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The new kind of politics

by Lord Navnit Dholakia ................................page 2 Kiran Shah sets new world record ........page 7 New edition of Bhagavad Gita launched ......page 9 Celebratory lunch in honour of Lord and Lady Parekh .................page 11

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

VOL 39. ISSUE 3

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Changing colours of the Commons

Racist behaviour with Indian shooting team in Dorset Organisers of the ISSF World Cup initially deny the incident, later apologise

Shailesh Vara, Minister, Government Whip

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Minister, Tory Chairman

Shabana Mahmood, Labour MP Ladywood, Birmingham

Priti Patel, Conservative MP for Witham

New Conservativev Prime Minister David Cameron and Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg shaking hands outside No 10. Full story inside

Transport staff at Dorset behaved very rudely with members, including women team members of the Indian shooting squad last week. After denying altogether of any misbehaviour, the organisers apologised as Indian shooters and the team management took up the issue at Manavjit Singh Sandhu diplomatic levels.

International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) organized the world cup last week at Dorset here.

According to Manavjit Singh Sandhu, a gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games took up the issue as the bus driver shut the door on one of the Indian team members. The reason for such a rude behaviour was given out as the player in question being late, even as he was just on the bus door.

Continued on page 24

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ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

The new kind of politics

By Lord Navnit Dholakia It has been an exciting General Election. I have covered over 6000 miles and campaigned in nearly 30 constituencies. The prediction that we would have a hung parliament has been realised, but no one could have imagined the nature of Government that we would elect.

The reality is that the Liberal Democrats, the third party in British politics, played an important role in shaping the new Government.

We now have a coalition government. While the precise details are still being worked out, the fundamental point is that it consists of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. The fallout has been striking.

Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, has now resigned and the contest for the Labour leadership has begun.

Britain now wakes up to a Government, the likes of which we have not seen for decades. Even the political journalists have yet to fathom the new dawn.

As I was rushing to the Liberal Democrat meeting in the Grand Committee Room in Parliament, Nick Robinson, the BBC’s Political Editor, asked me if I found the idea of a coalition government exciting. I replied that if you were a follower of India’s political system, then the idea of a coalition in the UK sounds like a doddle.

But let us look at some other factors that made this election exciting. We now have 142 female MPs in the new parliament.

There are 27 MPs from ethnic minorities, nearly twice as many as in the previous parliament. We also have a Green party MP. Overall, the Labour Party lost 91 seats and 5 million fewer people voted Labour than in the Tony Blair landslide of 1997.

The right wing parties fared badly. The British National Party was routed in constituencies across the country and UKIP and others failed to impress the electors. Overall, the British electors have rejected extremism of any kind and even for established parties it has a clear message that polarised policies against a back-

drop of an economic crisis was unacceptable and parties must work in the national interest.

The election has exploded the myth that the First Past the Post system of voting produces a strong, stable government.

The results prove that this is no longer valid, and voting reform is on top of the agenda of the coalition partners.

The system of alternative vote is now on offer.

How does this work?

Constituencies would remain, but electors would rank candidates 1, 2, 3, until they no longer care, or run out of names.

If one candidate receives more than 50% of the first votes then they would become the MP. If not, the candidate with the fewest first votes is eliminated and their second votes are distributed among the remaining candidates. This process continues until one candidate has more than half the vote. The system is well used in Australia and in some mayoral elections in the USA. The system of single transferable vote would require constituencies to be enlarged to include several MPs. Voters rank their preferred candidates 1, 2, 3, etc. from a long list until they no longer have a preference. A quota is then set by dividing the total votes cast by the number of MPs elected plus one. If a candidate passes the quota, they become an MP and a formula is used to pass a portion of their surplus votes to the others. If this does not provide a sufficient winner, the candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated and their votes are distributed until all the MPs are elected. The system is used in European and local elections in Northern Ireland, Scottish local promote the Alternative Vote System and the electors would be involved in a referendum at some stage.

The factors that have led to the coalition government need to be explored. On top of the list the scandal surrounding MPs’ expenses.

Prime Minister’s Questions, which often results in confrontational politics, is something that may have made television exciting, but was often resented by ordinary vot-

ers in the country.

The election has confirmed that Gordon Brown and the Labour party received the secondworst Labour share of the vote since 1922. No further proof is required other than the fact that the result precipitated his departure from 10 Downing Street.

How come that the Labour Party, having reinvented itself as New Labour and with a majority in three figures in 1997 failed so dismally in the 2010 General Election.

The answer is simple. Iraq remained the key factor and Tony Blair’s continuing honeymoon with George Bush demonstrated that Britain was not the master of its own foreign policy.

The protest march of one million people in London against the war in Iraq laid down the mistrust between Blair and the people who had elected him. The spectacle of Brown taking Blair’s place was difficult to swallow.

Here was an unelected leader, who dithered about calling an election soon after his entry to 10 Downing Street and lost the best opportunity he had to keep Labour in power. Brown is a decent, likable and honest politician but like Ming Campbell of the Liberal Democrats, he had little skills to transfer his gravitas to social policies which required considerable reassessment during the economic downturn.

In reality his strength in economy remained but instead of a Prime Minister we had two Chancellors of the Exchequer and he repeatedly got into conflict with the real Chancellor Alistair Darling.

There will be further post-mortems and a new leader will emerge in due course.

There is a lot of speculation as to why the Liberal Democrats secured a deal with David Cameron. There are two reasons for this. One, Nick Clegg was clear that he would not prop up a defeated Prime Minister and he also conceded before the election that the party with the largest vote and the largest number of seats should seek to form the Government. I know Nick Clegg well. He has repeatedly said that

We voted ‘for change’

By Dolar Popat

politicians should work together to solve the nation’s biggest problems.

This includes fixing the terrible state of the public finances and developing economic stability.

Nick Clegg wanted a new kind of politics. A different kind of politics.

The coalition has proved that politicians can work in the national interest.

This is the beginning of a chance so often craved for by the British electors.

In the meantime the exciting coalition Cabinet has much to offer. I recall my heady days of negotiations and was flabbergasted that the Conservatives offered so much to Lib Dems for the sake of a safe and stable Government. Labour on the other hand showed no interest whatsoever.

The realignment in politics is good for the nation. It will have its teething problems but the country has sent a clear message. A substantial majority approve of the new politics. Nearly one third of the Cabinet posts are allocated to the Liberal Democrats. Add to this is a sprinkling of Ministerial posts. That is not bad going.

The real test is still to come. The cuts in public expenditure, the rise in unemployment, more taxes and the dire impact on spending departments point to one thing. The ball game has changed. It will not be a popular Government for too long but will certainly be an effective Government well structured to meet the dire needs of out nation.

Unlike the New Labour we do not have the New Conservatives or the New Lib. Dems. We have a new kind of politics.

It has been a hard slog and there will be difficult times ahead. Different political ideologies do not mix easily, but I believe that the way ahead is the right way to solve the country’s problems.

Shailesh Vara appointed Britain’s first Gujarati Minister Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, has been appointed a Minister in the new government. The appointment makes Mr Vara the first Gujarati to become a Minister in the UK Government and the first Indian Minister for the Conservative Party.

Mr Vara, the son of

Lakhman and Savita Vara, has been appointed as a Government Whip. Whips are responsible for ensuring the legislative programme of the Government gets through Parliament as smoothly as possible.

Mr Vara said: “I am delighted to have an opportunity to serve in the

new Government. It is a tremendous honour. There is a huge amount of work for the new Government to do, not least sorting out the economic mess that has been left by the outgoing administration. I look forward to playing my part in helping to bring about the changes that Britain so desperately needs.”

CONSERVATIVE WRITES

These can be said to be some very exciting times in terms of politics and the new structure of our country. With turnout in the election up from 61% in 2005 to 65% the country was keen to make their vote count.

After the general election no one party was able to seek an outright majority, the people of Britain decided that the country needed a change. David Cameron has shown he can be the leader the electorate wants, putting the country before his own political agenda and making decisive decisions. The 11th of May marked the day when Britain saw its first coalition government for more than 60 years. David Cameron has talked a great deal about change and a fresh approach to politics.

The new alliance with the Liberal Democrats offers a fresh more optimistic outlook to politics. Not only are we receiving a new form of government but more significantly a new kind of government; as the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats begin a new era of politics. This new type of politics very much reflects the wishes of the country, who voted for a more diverse and plural government; where politicians of different political agendas can come together and compromise for the good of the country. We begin the next chapter stepping in to the political unknown, so as the country enters this new age of politics what will this mean in the long run? The coalition government has many pressing issues to tackle such as the economic deficit, endemic social problems and a political system that needs reform.

When watching the poised party leaders, both have an air of assurance, honesty and self confidence and have certainly displayed this with assertive, decisive decision making. David Cameron and Nick Clegg have said that they will put aside party differences for the good of the country. The new hope is for a government that will offer the country real change, built on values and trust. Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat main spokesperson since 2003, and newly appointed Business Secretary, when commenting about the partnership between Nick Clegg and David Cameron likened the negotiations that preceded the Conservative and Liberal Democrats alliance to the preliminaries of an arranged marriage, he said: "My Indian in-laws always told me arranged marriages last longer than love matches." Well this certainly does bear a resemblance to an arranged marriage, two people brought together by circumstance, in a new relationship that is sure to flourish.

It is clear in the long term that the country will not survive the economic problems without tackling the social problems first.

Both party leaders have said that they want a government that takes care of the frail, the elderly and poorest in the country. The Conservatives have vowed to defend the country’s identity and culture, and uphold freedom supporting the British sense of community.

There has been a gap where people once defended national identity, meritocracy and morality. The Tories will be upholding civil liberties, preserving human rights, defending national culture and identity against mass immigration, and protecting democracy itself against the destruction of self-government by the EU. In this way, David Cameron will position the Tories on the centre ground – along side the Liberal Democrats as part of a progressive alliance. By this alliance with the Liberal Democrats, whose viewpoints are both liberal and democratic, the Tories have formed a government that in many respects will be the balanced voice of the whole country.

David Cameron's boldest and most promising move in appointing Iain Duncan Smith and Labour's Frank Field to reform welfare can again be seen as him keeping his promise to be the voice of Britain. David Cameron is by nature a ‘liberal conservative’ and is now creating a rainbow coalition; he has said that he will do what is best for the country. In his speech at Downing Street David Cameron said he wants a ‘stable Government that our country needs based on those values, rebuilding family, rebuilding community, above all rebuilding responsibility in our country’. I believe it is time that we saw a new outlook on politics, the electorate voted for a change and a change is what we have. A coalition will be hard work and more than likely have challenges but it will also be the foundations of a more stable and strong government able to deliver the change the country needs. There is no doubt about it this is an unknown terrain and the new government will offer simulation to politics and with David Cameron at the helms I believe this to be the start of a new and brighter era.

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

COMMENT

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Thought for the Week

Challenges at home David Cameron is firmly ensconced in 10 Downing Street and his Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government is busy taking the measure of things in Whitehall. The British economy is in dire straits and its ills have of necessity to be addressed first. The reasons are not far to seek.

The previous government's “emergency” measures, including £950 billion worth of bank bailouts, asset guarantees and 'quantitative easing', have blown a black hole in public finances: the deficit stands at 12.8 per cent of GDP – higher than that of Greece – and government debt is expected to climb to 82 per cent of GDP by next year. It is a very bleak picture indeed.

Yet a collapsing economy is not the only problem that will need to be fixed. Mr Cameron also spoke of the needs of a broken society as he set about building his coalition. Inner city youth crime, declining standards in inner city education, growing council estate lawlessness throughout the land and its problem families are issues that will require the new Home Secretary Teresa May's urgent attention. She and her colleagues will also have their hands full tackling the threat of terror-

ism, dealing with immigration concerns in a manner that conforms to the best British tradition of firmness and fairness, just as the Government's security policy must combine effective policing without trespassing on the citizen's human rights.

That is what the people of this country perceive as the rule of law. Hence ministers are expected at all times to keep faith with its most exacting principles and standards. The British way of life, above all, must remain true to itself, even as it struggles to defeat those who would destroy its essence.

Teresa May is an experienced politician, having been an interim Tory party leader and a member of the Opposition Conservative front bench for several years. She is undoubtedly aware of the expectations which accompany the installation of a new regime. She knows that the government's honeymoon with the public cannot endure, that complex and difficult times are certain to emerge as the early optimism ebbs, but we believe she has the ability and fibre to rise to the occasion as Home Secretary. We offer her our good wishes as she goes about her myriad tasks.

Corrupting influence of money in sports Money makes the world go round is the line of a pop song that once made it to the charts. But too much of it, like power and absolute power, money corrupts and corrupts absolutely. Money is flooding into sports in such vast quantities that greed has subsumed common sense and respect for measured equilibrium between supply and demand. Football clubs are hostage to exorbitant wage demands by star players. Many clubs, facing crippling debts, have gone into receivership. This is particularly true of clubs that fall outside the magic circle of the top four of five in the Premier League. The English experience is replicated on the continent.

Even the privileged few need sugar daddies to keep them afloat. Nobody in his or her right senses would wish footballers' salaries and transfer fees to conform to the patterns of the distant past.

Every sportsman has a limited time-span and so deserves the best remuneration available. But within reason, surely. Truckloads of money bring with them dangers of excess. Players are frequently unable to handle such riches and surrender to an unrestrained Bacchanalian lifestyle that eventually brings grief to them and their near and dear ones. The tragedy of George Best comes readily to mind. The fall from public grace of golfing maestro Tiger Woods is another case in point.

Returning to football, the game's national and international administrators appear as paralyzed as the football clubs themselves in the face of spiralling costs. No attempt has been made thus far to cap players' wages, or at least to bring these under some form of control. The need to capture silverware for club trophy rooms, it would seem, is all that counts. There may well come a time when the goose stops laying the golden eggs, when football, confronted by its subprime crisis, hits the buffers.

Cricket too has its problems. Not so long ago it was a poor relation to its richer cousins, such as football, tennis and golf. Over the last few years huge television audiences, especially in India, and massive television revenues have transformed

cricket into a money spinner. Although not in the league of the three sports listed above, cricket's new one-day format and the shorter Twenty20 are bringing in the crowds in huge numbers. As a result players are better paid than they once were, with mega-stars even earning mega-bucks. But here, again, money has brought problems. Certain players, succumbing to temptation, threw matches to satisfy betting syndicates and earn underthe-table cash rewards. The late Hansie Cronje was one such player to blot his copybook; India's Mohammed Azharuddin ended his career under a cloud as suspicions mounted that he had trodden a similar path to riches. Danish Kaneria, the Pakistani and Essex legspinner, and the young Essex fast bowler Mervyn Westfield were arrested recently by the Essex police and released on bail on “suspicion of conspiring to commit fraud following the police's investigation into alleged spotfixing in Essex's Pro40 victory against Durham last September.”

In India, Lalit Modi, the Commissioner of the Twenty20 IPL, has been charged with 20 counts of corruption by the Indian cricket board, while Giles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is facing the prospect of a court battle with IMG after the marketing firm served him with a writ of defamation for having accused it of promoting rebel cricket in England.

That said, heartiest congratulations to the England cricket team for winning the World Twenty20 tournament in Barbados, where they beat Australia in the final by a comfortable 7 wickets. English cricket could be experiencing a new dawn.

And then there is the British boxer Amir Khan, who had to fight in America – which he did in some style defeating Paulie Malignaggi in New York's Madison Square Garden in defence of his WBA light-welterweight title – because the fee offered him in the UK was considered inadequate for a world championship bout. Parsimony is as unacceptable as greed.

Media exposure defeats Islamic radicals in Tower Hamlets A few months ago, the investigative reporter, Andrew Gilligan, revealed in The Sunday Telegraph and on Channel 4's Dispatches programme the machination of a fundamentalist Islamic group, the Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE), which is based in the East London Mosque, to control, through fair means and foul, the Tower Hamlets council in east London. The publicity caused considerable public concern and cleared moved the local Bangladeshi community to take remedial action. As a result, Lutfur Rahman, the Labour leader of Tower Hamlets council, has been replaced by Helal Abbas, who has condemned the IFE's goals and undemocratic practices and accused the organisation of running the council.

In the investigation, one of the MPs representing the area, Labour's Jim Fitzpatrick, charged the IFE of 'corrupting' and infiltrating the local party in order to promote its wider agenda. Mr Fitzpatrick, the MP for Poplar and Limehouse, was targeted by the IFE and accused of 'Islamophobia'. He was re-elected with a substantial majority. He said: “It is a body blow to the credibility of IFE and their claim that no one can get elected in Tower Hamlets without their sanction.” Mr Fitzpatrick's Respect opponent George Galloway, who has made no secret of his dependence on IFE support, came third in the election with 17.5 per cent of the vote.

Moderation and decency won over bigotry.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”

- Jawaharlal Nehru

“Our London” CIIr Navin Shah AM London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

DEAL OR NO DEAL! From the X Factor drama before the election we’ve now, in the post-election period, moved on to Deal or NO Deal drama gradually being played on the national stage. With the LibDems losing seats rather than gaining, the ‘X Factor impact’ has proved to be very temporary. There needs to be a deal and there would be one - I suspect between the Tories and LibDems – but at what cost? A real mismatch of an alliance Tories and between LibDems will no doubt be sold to the public as a necessity in the ‘best interest of the Nation’. However the cost of such a deal will be enormous and I fear that the core values held by the two parties in question would be watered down or even totally lost in the process to enable them to cling on to power.

In the run up to the election there was no real enthusiasm for David Cameron which is borne out by the failure of Tories to get overall majority and a clear mandate to run the country.

The victory is hollow and now totally reliant on the support from the LibDems.

Electoral reform and amnesty for immigrants are the two key examples of LibDem core values on which they fought the election and all such values are now at a risk if they were to sign a pact with the Tories.

The other option is for Labour and LibDem parties to come to an but that I think is not going to happen. As to Labour Party itself, as expected, we have lost seats but the results suggest that we are down but not out.

During the election campaign and even before the way media has attempted a complete character assassination of Gordon Brown is reprehensible – the main guilty party being the gutter press like the Sun and the Torygraph. Like it or not, bias on the part of media and political parties in a real world will always remain but to demonise and attempt to destroy anyone of any political party is not

acceptable. I also find the odecity of Nick Clegg, David Cameron and their cronies and the media demanding departure of Gordon Brown outrageous. Prime Minister is not elected by people and it is for the Labour Party to decide who their Leader is and when if any change in the leadership is required.

Given the hung parliament scenario it is crucial that Gordon Brown remains the Prime Minster, as required under the parliamentary rules, until there is a clear and acceptable resolution to the current fiasco of no overall control.

At Brent and Harrow level I’m pleased that Barry Gardiner and Gareth Thomas are re-elected to serve the community and am gutted that Tony McNulty and Dawn Butler lost their seats. Tony in his career spanning some 24 years in the Local government and as an MP has made immense contribution and been a genuine and great friend of our community. I’m confident that both Dawn and Tony would reemerge.

Moving from the national to local council elections – the best news has to be the trouncing of the BNP in Barking and Dagenham.

Credit goes to the residents for rejecting the venomous fascist party and ‘Hope Not Hate’ campaign run by Searchlight and many, many other fair minded individuals and organisations.

Labour Party’s resounding success in London is another big and good news story for Londoners. As you know I have special reasons to be extremely pleased with Labour taking charge of both Brent and Harrow Councils. Both of these areas in the last four years were savaged by Tories and LibDems with their mega cuts in services and broken promises. Even in adverse financial climate we in the Labour Party’s priority will be to safeguard frontline services and make every effort to protect our community and businesses to survive and build a better future.

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YOUR VOICE

4

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Living beyond one’s means

Tory and Liberal Democrat coalition

Twinning Brent and Gujarat

Safeguarding Clinical Nurse Specialists

Since 1945, that is 65 years ago, the Liberal Party has not been in government. Now that it is, Nick Clegg’s vision of a hot seat in Europe side by side with Germany and France would mean a far better macro and micro economic management of UK plc.

The US special relationship since 1945 has meant that UK plc has been under constant political, economic, financial, social and cultural influence of USA. That relationship has taught us to be far greedier than the intrinsic nature of a true Briton.

Compare the remuneration packages of senior employees of Ford, Goodyear and Motorola with Volkswagen, Michelin and Nokia and you will find the US packages are 10 times higher than EU companies. Compare the productivity of these companies. It is 10 times the other way round.

Britain does not need to be the Policeman of the world and be a member of the Security Council any more. Let the richer nations do that. Let Britain concentrate on improving the training and skills of its own nation to improve its exports.

When the next General Election is fought in a few years’ time, Nick Clegg should present himself as the future Prime Minister and promise a referendum on joining the European Monetary System. He should educate the public on its merits. His vision of being compassionate and global rather than insular like the Conservatives is the new way forward in a global village economic scenario.

Hung parliament after 2010 elections, creating Tory-Lib-Dem coalition is voice of discerning and frustrated electorate, expressing outrage at slap happy governance by politicians. Local tabloids are unhappy with this alliance, predict trouble, turning blind eye towards depressing times that Britain is going through.

Tax relief, more take away cash for low wage earners, 5% deduction in M.P.s’ wages etc, are good news.

Rapid, measures are needed e.g. total withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, extravagant donations to some countries when essential services at home are gasping for funds which are useless cosmetic exercises; rigorously limiting expenses by M. Ps’, capping bonuses to errant bankers, rapid deportations of illegal immigrants, etc are essential to reassure voters.

Coalition government needs support to boost confidence of nation that is facing debts, despair, recession and potential depression.

Positive public relations measures must be announced-(within specified time frame)-to conserve finance for national use, and offer higher interest on savings and tax free interest to low income pensioners.

Power of the coalition must be utilised to expedite resolution of inherited crises. Opposition should synergise with coalition government put nation on path of prosperity.

Nationwide patience and austerity are needed. Labour should swallow ego and promote national interest.

Below is a letter to Councillor Ann John OBE, Leader of Brent Council requesting her to consider twinning Brent with a city or town in Gujarat.

There will be many among your readership who, having been diagnosed with cancer, have benefited from the support offered to them by Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS).

We know that the NHS is looking to make savings, yet during the election period the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties both stated the importance of nursing support for people with cancer.

As a coalition of charities that represents over half of the people diagnosed with cancer in the UK, and the people who care for them, we are calling on David Cameron to safeguard these vital roles.

The role of the CNS is critical to the wellbeing of patients, greatly improving their experience of treatment and aftercare by giving them the support and information they need, when they need it.

Research also shows that specialist nurses save the NHS money by ensuring patients receive the most appropriate care, reducing hospital admissions and bed days.

If the NHS is to be more cost effective, then more not less needs to be spent on these valued and valuable nurses.

Nagindas Khajuria By email

Ramesh Jhalla By email

Why did the British Indian's lose so many seats in the May 2010 General Election I really appreciate everyone's views and comments on the above issue. I was a candidate for The Conservative party and was also present at the a polling station in the Dollis Hill ward for the whole day on election day.

I noticed that many people from our Indian community did not turn up until the evening compared to other minority immigrant communities who turned up in their 100's from early in the morning, right up to when the polling station closed at 10pm.

I know our Indian community only started coming in from 5.00pm to 8.30pm and on the other hand other immigrant community started early in the morning I was feeling ashamed and disappointed.

I agree with Venilal Vaghela, those

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who voted have not voted correctly.

I know many of our Hindu candidates who took part but they have all lost the election. I also know many young, talented and educated Hindu candidates joined the political parties but they have lost due to non-voting and lack of support from our people.

In future, we must really get behind our candidates and give them all the help and encouragement they need - it is extremely important that our community members are represented in Government at all levels.

Manubhai Makwana By email

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Dear Ann, Can I first of all extend my congratulations to you on your re-election as councillor and also for the spectacular victory of the Labour party in Brent Borough council elections of 6th May 2010.

I am sure you are aware of a very substantial Gujarati speaking population in Brent. Indeed for a very long time Brent has been fortunate to have Gujarati councillors from all the three main political parties.

Gujaratis also own a number of small and medium sized businesses in Brent with Gujarati food also proving to be very popular, not only in Brent but throughout the country. Ealing Road in Wembley is affectionately known as “Little Gujarat”.

The purpose of this letter is to ask you to consider twinning Brent with a city or town in Gujarat, west India. I am sure this will be well received by all Gujaratis across the country. I would be grateful if you would give your very serious thoughts to this request.

Chuni Chavda Harrow, Middlesex

"Resume LondonAhmedabad Direct Flight"

Samia al Qadhi, CE, Breast Cancer Care

Asian community should make their votes count during elections

I read an article in the Asian Voice a couple of month ago, I guess, on the efforts made for the resumption of the LondonAhmedabad direct flight from Air India.

Rightly said so; we Gujaratis in UK are spending a lot of money behind the flight tickets only to face troubles on our connecting journeys. The journey becomes a nightmare for elderly as well as for women passengers accompnied with kids. I don't really see no concurrent reason behind not resuming the direct service. As being an Indian, I would like to spend my money in the Indian carrier, but most of the times I end up spending money in the Gulf carriers in order to avoid hassle and chaos in Delhi/Mumbai airports. As stated in the article, oppose needs to be made to the authorities and I am ready for it. I request Mr. C. B. Patel to carry the campaign forward through his publications and contacts; we are with you.

Meanwhile, I would also like to congratulate the English team for winning a major ICC event after a long long time.

They have always failed to deliver everytime they had reached the final; the T20 World Cup in South Africa this time has been the fortunate one. On the other side, I still am clueless in finding what went wrong for the Indian team in the recent series; especially after impressive performances in the IPL 2010. I really feel sorry for the Indian supporters who bought the tickets for the T20 tournament.

Thursday 6th May 2010 was an important day for many of us – in fact it turned out to be a historic day. It was a day when ordinary people had the chance to shape the future of this country.

It was widely assumed that electors from the Asian community could be vital for this General Election. However, I was very disheartened to see that many of our people chose not to come out and use their vote. I hope that the Asian silence does not mean that no one cares about the importance of Elections?

There were more Asian candidates standing for the main parties than ever before - 89 compared to 68 in 2005. In particular, it was pleasing to note that a record 22 Asian women were running to become Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs in England and Scotland, of which 6 were successful. In addition, many Asians candidates were successful in being nominated as local Councillors across the country. This for me is a great start for our community well done to them all!

Personally, I feel that over the last 12 years, the Asian community have built strong links with the Labour Government, who in turn made great strides to interact, involve and realise the aspirations of our community through their policies and legislations. It is evident that our community has had a greater say over these last 12 years than ever before.

Devang Bhatt By email

Sanjay Jagatia Secretary General, National Council of Hindu Temples UK (NCHT)

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

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

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

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

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

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ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Era of coalition politics begins Out of the many joint nicknames such as ConDem, LibCon debated by the members of press to christen the new government, it was Cleggron which won thanks to the camaraderie by Britain's new leaders.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg strolled in together to the garden at Downing Street on a sunny day to formally unveil Britain's coalition government after 65 years, claiming it to be 'a historic and seismic shift in our political landscape'.

The 42-year-old remarked, “Our LiberalConservative government will take Britain in a historic new direction, a direction of hope and unity, conviction and common purpose.”

The Tories and Liberal Democrats worked out an historic deal to form a full-blown coalition government despite many predicting the marriage would never work.

Once bitter enemies, both were at ease discussing their vision of new politics. The Lib Dems Deputy Prime Minister acknowledges that they were rivals, and now colleagues. That says a lot about the scale of the new politics which is now beginning to unfold.

“Today we are not just announcing a new government, and new ministers. We are announcing new politics. A new politics where the national interest is more important than party interest. Where co-operation wins out over confrontation, where compromise, give and take, reasonable, civilised grown up behaviour is not a sign of weakness but of strength,” said Cameron.

