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VOL 40. ISSUE 21

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Modi fasts for 'peace and unity' Opposition Congress party also launches counter offensive fast

Various religious heads offer Narendra Modi lemon juice as he breaks his three-day fast.

fast for "harmony" after the Supreme Court referred to a lower court a case in which he was accused of complicity in the 2002 riots. Though Modi said

that his fast was for peace and communal harmony many people said that it was aimed at improving his image that was hurt by the 2002 Gujarat riots.

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24th September to 30th September 2011

82 killed as quake jolts Sikkim, Bengal, Nepal and Tibet A major earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale rocked Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Nepal and Tibet on Sunday evening resulting in the death of at least 82 people and injuries to several others. The epicentre of the quake, Mangan in North Sikkim, was said to be the worst hit.

Out of the 82 deaths, 68 are in India, including 53 in Sikkim, three in Bihar and 12 in West Bengal and seven each in Nepal and Tibet respectively.

More than 100,000 houses have been damaged in Sikkim due to the

quake. Several people are still feared trapped under the debris in far-flung villages, amidst reports of fresh landslides at Gailkhola, 55 km from Gangtok at NH-31A. Continued on page 24

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Contact Mr. Mitesh Patel, Solicitor No Win No Fee

Surprisingly many Muslims were present at the venue to support his fast.

Opposition Congress also launched a counter offensive fast with senior leaders Shankersinh Vaghela and Arjun Modhvadia sitting on a parallel fast on the pavement opposite the Gandhi Ashram on the same day.

Their fast continued for three more hours after Modi ended his fast. Referring to Modi’s expensive fast that had wasted millions of public money, they said “Modi’s was a five-star fast” and added that “Modi wants to project himself as a messiah of the minorities by Continued on page 24

This week the paid subscribers of Asian Voice will receive a copy of our 11th Asian Achievers Awards magazine along with their newspaper.

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

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With mission of peace, harmony and unity in state, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi undertook a three-day fast from Saturday at Gujarat University Convention Centre, Ahmedabad. And he had successfully completed this “Sadbhavna” fast with a pledge to propagate harmony in the state. On Monday evening after ending the fast he declared that “My fast ends today but the Sadbhavna mission will continue”. He announced that he would go for one day fasts in every district to strengthen the spirit of unity and brotherhood.

Modi undertook the

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Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Peter King Congressman Peter King is the Republican Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.

He gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee in the UK Parliament, Chaired by Keith Vaz MP last Tuesday 13th September on the roots of radicalism. He is currently serving his 10th term in the US House of Representatives and represents a district in New York. He has extensive experience as a practicing attorney and civic leader and prior to serving in the House of Representative he was elected to three terms as the Comptroller of Nassau County. He is a graduate of St. Francis College, Brooklyn, and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is married with two adult children and two grandchildren and lives in NY Long Island in Nassau County.

1) What inspired you to begin your career in politics?

My father was a New York City police officer and Army veteran, so I was raised to believe that public service was something to be proud of. My parents were also always interested in and closely followed politics. I think that my own apprecia-

3) Please tell us about your current position?

tion of public service and interest in politics are directly attributable to my parents.

2) What is the most significant homeland security issue facing the United States?

In part because of our close cooperation with allies such as the U.K., the United States has

made great progress in securing our homeland from Islamic terrorism over the past decade.

Today, it would be very difficult for al-Qaeda or its

Seven arrested in anti-terror raids in Birmingham Seven people were arrested in Birmingham on Monday after a series of swoops by MI5 and antiterror police. Officers held six men aged 25 to 32 and a 22-year-old woman in an investigation into suspected Islamic extremism.

The raids came just hours after a spy plane was seen circling the city.

The specially equipped planes are used by security forces to spot suspects, monitor phone calls and detect computer traffic.

The men were arrested by unarmed officers at or near their homes in the Moseley, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Ward End and Balsall Heath areas.

They were being questioned on suspicion of the “commission, preparation

or instigation” of an act of terrorism in the UK. The woman, from Saltley, is suspected of failing to disclose information contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.

Police denied the operation was connected to alQaeda or a plot involving the Lib Dem conference being staged at the city’s International Convention Centre.

One of the addresses – in the Ward End area – is linked to Mohammed Irfan, who was jailed in 2008 for his part in a plot to kidnap a Muslim British soldier and behead him live on the internet.

But Irfan, 34, who was released after serving just two years is not believed to be among those arrest-

ed on Monday.

