Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

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VOL 42. ISSUE 8

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

80p

22nd June to 28th June 2013

DNA proves Prince William's Indian heritage Prince William, second-in-line to the British throne, will be the first king of Britain with a proven Indian ancestry. This revelation of the Duke’s Asian ancestry is sure to boost his popularity among India’s 1.1 billion population.

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The DNA analysis of saliva samples taken from the Duke of Cambridge's relatives have established a direct lineage between the 30-year-old prince and an Indian housekeeper on his mother Princess Diana's side.

It is his only non-European DNA and means he will become the first head of the Commonwealth with a clear

genetic link to its most populous nation - India.

William is now likely to be encouraged to make his debut mission to India soon after the birth of his baby next month.

The research was carried out

by BritainsDNA, a genetic ancestry testing company.

Continued on page 2

Katherine Scott Forbes

Prince William

38 British South Asians receive Honours on Queen's Birthday

Anish Kapoor

See story on page 23

Brit-Indian becomes the first non white Editor of a UK daily See story on page 9

Amol Rajan

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UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Keith Vazwith MP

Keith Vaz MP

Helen Gordon

pharmacists face in the changing NHS and often, not having enough resource to make sustained improvements for our patients is a big barrier for our members. But, I am heartened to hear stories where pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have made significant improvements despite such challenges - inspiring!

Chief Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Helen joined the Royal Pharmaceutical Society on 1 July 2010. Prior to this she held the position of Chief Executive of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, a position she held from 2005.

Helen has a career in health care spanning 30 years.

Originally training as a nurse at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, she progressed through a number of senior clinical and managerial positions, including the roles of Executive Director of Operations /Chief Nurse and Chief Executive at Hillingdon Hospital and then from 2000-2005 she was Chief Executive at Queen Mary’s Sidcup NHS Trust.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

1)Please tell me about your current position?

As CEO of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, I have responsibility for running the organisation for the elected pharmacists who form our Boards and Assembly and delivering on their strategy.

The RPS is the professional body for all pharmacists in the UK. We offer a range of services, support, development and advocacy for pharmacists and run a big publishing arm – PhP. 2) Please tell me about the Healthy Living Pharmacies Initiative?

Healthy Living Pharmacies provide a range of public health interventions through

their team, and their specially trained healthy living champions. The public can have support to quit smoking, eat healthily and check their alcohol consumption amongst other services. Special training of the team ensures an excellent service in these areas that are really benefiting people who use their services.

3) How do you see the role of pharmacies changing in the new landscape of health?

Pharmacists have a vital role to play as the gateway wellness on the high street and as experts in optimising medicines across the whole patient pathway, whether you may be in hospital or in the communi-

ty. The expert skill of pharmacist is crucial in supporting people with long term conditions such as diabetes, enabling them to stay well and enjoy life.

4) What are your proudest achievements?

I am so proud to have been part of the start up of the new Royal Pharmaceutical body in its unique role as the professional body for pharmacy in GB. Supporting pharmacists to be the best they can be in order to give even better patient care makes me very happy.

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

There are many challenges that

DNA proves Prince William's Indian heritage Continued from page 1 Genetic experts have found a direct lineage between the Duke of Cambridge and a partIndian woman called Eliza Kewark (also named as Eliza Newark by various sources).

She was a housekeeper for his great-great-greatgreat-great grandfather Theodore Forbes, a Scottish merchant who worked for the East India Company in Surat, a port north of Bombay.

They had a daughter called Katherine (Kitty)and it is through an unbroken maternal line to the prince's mother, Princess Diana, that the young royal and his brother Prince Harry have inherited the Indian DNA. It showed the second in line to the throne was carrying Eliza's mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) - a small piece of DNA inherited mostly unchanged from a mother to her children.

their saliva.

Using other genetic tests to corroborate the findings, they also discovered that the two direct descendants were around 0.3% and 0.8% South Asian. The rest of their DNA was of European origin. Dr Wilson also said that Eliza's descendants had an incredibly rare type of mtDNA, inherited only from a mother. It has so far been recorded in only 14 other people, 13 Indian and one Nepalese.

The revelation also explains why the Scottish father of Eliza's children suddenly deserted her and sent their daughter, Katherine, to Britain at the age of 6. Researchers have discovered letters from Eliza to her children’s father, Theodore Forbes, pleading for her to be allowed to see him.

A story in The Times narrated that a letter was discovered about the anguished plea of a desperate wife and mother as Eliza

Scientists said it was "very likely" that Prince William's heirs will also carry a small proportion of Indian DNA from Eliza, whose father may have been of Armenian descent.

Born in 1790, she lived in India when it was governed by the East India Company, and is thought to have had Armenian blood because of her surname. Dr Jim Wilson, a genetics expert at the University of Edinburgh and chief scientist at BritainsDNA, said it was the fact that she was an Armenian living in Bombay that intrigued him. He said: "I was wondering if it was possible she was Indian.

What was an Armenian doing in Bombay? That's what got me interested."

Using birth, marriage and death records, he said researchers traced two of Eliza's living direct descendants, who are both third cousins of Princess Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, and tested samples of

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

There are a number of people who have acted as mentors and supporters to me over the years, who have helped me choose to take on more and different responsibility and who have helped me learn and develop my skills.

They know who they are! A big driver in my life is to improve healthcare for people - that has driven me since I started nursing, last century!

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

I absolutely love visiting pharmacists at the front line. I have the opportunity to meet and learn from a very wide range of pharmacists and their teams, both here in Great Britain and

Forbes who wrote: “Our beloved Kitty and Alexander thank God they are in good health and often hope to see their beloved father.”

The letter was addressed to Theodore Forbes, a wealthy Scottish merchant who had made his fortune in India in the early 19th century. Eliza’s appeal was the culmination of their romantic yet tumultuous love story, which was ultimately doomed by the social attitudes to race and marriage in colonial India.

Theodore arrived in India in 1809 as an employee of the East India Company looking for adventure and fortune. The 21year-old merchant was posted to the port city of Surat in western India, where he met Eliza Kewark through her brother-in-law, Aratoon Baldassier, who was acting as his agent.

Theodore described Eliza several times as a “girl”, suggesting that she may have been several years his junior. Eliza’s father was Jacob Kevork, or Hakob

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also, increasingly, overseas. The opportunity the share their best practice within pharmacy to benefit patients is an important and enjoyable part of the role.

8) And the worst?

At the moment I’m not seeing a lot of my family and friends as I‘m totally focussed on building the RPS and its services, plus contributing to national pharmacy developments. Enjoyable work, but there is never enough time to do all that I need to do.

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

I really think that there is more to be gained by making connections in health rather than competing. I’d take stock of current reform and look to see how we can spread innovation and best practice faster between health organisations. I’d also invest even more in public health initiatives.

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

As a keen diver, I would choose to spend time with Jacques Cousteau and talk about his early adventures under water.

We had so many questions about marine life and the ocean in his time, and we still have a lot to learn today about that precious environment.

Kevokian, a very Armenian name, but there is no record of her mother. However, DNA test results show that she was Indian.

There had been a thriving Armenian trading community in Surat since the 17th century and there was some inter-marriage with the local population. When Theodore met Eliza it was common for British men to begin relationships with Indian women and to have children, even if they already had a family back in Britain.

Their daughter Katherine was born in Mocha in December 1812 and their son, Alexander, two years later. Eliza returned to Surat in 1815 and a second son, Fraser, was born in March 1817 but died aged six months.

In a series of pitiful letters Eliza begged to be allowed to join her husband.

One of the letters, which appear to have been written by a scribe in Surat, were signed Mrs Forbes followed by her title written in Armenian, presumably by

herself. But in earlier letters she and Kitty both wrote in Hindi, suggesting a mixed heritage.

Kitty left for Scotland in August 1819 and Theodore decided to return to Britain the following year, but died aboard the Blenden Hall in September 1820.

In his will, written aboard the ship to Britain in 1820, he refers to Eliza as his “housekeeper” and leaves her a monthly allowance of just 100 Bombay rupees a month, less than half the sum she had been receiving.

Theodore left Kitty, 50,000 Bombay rupees. His son Alexander received 20,000 rupees.

Kitty later married James Crombie, a member of the family that manufactured the coats, and was a respected member of Scottish society.

In a footnote to history, the current Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Diana, Princesses of Wales, has named two of his daughters Eliza and Kitty.

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Comment

US cyber snooping on India a wake-up call for Delhi Whistle blowing on secret US cyber traffic is an embarrassing, even indecent exposure, of American activities against other countries, among whom are privileged states in the European Union deemed to be Washington’s closest allies. It doesn’t say much for American morality or the pulpit from where the rest of the world is routinely lectured on the ethics of good and evil including human rights and democratic governance. Such essays in public rectitude reflect arrogant fantasy. Separating American fact from Uncle Sam’s fiction is a full-time occupation, as the US state’s mounting crimes against humanity (witness the exponential rise in deaths from cancer in Iraq through the use of depleted uranium and the deformed births in Vietnam caused earlier by chemical defoliant Agent Orange) mount by the day, thanks largely to the courage and moral integrity of American whistle blowers – the latest being Edward Snowden, who claims neither to be a “traitor or hero”, but simply “an American” appalled by the “criminality” conducted without let or hindrance. It is scarcely surprising that sales of such dystopian classics as George Orwell’s “1984” and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” are now enjoying record sales, as word turns to flesh.

So where does India come into all this?

Disturbingly, India is fifth on the list of US cyber surveillance, with some 6 billion and more of its domestic communications snooped by Big Brother in Washington. The Obama projection of US-India ties as the “defining relationship of the 21st century” is nothing but hype. America is the paramount entity in a system of “Subsidiary alliances” conceived and drafted by Lord Wellesley in India in the late 18th century (1798-1805). The subsidiary entity must know its place in the general scheme of things. Which is why Jawaharlal Nehru decided that the best option for India was Nonalignment or, in other words, a policy of strategic autonomy. In the light of the present revelations, India voiced concern and surprise and promised to raise the subject during the next session of its ongoing strategic conversation with the United States. A statement

issued in New Delhi reads: “We feel that the Cyber Security Dialogue coordinated by the National Security Councils on both sides is the appropriate forum to discuss such issues. We intend to seek information and details during consultations between interlocutors ….If Indian laws relating to privacy of information about ordinary Indian citizens have been violated we will find it unacceptable.”

China, too, has to be factored into the Indian equation. Moscow-based Kaspersky Global Research Analysis Lab has reported that China targets India, Russia and Mongolia on its premier cyber espionage list (see Asian Voice, Media Watch, June 15, page 12). The US complains of Chinese cyber activities directed at American high-tech companies, the Pentagon and State Department. The recent US-China summit in the informal environs of sunny California advertised a “Superpower” convergence of interests. The US-China red lines meet in Pakistan, where Washington and Beijing are committed to their client’s future through substantial infusions of military aid to Islamabad. It is scarcely an accident that the new Nawaz Shaif government has announced a 15 per cent increase in the country defence budget, and doled out a Rs 600 million grant to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as a special dispensation at a time when there are power outages that 20 hours a day.

The Sino-US configuration on Pakistan has been overlooked by the palpitating Indian media However a Times of India editorial warned that India would do well to watch the unfolding Sino-US relationship: “The Obama administration has been remarkably cool towards India. An accommodation with Beijing at New Delhi’s expense….would deepen its problems. Multipolarity may suit India, but bipolarity doesn’t.”

Meanwhile, the Indian government is set to unveil a new cyber security system. Its architecture will include an interconnected set of organizations in key government departments, including Defence and Home ministries.

Bringing cheer to India’s administrators, the United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported that the country has progressed faster in sending its children to schools through steadfast implementation of its right to education legislation and the universal elementary education programmne.

“India has made the largest progress in absolute terms of any country in the world….reducing outof-school [children] numbers from 20 million in 2000 to 2.3 million in 2006, and [around] 1.7 million, according to the latest data [2011] compiled

by UNESCO’s latest “Education For All Global Monitoring Report.”

However, educationist Vinod Raina, a member of India’s Central Advisory Board on Education, has cautioned: “Since 2000, it’s a fact that that enrolment has gone up significantly. [However], education is not about only enrolment. You have to look at enrolment, attendance and dropout rate together. In India the attendance is around 70 per cent and the dropout rate is nearly 40 per cent at the elementary level. These are not comfortable numbers at all.” He has a point. However, the exponential increase in enrollment has created a secure

platform, from where issues like the dropout rate can be tackled in a sustained fashion. With a strong base in place fine-tuning can yield the desired results.

Pauline Rose, Director of the UNESCO report, explained to an Indian newspaper that India’s commitment to elementary education helped it get the “largest share of aid” to basic education of any country in the world [10 per cent]. The country received $578 million in during 2011, 50 per cent more than the previous year.

What heartened Ms Rose was that South Asia as a region had performed encouragingly well on this front, impediments, setbacks and all. South Asia had registered more progress than other region, notably sub-Saharan Africa. She hoped the current austerity regimes in Europe would not result in any reduction in educational grants and aid to countries which had made good use of such assistance. The World Bank, it must be said, has been very supportive with generous loans and grants. Better educational opportunities will eventually feed into the national economy and ensure the arrival of a more equitable society. This is a cause that must not be allowed to wither through cynicism or moral inertia.

Some good news on primary education

India, Japan join forces in Myanmar Myanmar has emerged from the shadows of a claustrophobic, decades-old military dictatorship and is now enjoying the bracing air of democracy and economic rejuvenation. Its geostrategic location along the fault-lines of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent makes it doubly important for strategic partners India and Japan to enlarge their footprint in the country. As the world’s third- largest economy and a manufacturing and technological powerhouse, Japan’s role in the transformation of Myanmar will surely be critical. Which is why the country’s dynamic, hands-on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was quickly off the starting blocks with a visit to Myanmar, the first by a Japanese prime minister in over thirty years. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had already done so last year.

“Japanese firms such as Suzuki Motor Corporation [the largest carmaker in India] Honda Motor Corporation and Panasonic are looking to set up facilities here [Myanmar] for four-wheelers, twowheelers and electronic equipment manufacturing.

A lot of Japanese firms want to shift base here.

There is no emerging economy like Myanmar right now,” said Masahiko Tanaka, chief representa-

tive of the Japanese state-owned agency in Myanmar.

India’s location across the Bay of Bengal is a considerable advantage for the development of commercial links. The entire east coast of the country, from West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, not to speak of Karnataka further inland, can export industrial and agricultural goods and IT and telephonic services to Myanmar, while providing a lucrative market for Myanmar’s products, including oil and gas, of which the country is richly endowed. India can also be a profitable route for Myanmar’s commerce with Africa. India plans to use its buyer’s credit scheme under the National Export Insurance Account, operated by the ExportImport (Exim) Bank to engage economically with Myanmar. Through this scheme, Exim Bank extends its credit facility to overseas governments and government-owned entities for import of goods and services from India on deferred terms. “We are trying to help in their infrastructure building programme,” said an official in New Delhi. With Myanmar’s economy set to expand to $N90 billion by 2018, India and Japan are keen to grasp the future.

3

Irrigators channel waters; Fletchers straighten arrows; Carpenters shape wood; The wise master themselves - The Buddha (Dhammapada 80)

Of Immigration, Innovation and Inspiration “I need a white face to interview who is looking for money for his company from India and has come especially for that” said the BBC interviewer to me last week as I hosted in Birmingham a UK Government India Day with Jaguar Land Rover and other Indian companies in the UK. I write on my way to Northern Ireland for a post G8 speech on Indian innovation in the UK. This country needs immigrants – the right sort – the sort who came from East Africa in the 70s.

“Between 1980 and 2005, virtually all net new jobs created in the US were created by firms that were 5 years old or less. That is about 40 million jobs.

Established firms created no new net jobs during that period”. This is a quote from an outstanding piece in the New York Times this week by Friedman, who wrote the book The World is Flatwhich talks much of India and outsourcing.

The point: If you want to create jobs then bank bailouts ain’t the way to go. You need new companies.

And you need them now. You need them so they can pay taxes, to pay down our national debt, to pay pension contributions.

But jobs come from new companies. From start-ups.

And where are these start-ups going to come from?

They come from entrepreneurs. And you can either grow entrepreneurs through our schooling (we haven’t got the time), or you import them – immigrants.

And you don’t attract risk-taking entrepreneurial jobcreating entrepreneurs by taxing them to death and bashing immigrants. ‘Britain’s borders are open – open to talented proven risk-taking entrepreneurs’ should be the political message. Because long-after May 6th when the domestic audience is no longer listening, the rest of the world will remember the words which will be spoken by our political masters this month. And if those words are purely for winning the election by immigrant bashing, then they will inherit the short-term prize and lose the long-term reward.

Why do immigrants so often succeed? The readers of this paper for instance? Because you do not travel 7000 miles only to fail. Immigration self-selects risk-takers. Risk-taking entrepreneurs create new companies which create jobs.

But you know what else creates jobs with immigration? Foreign students studying at our Universities. So what’s the last thing you want to do? Kill University funding. It’s almost as if periodically Britain decides to write a suicide note. Things get a little good and it’s time for a death-wish. The late 70s were one period, as were the early 90s.

Friedman notes the ‘job-creators’ visa – create a certain number of jobs, and you get leave to remain in the country. I visit India every two months to look for high growth intellectual property rich Indian companies to establish in the UK to go global from here. It’s a tough job because India has growth approaching 10%. Why would they want to go global from here? Because we still in the UK have a competitive advantage; research facilities, access to the EU, skilled employees, access to capital. Each of those advantages is vanishing fast.

Get the entrepreneurial immigrants in here quick; keep up University funding, slash the cost of new jobs in new companies.

Raise taxes if you want. But for god’s sake don’t raise it on new companies. Make it cheap to employ people. If they earn a wage, they will spend a wage.

Combat illegal immigration, but flood the country with entrepreneurs, open the floodgates, let them pour in and let prosperity reign. Remember: ‘Britain’s borders are open – open to talented proven risk-taking entrepreneurs who will create companies and jobs.’ What the BBC guy should have said is, ‘I want to interview brown faces who have come here as entrepreneurs, not white faces asking for money.’

4

British PunjaBi

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Fourth successful edition of the British Punjabi magazine launched in the House of Lords Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar launched their fourth edition of the British Punjabis magazine in the House of Lords on Friday 14th June.

The Peers' Dining Room bustled with of the Members Parliament, professionals and businessmen from the Punjabi community, as they networked with each other, enjoying the tasty vegetarian canapés and drinks. The formal part of the evening started with compere Param Singh of City Sikhs Network (CSN) welcoming the invited guests. This was followed by a brief Sikh prayer by Jasvir Singh, also from CSN, with appropriate English translation.

The host of the evening was Lord Navnit Dholakia, Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem party, who gave a wonderful welcoming speech to the esteemed audience, speaking about the valour, sacrifice, courage and commitment of the British Punjabi community.

CB Patel, Publisher /Editor of the newsweeklies and the British Punjabi magazine, spoke

about the friendly, fierce and faithful British Punjabi community and paid tribute to Lady Ann Dholakia, the power behind Lord Dholakia's endless achievements.

This was followed by the formal launch of the British Punjabi magazine by Lord and Lady Dholakia, Lord Raj Loomba and CB. The magazine that consists of profiles and articles, mainly concentrates on the culture, roots and pride in the British Punjabi heritage from a second and third generation perspective.

This year the event also launched the first ever Punjabi of the Year award, and the recipient was the much deserving Dr Rami Ranger MBE, whose popular company Sun Mark Ltd received 5 consecutive Queen's Awards for enterprise.

The vote of thanks was provided by Rovin George, Business Development Manager of Business Asian Publications Ltd. Photo courtesy: Autumn Leaf, Harishkumar Shah

Lord Raj Loomba, Lady Ann Dholakia and Lord Navnit Dholakia formally launching the fourth edition of the British Punjabi magazine

Harry Bhogal (DAS Heating-Electrical) Jaspal Bhambra (SNDElectrical), Jagjit Bassan (Bassan Motors), Raju Marshal (DAS Heating-Electrical), Cllr Ramesh Mehta (Ketley Parish) Kishore Parmar (Project Manager, British Punjabi magazine) and Mukhund Jobanputra

J S Sachar - Editor, Who is who of Asian, Deep Dhir - PRO Roco Cancer

CB Patel, Lord Loomba and Lord Dholakia awarding ‘Punjabi of the Year award’ to Dr Rami Ranger MBE

Ruma Khurana, Usha Sharma, Jaskiran Gidar, Anita Sira, Arun Chopra, Seema Chopra, Rajiv Khurana, Seema Dogra & Tony Dogra

Nazar Lodhi, Mrs Jaskiran and Ravi Gidar - Gold care anagement Services

Gurpal Uppal - Charles Simmons Kamal Hothi Lloyds TSB Immigration Solicitors, Sanjay Arora, Arora group of hotels, Dalbir Kathuria KPMG Bank

Rovin George, Sanjay Sareen & Sunny Sareen (Smile Dental Centre) and Ravinder Ryan Deol

Sikh prayer by Jasvir Singh

Iqbal Singh, P S Kang (Sam Travel), Dr Arun Kumar, Rakesh Dua (Dua & Co)

Manager and team of Punjab National Bank Deepak Gupta, Niraj Gupta, Aditi Mahajan, Birinder Singh, Yashodaravo Arachchy, Anureet Arora, Gurpriya Baghla, Harpreet Singh & Kamalpreet Singh

Mr Sundeep Singh Bamrah, Matwala Vyas Solicitors

Jas Pandher Himalaya Carpet

Amarjit Singh Dutton Greogry solicitor

Resham Singh Sandhu - High Sheriff of Leicester, Ranjit Baxi, Co Chairman, Conservative Friends of India

Footballer Dylan Lall with Michael Borland, Agent Rishi Doshi of RKD Sports Management, mother Gillian Lall & brother Ryan Gill

Compere for the evening Param Singh

P Vijaya Kumar (Voyage Media ltd), Mr. Sanjiv Nichani & Ms. Shilpa Vaitha (Healing Little Heart Foundation) and Dr Merul Patel (Director, ABPL Group)

5

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Sankara celebrates millionth free eye surgery Spriha Srivastava There are institutions that work for profit and then there are institutions that use their profits to give back to the society, Sankara eye care is one of them.

Sankara Eye Foundation Europe (SEFEU), an UK-registered nonprofit organization that works in association with Sankara Eye Care Institutions (SECI) India, held its first international press conference in the United Kingdom to celebrate its unique record in service by completing one million free eye surgeries across India for the poor and needy.

The foundation held its press conference cum reception at the prestigious House of Commons in the presence of Mr. Virendra Sharma, MP (Ealing Southall) as the guest of honour. Delegates from SECI and SEFEU got round the table to highlight the efforts and contribution in achieving this milestone in service to the distinguished members of the press and media.

Mr. Virendra Sharma MP (Ealing Southall) heartily congratulated the organisation for achieving this unique feat.

“Giving eyesight is the best contribution one can make. I am privileged to offer any help or support to Sankara Eye Foundation whenever needed,” he added.

The event brought together dignitaries and guests from different walks of life. A number of media persons present asked some very pertinent questions from the panel. But above all this, those representing Sankara made a very impressive presentation about their work and stories of the patients they have treated.

L –R : Kalyanasundaram, Senthilraj, Dhilipkumar Buddha, Subramanian Iyer, Ravikumar Buddha, Sridhar Subramanian, Mr. Virendra Sharma MP (Ealing Southall), Dr Kaushik Murali, Bharath Balasubramaniam, Jayesh Patel, Dr Ganesan Iyer, Maitre Iyer, Shilpan Patel, Gurpreet Sanghera

This milestone in service has become all the more significant as India has 45 Million visually handicapped and 12 million totally blind people. The majority of the blind live in rural India, where inaccessibility, non-availability and non-affordability of quality eye care are the barriers for the majority of the population. The Sankara Eye Care movement which is need based and farsighted took birth 36 years ago in Coimbatore in the State of Tamil Nadu.

The event included speakers from Sankara Eye Foundation who gave an overview of what the foundation does. Mr.Bharath Balasubramaniam, COOAdministration and Dr. Kaushik Murali,COO-Operation – SECI expressed gratitude to the Press, Distinguished guests and Mr. Virendra Sharma MP for his engagement to promote this incredible charity work in the UK. Both members, in conjunction with presentations and videos, highlighted to the entire

house how the Sankara Eye Care movement has endeavoured to provide unmatched, specialist eye care to all those who need it, regardless of their ability to afford such treatment, hence working towards a universal freedom from preventable and curable blindness.