He underlined their shared agenda to safeguard our national security and support troops abroad, to tackle the debt crisis, to repair the political system and to build a stronger society.

Clearly the best question was when Cameron was asked about an earlier comment he made when asked what was his favourite joke was.

Cameron replied “Nick Clegg.” Clegg then pretended to walk out, “Right, I'm off,” to which Cameron shouted with mock despair, “Come back,” while the audience burst out laughing.

Clegg was realistic about the coalition.

“There will be bumps and scrapes on the way.” It will start with their own parties - the other Tories and Lib Dems members were not too enthusiastic about this embrace.

While Tory MPs got most of the important posts, such as George Osborne for chancellor and William Hague foreign secretary, the Lib

Dems did not secure a raw deal, with Vince Cable as the new business secretary and Danny Alexander as Scottish secretary.

However for now, the smiling leaders radiated optimism and emphasised on getting to business straight away.

In regards to Asians in the new coalition government we have Shailesh Vara and Baroness Warsi who has been appointed as Conservative Party Chairman.

For more on the election see page 14.

Conservative Party Chairman, Baroness Warsi

Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

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Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Kapil’s

How well do you know Oxfam? going.

Throughout the years since, Oxfam has been responding to some of the worst disasters across the world, such as the Ethiopian famine of 1984, the tsunami of 2004 and the Pakistan earthquake of 2005.

In October 2009, Oxfam in India responded to the worst flash floods in the history of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

The challenge was huge, with over 2 million people affected and over 200,000 houses damaged, Oxfam immediately provided relief to 78,000 women, children and men with water treatment and emergency shelter.

With countries such as India and Bangladesh hit hard by floods and droughts, Oxfam has been helping communities prepare for natural disasters in some of the worst affected areas. Farmers are helped with drought resistant seeds, homes are built on raised platforms to protect against flooding and disaster committees have been set up to help prepare communities and ensure their safety.

As communities in

Jonaid Jilani

For many, the name Oxfam conjures up images of second hand clothes and books in high street shops, with lots of bric-a-brac to raise money for the poor.

However ,behind the scenes complex operations take place which span over 70 countries and involve many dedicated people who come together to fight poverty.

Since 1942, international aid agency Oxfam has been helping people who are in urgent need of assistance. It is one of the longest running charities and has responded to the plight of millions affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters.

Its original aim was to assist Greek civilian victims of war and the first meeting was organised by

South Asia report that floods are becoming more intense and more frequent, a lot more needs to be done to help people prepare for disasters. The international

University Vicar, Canon Milford in Oxford, 1942.

Although most similar groups closed down after World War II, Oxfam kept

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community must pledge financial support to help countries adapt to the changing climate and reduce carbon emissions.

In rural and urban India, it is extremely difficult for girls to go to school.

The rate of girls dropping out of school is very high, many of them are not being able to attend, as they have to take care of younger siblings whilst their parents are at work.

Oxfam in India is committed to improving enrolment and the quality of pri-

mary school education for all children. It does this by spreading awareness, supporting parents, ensuring that girls do not drop out of school and working with schoolteachers to help children remain engaged at school.

Given that many here will have strong family connections in many of the areas that Oxfam works, the organisation is extremely keen to engage more with the Indian and Pakistani communities in the UK..

As well as long-term development work and emergency response, Oxfam is a leading organisation in campaigning hard against injustice and putting pressure on world leaders to change the systems and policies that keep people in poverty. Over the years the organisation has formed campaigns to raise awareness to bring about real and lasting change on important issues like fairer trade rules,and control of the arms trade.

As disasters hit countries already struggling with poverty, the need for organisations such as Oxfam is greater than ever. Many disasters are ongoing and when at times these situations do not feature as much on the news, people tend to think that a the crisis maybe over, but this is far from the case. Poverty and suffering are one of the biggest challenges we face and they must be addressed and dealt with in all its forms.

For more information about Oxfam and its India project or to donate please call 0300 200 1242 (Photo Courtesy Ehtisham Hussain and Anubhav)

KHICHADI

by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com A Right Hanging As details of a coalition between the two unlikely lads came through, people started asking the most obvious questions relating to how two parties so diametrically opposed could find sufficient common ground and maintain a stable government.

The deal revolves around a pact to keep the new government in power for a fixed term of 5 years. To ensure this, one of the first acts of the new government will be to increase the percentage required to vote a government down from the present 50% + One MP, to a minimum 55% of MPs. Whilst this might have seemed like a great idea in the 4 days of tense negotiations, one wonders if in the cold light of day the new Prime Minister might want to reconsider.

After all, does he actually want to go down in history as the first prime minister to change centuries of democratic wisdom?

With these new rules, the government could carry on governing even if it failed a vote of confidence since the new 55% target would not have been met. Potentially leading to a classic case of ending up with limbo governance. I knew this was going to be a ‘hung parliament’, but I did not know it would be as a result of ’hanging’ one of the very basic tenets of British Parliamentary covenants.

Guilt by Association David Cameron and his team have negotiated a great deal by offering very little in substance and still getting the ‘tie in’ from the Lib Dems to the 55%. The Lib Dems will suffer serious haemorrhage in their voter bank. Regardless of the outcome of how effective this coalition is or might be; the Lib Dems have lost their mandate as the third force in British Politics. In the next election they will be lucky to secure more than 15% of the vote, and even with the AV system in place, it will secure fewer than 35 seats. Nick Clegg as their leader will be known as the man who in order to be in a governing cabinet, destroyed the very

future of his party for decades to come. This hung parliament it seems has already hung one of its partners.

Dangers for Cameron The coalition presents some very serious dangers for both David Cameron and the Tory Party at large. There is a sense that whether they succeed or fail in governance, the newlyweds will fall down together regardless. This may seem like a contradiction however when you consider the two possible scenario’s it becomes clearer. If the partnership is successful then by definition there will be no need for the Lib Dems. The voters will have a straight choice between the two main parties and the Lib Dems could potentially be out for another 50 years or more. If the partnership is unsuccessful then there will be a blame game between the ‘two likely lads.’ In their zeal to blame each other they will lose the confidence of the public and the only party remaining for disgruntled voters will be Labour, or god forbid, the extremists.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg are both walking the same tight rope at the same time but from opposite sides.

Anyone who has seen such high wire acts will know that unless you are an expert, it generally ends in tears.

Challenge for the Tories The natural instincts of the Tories might need to be tempered. I suspect it might be wiser to make friends with the electorate at the first opportunity. The next election will be determined by several main voter banks. The C1 (lower middle class) and C2 (skilled working class) groups in society as well as the BAME community. Whilst the Tories have made some progress on the diversity front, let us be honest – they are short of meeting even the modest of expectations. Within a finite amount of time, any party that begins to build its relationship with the ethnic minorities in a positive and proactive manner might well garner those few additional percentage

points that will be crucial in the next election.

It literally could mean being in, or out of power.

This process needs to start now and not as a last minute knee jerk reaction closer to an impending election.

Double Edge Sword George Osborne announced the setting up of the OBR (Office for Budgetary Responsibility) which does appear to have been granted some serious independent powers. How independent it truly is will no doubt be judged by history, however, it does give him a critical friend that would guide his policies.

The move is clever and gives the dual advantage of blaming Labour for the state of public finances as well as mitigating his role in spending cuts that you and I will have to endure. If this works, it will give Tories a buffer to any wrath that they may come their way from the public. If it fails, there is a danger that these independent financial gurus (remember they made the mess in the first place) could take a position that is at variance with that held by the chancellor. All in all, a very interesting development, worthy of our attention.

Labour: The Good and the Bad In my view Labour got the best outcome for their very future. By losing with 255 seats they might have actually won in the medium to long term. They have a great opportunity to select a good leader and re-focus on the core issues that affects the whole of Great Britain.

There is however a serious fundamental flaw in their very makeup. One that forces them to commit ‘hari-kari’ at every opportunity. I of course make reference to the loony left which increasingly is getting a lot of financial and other support from far-left unions.

If Labour allows itself to move away from the hard fought centre ground of British politics, we can safely assume the self destruct button they pressed in 1979 would have been activated yet again.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Miliband brothers stand for Labour leadership The contest for leadership of the Labour party took on an historic significance this weekend when Ed Miliband confirmed he would be running against his brother David.

The former energy and climate change secretary said in a speech to the Fabian Society that he would now be running for the title, after his brother David Miliband became the first member of the party to enter the race.

Ed Miliband’s speech on Saturday focussed on how the party must renew itself, saying: "There are many lessons of this election, but there is one in particular. Fundamentally we lost touch with our values...and we lost touch with the people we were supposed to represent."

His older brother David - the former foreign secretary - announced earlier in the week that he would be running for the role of Labour leader.

Both brother have insisted that running against each other will not affect their relationship, with David saying in an interview this week "brotherly love will survive", adding that his brother was more important than politics.

Meanwhile David Miliband started his lead-

Marmalade Drops To vote or not to vote – Is that even a question?

By Deepti V. Patel

Miliband duo: Ed and David

ership campaign with a visit to Harrow last Thursday, at the start of his listening tour of Britain.

Whilst in Harrow, he met with Labour Party members and members of the general public. Describing the visit afterwards Mr Miliband posted on his twitter site ‘Great meeting in Harrow with party members. Passion, idealism, honesty, all the things to make us proud of party.’

Thomas Gareth Harrow West MP said: “I am delighted to be supporting David Miliband to be Labour’s next leader. He was a first class Foreign Secretary, is a first class communicator and has the imagination, skill and determination that all talented leaders have. I am delighted that he started his tour of the UK by listening to Party members and people in Harrow.”

David Miliband talking to Labour Party members and the public during his visit to Harrow

Deepti is a lawyer based in London. She has previously written for The Guardian and New Statesman and sits on a number of charitable boards.

The most tightly contested election in a generation has brought on debate in even the most politically apathetic households.

Without getting into a debate on the Americanisation of British Politics, the three candidates were held to public scrutiny and there was definitely a feeling amongst the general population that this time voting mattered – or did it? When it’s all stacked up at the end of the day – how much does our vote really count for us?

Inevitably in history class we learnt about Suffragettes and Emily Pankhurst who campaigned fearlessly and tirelessly for the women’s right to vote. They too encountered the skulduggery of politicians when they didn’t get the right to vote after the First World War as promised and so turned up the heat until finally in

1921 legislation was passed. 89 years later women have the right to vote but what does casting a vote mean anymore? The three main candidates were men, frankly that speaks for itself. Out of the three candidate’s spouses, Nick Clegg’s wife was the most inspiring she was supportive but carried on with her job and felt no need to pose for shamelessly transparent PR photographs draped across her husband while on the election trail. From a female perspective that was probably the most refreshing aspect of the whole election, because everything else was more of the same repackaged political election fodder. And it was hard to swallow. Gone are the days of Blair’s babes, which lasted a short life in any case and speak to any ethnic minority female Conservative councillor and see what they have to say about future prospects in the party.

The British Indian community generally fares badly in elections and politics compared to other communities. We are partly responsible in that as a community we tend to be

Smallest Wingwalker - world record set by Kiran Shah Actor and stuntman Kiran Shah, 53, (4ft 1in) has appeared in Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones completed a ten-minute wing-walk speeds of 120mph at 1000ft - setting the new world record for the Smallest Wingwalker.

The Smallest Wingwalker in the World said:”It was great, I loved it but next time I'll pick a The World's Smallest Wingwalker was strapped to a 1940s warmer day. I'm not Boeing Spearman biplane for a ten-minute stunt which saw him brave speeds of 120mph at 300 metres. bothered by heights because I've done high His breakthrough senting Guinness World falls before. Flying is no into the film world came Records, said: ‘Kiran problem for me either. I in 1976, when he was once again proves that was nervous until I had asked to do stunts in the size isn’t everything – the safety briefing. Once film Candleshoe. even the smallest of peoI know what I’m doing Kiran's career took ple can achieve the greatit’s OK – it’s the same off from there and he est of things.’ with any stunt. I love any appeared in more films, The World's Smallest kind of action. The more TV commercials and Wingwalker has held the dangerous the better.” videos. He appeared Guinness World Record Experienced pilot alongside Tom Cruise in for the 'shortest profesMartyn Carrington flew Legend, was Frodo's sional stuntman currentthe plane for Kiran's stunt double in Lord of ly working in film' since record attempt at The Rings, and worked October 2003.

Aerosuperbatics in on worldwide smash The Kiran was born in Cirencester, Gloucs.

Chronicles of Narnia.

1956 in Nairobi, Kenya, He said: "Flying with The World's Smallest and moved to India when someone Kiran's size is a Wingwalker continues to he was 12. He began pilot's dream - you hardly have a successful career studying film in India but know he's there. "With on the big screen, having interrupted his studies someone bigger, the appeared alongside Tom when his father's health resistance and drag Cruise in Legend and caused the family to increases and it can be a worked on the worldwide move to England, where bit trickier. smash The Chronicles of Kiran's brother had Mary Oladapo, repreNarnia. already settled.

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individualistic but to prosper we need to be more united. Politics in London specifically radiates with an element of divide and rule still, in that ethnic minority communities are each feted and we end up competing against each other for scraps handed out, when we all deserve so much more. With the political sphere changing and a coalition on the cards, we need to also learn how adapt so that we can ensure that our interests are looked after and catered for. We need to take the time to engage at a local level and ensure that we do stand firm on issues. This shadow existence we have here isn’t getting us anywhere.

The few Indian faces in politics tend to assimilate and are disconnected with their community – until an election. There definitely needs to be more female representation in politics at a local and national level. We have so many young, dynamic successful men and women that we should be encouraging to enter politics. That is of course what voting is about, otherwise it’s a meaningless cross on a piece of paper.

www.abplgroup.com

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Midland Voice

Contact: Dhiren on 07970 911 386 or dhiren.katwa@abplgroup.com Dee Katwa News in Brief Hope is eternal in the land of Zerbanoo What a rare but remarkable occasion it was, the official opening of the Asha Centre in the beautiful Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire last week, which also marked the 60th birthday of its founder and director Zerbanoo Gifford, who in 1982 became the first woman of Indian origin to stand in a UK election. Her mission then, and still is, to fight prejudice, intolerance, inequality and to create a fairer and inclusive Britain.

Asha, in Zerbanoo’s mother-tongue, Gujarati, means hope. And for Zerbanoo, a Zoroastrian, it’s turning this hope into action, the concept of which encapsulates order, righteousness and justice, all guiding principles close to Zerbanoo’s heart. So close that she convinced her “strong and patient” husband Richard to give “Justice” as the middle name to Alexander, their elder son. Their younger son is Mark.

The Centre, a magnificent Georgian home with ensuite bedrooms located in a tranquil countryside between the Rivers Severn and Wye, aims to promote peaceful cooperation between people of different religions and cultures. And this launch did just that.

On arrival, guests entered and assembled in the courtyard where the morning began with Zoroastrian prayers recited by the community’s highest-ranking “Ervads” priests in the UK, Rustom Bhedwar and Jal Karkaria. In the UK, there are an estimated 5,000 Zoroastrians, or Parsis, though the official figure is just over 3,000. Guests were officially welcomed by sariclad Dr Kusoom Vadgama, 77, a Centre trustee, who has lived in the UK since arriving from her native Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, in 1953.

Baroness Royall was due to unveil the centre but was absent due to the death of her husband Stuart. Instead, the honours were done by Alexander Thynn, the Marquess of Bath. The septuagenarian Marquess, Britain’s most infamous aristocrat, alias Loins of Longleat, is best known for his remarkably unorthodox dress sense, his pornographic murals and his polygamous lifestyle.

Each item in the eventful programme was superbly introduced by Adrian Locher, the Centre’s artistic director.

Following the unveiling of a Celtic Cross on a hill by the

Bishop of Tewkesbury, Rt Rev John Went, all then shifted to witness a fire ceremony which was linked to an incredibly breathtaking tree blessing ceremony. Alfresco, guests circled a large green area with several small trees each bearing a ribbon. The

nachos, sandwiches, fruits and cakes. Then, several guest speakers were introduced on stage, each of whom in their own way, paid birthday tributes to Zerbanoo, who was resplendent in a stunning cream outfit with a matching shawl and shoes. First on stage was author Dr Kusoom Vadgama who extolled the virtues of Zerbanoo and joked: “If she had to stop the smoke billowing from the volcanic ash, I’m sure she would’ve somehow managed it.” Dr Alison Donnell, a friend of Zerbanoo, said: “Her sense

PHOTO: Marta Demartini

8

UNITED WE STAND: Guests at the official opening of the Asha Centre

names of faith ambassadors, each representing a religion or spiritual movement, were announced and each was invited to stand by a tree.

Ultimately, this cohort collectively recited their respective prayers, the echo of which was fascinating.

From here, everyone moved to the brand new Eco Lodge, which was inaugurated by the flamboyant spiritual activist Satish Kumar, and editor of Resurgence magazine, who made an intensely powerful philosophical address.“We are all related, connected, inter-dependent,” he said, “nature and us, we are all one.” Mr Kumar, whose life revolves around “soil, society and the soul”, is of the view that ecology and economy should be studied together and that by focusing only on the latter makes us “half-educated” and introduces in us an ego, “a state of isolation”.

Then, inside a large marquee, with round-tables, guests were served wooden cutlery and eco-plates made from banana tree leaves for lunch. The selection included mixed salads, samosas,

Flames within An unusual heated exchange has erupted between firefighters and management at West Midlands Fire Service over the removal of station furniture and sports facilities. In the last four weeks, snooker tables, dart boards and comfortable sofas – paid for out of firefighters’ pockets – have been taken out of fire stations and replaced with corporate chairs, at a cost of £72,000.

of purpose never falters,”, while Carolyn Shaw, retired headmistress of Roedean School, which Zerbanoo once attended, recalled “kaleidoscope moments” and saluted Zerbanoo’s “energy and approach”. Former journalist Rustom Irani shared ‘This is your Life-style’ snippets from his younger sister Zerbanoo’s “stupendous” curriculum vitae, describing her as “hard-headed, soft, but big hearted”. In addition, he told the story about how Indian-born ( in the Chinese year of the golden tiger) Zerbanoo as a five-year-old had sent Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Indian Premier, £5 to help orphans. “If only all

the little girls in India did that”, he said. He also revealed how Zerbanoo was a “great beauty, still is” and a “talented dancer” too.

Mark Gifford joked about how during his visit to India with his mum he was left “flummoxed” when a holy man turned to him and said “mother is divine”. He described his mum as “deeply compassionate” and “generous”, and bowed to her leadership, intuition and eye for beauty and detail. He concluded by reading out a note from 1958 sent to his maternal grandmother by the mischievous Zerbanoo’s headmistress which won mass laughter and applause.

Also celebrating on the day were Shauna Crockett Burrows, editor of Positive News, who marked her 80th birthday. Her deputy, Sean Dagan Wood, paid tribute to her by singing, with the aid of a guitar, “Carry the Wisdom”.

And forty years of wedded bliss it was for globe-trotting, “always immaculately dressed” couple Lila and Firoz Poonawalla. Following a multiple cake-cutting ceremony, there was a sparkling performance by the Grange Choir, which was followed by an amazing astrological dance in the outdoor auditorium. The party continued, but I decided to, at this stage, bid farewell. But what a remarkable and memorable day it was. I felt enthused by the sheer power and energy radiated by the togetherness and shared vision and mission of all towards humanity.

If only this was sustainable, the world would be a far better place, I believe. If only.

But in “Kalyug” the dark and final era, according to some faiths, this is enormously challenging, but let the Asha “hope” within us all live on.

To find out more about the Asha Centre visit www.ashacentre.org

Every penny will count Eight intrepid volunteers from Birmingham have pledged to help swell the coffers of a local charity by climbing Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, next month. So far they have raised just over £5,000, a tenth of their target, for the Lench’s Trust which provides affordable sheltered housing for older people in Birmingham. Among the team is Parveen Mehta, pictured, the high-flyer, but intensely modest businessman, and the charity’s CEO Jean-Luc Priez. To donate, or to find out more visit www.justgiving.com/kiliman-jaro.

Business Awards Competition organiser Harj Sandher is encouraging businesses in the Midlands to nominate themselves in the annual Midlands Business Awards. Firms have until the end of August to enter the awards. There are 10 categories and it is free to enter. To find out more visit www.midlandsbusinessawards.com

Sandals workshop A special one-day workshop has been arranged for footwear lovers in the Midlands to design and make their own leather sandals. The creative session will take place this Saturday (May 22) at Walsall Leather Museum. To find out more telephone 01922 721 153.

Free Will scheme An astonishing 60% of adults in the Midlands don’t have a will, according to a YouGov poll. Now, kid’s charity Barnardo’s, which commissioned the survey, has launched a new free will service. To find about more visit the newly re-opened MAC in Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham next Wednesday (May 26) between 11am and 2pm. Free buffet lunch will be served.

Just married Congratulations to Shane, son of Manharbhai Chhotubhai and Kalaben Parmar, of Luton, who tiedthe-knot to Leena, daughter of Harishbhai Vithaldas and Savitaben Chauhan, in Bolton last Sunday.

Motive for marriage Still on nuptials, a man in a pink wedding dress has been arrested and accused of pretending to be a woman and marrying men for their money. Police in China say the 18-year-old has already married three men this year and fled with engagement gifts of £1,000.

Islamic charity walk An inaugural Muslim charity walk will take place in Birmingham next month. Plans for the 10-mile walk on Sunday June 13 were approved at a VIP launch event at the Council House earlier this month.

The stroll, which has a fundraising target of £200,000, has been organised by Majlis Ansarullah UK, the veteran arm of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association.

Funds will be distributed across 17 UK charities. To find out more visit www.ansar.org.uk

Enlightening Editor Twenty-five per cent of all online traffic in the UK is towards x-rated sites, and the majority of visitors live in Handsworth, Birmingham, according to Kelvin MacKenzie, former editor of The Sun. Mr MacKenzie, 63, pictured, was addressing an almost entirely nonethnic minority audience of mainly men in pin-striped suits at the 2010 celebrity luncheon of the Journalists’ Charity at the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston last Friday. In addition, he predicted that the Cameron-Clegg alliance would be successful “as long as the Tories run the economy and the Lib Dems wear the frilly dresses”.

Sacked mum wins case An industrial tribunal has ruled in favour of a Birmingham mum who was fired by her bosses while trying to beat tuberculosis. Gayatri Prasad, 39, who had been working as a cashier at Washwood Heathbased Pak Supermarket for 18 months, had gone to India last July to visit her mother. On returning she found a lump in her neck and medical tests confirmed she had TB. In addition, she also found a P45 on her doormat. Furious Mrs Prasad took her former bosses to industrial tribunal and has now been awarded £3,737.93 in compensation.

Natural death A support worker from Walsall who was found dead at her home passed away as a result of natural causes, Walsall Coroner’s Court heard. Rajvinder Kaur Tiwana, 33, of Lambourn Road, Willenhall, died due to diabetes ketoacidosis.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

New edition of the Bhagavad Gita launched in London At the launch of the new edition of the Bhagavad Gita

By Rupanjana Dutta On Monday 10th May, in the heart of Camden Town, Fitzrovia Press and Alchemy launched a groundbreaking new edition of the Bhagavad Gita.

The author, Ranchor Prime, who worked for years as an environmental project manager for WWF and was also Advisor to the Alliance of Religion and Construction, started the event with a sloka (sanskrit hymn). As he explained the 'who am i' concept following the recital of the hymn, he also spoke about his association with Charlie - as in Charles Newington - who

By Dhanisha Patel, Sewa Team coordinator

Sewa Week 2010

also had his paintings about Bhagavad Gita on display. Charles Newington is a painter and illustratory St John's Book of Revelation whose latest paintings were inspired by St John's Book of Revelation.

It was a very enlightening event and the ambience with the candles and dim light made it incredibly pristine.

Talks between the Soul and God by Ranchor Prime gives a sheer clarity to the purpose of life, bringing about peace and helps to rediscover oneself in a new light.

The translation brings the vital ancient wisdom

Author of the new edition of the Bhagavad Gita Ranchod Prime

alive for Western audience.

In a nutshell, this Bhagavad Gita, makes one realise the essence of life in a very simple manner.

Jewels of Romance Wedding preparations are all about details and many brides-to-be start with finding the perfect location and choosing the colours for the big day.

Applying the same standards to your honeymoon is also a fine maxim. In The Bahamas you can choose the colour of the sand you’d like to feature in your honeymoon photographs, from soft white, crushed pink coral or ripples of golden sand. Then into the ocean blues … every shade of green, azure and turquoise surround this collection of 14 main islands, from the palest blue shimmering over the sand banks off Long Island to clear aquamarine around the Exuma Cays, deep indigo blue of the Blue Holes of Andros and white tipped surf cresting the sapphire waves off Eleuthera.

It’s a stunning palette and blends perfectly.

Pastel coloured clapperboard houses line the streets of downtown Nassau and throughout the little settlements, or villages, of Hope Town in The Abacos and Harbour Island. Vibrant colours are found in the Androsia fabric from Andros or the bright costumes of the

National Hindu Students Forum (UK)

Junkanoo Festival.

That’s the colours sorted, now choose the ‘soundtrack’. The more well-known islands of Nassau/ Paradise Island and Grand Bahama are the places to go for the lively sounds of many restaurants, bars,

nightclubs and shopping interspersed with the sound of hooves as the horse drawn surreys carry you around the

interesting sights of downtown Nassau. There are plenty of beaches and places for romance such as a trip over to Blue Lagoon for the dolphin or sea lion encounters.

Slow down to a really gentle pace after the wedding mayhem with at least a few days, if not your whole honeymoon on one of the Out Islands like Eleuthera or Exuma where the rhythm of life slows right down. The casual informality simplifies your honeymoon wardrobe to cool summer pretties to enjoy island-style bars and restaurants overlooking the ocean where a string of fairy lights and moonlit nights reflected by the ocean are the glitziest lightshows in town.

The major operators such as British Airways Holidays, Thomas Cook Signature, Virgin Holidays and Kuoni feature some of The Islands of The Bahamas while the specialist operator Bahamas Flavour offers tailor-made holidays to any, or all, of them.

For more information on The Islands of The Bahamas please visit www.bahamas.co.uk

With society becoming increasingly fragmented and the gap between the old and young, and the rich and poor becoming bigger every day it is sometimes difficult to see what it is we have in common. Do we all share a mutual friend? A belief system? A common goal? What is it that connects me, the young Princes of Wales, and Mrs Obama? It’s not the balance of our bank accounts that’s for sure, or our cultural heritage.

No, it’s our sense of duty, to the world and the people who live in it.

‘Vasudhaiva kutumbakam,’ the whole world is one family, otherwise known as the ‘love thy neighbour’ principle or ‘Zakat’ or ‘Seva.’ It is a concept that binds us all.

In Hindu Dharma we refer to it as ‘Sewa’ or selfless service and is best captured in the principle that God resides in all living beings and therefore serving others is akin to serving God. Sewa can come in different forms, whether it be personal, for the global community or for the

environment and this is represented in the activities taking place amongst chapters across the country. Hindu students draw inspiration from past social reformists such as Gandhi and Swami V i v e k a n a n d a .

Individuals who were not afraid to go against the grain, who saw things differently and are described as having no respect for the status quo. They are often quoted, glorified even disagreed with, but they have pushed humanity forward, if you believe you can make a difference you will make a difference.

From the 1st of March, National Hindu Students Forum (UK) hosted its annual Sewa Week. At Wolverhampton University, students wore their Pyjamas to lectures to raise money, at Nottingham Trent six male students waxed their legs in a bid to raise money and across the UK countless Hindu Students were shaking tins, buckets and pockets all for a good cause.

Leicester University

hosted Leicester’s got talent to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

But it’s not just about fundraising. At Imperial College London students participated in an Anthony Robbins personal development session to further their ability to help others.