Specialist teams were searching the homes and vehicles of all seven arrested. Officers are also investigating seven other properties – six homes and one business premises.

They include an endterrace in Turner Street, Sparkbrook, believed to be shared by three families.

Local Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said: “As far as I am led to believe there was a significant risk of a very serious plot being hatched and the police decided to move when they did.

“I must pay tribute to the way the security services have acted, but it is a major concern that these things are still going on in our community.”

Saving postmen's lives They have been the bane of postmen’s lives for generations.But now experts have found a way of dealing with the threat of over-exuberant pet dogs – in the shape of an 8in plastic stick.

Britain’s 70,000 postmen and women are being offered the special gadget in a bid to reduce the 5,000 attacks by dogs they suffer each year.

Posting Pegs are not intended to control unruly dogs in gardens. In these circumstances staff are advised to avoid any confrontation and return the post to the sorting office.

The Posting Pegs, which cost 30p each, are made by Hull firm Lexiprint.

American community.

The Obama Administration, the 9/11 Commissioners, and others recognize this as a significant threat; yet many Congressional Democrats and members of the media have criticized my series of hearings to examine the threat. I intend to continue the hearings, because the threat is real and cannot be ignored.

affiliates to succeed in another 9/11 style attack.

These terrorist groups are now working to recruit and radicalize individuals within the Muslim-

For 19 years, I have had the honor of representing New York’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. When Republicans regained the majority in the House in January, I returned as Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, after serving as the Ranking (Minority) Member for four years of Democratic control and as Chairman for a short while before that. As Chairman, I lead the Committee. In both of these positions, I work to secure the U.S. homeland from terrorism, including the New York City-Long Island area, which is the top target of al-Qaeda and its affiliates.

4) If you were President, what one thing would you change?

If I were President, I would ensure that all enemy combatants in the War on Terror are tried in the military commission system that the U.S. has set up for this very purpose.

The Obama Administration had sought to try terrorist enemy combatants in federal civilian court, including a plan to put 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed on trial in New York City.

Fortunately, other Members of Congress joined me in successfully working to block this illconceived plan.

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

I have many questions I would like to ask three of the greatest wartime leaders of all time: 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, and General George S. Patton.

I would also enjoy spending time talking with Alfred E. Smith, the former governor of New York and a 1928 candidate for President.

Family devastated death over death of their 'only son' A fifth man has been arrested over the carjack killing of garage owner Harjinder Singh Bhurji.

The 18-year-old is being held at an east London police station on suspicion of murder, Scotland Yard said.

Mr Bhurji, 32, died in a pool of blood after being stabbed when he refused to hand over the keys to his black Mercedes CLK coupe in Ilford, east London. His death was condemned by his family as a 'senseless crime'.

Since the attack three men, aged 18, 19 and 20, and a 17-year-old boy have been bailed pending further inquiries, police said.

Bachelor Mr Bhurji was sitting in his sports car talking to a friend when a robber opened the passenger door and dragged the woman from the car on Tuesday.

Mr Bhurji, who lived in Ilford, initially tried to hide the car keys under his

Rasvinder Johal said: 'The family are devastated. My mum is not coping very well. He was her only son, her eldest son, he was the breadwinner of the family.

'Everyone is just Harjinder Singh Bhurji with really in shock and devsisters Jasmeet, right, and astated. We have just Rasvinder at her wedding two had the wedding and weeks ago our whole family came from across the world seat but the robber threatfor it. ened to harm his friend if 'I have just come back he did not hand them over. from honeymoon two days He was stabbed as he ago. Everyone has recently tried to retrieve the keys been together and now before the thief drove off this.' with the car. Mr Bhurji She added: 'I want to was pronounced dead at know the details. Our the scene in Stoneleigh whole family just want to Road, Ilford, after police know what happened to were called at 1.10am. The him for our peace of mind.' car, registration number Murder squad detecR4 JXW, was found abantives are appealing for witdoned in Forest Glade, nesses who may have seen Chingford, east London, the knifeman driving in at 2.45am. the early hours. Anyone Mr Bhurji's friend was with information should found at the scene unincontact Crimestoppers on jured but suffering from 0800 555 111 shock.

His sister

98,000 asylum seekers 'lost'

Tejas Dhimant demonstrates how the new Posting Peg works

Nearly 100,000 asylum seekers have been ‘lost’ by bungling immigration officials, it was revealed last week. The 98,000 cases were among nearly half a million found abandoned in boxes at the Home Office in 2006 in a major immigration scandal.

