight-set loss posed serious questions to the top seeds.

Dhoni to lead T20 side against Windies in USA

India's limited-over skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the 14man Indian squad for this month's two-match T20 series against West Indies in USA. KL Rahul, who made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe this year, has been recalled in the squad while Jasprit Bumrah has also got a nod to face the Caribbean side.

Meanwhile, leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who has not featured in a T20 match since April 2014, has been retained for the upcoming series. The two sides are slated to play two T20Is on August 27 and August 28 at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida. India is already playing a four-match Test series in the Caribbean under skipper Virat Kohli.

They are currently leading the series 2-0. The Men in Blue, however, last met West Indies in the shortest format of the game during the semi-finals of 2016 World T20, where the Caribbean side crushed India by seven wickets. The Indian T20 squad is as follows: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, K.L Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Amit Mishra and Stuart Binny.

Pakistan win final test, level series with England Pakistan completed a 10wicket win on Sunday (August 14) in the final Test at The Oval to square the series 2-2. The win also extended Pakistan's record against the hosts at this venue, much to the delight of their fans who had assembled in the ground on their independence day.

England have now failed to beat Pakistan in this venue in their last seven Test matches.

Yasir Shah, who already had three wickets to his name, picked two more to finish with a five-wicket haul as England were

bowled out for 253 after lunch. Chasing just 40 runs to win the game, the Pakistan openers brushed aside the target in 13.1 overs.

With the home side's two batting mainstays Alastair Cook and Joe Root back in the hut before stumps on day three, there was a hint of uncertainty around England's approach on the fourth day, with Pakistan still holding a lead of 126 runs. The hosts understandably decided to take a positive approach in order to wipe out the deficit and give their bowlers

something to defend.

Gary Ballance showed intent by hitting the second ball of the day for a boundary. Both Ballance and Bairstow then picked up a

few singles and twos before the latter finally found his groove. He was severe through the covers region as he fetched a couple of boundaries off Wahab Riaz

and one more off Mohammad Amir. With England slowly gaining momentum, Pakistan had another issue to deal with as the umpire warned Wahab for the second time for running on to the danger area.

Against the run of play, Sohail Khan came on to get rid of Ballance, who was looking solid until then. A delivery just outside off could have been left alone to the keeper but the left-hander gently poked at it to be caught behind. The in-form Moeen Ali began with a bang as he clipped his first delivery for a boundary on

the leg side. As Bairstow reached his half-century off 72 balls, Moeen went after the bowling at the other end. After reverse sweeping Yasir for a boundary, he also hit him for a huge six over long on in the leg spinner's next over. Bairstow soon joined in the act before lunch with a couple of boundaries off Amir as England were all set to erase the deficit.

To their disappointment, Yasir got rid of Moeen for 32 in the penultimate over before the session break to put his side on top again.