Community sewa was the focus at the University of Bristol, where students helped out at their local Mandir.

And at De Montfort University, it was all about culture and integration, their members helped out at a local Gurdwara and hosted a mini-mela.

We were supported by the former Prime Minister Tony Blair who said that he hoped “the actions of students during Sewa Week not only alleviate suffering and uplift the communities they are in at present, but inspire others to continue this selfless service on a regular and sustainable basis in future.”

bahamas.co.uk

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Book by 31 Aug ’10. Holidays are subject to availability and can be withdrawn/changed withoutnotice.A2.5%creditcard charge applies.

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When you get married over here, be prepared to meet some unexpected guests.

I love taking honeymooners out on my diving trips as they are so pleased they said “I do” in The Bahamas. Of course, getting married on a beautiful beach or with a dolphin as the best man would make anyone’s big day extra special. But they always say that hand-feeding my old friend Georgette tops everything.

Bahamas from £2469 per couple. 7 nights, 3◆ SuperClubs Breezes Bahamas, ALL INCLUSIVE. Return flights with British Airways. Transfers included.

9

10

ART & CULTURE

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

One must fight for happiness

By Spriha Srivastava

An alumni get together on the Thames It was a lovely sunny day, a cruise on the Thames, delicious food and loads of chit chat. It definitely sounds like a picnic out of an Enid Blyton series but this time it is not fictitious. Here I am talking about a get together organised by the UK alumni association of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

More than a hundred alumni attended the event out of which many were accompanied by their spouses and children.

The event has been described by the organisers as a “grand success” not only because of the heavy turn out but also because of the presence of a few very senior alumni. Dr. Vasant Naik, from the PGP’ 83 batch of IIM Bangalore was the seniormost alumnus present in the audience and gladly shared his experiences with his juniors. Some other senior alumni members also shared their experiences at the campus and also talked about their work profiles. While the most talked about topic at the event was the shooting of the movie “3 idiots” at the campus, one of the many reasons because of which IIM Bangalore has been the centre of attention in the last few months.

Prof B Shekar from IIM Bangalore who is on a visit to London was also present at this event. The alumni had a great time interacting with the professor.

During the course of introductions, Prof.

Shekar provided the crowd with a series of updates from the institute, which were cheered by all the alumni. His updates included IIM Bangalore having been ranked by a global survey as the No.1 Business School in India and having setup an Office of Disability Services to support students with disabilities on campus.

He also mentioned a number of achievements

that the institute has made in the past year or so.

The event known as ‘Anusmaran’, a Sanskrit

word meaning ‘to remember’ is conceptualised by IIM Bangalore, one of the premier business schools of India.

The Annual Alumni Meet of the institute is held every year in May in around twelve cities across the world.

However, the IIMB Alumni Association UK Chapter that was constituted in March 2009 is organised by a group of 4 individuals spanning 19 years of batches, from 1989 to 2008 in affiliation with IIMB Alumni Association Bangalore, India. This is their second Alumni meet in London and with every passing year, it only gets better.

Apart from the senior

members of the team, a huge contribution was made by the new batch of IIMB students who are currently in London for their summer internship. This event also serves as a platform to introduce them and familiarize them with the alumni. It surely gives them a feeling of oneness and belongingness to a larger group who they can identify with easily.

“Anusmaran forms the ideal platform for IIMB alumni across the world to reconnect with their campus buddies and their alma mater.

This year's event witnessed a fantastic turnout and was an

improvement over last year, both in terms of numbers and choice of venue. The London chapter of our alumni association has taken very good shape within 14 months of its formation, and our objective is to reach out to as many alumni in London and the UK as possible to create a feeling of oneness with the institute, and to strengthen brand IIMB and brand IIM. We hope to extend our mandate beyond UK to the whole of Europe gradually,” says the Secretary of IIM Bangalore Alumni Association UK Chapter.

The four hour cruise was indeed a fun filled affair with lots of interactions across different batches. Part of the event was also a short introduction by the members of the alumni association who with their hands down approach made the event a huge success. The event also had some fun card games for all and entertainment for kids that made the entire event very light and enjoyable. All of this was topped with a delicious Indian lunch that was organized by the efficient team.

In the end, it never really felt like there were alumni across different batches on one cruise.

Starting the journey from the Festival Pier at the Southbank Centre and getting back to where we started four hours back, the atmosphere on the cruise remained fun filled and entertaining throughout.

And thus I learnt that no matter how much one might think that MBA graduates spend hours cramming and crunching numbers, in the end they do know when and how to have fun. So whoever thought Bankers, Consultants and Financial Analysts are boring people should now try and get an invitation to attend Anusmaran to change their opinions.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

By Priyal Sanghavi

relative looked at my great-great grandmother and said, “Let's see what this widow can do.”

She retorted, “The tiger may be dead but the tigress is still alive.”

Women always face more challenges. There is a wonderful line in the book 'One must might for happiness'.

A finance professional juggled her busy life to spend five years penning down her debut novel.

Now it has received the highest advance payment for a debut novelist. Sarita Mandanna speaks to Asian Voice about Coorg and its strong women What is your connection to Coorg where the novel is based?

I am from a military family and I have lived all over India. I have worked at Hong Kong, New York and currently live in Toronto with my husband. Coorg is my family home and we vacationed there every year. It was taken for granted that we are going to vacation that every year. In all my moving around, Coorg remained a constant.

There was a sense of homecoming when I was there. Currently my parents have retired and live there.

Do you have a literary background?

My grandfather published a memoir on his grandmother. My mother has always been an avid reader in fact my earliest memory is her reading out to me as a child.

Othewise greats like the Bronte sisters, Gerald Durrell. RK Narayan manages to convey so much with simplicity. All their perspectives, style and turn of phrase has inspired me in bits and pieces.

Have you written much before Tiger Hills?

I wrote some utter rubbish like silly poetry.

But the story has been part of me for a long time and I knew at some point I will publish it. I wrote six short stories but then my publisher suggested I combine it into a novel to suit the market.

How did the novel come about?

It took five years in the making. I first wrote what was nearest to the heart. It is a visual story.

I had the whole setting of Coorg in mind. I had visual images of the three main characters. I just let the story take its own form. It is a period novel set in 1878. I researched at the New York public library. There was a lot more oral research- I spoke to missionaries, Coorgi elders and referred to stories passed on through generations,

Sarita Mandanna

Tell us about your main character Devi.

She is the central woman character. The story spans her life and the men are importants markers, dividing it into three parts. Devi's spirit is modelled on the women in my family.

Coorgi women are known for their strength, morals and walk shoulder-to-shoulder with men. When my great-great grandfather died a particularly nasty

How did you juggle your busy finance career and writing?

I am a private equity professional and previously an investment banker. The book was five year undertaking involving late nights, weekends. It was sheer slogging and hardwork. I almost became a hermit.

Even a ringing phone would disturb me, hence I disconnected the line.

There were moments of writer's block, but never did I feel not to work on the book.

BOOKWORM Tiger Hills has been compared to Gone with the Wind and Casablanca and rightly so as it shares the same epic romance setting adding a touch of Indian exoticism.

It is immediately apparent that the novel is a visual one.

Mandanna leaves no stone unturned to describe Coorg in abundant detail “Tangles of thorned underbrush erupted between their trunks, vast, laboriously spun cobwebs bridging the exposed corrugation of their roots.” It is clearly a land seprated from the rest of Indian mainland with its own identity.

The description of the people any ideas one may have had of pre-independence area. “When the British and their John Company had finally overthrown Mysore, the Coorg population rejoiced as one.” Here is a fiercely patriarchal society traditional yet progressive and open to modernisation. As the novel progresses soon the hold on tradition loosens and society tries to be in sync with modern times.

Devi is the outspoken, strong and passionate central woman who is best friends with the intelligent, loyal but weak Devanna. She spots the good-looking and robust Machu who has slain a tiger, and sets her heart on him. Little does she know, that Devanna has been nurturing a secret love for her. When he realises her feelings are not for him, he commits a crime which impacts the three and the next generation as well.

There are bits which could have been done without. Machu's sojourn to Afghanistan and his son's first interaction with a married woman. Also Devi towards the end meanders towards being more melodramatic tiring the reader out.

A heart-touching, moving romance flavoured wonderfully by the wild, untamed locale of Coorg.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

11

Celebratory lunch held to Political Question honour Lord and Lady Parekh

Seema Malhotra Labour activist and campaigner Director, Fabian Women's Network

Does the Labour Party need to look left, right or straight on in order to win back the public?

Three generations of Parekhs: Lord and Lady Parekh pictured here with their three sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren

Lord Bhikhu Parekh and Lady Pramila Parekh both turned 75 this year. To mark this event, they organised a splendid celebratory lunch at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, on 24th April. They chose Oxford because their three sons had won scholarships to that University and had also done their doctorates there.

Additionally, their youngest son Anant Parekh is a Professor of Physiology at the University of Oxford.

There were in all just over a hundred friends of the family. Apart from the immediate family, the guests included many doctors, academics and public figures.

Baroness Usha Prashar, Lord and Lady Anthony Giddens, Lord and Lady Kenneth Morgan, Baroness Haleh Afshar, Sir Gulam Noon, Manubhai and Shardaben Madhvani, Sir Trevor Phillips and his partner, C.B. Patel, Sir Peter Newsam, Prof.

Dr.Jayshree Mehta, Lord and Lady Trevor Smith, Lord and Lady Plant, Lord and Lady Gavron, and Baroness Virginia Bottomley and Peter Bottomley were all there.

Professor Benjamin Barber, a distinguished philosopher and a close adviser to Bill Clinton and now Barak Obama, flew specially from New York.

After the lunch, Lord Smith, Lord Parekh’s close friend and one time colleague in Hull, paid a humorous and wonderfully generous tribute to Lord Parekh’s intellectual achievements. He was followed by Lord Raymond Plant, a distinguished Labour Peer and a one time student of Lord Parekh. He recalled their associations of forty years and said how much Lord Parekh’s friendship had meant to him.

The last speech was by Professor Benjamin Barber who recalled the great contribution that Lord Parekh has made to making the world a

sane place. Their friendship went back to the late1960’s, and he recalled how much it had meant to him.

In his reply Lord Parekh thanked the guests, and explained why he had decided to celebrate his and Pramilaben’s 75th birthday.

As a child, birthdays meant little to them and were never celebrated. Even after coming toEngland 50 years ago, they had rarely celebrated their birthdays. When they turned 75, his cultural memories were revived, as that year marked the beginning of the fourth and final stage of their lives. There was also another reason.

Lord Parekh said he was not quite sure how long he or his memory would last and how long he would be able to stand on his feet. He therefore wanted an occasion when he could thank all those who had meant so much to him and shaped his life.

He recalled how he had come to England in 1959 with limited English, even more limited funds, and without any friends or caste members.

His life had been a constant struggle. He could have gone back to India without achieving anything, or he could have disintegrated and ended up in a mental asylum as some of his fellow students did. The fact that he did not and went on to achieve things in life was a result entirely of what his friends had done for him. At every turning point in his life when things could have gone either way, someone came on the scene, took interest in him, and gave him a helping hand. As a result, a person who had limited English was now a Fellow of the British Academy and was recently included among the great British Political theorists of the 20th Century. A person who had cowered in the presence of a white British collector visiting his village in 1940s was now a Peer of the

realm.

Professor Parekh went on to talk about friendship, which is what the occasion was intended to celebrate.

He said that friendship was the purest of all human relationships. It had no biological basis as in the case of parents and children. It had no physical intimacy as in the case of husband and wife. It began spontaneously when two individuals felt drawn to each other. It could end anytime, but it also could go on for ever. It was no more and no less than what the individuals involved made of it. It had no social sanctions and persisted only because the individuals involved cared for each other. Friendship, he said, had no basis outside itself and was entirely the creation of the individuals involved. It was not based on self interest or a sense of moral obligation but entirely on attachment and love.

Lord Parekh said that he was deeply privileged to have been able to count every one present there as his friend, and also several others who could not make it. While he was pleased to have some achievements to his credit, he said that these worldly achievements were ultimately trivial.

What mattered most was the kind of world of human relationships one had been able to build around oneself, and the kind of emotional security and depth it gave to one’s life. He was privileged to have such wonderful friends without whom his life would have been infinitely poorer.

Sophie (12) and Marcus (13), two of Lord and Lady Parekh’s six grand children, were the masters of ceremony. They took turns at introducing the speakers and thanking them, a job they did brilliantly.

This was a remarkable innovation, and went down wonderfully well with the distinguished audience.

The distinguished guests enjoying the celebratory lunch and speakers

I don’t think that many of us have ever seen such an eventful week in politics.

A hung parliament, followed by double dating by the Liberal Democrats, before Nick Clegg decided on his first love, the Conservative Party. Just a day later, we witnessed the “very civil partnership” in the No 10 Rose Garden.

The consequence of course for the Labour Party was not just to find itself in Opposition, but also to find itself without a leader. In the interests of giving the Lib-Lab talks the best chance, Gordon Brown resigned earlier than might have been expected. No-one can argue that he went with dignity.

Labour is now beginning its post-mortem about why it did not win, whose votes it lost, and what might bring lost Labour voters back. It does so from a surprising position of optimism.

Labour’s result was not disastrous. There were notable successes including winning back over 400 council seats and regaining control of councils from Hounslow to Coventry to Liverpool.

Ed Miliband announced he will stand for Leader in a speech to the Fabian Society on Saturday, just a few days after his brother David

Gordon Brown announcing his resignation

Miliband declared. At least one more, a much respected left-wing MP, John McDonnell, is also in the race.

But the big question for Labour is not just which leader, but which direction the party goes in. When New Labour won in 1997, it was effectively a coalition of Middle England and the working classes, uniting shared interests in strong and universal public services with a commitment to lower taxation and support for enterprise.

The path ahead is in some ways less defined.

Labour may need to move left on some issues, head centre-right on others or stay where it is. Today’s

big ticket items include immigration, housing, welfare, defence, fair tax policy and role of the state. If the Lib-Con coalition lasts five years and we see major cuts to public services, the issues at the next election may be very different.

Each of the leadership bids will be seeking to convince the party they have the right answer for Britain’s future. All at some point will also seek to engage with minority communities, which makes this a perfect moment for Asian Voice readers to set their own challenges for the leadership candidates, and indeed for the Labour party.

Duncan Lewis solicitor wins Young Lawyer of the Year award Naim Rahman of Duncan Lewis has won the Young Lawyer of the Year 2010 Award at the Society of Asian Lawyers 15th Annual Ball.

Speaking on his victory, Naim comments: “It was an honour just to be nominated, but to win this award is overwhelming.

I am extremely passionate about my work and knowing that others appreciate my passion is very rewarding.”

Naim joined Duncan Lewis in July 2003 and qualified as a solicitor in June 2006; he is currently a Partner and Joint Head of the Public Law department.

He advises on and conducts challenges to decisions of various public bodies including UKBA, Local Authorities, NASS, the Metropolitan Police, Universities, the CCRC, CAFCASS, NHS Trusts and HMPS. Shany Gupta, CEO of Duncan Lewis comments: “We are extremely proud of

Naim’s achievement. He is highly valuable, not only to Duncan Lewis, but to the legal sector. He often represents clients in high profile and widely covered cases.

He also sets high standards for new entrants into the profession in an extremely challenging area of law.”

Naim has prevented hundreds of unlawful removals from the UK, obtained the return to the UK of several people who have been wrongfully removed, and has secured the release of numerous individuals who have been unlawfully detained, also winning damages on their behalf.

He is currently involved in a case which represents a fundamental change in the law of England and Wales: ZO (Somalia) and Ors v SSHD [2009] EWCA Civ 442. This decision will allow several hundred thousand individuals access, where previously denied, to the UK labour market.

The

Secretary of State has petitioned the House of Lords; a full hearing is listed in the Supreme Court on Monday 17th May, with the parties entertaining the possibility of a reference to the ECJ on the European Directive point.

Naim has been instrumental in changing several Home Office policies and is currently heavily involved in test litigation covering various novel issues and large classes of Claimant. He regularly assists and advises both individuals and organisations on a pro bono basis, often being contacted for specific or general advice in situations where public funding is unavailable yet private funding is unfeasible.

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Scrutator’s India is steadily increasing its economic and military muscle. A front-page report in The Hindu (April 24) told of the advanced preparations now under way to make the first Kundakulam nuclear power unit (in Tamil Nadu) fully operational by December, when it is expected to generate 1,000MW of electricity. Three further units nearing completion will bring the total generation here to 4,000MW. The Indo-US accord on the peaceful uses nuclear technology that ended the international sanctions regime against India is already bringing benefits to the country's power generation. India's indigenous nuclear power plants were reduced to working at 50 per cent capacity due to the lack of enriched uranium fuel, but with the shortfall being made good by Russia and France, the figure of 50 per cent has steadily increased to 65 per cent and rising.

“Since we've planned to complete the loading of dummy fuel assembly by mid-May and commence the loading of actual fuel of enriched uranium assemblies during September, we'll be in a position to commission the first reactor by December,” said Chairman and Managing Director Nuclear Power Corporation of India, S. K. Jain, in a conversation with reporters at the site. “About 50 per cent of the power generation will be given to Tamil Nadu.”

The head of Russia's Atomstroy export at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, Y.W. Dudkin, expressed immense satisfaction with the quality of construction of the 1,000 MWe reactors, for which the Russian firm provides technical support

Tata in Russia A Domain.b.com online report (April 26) told of Tata Communications expansion of its network into Russia via a local Moscow point of presence, strengthening its place in the emerging markets of the CIS countries (formerly constituents of the defunct Soviet Union).

Tata Communications owns and operates one of the world's largest private sub-sea cable networks, enabling an end-to-end for telecom services providers. It delivers services to over 1,600 wholesale customers, 10,000 enterprise customers and more than 600 mobile operators, including over 100 service providers in Russia and CIS that are serviced from Tata Communications' Moscow office.

“Our expansion into Russia highlights our commitment to extend our global footprint into the emerging markets and deliv-

onward national and regional connectivity. The company's MPLS network reaches 67 countries together with the VNO network that includes 194 countries.

In addition, Tata Communications serves most of the leading mobile operators in the region with advanced roaming signalling and value-added solutions.

Tejas close to induction According to a Times of India report (April 23), the maiden test flight of the most advanced of the nine Tejas aircraft was successfully carried out, bringing India's foremost aircraft development programme 'very close' to the Initial Operations Clearance expected by the end of the year.

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) said the “successful, copy book maiden test flight of the Limited Series Production-3

Tejas aircraft

er an unparalleled global network reach for our industryleading voice and data services,” said Claude Sossoulas, Managing Director, Europe and Africa, Tata Communications.

Multiple services from its Moscow location will integrate seamlessly into the company's emerging next generation network and ip/MPLS and Ethernet infrastructure for

(LSP-3) is significant on many counts. With this successful flight the LCA (Tejas) programme is close to completion.

The remaining effort is mostly the flight testing and demonstration of sensors and weapon performance.”

Director, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), P.S.Subramanyam commented: “This is the culmination of

efforts by the Tejas Team, which includes members from HAL, IAF DRDO l and PSUs co-ordinated by ADA.” The LSP-3 is the quantum jump of the equipment fit for the aircraft and is almost the final configuration including the new air-date computers, multi-mode radar, new communication and navigation equipment and radar warning receiver. The test aircraft was flown by Wing Commander G.Thomas of the National Flight Test Centre at ADA. “With this flight the total number of flights accumulated across nine test vehicles of the Tejas programme has reached 1,350 and has logged 800 hours of flight,” said a DRDO statement.

Terror camps The Times of India (May 10) included an interview with Alexander Kadakin, the Russian ambassador in New Delhi, who told the paper that his country's satellites had detected around 40 terror camps still active in Pakistan. “From the information we have, there are about 38 to 40 such terror camps. Earlier they would have these bright green boards declaring the name of the organization like Lashkare-Taiba (LeT), they have now removed them. However, the camps still remain,” Mr Kadakin added.

The Times commented that the envoy's statement was “extremely significant because it corroborates Indian intelligence reports that LeT has become active in the region and is looking to target India's interests in Afghanistan.” On the developing situation in Afghanistan, Ambassador Kadakin said Russia was “united 100 per cent with India. Moderate Taliban is an oxymoron. It's like saying moderate fascist or moderate Nazi. Also, we believe there is a greater role for India in Afghanistan as a peace factor than some other countries.

Russia too has a greater role ....”

He described India as Russia's greatest friend. Following Prime Minister Putin's talks in Delhi in March, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India and Russia had agreed to “intensify consultations” on Afghanistan.

What was music to Indian ears, was Mr Kadakin's followup statement. “We are not for hastened withdrawal of US forces [from the country]. In fact, if they withdraw immediately, there will be hell in Afghanistan. It is important that at least some semblance of order is maintained before this happens,” he said.

Finally, Mr Kadakin opined that India-Russia ties are stronger today than they were in the Soviet era. “What we now have is more pragmatic affection...,” he said referring to their deepening relationship in defence and civil nuclear cooperation.

Akash missiles for IAF According to Aviation Week (April 27), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) is integrating various systems for the $2.6 billion

last year, including 3,000 on children. This makes the Bangalore hospital, owned by Dr Shetty's family, the largest facility of its type in the world. By contrast Great Ormond Street, Britain's largest centre for paediatric heart surgery, did 568.

“The sheer volume enables profits to be earned despite many being patients poor....The hospital reports a 1.4 per cent mortality rate within 30 days of coronary artery bypass graft surgery....That is better Agni II which was than the 1.9 per cent test-launched average reported in US on Monday hospitals.”

Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) project.

BEL Chairman and Managing Director A.K.Datt told the magazine that the first phase of deliveries to the Indian Air Force (IAF) would begin this year. The IAF has placed orders for two squadrons, and BEL expects to provide four more squadrons soon after the delivery schedule is complete. BEL sources had also confirmed to Aviation Week that the Indian Army was likely to order a different variant of the missile for two of its squadrons. “There are many agencies involved in the Akash programme, and our job is to integrate all the systems and subsystems and then ship them to the desired destination,” the source said.

Developed as part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme by the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Akash is an all-weather, medium-range surface-to-air missile system. It has a multidirectional, multi-target area defence capability and can take on multiple air targets in a fully autonomous mode of operations.

Meanwhile, as we went to press, the successful test of India's 2,000-kilometre Agni II missile was announced. It is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead of 1,000 kilogrammes.

A smaller warhead with reduced load can increase Agni II's range.

'Wal-Mart' hospital

More the better Says Dr Shetty: “It's a numbers game. Surgeons are technicians.

The more practice they get, the more specialised they become and the better the results.” He himself has performed 15,000 heart operations. Jack Lewin, the chief executive of the American College of Cardiology, has recentlyendorsed Dr Shetty's methods.

Rhys Blakely again: “Now Dr Shetty is poised to export his cheap care to the West – starting with a 2,000-bed hospital in the Cayman Islands, an hour's flight from Miami. He hopes to attract under-insured Americans with procedures that he says will be at least 50 per cent cheaper than in the US. He also has his eye on Britain.” He said, “One 5,000-bed 'health city' could treat virtually every heart patient in the UK.” Dr Shetty trained at London's Guy's Hospital and spoke as a product of the NHS.

Chess maestro India's Viswanathan Anand retained the FIDE World Chess Championship, defeating Bulgarian Grand Master and challenger Veselin Topalev in Sofia on May 12, the day India's hyped cricketers were booted out of the World Twenty20 tournament in West Indies, following a series of inept performances.

Anand became the undisputed world chess champion after winning an eight-player tournament in 2007. He defended his title against the Russian

The Times (London, May 14) carried a report by Rhys Blakely from Bangalore on the 1,000-bed N a r a y a n a Hrudalaya hospital, “described by Forbes magazine as the world's largest heart factory. Its creator, Devi Shetty, has been dubbed the Henry Ford of heart surgery for applying economics of scale to carVeselin Topalev and Viswanathan Anand diology, a radical new approach that, he says, Vladimir Kramik in 2008 before should be adopted in Britain.... repeating the feat last week He calls his approach “Walagainst Topalev.

Martisation'.... after the tactics More power to his elbow. of the world's largest grocer.

There is clearly more glory Narayana's 42 surgeons perahead. formed 6,000 heart operations

www.abplgroup.com

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

RBS, M & S back office jobs may go to Indian prisoners

Alpesh Patel Consultant Editor Financial Voice Dear Asian Voice Reader, When I wake up at 4am in order to get to the BBC for 4.45am to read the papers until 5.30am and do the business market report on BBC1 and then fifteen minutes until 6am the newspaper review, I occasionally say something accurate! And this past week I think I was accurate. But it was easy - the issue was the Euro.

The Euro is a one way bet. The markets don’t often provide you with a one way bet. The reason the Euro is a one way bet is because after Greece will come drip feeding more and more negative news – from Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Spain. The problem with currencies is that to create the confidence in a currency a government needs to get ahead of negative news. And there is just too much negative news being drip fed.

The European Central Bank cannot raise interest rates to support the Euro because that would impact growth. A falling Euro is good for European exports – may be into the US. Relative to the Eurozone the US looks attractive – greater growth for a start. The problem with any rescue, in the US or Eurozone is that it all seems to rely on lots of money being injected into the system and doesn’t that lead to hyperinflation?

Massive deficits – how are they reduced – they aren’t growth just gets killed as more money is paid to pay the interest than invested in the country.

How about the £6billion savings from the new coalition government? Well if it is about £3 of every £100 spent on the parts of the economy open to cuts then it really isn’t that large. Of course the total deficit is £168 billion. But surely £3 out of every £100 is simple enough?

Where now for the markets. It’s clear that it is unclear. Until we get the budget it’s better to be on the sidelines. It is too much of a gamble because there is just too much information in the hands of a few which could move the markets and we don’t know what that information is and when it will hit.

So if not the UK for now, then where? Well, the US is slowly getting out of recession. One would stay clear of the Eurozone. So you have India again.

Problem here is one of valuation. Growth is strong however and so you are left with the notion to invest with a longer term perspective. In the present market any short-term trading is closer to gambling. The waters are just too choppy. We need to take a breath and pause.

Will the Coalition government be good for the markets? It is better than a hung parliament with the Tories in power without a definite mandate. Indeed with the popular Vince Cable and a multi-party coalition in power one can see why it could potentially, on paper, be very good for the country.

But how do you maintain economic growth and get the taxes? We need people to cut their borrowing.

We need companies to invest. We need companies to export. We need savings by individuals to increase.

We need retailers who would thereby suffer, to export if their products are exportable. We need the government to cut spending. But what about taxes? Increase taxes and you kill revenue generating activities and raise less tax anyway. Cut taxes and you still could get less tax anyway.

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Radiant Info Systems plans a call centre at Hyderabad jail in Andhra Pradesh In a first ever business enterprise of its kind, Prison authorities in Andhra Pradesh, a state in South India have firmed up plans to set up a BPO unit in the Charlapally Central Jail in Hyderabad, the state capital. Well educated and convicted criminals serving long prison sentences will be employed in the unit. It is being set up under the public – private partnership model, with an IT (Information Technology) company – Radiant Info Systems being the private partner

be useful for the prisoners once they complete their prison term, it will enable the IT company and state government also earn and share good profits. Those employed will also be able to get more daily wages, upto Rs. 100 – 150 per day against the normal wages of Rs. 15 per day as manual labourers. They also stand a chance of getting absorbed by the company.

Officials say this is a pilot project and, if it succeeds, it could be extended to other jails in the state.

Info Systems, C Narayana Charyulu said the Charlapally jail was opted because it has about 40% inmates who are educated. The company also said there will be no security risks as those convicted of robbery or fraud will not be employed.

Moreover, the workers in the unit will have no access to sensitive information like passwords or details of bank accounts.