Of the total, 172,000 have been given the right to stay in the country,

claim benefits and bring in family members, or more than one in three of the total. Only 37,500 – or less than one in ten – have been deported or left voluntarily.

Around 170,000 have been written off as duplicates or errors.

Committee chairman Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP also criticised the agency for making overpayments

to both staff and asylum seekers totalling some £4million last year, and for paying out £14million in compensation claims.

A Border Agency spokesman said: ‘We are improving the asylum system across the board, clearing the backlog of claims, bringing down costs and resolving cases more quickly.’

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

COMMENT

India, America: The way forward US Republican Congressman, Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, made a significant speech on “US Commitment to Asia”, hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washingtonbased think tank. In a question-and-answer session following his address, Mr Smith, while approving the India-US civilian nuclear accord of 2008, which was drawn up on President George W. Bush's watch, said it lacked a proper follow-up by the present administration, that US relations with India could have been better handled.

“I don't think we handled that as well as we should. I think we have to do a better job of maintaining and building up a stronger relationship with India. They're going to be an incredibly powerful regional and global power for a long time to come,” said the Congressman. “I think we have a positive relationship. I don't think we do as much with India as we should. Diplomatically, militaryto-military, in a variety of different ways, I think there are enormous opportunities for us to build a stronger relationship with India, They haven't been regional....global, at this point: I mean China is everywhere – Latin America, Africa. You know, India, while they have grown significantly economically, they've kept it more internal. I think they're going to be an incredibly important player. You know, largest democracy in the world....we have a lot in common, and I think we need to work hard to build up that relationship,” even as he accepted that hiccups in India-US relations had occurred as a result of events in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Congressman was refreshingly frank, and India must also do her bit to take the relationship forward. After all it takes two to tango.Going forward, India-US ties will surely be most productive on an economic platform. The entrepreneurial spirit and skills that drive both countries will become a bedrock of mutual enterprise and opportunity.

From this massive trunk will emerge sturdy branches in every field of endeavour. The latest 94-page report of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) has shown the way. It has highlighted Narendra Modi's Gujarat and Nitish Kumar's Bihar as models of good governance and administration.

The CRS writes: “perhaps India's best example of effective governance and impressive development is found in Gujarat, where chief minister Narendra Modi has streamlined economic processes, removing red tape and curtailing corruption in ways that have made the state a key driver of national economic growth.... Modi has overseen heavy investment in in modern roads and power infrastructure, and annual growth of more than 11 per cent in recent years.” The state had attracted major international investors, such as General Motors and Mitsubishi; with five per cent of India's population, Gujarat was now responsible for one-fifth of the country's exports, the report said.

After Gujarat came Bihar in good governance.

The CRS says: “Another positive example in 2011 has been Bihar, one of India's poorest states, where chief minister Nitish Kumar has won national attention through his considerable success in emphasising good governance over castebased politics. He is credited with restoring law and order across much of the state, as well as overseeing infrastructure and educational improvements of direct benefit to common citizens projects.”

These CRS reports are issued periodically to help US legislators make informed judgements on subjects of public interest. Significantly, in this case, the report was released to the public by the Federation of American Scientists. The Bush administration, it must be said, rushed to judgment, holding Mr Modi responsible for the communal riots of March 2002 and denying him a US visa, for which he had never applied!

Returning to the India-US relationship, this is certain to develop and mature in every direction in the fullness of time. It will have its special dynamic, with likeness to America's complex security ties with Britain and Japan. India has opted for strategic autonomy since it became a sovereign polity in August 1947. This was what Non Alignment in essence was supposed to mean.If India's freedom of choice is respected, as it should be, there will be no limit to the durability, variety and reach of the country's ties with the United States. Imagination and tact should be the watchwords.

Toxic banks need Cable's medicine Business Secretary Vince Cable is a no-nonsense Yorkshireman. He has a keen nose for wrongdoing in public life. He was not prepared to kowtow to the Murdoch media empire, nor afraid to question its excessive social reach unlike Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron before him. Mr Cable's judgement was spot on, as we now know. Good business, according to the Cable manual, was best allied to honest practice in the maximisation of legitimate profits. Not surprisingly, Mr Cable has Britain's toxic banks in his crosshairs. It adds to his credibility as a senior Liberal Democrat member of the Coalition at a time when there is widespread dissatisfaction among the faithful that the party's social conscience is too finely tuned to the needs of its Conservative allies and those of big business.