While Mr. Bharath Balasubramaniam spoke about the implementation of robust information management system across Sankara Eye Foundation to provide academic training, hospital management and human resource management systems, Dr. Kaushik Murali threw light towards creating replicable and sustainable models of Sankara Eye Foundation in ensuring uniform standard of care to patient. He is a part of the strategic initiative of the organisation – Vision 20/20 by 2020 which aims to envisage treatment to 1 million beneficiaries every year through 20 state of the art eye hospitals.

According to Mr.

Balasubramanium, “Through our movement, we aim to reach out to the most underserved sections of the society who cannot access care.

Through Accessibility, Availability and Affordability we intend to break down the barriers for quality eye care. Our organisation has various initiatives outreach eye care programmes targeting underprivileged adults and children and also have training programmes to help our comprehensive community eye care movement to reach to the doorstep of millions of poor and needy individuals across India.”

Globally Sankara Eye Care Institution-India is the only organisation working on an 80:20 ratio, 80% of the beneficiaries are the rural poor who receive their treatment totally free; the balance 20% are those who can afford to pay for the treatment, thereby cross subsiding the free eye care services.

Dr Malcolm Kerr Muir, consultant at the Adenbrookes hos-

pital, who has been associated with the Sankara movement for the past 5 years, highlighted the high quality care the organisation delivered. ‘I was amazed at the high quality of care at the organisation. They ensure that the patient is central to all their activities despite their high volumes. I look forward to working with them to share their expertise in other parts of the world’.

The attendees of the conference were left on a very positive and bright note by the Guest of Honour for the evening Mr.Virendra Sharma, MP who said that all individuals of the society should make a coordinated effort in terms of their contributions and monetary support in taking such health care initiatives to the next level.

Highlighting the issue to the house, Mr. Virendra Sharma further added that the its time to spread the word and who can do it better than the media present at the venue.

CII hosts successful CEOs delegation to UK Mr S Gopalakrishnan, President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Executive Vice Chairman, Infosys Limited headed CII’s annual CEOs delegation to Britain from 9-12 June 2013.

The delegation was in London from 9th11th June and visited Loughborough on 12th June.

The delegation mainly had a two fold agenda: Exploring ways to enhance economic ties between India and UK and identifying collaborative measures to help each other in the current volatile economic climate. The delegation will try build and intensify partnerships which will enable counter challenges of the current times and contribute to Global growth.

During the course of the delegation the members met and interacted with several British Government officials and also engaged in conferences, business meetings and Roundtable interactions.

On 10 June 2013, the delegation met Rt Hon Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Annual India-UK Conference to discuss ‘India-UK Partnerships: Working towards Global Growth’. The Conference was co-chaired by Mr S Gopalakrishnan, President, CII and Mr Peter Sands, Group CEO, Standard Chartered Plc. The opening session was followed by two Parallel sessions discussing ‘The Indian opportunity- still attractive?’

‘Partnerships in R&D and Advanced Manufacturing’ with a focus on IndustryAcademia collaborations.

L-R: Chandrajit Banerjee, Dr J Bhagwati, S Gopalakrishnan, Peter Sands, and Chris Heffer, at the Inaugural session of CII-LBS Conference as the High Commissioner releases the report on “India UK Partnerships in Advanced Manufacturing”

The Labour Party also hosted a meeting in the Parliament on their two day visit to the UK. The roundtable was chaired by Seema Malhotra MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party Business Group and addressed by Shadow BIS Secretary Chuka Umunna MP, and Shadow Treasury Minister Chris Leslie

Members of CII CEOs delegation with Chuka Umunna Shadow Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and Seema Malhotra MP

MP. The discussions addressed the challenges and priorities for the British and Indian economies, and opportunities for growing trade relations and partnerships between Britain and India. Particular priorities for Indian business included advanced manufacturing, skills, SME growth and R&D. Seema Malhotra MP said "I was delighted to host this successful roundtable with Shadow Secretary Chuka Umunna MP on behalf of the Labour Party which has established important dialogue and discussion of a common agenda. India and Britain have a strong and important relationship and we look forward to forward to working with the CII to build on opportunities together in the future."

The CII in association with the London Business School organised its

Chandrajit Banerjee, Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and S Gopalakrishnan at the Department of BIS

On 11 June 2013, the delegation engaged in business discussions and roundtables.

On 12 June 2013, the delegation traveled to Loughborough where the members engaged in a Business Interaction on India 2013-14 and Partnerships between India and Midlands- the Manufacturing Hub of UK.

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

7

Recently ISKCON Rathayatra Festival was held in Croydon for the third time The event was a huge success and 500 plates of vegetarian food served to people who attended the festival.

Councillor Tony Newman (pic above) inaugurated the chariot festival which involves pulling Lord Jagannath- an incarnation of the Indian God Lord Krishna, on a beautifully decorated wooden cart.

He also swept the floor making way for the chariot, as the tradition would expect the King of the area to do so, in order to show respect.

The procession then made it's way to Park Hill Recreational Grounds, where everyone was served free lunch and treated to a stage show with Indian music and dance. The Park Festivities were attended

by Cllr Graham Bass and Councillor Vidhi Mohan.

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Network 18 organised the first ever India Day in Oxford on June 14th at the gorgeous Randolph hotel to celebrate a strong historical connection between India and Oxford, including its unique position as a world leader in learning and the invaluable contribution of its alumni.

In attendance were The Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Lord Patten of Barnes, Executive Director, Network18, Ms Vandana Malik, the Indian Minister for External Affairs Mr Salman Khurshid, an Oxford alumni and Senior leader of Opposition, Mr Arun Jaitley, also an Oxford alumni. Present too was the Editor-in-Chief CNN IBN Mr Rajdeep Sardesai, another alumni of the esteemed University.

Speakers from Britain also included senior academics from Oxford University.

The event started with lighting of diya followed by the launch of the Premnath Bahl scholarship in Contemporary South Asian studies program, to salute the importance of education and extending the opportunity to a meritorious student. The first recipient is Richard Tobo.

Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid compared China to an ATM machine while he described India as a "softly-softly" nation.

Arun Jaitley in conversation with Sardesai spoke about India's inevitable political future as a Coalition, but ruled out the existence of smaller regional parties as a major role player- perhaps ruining the dream of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha or that of West

e e r f e xt r a

From Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Favourite * Basmati www.tilda.com *Britains Favourite Basmati. Source: IRI Grocery Outlets, Basmati branded leaders in volume and value. 52 weeks 7/7/12.

photo courtesy: Aditi Khanna

Network 18 organises India Day in Oxford

Arun Jaitley, Salman Khurshid, representative from the Oxford University, Lord Patten and Vandana Malik

Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee as the future Prime Ministers.

Inspite of the brilliant concept and a decent turn out, the panelists unfortunately did not comprise of a single woman, a proof of India's continuing patriarchal society.

Lord Patten sounded too patronising as he emphasised that India is a bigger economic giant than China (however true he was!), with a younger population, almost ignoring facts that continue to be a major hindrance to the sustainable growth of the country- such as rising corruption, invisible funds behind parties, lack of security for women and political unaccountability.

Amongst the academics making speeches, Dr Nandini Gooptu was the most interesting- especially her subtle dry humour that tantalised one's dormant intellect.

While Dr Rami Ranger commented from the audience about the gigantic contributions of the Indian diaspora in Britain, it was unfortunate to have no Asian MPs or Peers in the audience, except Baroness Usha Prashar and Seema Malhotra MP. This succesful London Leg will be followed by the India Leg in the third quarter of this year and will have participation from economic and political sphere from UK and India.

UK

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

As I See It 2013

Mau Mau; Colonial atrocities somewhat acknowledged; what about Kenyan Indians’ sufferings?

LILY Foundation is the sponsored charity of Asian Achievers Awards 2013

Sushma: A Story of untold horrors the police of several states. He has murdered, raped and maimed many by chopping off their hands. Recently, a girl’s body severed in half was found in the river, presumably one of his victims. Another young woman, whom Anu had introduced to Sushma’s

Lady Mohini Kent Noon

Sushma, 20, had everything: good looks, good health, caring parents who ran a small coffee plantation in Coorg, and a brother. She lived in a college hostel in a different city. Then a man named Anu befriended her parents, portraying himself as a wealthy orphan hungry for love.

Sushma’s parents accepted him, despite the fact that he was Muslim and they were Hindus. Soon, he was carrying parcels to their daughter and began taking her on outings and returning her safely to the hostel. But tragedy soon unfolded.

Sushma disappeared in December 2011. Her frantic parents filed a police complaint on Christmas Day in 2011 and also appealed to the Odanadi project in Mysore.

The LILY Foundation supports the work of Odanadi.

Investigations revealed that Anu, 49, aka Anwar Faisal, is a contract killer wanted by

Sushma

parents, has also disappeared. He’s been implicated in crimes involving at least 16 other young women.

Sushma made a single phone call to her family after her disappearance in which she sounded disoriented and appeared not to know them. She was probably drugged by Anu. Directors of the

Odanadi project, Stanly and Parshu, recently travelled to Kerala after receiving a tip-off that Sushma might be found there. Since they are part of the National Task Force they had managed to obtain Anu’s phone records, which led them to a large compound in Kerala, in a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, heavily guarded by thugs and security cameras. They contacted one of his gang members and offered him amnesty if he could deliver Sushma to them and turn witness against Anu. Alerted, Anu fled.

Criminals prey on gullible parents, vulnerable girls and defenceless children. Human trafficking is a major organized crime in India. The LILY Foundation supports projects that work against the evil trade.

Anu is believed to be travelling between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala with his gang of 20 and an unknown woman. Even as you read this, the Odanadi directors are still negotiating with Anu’s gang but Sushma is still missing.

For more information go to http://www.ipartnerindia.org/lily-foundation.php OR contact us at info@ipartnerindia.org/+44 20 7841 8919

Don’t be shy India Overseas Trust Faith and community leaders paid glowing tributes to the remarkable positive contributions of Ugandan Asians to the British economy and to wider society as part of a thanksgiving service, hosted by Leicester Cathedral.

More than 28,000 people arrived in Britain from Uganda in 1972, of which a quarter settled in Leicester, despite an advertising campaign warning them not to come to the city.

The morning event last Saturday brought together around 300 guests, reflecting Leicester’s unique kaleidoscopic of nationalities. Guests were welcomed by the city’s Bishop, Right Reverend Tim Stevens, and Dean Right Reverend David Monteith, followed by a welcome address from Praful Patel, lead organiser, The India Overseas Trust.

Bishop Tim said: “In the 38 years I’ve been

photo courtesy: Bhupendra Jethwa

Dhiren Katwa

with hymns and songs by the Cathedral Choir, echoing the ceilings of this Anglican place of worship, which each year attracts around 25,000 visitors. Guest of honour Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, read the parable of the Eric Pickle, Communities Secretary, Good Samaritan giving a speech during the service. working in the city I have Representatives from encountered many of other major faith groups these people or their offwere also called upon to spring. Whilst maintaining read paragraphs from their their cultural identity they respective holy scriptures. have also managed to inteThe list included: Harshad grate well and shown an Saujani, president, admirable work ethic.

Lohana Mahajan What a contrast to the Leicester and Raman more recent arrivals who Barber, president, Shri seem determined to Sanatan Mandir, both remain insular if not insisHindu; Jaffer Kapasi, on tent on our adoption of behalf of the Dawoodi their values. It is this parBohra Jamaat and media adox that is at the heart of shy East African peer Lord the multicultural/nonMohamed Sheikh multicultural Leicester (Muslim); Pradipbhai experience.”

Mehta (Jain); Mohinder The morning began Ruprai, Sikh Parents

On 6th June British government accepted without offering formal apology, the atrocities committed by the British Colonial regime in Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s.

Britain has not formally admitted liability for torturing some 40,000 Kenyans detained during the rebellion.

The compensation of £16mn and the legal cost of £7mn are indeed a modest sum of money. Some 16,000 Kenyan Africans, 32 Europeans and 36 Indians were killed during the uprising.

In Kenya a demand has been raised for much larger compensation. The sums talked about are in billions of Kenyan shillings. The recent settlement took a long time, lots of preparations and a huge amount of legal cost. Any larger settlement looks like a Herculean task. Albeit, it is a credit to the British society and the British government that they are willing to accept their responsibilities of what happened nearly 70 years ago.

The torture killings were not at the behest of the British citizens from here, it was primarily at the instigation and for benefit of the European settlers in the Rift Valley, who were keen to monopolise the precious lush land.

Eventually, after the independence it was acquired by the cohorts of Kenyatta- but that is a different story.

In India, Africa or other colonies whenever the imperialist Britain were engaged in a number of atrocities, whether it was the first war of Indian independence (1857 Sepoy Mutiny), Jallianwallah bagh or such injustices elsewhere, the British sense of fairplay and justice were noticed, however late or in whatever small measure.

It reminds me to look back at the German atrocities in their colony of Tanganika, almost 100 years ago- just prior to the first world war.

Proportionately larger number of Tanganikan Blacks were murdered and suffered untold atrocities in what is called Maji Maji revolt. At the end of the war, the League of Nations awarded Tanganika a British protectorate. The army which defeated Germans constituted largely of Indian soldiers.

Germans have, to the best of my knowledge, not compensated Tanganikans as yet. Perhaps they would never. One cannot talk about Japan as an imperial power and its behaviour. British have been attributed with the largest empire and greatest heart to accept their liabilities, however modestly or however late.

Mau Mau uprising mainly mentions of Kapenguria Six- Jomo Kenyatta, Achieng' Oneko, Paul Ngei, Fred Kubai, Bildad Kaggia and Kungu Karumba. Some mention is also made Association (Sikh).

Mr Pickles said: “I am honoured to be attending this thanksgiving event to mark the contribution that British Ugandan Asians have made to Britain over the past 40 years. This community has made enormous achievements in the world of business, politics, the arts and science after arriving here under the most difficult of circumstances and in most cases with no money or belongings.” He added: “It is touching that so many people of all backgrouynds and beliefs have come together to celebrate the life-long friendships that have been made as communities welcomed immigrants and helped them

of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Tom Mboya and even Daniel Arap Moi. Kenyan Indians played a very different but important role during the Mau Mau rebellion. Sardar Makhan Singh was one of the stalwarts who pioneered Trade Unionist movement in Kenya which played a very active role in the independence struggle.

What happened to Makhan Singh?

When the Kapenguria Six started serving their 7 years term in detention, they found Singh already in jail. In August 1961, when the Six were released Makhan Singh was still in the hospitable area of Dol Dol under restriction for almost another year.

Barrister Pranlal Sheth played an important role in the preparation of Kenyan constitution. He was a close adviser of Oginga Odinga. Kenyatta unceremoniously deported Pranlal Sheth, a Kenyan citizen for no specific reason. Pranlal was also an active Trade Unionist who helped the Black African workers of the Sugar plantations owned

by Indians in Kisumu area.

Pio Gama Pinto was one of the more radical leaders and a lawyer.

Kenyatta government is alleged to have him shot dead as was Tom Mboya.

Ambu (Ambalal H) Patel stood by Jomo Kenyatta and his daughter throughout this tragic time. After independence for a while Patel was welcomed in Kenyatta's circle, but his Gandhian principles and disapproval of corruption cost him dearly.

It is said that while travelling with Jomo Kenyatta in his Limousine, Patel entered into a heated argument on the economic model of development and corruption and Kenyatta angrily asked the chauffeur to stop the car and ordered Patel to get out. Patel to his credit, did not apologise and stood his corner.

Besides the above mentioned Kenyan Indians, Isher Das, Manilal Desai, A R Kapila, FRS Desouza and Chanan Singh were heavily involved in the freedom struggle and in the formative years of the independence.

Indians do not preserve their history for the sake of posterity. We miss out a lot. Something ought to be done- but how, when and by whom are the key questions.

(P.S. To be continued next week with : (a) The heroic role of the erstwhile In dian high Commission er Appa Saheb P an t and (b) Ku su m V a d g a m a, London and Zar i n a Patel, Nairobi, the pioneers in recording history of Indo-British relationships)

make our country their home.”

Baroness Verma said: “It was a nice tribute to the contributions made by the people who had so cruelly been expelled from Uganda and the success they had made of our city.”

Well done to all involved. This said, I hope Praful Patel and his team at The India Overseas Trust, and partners, will build on the deserved success of this event. How? By being entirely transparent, particularly on funding. After all, it is the hard earned cash of well-wishers, taxpayers, that should ideally be accounted for.

Correct?

Readers will recall pre-

- CB

event coverage in our newsweeklies over the past two weeks, in which I shared concerns of public interest, particularly of Ugandan Asians in the UK. Veteran reporter Yasmin Ali-Bhai Brown, one of the first Ugandan Asians of Indian origin to enter British mainstream media, who did not attend last Saturday’s event, described my articles “interesting pieces”.

Reader Prakash Parekhji from Bromley said: “Those who needed to be thanked have been thanked in the past. Why do it again, and again. It seems to me there is self interest in promoting the celebrations in the name of Ugandan Asians.”

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

World curry festival sizzles into life this weekend

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Shanti Panchal – A Renowned Painter Tackling Serious Issues Shanti Panchal is a leading British, Indian-born painter. He has just completed a one-person show at the Piano Nobile Gallery in Holland Park area, London. It included a series of paintings portraying his two sons who until recently served in the Marines in Royal Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

Shanti also has a major painting in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, and paintings by him have recently been acquired by leading British public galleries and collections like the Ruth Borchard Collection of Self-Portraits.

In Shanti Panchal’s recent exhibition at the Piano Nobile Gallery, the two paintings of his soldier sons were described as “moving, tender and politically challenging as well as highly significant records of contemporary history” by art writer Philip Vann. One of these shows his two progeny, along with a poignant image of a toy soldier, after they had returned to London after serving for a lengthy period as soldiers in Afghanistan. A companion portrait of his two sons, both in their twenties, newly returned from Helmand Province, was acquired in 2012 by The Imperial War Museum, London.

Panchal has strong opinions about the psychological damage that soldiers suffer when returning home from Afghanistan; “There is state support for those who come back wounded but many of them, only in their late teens, who return with their limbs intact are disturbed mentally and emotionally and are scarred for life” says the artist. ‘I wanted to highlight the plight of those young men and their families”.

In the early 1980s Panchal developed an innovative way of painting, which he describes in this way: 'watercolour is not just painted on the surface but injected into the paper many times, and I scrape that with hard oilpaint brushes and use blotting paper. The kind of depth you achieve is amazing.’

Born in Mesar, a village in Gujarat, India in the mid-to-late 1950s (his exact birth-date is unknown), he studied at the Sir JJ School of Art in Bombay before coming to England on a British

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Bradford is once again to host the World Curry Festival, following on from the success of last year where thousands of visitors flocked to the event in Bradford’s award-winning City Park.

For three days 21-23 June – City Park will be transformed into world of tastes, flavours and dazzling demonstrations with a pop-up Curry Theatre, street food market, live music sessions, cooking classes and fun activities for all the family.

Curry experts such as Grand Master Chef Hemant Oberoi, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Chef Norman Musa of Ning Restaurant, Mumtaz

Khan, Founder of the Internationally-acclaimed restaurant chain, and Aamir Iqbal – recently voted the greatest chef in Pakistan – will be hosting live cooking demonstrations.

Regional talent such as Stephanie Moon from Rudding Park Hotel; Food Glorious Food winner Rahlia Hussain, Eric Paxman of Eric’s in Huddersfield, and Matthew Benson-Smith from The Cooking School have also signed up.

The Festival also features ‘Learn to Cook Curry Classes’ with Bradford College.

The World Curry Festival 2013 is being sup-

A police officer stabbed in a mosque by a man brandishing a large combat knife has been praised for his "heroic" actions as he helped arrest the knifeman despite his injuries.

It also emerged that he is due a bravery award for rescuing a young child from a gas-filled building.

PC Adam Koch issued a “massive debt of thanks” to worshippers who helped him to overpower an alleged attacker who

had already injured three other men during latenight prayers at the Madrassah Qasim Ul Uloom mosque in the Ward End area of Birmingham on Saturday.

Speaking from a hospital bed, the 31-year-old policeman, who underwent surgery for stab and slash wounds to his stomach and side, described how the man lunged at him with a commandostyle knife.

ported by O2, Yorkshire Building Society, Bradford City Council and Bradford College.

The World Curry Festival was born out of a love of food and culture. It is a unique event that is a celebration of all things curry. Foodies from far and wide come to experience the authentic tastes of the Indian Subcontinent, South Asia, and the Caribbean. The event combines cookery demonstrations, celebrity chefs, pop-up restaurants, street food, entertainment, shopping, and music.

Find out more at www.worldcurryfestival.c om

Police officer stabbed in Brimingham mosque praised

Shanti Panchal in front of his painting 'Marine, off-duty from front line', 2002

Council scholarship to study at the Byam Shaw School of Art, London from 1978-80. He has lived and worked in London since then with frequent trips back to India.

In the artist's own words, his figurative works are filled with a 'contemplative stillness and tranquility, which at first belies the complex interplay of emotions and relationships between the figures depicted.’

Panchal has had numerous one-person shows in British public galleries and abroad. He was awarded the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, and received First and (later) Second Prizes at The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition (in 2001 and 2012). His work is in many public collections, including the Arts Council England and the British Museum.

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Art writer Philip Vann says of Shanti; “His spaciously abstracted works are partly inspired by Indian miniaturist painting and Buddhist and Jain frescoes but also by the visionary figuration of El Greco, Mark Rothko's immense

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A 29-year-old British Indian journalist has been named the Editor of The Independent, becoming the first non-white editorial head of a mainstream daily newspaper in Britain.

Amol Rajan will replace Chris Blackhurst, also becoming Fleet Street's first non-white newspaper editor. He formerly worked as the paper's comment editor.

Chris will be now responsible for "editorial integration and content creation processes" across the Independent, Evening Standard and the planned London Live TV station.

Rajan was born in Kolkata before moving to London when he was three. He grew up in Tooting, south London, and went on to read English literature at

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The motivation for the attack is still not clear, the Chief Superintendent Alex Murray said.

Brit-Indian becomes the first non white Editor of a UK daily

fields of colour and the haunting backdrops of Francis Bacon. He relates the abstract element in his work 'to the remote village landscape – very dry, ochres and reds and browns, all sand and mudwall houses with red tiles', ‘monumental skies' and 'deep, dark nights and burning days' – of his childhood.

It is a characteristic and original feature of a Panchal portrayal that the woman's hair extends downwards over part of her forehead, so that it meets up with her striking eyebrows, formally rather like Moore's Three Points or Shiva's trident. For the artist this physiognomic form, which he came up one day by happy accident when moving from oil paint to watercolour as his preferred medium, symbolises a Third Eye of intuitive energy and spiritual discernment.”

The kind of depth you achieve is amazing

PC Adam Koch

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Cambridge University.

After graduating, Rajan worked briefly for the Evening Standard and

Channel 5, before moving to The Independent where he rose through the ranks from news reporter.

HLH saves life of children Vaishali was 22 years and from Gujarat. She had been born with a heart problem and her parents had been told that not much could be done for her. Vaishali was referred by the Satya Sai organisation to a hospital in Rajkot, where they offered Vaishali an operation.

On the day of surgery Vaishali was taken to the operating theatre and the surgeon felt that nothing he could do will cure her. Luckily for Vaishali, a senior member of the Satya Sai Organisation had worked with a charity before and thought that they may be able to help Vaishali. HEALING LITTLE HEARTS (HLH), a UK based charity that sends teams of doctors and nurses every 6 weeks to the HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL in MUMBAI to perform heart surgery on patients who are born with heart problems.

A HLH surgeon Mr Premsundar carried out an operation on Vaishali’s heart in February 2013. He was able to correct her heart problem and gave her a clean bill of health to lead a normal life. Vaishali is among 60,000 children born with heart problems in India every year.

HLH also operated on Mr AR Rahman's daughter in May 2010 and was featured by the BBC in November 2011. In November 2102 the Nargis Dutt Charity Trust launched a collaboration with HLH to operate on these desperately ill and desperately poor children.

HLH has been operating since 2007 and has operated on nearly 300 children so far. But it is only a drop in the ocean with many thousands more lives to save with your help.

For more information please visit: www.healinglittlehearts.net.

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Your Voice Doing good deeds will help you

Rudy Otter has touched controversial topic, death / out of body experiences, which are wrongly labelled by some as experiences after death. Out of body experiences occur according to social, emotional, religious and cultural upbringing. Dying persons see friends, relatives, tunnel, light or even minicab.

Rudy has cleverly mentioned “clinically dead”, “revived”, and “very much alive” to avoid outright mention of the word death. This arouses curiosity as to what is death.