Prison authorities and the IT company say it would be a win-win situation for all the stake holders, as the experience will

Nedbank of SA on StanChart takeover radar

Tata Motors also zoom ahead in all segments

The sales numbers in April have been very encouraging for Jaguar Land Rover, the British brands owned

by Indian auto major Tata Motors. The parent company also registered an upswing in global sales.

Cumulatively, the sales went up by 53 per cent to 77,732 vehicles.

Details disclosed by

the company say for individual brands, Jaguar sales remained stagnant at 3,559 cars, while Land Rover sold 14,350 units, up by 89 per cent over the same month last year. The two brands clubbed together sold 17,909 cars.

That is up 61% as compared to sales a year ago.

Globally, Tata Motors

sold a total of 77,732 vehicles. Sales of commercial vehicles are included.

The Tata Motors Group's global sales comprises Tata, Tata Daewoo, Hispano Carrocera range of commercial vehicles, Tata passenger vehicles along with the distributed brands in India, Jaguar and Land Rover.

Standard Chartered, the UK based bank with its focus on emerging markets is reportedly in talks with South African bank for acquisition.

The deal could be worth US$ 10 billion.

Africa is a fast growing continent and a strong presence in South Africa, the gateway of Africa would enable StanChart make it’s presence felt that much stronger.

Nedbank is among the top four banks of South Africa.

One of the UK news channels has reported the possibility and said Goldman Sachs was the advisor for StanChart.

While non of the three entities responded with any comments, South Africa government is expected to be against such a takeover of Nedbank.

Now, an ATM that vends gold coins and bars Two already installed – one in Germany, another in an Abu Dhabi hotel A German company that has developed an ATM for dispensing gold bars and gold coins has installed the second ATM in Abu Dhabi last week. It has plans to install more such Gold ATMs in UK, France and Italy in near future.

The Emirates Palace Hotel inaugurated the gold vending machine, which has been named as “Gold to go” last week. Ex Oriente Lux AG of Germany has designed and manufactured the metal vending ATM and one is already installed in Germany.

In UAE, the ATM attracted hundreds of tourists and locals soon after it was unveiled on Wednesday. It is a highly sophisticated ATM, designed for dispensing

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Hyderabad jail is one of India’s most modern prisons with state-of-theart facilities and houses 2100 inmates. The BPO unit will be designed to employ 200 prisoners and could start functions in about 4 months.

Operations like data entry as well as processing and transmission of information will be handled there.

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gold coins and gold bars of upto 250 grams weight.

Gold coins with logos of the Emirates Palace, Krugerrand, Maple Leaf and Kangaroo are also available from the ATM, already gift packed in boxes. It’s the first of its kind ATM in the world, said Thomas Geissler, CEO of Ex Oriente Lux AG. Developed by TG GoldSuper-Market, a brand of Ex Oriente Lux AG, the new vending machine will be installed in the dome of the luxury holiday resorts, big shopping malls, and

German company has plans to install more such ATMs in UK, France and Italy market prices whenever a customer wants to buy the precious metal.

It is largely burglarproof and tamper-resistant, equipped with certain kinds of software. In case, the machine fails or there is a glitch, it will automatically shut down. The ATM itself is gold-plated.

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It has a computer installed inside the ATM, which automatically updates the market prices of Gold constantly to ensure sale at the current

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ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Cameron and Clegg Coalition Cabinet 2010 Below are the names of David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s Cabinet.

Prime Minister - David Cameron, Conservative: Mr Cameron, MP for Witney, has been the leader of the Conservative Party since December 2005.

Deputy Prime Minister - Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat: Nick Clegg became leader of the Liberal Democrat Party following Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation in 2007. Mr Clegg had been the party's shadow home secretary and spokesperson for foreign affairs. He was first elected MP for Sheffield Hallam in 2005 having previously been Liberal Democrat MEP for the East Midlands from 1999 to 2004.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Conservative: George Osborne, 38, is the youngest person to be Chancellor of the Exchequer for 125 years.

He is MP for Tatton Secretary of State for the Home Department and minister for women and equality - Theresa May, Conservative: Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead, was first elected in 1997.

Foreign Secretary - William Hague, Conservative: William Hague has been MP for Richmond, Yorkshire, since 1989.

Secretary of State for Defence - Dr Liam Fox, Conservative: Dr Liam Fox, MP for North Somerset, is a former civilian army medical officer.

Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor - Ken Clarke,

Conservative: Ken Clarke was the chancellor under John Major's government.

Work and Pensions Secretary - Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative: Iain Duncan Smith, known as IDS, became leader of the Conservative Party in 2001, Chief Secretary to the Treasury - David Laws, Liberal Democrat: Former investment banker David Laws has been MP for Yeovil since 2001.

Business Secretary - Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat: Hailed as the man who foresaw the credit crunch, Vince Cable - a former Labour and SDP supporter - has been MP for Twickenham since 1997.

Schools Secretary - Michael Gove, Conservative: Michael Gove, MP for Surrey Heath since 2005,

Baroness Warsi is UK's first female Muslim minister David Cameron’s appointment of Baroness Warsi as Britain’s first female Muslim minister has been welcomed as a “great honour” for those who share her faith and an important step in building a multicultural UK. Lady (Sayeeda Hussain) Warsi, 39, has been made minister without portfolio after being named as the chairwoman of the Conservative Party, senior coalition partners in the UK’s new administration. She describes her historic rise from a working-class childhood as a Pakistani millworker’s daughter to government office as “terribly humbling”.

Whilst she is not the first Muslim to serve in the UK government, her achievement Lady Warsi,

who was named Britain’s most influential Muslim woman in the Muslim Women Power List awards for 2009, is especially impressive in a country with a poor record, compared with neighbours, of choosing women for top ministerial positions.

Previously, she was the first woman to serve in shadow cabinet, as the Conservatives’ spokeswoman on community cohesion and social action, and was the youngest member of the upper house, the House of Lords.

Sayeeda Warsi was the fourth of five daughters of parents who had emigrated from Gujar Khan. She speaks with a discernible Yorkshire accent and styles herself a “northern, workingclass-roots mum”.

After graduating, Patel persuaded Andrew Lansley (now a frontbencher, then a Head of the Conservative Research Department) to give her a job at Conservative Central Office. From 1995 to 1997, she worked for the Referendum Party, for Sir James Goldsmith, heading up the press office. After the 1997 General Election, the Referendum Party broke up, and Patel rejoined the Conservative Party to work for the new leader William Hague in his Press Office dealing with media relations in London and the South East.

After unsuccessfully challenging the Nottingham North seat in

Iain Duncan Smith

Dominic Grieve

Hunt, Conservative: MP for South West Surrey since 2005 and is a fluent speaker of Japanese.

Conservative Chairman Baroness Warsi, Conservative: Baroness Warsi is the first Muslim woman ever to hold a Cabinet position.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, Conservative: MP for Runnymede and Weybridge Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Caroline Spelman, Conservative: MP for Meriden in the West Midlands since 1997, Secretary of State for I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development - Andrew Mitchell, Conservative: The Rugby-andCambridge-educated Andrew Mitchell is the MP for Sutton Coldfield.

Northern Ireland Secretary – Owen Paterson, Conservative:

The MP for North Shropshire since 1997 Welsh Secretary – Cheryl Gillan, Conservative: Cardiff-born Cheryl Gillan is the MP for Chesham and Amersham. n Also attending Cabinet meetings: Leader of the House of Lords – Lord Strathclyde Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal – Sir George Young Minister for the Cabinet Office, Paymaster General – Francis Maude Minister of State – Cabinet Office – Oliver Letwin Minister of State (Universities and Science) – Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – David Willetts n Invited to attend Cabinet when required: Attorney General Dominic Grieve, Conservative

UK’s first female Muslim MP elected in Birmingham's Ladywood Baroness Sayeeda Warsi

Her attraction to the right-of-centre principles of the Conservative Party began as her father progressed from his menial early employment in Britain to launch a successful bed-making business.

She graduated in law, qualified as a solicitor and joined a legal firm headed by a former Conservative MP.

Priti Patel elected as first Gujarati woman MP The House of Commons, for the first time got a Gujarati woman, Priti Patel (Conservative), as a member last Friday.

Priti Patel was born in 1972 in London to Ugandan Indian immigrant parents and grew up in South Harrow and Ruislip. Her parents ran a post office in rural Norfolk and then a successful small shop in the south east England. Patel attended a comprehensive school in Watford, before studying economics at Keele University and then going on to the University of Essex.

Priti lives in the heart of the new constituency, in Witham with her husband and one and half year old son.

Theresa May

is one of David Cameron's closest political allies.

Health Secretary - Andrew Lansley, Conservative: Andrew Lansley has been the shadow health secretary since 2003 Secretary of State for Scotland Danny Alexander, Liberal Democrat: Edinburghborn Danny Alexander has been the MP for Inverness, Climate Change and E n v i r o n m e n t Secretary - Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip - Patrick M c L o u g h l i n , Conservative: Patrick McLoughlin is the MP for Derbyshire Dales Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles, C o n s e r v a t i v e : Yorkshireman Pickles is the MP for Brentwood and Ongar in Essex.

Culture, Media and Sport Secretary - Jeremy

Priti Patel, MP Witham

the 2005 election, Patel was placed on the 'A-List' of Conservative Party candidates. On 20 November 2006, she was adopted as the Prospective Pa r l i a m e n t a r y Conservative Candidate for the notionally safe Conservative seat of Witham in Essex.

Barrister Shabana Mahmood beat off a Liberal Democrat challenge, taking Birmingham Ladywood for Labour.

Against most expectations, Ms Mahmood, whose victory has made her Britain’s first female Muslim MP, increased the party’s majority over the Liberal Democrats to 10,000. Her efforts resulted in a 2.5 per cent swing to Labour from the Lib Dems.

She will replace former MP Clare Short, who decided not to seek re-

election after falling out with the government over its support for the war in Iraq.

The election campaign in Ladywood was dominated by argument about the constituency’s soaring unemployment, topping 30 per cent in some wards.

Ms Mahmood said she was “humbled and honoured” to be elected.

She added: “This is a constituency with significant challenges but it is incredibly diverse and vibrant. I pledge to be a

Shabana Mahmood, MP Ladywood

hard working MP, working every day to fulfil he faith people have in me. I will fight for Ladywood as a passionate and committed Labour MP.”

Goan brother-sister duo sets record in House of Commons Indian-origin Keith Vaz, who was once again elected from the Leicester East constituency, said that he was looking forward to debate issues in the House of Commons with his sister Valerie, who was also elected from the Walsall South constituency.

This is the first time a brother-sister duo has been elected to the House of Commons.

Valerie got 16,211 votes and had a narrow majority of 1,755 on a turnout of 63.1 per cent.

But she has the chance now to build up a personal following and make the seat safer, as her brother has done since he was

Valerie Vaz, MP Walsall South

Keith Vaz, MP Leicester East

first elected in 1987.

Keith Vaz, who was reelected in the safe Labour seat of Leicester East, expressed his happiness. He pointed out that he and Valerie “will be the first brother and sister to sit in the House of

Commons at the same time”.

He added: “I am delighted that Valerie has been elected, she will make an excellent MP and I look forward to debating in the Commons together.”

FInancIal voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

15

India proposes to raise FDI cap in defence to 74 per cent Overcoming obsolescence, ensuring technology transfer and funds flow are the aims As Indian defence forces are facing the acute problem of obsolete weaponry, the Government plans to counter other problems alongwith by raising the FDI cap in the defence sector to 74%. Currently, only 24% FDI is allowed in the sector. Ensuring

enough funds in the defence production sector and transfer of state-ofthe-art technology are the other major issues facing the government to keep Indian forces well equipped – in terms of adequacy and latest weaponry.

The government feels that security concerns can be addresses by having effective checks.

While FICCI chose not to react, CII also declined comments.

Assocham termed the proposal as not a prudent step. The proposals are a

part of the discussion paper prepared by the government.

India at present imports over US$ 8 billion worth of defence equipment and its defence budget is growing at 13.4 per cent annually since 2006-07.

Indian IPO of StanChart next week British bank to offer shares with an issue of 240 million IDRs Standard Chartered Bank, the oldest foreign bank in India is offering IDRs next week for Indian investors, the first such IPO in India. StanChart, as the bank is known is to issue 240 million Indian Depository Recepits (IDRs).

The IDRs have an entitlement to get converted into equity shares at a later, specified date.

The expected price per share, to be offered in the Indian market is in the range of Rs. 105 to 115

Air India set March 2011 as date for joining Star Alliance Having missed the timeline atleast a couple of times, Air India seems to have finally set March, 2011 as the date for joining a global network, known as Star Alliance. Chairman of the Indian flag carrier, Arvind Jadhav gave a hint about it last week in Brazil.

Air India has set March 2011 as the outer deadline to join the Star Alliance, the world's largest commercial pact among carriers, chairman Arvind Jadhav said here late Friday.

TAM Airlines of Brazil joined the 27 airline global group on Friday at a function in Sao Paulo. The function was to welcome TAM on board of the Star Alliance.

Jet Airways is also in talks to join the Alliance.

Lufthansa, the German carrier invited Air India in 2007 to join the Star Alliance. But AI joining is being held up as the carrier is yet grappling with the integration of their passenger reservation system after Indian Airlines was merged with Air India. In spite of the merger already over, the two are yet a separate identity as far as passenger booking and reservation is concerned. Joining the Alliance needs a single system to facilitate seemless movement of passengers.

per share. In keeping with the Government of India owned entities trend, StanChart may also offer some discount to retail or small investors.

It is set to become the first foreign company to list in India through an Indian depository receipts (IDR) issue.

The IPO will open on 25 May and close on 28 May. 10 IDRs will make a entitlement of one share of Standard Chartered Plc. The bank aims to mobilise US$ 750 million

approximately through the IDR issue.

After London and Hong Kong, this will be the British Bank’s third listing.

Over last three years, StanChart's net profit has registered a growth of 30%, compounded annually. StanChart has no exposure to Greek sovereign bonds and its operations in Europe face little risk from European region crisis.

The bank has 94 branches across 37 cities

in India with over 2 million customers. $475 mn bridge loan for Air India Last week, the Standard Chartered bank sanctioned a bridge loan worth US$ 475 million for Air India, the Indian flag carrier towards the purchase of 3 Boeing 777 planes. This short term debt will later be converted into a long term one after Air India receives the ‘letter of comfort’ from Government of India.

Godrej group to buy the entire Sara Lee stake US jv partner to shift focus on its own food and beverage business Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. will buy back the entire 51 per cent stake from their joint venture partner, the Sara Lee Corp of the USA for a consideration of US$ 234 mn approximately. Sara Lee is shifting focus to its own business of food and beverages that is growing currently. The Indian joint venture is engaged primarily in manufacturing and marketing insecticides, including Good Knight brand of mosquito repel-

lents in India.

Brenda Barnes, Chairman and CEO of Sara Lee said the company is selling off its interna-

tional household and body care business to focus on its core business of food and beverage businesses.

The transaction, which is subject to customary

closing conditions, is expected to close before the end of Sara Lee's fiscal year on July 3, 2010.

Godrej Consumer Products is a major player in the Indian FMCG market and is one of the largest marketers of toilet soaps in the country with brands such as Cinthol, Godrej Fairglow and Godrej No.1.

Sara Lee's portfolio comprises brands like Ambi Pure, Hillshire Farm, Kiwi and Senseo.

India’s Pharmexcil to open offices in Europe, USA, Latin America and Japan A body working under the ministry of Commerce, Government of India, the Pharmaceutical Exports Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) has plans to open offices and warehouses in Europe, USA, Latin America and Japan.

The objective is to help increase exports of drugs

from the country into the target markets abroad.

The new offices aim to bring the export costs through use of common facilities such as office infrastructure and warehousing facilities. This

would in particular help companies that are venturing into newer markets.

Pharmexcil, a body that is functional for six years now, has its headquarters in Hyderabad and regional offices in Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.

nent basis.

Most visas are either difficult to obtain or unsuitable, because they need to be reapplied for, which carries risks. Noone wants to emigrate only to lose their visa after a year or so.

The most popular choice, for those in a position to invest $500,000, is the EB-5 investment visa.

In 2003 the US Government reintroduced the Regional Center program. Investments into an approved Regional Center qualify an investor, spouse and all children under 21 to Green Cards (Permanent Residency).

Citizenship can be obtained after 5 years.

For information, visit eb5-visa.net.

Invest for a Life in the US The United States of America, often referred to as the land of opportunity, has been taking in immigrants at the rate of more than one million every year for over a century.

Unfortunately, because it is so popular, it has become progressively harder to secure a visa for those who wish to live and work there on a perma-

Maria Fernandes maria@abplgroup.com

The Points Based System under fire yet again cost of correcting this will inevitably fall on the public purse and so those responsible for cuts in spending should take very careful note of what the judges have been saying in these cases.

The consequences of the loss of Appeal rights in Entry clearance cases One of the consequences of the loss of appeal rights is likely to be an increase in judicial review cases. The Administrative Review process appears to rubber stamp the decision to refuse. The process is not transparent , the reasons given do not leave an applicant confident that the decision has been properly considered and therefore it is inevitable that this area will result in further challenges and further costs. The abolition of the appeal system was not designed to let the Home Office off from quality decision making but it certainly appears that the lack of scrutiny is leading to bad and unlawful decisions. Watch this space for the next area of challenge!!

Maria Fernandes is a principal of Fernandes Vaz solicitors who specialise in immigration and nationality law. She has substantial experience of immigration and is an accredited member of the Immigration Law Panel.

Last week I reported on challenges to the Points Based System under Tier 2. The spotlight is now on Tier 4 licences granted to sponsors to enable them to sponsor students.

The High court has granted permission to 2 colleges to apply for judicial review of the UK Border Agency’s decision to revoke their licences. In the meantime the court has restored their licences pending the outcome of the hearing.

The Judge hearing the applications pointed out that the decision to revoke the licences was unlawful as the quality of the decisions were poor. The reasons outlined were inadequate and confused, conclusions based on the evidence were not reasonable and the UKBA had failed to consider the detailed arguments and evidence that had been put forward. The UKBA had refused the applications for reasons that were not even a requirement at the time of the decision.

There has been some concern that the decision making process has been hasty and ill thought out.

Many applicants have not pursued cased purely on the basis of the costs involved but it is now becoming apparent that unless they do the UKBA will not improve their processes. The

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16

fINANCIAL voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

IT outsourcing deals under Cameron’s scanner Global IT majors, including TCS of India have a problem on hand. The new coalition government headed by David Cameron seeks to review big ticket IT outsourcing deals, including the TCS deal signed by Gordon Brown cabinet for the pension administration.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne have plans to split up these contracts into smaller parts as they aim to cut govern-

ment spending by nearly $9 billion this year.

Mounting public debts and budget deficit of UK have forced the review.

Even in other countries in Europe, politicians have to tackle rising unemployment and increasing unrest against outsourcing and immigration.

Experts in UK feel TCS’ contract could face trouble. Cuts will be announced in a week’s time, UK media reports suggest. The reports quot-

ed Mr Osborne as saying cuts will be made in the current financial year itself.

Other than PADA, other contracts that could potentially be affected by the new government’s plans to bridge deficit, are a £12.7-billion National Health Service IT programme, a £13-billion defence programme, £420 million school building contracts, and a £1.2-billion ‘e-borders’ immigration service project.

ICICI Bank to acquire Bank of Rajasthan RBI, Sebi trouble forces BoR owners to sale stake Facing a lot of regulatory troubles in the recent times, promoters of Bank of Rajasthan (BoR), one of India’s oldest private banks have decided to merge the bank with ICICI Bank, the largest private bank in the country.

BoR informed the stock exchange on Tuesday that the promoters of the bank, the Tayals have entered into an agreement with ICICI Bank for merger. ICICI

bank has decided to purchase the entire stake – 28% according to the Tayals, while Sebi says the promoters hold around 55% stake in BoR. ICICI Bank is willing to pay the promoters more than the current market valuation of their holdings. The Tayals had bought the stake in BoR about a decade ago. But after facing regulatory problems, the bank is currently almost run by Reserve Bank of India

Korean auto firm on sale, India’s M & M eyes bid

Indian stock markets plunge on European debt worries

Ssangyong Motor, a South Korean automobile company in deep financial problems and under court-led restructuring is up for sale. Mahindra & Mahindra (M & M), the multi segment auto makers from India are reportedly interested in taking over the company.

China’s SAIC Motor Corp also owns 10% stake in the South Korean company. M & M produces tractors, cars and utility – sports vehicles. The company also recently acquired troubled Indian two wheeler company Kinetic. The two wheeler business also has collaboration with a Taiwanese company.

Ssangyong manufacture Rexton and Kyron SUVs as well as a sedan – Chairman. Apart from two or three small local companies, M & M is the sole overseas bidder.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex tanked almost 362 points in opening trade on Monday in line with the meltdown in overseas markets on concerns over Europe's sovereign debt. A weaker Euro also led to crude oil prices go southward, plunging to below the US$ 70 level on Monday.

The sensex had lost 271.27 points on Friday, plunged further by 361.77 points, or 2.12 per cent to 16,637.42 points. Even the National Stock Exchange Nifty opened 102 points over Friday’s closing, going below the 5,000 mark.

The opening plunge was a reaction to steep fall in the US markets over the previous weekend as well

(RBI).

The present CEO for BoR is an RBI appointee, while the board of directors also has five nominees from the RBI. RoB was also slapped with a fine of Rs. 2.5 million recently by the RBI for a series of violations committed by the bank.

Sebi had a couple months ago banned 100 entities allegedly holding BoR shares on behalf of the promoters from all stock market activities.

Gold prices dazzle, weak projections lead to lower crude oil prices at under US$ 70

Sensex opened 360 points down on Monday, recover partially as weak openings at other Asian stock markets Monday morning.

The turmoil helped gold again surge to near record prices last week and also indicated a trend of firming up in the coming weeks.

Alpesh Patel’s Political Sketchbook:

At Least the New Cabinet Read the Right Degree Some months ago I wrote how Tony Blair had read the wrong degree at University. You see in the new cabinet, you may not realise it, but the saving grace will be so many read the right degree. Let me explain. Here is a sample of just some of the new cabinet.

David Cameron Oxford Theresa May Oxford George Osborne Oxford William Hague Oxford Michael Gove Oxford Chris Huhne Oxford Danny Alexander Oxford Oxford Dominic Grieve Jeremy Hunt Oxford Philip Hammond Oxford David Willetts Oxford Sir George Young Oxford The former Prime Minister Tony Blair read ‘Jurisprudence’ (Law for posh people) at university. There is much to be said however for the alternative multidisciplinary degree of Philosophy, Politics and Economics available at Oxford. If he had chosen that degree he may not have brushed aside all his legal advisors on the Iraq war with the view that ‘the law is grey and never clear’ but instead have reflected that the politician often falls foul of what behavioural economists call ‘biases’ ...and the rest of us call ‘being a closed minded damn fool’.

First there is confirmation bias. This the desire to seek confirmation and resist disconfirmation of one's beliefs.

Economics experiments suggest those that do best in life are the ones who resist confirmation bias by interpreting news dispassionately without a tendency merely to confirm what they already believe. Instead they maintain more of an open mind to a contrary view than their peers. Hmmm...that would mean you don’t marginalise your cabinet colleagues by making decisions at meetings where they are not invited, forcing them to resign.

George Osborne has already shown his credentials by having an independent group verify Treasury forecasts – this is to avoid confirmation bias – when the Treasury tells you what you want to hear.

Second is optimism bias. It is the tendency to believe one is better than average. A cycnic might say you have the ‘god complex’ that you were only following ‘holy orders’. For instance studies reveal 95% of drivers believe they are better than average. Over-opti-

Iran deals may lead ONGC to face US sanctions Indian Oil, three other Indian companies and Hinduja group also in the watch list

Having business dealings with Iran could lead five Indian companies, including ONGC and ONGC Videsh as well as Indian Oil Corporation to face US sanctions. The watch list has a total of 41 firms globally. Oil India Limited and Petronet LNG Ltd. are the two other Indian companies.

Hinduja group, based in UK and owned by NRI business family has also signed agreement to explore gas fields in Iran last year.

The United States

Government Accountability Office this week released a report 'Firms Reported to H a v e Commercial Activity in the Iranian Energy Sector and US Government Contracts' listing companies who have energy ties with Tehran.

"The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) provides for sanctions against persons,

including foreign firms, who invest more than USD 20 million in Iran's energy sector in any 12month period," the report said.

OVL, IOC and OIL explored for oil and gas in Farsi block and proposed investing USD 5.5 billion in producing gas from the 21.68 Trillion cubic feet discovery they made in the offshore block located near

the Saudi Arabian border.

Besides, ONGC, OVL, Petronet and Hinduja Group last year signed agreements with Iran to develop one of the 28 phases of the giant South Pars gas field and convert the fuel into LNG for exports at an investment of over $10 billion.

The report, which said the US has not imposed sanctions on any firm for their Iran energy ties since 1998, also names Hinduja for ties with Iran but lists it as a UK firm.

mists tend to underperform. This bias leads to overconfidence in predictions in particular. For instance that you will remove a dictator in a week and be loved by all and leave the country you invaded on a bed of roses a fortnight later.

Experts are particularly prone to this; again economists show the way.

Expert predictions about financial markets, especially about interest and exchange rates have been shown in experiments to be generally quite inaccurate and often less accurate than lay views. In one study dustmen were better inflation and GDP predictors than finance ministers. (Yes, that’s why we had a credit crunch, but that’s another story). Which is a damn good reason to be careful of intelligence reports and your own belief that newly installed as a Prime Minister, with previous foreign policy expertise limited to time spent on wealthy persons yachts off the Italian coast, about the same as Sarah Palin claiming Soviet expertise as she can see Russia from Alaska, that you are the sudden incarnation of Kissinger.

With the new Cabinet – you already have them pessimistically blaming the last lot and warning us things are far worse than we thought. Again, wouldn’t have done that would they if they didn’t study the right degree and know of such biases and pitfalls?

Third is risk aversion bias. People tend to be risk averse when facing a profit and risk loving when facing a loss. Consequently they let their losses run and take their profits prematurely.

In the language of politics, they let deficits run and run without taking tough loss taking decisions.

The new Cabinet having the cover of the last Labour administration is able to avoid this bias by again blaming the last lot.

Fourth the economists point to herding. People tend to behave riskier in a crowd than they would outside of it. It’s why solicitors are sometimes football hooligans or riots and looting breaks out when the lights fail in New York and why Prime Ministers with big American allies and a ‘coalition of the willing’ are more likely to sweep aside the United Nations resolutions because regardless of right they have might.

So if your child tells you they want to read law and go into politics, for the sake of the economic future of the country, have them read philosophy, politics, economics instead.

UK may get a taste of Indian wines United Brewaries, the Vijay Mallya owned Indian group that owns a UK company manufacturing Scotch whisky now has plans to export Indian wines to UK. UB group would start with three brands from this year itself.

Having already launched their popular Beer brand – Kingfisher lager, UB group would initially target Indian restaurants and later move to supermarkets.

The company has

already signed distribution agreements with two importers and distributors and hopes to see the wines hit the market by the autumn. Indian wine industry is based in Maharashtra and Karnataka, has been developing rapidly in recent years.

The country has 40 wineries producing 1.5 million cases of wine per year. However, capacity and the local market have been growing at up to 25 per cent per annum.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

17

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

The Good Times Are Coming Back

Hot off the press 80% loan to value is back for Buy To Lets. One of the main stream lenders have now stepped over the 75% LTV line and the Guru’s prediction is now all the others will join.

Yes that’s right 80% is here to stay.