The news that the Swiss UBS bank rogue trader Kweku Adoboli had defrauded his employers of some $2 billion (￡1.3 billion) in speculative deals came as a shock. Mr Adoboli thus joined Nick

Leeson, who worked for Barings in Singapore, and the more recent rogue trader Jerome Kerviel at the Societe Generale in Paris. Their practices mirrored the questionable ethics of their workplace. The sight of senior bankers walking away from failed enterprises, pockets bulging with ill-gotten gains from bonuses and the like, while most of the country is on its knees as a result of the Chancellor's stringent austerity measures does make the blood of many an honest John Citizen boil over.

The Business Secretary has made his determination to find ways and means to curtail 'excessive' pay in the private sector by forcing banks and companies to publish 'pay ratios' revealing the gap between the highest and lowest paid employee.

Name and shame may do the trick. It will bring into the public space the malfeasance that has so far avoided public scrutiny. It is time someone spoke up for the common man and woman. Vince Cable has set the ball rolling. More power to his elbow.

JLR reaches for the skies Jaguar Land Rover and Corus have driven the rise of Tata to Britain's largest manufacturer. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has a significant niche worldwide in the services sector. The company which has long been a household name in India, from where it has emerged in the wake of the country's economic liberalisation, to bestride the world is not yet a recognisable brand in the UK. But these are early days, and as the Tata UK workforce expands and its automobiles keep rolling out faster to the showrooms brand recognition will surely come.

Meanwhile, Jaguar Land Rover will soon deliver a major boost to the Government's plans to stimulate the economy into sustainable growth: Tata has confirmed that it will build a ￡400 million engine plant in the Midlands that could lead to the creation of 2,000 jobs. The engine plant, it is understood, will be located at the 154 business park in

Wolverhampton, which is now dubbed an enterprise zone. The plant, which will take two years to build, has been promised ￡10 million of government support. The car industry has been earmarked as a core sector in the revival of British manufacturing and exports.

JLR's fortunes have been in the ascendant ever since ownership of Jaguar and Land Rover passed from Ford to Tata Motors. In the year to March 31, JLR made a record pre-tax profit of ￡1.1 billion, with sales increasing by 26 per cent to 243, 621.

Under the leadership of chief executive Ralf Speth and Tata chairman Ratan Tata, JLR is investing ￡ 1.5 billion a year in new products and has ambitions to augment production in its three Midland plants to 500,000 cars a year. To top it all, there are plans for the Chinese and Indian markets for the Jaguar and Land Rover. Clearly, Tata Motors is on a global roll.

www.abplgroup.com

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Thought for the Week

The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you - 'King of the blues' B B King

Barry Gardiner MP Member of Parliament for Brent North, Chair of Labour Friends of India

Human rights on the Indian sub-continent Last week I joined MPs from across the political spectrum to debate human rights on the Indian sub-continent. The debate was clearly of interest to a great many people, as there was a large turnout from MPs and the public gallery of the Commons was packed on a normally quiet Thursday afternoon.

For me, it was an opportunity to reaffirm my respect for India, as a beacon of peace and democracy in a sub-continent too often dominated by conflict, tyranny and abuses of human rights.

India’s security situation is amongst the most grave of any country. The 2011 Failed State Index lists six of India’s neighbours as being amongst ’the most failed states in the world’ including Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.

Readers will know the terrible toll this instability takes, with terror attacks on India’s cities at a frequency which is unimaginable to us in the UK. The Indian Centre for Conflict Management has indentified 168 terrorist, insurgent and extremist groups currently active in India.

It states that “310 of the country’s 636 Districts are currently afflicted by varying intensities of chronic activity, including subversion, by insurgent and terrorist groupings”.

We have seen in the UK that Government reactions to attack often result in curbs to freedoms and rights of citizens, yet astonishingly India’s commitment to democracy and its constitution is unmoved.

The Indian Constitution, the longest and most far reaching in the world, includes a bill of rights which provides for the right to equality, the right to freedom of speech and assembly, the right to freedom of conscience, and the right to education.

India takes the fulfilment of these constitutional rights incredibly seriously.

The National Human Rights Commission was established to investigate suspected violations of human rights in the country.

In recent decisions the Indian Supreme Court passed orders for the right to food for all to be fulfilled, and ordered police reform in light of response to human rights concerns.

For me it is essential that we emphasise this context when we talk about the future of the sub-continent.

H e a r i n g Parliamentary colleagues talk of the horrors that friends and families of their constituents have lived through in Sri Lanka, the same stories I have heard from many of my own constituents, showed once again how invaluable the respect for rights shown by India really is in the context of the wider region.