Death has been described by religions, philosophers, doctors and parapyschologists. Gita mentions death as changing a garment. Hindus mention lore of Nachiketa and Sati Savitri, Yamraj escorting souls across River Vaiterney; Vikings mention similar journey across Valhalla associated with aurora borealis.

Bible talks about vale of tears, purgatory, etc. Theosophists compare death with dreams where soul travels in astral areas.

In dream it is attached to silver chord and thus returns to body. In death this chord is snapped and the soul cannot return to body. Doctors mention absence recordings on electroencephalogram as death.

Para-psychologists describe death as metem-psychosis which occurs on psychological level, analogous to metamorphosis, on morphological/physical level.

Therefore, person recalling, out of body, experiences cannot be dead. Such experiences can be induced by drugs, epilepsy, apnoea, or neuro-electrical brain storm when, conscious and conscious functions recede into profound subliminal area known as microtubules.

This receding of soul and its activity into microtubules cannot be recorded on electroencephalogram. Process reverses activity from microtubules to subconscious to conscious; person recalls what happened in microtubule area.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Respecting laws Our Lord Deben better known as John Gummer lectured the Hindu community in the Lord’s debate on caste by saying that people coming here should respect the laws and traditions of the country.

He was implying that we Hindus are practicing caste discrimination and should change our ways. Baroness Shreela Flather backed him and said Hindus need to change. There is no proof, no statistics to justify this attack on the Hindu community. This is all beginning to unravel now as many MPs are now saying they have never had any cases of caste discrimination in their constituencies.

Nitin Mehta Via Email

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

India V’s Gibraltar

Money Go Round

I learn today that Gibraltar - a piece of land in the Mediterranean measuring just 3 square miles - attracts 6 million tourists a year. The main thing it offers is sea and sunshine. Contrast this with India - a land measuring 1.2 million square miles; offering all that Gibraltar offers plus culture; architecture; history etc . Yet India attracts just 2 million tourists a year. By any measure this is a resounding failure on the part of the Indian government as well as its overseas ambassadors. I ask myself what they are doing wrong. One thing that immediately comes to mind is the cost of Visas - now approximately £100. So for a family this could amount to £400. I am sure that the small minded at the London Indian embassy will be thinking that this is a huge amount of Rupees; and it’ possible that this embassy is actually running at a profit as a result. But the same people fail to look at the cost to the nation - reduced number of tourists & reduced frequency of visits mean reduced spending in the Indian economy. In my travels I find that the young white British people show little interest in travelling to India - they prefer countries like Spain, USA etc as they consider that India offers them little.

My message to Dr. J Bhagwati - you need to do new thinking; for the sake of India.

Raj Patel Essex

The chief executive who was parachuted in to take charge of the near-bankrupt RBS during the 2008 banking crisis, will leave his job with a payoff at least £1.6m – and possibly up to £5.6m. This payout comes in the wake of the golden handshakes given to other Bank and supermarket bosses. How can they justify to receive so much money while others, like restaurant workers or people doing manual work, have to make do with the minimum wages? These people are relatively poor and have to scrimp and save to make ends meet, while the super rich hoard the wealth in bank accounts and in properties which they may probably not be able to utilise during their lifetime.

Whereas the rich of America, Russia and the UK wallow in their easily acquired wealth, others have to struggle to pay the ever increasing shopping basket and utilities charges!

However, this is all relative as the poor of the west are considered rich in the so called developing countries in Asia and Africa where many go to bed at night with empty bellies. Mother nature has provided enough resources for all so a fair distribution of the earth’s resources among all its people would go a long way to reduce strife and war. Then there will be no terrorists, nor the killing of innocent people under the guise of religion or envy.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

The demise of NDA

BJP conflicts

It is very unfortunate that the NDA alliance between JD(U) and BJP has ended after 17 years. After Modi won Gujarat election convincingly for the third time he has become very popular not only in Gujarat but also in other parts of India. Nitish Kumar did not want Modi to be a leading figure in the BJP election campaign and in order to win the Muslim support Modi was kept out of election campaign in Bihar and he was treated as an untouchable BY JD(U) partner.

Modi tirelessly criss-crossed Gujarat roads and alleyways on a scooter building the BJP brick by brick, is in the driving seat and he is fit to lead the BJP election campaign. The old guards in BJP should give way to younger generation and there should be a new radical set up in BJP. I agree with Nitish Kumar that BJP should respect senior leaders and it does not mean that BJP should carry on with old and failed BJP politicians.

A minority party in NDA cannot dictate who should lead the election campaign and it is left to BJP to decide best person for the post. The Congress party under Rahul Gandhi is selecting young persons for the next year parliamentary elections. The younger generation of Indians support Modi and Modi has become a symbol of development and the party’s ability to deliver good governance.

BJP’s election management committee has done done a right choice in appointing Modi as the chairperson of the election campaign for next years’ Lok Sabha elections.

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email

The internal civil war or disagreement amongst the prominent BJP members is not only very disappointing but sets a very negative image on the party itself. If BJP cannot amicably agree on who is going to lead the election campaign, then how are they going to run the country?

L.K.Advani is a very experienced politician, but unfortunately he has not succeeded in gaining an out right victory for BJP. Advanji should be on an advisory role and ensure that the party members work together and put BJP in a strong position for the next election. I am glad that some of these issues have been sorted out and Narendra Modi has been selected as the chief to lead BJP election campaign in 2014.

Recently we have seen Heads of other Countries who have started dialogue and discussion with Narendra Modi to look at trading opportunities in Gujarat. Gujarat under the leadership of Narendra Modi has truly transformed and this is only one of the State in India. No doubt, there groups in India and indeed other politicians who will do everything possible to give negative publicity to Mr Modi as he is seen as a big threat to the Congress Party.

It is charades like this within the BJP that Congress party use to their advantage. BJP should channel their energy towards making it a solid party and gain the confidence of the public so that they can win the election.

Kishore V Shingadia Via Email

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UK EUROPE WORLD £25 £55 £70 £45 £100 £125

*Subscriptions paid will not be refunded

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Your editorial about some 5,000 Polish children arriving in Jamnagar in 1942 as refugees reminded me of the exhibition of Stephan Norblin, a Polish artist’s works, at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai.

Stephan Norblin, a Polish artist and his wife were welcomed as refugees in India. He was an eminent painter, illustrator and designer. A master of many arts: drawings and illustrations; posters; portraits; stage and costume design.

In 1941, the Norblins arrived in India where until 1943 the artist created portraits and murals for the New Palace of Maharaja of Morvi. The portraits faithfully reproduced the visages of the subjects, emphasizing their exalted status and depicting the richness of national costumes festooned with jewels. He also painted large murals in the Palace, inspired by Hindu mythology, but also incorporating genre, zoomorphic and floral themes, skilfully combined characteristics of local Indian art newly discovered by the artist—colourfulness, horror vacui, density of motifs, flatness and linearity—with the style of European Art Deco—synthesis, geometric rhythm, monumentalism, decoration and a refined eroticism which unified the two styles.

His most famous creation followed: the huge murals, paintings on canvas and interior designs, and furniture commissioned by the Maharaja Umaid Singh for his monumental Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

I am currently attending arts classes at The Institute Arts Centre. My subjects are drawing, painting, life drawing, sculpture, ceramics, digital art, history of modern art and calligraphy.

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

Right hand, left hand I was surprised to see in Asian Voice (issue 1st-7th June, page 26) a picture of Rahul Gandhi waving to crowds with his left hand. I had always thought the left hand in Asian culture was reserved for one purpose only, toilet ablutions?

Sonia Gandhi, in the same picture, correctly used her right hand to wave while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, standing next to her, adopted a neutral, hands-down stance.

Years ago I remember reading about a British businessman who had clinched a deal in an Arab country, and on mounting the homeward-bound aircraft’s steps, he turned to wave goodbye to his Arabian hosts. Instead of waving back, they stood there looking shocked. Unfortunately the Brit had waved to them with his left hand.

Do you think inappropriate use of the left hand these days is still regarded as a serious breach of Asian etiquette?

Via Email

Please detach the form and send it with your payment or credit card instructions to address below 1 Year 2 Years

The Good Maharaja: a tale of compassion and humanity

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Rudy Otter Continued on page 13

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

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12

Media Watch

The political kaleidoscope in India can change as quickly as the Monsoon rains. L.K. Advani was the cynosure of most eyes one day, only to be overtaken by a brazen Maoist assault on a train in Bihar the next. As if their assault on a convoy carrying Congress party politicians in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh - in which 28 people were shot dead – was not enough, the emboldened insurgents launched coordinated attacks in Bihar and Maharashtra, in which six innocent lives were lost, among them a jawan of the Railway Protection Force and a business executive. An armed attack by 200 well armed Maoists (Naxals) on the Dhanbad-Patna Express in Bihar, with 500 passengers on board, claimed three lives and injured six. In separate incidents, a party of Maoists killed three persons including the Vice President of Lloyds company in the Gadchikoroli district of Maharashtra.

Too scared to sweat

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 22nd June 2013

the Hindu (June 13) by Naveen Chawla. Time was when India’s general and State elections were in danger of being reduced to something approaching a farce.

Vote rigging, booth capturing and violence were brazen, part of an unruly political landscape seemingly beyond the reach of the law. Until the Election commission got down to work. In a hugely unequal society with debilitating caste hierarchies, the democratic vote of the ordinary citizen, if used without fear or favour, could ensure a level playing field and become, over time, a force for social change.

IGI world’s second best

Apropos of the Bihar incident, a passenger, one Ashok Kumar Singh, told a correspondent of the Hindu newspaper (June 13): “We were too scared even to sweat. People were crying for help. Little children were crying,” as they cowered under their seats. The Maoists then melted into the surrounding jungle (Times of India, Telegraph, Hindustan Times, Mint June 13)

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has been judged the world’s second best airport in the 25-40 million category by the Airport Council International (Hindu June 15) home in India,” he said. The C17 has greater airlift capability than any of its rivals, and can land on and takeoff from primitive sites in high altitudes Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014, so a total of 10 Globemasters should soon be in service (Hindu June 13)

Federal front Policing happens to be a State subject, so opposition-ruled regimes led by Chief Ministers would brook no interference in their respective bailiwicks by the central government in Delhi, as they made clear during a recent Centre-State conference on security. The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has even floated the idea of a common federal front between likeminded leaders in the country’s 2014 general election. The Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, is much attracted to Ms Banerjee’s clarion call. It is West Bengal’s immense misfortune that 34 years of blighted Communist rule having beggared the State.

Its Trinamool Congress successor, under a repellant gargoyle, is feasting now on the remains.

The Barasat district of the State, which borders Bangladesh, is today India’s rape capital, a den for cattle rustlers and mafia gangs who terrorize the population with total impunity. Women demonstrators outside Chief Minister Banerjee’s residence were bundled into police vans and carted of jail. Like Nero, Mamata Banerjee fiddles while the Maoists and criminal elements rule the roost. Such is the condition off to a State that was once India’s pride and is now its shame (Times of India, Telegraph June 12-14)

Advani in, out L.K. Advani, the octogenarian BJP leader, was clearly out of sorts with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s rise.

Mr Advani, had saved Mr Modi’s bacon in the aftermath of the Gujarat riots of March 2002, when BJP prime minister at the time, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, wanted him sacked. Mr Advani, as the senior voice in the cabinet, stood behind Mr Modi, but a chasm has opened between the two men. Responding to Mr Modi’s elevation as the BJP’s principal campaign manager for the next general election, preparatory to his coronation as

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi welcomes BJP leader LK Advani during a party meeting in Nagpur

prime minister, no doubt, should the party win power, Mr Advani resigned from all his party post in a huff.

There was consternation among the ranks of the faithful, until the RSS rode to the rescue and instructed errant leader to withdraw his resignation which he did sulkily. The shadowy RSS is the governing body of the BJP and its affiliates in the “Sangh Parivar”. There was a noticeable absence of media comment on how the secretive RSS, can determine policy outcomes in a democratic party like the BJP. A riddle wrapped in a mystery, perhaps. Uncomfortably close to the workings of mafia godfathers, some would say (Hindu, Times of India, Telegraph June 11-13)

Mr Chawla relates how “vulnerability mapping [putting protective stress on areas where disadvantaged communities were usually set upon come election day] ensured accountability, gave visibility to the Election Commission’s work, and sent a no-nonsense message to trouble makers.” It is an inspiring story well told.

IAF’s advanced airlift capability The Indian Air Force (IAF) has flown its first Boeing C-17 Globemaster III from California to India. “The C-17 will equip the IAF with the world’s most advanced humanitarian and strategic capabilities,” said Air

Israeli reaffirms ties with India Israel has scotched rumours of arm sales to Pakistan with a firm rebuttal. In an official statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Israel set great store on its relationship with India and would do nothing to undermine Indian interests in a volatile neighbourhood, where the country is engaged in an ongoing struggle against terrorism. Israel said it saw India as a fellow democracy and a force for global stability.

Outreach to Indian States An article in the Middle East Quarterly (Spring 2013) by P.R.Kumaraswamy describes Indo-Israel relationship as

Election Commission a unique success India has its many wrongs, but also its magnificent successes.

Think of the nation-wide vaccination mobilization for polio prevention, which so moved Microsoft founder and Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, who had a grandstand view of proceedings. The country has another achievement to savour.

“An innovation that changed the poll landscape,” was the title of an excellent edit-page article in

Globemaster C-17 III heavy lift transport aircraft

Vice Marshal S.R.K.Nair, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Transport and Helicopters). “We have looked forward to the day when our IAF flies the first C-17to its new

People queue to vote in India

mature and longstanding.

Understanding the constraints under which India’s Ministry of External Affairs labours, Israel has opted to develop an immensely fruitful second track policy of engaging with Indian States in a variety of programmes, from agriculture, irrigation, cattle breeding and technology cooperation – an imaginative outreach which is paying rich dividends.

The Israeli Ambassador Alon Ushpiz was in Kolkata recently, where he signed an agreement with the West Bengal government to set up a centre of excellence on vegetable and fruit cultivation. The centre, to be built next year on a two-acre site in the Hooghly district, will use

Israeli technology to increase productivity after adapting to local conditions. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a rare display of common sense, expressed interest in such cooperation and hoped it could be extended to rice. Such centres of excellence already exist in Maharashtra and Haryana.

On his third visit to the city, Mr Ushpiz toured the Jewish cemetery and was touched by the care it receives. “There is a Jewish community here that was once big and flourishing. There is a depth of honour in the way Kolkata treated Jews, very different from how they were treated in other parts of the world,” he said (Hindustan Times, Times of India June 14)

The economy, stupid Bill Clinton, as US president, well understood the importance of the economy for his country’s and his own political fortunes.

Likewise, the economy will make or break India. The rupee, haemorrhaging for much of May, reached its lowest point against the US dollar early last week, but began a recovery of sorts with international rating agency Fitch assessing the Indian economy as “stable” from previously “poor.”

Finance Minster P.Chidambaram sought to revive investor sentiment by promising a further tranche of economic reforms.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed the fast tracking of infrastructure projects and unlocking of Rs 7 lakh crore worth of bank funded projects held up in a bureaucratic logjam at central and State levels (Hindu June 14)

Khurshid in Norway External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid set off for Norway in an exercise to woo the country’s $700 billion sovereign wealth fund. Mr Khurshid will take forward earlier discussions in Oslo between Finance Minister Chidambaram and Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Norwegian leaders on facilitating investments in India’s infrastructure sector. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, one of the world’s richest, is a government pension fund (Hindu June 12)

uK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Lawyer Imran Khan attends Access to Justice Campaign Launch

Rani Singh You can tell that a meeting room is full of lawyers when most of the people present are dressed in black. I checked round for a suitable number of people wearing sober colours and knew I was in the right place. In Committee room 14, an electrifying event was happening which could have serious consequences.

The function at the House of Commons on the 11th June 2013 launched the Access to Justice Campaign. Its aim is to let the public know how Minister for Justice Chris Grayling’s current proposals concerning price competitive tendering for legal firms will deny or impede access to justice for a large number of people, particularly those from black and Asian communities.

There were 120 lawyers in the room, and apart from Asian groups, Nigerian and other black legal groups were well represented.

Four years ago, there were about 4,000 firms of solicitors who were entitled to offer legal assistance for those in the criminal justice system. In London, 40% of such firms were owned or controlled by Asian and Black lawyers. As a result of changes to the system over the last four years, the number has gone down from 4,000 to 1,600 firms. A disproportionate number of those firms that have closed have been owned by Black and Asian lawyers.

Minister of Justice Chris Grayling plans to allow only 400 firms to continue. The campaign fears that of the 75% of firms who will lose the right to practice in criminal legal aid cases, a disproportionate number will be black and Asian owned or controlled. Such a plan

will inevitably result in a reduction of competition, choice and quality of service.

Imran Khan, the solicitor who represented the family of Stephen Lawrence, has stated that it is much less likely that miscarriage of justice cases will be properly dealt with once local solicitors are made redundant under the Grayling proposals. He told me, “When I was working on the Stephen Lawrence case I was doing it completely free of charge because I knew that the work that I was doing with other cases through legal aid allowed me to have a sustainable practice. Now, with the cuts in legal aid, I would not be able to do a case like Stephen Lawrence on a pro bono basis because I would not have enough money to do those other cases, which I call impact cases, which change society. That is going to be a matter of huge regret because there are going to be other cases like the Stephen Lawrence case and lawyers like me will not be able to take those on.”

When I asked Imran Khan about the potential impacts of the Chris Grayling proposal, he replied, “Firstly we won’t have changes in society that will affect everybody, that will make society a better place like the Lawrence case did, the Zahid Mubarek case did, and the Victoria Climbie case did.

So we won’t have any improvement in society.

This is not just for BME communities; this is for everybody.

Secondly, lawyers from minority communities will not exist. Because we will be in small partnerships and small places working by ourselves and people will not have the financial clout to continue existing

because bigger companies, bigger people will be able to undercut us and provide cheap, low cost, and in my view, bad, legal advice.”

The effect of the Grayling policies will be significant: for black and Asian communities: most of the small, local Asian and black solicitors' firms which have supported local communities in obtaining access to justice will disappear, and will be replaced by larger, centralised non-local firms that will not reflect the diversity of the existing firms or of the communities they support. It has been the small local Asian and black firms that have taken up numerous miscarriage of justice cases, often unpaid, that have supported their communities to protect their legal rights - these are the firms that will not win a contract to continue practicing in the legal aid arena.

Asian and black solicitors will be disproportionately affected by the changes and lose their firms. This will have a knock-on effect on the Asian and black barristers they support.

Small steps have been taken in increasing the number of judicial appointments from the pool of qualified Black and Asian lawyers.

The Government recognizes that faith in justice is strengthened if the diversity in society is be reflected in the appointment of Judges - the present policy will halt recent progress, because there will be fewer black and Asian lawyers left in the pool of suitable candidates.

The Society of Asian Lawyers is currently investigating the possibility of legal action against the Secretary for Justice to stop the proposed plans and protect black and Asian communities’ access to justice.

13

The failing system of UKBA

Your Voice

Sarah Rapson, the director general of UK Visas and Immigration, MPs said in an interview by The Daily Telegraph that she could not guarantee that further backlogs may be hidden in the system.

Miss Rapson, Keith Vaz, MP who was appointed earlier this year by Theresa May, the Home Secretary, told the Commons' Home Affairs Select Committee her organisation is currently processing 190,000 cases.

Keith Vaz, committee chairman, said it was an "astonishing" figure and asked Miss Rapson to provide full written details as soon as possible.

Asked about the chequered history of the immigration service, which was part of the UK Border Agency (UKBA) until it was split up earlier this year, Miss Rapson said: "We are at the start of a journey to creating a customer service culture. Is it perfect? I don't think so.

"It's my intention to make some improvements.

Mr Vaz also asked her about the long history of backlogs at the former UKBA, which has more than 300,000 unresolved cases on its books.

The UKBA was branded "not fit for purpose" in 2006 by then home secretary John Reid, now Lord Reid.

Miss Rapson was brought in as part of Mrs May's programme to restore the system's credibility.

But her comments in her first appearance before MPs provides an early indication of the challenges she has found since taking up the new post in mid April.

I read with interest Dhiren Katwa’ comments and observations “n the Name of Ugandan Asians” The question I beg is why have celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the arrival of Ugandan Asians in the UK. Those who needed to be thanked have been thanked in the past. Why do it again (and again). It seems to me there is self interest in promoting the celebrations in the name of Ugandan Asians.

Ugandan Asian

Prakash Parekhji Bromley

Nehru & China During 1962 when Chou En-lai, The Premier of China visited India, Pandit Nehru was very excited to received him and welcomed him on the soil of India. Public of India started chanting the mantra Hindi Chini bhai bhai as Pandit Nehru suggested that the Premier would show him the routes through Tibet and Ladakh for business.

But in reality the Premier was full of malices. Pandit Nehru could not believe his eyes when the person he welcomed with open arms waged a war against India. It was unbelievable for Nehru. He was so shocked that he became puzzled, disturbed and undecided about how to change policies and plan ahead.

Now modern Prime Minister of China visited India for 3 days with a view of trade and commerce and better relationship. I doubt that China can be our friend.

Ramesh Vaish Moradabadi Southall

Commercial Property Auction Thursday 11th July 2013 On behalf of Southampton City Council, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, The Co-Operative Estates, Sue Ryder, a major fund and other major banks and building societies.

61 lots to be offered, including: RETAIL

Braintree CM7 2QH

LEISURE

London NW9 9PH

8-10 Rayne Road, Essex

Sheffield S1 2JE

Kwik- Fit, Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury Let to Kwik-Fit (GB) Ltd until 2033 Rent £76,295 p.a.x

Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BH 184 -186 The Marlowes Let to Superdrug Stores plc Rent £110,000 p.a.x

Doncaster DN1 3JN

The Old Monk, Norfolk Street

Let to Sue Ryder on a new 10 year lease (no breaks) Rent £29,500 p.a.x

Let to The Restaurant Group (UK) Ltd until 2027 Rent £148,500 p.a.x

London NW1 9LG 5 Camden Road, Camden Town

Derby LA Fitness, Carrington Street DE1 2ND

Let to William Hill Organization Ltd until 2023 Rent £35,250 p.a.x

Let to LA Leisure Ltd (t/a LA Fitness) Rent £76,978 p.a.x rising to £89,241.38 p.a.x in 2016)

Waterdale Shopping Centre

BANKS

Tenants include Greggs, Iceland, Betfred & British Heart Foundation Rent £1,026,176 p.a.x (gross) £645,056 p.a.x (net)

Rugeley WS15 2BW

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29/29a, Market Square

Batley WF17 9NG

Let to Bank of Scotland plc (t/a Halifax) Rent £50,000 p.a.x

TDG (UK) Ltd, Nab Lane, Norquest Industrial Estate, Birstall

London E13 9AS

Let to TDG (UK) Ltd until 2025 Rent £150,477 p.a.x with 2.5 minimum rental uplift

London NW9 9HL Kingsbury Shopping Parade Kingsbury Substantial unbroken parade of 17 retail units & 7 self-contained residential flats Rent £280,220 p.a.x

Lowestoft NR32 1HA 112 London Road North Tenants trading as Wilkinson, Peacocks & Age UK Suffolk Rent £482,000 p.a.x

Chester CH1 1HB 112-115 Foregate Street Prominent corner location. Parade of 4 retail units Rent £118,750 p.a.x

347/349 Green Street Let to HSBC Bank plc until 2022 (sto) includes a 2 bed flat Rent £60,000 p.a.x

Ruislip

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Approx. 996 sq m (10,720 sq ft) Vacant

Leicester LE1 3AN Liquid & Envy Night Club, 97, Churchgate Nightclub let until 2026 (with guarantee from The Luminar Group Ltd) Rent £150,000 p.a.x

John Mehtab: +44 (0)20 7034 4855

Columbus House, 2, Stonefield Way, HA4 0JA

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Southampton S1 2JE 182 High Street Let to Canada Life Ltd until 2011 £33,750 p.a.x with fixed reviews

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14

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

LHVA hosts a successful 'Big Sleepover' in Leeds Leeds Hotel and Venues Association (LHVA) hosted the biggest familiarisation trip to ever come to Leeds at the weekend. The Leeds Big Sleepover ran from 13 – 16th June and welcomed more than 150 conference buyers, event planners and media to the City, staying at over 30 hotels across Leeds.

The weekend was a showcase of all Leeds has to offer for business and leisure tourism and included a tour of the new first direct arena, hosted by Tony Watson the Sales & Marketing Director, “It was a great opportunity to show the arena to so many people from outside the Leeds

There was a welcome reception held for all delegates at the Park Plaza Leeds hotel, hosted by the headline sponsors Grace & Tailor.