This will raise the glass ceiling lenders have been hiding under. This is normally the trend: one lender ventures out and the others follow. Despite the risk analysts and actuaries who price the products, bottom line is they behave in practise like sheep.

It is actually a momentous occasion for property as once this happens again someone will try to capture market share and increase the threshold perhaps the next step will be the traditional 85% we have all been used to in times gone by.

I remember the Loan to value of 89% being there for buy to let mortgages, not only this but the lender at the time who was GMAC even gave a 5% gifted deposit, which if structured correctly would mean a lending of 94% on a BTL purchase. They didn’t care who was taking the funds because they would then break up the products and sell them on to others . In short they would issue a debt and then made it someone else’s problem So what does this mean for the market?

This will have a two fold effect.

Firstly those who are unable to remortgage due to having a high level of loan

will now be able to do so. Secondly it will help to revitalise the property market. The main reason for the decline was not lack of demand for UK property but access to credit. The Barker report commissioned by the government goes into detail as to why this is the case, and even at the rates house builders had been building at the peak of the market will not have satiated the level of demand for property in the UK, what to speak of in the current climate when the housing market is steadily rising to it’s feet again.

The lender who has ventured out is the Mortgage Works, the Buy to let arm of Nationwide. TMW was the first lender to pull out of the new build market completely, this in retrospect was a wise move. The reason it did this was the creative and hidden methods which were being employed by property clubs to sell new build properties. These were packaged so the purchaser did not have to put deposits down on the properties.

Sometimes there would even be a cash back involved in the purchase. This encouraged many want- to-be landlords onto the ladder, this type of transaction divcorses the the long term responsibility involved in buying property from the purchase.

This is testimony to the strengthening market conditions. TMW is a cautious lender and has only gone up to the 80% mark because it considers it very prudent to do so.

Two For One Recently we have closed a deal for a group of investors who had a reasonable sum to invest but wanted to test us to see if the theory we were writing about meets the realty. We had a meeting with them and they wanted to know if all the cases in the articles I had been writing about were actual examples. I assured them this was the case and to first test us with a small comfortable purchase. All of the individuals were working with full time jobs which gave them very little time to look for properties, hence they wanted a hands free service which we specialise in.

The property is a one bedroom flat in little Venice, with views to the canal from the balcaoney.

The flat is nearly 500 Sq Ft and has a large kitchen, currently the need for a kitchen of this size in a property is not generally required. Now the need is for more rooms. So the obvious thing is to have an open plan kitchen in the living room. Even as a one bedroom this property would rent for £350 to £370 per week, and with a conversion for £498pw.

The demand for 1 and 2 bedroom properties in this location seems to be insatiable, you can literally rent properties with in 4 hours. We have given a conservative estimate of 5 days to our investors.

The conversion to a 2 bedroom will cost less then £5000.

The purchasers will be doing this without the freeholders consent.

The way they see it, is that this conversion affects pretty much no one else. If it did then there is little chance of doing this with out ruffling any feathers.

Many developers do internal conversions illegally. All work is done safely and according to building regulations, it simply does not have the freeholders consent.

This is done for more commercial reasons rather then anything else. It cost time and money to go through this process. Their view is that if it is just done, chances are no one will ever know and they feel that it doesn’t really concern any one else.

The only risk they see associated with doing this is that of an enforcement notice to put the flat back as it was found, which may not cost too much to do.

I have known flats which have been sold which have been converted and slipped through the net on a sale. The solicitor, valuer and the agent did not realise the conversion was done illegally.

This only came to light when the new landlord decided to obtain consent to let from the freeholder at this point the freeholder informed the landlord his records show this as a 1 bedroom property. All that will happen now is the freeholder will come to see if the property meets building regulations and probably give the ok, there may be a small fee involved.

The property when converted will return a figure of £12,800 after mortgage costs, service charge and management fees.

This is a net return of 22% of the deposit funds. Remember this return is not dependent on the property price going up or down. The variable here is the rental figure, and this is a proven variable as we are already collecting rent for similar 2 bedroom properties in the area. The other variable which will come in to play will be the mortgage rate at the end of 2 years. I do not think this will increase from current levels of 5.5%. The current mortgage rates are not dependent primarily on the Bank of England base rates.

The governing factor is the lack of credit and the risk premium attached to the

products. We had much better mortgage rates when the base rate was touching 5%. The correlation between mortgage products and base rates is not as direct as most people believe.

The current property is not actually being bought because the investors want an income, not everyone actually does.

The reason is many would be liable to a 40% income tax bill and so this income is only half as valuable to this investor compared to someone on a lower or no income. The idea here is once this is on rent and producing a strong income to then go on and focus on development projects. When doing a development the mortgage will need to be paid whilst the work is being carried out and whilst the property is on the market to be sold. A £12,000 income will be used to insulate these expenses.

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

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

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

18

www.abplgroup.com

asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

By

Dandruff is a common problem which can be cured by simple oiling of the scalp.

Causes

vitamins or certain types of fats, you may be more likely to have dandruff.

Certain illnesses For

reasons

that

aren't clear, adults with neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, are more likely to develop seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. So are people recovering

from stressful conditions, particularly heart attack and stroke, and those with compromised immune systems. Any type of stress can increase dandruff even if

Any que stions write to m amta@ abplgroup.com

SwatI Bhan

Dandruff, its causes

Dry skin can be flakey and cause itching.

These flakes will be small and dry. For the other types of dandruff the flakes may be large, yellow and oily or silvery.

Oily hair and scalp.

Malassezia, a type of yeast infection, feeds on oils in your scalp.

For that reason, having excessively oily skin and hair makes you more prone to dandruff.

The sun kills malassezia, so living in a cold northern climate, or constantly wearing a hat or other head gear may increase a dandruff problem.

Poor diet If your diet lacks foods high in zinc, B

Life style

you’re not recovering from or suffering from an illness.

Herbal remedies The following herbs can be infused in apple cider vinegar or water and applied as a final rinse after shampoo. They can also be taken internally as a tea, tincture, or capsule. Topical application is the fastest, most effective way to use them.

Rosemary rejuvenates the scalp and deters hair loss. By stimulating the hair follicles it can also help clear up dandruff.

Sage is a panacea. It contains many antibacterials and antifungals that may help heal lesions and abrasions on the scalp.

Alfalfa contains nearly every nutrient necessary to human health. It may be taken internally or infused in water and massaged into the scalp as a dandruff deterrent.

Drinking carrot juice along with alfalfa tea will make the alfalfa more effective.

Other Remedies Coconut oil massaged into the scalp will relieve dry skin that may be causing dandruff.

It also has some healing properties that will benefit your scalp if it has been damaged from scratching.

An apple cider vinegar rinse after shampoo can be very helpful in clearing up dandruff. It is highly antibacterial and healing for irritated skin.

By Mamta Bhatia, Psychologist

Develop Confidence Today!

Everyone likes to feel good so why do we allow knocks to our confidence and what is the best way to bounce back? Read the tips below and have confidence, always.

You are born with two fears in life, falling over and loud noises.

Every other fear you have is learnt and man made.

So when you notice yourself stepping back for whatever insecurity, remember what you fear you have created, so erase it and step forward.

When you lack confidence think of times you were strong go back to those times in your mind remember how good that felt as you visualise that moment again.

Experience the emotions you felt and let them come back to you. Know that thinking like this creates your pot of confidence that you can always come back to whenever you need.

Allow yourself to feel these emotions again.

Don’t feel bad or guilty

for wanting to feel good, this is your right and this is what you deserve.

Stop relying on the approval of others to justify who you are, what you are and how you choose to live your life.

When you use the opinion of others as a barometer of your self worth, you are at their mercy.

Humans have millions of opinions which mean they are prone to being fickle. No one knows you better then you.

Revise your strengths and stand up tall. No one is perfect, remember your strengths always.

List all the reasons why you are great and read this morning, day and night. See it and believe it. Develop a thick skin and start to send out positive vibes when you feel doubtful or negative.

All you need is a minute to close your eyes and think about the impact that you want to create, see yourself creating this impact and create a vision to aspire to.

Try to create this vision through pictures; this is called a vision board.

Google this concept, find out more and see examples. If you look at this everyday you will find that it gives you focus, meditate on this vision for no less then 10 minutes, soon your vision will become reality.

If you want to further develop your confidence, get in touch with me: Mamta at think spa London dot com. In June I will be running an intimate confidence building session to really help you develop your self worth so you can embrace your life and handle graciously any situation you are presented with. You will also develop the skills to deal with any type of person with any personality so that you can be strong and present in all situations. If you want a session in your town do express your interest.

Good luck and believe in yourself because if you don’t nobody else will.

Gourmet Garden nitely recommend the quantity served, quality of food obviously can get better.

Talking about the ambience and decor, it is a neatly done place.

Simple but it can get crowded with people.

The music is pretty decent and very unlike the regular Soho Chinese joints. The service is definitely worth appreciating

If you are looking for good but reasonably priced Chinese, Singaporean and which is my favourite! If Malaysian food in North you are looking for curry of London, visit and something similar to Gourmet Garden in our coastal food, you Hendon. should opt for the Well located and spaMalaysian cuisine at cious, this restauGourmet Garden, rant has a lot of which I think is the vegeterian options best out of all the unlike other similar three types of food restaurants. served here.

Winner of the Gold If you are around Award at The Visit the area, make to London Awards sure to dine at 2007 for LBC Gourmet Garden 1152AM Best with your family.

Restaurant, and the Also if you have National Winner halal preference, it for The Tsingtao is available at the and the friendly staff are Beer Legacy of Taste restuarant. A family all ears to your require2009 after a live cook-off joint, Gourmet Garden is ments and fancies! A between six regional an experience, worth heaven for vegeterians, finalists, Gourmet cherishing!

Gourmet Garden is a Garden is a must visit. must visit.

If you look at the taste Ratings The menu is divided into of food, must say, it's three main parts. One- a Food Taste: WWW very authentic. Though set meal for two or more, Food Quality: WWW if you want Chinese or one regular Chinese or Hospitality / Service: WWWW Malaysian food to your Singaporean style Quantity: WWWW Indian palate, you can starters and main. Lastly Décor: WW have the chef custom the Malaysian cuisine made for you.

Price- 25pounds/head, Cuisine- Chinese, Singaporean The quanity and quality and Malaysian of food are definitely 59 Watford Way, Hendon, London NW3 3AX. worth mentioning.

Contact: 020 8202 9639 Though I would defiIf you want to get your restaurant reviewed call Rupanjana at 020 7749 4098 or write to rupanjana@abplgroup.com

bollyHeros

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

My caste is Indian, declares Amitabh While the debate over caste census intensifies with most parties rooting for it, Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan is clear where he stands on the controversial issue. If ever asked to mention his caste, he says categorically, he would be ready with the answer - Indian.

Census enumerators came calling on the Bachchan household, prompting Amitabh to express his views on the issue of caste census.

"Wary of the sensitivity that this has raised recently by politicians, they keep away from it. They reason that they would wait for

some government decision on this. I tell them irrespective of what the system decides, my answer is ready - caste, Indian," he wrote on his blog.

Big B says that his

There is hardly anything that Anupam Kher is not part of it, be it films, commercials, serials, theatre, charity, teaching acting etc... The recent achievement is in the form of him being invited as a guest on Peschardt's People, a TV documentary which profiles fascinating people all over the world. This show on BBC is being presented by the famous host Michael Peschardt.

'Peschardt's People', for starters gets broadcast-

ed to more than two hundred countries and has today become a centerpiece of the BBC World News Television schedule.

A list of guests who have already been featured on the show include the likes of Robert De Niro, Sir Edmund Hillary, the Royal Family of Bahrain, Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. Speaking about this 'invitation', a visibly excited Anupam Kher said, "It's a great honour to be on

father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a noted Hindi poet and litterateur, never believed in caste system.

"My Father never believed in caste and neither do any of us. He married a Sikh (Teji Bachchan), I married a Bengali (Jaya Bhaduri), my brother a Sindhi (Ramola), my daughter (Shweta) a Punjabi (Nikhil Nanda), my son (Abhishek) a Mangalorean (Aishwarya Rai)... in his autobiography he (Harivansh Rai) had expressed that future generations of his family should marry into different parts of the country. So far that tradition has been

kept alive!!" Amitabh recounts the morning the enumerators came to his house. "From the morning a consensus on the census.

Officials from the BMC, the Bombay Municipal Corporation, troop into Prateeksha to detail in on information that shall for the first time in India develop for every citizen the UID - a Unique Identity Card.

"All kinds of information is sought, name, place, age, dependents, place of birth, house, residence years and on. I waited for them to come to the crucial controversial one caste. They don’t."

Anupam Kher invited to be on Peschardt’s People

the show. I don't represent myself as in individual, but the whole of Hindi film industry. What has got me so very excited is the fact that the interview will be done in the house where William Wordsworth wrote his world famous poem 'Daffodils'. Besides all of this, I am also looking forward to the release of my upcoming film, a super comic sleuth called ‘Bhatti On Chutti’, as we shot the film there."

Salman to be brand ambassador of IIFA Charity Initiative

Bollywood star Salman Khan will be the brand ambassador of the IIFA Charity Initiative, which includes housing, literacy and rehabilitation measures for the people in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka. The initiative is part of IIFA Weekend being held in Colombo from June 3 to 5.

Addressing a press conference, Salman, who runs the Being Human charity foundation, said he supported IIFA's initiative

to build bridges with the Lankan people who have suffered hardships due to the decades-old war that ended last year with the

Abbas Tyrewala is not the first Indian director to pair his wife with an actor. The legendary V Shantaram directed his two wives, first Jayshree and then Sandhya in films co-starring himself and other actors.

In Abbas's 1-800-Love, he has filmed a kissing scene between his wife (also leading lady) Pakhi and lead actor John Abraham. That's a first for a Hindi film director.

The film is an intense love story, the screenplay of which had been penned

by Pakhi, when she was in college. She had a massive crush on John in those days and had written the film with him and herself in mind.

Says Abbas, "Pakhi and John share a tremendous chemistry on screen.

And I'm glad! Imagine, if they looked incompatible or anything less than made for each other! What

military defeat of the LTTE. "I am happy to be the Ambassador for change and believe that it is crucial to make a difference and contribute to this worthy cause," the 44year-old actor said.

A charity cricket match is being organised between Indian celebrities and Sri Lankan cricketers on June 4 as part of the 'cricket for change project' under which former child soldiers will be

rehabilitated.

The kids, who bore the scars of the ethnic conflict, will be educated and trained in cricket and get to participate as volunteers at the IIFA Weekend.

As a symbol of solidarity with the people of the island nation, IIFA, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, will adopt and rebuild a village housing refugees with the proceeds of the cricket match being donated for this cause.

would have happened to my film?!" The trick for

Abbas was to leave his wife at home when he came on the sets.

"The girl I was directing in the film was not my wife. She was the actress chosen because she suited the role." He candidly admits, "Initially I was a little apprehensive. But once the camera rolled Pakhi and I forgot our personal relationship."

He himself filmed a kissing scene between his wife and his hero.

John Abraham kisses director’s wife

19

Shahid Kapoor won’t mind singing in films Amitabh Bachchan has done it. So has Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt and Neil Nitin Mukesh and now Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor says he wouldn’t mind singing in a film, if required.

“I don’t do things just because others are doing it.

I don’t think I am a great singer… may be that’s why they have a playback singer for every film of mine. But if a situation comes which requires that (singing) from an actor, I’ll do it. Though nothing of that sort seems to be coming as of now,” Shahid said. But at the same time he feels the industry is full of talented singers.

“There are so many people who can sing better than me, so why to spoil a song?”

Arshad Warsi apologises for smoking on campus Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi has apologised for smoking on the Chowgule College campus in Madgaon in Goa following a complaint lodged by the secretary of the Goa-based National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE).

The actor was shooting for “Golmaal 3” there.

When some students clamoured for autographs, the actor was clicked with a cigarette in hand signing autographs for little children. Says Dr Shekhar Salkar, secretary NOTE, "We at once shot off a letter. I must say he was very gracious, admitting his mistake and he even stated that he would be doubly careful in the future.

He said he agreed with me when I say that film stars hugely influence youngsters. I have written back acknowledging his apology, I must say there is still a little bit of Munnabhai left in Circuit," finished the cancer surgeon. The principal of Chowgule College in Madgaon has to pay a Rs 200 fine. "He must pay it from his own pocket and not take the funds from the management," adds Dr Salkar.

NOTE has had several skirmishes with puffhappy stars in the past, most notably with Amitabh Bachchan, when his Family movie posters were splashed all over, showing AB holding a cigar.

Says Dr Salkar, "Amitabh was gracious too.

Though his movie posters were removed from Goa, they were not removed from other parts of the country. We filed a case and this very important verdict is expected from the High Court shortly."

NOTE had taken on Shah Rukh Khan too, when he was spotted smoking in the stands during the first edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in India.

Karan Johar to go talent hunting After the success of 'My Name is Khan' filmmaker Karan Johar is in the look-out for a new story and a fresh face for his next venture.

Johar has announced that he will soon start looking for new acting talent to star in films produced under the banner of Dharma Productions.

"Have made some solid decisions for Dharma this year...starting with the fact that we want to launch new acting talent in a film this year," tweeted Johar.

The filmmaker is currently in New York, looking for "a burst of creativity" to kick start his next project.

"Have been walking streets and avenues...hoping the aimless strolls results in a burst of creativity!! Need to find a film this trip!," he wrote.

The 37-year-old filmmaker is currently busy with producing films, including the Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor starrer 'I Hate Luv Storys', which is directed by Punit Malhotra, and 'Love You Maa' which will star Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.

garammaSala

20

Asian Voice Saturday 22nd May 2010

Britain’s Got Bhangra Piaa: Flying high!

Piaa Bajpai of Goa fame is one happy person these days as her film “Bale Pandiya,” directed by S i d d h a r t h Chandrashekar, readies for release (the audio launch happened recently). She is also excited about her upcoming flick Ko, directed by K.V. Anand.

“I was very apprehensive about working in the South because I didn’t know anyone here. But, when Priyadarshan Sir

asks if you want to audition for a Tamil film (Poi Solla Porom), how can you not do it? I lied to him that Tamil wouldn’t be a problem,” she revealed.

“In Bale Pandiya, I play a happy girl living with her grandfather. She falls in love with a boy who thinks he’s a loser.

We shot for three to four months. It’s a good role.

We were shooting on a yacht, and I wasn’t used to the sea,” she added.

Priyal Sanghavi

Sunaina hopes a lot on Vamsam

Sunaina once again wears a half saree for Vamsam, a typical village milieu produced by CM Karunanidhi family. After her subtle performance in Kadhalil Vizhunthaen, Maasilamani and Yaathumagi, this 20-yearold is all set to make an impression with Vamsam, in which she will share screen space with Arulnidhi (grandson of Chief Minister Kalaignar M Karunanidhi).

Says Sunaina, “Though I cannot reveal much about my role in the film, I have got an opportunity to play with varied emotions in this film, as Vamsam is a tale of a generation of a family, their happiness, grief, love and death.”

Director Pandiraj of Pasanga fame is directing the film and music maestro’s AR Rahman’s assistant Taj Noor is scoring the music.

It’s very easy to dismiss Britain’s Got Bhangra (BGB) as stereotypical and aimed for one community. After all, usually one sees a mainstream British arts performance goes all out in wooing the white audience with its Bollywoodesque garish colours and larger than life sets. But BGB touts itself to be Britain’s first Asian musical - and it succeeds in doing so.

Twinkle Singh (Shin) leaves his newlywed wife to earn a fortune in Thatcherite London and lands up at London suburb most synonymous to Punjabis, Southall. It is not easy but he teams up with mechanic Rocky. He starts singing at weddings and soon enough, is a successful Bhangra star. But evil Shinde (Sophia Haque) turns his life upside down and twenty years later he has a chance of redeeming himself.

Director Pravesh Kumar has been working on script since three years and producer Louise Rogers does not recognise the musical “It has changed so many times, atleast 15 revisions.” They both found they had nothing to compare it too.

“Bombay Dreams is not contemporary and Merchants of Bollywood is just a dance show,” says Pravesh.

With a book writer,

lyrics writer, Punjabi lyrics writer and Pravesh, the end result is one which is intelligent, entertaining and well-researched for the audience which comprise of both Asians and white British. Pravesh wanted to draw out the working crowd. “We landed up having Asian families which don’t usually watch theatre and British white audience who love theatre but who don’t know bhangra.” The humour is rather similar to the films of Gurinder Chadha - drawing out everyday stereotypical but real characters and parodying them.

A musical on a music genre would have been an instant flop with a bad sound. But even those with little knowledge of bhangra will recognise how the music changes as the years progress, in the musical. Music director Sumeet Chopra captured the folk music in Punjab, the live shows of the 80s, the 90s remixes and the current reggae and bass trend of Jay Sean. The music catches on and you leave the theatre humming. The makers interviewed many yesteryear stars to draw out Bhangra and Punjabi history to be as authentic as possible.

What’s commendable about BGB’s music is that it features a five-piece live band. Kumar would have it no other way. He said: “It would be easy and bor-

ing to use bhangra’s greatest hit numbers; that could be done in a few days. Each song in BGB is written specially for the scene.”

The star of the show is legendary Bhangra star Shin, lead vocalist for double platinum disk award-winning band DCS, who found the story is semi-autobiographical. “I started singing at weddings. Also I do know a lot of contemporaries who came from India in the 80s who were superstars but could not keep up with the changing time and suffered. I know these people and I could relate to them.” It’s high time the producers feature him in the publicity posters.

Sophia Haque is a delightfully evil Shinde while Sunil Pramanik is the lovable Rocky and the ensemble cast is superb.

There are a few glitches. The pace considerably slackens in the second half when Twinkle falls into bad times. It’s a bit too melodramatic with a bizarre divine intervention thrown in. Also the end is stretched a bit too much.

All in all, colourful, clever, contemporary and c o m mendable.

No plan to get married now, says Deepika Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who has reportedly rekindled her romance with longtime boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, has clarified that she is not planning to get married anytime soon.

“I am just 24 and I have a enough time to decide whom and when to get married to. So, whenever that happens, I will let you people know,” Deepika told reporters at a press conference.

Right now Deepika is excited about walking the red carpet at the ongoing 63rd Cannes International Film Festival for liquor brand Chivas Regal.

“This is the first time I am going to a festival like this.

Initially I was a bit hesitant but now I am looking forward to meet great people from all across the globe,” she said.

In the past Aishwarya Rai and Mallika Sherawat earned flak for their bad dressing sense at the Cannes, but Deepika is unperturbed and says she is least bothered about criticism.

She wore a sari, designed by Rohit Bal, at the red carpet “Sari is a very sensual garment and whenever people from other countries discuss about sari, they just say one word – wow!!,” said Deepika. She also admitted that she feels very comfortable in a sari and can drape one in just 30 seconds.

bollykats

Asian Voice - Saturday 22th May 2010

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Sexy Aishwarya finally gets it right at Cannes The former Miss World, has been a permanent Cannes attendee for many years, since her movie, 'Devdas' screened at the Festival in 2002.

The festival which opened with the premiere of Ridley Scott's 'Robin Hood' was awash with stars including the epic's lead pair Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.

Academy Award wining Mexican actress Salma Hayek, who was part of the Festival jury along with India's Nandita Das in 2005, was also present.

British actress Kristin Scott Thomas played mistress of the opening ceremony introducing the

She has become a fixture on the French Riviera over the years and Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan did not disappoint onlookers at the 63rd Cannes festival when she walked the red carpet at the gala opening.

The 36-year-old actress who arrived minus husband Abhishek Bachchan wore a violet tulle and mousseline gown from Elie Saab.

With her hair done up in a pompadour updo, the actress walked the red carpet with fellow L'oreal spokesmodel, American actress Eva Longoria.

Rai is here to promote her much awaited film, Mani Ratnam's 'Ravan', whose first look was unveiled on May 17.

The bilingual work has been produced by Reliance Big Pictures and is slated for a June release.

The much hyped Hrithik Roshan starer, Kites is a romantic thriller, produced by his dad and the film production company he owns.

In the harsh terrain of the Mexican desert, a mortally wounded man is left for dead in the heat of the desert sun. This is Jai - once a street smart, carefree, young guy and now a wanted man.

The only thing that keeps him alive is the quest to find the love of his life, Natasha. A woman, engaged to another man, but surely destined for Jai. Natasha comes into Jai’s life like a bolt of lightning, and changes it forever. Its is a story of love that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures. It is a story of passion that defies every rule, of a relationship that takes two lovers on a thrilling journey filled with precious moments and unexpected betrayal.

Produced by Rakesh and Sunaina Roshan under the banner of Filmkraft Productions (I) Pvt Ltd., Kites is directed by Anurag Basu. He shares the credit for story and screenplay with Akash Khurana and Robin Bhatt. Lead cast of the flick includes Hrithik Roshan, Kangna Ranaut, Barbara Mori, Kabir Bedi, Nick Brown and Yuri Suri.

Nasir Faraaz and Asif Ali Beg have penned the lyrics for the film, while Rajesh Roshan has scored the music. K K, Vishal Dadlani, Suraj Jagan, Hrithik Roshan, Suzanne D'Mello, Rajesh Roshan and Anushka Manchanda have rendered the playback.

New Hindi movies releasing this week 1. Kites

Top 5 Bollywood movies for the week No. Film 1 2 3 4 5

No. Last Week Badmaash Company New Housefull 1 It's A Wonderful Afterlife New Paathshaala 2 Prince 3

Total weeks 1 2 1 4 5

President of the jury, American director Tim Burton, and the other members of his team, including India's Shekhar Kapur.

Thomas will also preside over the closing ceremony on May 23, when Burton will announce the prizes.

Indian designers approve Aishwarya's Cannes gown Indian designers feel that Aishwarya was looking "pretty" and "elegant" in a train gown at the opening ceremony, yet some wished she had stuck to a sari.

The 36-year-old actress had worn a violet blue fully embroidered tulle and mousseline gown from Lebanese designer Elie Saab, teaming it with round solitaires and topped with a buffon hairstyle - reminding one of yesteryears actresses like Sharmila Tagore.

Sherlyn says no for the Playboy nude shoot offer Sherlyn Chopra had created a buzz after she disclosed that she had got an offer from Playboy, the acclaimed men’s magazine for a nude photo shoot for the cover page. Ultimately, after mulling over the matter for a few days, the actress has said she will not bare all for the magazine cover.

It all started after Sherlyn’s manager sent a few clicks of the sexy actress to Playboy magazine’s office in US. In no time, Sherlyn got a call from Hugh Hefner’s office with an offer to adorn the men magazine’s cover.

If Sherlyn she had accepted the offer, she would have become the first Indian actor to have ever posed for the international magazine.

Initially Sherlyn revealed, “I have never posed nude therefore I was a bit apprehensive about the offer. But I got a photographer friend to do a few test clicks and I loved the results.” The actress who is a regular with hot yoga says that her body is super flexible and that, “I can do positions which the magazine would love.”

Sherlyn is also excited about meeting Playboy head honcho Hugh Hefner. “I wanted to meet him for a long time and the time has finally come. I will be going to his mansion. I have heard so many interesting stories about him and now it’s my chance to know him up, close and personal,” says the actress with a naughty wink.

It can be recalled that the sultry actress had expressed her desire to pose for Playboy cover back in 2007. Sherlyn had said, “Of course I would love to be on the cover. I would want to make India proud. But I am not keen on centre spread. I only want to be the cover babe. So given an opportunity I would definitely love to be on the popular adult magazines.”

Soha in no hurry to team up with mom again Soha Ali Khan, who has just finished her first film with her mother Sharmila Tagore, is in no hurry to repeat the experience.

'It's my first film with mom.

Hopefully, we won't have to face the camera in a hurry again. In spite of having years of experie n c e playi n g her

daughter, the experience of doing it for the camera just unnerved me,' Soha, 31, said.