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

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Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

In brief

Email: majithia.meera@gmail.com

Leicester Voice

By Meera Majithia

Tackling poverty in India A delegation from Leicester will address a Commonwealth seminar held in India as part of an exchange project to tackle poverty.

Assistant city mayor councillor Ted Cassidy MBE will head the fourperson delegation, which also includes the chair of the International Development Working Party, councillor Culdipp Bhatti MBE, waste minimization officer Cris Calleha and senior Economic Regeneration Officer and Project Manager, Mark Mizzen.

Representatives from major Indian cities including, Rajkot, Ludhiana and Mumbai will also be present at the seminar being hosted by the Municipal Corporation of Aurangabad in India’s Maharashtra State on the 22nd and 23rd September.

The programme, including the visit, is fund-

Ted Cassidy

ed by the Government's Department for I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development, and managed by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).

It aims to strengthen the capacity of local authorities in target countries across the Commonwealth, such as India, South Africa, Jamaica, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Pakistan. It also supports technical

exchange projects, focused around specific themes related to poverty reduction.

Leicester has been working on CLGF exchange projects with India for seven years, the first of which involved the local authority working with local communities to provide better public services rather than relying solely on the private sector.

The Leicester-Rajkot work involved combining public services and trying to meet the socio-economic needs of slum dwellers, using methods including the latest satellite technologies.

This second event will discuss and share the good practices identified as a result of a more recent two-year CLGF programme on improving service delivery and community engagement, which has brought togeth-

er local government partners from India and their counterparts from the UK. The visit will include a meeting in Ludhiana on the invitation of the city's mayor to discuss progress made on issues ranging from highway design, maintenance and traffic control, to planning and energy matters, and also to discuss closer links between Ludhiana and Leicester.

Cllr Cassidy said: “By using our expertise and the goodwill gained in working with our sister cities in India over the last seven years, this exchange gives us a tremendous opportunity to promote Leicester on a world stage.

"Leicester is a welcoming place to do business particularly in areas that can help reduce poverty and our carbon footprint both abroad and at home.”

Robbery gang snatch £30,000 worth of jewellery A jeweller on Melon Road in Leicester fought of four armed robbers who forced their way into his shop, and took off with thousands of pounds worth of stock.

Rajesh Pattni, of Kampala Jewellers was confronted by the balaclava-covered on Tuesday, 13th September.

Armed with sledge hammers the men smashed open display cases containing gold brackets and rings. In total they took around £30,000 worth of jewellery before

Mr Pattni and his wife Daksha activated security smoke and the shop’s shutters.

While Mrs Pattni hid in the shop’s panic room and phoned police, her husband chased the thieves out of the shop.

Waiting for them outside was a blue Suzuki van and as the four men jumped into it Mr Pattni smashed the windscreen and a passenger-side window with a baseball bat before they took off towards Troon Way. They later dumped the

van and set it alight on Ferrous Close in Northfields, before getting into a black Audi A4 estate.

This was also later found in Avonside Road, where it is believed the men got into a white Ford Transit van.

In 2009 Mr Pattni along with his brother Atul had chased thieves from his shop.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Rob Widdowson, said: “Enquiries are in their early stages but we hope

that this appeal will encourage witnesses to come forward and help us locate those responsible as soon as possible.

“Thankfully no-one was injured but the shop owners are understandably upset and annoyed that their livelihood has been targeted in such a way. I would urge anyone with information to call us as soon as they can while the memories are still fresh in their heads.”

You can call the investigating officers on 0116 222 2222.

Raas Garba competition in its 34th year Over 1000 people were in attendance at the annual Raas Garba competition organised by the Gujarat Hindu Association on Saturday, 11th September.

Marking the celebration of the festival of Navratri, the event originally started in the early 1970’s and is now in its 34th year.

Held at De Montfort Hall in Leicester between 4pm and 9pm, the event welcomed around 200 participants of mixed ages who participated in the show,.

Maganbhai Patel said: “The event was very successful. My aim was to teach the younger generation about our culture. I Start planning the event from January and February onwards and begin to approach the schools for their permission too.

“It’s a great way for the children to engage in the

community, get together and meet new people.”