The Rose Bowl at Leeds Met University was the location for a ‘Flavour of Leeds’ where all the hosting hotels The Executive Board of the LHVA and venues City Region, the atmosshowcased their facilities phere was fantastic and and gave the delegates a the delegates certainly friendly and ‘very visual’ seemed to be enjoying good old Yorkshire welthe hospitality!” come!

Gordon Jackson, Chairman of the LHVA said, “The Leeds Big Sleepover started out as an idea during a meeting

of the executive team last year, we could never have anticipated the amazing turnout and fantastic feedback from the venues, the delegates and the media who attended. All enjoyed hosted lunches, team building events, dinners, pampering and the opportunity to network at some key hub events in a relaxed yet informative atmosphere.”

The Leeds Hotel & Venues Association also launched their brand new conference website for Leeds at the Leeds Big Sleepover which offers a one stop shop for business tourism. With 28 hotels and venues featured on one easy to use website conferencesinleeds.org. offers even more opportunities for conference buyers to choose Leeds when booking their clients events.

New role for Spinder Dhaliwal

Dhol drummer Inder Goldfinger leads the delegates to the arena

Students showcase artwork Aspiring artists and designers from Gateway College in Leicester are this week showcasing their talents as part of an annual event. Students will get pats on backs, deservedly, for their hard work, efforts and for their creative and innovative art and design work.College Principal Suzanne

Overton-Edwards said: “Students’ work is of a very high standard and I’m hugely impressed with the diverse range of art and design work. I’m very proud of my students and I wish each of them an even brighter future.”

To find out more visitwww.gateway.ac.uk

University of Westminster Business School has appointed Dr Spinder Dhaliwal as its new Director of Postgraduate Programmes. Dr Dhaliwal has joins the Business School as Reader in Entrepreneurship.

Previously she spent 10 years at Surrey University, where she headed up the Entrepreneurship Programme, in particular the MBA. Her area of expertise is Entrepreneurship, in particular Asian entrepreneurs and women in business. Originally from Jalandhar in the Punjab, India, Dr Dhaliwal, pictured, is one of three sisters. She grew up working

Bhangra Burn-off Classes A new Bhangra inspired dance and fitness session has been launched in the West Midlands.

The classes will be held every T u e s d a y from5.30pm at Mitchell Harry Leisure Centre on Broomfield, S m e t h w i c k .

Bhangra Burn-off is a new energetic dance workout aimed at people of all ages. Each class costs £2.50 per person. Children are welcome to join in when accompanied Jasmine Heir and Richard Chambers by an adult. For from Sandwell Leisure Trust (left) more information join Bhangra instructor Kulvinder Sangha to launch the sessions call Jasmine Heir on Sandwell Leisure Trust’s 0121 506 4980, email jasw e b s i t e w w w. s l t mi n e .h e i r@ s l t leisure.co.uk. leisure.co.uk or visit

Sounds for the Soul A popular Hare Krishna festival being held in Birmingham next weekend is expected to attract a house-full attendance, yet again. The round-theclock Sounds for the Soul chanting event, now in its 14th year, will feature singers and musicians from across the world, discourses from eminent teachers, speeches from special guests and refreshments. The vibrant festival brings together people of

all ages, abilities and walks of life. Hats off to all volunteers, in particular to ardent devotees Mohan Nandi and Nina Vara, for their tireless efforts. The free non-stop event will take place from 4pm on 22 June to 4pm 23 June at Radha Swami Rasila Satsang Centre in Hockley (B18 5HS). For more information contact Nisha Patel on07826 928563 or emailnp116@leicester.ac. uk

Call for BME play writers in the family business which her parents ran until they retired. Dr Dhaliwal, who last month won the ‘Best in Education’ trophy at an awards ceremony lives in Ruislip, London.

Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre is looking for 20 aspiring writers from ethnic minority backgrounds to take part in its free Critical Mass playwriting programme. The 11-week programme, staring from this September, will give

participants the opportunity to write an entire play and more. Deadline for submissions is 19th July.

For full details visitwww.belgrade.co.uk/t ake-part/black-and-minority-ethnic/

The Loomba Foundation 5K Charity Walk International Widows Day takes place on 23rd June, and to mark the occasion this year The Loomba Foundation is organising a 5 km sponsored walk and run around the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park.

International Widows Day is a global day of action, recognised by the United Nations, when countries around the world unite to raise awareness of the plight of widows.

There are 245 million widows in the world and their 500 million children in the world today; many of whom suffer injustice in silence. 115 million widows are living in poverty. 81 million widows have been abused and millions have been humiliated, abandoned, ostracised or discriminated against, simply because they are widows.

Many widows have been forced into prostitution and remarriage and many are victims of property theft, social exclusion and physical or psychological abuse. What’s worse is that as a result of superstitious, ‘cultural’ beliefs about widows being the source of bad luck, some widows are targeted for torture and even murder.

Discrimination against widows is wrong. The Loomba Foundation stands up for widows and helps get them back on their feet.

For too long, the plight of widows has been a forgotten secret. In the UK we rarely hear of this shocking discrimination and suffering that takes place across the world.

We don’t hear about the widows. They have no voice.

We don’t hear about the children that have to earn money for their families on the streets, or in factories,

where they can be exploited and abused.

But thanks to the work of The Loomba Foundation, things are slowly changing.

In India, over the last 16 years, the Loomba Foundation has educated 8,500 children of widows, and supported 38,000 family members.

10,000 widows in India are receiving help to get their feet back on the ground, by being given a sewing machine, and the necessary training to make and sell garments to earn money for their families.

This project will give them independence. They can become self-reliant, educate their children, and feed and clothe their families.

Most importantly, it will give them dignity, and

allow them to become contributors to society, rather than being seen as a burden.

So come and join us on 23rd June. Walk or run 5km around the Serpentine on what may well turn out to be a beautiful summer’s day in Hyde Park. Sign up your friends, colleagues and children or get them to sponsor you.

And don’t forget the picnic blanket; all participants will receive a £5 lunch voucher. It’s our way of saying thank-you. Raising money couldn’t be more relaxing.

There’s still time to register, so if you haven’t already, sign up and bring the family along for what promises to be a fantastic day out. To register, just go to our website, www.theloombafoundation.org, and click on the orange trainers. The registration fee is £20 for adults, and £10 for children.

You can register on the day, but it would be helpful to know that you are coming in advance so we can make sure we have enough t-shirts for everyone taking part – you can email us at chandni.dhanak@theloombafoundation.org.

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

15

Award for Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture awaits nominations from you Members of the public are invited to participate in this ‘People’s Awards’ by nominating their choice of candidates The time to rejoice the growing success of Britain's Asian community through a unique and an absolutely non biased awards is drawing close.

Asian Achievers Awards salute individuals who are singularly responsible for bringing the Asian community to the centre stage of British life. Exceptional and exemplary achievements of individual that are truly inspirational.

It is not unknown to us that the first generation of British Asians have travelled a long way since their settlement years in Britain, working exceptionally hard, making innumerable sacrifices to integrate and achieve the current status and providing their younger generations with a role model. The younger generations have also strived enormously to reach another level of success, that their predecessors, may have left unachieved.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar continue to proudly play their part in recording the community’s and generation's consistent efforts to maintain and enhance its position within the British society.

ABPL recognises individuals from various fields for their commitment to the society through this Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) since last 12 years.

The AAA is now in its 13th year and by an impressive array of high net worth individuals, industry captains, high - level decision makers, Parliamentarians, community leaders and senior professionals.

There are various types of awards

Dr M Sayeedur Rahman Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh and Baroness Shreela Flather with Nileeka Gumawardene, Artistic Director, BDL, winner of Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture category

worldwide, but Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) is rather uncommon.

Instead of few individuals deciding who the award winner is, a truly independent panel of judges are given total freedom to select a shortlist and then the winner in each category. Not only the subscribers and the readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar but also the wider community is invited to nominate in various categories of the award, as its publicised through radio, television, internet and various events. Every year we

receive a record number of nominations and the calibre of the candidates are always very impressive.

Asian Achievers Award categories comprise: Achievement in Media and Arts and Culture; Award for Entertainment, Business Person of the Year; Woman of the Year; Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Uniformed and Civil Services; International Personality of the Year; Lifetime Achievement Award, Sports Personality of the Year; Professional of the Year and Achievement

in Community Service. This year the theme of the award is Woman.

However, one of the key category of this awards is the Achievement in Media and Arts and Culture award.

British Asians, who have an incredible sense of belonging to their roots, ensure that they enhance their artistic skills through cultural activities. Our awards are meant for these keen Asians, to provide them a platform of recognition, for their achievements in the field of culture and arts and for their talents that deserve a special mention.

Over the last years this category has had winners like Anjali Bulley, Bobby Singh, Renu Patel, Ravi Sharma, Chamanlal Chaman. Shortlisted candidates have included esteemed personalities like Shiamak Davar, Ray Panthaki, Rishi Rich, Rakhi Sood, Honey Kalaria, Jay Kumar, Paresh Shah, Rajni Vaidyanathan and others.

Speaking about her achievement last year, winner Nileeka Gunawardene, Artistic Director of Bollywood Dance London said, "I’d like to extend a very heartfelt thanks to the ABPL Group for creating such an amazing platform for ordinary people, like myself, to be recognised.

This award is for my fabulous team who have understood my ideas and believed that all this was possible.

Together, we have shaped Bollywood Dance London into the company it is today."

Please tick the appropriate category Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture ................................

Someone who has made a mark in media including print and broadcast media; cinema, art and culture.

Achievement in Community Service............................................

NOMINATION FORM The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards is hosted every year by UK’s leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence. If there is someone you know who has broken boundaries and deserves recognition for their unique contribution to the community and the nation then please nominate them for one of the awards listed below. Make sure that you fill in this application form and send it on or before 12th July, 2013 by post, fax or email to Mr. L George, Tel: 020 7749 4013, Fax 020 7749 4081, Email: aaa@abplgroup.com. If you are sending it by post the address is Mr. L George, ABPL Group, Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW.

Name of the Person you are Nominating: _______________________________________ Contact Details of the Nominee (Tel & email):____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Present Occupation of the Nominee: ____________________________________________ Please attach the Nominees's CV which includes the following information (Please do not exceed a limit of 1000 words) (1) Personal background (2) (3) (4) (5) are

Most important career achievements till date.

Nominee's contribution to the community and nation.

Future Plans, ambitions and visions.

Any notable obstacles in the Nominee's career that has helped him/her to reach where they today.

Summary-

(Please include a summary in not more than 150 words why the nominee is worthy of win-

ning the particular award in a separate sheet)

Nominators name and contact details: __________________________________________ Nominators current Occupation/Company: ______________________________________ Tel/Mobile: __________________________________________________________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________________ NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: This is a unique event where readers nominate and an independent panel of judges comprising of eminent personalities selects the winner. Judges’ decision is final. ABPL Group will not entertain any dialogue with members of the public regarding the judging process. In order to ensure a high degree of transparency and fairness, the management and members of the staff of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will play no role in the nomination or judging process. You may use an additional sheet if the space provided is insufficient. The winners will be announced at the AAA Awards ceremony on 6th September, 2013. Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar will publish the names of the short listed candidates and winners after the event. The winners names will also appear in our e-edition www.abplgroup.com You can nominate yourself if you wish to. Nominations and entries must follow the prescribed format. All nomination forms must reach our offices on or before 12th July, 2013

In recognition for an individuals service to community.

Sports Personality of the Year ......................................................

Awarded for excellence in sports.

Uniformed and Civil Services ........................................................

For outstanding achievements in uniformed and civil services or contribution to the community through any of the above services.

Professional of the Year ..................................................................

Professionals in the field of medicine, law, education, banking, finance and others, who have scaled the heights of their chosen profession.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year ..................................................

Awarded to an young entrepreneur (less than 35 years) with a proven track record of operating a successful business enterprise.

Business Person of the Year ..........................................................

Awarded to a business person who is a success in every sense of the word and can demonstrate a genuine passion for social issues.

Woman of the Year ............................................................................

The award will recognise and honour a woman who has made a significant mark in any chosen field.

International Personality of the Year ........................................

Awarded to those who have acclaimed popularity internationally for his/her contribution in any particular sector and is recognised for their timeless philanthropic activities.

Lifetime Achievement Award ........................................................

To honour those individuals, who during their lifetime, have made immense contributions in any given field. This remarkable individual can be marked as an example for the younger generation.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Remo D'Souza plans a film with Madhuri Dixit

Choreographer-turned-director Remo D'Souza has expressed his desire to do a film with actress Madhuri Dixit, which would be on the lines of noted filmmaker V Shantaram's “Navrang” and “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje.” "I am working on a film that I want to do with Madhuri. Remo and Madhuri have been judging the dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' from last three seasons. "I am writing this film only for her. Lets' hope I finish writing the film and start work on it soon. She knows the day I complete the script, I will talk to her formally on this and I am hopeful she will say yes," he said.

Neil Nitin Mukesh turns music composer for ‘Paaidaar’ Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has done something completely different for Binoy Gandhi's directorial venture. While Neil is acting in “Paaidaar,” he has also composed five songs for the film. His inspiration behind composing these songs has been 'love'. "I have always done films which are grey and dark, but I have always been inspired by love as I have complete belief in this strong emotion. The feeling of love can be truly inspirational, especially while composing songs," said Neil.

Salman Khan's special breakfast

Guess what Salman Khan's early morning breakfast is? No, it's not the usual eggs and toast, but baasi rotis.

The actor loves to relish rotis made the previous day along with chai. A source close to the actor said, "The first thing that Salman insists on having in the morning is chapatis and tea, even before he begins his morning ablutions. Also, he is very fond of his home food and likes to eat ‘ghar ka khana’ even on the sets."

Uday Chopra to make a biopic on Ingrid Bergman

YRF Entertainment which is now all set to step into Hollywood, has joined hands with popular writer Arash Amel of ‘Grace of Monaco’ fame and will be making a movie on the Hollywood star Ingrid Bergman. Known for her popular roles in movies like ‘Gaslight,’ ‘Casablanca’ and many more, Bergman has been an Academy winner thrice. However, the YRF untitled will be based on the novel 'Seducing Ingrid Bergman' written by Chris Greenhaigh, which is the real life graphic love story of Bergman and war photographer Robert Capa. When asked, Uday Chopra said that Bergman was an icon and her love story needs to be retold.

'Raja Rani' Peppy Number Ever since its conception, 'Raja Rani' starring Arya and Nayanthara, and directed by Atlee, has been creating sensation, and it has only grown bigger and grander now. The latest on the film is what GV Prakash has to offer. The young and smart composer has scored immaculate music for the movie, and what is making news is a peppy number that he recorded recently. Sung by Vijay Prakash and Sasha, the song is a promising foot tapping number, which is certain to make it big this year.

Everyone from the 'Raja Rani' team is in awe of the song and is happy with the output delivered so far.

Shakti Kapoor all praise for his daughter Shraddha Shraddha Kapoor hit the marquee with her last film, “Aashiqui 2.”

Actor Shakti Kapoor is gaga over his daughter Shraddha's acting talent. So much so that he has compared her "beauty" and "natural acting" to that of legendary actresses such as Meena Kumari, Waheeda Rehman and Madhubala. "I don't interfere in anybody's life and never at the script level," said Shakti, who is married to Shivangi, Padmini Kolhapure's elder sister. They have two children - Shraddha and Siddhant.

Trisha o Paul for

Gautham Men begin work on with Suriy Natchathiram Rahman is music, and th first time the together for a for the leadin seems to be b and Amala Pa that Trisha ha ered for the fe her name see ping the list, Paul is also i the leading la zeroing in on the team is al ing for 12 ma at present, in main villain.

Shah Rukh, Gauri to have third baby?

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is going to become a father for the third time. Media reports suggest that Shah Rukh and Gauri are apparently having a third child through surrogacy. This is a secret and very few people are privy to this news.

However, the news has now been leaked out by media. According to a source close to King Khan, the baby is a boy and it was Gauri's decision to go in for surrogacy. It is also reported that the couple consulted the same doctor that Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao went to for their baby, Azad, who was given birth by a surrogate mother. Shah Rukh's kids Aryan (15) and Suhana (13) are very excited about the new arrival as they will have a baby brother to play with. Meanwhile, preparations have started in Mannat to welcome the new bundle of joy.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

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It's 'Jigarthanda' after 'Pizza' Karthik Subbaraj of “Pizza” fame kick starts the shoot of his next film, titled “Jigarthanda” in Madurai. The young director seems to have a liking for food – he first named his debut film as “Pizza” and now his second in titled “Jigarthanda.”

Jigarthanda is a south Indian beverage which originated in Madurai and it is generally prepared and served by road side shops in Madurai as refreshment during the summer. The film has Siddharth and Lakshmi Menon in the lead and is being produced by Kathiresan, who earlier produced the National Award-winning film “Aadukalam.”

“Chennai Express” is the story of a 40-year-old bachelor, Rahul, who lands up on a totally unexpected journey that makes him realize the importance of love, life, relationships and sacrifice! An action-packed comedy film directed by Rohit Shetty, produced by Gauri Khan and music by Vishal-Shekhar. The film features Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in lead roles. It is slated for theatrical release on August 8, 2013.

r Amala Suriya?

non is all set to n his next flick ya, “Dhruva m.”

A R scoring the his will be the trio is coming film. The fight ng lady in film between Trisha aul. The buzz is as been considemale lead and ems to be top, while Amala in the race for ady. Apart from n the heroine, lso screen testajor characters cluding that of

Ranbir to promote ‘Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani’ in Russia

Ayan Mukerji's recent film that has apparently earned the biggest opening at the box office this year, is now all set to release in Russia. And to make sure it rakes in big numbers overseas as well, the film's lead actor Ranbir Kapoor will soon head to the foreign location to promote the romantic-comedy. For the record, the film crossed the Rs 100 crore mark within the first week of its release in India.

Actress Anushka Sharma confesses to be completely in love with backless dresses, saying for her it is "synonymous with confidence". "Backless signifies confidence and that's always in fashion, always in vogue. Backless in my head is synonymous to confidence and hence extremely important," Anushka told reporters during the making of an advertisement. "It's something you should not be thinking about, you should be able to wear a backless top when you want to, there should not be a t h o u g h t before that," added the m o d e l t u r n e d actress who made her debut in films as a salwarkameez clad conventional girl in 2 0 0 8 release "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi".

Anushka loves backless dress

Kareena and Abhishek to come together

OMG director Umesh Shukla has been in a casting dilemma for a while now. His next film, Bhushan Kumarproduced 'Mere Apne' has actor A b h i s h e k Bachchan, but who will be paired opposite him in the familydrama was a mystery. But now, it is learnt that the director had approached Kareena Kapoor.

After an intense hourlong meeting Bebo seemed quite excited and according to sources, she is seriously considering the project. A script-narration has been scheduled soon.

If the project works out with the actress, it will see Kareena team up with Abhishek after a decade. Interestingly, both the actors debuted together in “Refugee” but have worked only once ever since - in Sooraj Barjatiya's “Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon” in 2003.

It was rumoured that Bachchan Junior's split with his fiance Karisma Kapoor the same year had embittered relations between the two families and they were not in the mood to be civil to each other ever since. Mere Apne also has Rishi Kapoor playing the role of Abhishek Bachchan's father. The film will be shot in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and London.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Financial Voice

I write to you having just finished an interview on Reuters TV in the middle of Liverpool St train station concourse. And the first email I saw on my return is from one of my book publishers that my book on who wins and loses in trading is ready for the end of July publication.

So what if you had all the statistics as to who wins and who loses in trading? Which clients of a broker make money and which ones lose? What if that data could tell you across thousands of trades over years, what winning traders do right and losers get wrong, which products winners trade? At what times are they most profitable?

Do they make more money betting prices will rise or fall?

How much money do winners trade with? Is this different to the amount losers use? What techniques and strategies differentiate them?

This has been an area of research for me ever since I wrote my first book 16 years ago, The Mind of a Trader.

My interest has been re-ignited as I’ve just published my first book in seven years. It’s been a mission to democratise trading and investing. What annoys me since I started writing my Financial Times column back in 1999 is how much professional investors have access to, that the private investor does not. So like the ‘Occupy’ movement – I want to cause a revolution. I want the 99% to know what the 1% knows. I have access to the 1% so why shouldn’t I share it – for free. I’ve been disseminating this data and know-how freely on my free webinars on www.alpeshpatel.com – here are some of the findings: In FX trading, examining 12million trades, we saw that 71% of private investors had winning trades in AUD/NZD. They were least likely to have winning trades in AUD/JPY (in which 49% were losing trades). Of the popular EUR/USD – 59% were winning trades. In GBP/USD it was 64% that were winning trades. As for EUR/GBP – 59% were winning trades.

But, before you get excited you should know that private investors on average lost money on all those currencies! How? Because although they had more winning trades in say GBP/USD (64% winning trades) they won on average 54 pips (points) and lost on the other trades in the currency on average 105 pips. So their average profit was about half their average loss across their trades. Overall 90% of traders lost money. In which currencies did they come closest to making money?

AUD/JPY funnily – the one in which they actually placed more losing trades than winning trades?

How does that make sense? It means they won more when they won, than they lost when they had losing trades. They let winners run and cut losers short. How did they do that?

Well the more profitable trades and times to trade were in USD/JPY and GBP/USD between midnight and 6am New York time(!) when the US markets were quiet.

At these times 55% of trades in these currencies were profitable. Presumably when the markets were quiet there was less volatility and accidentally being frightened or confused out of a trading position.

Okay, so what other insights do we have? Crucial to letting winners run and cutting losers short was using ‘stop-losses’. These are orders when you place a trade to say at what price you will sell it. Research shows the traders who placed these at the time they placed their initial order were more likely to be profitable than those who did not. The ones who ‘traded by the seat of their pants’ without such ‘stop-orders’ tended to have a few big losses which would get the better of them.

Another test showed that those we placed a reward target between 1 to 1.5 compared to their loss were the most likely to make money. So if you thought GBP/USD might go from 1.5 to 1.6 (your reward being 0.1) then your loss would not be under 1.4.

What about account sizes? Maybe the profitable traders were just richer and had lots of money. Research showed that actually the traders with $10,000 in their accounts did better than those with $5,000. But note that it is a mere $10,000 not millions. And those with $1,000 did the worst. So when brokers try to entice you with small account opening sizes be warned – the reason you end up losing is because even a small bet will eat into a greater proportion of you initial capital and it is hard to recoup such percentage losses – and although you only lost 1/10 with a $1,000 account as you did with a $10,000 account – you are more likely to lose with that $1,000 account.

Finally winners tended to use less leverage, or margin (if you’ve ever bought a house you know what I mean). Profitable traders used 5:1 leverage ie they borrowed £5 from the broker for every £1 they put up.

Losing traders, especially more likely to have smaller accounts, used 25:1 leverage – maybe because they had so little capital – but they were also least profitable. The leverage did not improve their return on capital (as it does with houses if the prices go up) but made them losers. Just as it did with the credit crunch.

Exclusive

Gurdeep Singh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Wireless, Reliance Communications Limited Rani Singh

What does the ICC give you in terms of branding, and marketing and business opportunities?

GS: We have been fortunate in our association with the ICC over the last two years—in this time period, India won Cricket World Cups in both the ODI and 20:20 formats.

And every time Team India wins, Brand India gets unparalleled visibility, as does the Reliance Group. This association has given us a huge outreach with the youth in India—steering our brand and Brand Intention very effectively.

What is your background?

GS: I spent nearly 30 years in the consumer durables space, and have worked with companies such as Panasonic. I moved into the telecom space in 2003, with Hutchison in India. I subsequently moved to Aircel, a company that I helped set up and run on a national basis before shifting to the Reliance Group. I have now been with Reliance for slightly over a year.

I am happy to share with you that Reliance Communications, with over 120 million customers, is now the thirdlargest telecom company in the country by subscriber numbers.

What can you tell me about the professional cooperation between the Ambani brothers?

GS: In April this year, we announced an agreement with Reliance Jio Infocomm for a comprehensive framework of business co-operation the two companies. As part of that agreement, the companies signed a definitive agreement for approximately Rs 1,200 crore as a one-time indefeasible right to use (IRU) fees for

sharing RCOM’s nationwide inter-city fiber optic network infrastructure.