Soha and Sharmila will be seen together in Londonbased Indian filmmaker Sangeeta Datta's directorial venture 'Life Goes On', which is inspired by the old tale of King Lear and his daughters. Set in London, the film explores the relations between a grief stricken father, played by Girish Karnard, and his three daughters. Soha plays one of the daughters, while Sharmila will be seen as her mother in the movie.

'Normally when it comes to shooting, my mom is usually very hands-on. But this

time she just let it be. She did take a keen interest in my clothes makeup, etc. But once we faced the camera, she let the director Sangeeta Dutta do all the directing,' said Soha.

The young actress entered showbiz in 2004 with 'Dil Maange More' and has so far featured in 13 films including 'Antar Mahal' (2005), 'Rang De Basanti' (2006) and 'Khoya Khoya Chand' (2007).

Soha says she listened to her mother about clothes.

'Because she has a great taste. But it's so morbid. I've become petrified about losing my mother after doing a film on a daughter losing her mom.'

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InDIa

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Tirupati temple to deposit gold with SBI Bank will pay higher interest, also in the metal form The divine gold will now be in the safe custody of State Bank of India. The Tirupati temple trust will thus save on costs to hold the gold in safe custody, and will enjoy double benefits, as it is to earn interest, also in the form of gold.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the custodian of the world's richest Hindu temple, has signed a pact with State Bank of India (SBI) for deposit of huge quantity of the surplus yellow metal lying in its treasury.

The TTD has agreed, in the first phase, to deposit a whopping 1000 kg of gold with SBI. This is believed to be the single largest ‘gold deal’ in terms of both - value and volume, in the history of the TTD. The trust though holds deposits of 1750 kg

In divine light

Different roles a wife plays

of gold so far, in various banks.

The deal is considered a good bargain for both. It is also unique in the sense that a bank is coming to the doorsteps of Tirumala to receive the gold deposits and pay interest in the form of gold.

In the past, TTD used to pay Rs.80 lakh in the past as charges towards transportation, insurance

and melting (at the mint).

Under the latest deal, the bank will bear all these costs, thus saving a lot for the temple management.

Similarly, against the paltry 0.75 % previously, the TTD will now be getting 1.6 % cumulative rate of interest for the five-year deposit.

The interest will be paid in the form of gold, and not cash.

Charges against Sajjan Kumar framed for anti-Sikh riots Delhi court finds prima facie evidence against Congress leader, former minister

A plea by CBI, seeking prosecution of Congress leader and former union minister Sajjan Kumar for his role in the 1984 antiSikh riots in New Delhi was allowed by a Delhi court.

Last weekend, additional sessions judge Sunita Gupta ordered the CBI to frame charges against Sajjan Kumar for murder and spreading enmity between communities.

The judge said the court found prima facie evidence against the accused.

CBI had accused Kumar of provoking people against members of a particular community during the carnage that fol-

Sajjan Kumar

lowed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, leading to the killing of five persons in Delhi Cantonment area.

Sajjan Kumar had contested the CBI claims, as he said accounts of CBI witnesses were not reliable as they had changed their versions a number of times.

"The probe agency, however, had also sought framing of charges against Kumar for being involved in sedition saying he had incited people belonging to one community against another.

Besides Kumar, other accused in the case are Balwan Khokhar, Krishan Khokhar, Mahender Yadav, Captain Bhagmal and Girdhari Lal. CBI had filed two charge sheets against Kumar and others on January 13 in the riots cases registered in 2005 on the recommendation of Justice G T Nanavati Commission which inquired into the sequence of events leading to the riots.

Death threats to Javed Akhtar for criticising Deoband Noted lyricist and nominated member of Rajya Sabha, Javed Akhtar received a spate of mails threatening him with death, following his strong views against the Deoband seminary in UP, which recently came out with a fatwa against working women.

The All-India Milli Council (AIMC), AllIndia Sunni Jamaitul Ulema and Raza Academy said that women should dress according to the Islamic laws. Talking to a news daily, Moonisa Bushra Abedi, an AMIC member, said, “Purdah is an integral part of Islam.

Women should dress modestly and cover themselves if they have to work. It is unlawful if they work and talk to men who are

By Rajen Vakil

Javed Akhtar

strangers without wearing a veil.”

Talking about working women, Abedi continued, “Their earnings are not ‘haram’ but if they do not follow principles while

working, then it is.”

H o w e v e r, Javed Akhtar strongly condemned such uncalled remarks, following which the scriptwriter was told to apologise or face strict action. “Both he and his wife do not follow Muslim law or consider themselves Muslims, why should they talk on Islam,” said Abdul Qayyum Shaikh of the All- India Milli Council, which further added that Muslims working in films are ‘haram.’

Earlier, on a news channel, Javed Akhtar had called muftis "insane”.

We had seen in the previous article that even though Shakuntala was full of anger, words of great wisdom flowed from her lips; that Dushyanta acted ignorant in order to allow Shakuntala’s hidden knowledge to flower. Let us continue exploring what Shakuntala then said.

Shakuntala continues “O noble king, it is me, your wife, standing in your presence, worthy I am of being worshipped, but instead you rain insult on me as if I am of fallen cast and belong with the woman in the street. Is my pleading in vain and my crying just a shout in wilderness? If you keep ignoring me, your head will explode into a thousand pieces.”

Shakuntala was unaware that Dushyanta was acting ignorant. He was doing this to free her from the anger that was trapped in her unconscious mind, which she could vent in her words. She threatens Dushyanta with the power of her austerity, little knowing about its powers.

Shakuntala continues “the great Rishies of yonder knew that the husband enters the wife as a sex cell and through her, his form returns as the son. This role played by the wife is known as ‘Jaaya’ and the son that is born is called ‘Putra’.”

Here, Shakuntala is describing a very deep science where the form of the husband reappears as the son. The word she uses is ‘Jaaya’ from the Sanskrit root ‘Jan’ meaning to give birth to.

Therefore when a woman marries, she is called ‘Patni’, but when pregnant she is known as ‘Jaaya’.

Putra comes from ‘Pu’ + ‘Tra’; Pu stands for purgatory or suffering and Tra is to transcend. She is revealing that the father transcends suffering by the birth of a son.

Shakuntala further adds, “The ‘Patni’ is the one who is clever in running the household and willing to give birth to children; her life-force is always centred on her husband.” ‘Patni’ come from the root Pa, which has two meanings, one is to give to drink and the other is to protect in the sense of nourishment.

Here, Shakuntala is explaining that a wife nourishes her husband’s soul by giving him the drink of love.

Shakuntala also explains another role of a

wife – that as a ‘Bharya’, coming from the roots ‘Bhru’, meaning to fill (or pervade), and Bharthru, meaning a leader or a supporter.

Shakuntala remarks that “Only a woman understands the secret of manifestation, for it is only she who knows the secret behind giving birth.” The sages say that all manifestation is born out of a combina-

tion of the three forces.

She is thus explaining that all events in one’s life are controlled by the three forces and because a woman knows their secret, it brings ‘Anand’ (happiness), ‘Lakshmi’ (prosperity), and ‘Dharma’ (religiosity) into the life of her husband. When she plays this role to perfection, her husband experiences the highest bliss and enjoys over-flowing wealth. When the wife plays this role, people see the husband as a trustworthy person.

Shakuntala then talks about the wife’s role called ‘Priyamvada’, from ‘Pri’ meaning to please, be a friend, and to soothe and ‘Vada’ meaning to speak pleasing words.

She adds “In times of solitude, the ‘Priyamvada’ fills the heart of the husband with the elixir of friendship.

During calamities and trying times, she comes forth as a mother nursing the husband through his period of difficulty. Also, when the husband performs religious rites, she becomes a paternal guardian to channelize his energies in the right direction; and provides for those travellers who pass by his door, like a dense tree that shades from the scorching sun.”

She finally talks of the role of ‘Kaanta’. This comes from the root ‘Kaam’ meaning desire depicting the wife as a fulfiller of the husband’s innermost desire. She says, “O King, the deep-

est desire in all men is that of continuity (through the birth of a son); even the great sages with all their powers and knowledge had to marry to quench this thirst of continuity. In this role fulfilling the deepest desire of man, the wife is known as ‘Kaanta’. She is the bearer of ‘Rati’ (fulfilment), ‘Preeti’ (love), and ‘Dharma’ (the natural law of continuity).

Hence, even when a man is trembling with intense anger, he should never insult or hurt a woman for in doing so, he will only be depriving his own destiny of all these three (Rati, Preeti, and Dharma) and doing so delays eventual salvation and fulfilment.”

Dushyanta then replied “You have been born out of passion and sexuality; you are of a lower cast and speak like a prostitute. I do not know you or your son. It seems you always speak the untruth; who will ever trust you, please go away!”

To this, Shakuntala replied “I will go but please accept your son; even if you don’t, his destiny is to rule the earth, so I am leaving.”

As Shakuntala was about to leave, a heavenly voice spoke from the sky “O Dushyanta, this is your wife and son. Please accept and look after him, his name shall be Bharata. This great land, which has been looked after by the blessings of the great sages shall be named after him.”

Dushyanta then explains Shakuntala how he acted in a low and demeaning manner to destroy the last vestige of ego in the form of selfimage in her so that she could reap the fruits of her years of austerity. On dissolution of the ego, the inner light reveals itself, depicted by the heavenly voice.

In the previous articles, we had discussed about cause, effect, ends, and motives. Within the words of Shakuntala where she talks about father, son, fore-fathers and sons of sons, I would urge readers to try and decipher the deeper play of cause and effect.

(Edited by Chintu Gandhi. Illustration by Siddharth Ramanuj.)

The author can be reached by emailing 3srb@live.com

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Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Mandira again in ‘Tattoo’ row Mandira, the model turned actress and TV anchor was again caught in a ‘Tattoo’ row, as she got ‘Ek Onkar’ (God is one), a religious symbol for Sikhs tattooed on her nape (neck). Last week, she was snapped wearing the tattoo at a public function in Zirakpur near Chandigarh. Shiromani Akali Dal special secretary Baldev Singh Sirsa he would move a court against Mandira.

Mandira Bedi attended a dealers meet of Jaypee Cement along with Sachin Tendulkar. She flaunted the tattoo with the symbol in Gurmukhi on her bare nape, leading to protests. Mandira Bedi said on Wednesday that she respected the religious sentiments of the Sikhs and that she had planned to undergo a plastic surgery to have it removed but could not find time.

Gujarat University designs special courses to cater to NRI needs

Swati Bhan

Realising the growing needs amongst Non Resident Indians (NRI) to keep their children aware of the basic Indian culture, the Gujarat University has introduced month long courses to keep NRI students abreast with the Indian culture.

The month long courses which cater to the

Dr. Parimal Trivedi Vice Chancellor

Course details • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Indian Mythology Indian Films Art of Rangoli Folk Art and Festivals Indian Cuisine Film Music Mehendi Indian Literature Indian Philosophy and Culture Yoga and Meditation Religions of India and Traditions Home Stay in Indian Background Gandhi: The Man and His Philosophy

needs of NRI students include Indian Mythology, Indian Films, Art of Rangoli, Folk Art and Festivals and even Indian cuisine. The course also includes Gandhi:The Man and his Philosophy, Film Music, Mehendi, Indian Literature, Indian Philosophy and Culture, Yoga and Meditation, Religions of India and Traditions and Home Stay in Indian Background.

Speaking about the courses Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University Dr

Parimal Trivedi said, “These courses have been tailor made to cater to the needs of NRI students.’’

He said that there were universities which were designing courses for NRI students but at Gujarat University the courses were designed to meet the exact demands of the NRI students.

Dr. Trivedi said that there were interests in courses like Indian Literature and Indian Cuisine. He said that there were also enquiries

about the course in Gandhi philosophy. He said that the students who complete the course would get a certificate by the Gujarat University.

The fee for the course also includes housing and meals and tuition fee.

Apart from the fee for a month there is also a registration fee which has to be paid by the student before starting the course, said Dr Trivedi.

He said that the university also has introduced several courses for foreign students as well and the demand amongst foreign students for taking up courses in the Indian context were also on a rise.

Speaking about the fee structure for the NRI courses, Dr Trivedi said the fee for the whole duration is US $ 1,500 and a registration fee of $ 25 and an entry deposit of $ 100 has to be made.

The NRI parents do not mind the fee given the training and the knowledge that the students get from here.

Ludhiana gets direct flight to Delhi, Pathankot Ludiana, the industrial and garment hub of Punjab got direct flight to Delhi last week. The city had been demanding it for long. Punjba deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal was one of the passengers in the Air India Express flight that touched down Thursday last week.

Later addressing the media Badal said that SAD had promised in the manifesto to put Ludhiana and Bathinda on air map and he was satisfied that

he has redeemed his promise. He said that shortly domestic flights would start operating from Bathinda also.

Another flight connecting Ludhiana with Pathankot would also be made operational on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The Ludhiana (Sahnewal) airfield had been provided with night landing facility and advanced avionics would ensure smooth traffic throughout the year.

Kerala’s Munnar voted world’s second greatest tourist destination Munnar, the serene hill station of 'God's own country' – Kerala in India has been named the second-greatest travel destination in the world by TripAdivsor. Only Tokyo, the capital of Japan could beat the scenic town.

Surrounding by sprawling tea plantations, Munnar beat out Cambodia's Siem Reap and Kyoto and Naha in Japan to round out the top-five in the Traveler's Choice Destination awards for 2010.

"Millions of travellers rely on TripAdvisor for travel inspiration. So we are thrilled and humbled that Munnar has been honored by travellers this year," said Kerala Tourism secretary Dr Venu. "The awards are particularly meaningful as they are determined by real travellers."

Winners were determined by a combination of travellers' destination comments, favorite places, and overall destination popularity on TripAdvisor.

24

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

And now, a mango named Sachin Many a Sachin Tendulkar fans have named their sons Sachin.

But now, a fruit has been named after the cricketing star. A rare talent, is now a rare variety of mango.

Mango expert, Kalimullah Khan says, "There is no player like Sachin Tendulkar in the whole world and that's why I have named this mango Sachin." This hybrid mango or Sachin as it

is now called is a combination of two of the finest Indian varieties, the juicy Goodar Shah and the delicious Chausa. But this is not for sale. "Our Sachin is a world hero and he is priceless and not a saleable commodity. So, my attempt will be to send all the mangoes on this tree to Sachin so he can enjoy them with his friends," adds the mango expert.

Kamal Budhabhatti: a software marvel from India that shines in Kenya Client list of the unassuming, self made billionaire includes the likes of Barclays Bank Kamal Budhabhatti has made his way to fortune the hardest way. The 35 year old entrepreneur from Jamnagar in Gujarat, India has built a successful software company in Kenya from scratch, in just 10 years. Craft Silicon is worth 1.7 billion Kenyan Shillings and still rising.

Kamal’s is a very unusual story of almost rags to riches. Even after all this success, the unassuming software magnate simply doesn’t look like he is the boss of his business.

He is often asked to send his boss to business meetings. Kamal, more often sends some of his mature looking employees for business meets to avoid the repetition of such incidents.

For a man of just 35 years of age and boyish looks, it is difficult for people to believe he is the owner of Craft Silicon.

And he is also determined to pay back something to Kenya with his philanthropic endeavours.

Recently, he donated Sh9 million towards the

Heat kills four Jain pilgrims in Palitana Shock and panic gripped pilgrim town of Palitana when four pilgrims reportedly died of sun stroke on Sunday morning. The pilgrims were among thousands attending a five-day Jain religion function, Suripat Rajat Jayanti Mahotsav, at the foothills of Shetrunji hills at this Jain pilgrimage in Bhavnagar district.

About 50,000 devotees from across the country had gathered for religious event on Akhatrij.

"The incident took place when some devotees started ascending the hills for darshan. Due to extreme heat five persons collapsed and were rushed to Mansinghji hospital, where four persons died during treatment," a source said.

just concluded Africa and Middle-East Microfinance Conference held at KICC, but never sat at the negotiation table.

His firm though has gained the stature of a global software company, providing solutions in different languages like English, French, Spanish and Even Arabic. And his client lists boasts of Banks like the Barclays Bank of UK. He also has provided banking solutions to Bank of India, Equatorial Bank, Southern Credit Bank, Paramount Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and Afribank. Prime Bank and Equity Bank also use some of his software.

He developed Bankers Realm, the first software in 2000. Among the other financial solutions Craft Silicon offers include a Sharia compliant Islamic banking and micro-finance banking BR Core microfinance solution (BRmfs).

Craft Silicon also offers payment solutions that include EFT Switch Solution.

Craft Silicon has per-

Kamal Budhabhatti

manent offices in New York, India, West Africa and Kenya.

He has a very modest family background. His father, a newspaper vendor, could not afford paying extra money for personal coaching to help him in his studies. Kamal got a B.Sc. in Physics.

With little chances getting a job in India, he immediately took a flight to Kenya when a friend told him he could get an opportunity for a data entry job there.

He did got that job, but it was simple yet difficult: to sit behind a computer in a small room with volumes of files and no air condi-

tioning and key in data.

In 2000, he was tipped by a friend that a certain bank required ‘clearing house’ software.

He sat down and developed software for the bank, as he had learnt programming in his university education. This side job did not please his boss who fired him immediately for “using office hours to do his own work.”

His work permit was withdrawn and the young man found himself on a plane back to his native.

However, he did not step out of the airport in India.

He again bought a ticket and was back to Kenya.

With a borrowed com-

BJP to share power in Jharkhand with JMM The two parties will have their CMs for 28 months each Ending a three-week long political impasse in Jharkhand, the BJP and JMM reached an agreement on sharing power on rotational basis with a BJP-led government to take over within a week.

"We have decided that BJP and JMM will share power for 28 months each with the BJP taking over in the first phase," Chief Minister Shibu Soren and BJP's chief ministerial candidate Arjun Munda announced on Tuesday .

BJP had announced its decision to withdraw support to the Shibu Soren government on April 28 after the JMM chief voted against the BJP-sponsored cut-motions in the Lok

Sabha. However, after Soren's son Hemant made an offer to BJP to head the government in the state, the BJP revoked its decision but a tussle ensued on the power-sharing formula.

On May 8, the BJP announced that it would head a new coalition for the remainder of the tenure with support from alliance partners JMM and AJSU. The same evening Soren said the new government would be on a rotational basis, causing a stalemate.

Both the JMM and the BJP have 18 seats each in the 82-member House.

Other members of the coalition are Janata DalUnited (JD-U) with two seats, All Jharkhand

Students Union (AJSU) which has five seats and others two.

Soren and Hemant, who is also leader of the JMM Legislature Party, were present at meeting where BJP was represented by senior party leader Karuna Shukla, party general secretary Arjun Munda and present Deputy Chief Minister Raghubar Das. AJSU was represented by Sudesh Mahato. JMM leaders Teklal Mahato and Hemlal Murmu- who were said to be opposed to Hemant's offer- were also present.

Arjun Munda is set to lead the government as he has the support of most MLAs, BJP sources said.

Racist behaviour with Indian shooting team in Dorset Continued from page 1 Sandhu also said the same bus driver had a couple of days ago asked the entire Indian team to get down from the bus for very stupid reasons.

Sandhu said such behaviour affected the performance of the Indian shooters. He believes the locals have a problem seeing Indians doing so well at international competitions, at times even doing better than them on their home turf.

Sandhu decided to take the issue further.

Indian team manager T Padmanabhan got in touch with the Indian High Commissioner in UK and requested him to intervene. Back home in India, Ms. Praneet Kaur, minister of state for external affairs said the incident was very unfortunate and she would pursue it.

M S Gill, minister for sports and a former official also called a meeting of his ministry and decid-

ed to have the issue taken at diplomatic level.

It was only after this that the organisers apologised to the Indian shooters.

The apology was confirmed by the National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) secretary Rajib Bhatia. “The organisers have apologised for the incident,” he said.

Mr Bhatia said that the Indian team had also asked for a written apology from the organisers of

the ISSF event and were waiting for it.

Mr Baljeet Singh Sethi, secretary general of the NRAI, had charged the transport staff with racism. “They still consider us their slaves. Such incidents have taken place in the past as well during the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester,” Mr Sethi told agencies.

The incidents happened at the Southern Counties shooting ground at Dorset in England.

puter, no phone and no money, he set down to creating software for financial institutions. “I had to make use of the knowledge I had to make a living or I would have ended up starving and with nowhere to turn to,” he says. And so began his journey to success.

“And then the money from the bank I had made software for came through and paid pretty well. Soon, I sold the software to other financial institutions,” he recalls.

“There is a disregard for Kenyan firms by Kenyans,” he says. “It’s so much to overcome and something needs to be done about it.”

Craft Silicon earns only 15 per cent from Kenya, while rest of his revenues come from exports. His efforts to market the company in Kenya as a worthy competitor to big companies who import software to the country have not been fruitful.

The high flier remains skeptical of financial insti-

tutions that are slowly adapting to technology.

“They refuse to recognise the potential of technology deciding to remain in the old way of doing business.

Some will discover when it is too late.”

Kamal is already a Kenyan citizen and believes Kenya has a lot of potential. He wants to do everything to market the country as a business hub.

“I possessed nothing when I came to Kenya and I believe that I have a moral duty of giving back to this society,” he says.

Already he has a mobile computer lab for slum children. The six months old project consists of a bus mounted with computers connected to the internet that moves around Nairobi slums offering computer and basic information technology training for free.

400 slum children are already trained, another 500 are getting the training now. This is a pilot project and the company hopes to have 50 such buses in two years.

Former Indian Vice President Shekhawat passes away BJP leader died in a Jaipur hospital last week

A BJP stalwart and former Vice President of India, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat passed away last week after a brief illness. He was admitted to the Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur with complains of uneasiness and breathing problems. He died on Saturday after being hospitalised for two days.

The former Vice President was admitted to the ICU of the SMS hospital on the night of May 13 and doctors had said he was suffering from lung and chest infection. He was sworn-in as the country’s 12th Vice President on August 19, 2002.

Mr. Shekhawat was the only member of the Rajasthan Assembly to

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

have won in every assembly election since 1952, except 1972 when he lost from Gandhi Nagar in Jaipur. He was also elected to the Rajya Sabha from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh in 1974.

Leaders from across the political spectrum paid their tributes.

Surat, Rajkot, Ahmedabad among India’s best sanitised cities Chandigarh is no. 1, Mysore no. 2 Gujarat is proud to have 3 of its cities ranked among the top 20 nationally as “Best sanitised” cities, while Chandigarh tops the list and Mysore is ranked 2nd.

The rankings have been given as a part of the National Urban Sanitation Policy. Surat, the diamond city is at no. 3 while Rajkot and Ahmedabad have respectively got 9th and

19th spot.

The policy is aimed at making Indian cities and towns more sanitised, healthy and liveable. The ratings are meant to recognise the good performers and to encourage other cities to follow similar sanitary practices.

New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment get the fourth and fifth rank.

25

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Rahul opens Amethi’s windows to Gates AICC general secretary and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi recently guided Bill Gates, the American software king to a tour of his parliamentary constituency, Amethi.

Rahul took the American philanthropist on a whirlwind tour, showcasing its achievement. Gates, obviously tuned in on the success stories of the network of women self-help groups, played

every bit a charmed guest.

300-odd women in festive dresses were waiting for ‘Amreeka ka seth’ were evidently well prepared. Unfazed by the presence of VVIPs, they surprised Gates with their sharp wit.

Bill Gates has also reportedly offered to transform Amethi into an IT hub.

Parsis: A community fighting for their survival in India The witty community reacted in a lighter vein: “A campaign of the scale of ‘Save our Tigers’ is the need of the hour” Nilesh Parmar Union Finance Minister of India, Pranab Mukherjee is a seasoned and smart leader and administrator with proven skills. He is known as the ‘Man Friday’ for the Congress and the UPA government. While he was presenting the union budget of India for the year 2010-11 in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament on 26th February, millions of eyes were glued to the TV screens and ears attentive to hear what he was going to announce. Quite a few Parsis were also among those attentively hearing the presentation.

While union budget of India deals with amounts normally in millions and billions, this year, there was a first of its kind initiative.

Pranab babu announced a small allocation of Rs. 10 million for the Parsi community. The objective, as announced, was of the social welfare of the small yet talented community. The announcement created a distinct smile on the faces of the Parsis, though it was a bit difficult to determine whether they laughed with joy or with a kind of pain.

It can only be described as an irony, that the government is needed to come forward and help them financially in their

The Parsi Agiyari, a place of worship for the community near Khamasa in the old, walled city area of Ahmedabad

should set up a corpus fund, grant income tax exemption to whatever income is generated from the fund. He also called for reservation for Parsi children in all institutions of higher education.

Shethna said this is the least that the government can do for the community that has helped in the society in all sectors, particularly with very liberal donations.

Prof. Gaurang Jani, a well known sociologist in

Government of India makes a token move to support their fight fight for survival. The Parsi community is known for their lion hearted philanthropy. While the community acknowledges the good intention behind the government initiative, they say the amount is not even a peanut in the fight that is definitely a long battle.

Asian Voice attempted to find out the reactions of the community and the real issues that they are facing as well as the likely solutions to see the Parsi community flourishing again. K J Shethna, a leading advocate of the Gujarat High Court is the current president of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat. When we met him, he said he has written a letter to Dr. Mehru Dhunjisha Bengali, the Parsi member of the National Commission for Minorities, urging him that the fund allocation should be atleast Rs. 200 million. He went on to say that the government

Gujarat echoes the same sentiments. According to him, most of the Parsis settled in Mumbai are definitely well off financially, but those in South Gujarat area – between Surat and Mumbai are by and large of middle class. If one really aims for the social welfare, uplift of this community, an amount of Rs. 10 million is very meager.

A community that is peace loving, very sweet and soft spoken as also humorous is today very much concerned about the threat to their very existence as well as their culture. The story of their arrival on the port of Sanjan in Gujarat and their promise to the King that if they are allowed to settle down there, they will mix up with the local like ‘Sakhar in Milk’ is even remembered today, after more than a thousand years, but in fact very little is done for the conservation – saving of their

culture.

Analysts point to more than one factors for the dwindling population of the Parsi community.

National Commission for Minorities recently commissioned three reports for the reasons of the Parsi community loosing numbers. Five reasons have been identified, which are: Late marriages or remaining unmarried; Decline in the fertility rate; Emigration; Inter-caste marriages and Separation of couples or divorces.

A project known as the ‘Parzor Project’ has been initiated with the help of Unesco, aiming at conserving the Zorastrian heritage. Dr. Shernaz Cama is the director of this project, based in New Delhi. He also agrees with the five reasons found out in the reports.

Elaborating, he said 31 per cent of the Parsi population in India is of the age group of 60 and above.

Another 30 per cent prefer to remain unmarried. Of the remaining, the divorce rate in the community is too high.

According to K J Shethna, adding to the concerns of the declining fertility rate is the fact that even those who get married do it at a rather late age. In most of the cases, the Parsi youngsters prefer to get married only after a good job or carrier and having a good house of their own. This leads to very late marriages. As if that is not enough, they decide to have a child after some more years, giving priority to the financial necessities and planning to cater to the would be

K J Shethna, a senior and prominent High Court advocate and chief of the Parsi Panchayat in Ahmedabad

child’s needs about the well being and education.

At times, being very late in going for a child also leads to complications for the women.

Some estimates suggest that the Parsi population globally is just 80,000. More than 75% of them are in India. As per the 2001 census figures, the Parsi community numbers in India were 69,900.

This means they constitute only 0.01 per cent of the population of India. If a recent research report titled ‘The demographic predicament of the Parsis in India’ is to be believed, the head count of the community in India will come down to just 34,000 by the year 2051. The death rate of the community in India is quite high; against the rate of 6.4 per thousand, it is 15 per thousand for the Parsis.

Though numerically not very significant, the Parsis today have settled in distant places such as the USA, Australia and even in Europe. Yet, their mother tongue is Gujarati and they speak that language almost everywhere.

The story behind that is their 1300 years old migration from Iran to Gujarat.

They left Iran, their native place just to protect their religion-culture.

While their promise to mix up with the locals is legendary and kept in letter and spirit, it has also to be noted that the welcome, the warmth that the Parsis got in Gujarat is unparalleled in India or perhaps even globally. They got a safe and secure social environment in Gujarat to conserve and nurture their

religion and culture. All sections of the society gave them the utmost cooperation.

Another fact is that, though the Parsis landed from Iran at the Sanjan Port in Gujarat, a majority of the Parsis (approximately 40,000) in India are settled in Mumbai.

There was an era when every Parsi couple had an average of 5 to 7 children.

But that was during the 19th century, when even in most of the other Indian

institutions for our kids, as we are sure that if we get that, it will also lead to solving a lot of problems that confront us.’ They feel that if the Parsi kids and youth get admissions into premier educational institutions nearby to their native place, they would be saved from migration.

Next, good education will help them get employment easily, leading to economic prosperity and timely marriages and so on.

Among the Parsis, the biggest debatable issue is of ‘Inter-caste’ marriage.

The community is very rigid in so far as it a matter of their religious practices and preservation of their culture. The gender bias favouring men is also very much evident, all prevalent among the Parsis too.

If a Parsi boy or young man marries a lady from other caste, he continues to enjoy the rights and the freedom to visit their place of worship – ‘The Agiyari’ as well as their place of last rights – ‘The tower of Silence’. But if a Parsi girl or lady marries to a man of any other caste or community, she looses all her religious rights as a Parsi.

It will be interesting to note, that a young Parsi lady from Valsad (The last district of Gujarat, neighbouring Maharashtra) has filed a petition before the Gujarat High Court, chal-

A grant of Rs 10 mn announced in budget 2010-11, experts feel it’s too little communities, it was the era of joint families.

Rearing the children was easy. As times changed after the World War II, the breaking down of joint families and the increasing financial responsibilities lead to smaller families.

That trend also affected the Parsis.

Level of education is also one of the problems.

The Parsi community today has a literacy rate of 95%. But, as in the case of a majority of other Gujarati and Indian communities, the level of education among the girls – women being higher than boys – men is also prevalent in the Parsis. The mismatch that is caused by the situation leads to late marriage and declining fertility.

A huge majority of the Parsi community echo one common feeling: ‘We do not want reservation in jobs, but we wish reservation in the educational

lenging the denial of rights to Parsi women. (A brief summary of the case will be put in the next issue of AV).

K J Shethna, the head of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat also believes that denial of the religious rights to a Parsi woman if she marries outside the community is tantamount to violation of her basic rights.

Shethna has worked for a long time with the Gujarat High Court Bar Association, having served as the president of the body for more than 12 terms.

Prof. Gaurang Jani feels that the Rs. 10 million grant will be able to do precious little to the conservation of the Parsi culture or save the community from extinction.

But even if the government helps prepare and publish a Parsi directory of India, it would perhaps constitute a big service to the community.

26

Asian Voice - Saturday Saturday 22nd May 2010

Lanka President to visit India on June 8 Tehran: India’s Foreign Minister S M Krishna on Sunday said that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be coming to India on a three-day visit in the second week of June 2010.

Krishna met his Sri Lankan counterpart, Gamini

Muslim immigrant crowned Miss USA Washington: Rima Fakih, a 24-year-old Lebanese immigrant and a resident of Michigan, has crowned Miss USA on Sunday. She is believed to be the first Muslim to win the pageant despite stumbling over her evening gown during the finale in Las Vegas. Fakih moved to the US as a child and attending a Catholic school, celebrating both Rima Fakih Muslim and Christian faiths, according to pageant organizers.

News of her victory delighted Arab-Americans and Muslim-Americans, whose largest concentration in the US is in the city of Dearborn, near Detroit, Michigan.

“This is the real face of Arab Americans, not the stereotypes you hear about,” Zouheir Alawieh, a local resident said. “We have culture. We have beauty. We have history, and today we made history... She believed in her dreams.”

Death for Chinese attacker of children Beijing: A 46-year-old unemployed man who had stabbed 29 children at a kindergarten in China's Jiangsu province, as part of his "revenge on society", was sentenced to death by a local court on Saturday.

Xu Yuyuan had also stabbed two teachers and a security guard at the Zhongxin Kindergarten in Jiangsu's Taixing city on April 29. The Taixing Intermediate Court on Saturday found Xu guilty of intentional homicide after a half-day open trial, which was attended by over 300 people, Xinhua reported.

Xu told the court his motive was to vent his rage against society. He said he was angry over a series of business and personal humiliations. Police found that Xu owned eight apartments in the city and was reasonably well off. "He is married and has a grown-up child," Sun Yun, vice mayor of Taixing, was quoted as saying.

Libya plane crash kills 103, Dutch child survives Tripoli: A Libyan Airbus crashed when trying to land at Tripoli airport last week, killing 103 passengers and crew aboard, but a Dutch child survived, Libyan officials said. Libya's Afriqiyah airline said it operated the plane, which was flying from Johannesburg in South Africa to Tripoli. Plane maker Airbus said the jet was an A330-200 and the firm would help authorities with their investigation.

"All of the passengers and crew died except for one child," a Libyan security source said at Tripoli airport.

"There were 93 passengers and 11 crew on board."

Libya's Transport Minister Mohamed Zidan said the 10-year-old child, who holds a Dutch passport, was in hospital. The child did not have life-threatening injuries, the minister told a news conference near the crash site. The casualties included 22 Libyans, including passengers and crew, and the rest were of various nationalities, a Libyan official said.

In a statement posted on its website, Afriqiyah Airways said its flight 8U771 had an accident during landing at Tripoli International airport. Airbus issued a statement confirming it had manufactured the plane involved in the crash.

17 killed in Kabul suicide attack Kabul: At least 17 people, including 12 civilians and five foreign troops, were killed when a suicide bomber attacked a NATO convoy in Afghanistan capital Kabul on Tuesday. A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack. The interior ministry said 12 Afghan civilians had been killed and 47 others were wounded.

One senior police officer said seven foreign troops - five US and two Canadians - had also been killed. A spokesman for NATO-led forces would not confirm the toll but said a NATO convoy had been attacked in the blast. President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack and hoped that Afghanistan would one day get rid of this scourge. At least seven cars and one bus were destroyed in the attack. Afghan troops were collecting evidence and debris from the blast site.

Lakshman Peiris, on the sidelines of the two-day G-15 summit in Iran's capital city Tehran on Sunday.

The two leaders discussed Rajapaksa's forthcoming visit.

The two leaders also talked about the resettlement and rehabilitation of the Tamil refugees.

Karzai gets standing ovation on US Senate floor Washington: In what could be a historic first, US Senators last week welcomed Afghan President Hamid Karzai onto the Senate floor in the middle of a debate and treated him to a standing ovation.

Karzai, on a visit to Washington to patch up some strained ties with President Barack Obama, walked among the ornate wooden desks, shaking hands with key lawmakers, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his Republican counterpart,

Hamid Karzai

Mitch McConnell.

It is not uncommon for foreign parliamentarians to visit the Senate floor.

But Associate Senate Historian Betty Koed said it was not clear when, if

ever, another foreign head of state had done so. She noted that West German Chancellor Kurt Kiesinger had addressed the chamber on August 16, 1967.

Access to the US Senate floor is tightly restricted, and Karzai needed formal permission -- which was secured by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, a Democrat.

As Karzai and his entourage toured the chamber, lawmakers resumed their debate amid a steady buzz of chatter among senators and their VIP guest.

The unusual visit from the Afghan leader came after he raised eyebrows in Washington by charging that foreigners plotted fraud in Afghan elections, and amid US concerns about his battle against corruption.

Asked whether that period of tension was over, Kerry told reporters: "Absolutely.

Completely. There's no question in my mind."

"We have some differences here and there," the senators said, stressing that the key measure would be "what happens over the next weeks and months."

Sikhs in US demand solutions to their grievances Washington: Sikh leaders met US lawmakers during a week-long summit here and sought solutions to the issues of concerns to the community like discriminatory practices, hate crimes and the right to wear turban. The 2010 Sikh summit was organized by United Sikhs as part of their ongoing advocacy projects to protect Sikh civil and human rights.

Community leaders and organizations from

across the country gathered on the Capitol Hill and spoke on the issues of concern to Senators, Congress persons and members of government think-tanks. Prominent among the issues discussed were a separate count of Sikhs in the census, the safety of Sikhs in Pakistan, and the right to wear turban in Frances and Belgium, misidentification and watch-list issues, employment discrimination, and photo-

identification issues.

“Sikh delegations were warmly received by representatives who lent an attentive ear to the concerns of the Sikh American community, and offered their support for issues such as discriminatory practices during air travel, injustices faced in the form of xenophobia like hate crimes, bullying in schools, etc. and procuring a separate code for Sikhs in future Census and American Community

Surveys,” a statement said.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren sympathized with the plight of Sikhs discriminated at airports.

Congressman John Garamendi said there was a lack of consistency in how these concerns were handled across airports.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office and Senator Joe Lieberman shared the concern about arbitrary targeting of Sikhs in airports and have assured assistance.

Bangkok: The Thai government rejected a proposal on Tuesday for peace talks with leaders of the Red Shirt protesters to end the deadly mayhem gripping Bangkok, saying negotiations cannot start until the protesters disperse.

Cabinet minister Satit Wonghnongtaey quoted the prime minister as say-

ing that "the situation will end only when the protest stops."

Tuesday's televised comments came in response to an offer made earlier in the day by Red Shirt protest leaders, who said they would unconditionally accept an offer by the country's Senate to mediate talks to end five days of deadly violence in

the Thai capital.

Their acceptance was significant, since they had previously set conditions for any talks.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called the Senate speaker to convey the government's position, Satit said.

At least 37 people were killed over five days of rioting and clashes in

downtown sections of Bangkok, paralyzing parts of the capital and destabilizing a country regarded as one of Southeast Asia's strongest democracies.

Scattered clashes continued between soldiers and the anti-government Red Shirts, though confrontations appeared less intense than in previous days.

Jakarta: A plot to assassinate President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other top officials, massacre foreigners in Mumbai-style attacks and declare an Islamic state, has been uncovered by the Indonesian police.

The attackers planned to launch their assault during this year's Independence Day ceremony to be attended on Aug 17 by Yudhoyono and the country's top dignitaries, national police chief Gen Bambang

Hendarso Danuri told reporters.

The plot also included taking over hotels and killing foreigners, especially Americans, in violence that would have been reminiscent of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, he said.

The plot was revealed during interrogations of dozens of suspects arrested since a February raid on a terrorist training camp in the western province of Aceh, Danuri said.

"They were confident

that all state officials and dignitaries would be there," Danuri said. "Killing all the state officials would have accelerated the transition from a democracy to a state controlled by Islamic Shariah law."

Some of the newest information on the plot came from a series of raids this week on militant hideouts in and around the capital that yielded 20 arrests as well as a supply of assault rifles, ammunition, telescopes and jihadist literature. Five

suspected militants were killed in those raids.

Most of those arrested were believed to have trained at the Aceh camp, run by a group called alQaida in Aceh, a new splinter of the Southeast Asia terror network Jemaah Islamiyah.

"If we had not detected them and their military training had been successful, then they would have assassinated foreigners ... as well as police and military posts in Aceh," Danuri said.

Thai govt says no peace talks unless protests end

Plot to kill Indonesian prez, foreigners busted

Suu Kyi files new appeal against detention Yangon: Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has lodged a new appeal with the Supreme Court against her house arrest in a last-chance attempt to win freedom, her lawyer said.

The Nobel Peace Laureate, who has spent most of the last two decades locked up, had her

detention lengthened by 18 months in August last year after being convicted over a bizarre incident in which a US man swam to her lakeside home. She has already had her appeal rejected

Suu Kyi

twice, most recently by the Supreme Court in February.

The court is expected to take about two weeks to reach a decision on whether they will agree to a hearing for the new "special"

appeal, which was submitted last week, her lawyer Nyan Win said.

"If law and order prevails, Daw Suu will be freed as she is not guilty.

There is nothing more we can do under the law if they reject it again," he said.

"Daw" is a term of respect in Myanmar.

27

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Pak envoy to Iran 'injured in attack on car' Tehran: Pakistan's ambassador to Tehran was injured and taken to hospital last week when his car was attacked by an Afghan, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman told state-run television.

"The Pakistan ambassador's car has been attacked by an Afghan. The ambassador has been injured and he is in

hospital. The Afghan has been arrested," the spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted as saying.

He did not give any further details in his comments made on state-run Arabic language Al-Alam television.

But Tehran police chief said the ambassador, Mohammad Bakhsh Abbasi, was injured in a confrontation.

Zardari grants pardon to interior minister Malik In focus

Islamabad/Lahore: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari granted a pardon and remitted two prison terms given to close aide and interior minister Rehman Malik, hours after a Pakistani court dismissed the minister's appeal against his conviction in two corruption cases.

Using his constitutional powers, Zardari remitted the prison terms handed down to Malik, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

The pardon was granted under Article 45 of the constitution on the advice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani which "was tendered late on Monday

Rehman Malik

night", Babar said.

Article 45 of the constitution empowers the president to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by a court.

The development occurred late on Monday night. Malik, a close confidant of the president, is out

High Court's decision.

Malik, who was sentenced by anti-corruption court in absentia in 2004, has maintained that he was victimised due to political reasons during his absence from Pakistan under a law specially crafted by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for targeting political opponents.

After the SC scrapped the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance, a graft amnesty that benefited Zardari and Malik, last year, the two cases against the interior minister, in which he was given the prison terms, were reopened by the anti-corruption court.

Pak offers full support to US in Times Square plot probe

IMF approves $1.3 bn loan Washington: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved immediate disbursement of USD 1.3 billion of financial assistance to Pakistan, as it noted that the country's vulnerability remains high. A decision in this regard was taken by the IMF Executive Board following the completion of fourth review of Pakistan's economic performance under a programme supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). With this, the total disbursement to Pakistan so far has been USD 7.27 bn.

of the country and there were earlier unconfirmed reports that he might not return to Pakistan till the matter of the prison sentence was settled.

Earlier in the day, a two-judge bench of the Lahore High Court headed by Chief Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif dismissed Malik's plea against his conviction by an anti-corruption court and restored the two three-year prison terms awarded to him.

The court's ruling on Monday put immense pressure on Malik to resign before filing an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Lahore

Islamabad: Pakistan has said it has not made any formal arrest in connection with the Times Square terror plot, amid reports that an "accomplice" of Faisal Shahzad, who allegedly carried out the botched bombing in New York, has been held in this country.

However, an investigation is underway into 30year-old Shahzad's alleged links in Pakistan, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.

"The US authorities

sent us some questions regarding the issue and we are investigating the matter," he said, as the American media reported that an "accomplice" of Shahzad had been held in Pakistan.

The Washington Post said the man held in Pakistan had provided an "independent stream" of evidence linking the Pakistani-Taliban to the failed May 1 Times Square attack. It said he had also admitted to helping Shahzad to travel to the Pakistani tribal belt for

bomb training.

"We are extending full support to US authorities and would also cooperate with the international community when and if needed so that terrorists can be brought to justice," Malik told reporters last week.

As soon as the investigation is completed, the findings will be shared with US authorities, he said, adding that Pakistan had not made any formal arrest in connection with the botched Times Square plot.

promulgated by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

However, Gilani told a group of journalists that Parliament has the "authority to determine immunity available to the head of state and others."

Protection provided in the Constitution is hindering action against KhyberPakhtoonkhwa Governor Owais Ghani for his alleged role in the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, Gilani added.

The government has complied with all orders issued by the Supreme Court in connection with

the scrapping of the NRO except one relating to Zardari, Gilani said.

Even in the case of this order, the government is not refusing to obey it and has sought the opinion of the incumbent and former Attorney Generals on the issue, he said. The opinion of the serving and former law officials will be produced in the apex court if needed, Gilani said. Asked about a possible clash between the executive and judiciary, Gilani rejected the impression and assured that it would not occur as the role of all institutions has been determined by the Constitution.

Parliament has authority to determine immunity to Prez, says Gilani Islamabad: In the face of mounting pressure from the Supreme Court for reopening graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland, Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has said Parliament has the authority to determine the immunity available to the head of state. The apex court had earlier summoned Law Minister Babar Awan, a close aide of Zardari, to appear before it on May 25 to explain why the government had not implemented its verdict scrapping a graft amnesty that benefited the President.

The court has been

Yousuf Raza Gilani

pressing the government to contact Swiss authorities to reopen money laundering cases against Zardari since it annulled the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), a graft amnesty

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China defends N-cooperation Beijing: China has underlined that its cooperation with Pakistan in civil nuclear energy is strictly peaceful in nature and in line with safeguards by the international atomic watchdog. "The cooperation is subject to safeguards and the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It is in compliance with respective international obligations of the two countries," Jiang Yu, a spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry said. Jiang, who was quoted by the globaltimes online as saying, was responding to a statement made by US deputy secretary of state James Steinberg, who said Washington was carefully reviewing Beijing's plans to help Pakistan build two civilian nuclear reactors. Discussions were underway and have not "reached a final conclusion," Steinberg said in response to a question at a forum at the Brookings Institution, a think tank.

Taliban threat forces shutdown of schools Islamabad: The Pakistani Taliban has sent threatening letters to schools in Balochistan province, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, which has forced the institutions to shut down, a media report said on Saturday. A number of schools, including two girls' schools, have closed in Balochistan provincial capital Quetta after the school managements received threatening letters, sent by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Balochistan chapter, Dawn.com reported.

The letters threatened that if 'purdah' was not observed in schools, then teachers and administrative heads will have to bear the consequences. The militant outfit said there were many TTP informants among the students and staffers and warned the school authorities of dire consequences in case of non-compliance.

Danish journalist denied visa extension Copenhagen: The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten said that Pakistan had refused to renew the visa of its correspondent following a row over its publication of Mohammed cartoons. On its website, it said the Pakistani authorities have informed Puk Damsgaard Andersen that his visa won’t not be renewed, saying they can no longer guarantee his security. However, according to the Pakistani daily the Nation, authorities in Islamabad believe Andersen carried out secret and illicit activities and distributed the controversial drawings in Pakistan, an accusation that Andersen denies. "The Pakistani government cannot guarantee personal security, but that's not new, and it is always an excuse they use to expel people," Andersen was quoted as saying. "I consider it as harassment of a journalist." Foreign minister Lene Espersen said Denmark's ambassador would meet Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and "emphasize that Denmark takes this case seriously."

Army denies taking orders from US Islamabad: Reacting to statements made by senior military and civilian US officials, the Pakistan Army has said the military leadership does not take dictates from outside the country. Commenting on a statement of US General Stanley McCrystal that he did not ask Chief of Pakistan's Army Chief General Pervez Kayani for details regarding operation in North Waziristan, military sources said it clearly indicated that the military leadership does not take dictates from outside Pakistan. Pakistan is a sovereign state and its military to military relations with other countries are based on equality and mutual interest, The Nation quoted the source, as saying.

"Therefore, there is no question that someone from US will dictate terms to us," the sources added.

52 suspected militants arrested Peshawar: Pakistani security forces last week arrested 52 suspects, including a wanted terrorist, during search operations in the restive tribal belt and adjoining areas, officials said. Hazrat Noor, a terrorist wanted by the authorities, was apprehended by police at Saidano Banda in Hangu district, which borders the volatile Orkazai and Kurram tribal regions where security forces are conducting operations against the Taliban and other militant groups. Fifty-one suspects associated with the banned Lashkar-e-Islam were arrested during a search operation by the Frontier Constabulary in Bara area of Khyber Agency. Security forces also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from their possession. The arrested suspects were taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

After the recent parliamentary election and grand celebration of Swarnim Gujarat for this week’s show CB will discuss many thing on his one and only famous Gujarati TV show ‘CB Live’

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 Your attention turns to ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 money and finance this

If you do not have a tv, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

week. You are satisfied with your love life, but now you’ve got to get busy making cash. You have much professional territory yet to cover, with three planets in your financial sector, there is no reason why you should not get there.

Good period for communications.

To ask questions please call on: 020 8963 1001

For more information e-mail:

cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Don't miss !!!

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

Only on CB Live - MATV Sky 793 - Thursday 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Coming Events l The Merchants of Bollywood, Tuesday 18th MaySaturday 5th June Tue-Sunday at 7:30pm, Sat and Sun Mats at 2:30pm, Peacock Theatre, Holborn l The ARCC Classical Tent at Croydon Mela Sunday 1 August 2010, 1.30pm till 6.30pm, free Lloyd Park, CRO 5RD For more details visit www.croydonsummerfesti- val.org l The Indian Portrait exhibition exploring Indian artists work over three centuries in depicting human form and changing role of portraiture today. Till June 20. National Portrait Gallery St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE l Pushti Panch Tatva Mahotsav (grand presentation on the five elements of Pushti) with Vachnamrut by Vaishnavacharya Puyja Shree Dwarkeshlalji Mahodayshree (Kadi - Ahmedabad). Programme: 21st May to 23rd May 2010. Vachnamrut every day from 3pm to 6.3-pm followed by aarti and mahaprasad.

Saturday 22nd May 2010 from 8pm Bhajan Sandhya with Raas and Vaishnav Sangh of UK gathering.

Sunday 23rd May 2010 from 7pm Mala Pehramni and Yamuna Loti Utsav in memory of Late Shrimati Otamben Kanjibhai Lakhani. Venue: Sattavis Patidar Centre, Forty Avenue, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 9PE. Tel: 020 8904 9191 l Kriya Yoga by Swami Mangalananda. An introductory lecture will be held on Friday evening 21 May at 7pm followed by a weekend of initiation and meditation. Email Michael on kriyayogauk@btconnect.com or phone 020 7498 5929 l Britain's Got Bhangra musical showing the rise of Bhangra. May 24th- June 4th. Warwick Arts Centre, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, West Midlands CV4 7AL 024 7652 4524 l Shree Sanata Mandir and Community Centre 84 Weymouth Street, off Catherine Street, Leicester, LE4 6FQ are holding their annual general meeting on Sunday 30th May 2010 and the Mandir’s Wedding Hall from 3pm. For more information call 0116 266 1402 or email sanatanmandir@tiscali.co.uk l Samyoga-The Divine Union featuring Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy Menon in Bharat Natyam performance. Sunday May 30 at 7pm. Liverpool Hope University l Jeppe Hein Appearing Rooms May - October 2010, Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre Gurjar Hindu Union Celebrating Param Pujya Shri Rambaba's 90th birthday Dhamecha Suite, Sunday 23rd May, 1pm l Bhajan recital by Shri Budhdevbhai Kansara at other artists at Adhya Sahkti Mataji Temple, 55 High Street, Cowley, UB8 2DX on Sunday May 23 between 3-5:30 pm.

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Anne Hoose Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 - Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Advertising Managers: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Advertising Sales Executive: Nikhil Gor - Email: nikhil.gor@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4009 - Mobile: 07875 229 200 Media Consultant: Rovin John George Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 Business Development Managers: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 - Email: george@abplgroup.com Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Saroj Patel Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel: +9179 2646 Fax: +9179 6061

l Conflict in Kashmir talk by authors by Justin Hardy (In the Valley o f Mist), Victoria Schoefield (Kashmir in Conflict), Basharet Peer (Curfewed Night) with Kamala Shamsie l Sugandh nu sharmanu Gujarati drama Written by Pravin Solanki directed by Kiran Purohit. On May 21 at 6.30 pm. Contact 020 8205 6124/07941 070 217. l NAAD Festival of Kathak dance. A rare opportunity to watch the performance of 8 of the finest UK based Kathak dancers with live musicians. A unique event featuring more than 20 artists on one platform.

Dancers from all key Kathak Gharanas namely Jaipur, Lucknow & Benaras Gharanas will be performing in this festival June 12-13 from 5.45 pm. Bhavan Centre,4A Castletown Road, West Kensington, London W14 9HE. l Memorable Melodies concert. Super hit Hindi film songs through the last 60 years performed by artistes from India and London, accompanied by 4 live musicians. Rudolph Steiner Hall, 35 Park Road London NW1 6XT Saturday 22, May, 7 - 9.15pm. l Indian Community Youth Club sponsored by Patel Samaj of Northampton are holding the following events: Monday 31st May - White Water Tubing, Northampton from 2.30pm till 4.30pm Cost - £10 per person (subsidised) Ages 11 + Must be preficient swimmers Max 18 people Thursday 3rd June - Laserzone, Northampton from 3pm to 5pm Cost - £11 for 4 games Ages 10 + Max 30 people Friday 4th June - Indoor Skydiving, Milton Keynes from 5.15pm till 9pm Cost - £20 per person (subsidised) Ages 10 + Participants must not have any neck, arm or back injuries Max 20 people.

For queries please call James Kitchener on 07850106037 or 01604646926 or email kitchenerjm@aol.com or Suresh on Patelsamaj@aol.com Sunday 13th June - Summer BBQ, 2pm onward, Wootton Sports and Social Club, Cost - £10 per person

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.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 You are likely to feel rather restless, perhaps because you have allowed yourself to fall into a routine that is now becoming jaded. If so, then the hint of change will be extremely welcome, even if it might entail an element of disruption. Adaptable and versatile, as you are, it is unlikely that even a major change will faze you.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 You will be pleased to see that your social life livens up. It is as if a lucky twist of events and something unexpected that will provide you with a key to your heart's desire. There is a definite expansive trend where money is concerned, so do not be surprised if this turns out be a time of fortunate opportunities and lucky breaks.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. New beginnings are favoured around now, as long as you do not bite off more than you can chew. Your thinking is inspired, so listen to your thoughts. This may be a time of expansion and improved opportunity and it would be unwise to let yourself become complacent. Affairs of the heart are likely to flourish.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 The fiery planet Mars is the moving force in regard to amorous experience, giving more than just a hint that links between lovers will be rather intense and passionate. Your attitude and interests are likely to undergo some deep change. On a material level you will establish greater financial stability.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 If any emotional tensions in your love-life need sorting out, now is the time to get things into the open. You often sabotage your own best emotional interests by keeping too much inside yourself. However, there comes a time when an inner pressure builds up and manifests as irrational moods that others find hard to understand.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

Try to take things in your stride rather than anticipating what might happen.

Keep calm as conflict and disagreement could be sparked off by your short-sightedness. Think carefully about the implications of your actions. Intense focus is what is needed now so do not let yourself be distracted by non-essentials.