Under the terms of the agreement, Reliance Jio Infocomm will utilize multiple fiber pairs across RCOM’s 120,000 kilometres inter-city fiber optic network to provide a robust and future-proof backbone for rolling out its state-of-the-art 4G services. As per the agreement, Reliance Communications will, in turn, have reciprocal access to optic fiber infrastructure to be built

by Reliance Jio Infocomm in the future.

This agreement was the first in an intended comprehensive framework of business co-operation between Reliance Jio Infocomm and Reliance Communications to provide for optimal utilization of the existing and future infrastructure of both companies on a reciprocal basis, including inter alia, inter-city fiber, intra-city fiber, towers and related assets.

Recently, we announced another definitive agreement for sharing of RCOM’s nationwide telecom towers’ infrastructure with Reliance Jio Infocomm—a deal valued at Rs 12,000 crore. Under the terms of this agreement, Reliance Jio Infocomm will utilize up to 45,000 ground and rooftop-based towers across RCOM’s nationwide network for accelerated roll-out of its stateof-the-art 4G services.

The agreement provides for joint working arrangements to configure the scope of additional towers to be built at new locations to ensure deep penetration and seamless delivery of Next-Gen services.

In the near future, we also intend to unveil further business agreements between the two companies, including one for the

Gurdeep Singh

sharing of intra-city fiber.

We are focussed on making these agreements work well for both companies, and wish Reliance Jio Infocomm the very best with their launch. We are delighted to partner with them at this stage of their 4G roll-out programme.

Do you want to increase or decrease your marketing budget?

GS: We feel that Smart Marketing is the route to take in the Indian telecom industry right now, as the market is going through a distinctive transformation. With the Supreme Court cancelling licenses that were issued in January 2008, the competitive landscape has completely changed.

While many smaller operators have scaled down operations significantly, some others have shut shop completely.

We believe that in two or three years from now, this will be a market with only four to five operators, and we see ourselves playing a very strong role in that evolved market. This is the moment of truth for the Indian telecom industry, as we experience consolidation in the market.

The pull-back by smaller operators has seen the hyper-competitive stage getting over, with pricing power coming back to long-term, pan-India operators such as Reliance Communications.

We bring to the market a formidable repertoire of

technologies and synergistic offerings—we offer 3G GSM, 2G GSM and 3G CDMA services, and are the only truly national broadband player in India, offering high-speed data services on both our 3G GSM and CDMA networks.

The data market is all about transfer speeds and, for this, you need fiber.

Reliance Communications is uniquely positioned in this space—we not only have spectrum, but also the fiber backbone to support high-speed data transmissions.

Our 200,000-km-plus fiber assets place us way ahead of the competition form.

We are aligning our go-to-market strategy with our spectrum-holding patterns, in order to get our fair share of the market in all technology fronts. Today, we have about 8 per cent of the revenue marketshare, but we are a brand that can incrementally look at 1415% revenue marketshare. Our objective over the next few years is to get an incremental share of revenues.

What’s the path forward?

GS: We are a longterm, scale player in the Indian telecom space and are committed to offer differentiated and world-best services to our customers.

We are in the process of hiving off a stake in Reliance Globalcom and are in discussions with Samena Capital and a consortium of private equity funds on this front.

Further, as stated earlier, we are in the midst of a farreaching, long-term collaboration with Reliance Jio Infocomm. We are increasing our focus on the India business immensely and find ourselves uniquely positioned to bring about a significant change in the Indian telecom space.

DVK sponsors European premiere of ‘An Evening with Pacino’

DVK, the global private equity and commodity trading company, founded by the financial alchemist Deepak Kuntawala, was the title sponsor of the European premiere of “An Evening with Pacino,” which saw Hollywood screen legend Al Pacino in his acclaimed one-man show at the world famous London Palladium on the 2nd June 2013.

“An Evening with Pacino” explored the myriad highlights of one of the most celebrated careers in acting history, from his time offBroadway in the 1960s right up to the present day, with the actor himself in intimate theatre surroundings.

The evening included an on-stage interview projected on a state-of-theart large screen, bringing the action

L to R; Deepak Kuntawala, Founder of DVK; Al Pacino & Abhishek Bachchan

closer to the audience. The show also gave the public a rare chance to speak directly to Al Pacino in a Question & Answer session.

One of the very few actors to have won the ‘Triple Crown’ in acting (Oscar, Emmy and Tony Awards), winning his first Tony in

1969 for “Does A Tiger Wear A Necktie,” Al Pacino won worldwide acclaim for his role as Michael Corleone in “The Godfather,” which also gave him the first of his eight Academy Award nominations.

Speaking about the show, Al Pacino said: “I love being on the stage, it’s a big passion of mine. It was a privilege to perform in London at the Palladium after so many years.”

Addressing guests at a private dinner after the event, which was attended by Al Pacino, and which Deepak Kuntawala described as resembling a scene from Al Pacino’s Heat, Deepak said: “I would like to firstly thank Al Pacino very much for taking time out of his busy schedule to come to London.”

finAnciAl Voice

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

19

Kill Two Deals With One Deposit

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

Last week Friday we exchanged (as sellers) on a property in Hampstead, a two bedroom purpose built flat in a block. Being in a block means it is generally easy to value the property as the comparables are plentiful, frequent and homogeneous.

It is more difficult to value a property in a street where every property is unique. This may add to the character of the road but from an investment perspective it's more difficult to value.

We had purchased this property on 17th May 2013 for £790,000, thereby putting £79,000 as the exchange amount. We only had 24hrs to do the deal. The seller was very stubborn and refused to send out a contract, this meant our solicitor had to go over to the seller's solicitor's office and do the deal. We had to take a view on certain matters but we managed to exchange before the deadline which we were given.

The prope rty was resold with a £60,000 gain within four we eks.

We paired together a couple of clients to do this deal; one of them was an accountant who had approached us in January this year. He had a lump sum of £50,000 that he wanted to invest. We sourced him a small deal for £240,000, Hillsborough Court NW6 which we exchanged on on 15th March 2013. We agreed a long completion date and decided to put it in auction confident it would sell for around £275,000.

However we had a lot of interest prior to the auction so ended up selling the flat for £260,000, which was less than what we could have got, but as they say a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. From his original investment of £24,000 he had made £16,400 net over two months.

This profit and principle of £40,000 was then rolled over to the next deal.

University applications have dropped 20% since the fees have been introduced. This means if you wish to educate your children you will need to make sure your money is working very hard for you to meet the added cost involved.

The timing of these particular deals was set up perfectly for this client, however the fact of the matter is this rarely happens in such a synchronised way. At times with the best will in the world properties may not sell before completion, it’s the nature of the beast.

Recently we purchased a property in Shepherd's Bush for £715,000; the aim was to resell this property for £800k plus, before the six week completion period. Though we had an offer of £800k the purchaser was an end user and a novice, he did not have a clue his mortgage would not be appropriate for this deal. Most lenders do not lend on properties which have been resold within a six month period; beware many properties like this are dumped in the auctions where buyers are blissfully unaware their lenders will not finance the purchase.

Until late in the purchase, many buyers will not have the recourse to get the funds from elsewhere and will be in danger of losing the 10% paid on exchange.

As a consequence the deal fell through and we completed on the transaction.

However last week we managed to exchange on this property at £875,000, well in excess of the price offered pre completion. Of course hitting completion means there are other costs to pay such as stamp duty and arrangement fees. Even after taking this into account we made more money by completing the deal.

When aiming to trade property we always ensure the deal stacks up, should we have to complete the deal and resell.

It's rare d eal s are timed in t his mann er but t he exact amount we nt from one so lic it or's acco unt to anothe r, to exchan ge straight away on an other d eal .

The current lawyer he was using thought they were a bank and so kept the money for an extra week rather than returning it as they were supposed to. But in the end it helped us to time the next deal better.

The client gave authority for his funds to be transferred into another solicitor's account so these along with another client's investment of £40,000 could be used to exchange on a property worth £790,000.

From the resale of this property our client has made approximately £24,000. This means from his original seed capital of £24,000 the client has now turned this into a tidy sum of £52,280 within a three and a half month period, so about 14 weeks.

Bored with his career in a 'big four' accountancy firm and seeking a new challenge he had applied for an MBA at London Business School, one of the top business schools in the world, as he felt it will give him the skills and network to set up his own business. He is pleased to have been accepted on the programme to start in August 2013, but such a course is expensive, with tuition fees alone in excess of £60k. While he had some savings, he needed to invest and grow his money wisely to ensure he could afford his course without taking out a loan. The proceeds from this transaction has helped him do that and allowed him to begin a new chapter in his career.

His aim for using the money this way was a smart one, by growing the deposit this money will be used to fund a large chunk of his MBA. His employer has agreed for him to take some time out to get this done.

No doubt having done two back to back deals with us he is now geared up to do one or two more before his MBA starts.

Education in the UK is g etting more an d more expensive , so it's no long er a free rid e with excess gran t mo ney to spe nd.

The Real Deal 50 Palmerston Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 Purchase Price: £1.69m l A modern block of five self-contained flats l A studio flat, a one bed flat, 2 two bed flats and a three bed flat l Studio flat benefits from a rear garden l Gross internal area of all five flats is 3854 sq ft l The property is priced at £439 / sq ft and comes at almost 30% below the market price of £625 / sq ft l Only 1% Stamp Duty l Off Market opportunity exclusively through Sow & Reap Call us now to reserve!

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 993 0103 info@sowandreap.co.uk

www.sowandreap.co.uk

55 Bryanston Street, Marble Arch Tower, London, W1H 7AA Follow us online:

Sowandreapuk

SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week l Before you get involved in flipping properties, do your research. Like any other business venture, flipping requires not just money, but time and skill too. So it’s better to team up with people who have sufficient knowledge and experience in this job rather than change yours! l It’s not good to have a quick sale as your only option; in today’s market, you should always have an alternative strategy should things not go to plan.

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UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Much Ado About Nothing?...

New research shows less than 2,000 homes were purchased by foreigners in Central London last year

Maria Fernandes

maria@abplgroup.com

Winds of change

here is a wind of change at the Home T Office (in line with the

name change). Recently there was a webcam session which participants could access and, although it was on the whole a positive step in the right direction, the only 2 bits of useful information that came out of it was that a same day service for visitors is being trialled in Delhi and Mumbai and that there will be improvements to tracking an application online so that it is tailored towards the individual. Still it is good to know that attempts are being made to engineer changes. Other changes in brief include: Applications do not have to be 6 months old before they can be chased up (although if enquiries are made stock phrases are used such as “there is no information available at this time”) The long awaited review of the return of documents for travel is finally on the cards (although it is likely to apply to senior executives in Tier 2 and no one else) There is to be a review of Tier 2 and the focus will be on “how to drive growth”. Forms are available for the review.

The bond system for visitors is to be piloted in India later in the year.

The changes taking place on the 1st July 2013 are: There will no longer be a resident labour market test for Tier 5 extensions for religious workers More legal courses will be exempt from the time limit of 5 years for Tier 4 students There is a change to the documents required for English language tests In the meantime, a recent all-party group of MPs have reviewed the

impact of the new rules for spouses by receiving evidence from a number of sources. They have expressed concerns in a number of areas.

In relation to the income requirements, whilst the impact has affected a substantial number of people, it appears that there are regional variations with those outside London particularly affected as salaries in general are lower.

There are particular concerns about British citizens (adults and children) being unable to return to the UK because the rules are framed to only permit the income of the UK sponsor. Many spouses, particularly women, are not the main earners.

There are also concerns that those who have substantial assets (but not in cash funds) cannot qualify either.

As the report points out there are a number of “perverse outcomes”. It also considered the fact that the dependant relative route has the practical effect of preventing the entry of all elderly relatives other than those “vegetating.” Evidence submitted by the British Medical Association indicates that many doctors have returned overseas in order to care for elderly relatives. Change in this area is critical and if the trend continues it is likely that the Courts will step in to interpret the provisions by applying human rights law to redress the balance.

Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 28 years. Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 02087330123, by email on info@fernandesvaz.com.

Fitch revises India's rating outlook to stable from negative

Bringing cheer to the government struggling to arrest rupee's slide, global rating agency Fitch revised India's sovereign credit outlook to stable from negative. Taking note of the government's efforts to contain fiscal deficit, Fitch Ratings revised India's outlook to stable from negative and affirmed 'BBB'rating.

"The revision of the outlook to stable reflects the measures taken by the government to contain the budget deficit, including the commitments made in the FY'14 budget, as well as some, albeit limited, progress in addressing some of the structural

impediments to investment and economic growth," the agency said in a statement.

Fitch further said it expected the economy to recover after real GDP grew just 5% in 2012-13 versus 6.2% in the year ago period.

India's economic recovery, however, is likely to remain slow until a healthier investment climate is created, which helps lift potential growth again, it said. "As a result, Fitch is forecasting only a modest recovery with real GDP expected to expand 5.7% and 6.5% in FY14 and FY15 respectively," Fitch said.

Foreign investors are dominating more than London’s property market as they once again become the focus of both the Government and the headlines. MP Simon Hughes started the ball rolling, condemning international buyers and calling for law changes preventing them from purchasing London residential property.

A report by LPP came next; breaking the news that an unprecedented 85% of London’s prime core was purchased by foreigners last year.

London is a financial centre, a ‘go-to’ destination, a pinnacle of culture and a centre of excellence and, as both Mr Hughes and LPP point out, the international appetite for properties here is vast. However, these headline grabbing statistics and provocative sound bites belie the tenure of housing stock in Prime London Central (PLC)*, which might surprise: *PLC is defined as the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster With only 5,363 units changing hands in the last year, PLC is arguably the greatest capital city in the world with the lowest availability of property to buy. According to the 2011 Census, buy-to-live investors (defined as buyers of first homes, “second homes” or pied-a-terres) account for just 37% of the housing market here. On a pro-rata basis, this gives a possible maximum of 1,985

units bought by foreigners as second homes, assuming that every property is purchased by non-domiciles, just 0.3% of the total transactions in England and Wales over the last year. To put that in context, this is the same number as changed hands in every single day in the rest of the country. Moreover, this number is rapidly shrink-

economy and Exchequer through buy-to-let purchases. Unofficially our “6th biggest export”, it supports a huge array of trades, professions and services nationwide, involved in the building, buying, design, refurbishment, letting and maintenance of rental properties.

The balance of the housing market in PLC

Prime Central London's Residential Property Tenure Social Housing 25%

Buy-to-Live 37%

Private Rented Sector 38%

ing as available stock continues to contract in PLC; transactions have fallen by 50% since 2000.

At 38%, the biggest segment of the PLC market is actually bought for buyto-let rather than for buyto-live investment, i.e. for the private rental sector which runs at almost 100% occupancy. A sector that the Government is actively encouraging and which represents a hive of business activity stimulates economic growth, tax revenues and retail demand.

Analysis by London Central Portfolio (LCP) shows that international buyers contribute £1.2bn per annum to the UK

comprises social housing, with a surprisingly high 25% of properties designated as socially rented.

This represents a far greater number than the rest of the country, which stands at 18%, and leagues above Greater London which stands at 13%.

Furthermore, The Empty Homes Agency calculates that just 1.4% of properties in Prime London Central were long term empty. This compares with a slightly lower national figure of 1.1% long term empty.

“Whilst it is undeniable that international demand has put an upward pressure on prices, the view championed by

Indiabulls property show 2013, London

Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd organized the Indiabulls Property Show on 18th & 19th May 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel in Central London. This was the first property show organized by Indiabulls since its operations commenced in UK. The location was chosen keeping in mind the large and widely spread Indian community in London and easy access to the venue from all localities in London. The exhibition showcased several properties from 28 leading developers covering cities like Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad,

Vadodara, Hyderabad and Punjab. Customers could choose from a wide range of Indian properties starting with INR 20 Lakh to premium properties up to Rs 100 million with sizes ranging between 400 sq. ft. to 6,000 sq. ft.

The show was inaugurated by Virendra Sharma (Member of Parliament from Ealing and Southall) along with Indiabulls Housing Finance Deputy Managing Director Ashwini Kumar Hooda.

Cultr London (UK Media Company) along with Indiabulls team carried out an extensive advertising programme which included media advertising

(Print, TV and Internet).

Advertising at Tube Underground stations, Posters, Leaflet/Flyer distribution at Indian areas, Press ads were undertaken to ensure high level of awareness about the event amongst our targeted NRI audience. Regular updates about the show as well as Individual Invites were sent to relevant NRI database.

The response to the show was extremely encouraging with footfalls of approx 2,000 potential customers over 2 days and Developers were able to close the deals.

Indiabulls plans to hold regular Property events across UK to reach out to the Indian Diaspora.

Simon Hughes that this tiny area of London should be ‘given back’ to Londoners, is undoubtedly flawed. To achieve this, prices in PLC would have to drop to just £253,000 or 18% of their current value, based on of an average salary of £39,000 in Kensington & Chelsea. It is not realistic to think this could ever occur and in reality, the economic fallout from this, in terms of jobs that depend on a healthy and growing property sector would not bear thinking about” comments Naomi Heaton, CEO of London Central Portfolio.

More to the point is that PLC is actually very small, just 6 square miles with less than 200,000 households. The new data suggests that less than 2,000 homes are changing hands each year which are not actively being put to use in the Private Rented Sector or through social housing. Moreover, this number is shrinking, as people hold onto their property for longer.

“The intense adverse focus on such a small sector which contributes so significantly to the UK economy would seem to be politically motivated rather than economically driven or statistically assessed. It acts to divert attention from the real issue on how to provide more housing and in so doing, the government runs the risk of killing the golden goose” explains Heaton.

RBI keeps rates unchanged, India Inc disappointed Expressing disappointment over RBI's decision to keep key rates unchanged, India Inc said the time was appropriate for cut in interest rates to revive the country's economic growth. The industry said it hoped RBI would not wait for the next quarterly review on July 30 to intervene and would do so earlier, if required.

The industry urged the central bank to consider a rate even before the next monetary policy review on July 30. The repo rate at which the RBI lends to the system has been retained at 7.25 per cent, while the cash reserve ratio will continue to be 4 per cent.

CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee said, "The decision of the RBI to hold policy rates on status quo is disappointing. At a time when both growth and inflation dynamics call for an accommodative monetary policy, RBI has taken a cautious approach of attending to the prospect of a possible resurgence in inflation over reviving growth in the economy."

finAnciAl voice

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

21

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

IMF Warns US On Winding Down QE Scheme European Union unemployment rate reached a record 12.2% in April 2013 in the 17 countries using the euro, and manufacturing output in the area contracted in May, extending the decline to almost two years. European Union car sales fell in May to a 20 year low as rising joblessness caused by a recession in the euro region contributed to falling demand at PSA Peugeot Citroen (UG), Renault SA (RNO) and General Motors Co. (GM). Registrations in the 27 member EU dropped 5.9% to 1.04 million vehicles from 1.11 million cars a year earlier, reaching the lowest level for the month since 1993. Including figures from Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, sales in May fell 5.9% to 1.08 million cars.

Friday’s euro zone data was all roughly in line with expectations and hence movements against the dollar and the pound remained largely unaffected.

The EURUSD exchange rate remains above 1.33.

With all eyes on the US at the moment, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) annual review of the United States economy has warned the

Federal Reserve against winding down its QE scheme fearing that any scaling down would disrupt the financial markets.

This recommendation may give investors hope that the markets could continue their recent bullish trend although with US consumer confidence and Consumer sentiment failing to meet expectations on Friday, this Wednesday 19th June, Fed meeting and summary of economic predictions will be watched closely.

United States retail sales rose more than expected in May 2013 as households bought more cars and other consumer goods, while separate data showed the number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits declined last week, both indicating resilience in the country’s labour market.

The dollar has continued its recent trend against the Japanese yen, losing yet more ground on Friday afternoon towards the end of the European trading session. This ever increasingly important market indicator has fallen over 8% in the last 2 weeks. If we see a fall below 93.8 the major support

levels will have been broken and the dollar’s weakness could continue.

United Kingdom construction output fell in April 2013 at

the slowest annual rate in more than a year, suggesting the sector’s drag on the economy is starting to lessen. The output of the construction sector was 1.1 per cent lower in April than the same month a year ago in volume terms, the smallest annual decline since November 2011. The data come amid growing signs the economic recovery is starting to gather strength.

Looking ahead to this week, the key event will be Wednesday’s monetary policy press conference

by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. There has been speculation over the last month that the Fed will look to reduce its quantitative easing program in the coming months. Any indication from Bernanke of a reduction in the program should encourage the US dollar to strengthen over the coming months.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 18th June 2013 @ 5pm GBP - INR = 91.98 USD - INR = 58.86 EUR - INR = 78.91 GBP - USD = 1.56 GBP - EUR = 1.17 EUR - USD = 1.34 GBP - AED = 5.74 GBP - CAD = 1.59 GBP - NZD = 1.95 GBP - AUD = 1.65 GBP - ZAR = 15.62 GBP - HUF = 342.16

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

22

world

In Focus 26 female students killed in Quetta bomb blast

Islamabad: Twenty six female students were killed when a woman Lashkar-eJhangvi suicide bomber carried out the devastating attack on a university bus carrying women in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta, police said. The banned sectarian outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has claimed responsibility for the attacks on the bus and at the Bolan Medical Complex, saying they were carried out in retaliation for a raid against the group by security forces.

Militants destroy Jinnah's historic residence in Pak

Islamabad: Militants attacked a historic 121-year-old building in Balochistan province that was used by the country's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, killing a policeman and causing extensive damage to the structure. The militants targeted the Quaid-eAzam residency in Ziarat, a holiday resort located about 120km. They planted and set off four bombs and then opened fire. The explosions and gunfire triggered a blaze that was extinguished after four hours.

Moderate cleric elected Iran president

Dubai: Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani won Iran’s presidential election, the interior ministry said, scoring a surprising landslide victory over conservative hardliners without the need of a second round run-off. Interior minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar announced on state television that Rohani secured just over 50% of the ballot based on a 72% turnout of 50 million eligible voters. “Hassan Rohani ... got the absolute majority of votes and was elected as president,” Najjar said.

Pak govt proposes tax on Indian films

Islamabad: A new tax proposed by the Pakistan government could hit the import of films and television serials produced in India and increase the prices of tickets at cinema halls. The tax on a foreign-produced film will be Rs 1 million while the tax for a foreign-produced television drama serial will be Rs 100,000 per episode. Pakistan imports dozens of Bollywood and Hollywood films every year. Ban on the import of Indian films after the 1965 war was eased.

Man survives 15th floor fall in New Zealand

Melbourne: A young British man, who was slightly "tipsy", has survived a fall from the 15th floor of a building in New Zealand.

Tom Stilwell, 20 fell from his neighbours' balcony in his apartment block in Auckland.

He had found himself locked out of his flat and asked a neighbour if he could climb from her balcony into his flat. Stilwell's fall was broken by the roof of an adjacent building some 13 floors below. A person's chances of survival were increased if they were able to break their fall on something.

Pak Taliban still not ready for peace talks

Islamabad: The Pakistani Taliban have said they will not change their decision of withdrawing an offer of peace talks to the government because they are still mourning the killing of their deputy chief, Waliur Rehman, in a US drone strike. "We had offered dialogue and wanted to talk to everyone, but the political government has no power and the powerful establishment has never shown seriousness for a peace dialogue," source said.

Musharraf indicted in judges’ detention case

Islamabad: Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has been indicted by an anti-terrorism court over the detention of dozens of judges during the emergency rule he imposed in 2007. Musharraf, 69, was indicted during a hearing held at his farmhouse in Chak Shahzad by anti-terrorism court judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi under the provision of the anti-terrorism act and the Pakistan penal code.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Afghan forces take over security of the country from NATO

Kabul: Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced that his country's armed forces are taking over the lead for security nationwide from the US-led NATO coalition. The handover of responsibility is a significant milestone in the nearly 12-year war and marks a turning point for American and NATO military forces, which will now move entirely into a supporting role. It also opens the way for their full withdrawal in 18 months.

"This is a historic moment for our country and from tomorrow all of the security operations will be in the hands of the Afghan security forces," Karzai said at the ceremony, held at the new National Defense University built to train Afghanistan's future military officers.

Karzai said that in the coming months, coalition forces will gradually withdraw from Afghanistan's provinces as the country's security forces replace them.

In announcing the fifth and final phase of a process that began at a November 2010 NATO summit in Lisbon, Portugal, Karzai said, "transition will be completed and Afghan security forces will lead and conduct all operations."

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the coalition would help militarily if and when needed but would not plan, execute or lead operations.

Alliance training since 2009 dramatically increased the size of the Afghan National Security Forces, bringing them up from 40,000 men and women six years ago to about 352,000 today. After transition, coalition troops will move entirely into a supporting role - training and mentoring, and in emergency situations providing the Afghans backup in combat, mainly in the form of air strikes and medical evacuation.

"Ten years ago, there were no Afghan national security

forces. Five years ago, Afghan forces were a fraction of what they are today. Now you have 350,000 Afghan troops and police. A formidable force.

And time and again, we have seen them dealing quickly and competently with complex attacks. Defeating the enemies of Afghanistan, and defending and protecting the Afghan people," Rasmussen said.

Afghans will now have the lead for security in all 403 districts of Afghanistan's 34 provinces. Until now, they were responsible for 312 districts nationwide, where 80 per cent of Afghanistan's population of nearly 30 million lives. Afghan security forces were until now carrying out 90 per cent of military operations around the country.

Foreign forces will continue to support Afghans on the battlefield when they require it, but the Afghan army and police will be responsible for planning and leading military operations against the insurgency.

Hamid Karzai

"As your forces step forward across the country, the main effort of our forces is shifting from combat to support. We will continue to help Afghan troops in operations if needed. But we will no longer plan, execute or lead those operations. And by the end of 2014, our combat mission will be completed. At that time, Afghanistan will be fully secured by Afghans," Rasmussen said.

Sharif govt raises Pak UK Minister seeks international help defence budget by 15% to tackle Myanmar’s ‘forgotten crises’ Islamabad: Pakistan's cash strapped new government announced a hefty 15% hike in its defence budget to Rs 627 billion, compared with Rs 545 billion (about 5.82 billion dollars) provided in the fiscal year ending on June 30. The allocation for the three defence services amounted to 15.7% of the federal budget of Rs 3.99 trillion for fiscal 2013-14, according to official budget documents presented in parliament. The army got the lion's share of the outlay with Rs 301.54 billion. The air force was allocated Rs 131.18 billion while the navy got Rs 62.80 billion. The documents further showed that the Nawaz Sharif-led government had allocated Rs 2,300 million for the defence production division in the public sector development programme for 2013-14.

Abolishes 'secret funds' of 16 ministries: The new government has abolished the "secret funds" of 16 federal ministries and the country's missions in the US and Britain to save around Rs 16

billion, according to a report.

The decision will not affect the secret funds of intelligence agencies, The News daily reported. The decision to abolish the Secret Service Expenditure was taken by the newly elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to curb corruption and for good governance.

ISI gets Rs 600 million: The Inter-Services Intelligence agency was provided Rs 600 million to accomplish a "special assignment" on the directive of the Prime Minister. The sum was released to the director general of the ISI under the head of "Supplementary Demands for Grants and Appropriations 2012-13". Budget documents showed that the finance division released Rs 600 million to the ISI chief for the special assignment.

Pakistan's defence budget is rarely discussed in parliament and the ISI's budget is not documented in budget documents. The report said the acknowledgement of the payment of Rs 600 million was a "rare example".

Naypyidaw: Greater efforts must be made to help vulnerable people at risk from flooding and disease in Myanmar’s Rakhine and Kachin States and support peace talks to resolve Burma’s inter-communal conflicts, Development Minister Alan Duncan has said on a visit to the country.

Alan Duncan met senior ministers, Aung San Suu Kyi, ethnic leaders and civil society groups to discuss how the UK can help to support peace talks to resolve the country’s inter-communal conflicts and help with the country’s continued development.

During a visit to Rakhine, one year on from the start of violence that has seen 140,000 mostly Rohingya Muslims displaced from their homes, the Minister saw how British support has already helped to combat the effects of monsoon rains by providing urgently-needed clean water, sanitation facilities and nutritional feeding for infants for more than 80,000 people.

Duncan said: “The situa-

tion I have seen in Rakhine today is getting desperate.

The monsoon rains have started with some families still living in tents, exposed to the elements and at serious risk of flooding and disease.

The plight of those in Kachin is equally worrying.

Humanitarian agencies in both Kachin and in Rakhine are doing what they can, but it is simply not enough and sustained access is critical.

“UK humanitarian support is making a difference and we are actively looking at what more we can do, but now the international community must wake up to these forgotten crises and come together to find lifesaving support and a lasting solution.

“The communities too must also work together towards a peaceful resolution. In particular, the Rohingya people must be allowed freedom of movement and freedom to work.

No country can end aid dependency if some people are locked out of jobs and growth.”

Fastjet on way to become first pan-African budget airline Fastjet is on the way to become the first pan-African budget airline, having gained permission to run international flights out of Tanzania to three other countries in the region.

The airline which was launched by Lonrho with the backing of easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou – said it hoped to begin flights from Dar es Salaam to Kigali in Rwanda, Johannesburg in South Africa and Lusaka in Zambia, by the end of the year.

Fastjet said it would post-

pone again the launch of domestic South African services in order to focus its resources on the international routes.

The news came a fortnight after the airline’s inaugural results showed a $55.3m pre-tax loss for the 18 months ending December 2012, on revenues of $21.1m.

In the accompanying auditor’s report, KPMG expressed doubts about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern if it did not gain access to international routes and raise addi-

tional funding.

But Ed Winter, Fastjet’s chairman and chief executive, described the securing of flights out of Tanzania as “a real breakthrough.” “That’s what has been holding us back over the past six months,” he said. “We have spent so much time lobbying to make this happen and had so many false starts.”

Fastjet already operates domestic flights in Angola, Ghana and Kenya under the Fly 540 banner. It acquired the Fly 540 business from Lonrho – which holds a 49

per cent stake in Fastjet – in July last year. However, in its results, the company blamed poor performance at Fly 540 for a goodwill impairment that contributed to the reported loss.

Fastjet now hopes that its Fastjet-branded Tanzania operations – which began with domestic flights in November – can improve the company’s fortunes.

Recent figures show Fastjet Tanzania generating revenues of $1.8m in May, up 50 per cent from the start of the year.

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

23

Donors dig deep for Anti-trafficking charity Ms Sharmila Tagore, legendary Bollywood actress, members of parliament and top British Asian businessmen come together in London for the LILY Foundation fund-raising dinner at the Bombay Brasserie on Friday 14th June 2003 In an impressive show of support for the tragic children trafficked into brothels as sex slaves, even at the tender age of 4 and 5 years, billionaires Mr GP Hinduja, Mr Anil Agarwal of Vedanta, entertainment in cinema. Mrs Rita Bhagwati, wife of the Indian High Commissioner, made the welcome address.

Paresh Maity, leading contemporary Indian artist, had made a special oil painting to auction, which he had donated.

Titled ‘The Light’, it depicts a young girl looking into an oil lamp which bathes her face with its soft golden light. The girl is just as the vulnerable pubescent age when they are most likely to be trafficked into a brothel.

Other auction items included a cricket bat signed by the legendary Tendulkar; two Paddock Passes for the British Grand Prix donated by Mr Bernie Ecclestone; an original handwritten letter by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, freedom fighter, in 1933.

The LILY Foundation is named after a girl who was sold into prostitution by her own mother at the age of 4. Lily had been raped in a Delhi brothel

lady Mohini noon, rita Bhagwati, sharmila tagore, shakiba rangoonwalla, Bina rani (the chair and committee members of the lily Foundation)

before she could be rescued and was discovered hidden in a water tank by the NGO who led the raid. She was raised by the NGO and is now 19 years old. She has completed her schooling and is poised to begin her adult life.

However, the trauma still lives deep within her. Her aim in life is: ‘To make mothers love their children. Why didn’t my mother love me?’

'The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied: 'In that case, there's no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!' We have no time to lose. Let's start tonight. It took

15 years to educate Lily after she was rescued,' Lady Noon said.

This year Bollywood celebrates its centenary and LILY Foundation dinner was themed Golden Bollywood Night. The singer Sonam Kalra entertained guests with Bollywood songs and Sufi-Gospel numbers. Bina Rani, CEO of iPartner India, the registered charity, worked hard to make it a success, along with committee members Dr Alka Bagri, Mrs Shakiba Rangoonwala and Mrs Asha Sethi. The LILY Committee also includes Mrs Heena Vekaria and Mrs Shama Bhardwaj. The restaurant was tastefully done up with posters of Bollywood films and bowls of lilies at the tables.

Human trafficking generates

about £20 billion annually and affects an estimated 2.5million women and children at any given moment. India accounts for one third of these shocking statistics.

The Lily Foundation’s registered charity is iPartner India.

Proceeds from the event will be dedicated to a selected group of projects working in India and the UK, which work directly to rescue and rehabilitate victims as well as prevent trafficking.

Other distinguished guests included Sunita and Joginder Sangar of the Washington Mayfair Hotel, Mr Kazmi of Habib Bank AG Zurich and Air India officials. A superb meal was arranged by celebrity chef Sriram Aylur and Mr Sailesh Pandya of the Bombay Brasserie.

Sharmila Tagore the LILY Ambassador and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador said, “I think it’s about time that all of

us who are privileged come together. If we want to create an egalitarian society we have to give of ourselves and truly believe in an equal society, with betterment and progress for all.”

Gopichand P Hinduja, Trustee of the Hinduja Foundation, wholeheartedly shares and supports the Lily Foundation’s laudable mission and ambition to eradicate human trafficking and bring hope and aspiration to the most vulnerable women and children in our global society.

Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry and the Lily Foundation strives to prevent the further exploitation of young women and children around the world through its support for NGOs and other organisations dedicated to the healthcare, education, training and rehabilitation of the victims of trafficking.

Guests at the lily Foundation event

38 British South Asians receive Honours on Queen's Birthday The Queen’s Birthday Honours list was published on Saturday 15 June in recognition of the achievements and service of extraordinary people right across the United Kingdom. 38 British South Asians have been awarded the honours including a knighthood for the sculptor Anish Kapoor.

Philanthropy has once again been a prominent theme among the recipients in general. 72% of the awards in the Birthday Honours List were for people who are actively engaged in charitable or voluntary work within their local community.

In total 1,180 people have received an award and 6% of the successful candidates come from ethnic minority communities. The south Asian candidates to receive the honours are as follows: KniGhts Bachelor

lAnish Mikhail Kapoor For services to visual arts orDer oF the British eMPire CBE

lJasvinder Sanghera For services to Victims of Forced Marriage and Honourbased Violence OBE

lKamal Basran For services to Business and Charity

lIshika Nita Clarke For services to employee engagement and business

lGeeta Nanda for services to Social Housing

lSrabani Sen for services to Children and Families lShahid Sheikh For services to Business in the East Midlands lSatinder Kaur Taunque for voluntary and charitable services to inter ethnic relations and to the community in the West Midlands

MBE

lDr Mohammad Farqad Alamgir for services to cardiology lNina Amin for services to the Asian Business community lPolly Anjam for services to radiotherapy in Wales lKrishan Kant Attri for services to interfaith relations in the North East of England lPiara Singh Aulakh for services to the Sikh community in the London Borough of Hounslow lProfessor Subrata Sekhar Banerjee for services to people with dementia lGorande Bhatt for services to the communities in harrow and Wembley, North West London Mrs Gorande Bhatt, a dental practice Manager. She has been appointed as the Justice of Peace (JP) North West London, Deputy Chairman of North West London bench, Member of Disability Appeals Tribunal and Non-Legal member of Employment Tribunal. She is also currently member of Governor of Sri Sanatan Hindu Mandir (Shri Vallabh Nidhi UK) since 2002 and Honorary Secretary General of Shri Vallabh Nidhi UK.

lAbubakar Chunara for services to the Muslim community in Trafford, Manchester lGovinder Singh Dhaliwal for services to the community and community cohesion in Bradford, West Yorkshire lJameel Hadi for services to young people in the North West of England lParminder Kaur for services to Adult Education lBasir Sultan Kazmi for services to lit-

erature lAyub Khan for services to libraries in Warwickshire lWasim Gulzar Khan for services to cricket and the community lDr Nirmale George (Sally) Mathew for services to Parkinson's disease lDr Shyam Sunder Patiar for services to hospitality and catering vocational education in North Wales lJashoda Pindoria for services to jobseekers and to the community in East London lManjeet Sahota for services to diversity and people's development lZaheeda Sakhawat for services to the DWP and for voluntary service to the community in coventry lRamaben Shah for services to government finance lKaneez Shaid for services to young people and the community in East London lBushra Altaf Sheikh for services to probation work including ethnic minority communities and for charitable services lDr Krishna Ballabh Prasad Singh for services to healthcare in Lanarkshire lKeshav Singhal for services to the welsh and Indian community and for charitable services in Wales lVijay Kumar Tandon for services to education on northern ireland lMaire Ahamed Tejani for services to education and for charitable services through yaarah schools charity in Ghana British eMPire MeDal BEM

lMargaret Daly for services to the defence community in New Delhi lSantosh Kanwar for services to the community lAkhter Mohammed for services to the

KPMG Partner awarded MBE Nina Amin, partner and head of Asian Markets, at KPMG, has received an MBE in this year’s Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to the Asian Business Community. Nina has been at KPMG for over 16 years and a Tax Partner where she works with middle market clients and is involved in advising Chinese and Indian companies wishing to set up in the UK, as well as heading up the firm’s Asian Business programme. Nina is a qualified chartered accountant with over 25 years of corporate tax experience and has won a number of awards. She was elected a member of the CBI London Council in 2012 and sits on the China Business Association committee as well as the Advisory Council of TiE. Nina has also been appointed to the Prince’s Trust Women In Leadership Group and is a Trustee with Lepra a UK registered charity. Commenting on her award, Nina said “I am delighted to receive an MBE, which is a huge honour. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to head up KPMG's offering to the Asian Business Community which is an area that is very much a part of KPMG's vision to transform our business and dominate professional services. I also count myself fortunate to have a fantastic range of clients and a great team to work with, in addition to a hugely supportive family. I would like to thank my colleagues, clients and family for all their support." advancement of Diversity and Equality in the Scotish Police Force lRabindra-nauth Sukhedo for services to sport and the community in Haringey (This is not an exhaustive list)

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South Malaria cases rise in Hyderabad About 86 malaria cases have been reported from Hyderabad in the last two weeks and 213 cases from across the state during the past week, officials said. About 4,974 malaria cases have been reported since January. Choked drains, potholed roads, stagnant water and construction sites in the city are the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Fogging and anti-larval operations are being undertaken to curb the mosquito menace.

Will be CM for 5 years: Siddaramaiah

Irked by former CM BS Yeddyurappa's snide remarks that he won't last in the CM's gaddi after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Siddaramaiah devoted 10 minutes of his reply to the debate on the governor's address to assert that he is here to stay for the next five years. "There is no doubt at all.

I will remain CM. There are no differences in the party,'' Siddaramaiah maintained.

Court asks officials to stop supply of filthy water

Asking the authorities to stop supplying contaminated water to many parts of Bangalore city, the Karnataka high court ordered notice to the state government, BWSSB, BBMP and the KSPCB. The bench also wanted to know about the steps taken to recharge groundwater as part of the rainwater harvesting legislation.

Jaya to support D Raja

The ruling AIDMK acceded the plea of CPI for support to its candidate D Raja in the June 27 biennial elections to six Rajya Sabha seats and announced withdrawal of one of its nominee from the contest. The change of heart by Jayalalithaa to accommodate CPI came after Raja called on her this morning and sought support.AIADMK'S Thangamuthu, who was fielded as fifth candidate would withdraw his nomination, she said.

Punjab Illegal migrants using Punjab border to enter Pak

The international border with Pakistan in Punjab is slowly emerging as the preferred area for illegal Bangladeshi migrants to cross over into Pakistan as the first step towards finding employment in the MiddleEast. In the last four-and-a-half years, BDF has apprehended 72 illegal Bangladeshi migrants who had arrived in Punjab looking to cross the border.

Punjab govt okays `200 mn jail upgrade plan

The Punjab government gave its nod to a plan to modernise and upgrade security at jails in the state at a cost of `200 mn. The plan aims at completely overhauling prison security systems with the installation of high-powered jammers, door metal detectors and other equipment. Also to check the supply of drugs in jails, which posed a serious threat to inmates.

Memorial sought for innocent killed

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Sukhpal Khaira has solicited SAD-BJP government to consider building a benefiting memorial for 25,000 innocent people who were killed in Punjab during terrorism. He also suggested, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The memorial can be on the pattern of "The National September 11 Memorial and Museum" built in New York, USA, to commemorate the September 11, 2001, attack."He also demanded the names and photos of all killed in the sad period of terrorism should form a part of this memorial of humanity.

Marriage registration made compulsory in Punjab

The Council of Ministers gave go-ahead to the Punjab Compulsory Registration Marriage Rules 2013 for registering the marriages of the residents of Punjab. All marriages were required to be now compulsorily registered under these rules within 90 days of the solemnization of the marriages.

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Karnataka seeks heritage status for Gol Gumbaz Karnataka is making a fresh bid to get the Unesco World Heritage Site status for the Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur.

The monument, built in the Indo-Saracenic style in 1659, is the mausoleum of Mohammad Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty which ruled the sultanate of Bijapur from 1490 to 1686.

Bijapur district tourism committee , which met on Wednesday, decided to send a fresh proposal to the Union government seeking for its inclusion in the list of world heritage sites from India.

Bijapur deputy commissioner Shivayogi Kalasad, who presided over the meeting, said Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials have been directed to prepare a fresh proposal to be forward-

ed to the Centre. "The Union government will take up the case with Unesco ," he added.

ASI has agreed but with certain riders.

Superintendent Sujeet Nayan said, "We agreed to send the proposal provided the district administration clears the encroachments in the Gol Gumbaz premises and creates a conducive environment for tourists. Otherwise it is just another futile effort."

The tourism committee

meeting later resolved to remove all encroachments in the monument premises. It also decided to allot sites to encroachers, who volunteer to move from the place, under the Ashraya scheme. The proposal to include Gol Gumbaz in the World Heritage list has been hanging fire for two decades . Historians and heritage activists of North Karnataka have been asking the authorities to convince Unesco, the world cultural body which decides whether a monument is worth being declared a heritage site, to include the magnificent Islamic structure in the list.

ASI first sent a proposal in 2005 to include Gol Gumbaz in the tentative list of the world heritage monuments to be submitted to Unesco. But

because of certain problems, mainly encroachment of the premises , the Centre did not deem it fit.

Historian Krishna Kolhar Kulkarni said: "The problem is not with encroachments but with the proposal. The officials didn't submit the proposal in the specified format to the central government. A team of experts should be roped in to prepare the proposal."

HG Daddi, who has been fighting to protect the monument, said: "Had ASI officials made sincere efforts at the national and international levels, Gol Gumbaz would have been declared a world heritage archaeological site by this time.

This would have also brought international funds for the protection and development of Bijapur's monuments."

TN to file contempt The Art of Living plea over Cauvery issue transforms prisoners' lives Upping the ante against Karnataka for its refusal to release Cauvery water, Tamil Nadu decided to file a contempt petition in Supreme Court besides seeking a direction for setting up two regulatory bodies to implement the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's final award.

Slamming the stand of Karnataka that the Supervisory Committee on Cauvery was not properly formed and it cannot take any decisions, "this amounts to contempt of court". chief minister Jayalalithaa says.

The decision to approach the apex court on the vexed issue was taken at a review meeting chaired by Jayalaithaa, two-days after the newly appointed Supervisory Committee under the Union Water Resources Ministry, rejected the state's demand for release of water from Karnataka.

Jayalalithaa in a statement here said, her government

would also file another petition in the Supreme Court praying for immediate appointment of Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) in compliance of the final award of the tribunal.

"The Supervisory Committee on Cauvery water sharing issue was formed after Karnataka consented to it.

But, the neighbouring State is now adopting a stand that it is not properly formed and it cannot take decisions. This clearly demonstrates that Karnataka is not interested in sharing water with Tamil Nadu", Jayalalithaa charged.

The Cauvery Supervisory Committee headed by Union Water Resources Secretary S K Das, at its June 12 meeting, rejected Tamil Nadu's demand for its share of water saying it was not feasible, given the deficit inflows and storage level in reservoirs in Karnataka.

Modi to address rally in Punjab on June 23 Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi will be addressing his first rally outside Gujarat after his appointment as the BJP campaign committee chairman. The rally will be held at Shayama Prasad Mukherjee Memorial in Patahnakot on June 23.

Punjab BJP President Kamal Sahrma said that the party unit felt honoured that Modi would address the first rally outside Gujarat as campaign committee chairman from Punjab. "June 23 holds a great significance for us as Jan Sangh founder Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of India on this day," he said.

The rally will be attended

by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal also.

According to BJP leaders, the rally venue and time combine a great symbolism for different constituencies. "While on one side it will bring the issue of article 370, which BJP had been opposing, again in

the centre stage on the other Modi starting his nationwide campaign from Punjab which is being ruled by SAD-BJP alliance and SAD representing Sikh minority," said a senior BJP leader.

"While on one side the occasion would be to address the BJP's core constituency and to strengthen that to rake up an emotive issue of Article 370 on the other it will also help to give a message to the minorities across the country by holding the rally in Punjab in presence of SAD leaders. This is significant after JD (U) has parted ways with BJP on Modi," said the BJP leader.

Inmates had taken upto The Art of Living and also help their fellow inmates in various prisons across the state.

"These 30 inmates received leadership training and have been instrumental in transforming the lives of over 2,500 inmates across seven prisons in Karnataka", said Sri Nagaraj, project director, Prisons Programmes for Karnataka.

With programs of trauma and stress relief , 30 prisoners bring a ray of hope to other inmates with the guidance of Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder, The Art of Living. The programme focuses on transformation and personality development of prisoners for acceptance in society.

S Ravi, deputy inspector of general, said, "Their transformation is comprehensive.

We've seen a lot of difference in the general well-being of

prisoners through these programmes.

They were habitual offenders but once they were transformed, they became more productive and their personality changed. They were also given skill training and they can be absorbed in the society easily. The training, which empowered them as Yuvacharas (youth volunteers), set off a chain reaction wherein they trained others."

Mohan Kumar, an inmate, said, "After the programme, I felt the pent-up stress of 12 years disappear. Yoga and meditation brought immense will power in me. My outlook towards life changed and mind became focused. I was given the responsibility of managing meals for all 4,000 inmates in the jail. Training other inmates makes me happy and satisfied when I see the change in them."

BSF to take UN help to stop smuggling

The Border Security Force (BSF) will take help of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to stop the smuggling of drugs from Pakistan.

Following a spurt in smuggling activities along the India-Pakistan international border, the issue was taken up in a meeting of various agencies including UNODC, directorate of revenue intelligence, BSF, and Narcotics Control Bureau among others was held.

Among others who attended the meeting was UNODC regional programme coordinator Rajiv Walia.

"With the involvement of UNODC, the BSF will be able to understand better the incidents of cross border smuggling, whether they were organized operation of Pak's intelligence agency ISI or not," said BSF Inspector General, Frontier, Aditya Mishra. He said with the recovery of large quantities of fake Indian currency

notes, which was an exclusive domain of ISI, it appeared that the agency could be behind smuggling operations but the study and research work of UNODC would confirm the same.

UNODC's Delhi-based Regional Office for South Asia had launched its Regional Programme for South Asia (2013-2015) in May end. The programme is developed under a consultative process with the governments of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The IG claimed that earlier a group of seasoned smugglers used to control the smuggling operations but now new comers have also joined them. "These people often get lured into the racket for different reasons," he said and cited an example of a new comer trying to get into smuggling as he required Rs 12 lakh for medical treatment of his children.

indiA

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Swollen mountain rivers fed by heavy rains destroyed homes and property in many areas in north India even as the monsoon downpour continued, leading to flooding and many rivers rising dangerously.

The death count in floods reached 130 while 73,000 tourists and pilgrims are stranded at various locations following floods and landslides.

More than a dozen helicopters were deployed in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh - the two states worst hit in the flash floods - for relief and rescue operations and all stranded people are expected to be evacuated soon.

Army personnel carried out relief operations in flood-hit Chamoli district. The Ganga river in Haridwar was in full spate and many highways linking Delhi and Haridwar, Rishikesh and Yamunotri and Gangotri and the Badrinath National Highway are flooded.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been sent for rescue work in the two northern states where huge sections of mountain roads have caved in in many areas, leaving people stranded and posing problems for rescuers.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was stranded in tribal Kinnaur district for nearly

Hindus upset with Cavill comparing ‘Superman’ with Hindu gods

Rajan Zed

Hindus are upset with British actor Henry Cavill, who plays Superman in currently running superhero film “Man of Steel,” for reportedly comparing ‘Superman’ with Hindu gods. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA), said that comparing gods with a human created comic book fictional character was trivialization of allpowerful God whom we owed our existence.