Chief Executive Director: Kamlesh Amin Tel: +91 922 710 4308 Email: kamleshamin123@yahoo.co.in Editorial Co-Ordinator (BPO): Suresh Samani (M) +91 9898441330 Email: sureshsamani@yahoo.com Dy. Editorial Co-Ordinator (BPO): Nilesh Parmar (M) +919426636912 Consulting Editor (BPO): Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Fax: +91 79 2550 9944 Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 205 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel / Fax: +91 79 2646 5960 (M) +91 9913346487 Email: horizonadvt2009@yahoo.in Neeta Patel, (Advertising Manager) (M) +91 98255 11702 International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group(South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 222471 4122 Email: jainmedia@eth.net

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 You may feel at times that the results of your efforts are not coming up to expectation. Progress will be slow and may incline you to a negative view of your current work situation. However, this seems like a temporary blip in what is otherwise a highly constructive state of affairs. Knuckle down to the tasks in hand.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Amorous affairs continue to be highlighted - whether or not this leads to a lasting relationship depends much on your own personal maturity and circumstances. Efforts to restructure and transform your lifestyle are more likely to meet with success. Experience you have built up in the past will now stand you in good stead.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

It is essential that you adopt a very open attitude now for this is a time of lucky opportunity and a chance to greatly enrich your working life and at home. New windows on the world are about to open and this is bound to have a maturing effect on you from now into the future. There is a rather secretive aura surrounding new romance, which could turn into something very special.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

Your communications are at their peak and you will be well received by people in authority. A tremendous amount of planetary activity in your chart signals a time of mixed emotions to be dealt with. Although the very practical affairs of life continue to be highlighted, this does not mean that there will be all work and no play.

time

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

C R O s s W O R D - 88 1

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Scads Poker variation Archipelago member Rescure Achy and tender Tall military hat on the sheltered side Stand by Start of quip Atlanta’s transit system Fleetweeod Mac hit Ties the knot

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Part 2 of quip Sister/wifeof zeus Restaurant employee lowa city Uncovered Turbulent Nothing at all part 3 of quip Haggard novel Covergirl competitor ___bene Move about Tex-mex menu choice

sCRAMBLE - 55

Rearrange the letters in the four word jumbles, one letter to each square/circle, to make four ordinary words AEDEs

How to play

49 Collection biz 51 part 4 of quip 56 Scottish Highlander 59 Classify 60 Lacking sense 61 End of quip 63 Iron pumper’s pride 65 Cut short 66 Obliterate 67 Cato’s way 68 Sundance Kid’s girl 69 Smart-mouthed 70 Carolina rail 71 Virginia dance Down 1 Likewsie 2 Musical syllables 3 Pushes beyound endurance 4 Cuts canines 5 Compass dir.

6 L’chaim or prosit 7 Bathsheba’s Hittite hubby 8 Disadvantage 9 Ending of a belief 10 Gives a look at 11 Highway part 12 Supplementted the hard way

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Playthings Swiss river Gasteyer of “SNL” No-no ___d’Italia (bicycle race) 30 Italian eatery 31 K-12, in education 32 Color changer 33 Premed course 34 Premed course 34 Actor O’shea 36 Maryland’s capital 37 Carnival city 40 Actress Meg 41 Infiled protector 44 Preplexed 46 Writer of “The Faerie Queene” 48 Toothy deg.

50 Whitney or Wallach 52 muse of lyric poetry 53 River frolicer 54 Join forces 55 Himalyan country 56 Takes off 57 Enveloping glow 58Greek

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sPELLATHON - 88

Rules Connect adjacent dots with vertical or horizontal lines, creating a single loop.

(Fig A).

Crossovers or branches are not allowed 3 3 3 3 3 (As shown by dotted lines in Fig B).

2 0 Numbers in the puzzle indicate the 2 2 3 3 number of lines that should 2 1 surround it, while empty cells may 2 3 3 3 2 be surrounded by any number of 1 1 1 lines.

You can’t draw lines arround 2 2 2 3 zeroes.

Each puzzle has just one unique solution.

How to begin: Example (Fig A) - Begin with the zero next to 3. Since no lines can be drawn around zero, mark crosses around it, as shown. Now there is a cross in one space around 3. So we know the three lines of 3 can only be drawn in the remaining three spaces. Next these lines can only be extended in one direction each. Continue, using the same Solution of LTL No. 54 logic. x x x x Hints: Keep elimi3 3 x x nating possibilix x x x ties by marking 2 1 x 3 x x 0 x 3 crosses in x x x spaces between x x 3 x 2 3 x dots where a line x x x isn’t possible, x x 2 x x 1 x 2 x i.e., if you have x x already completx 1 2 x 1 x 2 x ed required lines x x x x or where a line 2 2 1 extension may create a branch 1 3 2 3 3 or cause a deadend (Fig B)

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Each Sentence below contains a word that can be anagrammed to answeror describe the sentence.

Example_ Craft that might tip in the ocean.

Answer_ Canoe (Anagram of (ocean) 1. Writing of a steno; 2. They affix without paste; 3. Having less reason for fears; 4. Animal that may need a shoer

Words: Rawer, feint, unfelt, spunky Answer: The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

WHATZIT? - 88

solution of 87 : It was day time

Find the familiar phrase, saying or name in this arrangement of letters.

sudoku-88

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

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

Sollution-87

Example

The numbers in the pink squares refer to the sums of the digits that you must fill into the empty spaces directly below or to the right of the pink square containing the number. For instance, in the given example, the 2 boxes below 12 must contain 2 digits that add upto 12, whereas for 20, the 3 boxes places horizontally next to it must add upto 20.

No zeroes are used here, only the digits one through nine.

solution of KAKURO - 87

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Split Decision

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LOOP THE LOOP - 55

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solution of sudoku-87 HOW TO PLAY Each row, column and square 3x3 box is a subgrid of 9 cells. Fill in the grid so that each sub-grid contains the digits 1 to 9.

Every puzzle has one solution.

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A digit cannot appear more than once in any particular digit combination. For instance in the example, we cannot have the combination of 8+4+8 for 20.

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HEALTH WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Diet soda for preventing kidney stones?

Certain diet sodas may have the potential to prevent the most common type of kidney stone, if new lab research is correct.

In the study, researchers found that the diet versions of several popular citrus-flavored sodas - like 7Up, Sunkist and Sprite - contained relatively high amounts of a compound called citrate.

Citrate, in turn, is known to inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate stones, the most common form of kidney stone.

The findings, reported in the Journal of Urology, suggest that diet sodas could stand as an extra weapon for some people prone to forming kidney stones.

Kidney stones develop when the urine contains more crystal-forming substances - such as calcium, uric acid and a compound called oxalate - than can be diluted by the available fluid. Most kidney stones are calcium-based, usually in combination with oxalate.

One reason that certain people are prone to being "stone-formers" is that their urine contains

relatively little citrate, explained Dr. Brian H. Eisner, a urologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the lead researcher on the new study.

Potassium citrate supplements have long been a common treatment for preventing calcium oxalate stones, as well as another type of stone called uric acid stones, in people who are prone to them. And in a study 10 years ago, one of Eisner's fellow researchers found that a homemade lemonade concoction was effective at raising stone-formers' urine citrate levels.

Exactly how effective "lemonade therapy" is at preventing stones remains unclear, but some doctors do recommend it to patients, according to Eisner.

The goal of the current study, he told Reuters Health, was to see whether any commercially available drinks had a similar citrate content as the homemade lemonade. The researchers chose diet soda, rather than regular, to avoid the high sugar and calorie content of the former.

Cheese intake boosts immunity among the elderly

Overall, the study found, citrus-based diet sodas -- including 7Up, Sunkist Orange, Sprite, Fresca and Canada Dry ginger ale -- had somewhat higher citrate levels than the homemade lemonade.

Dark colas, on the other hand, had little to no citrate.

Whether citrus-flavored diet sodas can actually help prevent kidney stones is still unknown.

Eisner said he and his colleagues are currently conducting a study to try to answer that question.

For now, the researcher said he is not advocating that stone-formers "run out and get diet soda."

However, he pointed out

that patients are routinely advised to get 2 to 3 liters of water or other fluids each day.

"If drinking these sodas helps people reach that goal, then that may be a good thing," Eisner said.

He added that even in people who do not have naturally low urinary citrate levels, moderate amounts of the diet sodas are unlikely to do harm as far as stone formation goes. Many sodas do contain some sodium and/or caffeine; but again, Eisner and his colleagues say, when it comes to stone formation, there is no evidence that the sodium and caffeine levels in diet soda would present a risk.

Belly fat or hip fat - blame your genes The age-old question of why men store fat in their bellies and women store it in their hips may have finally been answered: genetically speaking, the fat tissue is almost completely different.

“We found that out of about 40,000 mouse genes, only 138 are commonly found in both male and female fat cells. This was completely unexpected. We expected the exact opposite - that 138 would be different and the rest would be the same between the sexes,” said Deborah Clegg, assistant

professor of internal medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre (UTSMC) and senior study author.

The study involved mice, which distribute their fat in a sexually dimorphic pattern similar to humans.

Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference between individuals of different sex in the same species.

“Given the difference in gene expression profiles, a female fat tissue won’t behave anything like a male fat tissue and vice

versa. The notion that fat cells between males and females are alike is inconsistent with our findings,” Clegg said.

In humans, men are more likely to carry extra weight around their guts while pre-menopausal women store it in their thighs and hips.

The bad news for men is that belly, or visceral, fat has been associated with numerous obesity-related diseases including diabetes and heart disease.

Women, on the other hand, are generally protected from these obesity-

related disorders until menopause, when their ovarian hormone levels drop and fat storage tends to shift from their rear ends to their waists, said a UTSMC release.

“Although our new findings don’t explain why women begin storing fat in their bellies after menopause, the results do bring us a step closer to understanding the mechanisms behind the unwanted shift,” Clegg said.

These findings appeared in the International Journal of Obesity.

Newborns learn better whilst asleep Sleeping newborn infants are better learners than previously thought, according to a University of Florida researcher.

The boffin’s study could lead to identifying those at risk for developmental disorders such as autism and dyslexia.

“We found a basic form of learning in sleeping newborns, a type of learning that may not be seen in sleeping adults,” said Dana Byrd, a research affiliate in psychology at UF who collaborated with a team of scientists.

The findings give valuable information about how it is that newborns are able to learn so quickly from the world, when they

sleep for 16 to 18 hours a day, Byrd said. “Sleeping newborns are better learners, better ‘data sponges’ than we knew,” she said.

In order to understand how newborns learn while

in their most frequent state, Byrd and her colleagues tested the learning abilities of sleeping newborns by repeating tones that were followed by a gentle puff of air to the eyelids. After about 20 minutes, 24 of the 26 babies squeezed their eyelids

HEALTH WATCH IN BRIEF

together when the tone was sounded without the puff of air.

The research team’s paper, published online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes the results of their experiment with the 1- or 2-day-old infants, comparing them with a control group using EEG and video recordings. The brain waves of the 24 infants were found to change, providing a neural measurement of memory updating.

“While past studies find this type of learning can occur in infants who are awake, this is the first study to document it in their most frequent state, while they are asleep,” Byrd said. “Since new-

borns sleep so much of the time, it is important that they not only take in information but use the information in such a way to respond appropriately.”

Not only did the newborns show they can learn to give this reflex in response to the simple tone, but they gave the response at the right time, she said.

Learned eyelid movement reflects the normal functioning of the circuitry in the cerebellum, a neural structure at the base of the brain.

This study’s method potentially offers a unique non-invasive tool for early identification of infants with atypical cerebellar structure, who are potentially at risk for a range of developmental disorders, including autism and dyslexia, she said.

Cheese can help preserve and boost the immune system of the elderly by acting as a carrier for probiotic bacteria, researchers have found discovered.

The research reveals that daily consumption of probiotic cheese helps to tackle age-related deterioration in the immune system.

"The increase in the proportion of aged individuals in modern society makes finding innovative ways to thwart the deterioration of the immune system a priority. The intake of probiotic bacteria has been reported to enhance the immune response through other products and now we have discovered that cheese can be a carrier of the same bacteria," said Fandi Ibrahim from the University of Turku in Finland, who led the study.

Ibrahim's team believe that the daily intake of probiotic cheese can tackle the age-related deterioration of the immune system known as immunosenescene.

This deterioration means the body is unable to kill tumour cells and reduces the immune response to vaccinations and infections.

Infectious diseases, chronic inflammation disorders and cancer are hallmarks of immunosenescene.

Working overtime is bad for your heart A study of 6,000 British civil servants, published in the European Heart Journal suggests that people who regularly put in overtime increase their heart disease risk by nearly two thirds.

Wellbeing business Water Wellpoint recently carried out a survey revealing that 72% of respondents work longer than their basic hours and 27% work late every day.

“Our survey showed that binge-working is ingrained in today’s work culture,” said WW’s Rory Murphy.

“And we believe the recession is definitely having an impact on how

people work. About 34% of respondents said that they work longer hours now to meet increased deadlines and targets.

In fact, working late now seems to be standard practice, with nearly a third of workers (29%) staying after hours twice a week and 27% working overtime every day. And they are not alone: nearly half (48%) said their colleagues worked overtime too.

“With this new research indicating a considerable risk of heart disease as a result of working overtime, this should send alarm bells to workers and their employers.”

'Cell overuse can cause brain cancer' Talking for too long on a mobile phone every day, half an hour or more, could increase the risk of brain cancer. However, a study on cellphone use and brain cancer conducted by World Health Organisation has found no clear link between the two, if used moderately.

WHO's Interphone report, published in the 'International Journal of Epidemiology' this week, said heavy users were more at risk of developing glioma tumours who reported phone use on the same side of the head. A survey of almost 13,000 people between 2000 and 2004 found most mobile phone users did not have an increased risk of developing meningioma — a

common and frequently benign tumour — or glioma, a rarer but deadlier form of cancer.

"There were, however, suggestions that using mobile phones for more than 30 minutes each day could increase the risk of glioma.

Longer call times appeared to pose a greater risk than the number of calls made," the report said.

Sport world

Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

Beckham to join England team in SA as a coach Even as he is recovering from an injury and out of the team, England football star David Beckham will be with the team in South Africa during the World Cup, as a coach.

That is for the reason coach Fabio Capello wants him present.

Capello feels

David Beckham

Beckhams’ presence will be of a great help to him and the team behind the scenes.

Beckham though will be there in South Africa, will not join the training camp in Austria.

He will fly out with the 23-player party to South Africa on June 2.

The England 2018 bid team also want to use the former skipper to help promote their campaign to host the World Cup in eight years' time.

Capello, though, will release Becks, for only one or two events and the coaching job will be his main focus.

Iraq exposes Al-Qaida plot on football WC attack Major General Qassim Atta, Iraqi security spokesman on Tuesday said they have exposed an Al-Qaida plot to launch an attack during the forthcoming football World Cup in South Africa recently.

Atta, addressing a

Ballack injured, out of the SA World Cup Germany suffered a blow to their World Cup soccer quest as their captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out from playing the forth coming mega event in South Africa.

Ballack injured his ankle in the FA Cup final last weekend and cannot play for two months. A scan revealed that his injury is severe.

At 33 years old, the South Africa finals would likely have been Ballack's final World Cup campaign. He has played 98 matches for Germany and 42 goals to his name.

Tiger Woods to play in British Open Even though he has not fully recovered from the lingering neck injury, Tiger Woods is planning to play the British Open after about two months.

Woods had to withdraw from final round of the Players Championship recently due to the neck injury.

About his participation in the forth coming tournaments, he has posted on his website that he will be competing at St. Andrews in Scotland, scheduled to be played in July. Prior to that, he will also be playing at the June 17 – 20 U.S. Open and July 1 – 4 AT & T National.

He had emerged champion at the British Open in 2005 and 2000.

news conference in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital on Tuesday said they had arrested a 30 year old Saudi national two weeks ago. Abdullah Azzam Saleh Misfar al-Qahtani had participated in planning a terrorist attack in South Africa during the

forthcoming football World Cup. The event starts next month.

Qahtani was the security incharge for Al-Qaida in Baghdad. He was in contact with Ayman alZawahiri, the no. 2 of Osama’s network.

South Africa police

chief Bheki Cele however said they had no information about the plot and they would get in touch with Iraq police.

“I don’t know anything about that. We’ve not been consulted or informed,” police spokesman Vish Naidoo told reporters.

Sushil gives India second gold in Asian Wrestling Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar lived up to his reputation as he bagged a gold medal in men's 66kg freestyle on the second day of the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi last week. Other wrestlers won 1 silver and four bronze apart from the two gold medals for India in the final tally. In the women’s section, India could get only two bronze.

The Championships ended on Sunday.

Sushil, also a four-time C o m m o n w e a l t h Championship gold medallist, produced an impressive performance to toy with Kim Dae Sung of Korea in straight periods

Sushil Kumar

4-0, 2-0 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Sports Complex.

Apart from Sushil, Narshing Yadav also won a gold in the 74kg freestyle on Wednesday..

Ravinder adds bronze medal to India's tally The final day of the

Senior Asian Wrestling Championships was the least productive for India with the hosts having to be content with just a bronze medal at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.

Ravinder Singh added to the Indian tally in the 60kg Greco-Roman category by beating Kyrgyzstan's Aziz Beishaliev for the bronze medal.

Ravinder beat Ghazaei Mohammadreza of Iran to start his campaign before losing to eventual gold medallist Chinese Sheng Jiang in the quarter-final.

He beat Vietnam's Ta Ngoc Tan to qualify for the bronze medal match.

Kaneria, Westfield arrested in Essex for spot-fixing Police have released both the cricketers on bail without charges Even as the Pakistani leggie Danish Kaneria and a young speedster, Mervyn Westfield have been arrested, quizzed and released on bail by Essex police last week, the English country has reposed faith in the spinner, while even his national team would like to have him in the squad that is to tour England to play Australia and England, unless he is charged by the police.

Kaneria and Westfield have been released on bail till September, but have not been charged. Their involvement into alleged

Danish Kaneria

spot-fixing during a Pro40 match against Durham last season is under investigation.

Danish Kaneria is expected to join Essex

when they travel by coach to the Netherlands on Thursday for a Clydesdale Bank 40 match.

Kaneria reportedly introduced Westfield to a bookmaker who offered money in exchange for Westfield bowling poorly in one over. Both players have denied the allegations and were released on bail.

Even PCB officials are of the view that since there is no request from the ECB to drop the spinner from Pakistan’s forthcoming tour to England, he will be a candidate for selection.

Six Indian cricketers get BCCI notice over the pub brawl in the Caribbean Poor performance, poor fitness and a brawl to top it all. The mix is heady enough to invite trouble.

Shashank Manohar it seems has decided to deal with the Indian cricketers strictly.

Coach Gary Kirsten has already vented his ire over the attitude and the fitness levels of the play-

ers. After getting the team management report over the performance of the Indian team in the West Indies during the recent ICC World Cup T20, BCCI secretary S Srinivasan has issued show cause notices to Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Rohit Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Ravindra

Jadeja and Piyush Chawla, asking them to explain their behaviour at a pub after the team was ousted by Sri Lanka from the tournament.

Agitated Indian fans reported had a spat with the cricketers as they were shocked to see the cricketers enjoying themselves without any

remorse over the poor show and loss.

Some of the errant players who are believed not fit enough or have indulged in indiscipline are also likely to face the axe from the team to be selected for the Asia Cup. The four nation tournament is to be played in Sri Lanka next month.

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Modi replies BCCI in 9000 pages Lalit Modi replied to the charges leveled against him by the BCCI last weekend, submitting volumes of papers, packed in huge boxes. It is estimated that the suspended IPL boss has filed a response that runs into atleast 9,000 pages including some documentary evidences.

Though nobody said the Lalit Modi response ran into how many pages, it could go upto 15,000 pages.

Modi did not visit the BCCI office in Mumbai personally. His lawyer, Mehmood Abdi delivered the response which was received by BCCI COO Ratnakar Shetty. Modi, in Monaco, in a tweet about his response said his reply to the BCCI show cause notice is to defend the highly successful event – the IPL and not just himself. He is believed to have claimed that all decisions were taken unanimously by the IPL board.

BCCI meanwhile, held a meeting with IMG officials, the event managers who organised the tournament for the first three years.

IMG slaps ECB chief with a defamation case £20 mn lawsuit as Clarke fails to apologise on rebel T20 issue International sports marketing firm IMG, the company that organised the high profile IPL in India has slapped a defamation case against Giles Clarke, the ECB chief after he charged that IMG was also a party to IPL boss Lalit Modi and certain English counties in planning a rebel T2O league in England on the lines of IPL. Reports in the British media suggest that Clarke was served with a writ for Giles Clarke defamation last weekend after the ECB chief failed to tender an apology that IMG had sought from him.

Clarke is facing a lawsuit that could not only cost him up to £20million, but it also puts his position as ECB chairman in danger.

Shilpa Vala smashes her way to fame Volleyball seems to run in the blood of all four sisters It is too hard to believe, yet true. A family with meager means has four girls and all playing Volleyball at competitive levels. The Vala family hails from a small taluka town of Kodinar in Junagadh district, the home for the famous Asian Lions. They may have a problem eking out a living, but play volleyball with a lion heart.

The pinnacle of their glory will be Shilpa, who is currently in Kuala Lumpur, representing India in the Asian Youth Girls Volleyball Championships that is to get underway from May 20.

The almost six feet tall girl is only the second from Gujarat to have played for India. In fact, in 2007 National school games at Gwalior, when Gujarat team bagged gold medal, beating Himachal Pradesh in the finals of volleyball, the entire team was made up of only the Vala sisters. For that competition, it was Varsha, Geeta and Shilpa, playing alongwith their cousins Parita, Nehal and Alpa, while Parita’s father and Shilpa’s uncle Varjangh Vala was their coach.

For Shilpa, her elder sisters Shobhna and Varsha have already played for Gujarat, while youngest Chetna too has played in two sub-junior nationals.

Geeta is on a stand by for the Malaysia event.

Their feat is all the more commendable as their father is a small farmer, while the social atmosphere in their native is not conducive for girls to play such a sport, staying out of home for days and weeks.

They belong to a very conservative community of Rajputs, which also does not encourage girls to take to sports.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 22nd May 2010

England claim their first ICC trophy OZ outplayed in the T20 World Cup title clash

Australians stunned the title holders Pakistan in the final over of the semi finals. But England almost never allowed their traditional rivals get the upper hand on Sunday at Barbados. They looked the champions throughout the final. Kevin Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter played stellar roles in chasing the moderate target of 148 runs after Ryan Sidebottom and company plucked early wickets to keep the Australians restricted to around 6 runs per over for a good 16 overs.

Pietersen and Kieswetter ensured that there would be no hiccups for the newly crowned champions with a second wicket stand of 111 runs.

The way Australia had beaten Pakistan in the last over, chasing a formidable 190 plus target, they were expected to give England a real tough fight, but it almost proved the other way.

England got very early breakthroughs to push Australia on the back foot after Collingwood asked Clarke to bat first.

Australia lost 3 wickets even as they had yet to get into the double figures.

The strangle hold continued right through, as Australia got their 100 only in the 17th over. It was only through a resolute effort from David Hussey that the Kangaroos managed 147.

This was not good enough, as Australia was looking for the only title that they have not been able to have to their credit.

After losing the first wicket early, Pietersen and Kieswetter played with ease and confidence.

Australian bowlers seemed to have no clue on how to get one of them commit an error.

Australia could reach even 147, thanks to a brave recovery late in the innings led by David Hussey, who made 59 from 54 balls. That was after England bowling and fielding staged a sensational early collapse, leaving Australia three wickets down in 13 legitimate deliveries with just 8 runs on the board.

The boundary count

England celebrate their World Twenty20 title after beating Australia by seven wickets

underlined the difference between the Champions and the runner up.

Australia had just 2 boundaries in the first 12 overs and in the entire innings, they could just help themselves with 8 fours and 3 sixes, while England had 12 fours and five sixes in their innings of 17 overs.

So charged up were the England bowlers that stunned Australian batsmen could reach the ropes for the first time in the fifth over.

Skipper Michael Clarke also couldn’t do much, as he was the fourth man out, with the scoreboard reading 45 for 4 in the tenth over.

Cameron White in company with David Hussey built up the innings somewhat from there, as he scored 29 runs from just 17 balls.

Michael Hussey joined his brother to nudge and swat 47 runs for the sixth wicket in 22 balls, but Australia's final total of 147 for 6 was, as Clarke later conceded, at least 25 runs short of parity.

For England, Kieswetter was at his happiest. They reached a healthy 41 for 1 in their Powerplay, a position that was comfortably ahead of Australia’s 24 for 3 at the same stage.

England never looked like faltering.

Semi finals: Pakistan stunned, Lanka defeated Earlier, while Australia virtually snatched victory after Pakistan contained the Kangaroo run chase emphatically, England once again looked the winners all the way, beating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets. {Brief scores: England 148 for 3 (Kieswetter 63) beat OZ 147 for 6 (D Hussey 59) by 7 wickets.

2nd semi final: OZ 197 for 7 (Michael Hussey 60*, White 43) beat Pak 191 for 6 (Umar 56, Kamran 50) by 3 wickets.

1st semi final: England 132 for 3 (Pietersen 42*) beat SL 128 for 6 (Mathews 58, Broad 221) by 7 wickets}.

Amir Khan defends his boxing World Champ title British Olympian puts behind his US work permit controversy to maul Paulie Malignaggi in a one sided bout Amir Khan defended his World Champion title in boxing last week in New York. In his debut bout, the British boxer of Pakistani origin beat his American challenger Paulie Malignaggi in just the eleventh round. It was a one sided contest on Saturday night as Amir Khan made a dream American debut in the ring.

Amir was better in all the fields - power, planning, punches and of course speed, so important in winning a major boxing event in the presence of a hostile crowd.

Experts said Amir was far better than they had previously thought. They also said that there was no

Amir Khan

comparison between the two fighters.

Using superior speed and crisp right hands, the former British Olympian made his opponent look very ordinary before a home crowd of around five thousand people.

India – S Korea joint winners of Azlan Shah Hockey title Heavy rains on Sunday made play impossible in the finals Even as India was on top of the league table with 13 points and had already beaten South Korea in the previous encounter, rains played the spoilsport on Sunday. The final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey was washed out after just six minutes of play.

This is for the first time in the history of the event that two finalists had to be declared joint winners in the event. Sultan Azlan

Shah Cup Hockey is being played since 1983. Two earlier matches played on the day were also affected by rains, but could be completed. stunned Australia hosts Malaysia to take the bronze medal, beating them 5-3.

In the other match of the day, China stretched Pakistan to sudden death before losing 6-5. The teams were tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Australia women take the T20 champ crown New Zealand lose a thrilling game by 3 runs The women’s team from Australia some what made up the loss of the T20 crown after their men’s team lost to England earlier on Sunday at Barbados.

While England’s victory was almost comprehensive and one sided, the women’s team came back from behind to beat the charged up New Zealand team by a whisker – just 3 runs.

New Zealand did well to restrict the opponents to 106 runs for 8, but Australia proved better and the Kiwis lost a multi team contest crown for the third time in a row.

Chasing a target that was in no way tough, the NZ

Australia celebrate their World Twenty20 win

women lost 4 early wickets for a meager 29 runs.

Ellyse Perry took two of the top order wickets and later came back to ball the final over. She was able to again curb the New Zealand batting, as the

batswomen could just amass 10 runs when 14 were needed.

Parry walked away with the player of the match award.

For the champions Australian women, the

T20 World Cup crown is their 6th victory on the global arena. Against New Zealand, they ended a streak of 6 losses.

In this game, even the third umpire Asad Rauf committed a mistake, as instead of declaring not out, by mistake, he first pressed the ‘out’ button for Rachel Priest on a stumping referral. He though soon withdrew and revised the decision.

It was a sad end to the event for New Zealand.

They lost the 50-over World Cup and World Cup T20 finals last year.

Watkins took a stunning, one handed catch on the last ball of the match, to claim the wick-

et of Farrell. That would have otherwise perhaps lead to a New Zealand victory.

Semi finals: West Indies, India ousted Earlier in the semi finals, West Indies lost to New Zealand, while India lost to Australia. {Brief scores: Final: OZ 106 for 8 (Poulton 20, Browne 2-11) beat NZ 103 for 6 (Devine 38*, Perry 3-18) by 3 runs. 2nd semi final: NZ 180 for 5 (McGlashan 84, Devine 27, Selman 2-27) beat WI 124 for 8 (Taylor 40, Watkins 3-26) by 56 runs. 1st semi final: OZ 123 for 3 (Blackwell 61) beat India 119 for 5 (Raut 44) by 7 wickets}.