‘Superman’ at the most was a cultural icon, while God produced and sustained the world and was the source of being and life, Zed argued.

We offered prayers to our deities and worshipped them. It was insensitive for Cavill to drag them in comparison with an earthly character, thus hurting the feelings of the devotees, Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, added.

60 hours due to landslides triggered by incessant rains, was rescued Tuesday morning. A helicopter hired by the Congress airlifted the chief minister as the weather cleared.

Uttar Pradesh irrigation department officials said the Yamuna level in Agra, Mathura and Vrindavan could touch the danger mark in a few days as more than 800,000 cusecs of water had been released from Harayana's Hathnikund.

The highest discharge from Hathnikund was in 1978 when around 7.5 lakh cusecs was released on a single day. In 2010 it was seven lakhs. Heavy rainfall has alarmingly increased the water level in Himachal Pradesh's Pong and Bhakra dams, officials said. y.

The monsoon enables both dams, which serve the irrigation requirements of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, to store water. In Haryana, especially Yamunanagar and Karnal districts, there was a decrease in rainfall activity.

On Monday, several villages in Yamunanagar district were under flood waters.

Ten helicopters were pressed into rescue operations in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, as the weather conditions were better. "Ten Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters were pressed into rescue

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operations to rescue stranded pilgrims in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. We are likely to get more private choppers for the rescue, but it is based on the weather condition," M. Shashidhar Reddy, vice president of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), said.

He also said NDRF officials will be setting up a base camp in Gaurikund, which is 14 km from Kedarnath. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directed all central government agencies to assist in rescue and relief operations in flood-affected Uttarakhand and assured Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna of all help, a statement said.

Condoling the deaths in the floods, Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked the central and state governments to provide quick relief and rehabilitation to the affected people and

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ensure travel arrangements for the stranded tourists.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has also been stopped for now. The Ganga is flowing two metres above the danger mark and an alert has been sounded and people have been asked to desist from bathing in the holy river.

500 Gujarati pilgrims stranded: For the 500 Gujarati pilgrims who had gone on the Chardhaam yatra earlier this month, the pilgrimage has turned into nightmare. These pilgrims are awaiting evacuation or aid, especially in northern parts of Uttarakhand after heavy rains triggered a landslide.

Most of the pilgrims are stranded at Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. The route to Kailash from Katgodam has been taken by a group of 53 of which 26 are from Gujarat. The group has a total of 22 women.

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Rohit Thakkar of Navbharat Travels and secretary of the Gujarat Railway Tour Organizers Association said that 13 persons who are part of their group are stuck at Sitapur. "The situation is grave as most of the tourists don't have access to food, water or means of communication. Worst hit are the individual tourists.

The most worrisome part is the lack of communication. The rains have not only damaged the landline network but have also affected the mobile phone towers, making it difficult to ascertain whether the groups have been evacuated to safer places. We have crossed our fingers and are eagerly awaiting a phone call saying all is well," said a relative of a pilgrim to Kedarnath. The operators added that many schools and colleges have been converted into makeshift camps for the affected.

The calamity has also

hit the group on its way to Kailash Mansarovar.

Hitendra Makwana, a resident of Ahmedabad and part of the group, told from Almoda that they had started off from Almoda and were on way to Dharsula when the group officials received news of a landslide ahead. After waiting for a day, they had retreated. "Many bridges and roads have been damaged beyond repair and thus the organizers are also apprehensive if the onward journey can be continued on the same route," he said.

Hari Aum Holidays Char Dham Yatra tours in June 2013 have been cancelled for the safety of the passengers. All passengers currently in India are safe in Haridwar. As said by Harish Gohil of Hari Aum Holiday, they are making their best efforts to rearrange the travel plans as per passengers wishes in India.

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www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Ǘ Ȳ ȪǓ ȡ ȡ Ȳ Ì ǕȲ Ì ȯ Ǔ ǐ Q @ × Ǚ ȡ ¡Ȳ Û ȯ ȡ Û ȡ Q @@ On his first visit to Delhi after being made head of BJP's election campaign committee, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met senior BJP leader LK Advani and is understood to have discussed the recent political developments including the split in the NDA. Sources close to Advani, who was unhappy over Modi's anointment, said that the two leaders had a "good meeting".

According to TV reports, Modi has told Advani that BJP doesn't need allies which are against it. The reports further say that Advani told Modi he didn't resign from

party posts because of Gujarat CM's elevation at Goa conclave.

Modi, who drove down to Advani's residence at Prithviraj Road in Delhi, spent about an hour with the BJP patriarch and left without meeting the media.

The two leaders discussed a range of issues including the party's internal affairs and the split in the NDA after BJP's oldtime ally JD(U) parted ways after an alliance of 17 years, the sources said.

Tuesday's meeting assumed significance as Advani had resigned from key party posts expressing displeasure at being side-

Eight new ministers join Manmohan govt

In perhaps the last reshuffle and expansion of the Union Council of Ministers, Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge was on Monday made the Railways Minister as eight more were inducted with veterans Sis Ram Ola and Oscar Fernandes making a comeback.

After yesterday’s reshuffle in the party, senior woman leader from election-bound Rajasthan Girija Vyas and K S Rao from Andhra Pradesh were brought in as Cabinet Ministers in today’s exercise which was an allCongress affair.

Three new faces -Santosh Chowdhury, J D Seelam and E N S Nachiappan were made Ministers of State along with veteran Maharashtra leader Manikrao Gavit.

With the fresh inductions, the strength of the Union Council of Ministers has gone up to 77.

The oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers was administered by President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan attended by Vice President

Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and union ministers among others.

The 71-year-old Mr. Kharge, who missed out in the Chief Ministerial race in Karnataka last month, has been compensated with the heavyweight Railway portfolio after being shifted from Labour and Employment.

Labour portfolio was given to Mr. Ola. The 86year-old Jat leader from Rajasthan gets back the same portfolio he had held in the UPA-I. Mr. Fernandes, who had also been Labour Minister and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister in UPA-I, got Road and Highways Ministry.

Ms. Girija Vyas got Housing, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation.

Mr. K.S. Rao (69), a five-time MP from coastal Andhra Pradesh who nearly quit Lok Sabha after being ignored in the Cabinet expansion last year, was given the Textiles portfolio.

LK Advani

lined over the Modi issue.

Advani, however, later withdrew his resignation following a telephonic talk with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and persuasion

by BJP leaders.

The Gujarat chief minister also spent more than an hour with ailing former prime minister Atal Behari

Vajpayee at his residence.

Earlier, Modi also met senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi to express his gratitude on being entrusted with the task of spearheading the party's poll campaign for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

"Modiji has come to Delhi to express his gratitude over his recent appointment as Chairman of the BJP Campaign Committee at Goa. He has expressed his gratitude and said he is trying to fulfil the responsibility given to him," Joshi later told reporters.

He is also expected to meet Bhagwat, who is also slated to meet Advani.

JD(U) severs ties with BJP

Anticipating the appointment of Narendra Modi as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday broke the 17-yearold alliance between his party, the JD(U), and the BJP. Mr. Kumar will now face a floor test in the Assembly.

He met Governor D. Y. Patil in the afternoon and handed a list of 11 BJP ministers seeking their dismissal. Mr. Patil approved the recommendation and allowed Mr. Kumar to seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the House during a special session convened on June 19.

In a statement issued at a press conference in Patna, the JD(U) said the Goa announcement of the chairmanship of the electoral campaign committee of the BJP has filled the JD(U) with “deep apprehensions” about the future.

“It has not left a shadow of doubt that this is a mere ceremonial prelude to his [Mr. Modi’s] nomination as the PM candidate. All efforts within the BJP to suggest care and moderation in the process were

smothered by the authoritarian cult and imperious disdain,” the JD(U) said.

The BJP’s “total disregard and the ominous recent development therefore compel the JD(U) to forthwith terminate and sever its present alliance with the BJP,” it further stated.

Flanked by Mr. Kumar and other senior leaders of the party, JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav announced the split. Mr. Yadav has relinquished his position as the NDA convenor.

BJP enforces bandh in Bihar: Top BJP leaders, including Ravi Shankar Prasad, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Shahnawaz Hussain, were detained in Patna as BJP enforced a day-long shutdown in the state to protest JD(U)'s 'betrayal'.

The BJP workers stopped half a dozen trains. Roads, including the national highway, were blocked at various places. Two parties ended their 17-year-old alliance.The JD(U) has 118 seats in the 243-member assembly, four short of a majority, while the BJP has 91 members.

US Congress debates Modi visa issue The issue of denial of visa to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was fiercely debated by a key Congressional committee, with an influential Republican party lawmaker questioning the decision of the US government.

On the other hand, rights activists spoke in favor of continuing with the visa ban on Modi arguing that even though he has not been convicted so far, it is a fact that more than 2,500 people died "under his watch" and as such the United States is right in having a high moral ground on this issue. They also noted that the situation would change, if Modi were to be elected as the Prime

Minister of India.

The issue was raised by Congresswoman Cythia Lummis, who in March travelled to Gujarat and met Modi as part of a threemember Congressional delegation during a hearing on religious freedom convened by the National Security Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

"I have some concerns about the application of a continuing denial to him (Modi) of a visa to the United States. Here is someone whose province is growing dramatically in its hiring of people, in the welfare of their families. We have a gigantic Ford Motor Company manufacturing

facility going in in Gujarat.

There is an enormous Tata vehicle assembly facility in Gujarat," she said.

Lummis said a disproportionate number of Muslims were killed in the riots in 2002. "Now, somehow that has been converted into a egregious violations of religious freedom for which he is directly responsible when, in fact, the press accounts said that he was alleged to have been 'simply non-responsive' in a timely manner, in the eyes of some, to the riots, which were not organized by him," she said.

"Furthermore, the courts in India have not found him to be guilty of anything, in spite of numerous court proceed-

ings in India regarding his involvement in those activities. Litigation in India can go on and on and on. And yet, in spite of almost a decade of litigation against Modi, he has never been found guilty of any wrongdoing," the lawmaker said.

"It would not be consonant with our American legal standards to presume a guilt and impose a penalty in that sense. But we can say there's enough smoke here and enough concerns and enough of red flags, if you will, that we are not going to extend this privilege to you," said Katrina Lantos Swett, Chair, US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

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Invitation to meet Kiran Bedi

Kiran Bedi

The Kiran Bedi Event Management Committee has invited families, friends and organizations to attend a charity event in London where you can have an opportunity to meet Dr Kiran Bedi over dinner on Friday 12th July at 6.30 pm at Kadwa Patidar Hall, Kenmore Avenue, Kenton, Harrow.

The keynote speaker will be Kiran Bedi – a founder member of India Vision Foundation - an NGO based and headquartered in New Delhi. Those wishing to attend this event will have the opportunity to see Bedi in person, listen to her talk, participate in questions and answers session, watch a documentary on her charity work in India with India Vision Foundation, vegetarian dinner and light entertainment.

All funds raised will be used for Bedi's NGO committed to rebuild the lives of the imprisoned and those whose families have a history of incarceration from prison. India Vision Foundation primarily works for the prison and police reforms.

Bedi joined the Indian Police Service in 1972 as the first woman police officer of the Indian Police Service. She went on to hold the post of Director General at the Bureau of Police Research and Development. She has also worked with the United

Nations and in 1993, Kiran Bedi was the Inspector General of Asia's biggest jail - the Tihar jail. Bedi gave the prison inmates opportunities to daily air their grievances and took action to address their complaints and suggestions. The result was that the entire atmosphere at Tihar jail was transformed into an Ashram within six months.

On 8th July Bedi will be visiting The Hague, Netherlands, on 9th July she will speak at The World Justice Forum on the panel Security and Law Enforcement. On 10th July she will be at Lugano, she is invitied to become Ambassador for Partnering for Global Impact 2013 Second edition. On 11th July she will be at Geneva, Procter & Gamble invited as a guest speaker to a corporate event.

Tickets are limited and will be offered on first come first serve basis.

Tickets are priced at £25. Contact / email vediccalondon@gmail.com • Mr. Mukund Jobhanputra 07971885536 • Mrs. Sulochana Sethi 07956811078 • Mrs. Smita Adani 07872023498 • Mrs. Krishna Pujara 07931708028 • Mrs. Shakti Khosla 07956182727 • Mr. Pravin Shah 07899987570.

UK / india

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

27

TV18 launches News18 India Time to show a true leadership on same-sex marriage bill Niranjan Kamatkar and Subodh Rathod Niranjan Kamatkar is multimedia artist, filmmaker and Artistic Director of Wise Thoughts. Subodh Rathod is an accomplished performing artiste and now a Policy and Administration Director of London based charity Wise Thoughts.

Both writers are members of City Hindus Network, a non-profit-organisation created to promote networking, education and charity amongst Hindu professionals in London.

As the same-sex marriage bill passes through parliament, many members of the UK Hindu community are currently reflecting on their attitudes towards homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender relationships within the Hindu community; including same-sex marriages.

A Hindu marriage is supposed to fulfil three aspects: Prajaa, Dharma, and Rati. Prajaa is the procreation of family through offspring. Dharma is defined by responsibilities, obligations and contributions to society. And Rati justifies mutual satisfaction in the marital love life. ‘Dharma Shastras’, the books which define these aspects, are not necessarily religiously binding within Hinduism as compared to some other faiths; and the knowledge is mostly followed through oral, geographic and seemingly flexible traditions.

Therefore the age-old debate is - how does homosexuality fit into the above; and secondly how acceptable is homosexuali-

ty within the UK Hindu community?

There is an evident need amongst the 800k+ community to be aware of and have a visible position on contemporary issues such as these. Yet the community seems divided in their views on this topic.

Followers of the faith are generally a progressive force on the political scene when it comes to lawmaking process and guarding human rights; however have not been able to act in the same when it comes to the recognition of samesex relationships despite homosexuality presenting itself through history.

Research on Hindu gay identity highlights the following case: Ramanujan Mathematical Genius Award winner Shakuntala Devi reported to have interviewed Srinivasa Raghavachariar, head priest of the Srirangam temple for her book The World of Homosexuals (1977). It is recorded that Raghavachariar had said (as if to justify same-sex attractions) that same-sex partners must have been cross-sex partners in a former life. He adds, ‘Sex (gender) may change, but the soul retains its attachments; hence love impels them toward one another’.

A Shaiva priest, who had reportedly performed the (Hindu) marriage ceremony for two women, had said to author and scholar Ruth Vanita (in 2002), “Marriage is a union of spirits. And the spirit is not male or female”.

It is worthwhile to remind us of the irrefutable logic.

On another contemporary point, the United

Nations Universal Declaration Of Human Rights refers to Article 16 (1): “Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and pro-create a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.”

It is apt to highlight the use of progressive language of the article and that it neither ignores specific limitations due to religion, nor states the position in a generic way.

What seems to be lacking in 2013 is a prominent and proud group of Hindu leaders who proactively support the same –sex marriage bill. Opting out of the act is a wider choice offered to the faith communities in the UK. It is their choice to exercise if they wish to.

A recent BBC Asian Network report reported on 22 LGBT cases of forced marriages in 2012 of which many went unreported. One of the reasons can be attributed to the apathy of community members for not taking proactive ownership of issues or having open and balanced discussions to avoid such issues from arising in the first place.

It is time to show true leadership on the ‘Dharma’ front in the Hindu political and business community.

Particularly younger business leaders, who identify themselves as Hindus, can show the way forward by supporting and sponsoring vital social justice issues, such as homosexuality, that are important to the future of the community members in the UK.

Leverages IndiaCast’s distribution strengths to debut the first ever South Asian News Channel in the UK

On Thursday 13th June, TV18 Broadcast, India’s premier news and entertainment network, announced the launch of ‘News18 India’, a 24hr television news channel designed to give global audiences a window into the world’s largest democracy.

News18 India will be distributed in the UK and other International markets by IndiaCast, a strategic joint venture between TV18 and Viacom18 and one of India’s largest multi-platform content aggregators.

Following the entry into UK, News18 India will be launching Rajdeep Sardesai, Govind Shahi, Anuj Gandhi, Gaurav Gandhi across the globe, including key diaspora available in international markets which markets such as the US, Canada, Middle are essentially re-transmissions of the east and Australia. local domestic channels in India, News18 Being a part of one of India’s most will offer a dynamic and customized respected news stables across television blend of programming that reflects the and digital media, News18 India is well- interests and needs of the large and highpositioned to set a new benchmark ly engaged diaspora spread across the amongst South Asian media offerings globe.

Through a power packed format, globally. Led by some of the most credible faces in Indian journalism, News18 including bulletins, news feature shows, India is being produced by the same exclusive interviews and rich graphics, award winning editorial team that runs News18 India will deliver a wide gamut TV18’s market leading news services. of content spanning general and business Network18 Group, owner of TV18 news. From the latest in politics and curand one of India’s largest media compa- rent affairs to the inside track in nies, is home to some of the country’s Bollywood, from the latest trends in the most influential news brands including economy to the top newsmakers, the the nation’s most awarded English news channel will be a one-stop destination for channel (CNN-IBN), No.1 English and all the latest from the sub-continent.

Hindi business channels (CNBC-TV18 & Program schedules will also reflect the CNBC Awaaz) and a suite of market day part viewing habits of respective leading digital brands in the current markets, thereby ensuring greater releaffairs & opinion and financial news vance and impact for audiences.

Commenting on this, Raghav Bahl, spaces (ibnlive.com,moneycontrol.com, firstpost.com). Cumulatively, the news Founder & Editor, Network18 said services of the group reaches out to more “India’s resurgence on the world stage is than 100 million viewers on an average evident from the almost insatiable global every month and the group’s digital news interest in its present as well as its future. brands attract over 18 million unique vis- This presents a compelling opportunity itors on an average every month, accord- to deliver a service that fulfills this need ing to TAM and comScore respectively. in a relevant manner and News18 India Unlike other Indian news services is our answer.”

Shah Rukh Khan accused of choosing baby’s sex Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is under attack from Indian medical regulators after accusations that he and his wife may have broken the country’s rules against determining the sex of an unborn child.

Shah Rukh and his wife Gauri are reportedly expecting a boy via a surrogate mother, according to Indian media reports.

While paying a surrogate mother to have a child is legal in India, sex determination has been banned since 1994.

Khan and his wife have declined to comment. But Jignesh Thakkar, of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, was critical. He said: “I have nothing against Shah Rukh but how is anybody

know the sex of the child unless a sex determination test has been conducted?

He is a role model for the country so this must be investigated and facts must come out.”

Nayna Patel, who runs an infertility clinic in Gujarat, said it was possible that a test may have been conducted outside India, where they are legal.

Wimbledon’s India connection

Continued from page 32

match - around 5,000 towels over the fortnight-long tournament. However, half of them are not returned.

Generally players are requested to give them back but many of them like to keep the iconic towels as mementoes. “I wouldn’t say towels were stolen,” a Wimbledon official was quoted as saying, “they are just not returned.”

American tennis star Bob Brian had written on his blog in the year 2006 that these towels have been a long tradition at Wimbledon and players make it a habit of stealing as many as they can get their hands on. “They make great gifts. For every match there are two new towels on your chair.

When the match finishes,

the ball boys try to snatch them from you, but if you shove them deep in your bag and run, they’re yours,” blogged the American tennis star.

According to The All England Club sources, the iconic Wimbledon towels are the second largest sell-

ing souvenir after Yellow Mini Tennis Ball Keyrings from the Wimbledon Shop compared to other merchandise related to the tournament. The club started a licensing programme in 1979 which now incorporates some 30 licensed companies world-

wide in eight international markets.

The AELTC’s policy continues to be to seek well-known and respected international companies as merchandising partners. Each company is carefully selected to market and distribute products under license that reflect the prestigious international reputation of The Championships.

Successful business relationships have developed with Christy for towels, Links of London (jewellery), Prince (rackets and bags), Rodenstock (Sunglasses) and Fila (Footwear).

All licensees are represented in The Wimbledon Shop on site at The Championships where there are three major stores and another nine

Welspun Group Welspun Group, one of India’s fastest growing conglomerates, has a presence across five business verticals – Home Textiles, Steel, Energy, Pipes, Plates & Coil and Infrastructure. The group has strong foothold in more than 50 countries and employs over 24,000 people.

Among the group’s subsidiaries is Welspun USA, Welspun Tubular LLC, Welspun Middle East and Welspun UK. The group is the largest integrated towel manufacturer in Asia, a leading supplier to 14 of the top 30 US retailers, and a global supplier offering the entire range of products within the segment. Welspun has to its credit some of the most prestigious projects including the world’s deepest pipeline project in the Gulf of Mexico, heaviest pipeline project in the Persian Gulf, highest LNG pipeline project in Peru and longest pipeline project from Canada to the US. smaller kiosks situated around the Grounds. The Shop employs approximately 270 staff during the Championships and is open from 9.30 am until at least half an hour after close of play. Profits from sales of Wimbledon brand-

ed merchandise go to support British tennis. The merchandises are also sold on-line. Over the past two years the towels are selling like hotcake as demand of Gujarat made towels have increased by more than 30%.

28

travel & women

hailand – exotic, enchanting and welcoming. From the moment you walk T off the plane to the moment you leave

you will forever remember the big smiles of the lovely Thai people. No doubt when you arrive at Thailand you will fly to Bangkok or Phuket, two of the busiest destinations in Thailand.

Bangkok is a mega city, bold and brash with little “tuk tuks” weaving through traffic taking their occupants around the city. They are all vying for road space with an astonishing array of transport. They can be an exhilarating experience! Regardless of which means of transport you choose, Bangkok offers up some fascinating attractions for the tourist. The Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew (in the grounds of the Grand

or has its own international airport. There are many facets to this formidable island, you will find busy touristy beaches with water sports and bodies baking in the sun or there are some stunning little coves and private beaches that are a little quieter and have a more relaxed atmosphere.

Most tourists play on the busy stretches one day and then head for some relaxing peace and quiet on the next – the perfect set up for a great holiday. No matter which beach you choose they are all palm fringed with soft sand and sparkling blue waters that will mesmerize your stay.

Endless experiences, from traditional temples to relaxing (or not!) beaches, fantastic food and the perfect marriage between East & West makes Thailand the most unique of destinations all year round…

www.abplgroup.com - asian voice 22nd June 2013

Bala Hanuman Temple famous for its Akhand Dhun AV Correspondent he Bala Hanuman Temple is on the southT eastern side of Ranmal

Palace), the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho will remind you of the countless times you will have seen pictures of these great landmarks, but to see them in person is something quite surreal. The peace and calm of the temples is serene and quite a contrast to this very busy metropolis.

Many of the sights make use of the flowing river bank and you can catch a boat ride along its length to see the contrast of new Bangkok and old.

Bangkok fuses the new with the old in a “bring it on” tradition! Shopping is an experience not to be missed, especially as westerners often find the goods to be a bargain. If you bore of shopping malls then why not take to the water? A trip out

of town will take you to the fascinating Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, as the name suggests it’s a floating market! You can hop on a boat and shop or drink fresh coconut milk or sample some tasty morsels from foodie boats. Who hasn’t heard of Thai food? Famous the world over, but not quite the same as the homemade variety. There are top notch eating experiences to be had, from luxury restaurants serving up delicious “khao pad sapparod” - hollowed out whole pineapples filled to the brim with jasmine infused rice and exotic meats, to street food of Sukhothai noodles, soft Thai noodles in a deliciously simple pork broth sweetened with tamarind and palm sugar. After a few days of experiencing Thailand’s capital its time to hit the beaches!

Thailand has a number of beach destinations to choose from, and out of all of them – Phuket is the most popular.

Phuket can be reached either via Bangkok

Then it’s off for a slice of Arabia stopping off at the magical Abu Dhabi – understated luxury all the way.

Spotlessly clean with charm and grace oozing around every corner – this mini break is sure to impress.

An amazing deal is on offer with Etihad Airways and Brightsun Travel for a triple centre holiday from just £916 pp When booking a holiday, we recommend using a well established travel agent who is well versed in delivering holidays with an ATOL certification, ensuring the security of your booking. When booking with an online agent, check there is a contact phone number – this ensures you will get service from an actual person and get your questions answered swiftly.

Brightsun Travel is such an agent and we were able to uncover this fantastic package that includes all flights, accommodation and B&B in select hotels from just £916 per person. Brightsun Travel also offers a price match promise on worldwide flights and holidays. To book your dream holiday, visit www.brightsun.co.uk or call Brightsun Travel on 0208 819 0486 and make a booking with an actual person – a refreshing way to book your next holiday!

Lake in Jamangar. It is a temple famous for its continuous chanting of the “Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram” since 1st August 1964, for which it is even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. You can visit the temple to witness their prolonged act of religious devotion and even join in if you wish to contribute to the effort, especially at night, during the more difficult sessions.

The best thing about this temple is that all devotees are chanting Lord Rama's name. The chanting doesn't stop and this creates a powerful environment. There are no nagging priests or holy men pressurizing you to donate money or perform rituals.

After entering the temple one feels a vibration of Yogurt rice or curd rice is a popular South Indian dish.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup rice 1/4 cup split moong dal (washed) available at Indian grocery store 3 cups of water 1 tablespoon oil 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1 cup yogurt (curd or dahi) 1/4 cup shredded cucumber (kheera) 1/4 cup shredded carrots (gajar) 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger (adrak) For Seasoning: tablespoons oil 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds (rai) 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera) 2 whole red peppers 1 tablespoon finely chopped green pepper, adjust to taste 8-10 curry leaves, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (hara dhania) Method: Wash rice and moong dal, then drain them and put it into the saucepan. Add water, oil, ginger, salt and boil it.

sanctity. Early evening is a particularly good time to visit as its reasonably energetic then. In fact this whole area on the SouthEastern border of the lake becomes very lively around sunset.

This record of Ram dhun began on the very day when the temple was consecrated on August 1, 1964 by late Sant Prembhikshuji Maharaj at 7.30 pm. It was the maharaj and his handful of devotes who uttered the famous first line of akhand Ram dhun “Shri Ram, Jay Ram, Jay Jay Ram” in the first ever utterances during its never ending marathon journey.

Singing paeans of Lord Ram also involves mindboggling statistics. From the day it started on August 1, 1964 it has been recited continuously for 47,30,40,000 times in a span of 16,435 days totalling 45 years.

Twice the Shri Bala

Hanuman temple found its pride of place in the Guinness Book of Records during 1982 and 1988 for this achievement. It is amazing that in a minute 20 dhuns are recited by the ever rotating assembly of devotees which works out to be 1,200 in an hour and 28,800 in a day spiraling to 1,05,12,000 in 365 days and 47,30,40,000 in 45 years. What is indeed surprising is that the recitation of Ram dhun had never ceased even during natural calamities like cyclones, famine or earthquakes or during wars.

The Akhand Ram dhun continues in other cities as well like Porbandar where it began on May 12, 1967, Dwarka (December 12, 1967), Muzzaffarpur in Bihar (January 20, 1976), Rajkot (April 22, 1984), Junagadh (August 15, 1996) and in Mahuva of Bhavnagar district (April 22, 1997).

Yogurt Rice

Cook for 15 minutes rice and dal will be soft Mix the rice and dal whipping making them mushy; if rice is dry add little more hot water as needed. Mix should be consistency of portage.

After rice cools down, add the yogurt and mix it well. Adding the yogurt to hot rice will make yogurt sour and watery. Next add cucumber, carrot and ginger and mix.

Seasoning: In a small sauce pan heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds as seeds crack add red pepper, green chili, curry leaves and cilantro

stir for about a minute. As you will add curry leaves oil will splatter, so be careful.

Turn off the heat and mix the seasoning with rice mix. Yogurt Rice is ready to serve.

Health benefits: Yogurt contributes to colon health. Yogurt can boost immunity, rich source of calcium and is excellent source of protein.

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 22nd June 2013

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keep a check on your weight, but do provide calories to your body, say experts.

Though most of us avoid having food items with lots of calories, our body requires some amount of calories.

“Each and every individual has his own calorie requirement, which is based on their basal metabolic rate. If a person eats more calories than what he needs, he will definitely gain weight or if he eats less calories than what he needs, he will lose weight,” said Annapurna Agrawal, nutritionist at Snap Fitness India.

She explained: “Your body requires 2,000 calories and if you eat 2,500 calories, the extra 500 will be converted into fat.”

If you are gearing to adapt healthy eating habits, then shun junk food as it lacks essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals and proteins and is high in fat and calories. Intake of carbohydrates

One eats more with stress

29

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should be limited.

“Carbohydrates actually convert into fats after they are consumed. The body stores this fat and this adds to your body weight,” explained the nutritionists.

Grains and sugar, which are common feature of our diet, contain large amount of carbohydrates so you need to be careful as far as consumption is concerned.

Hot summer season calls for chilled sodas and juices that instantly refresh us, but Pande and Surve advised to stick to something healthier.

Preferabl;y stick to to water, lime juice and fresh fruit juices. Alcohol also is an evil beverage - 12 ounce of beer equals to 146 calories. Medicines usually help to eliminate diseases, but they can also make you heavier than before.

“Anti-depressant medicines, birth control pills, allergy medications, and blood pressure medications are some of the medicines that may cause weight gain,” said Agrawal.

Cases of advanced breast cancer inching up in young women

hen the mind is under ore young stress, one tends to women are W M eat a lot, especially comfort being diagnosed

foods like pastries, chocolates and all which has an adverse effect on the digestion system. Bombay Hospital clinical fitness specialist Namita Jain said, “When the mind is under stress, one tends to eat a lot, especially comfort foods like pastries, chocolates and all. One also happens to eat in excess quantity, which has an adverse effect on the digestion system. The food doesn’t get digested properly, resulting to sudden bloating.”

The research says that what actually happens is that serotonin, which is the happiness chemical that the brain secretes, is not adequately utilised by it, thereby causing a person to feel low. Sweet or fatty food just gives temporary satisfaction and quick release of dopamine which calms the person.

However, this doesn’t deal with the problem at a permanent level, and the concerned person just gets a temporary relief from stress. Clinical psychologist Desiree Manuel said that the excess weight thus gained further causes low self-esteem, which eventually leads to stress again.

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with advanced, metastatic breast cancer than were three decades ago, according to a US study, with the metastatic breast cancer rate in particular rising about two percent each year.

Yet the overall rate of cancers in that group is still small. One in 173 women will develop breast cancer before she turns 40, said researchers whose report appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association - but the prognosis tends to be worse for younger patients.

The rate of metastatic breast cancer in particular rose about two percent each year between 1976 and 2009 among younger women.

"We think that the likelihood is that since this change has been so marked over just a couple of decades, that it's something external, a modifiable lifestyle-related risk factor or perhaps an environmental toxic exposure, but we don't know what," Johnson said.

One possibility is that

how long kids sleep at night, but their environment may be more important for afternoon naps.

Researchers compared sleep patterns for close to 500 sets of identical or fraternal twins. They found that especially as kids got older, environmental influences - which include when parents put kids in bed, for example explained more and more of their napping differences.

At three of the four time points, genetics accounted for between 47 and 58 percent of nighttime sleep duration. The majority of children slept 10 or 11 continuous hours at night.

The one age when environment seemed to play a strong role in overnight sleep was at 18 months. That suggests that age "might be an appropriate time of intervention in children with not satisfying sleep duration and quality.

Parents who are having difficulty getting their babies to sleep through the night may be somewhat relieved by a new study showing that a large determinant of an infant's nighttime sleep is simply

the luck of the genetic draw.

Researchers in Canada studied sleep records from nearly 1,000 identical and fraternal twins in Quebec, and found that genes largely determine whether c through the night.

However, children's ability to nap during the day is controlled more by their environment.

While some parents may find themselves fortunate in having a sound sleeper, the researchers said there are also ways to help a child along.

"The genetic influence is only part of the equation that controls sleep duration. One should not give up on trying correcting inadequate sleep duration or bad sleep habits early in childhood," said study author Evelyne Touchette,

a psychology researcher at Laval University in Quebec.

The researchers found there is a particularly sensitive time for the influence of parental interventions, at around 18 months, Touchette said.

"This is a good time to implement sleep strategies in order to improve the child’s nighttime sleep habits if they are not already in place," she said.

Parents should not assume that a child who doesn’t seem to sleep enough doesn't need more sleep, Touchette said.

Only 5 percent of children in the study were considered "short-persistent sleepers," meaning they seemed to need less than 10 hours of sleep nightly. One should use caution before concluding.

C-Section Babies At High Risk Of Obesity

abies who are born through Cesarean secB tion (c-section) are much

overeating and lack of exercise are driving up early-life metastatic breast cancer rates, Johnson added. Or, the use of hormonal birth control could play a role, she said.

Johnson's team analyzed data from cancer registries run by the National Cancer Institute.

As expected, they found that the number of early breast cancer diagnoses increased among middleaged and older women during the study period, likely due to widespread screening.

The only other change in cancer incidence was among the youngest women, between ages 25 and 39. In that group, the number of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer - which has spread to the bones, brain or lungs - rose from one in 65,000 in 1976 to one in 34,000 in 2009.

affect sleep differently

more likely to become obese when they grow up compared to babies who are delivered vaginally, reveals a new study carried out in the U.K which included more than 10,000 children.

Around 33% of births in the U.S. are cesarean births, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the rate of c-sections is rising.

The study, led Dr. Jan Blustein, Ph.D., M.D., from the New York University of Medicine, analyzed data on a total of 10,219 British born children between 1991 and 1992.

Dr Blustein said that "there may be long-term consequences to children that we don't know about"

To Our Readers We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement it. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

associated with C-sections.

In fact, there have already been health risks linked to C-sections. One study revealed that C-section babies are five times more likely to develop allergies by age two than those born naturally.

Another study demonstrated that babies born by c-section are more likely to have asthma than babies delivered vaginally.

The aim of the study, which was published in the International Journal of Obesity, was "to assess associations of Cesarean section with body mass from birth through adolescence."

C-section babies weigh less than others at first,

then more later on On average, children born via C-section were 0.125 pounds lighter than those vaginally born.

At the age of 11, those who were delivered by Csection were found to be 83 percent more likely to be overweight than those born vaginally.

According to mother's weight and whether they were breastfed or not are also considered It is also possible that these are children that would have been heavier anyway. Being heavy as a woman is a risk factor for C-section, so that's the problem with trying to figure out whether this is real or if it's simply a matter of selection."

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30

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Life in the UK test termed 'unfit for its purpose' The Life In The UK test, which is taken by around 150,000 people each year hoping to qualify for indefinite leave to remain in Britain, does not require practical necessities in everyday life, Durham University's Dr Thom Brooks said. He emphasised its actually unfit for its purpose.

But it is required that new citizens know "trivial" facts such as the year Emperor Claudius invaded Britain, the year that Sake Dean Mahomet launched the first curry house in the country and the age of Big Ben. Dr Brooks, a US immigrant who sat and passed the test in Newcastleupon-Tyne in 2009, becoming a British citizen in 2011, said the test is a key part of immigration policy but is "unfit for purpose" in its current form.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno, vice-chairman

of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration, welcomed Dr Brooks's report, launched at a lecture at Durham University .

The test requires new citizens to know the date of birth and death of nearly 30 men in British history but only four women.

No women artists, musicians or poets are mentioned. Much of the information in the accompanying official handbook does not appear to be part of the test, Dr Brooks said.

The handbook contains about 3,000 facts including five telephone numbers, 34 websites, 278 historical dates and several brief excerpts of British poetry.

Of the 400 Official Practice Questions and Answers in one of three official test handbooks, no telephone numbers, no websites, no poetry and only a few dates are mentioned.

Coming Events l Sangam and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan hold dance/music classes upto Diploma.

Starting 21st September on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings at Sangam, 210 Burnt Oak, Broadway, Edgware HA8 0AP. Contact: 020 8952 7062 l Rangilo Gujarat, Lok Geeta Sandhya, Raas Garba, dandiya with Fusion of Bollywood Music.

Performed by Divine International Group.

Saturday 29th June, City Pavillion, Romford

This week paid subscribers of Asian Voice will receive a copy of the British Punjabi magazine with their newspapers.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 There seems to be some pressure on financial affairs and maybe a problem to contend with in regard to a joint venture. If you feel that something has been hanging in the balance, whatever happens you will get a clearer picture of the situation eventually. Allow matters to ride as impatience will not give you the whole picture.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

Dr Nayna Patel is coming to the UK, to enable those who have infertility issues to talk on a one to one basis.

In the last 4 years she has had a very high percentage of success in whatever way, either fertility treatment for one or fertility treatment using one's genetics and using a surrogate.

Dr Patel is here in the UK on Saturday 6th July 2013. If you would like to meet her please email paruljoshi@yahoo.com

COMPETITION Who are the producers of the film Fukrey?

The first 5 Winners of the Competition will receive a copy of the Audio CD. Please send your correct answer to aveditorial@abplgroup.com by 30 June 2013.

The winners will be chosen on first come first basis.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. New beginnings are favoured around now. Your thinking is inspired, so listen to your thoughts. This may be a time of expansion and it would be unwise to let yourself become complacent. Affairs of the heart are likely to flourish.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 You may find yourself hard at work behind the scenes, although that may not be apparent to others. You may find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, with opportunities to advance on both the inner and outer level. There’s a sparkle to your social life and much enjoyment from being in touch with other people.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

You will be pleased to see that your social life livens up during this week.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 lucky breaks.

Give top priority to important written work, official matters and vital communications. If you can manage to get away from usual routines, this will not only prove to be highly enjoyable but it will have a decidedly beneficial effect on your physical and psychological well-being. Loved ones will be looking after you.

l Shreemad Bhagwat Saptha recited by Shastriji Ramnikbhai Dave, 16-23 June, Vale farm Sports Centre, Wembley HA0 3HG, 3pm-6:30pm. l Dr Kiran Bedi London Talk, 12 July, 6:30pm Venue: Kadwa Patidar Hall, Kenmore Avenue, Harrow, London, HA3 8LU

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By nature you are a highly enterprising, gogetting type of person and these are qualities that will stand you in good stead in the coming weeks.

Go easy on yourself though, especially if it's a question of financial loans. Don't be afraid to act forcefully if your instinct tells you it's time for change.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

l Swami Vivekananda Exhibition on ancient Indian civilisation celebrating his 150th Birthday Anniversary. Friday 21 June-23 June, VHP, Ilford Essex IG1 1HN

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief Operating Officer: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Chief Accountant: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Business Development Managers: Rovin J George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Nihir Shah - Email: nihir.shah@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4089 - Mobile: 07875 229 111 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Kalpesh Shah Tel: 07539 88 66 44 Email: kalpesh.shah@abplgroup.com Graphic Designers: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com

A tremendous amount of planetary activity in your chart signals a time of mixed emotions as well as personal issues 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. Your pioneering personality always shows through.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (M) +91 94266 36912 Email: nilesh.parmar@abplgroup.com Consulting Editor: Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Tel: +91 79 2630 4142 Urvashi Jagadeesan (India) 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 Email: horizon.marketing@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Hardik Shah (M) +91 99250 42936 Email: hardik.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Neeta Patel (Vadodara) M: +91 98255 11702 Email: neeta_abplgroup@yahoo.co.in Assistant Marketing Manager: Manish Shah (Vadodara) M: +91 96876 06824 Email: manish.shah@abplgroup.com Assistant Marketing Manager: Krunal Shah (Ahmedabad) M: +91 98243 67146 Email: krunal.shah@abplgroup.com Business Co-ordinator: Shrijit Rajan M: +91 98798 82312 Email: shrijit.rajan@abplgroup.com Prashant Chanchal (Rajkot) M: +91 98250 35635 International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group (South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 222471 4122 Email: jain@jaingroup.net Delhi Office: Tel: +91 44 9311581597

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SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 It's a time of slow and steady progress that can set the stage for a long time to come. Of course, there are still challenging issues on both a personal and practical level. To get here you may have overcome obstacles by making important decision and choices.

You will achieve a lot more, by motivating your own desires.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 The fiery planet Mars, continues to occupy your opposite sign house for some time to come. Its influence will help you to maintain a high energy level and achieve positive results in anything that requires drive and initiative. If you are involved in a fairly competitive field of activity, you will be the one who comes out on top.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 The pace of your life may be a bit hectic now, and if you're not used to it, this could also be a time of mental restlessness. You are more inclined to seek a broad understanding of people and of your immediate environment. Concentrating on listening, connecting, communicating, and learning is your best bet now.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 You should enjoy a very popular phase in your life where everyone wants to invite you to parties. This will give you a chance to meet people and pursue any romantic liaisons that might present themselves. Your communications are extremely high making it easy to close those lucrative deals.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

You will probably have little cause to complain this week. Expect everything to run smoothly and luck to attend your efforts. However, underneath this positive surface you may be plagued by a feeling of restlessness. Try to strike a balance between material and emotional affairs!

31

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

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32

Sri Lanka reached the Champions Trophy semifinals with a 20-run victory over holders Australia in the last league match at the Oval in London on Monday. The Sri Lankans, who needed a win to stay in the competition, relied on aggressive half-centuries from Mahela Jayawardene and Lahiru Thirimanne to score 253-8 after being sent in to bat.

Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara then picked up three wickets, effected a run-out and took a catch as the Australians were bowled out for 233 in 42.3 overs.

Lanka and England finished level with four points each, but the hosts topped the group due to a superior net run-rate and will meet Group B runners-up South Africa in Wednesday's semi-final at the Oval.

Lanka will clash with Group B winners India in the second semi-final in Cardiff on Thursday in a a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai which the Indians won.

The final is at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Sunday.

Jayawardene, who became the eighth batsman to complete 11,000 one-day runs when he reached 62, anchored the middle-order with an unbeaten 84 off 81 balls.

"It felt good to get to 11,000 runs, but winning this game was the icing on the cake," said the 36-yearold former captain, who was named the man of the match.

"We are playing hard and passionate cricket.

That has been the mantra

Nayan Dave Defending Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, British star Andy Murray, ace tennis player Novak Djokovic, powerful Rafael Nadal, glamorous Maria Sharapova and the world’s top women tennis player Serena Williams are all set to sweat out at All England Lawn Tennis Club’s (AELTC) grass court to win the most prestigious tournament. Indiamade Christy brand towel would wipe away their sweat during the championship which is scheduled to start on 24 June 2013.

The iconic Wimbledon towels, which turn top tennis players kleptomani-

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 22nd June 2013

Mahela Jayawardene

of our success in the past and I hope it continues in the future also. "We look forward to another tough match in the semi-final."

Australia, who needed to win in 29.1 overs to qualify, made a brave bid to secure their first victory in the tournament with belligerent batting led by Adam Voges' top score of 49.

The Aussies were 1929 when the last-wicket pair of Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty gave Sri Lanka a fright by adding 41 amid mounting tension.

Tillakaratne Dilshan ended the drama with a spectacular return catch to dismiss McKay, who made a career-best 30. Doherty remained unbeaten on 15.

"It would have been nice to get over the line in the end," Australian captain George Bailey said. "Our goal was to do it in 29 overs, but we never got going. But it was good to

acs, are manufactured in Gujarat. Since 2010, the Indian textile conglomerate Welspun India Limited (WIL) is manufacturing different varieties of Christy brand towels at its facility in Vapi town.

From 1979, the towels were being supplied to AELTC, organizers of the 128-year-old Wimbledon championship by a Manchester based textile company, Christy. The US$ 3.5 billion Welspun Group, one of India’s fastest growing conglomerates acquired Christy in the year 2006.

“As the machinery at Manchester was old, we shifted manufacturing of Wimbledon towel and

see the last two fight it out."

The fightback would have been followed keenly

by New Zealand, who would have joined England in the semi-finals if the last pair had scored the remaining runs.

In the end, the Black Caps were stranded on three points, one behind both England and Sri Lanka. Australia finished with just one point through a rain-affected game.

Glenn Maxwell, a million-dollar signee with Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians, smashed 32 off 20 balls before he was bowled off his IPL team-mate Lasith's Malinga third delivery.

Kulasekara, who bowled Shane Watson and had Phil Hughes caught behind, ran out Bailey with a direct throw from fine leg to make it 69-4 in the ninth over.

Matthew Wade picked up the scoring rate with a 22-ball 31 that contained four boundaries and a six, adding 47 for the sixth wicket with Voges.

Voges was ninth out, caught in the deep off Rangana Herath, before McKay and Doherty put on their defiant stand.

England profits from Kiwis’ sloppy fielding: England advanced to the semifinals after beating New Zealand by 10 runs at Sophia Gardens.

Alastair Cook’s 64 along with 38 from Joe Root helped England reach 169 all out off 23.3 overs in a match reduced to 24 overs per side due to rain.

Kyle Mills took 4-30 and Mitchell McClenaghan 3-36.

In reply, New Zealand

other Christy products at the state-of-the-art Vapi unit in South Gujarat.

Even after the acquisition Welspun continued to make the AELTC licensed towels under the same ‘Christy’ brand,” said B K Goenka, chairman of Welspun group.

Compared to other

could only reach 159-8 in its 24 overs, with Kane Williamson hitting 67 and Corey Anderson 30. James Anderson finished with 332 and Ravi Bopara 2-26.

Cook provided the foundation for England’s innings, hitting four fours and two sixes, but he was fortunate to stay at the crease so long as Nathan McCullum dropped the England captain three times. McCullum finally caught Cook at the fourth attempt off his own bowling but, with wickets in hand, Eoin Morgan (15) and Jos Buttler (14) added valuable runs to the total.

South Africa into semis after Windies tie: South Africa scraped their way into the semi-finals on superior net run-rate after their rain-marred match against the West Indies in Cardiff ended in an extraordinary tie.

The West Indies, who had to win this match to go through to the last four, were exactly level on the Duckworth/Lewis system for rain-affected matches at 190 for six off 26.1 overs.

But Australian umpires Rod Tucker and Steve Davis then decided the rain was too heavy to continue and took the players off the field for the final time.

Crucially, off what turned out to be the last ball of the match, with West Indies then ahead of their D/L target, Kieron Pollard was caught for 28

by Dale Steyn at third man off Ryan McLaren and his exit swung the match back to parity.

The Proteas joined already-qualified India as one of the two semi-finalists from Group B.

towels, the production team of Welspun needs to be extra conscious. The quality parameters are being checked and validated after each stage from yarn manufacturing to packing of towels.

AELTC’s account manager regularly visits the Vapi unit to finalize quality of

UP girl to flip the coin at Wimbledon men’s final

As a rare honour, 11-yearold Pinki Sonkar will travel from the by lanes of Mirzapur to the grass courts of Wimbledon - the most amazing sporting event of the English summer. She will flip the coin for the men’s singles final on July 7 at the Centre Court.

On the day of the final she will meet the two finalists probably from the crop of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - depending upon who manages to bring his best game on the only Grand Slam played on grass.

Pinki was born with a congenital deformity called cleft lip. And her story has earlier taken her to an Oscar night at Los Angeles. Emmy-winning director Megan Mylan’s 39-minute documentary, “Smile Pinki”, on Pinki’s journey from social embarrassment and humiliation to acceptance (post-surgery) won an Oscar for the Best Short Documentary in 2008.

Pinki, however, has Smile Train to thank - the world’s largest cleft lip and palate non-profit organiza-

raw material and designs.

“The championship towels are made of two ply superfine combed colour yarn of fine count which makes the finished product super absorbent, bouncy and bulky with softness. The yarn is made from a variety of cotton (Shanker- 6) grown in parts of Gujarat. The variety has a fibre length of 29 mm plus and micron ire of 4 which is very good and gives the bulkiness to yarn and ultimately to towel,” said Welspun’s senior production official.

Besides championship towels, Wimbledon logo embroidered guest and face towels are also manufactured with single ring

tion. Smile Train has been selected as the charity partner at this year’s Wimbledon. Pinki is one of their most well-known patients. In 2007, Pinki was given the opportunity through Smile Train to receive a life-changing free cleft repair surgery. Dr Subodh Kumar Singh, who performed Pinki’s cleft surgery in 2007, will be travelling with her to London. British High Commissioner to India Sir James Bevan will host a send-off dinner for her on July 2.

Smile Train India chief Satish Kalra said, “The Centre Court event will bring the issue of cleft lip in front of the whole world. Wimbledon finals are watched by 300 million people across 70 countries. At present Smile Train conducts 125,000 surgeries a year with $70 million raised through charity. In India alone, 50,000 children undergo this corrective surgery but there is a backlog of 10 lakh.

Hopefully, we will be able to raise more funds to increase the surgeries in India to 70,000 annually and 150,000 globally.”

super combed yarn. For 2013, Welspun has shipped 60,000 championship towels and 40,000 units of Wimbledon logo towels.

Interestingly Men’s championship towels are always in the iconic club colours of dark green and purple, enhanced by gold.

However, the colours of ladies’ towel change every year – this year they are Pink, blue and light green.

Towels and face cloths cost between £9 and £28 this year.

The towels, sold inside Wimbledon complex, were the largest selling line in terms of value. Each player is lent two towels for every Continued on page 27