A list of the winners can be found below: l Garba senior category winners; 1st - Shree Mandhata Samaj Sahayak, Leicester, 2nd Shree Pancholi Samaj, Leicester, 3rd - Shree Prajapati Association, Leicester. l Raas senior category; 1st - Maher Community Association, Leicester, 2nd - Shree Wanza Community, Leicester, 3rd

Shree Prajapati Association, Leicester. l Senior garba costumes; 1st - Shree Mandhata Samaj Sahayak, Leicester, 2nd - Shree Pancholi Samaj, Leicester. l Senior raas costumes; 1st - Maher Community Association, Leicester, 2nd - Mandhata Hindu Samaj, Preston. l Garba junior category; 1st - Abbey Primary Community School, Leicester, 2nd - Shree Sanatan Mandir -

Shishukunj, Leicester. l Raas junior category; 1st - Shree Krishna Mandir, West Bromwich, 2nd - Shree Sanatan Mandir - Shishukunj, Leicester. l Junior garba costumes; 1st - Sandfield Close Primary School, Leicester, 2nd - Shree Krishna Mandir, West Bromwich. l Junior raas costumes; 1st - Shree Krishna Mandir, West Bromwich, 2nd - Sandfield Close Primary School, Leicester.

Go Green

The Greener Leicester Awards are looking for organisations and individuals who have contributed to making Leicester a more environmentally friendly city.

Formerly known as the Green Life Awards, they are given in seven different categories: businesses, schools (primary), further education organisation, not for profit organisation, community organisation, major project and young person (aged 14-30). The overall winner will also receive the prestigious Greener Leicester Award.

Winners will be announced at an awards evening hosted by De Montfort University later this year, which will feature workshops, and a film screening by Leicester College students, as well as offering attendees the opportunity to learn about environmental projects from across the city.

Councillor Rory Palmer, deputy city mayor responsible for climate change and transport, said: “This year the Greener Leicester Awards are going to be bigger and better than ever. They provide a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate what has been achieved towards creating a low carbon city in the last 12 months and will hopefully inspire others to start their own initiatives and projects.”

The closing date for nominations is Wednesday, 26th October. For more information visit www.oneleicester.com/greenerleicester/awards or contact chris.shaw@groundwork.org.uk.

Woman injured after ride breaks down

A Leicester-woman fractured her neck after a fairground ride broke down in Lincolnshire.

Nikita Patel, 20 was trapped on the Surf Rider for 40 minutes when it got jammed in a vertical position at Botton’s Pleasure Beach in Skegness.

She suffered a broken bone in her neck and continues to suffer flashbacks of the incident.

Twenty-two people were rescued from the ride and seven people were taken to hospital.

Service for Sewa Day

Volunteers from across Leicester’s faith communities will be coming together as part of this years international Sewa Day to help members of the West Indian community on Thursday, 22nd September between 10am and 2pm.

St Philip’s Centre has teamed up to form a special partnership with Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh organisations for a project titled ‘Talk over Tea’. The event will involve sharing food and socialising with the elderly users of the West Indian Senior Citizens Project in Highfields.

Buddhist and Hindu Temples, several Gurudwaras, Bobby’s Restaurant and individual volunteers from the Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh faiths have come together for the cause. Volunteers will be serving usual tea, coffee and cakes on the day in addition to a variety of Indian snacks and sweets including samosas, onion bhaji’s and barfi.

A host of entertainment with musical instruments such as the dhol and tabla will also be provided.

Riaz Ravat, from St Philip’s Centre, said: “This partnership is rooted in generosity and in the good name of our city, brings together several major world faiths for Sewa Day for the first time. All our faiths teach us to honour and respect the elderly. This project will do just that and more.”

National Sewa Day falls on Sunday, 25th September but activities can take place in the week leading up to the day.

East Midlands forces collaborate to fight crime

Criminals in the East Midlands will feel five times the force with the creation of the country’s largest crime fighting alliances. From Monday, 12th September, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire kick-started the largest collaboration of its kind, which could potentially save police forces in excess of £26m over a four-year period. The joint Major Crime facility will investigate murder, manslaughter, kidnap with demands and extortion across the region, taking on other investigations through a central tasking process. It will provide access to a multi-million pound shared asset.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

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Creme de la creme of the community awarded at the Lycamobile 11th Asian Achievers Awards in Wembley Stadium Ruby McGregor-Smith, CEO of Mitie, the first female Asian FTSE-250 CEO doesn't do failure. She received the 'Women of the Year' award at the 11th Asian Achievers Awards for her contribution and inspiration as a woman in our community. And of course there is no doubt, that under her guidance, Mitie is a recession success story!

Police new head Mr Bernard Hogan-Howe is trying to have a firm policy and more imaginative approach to crime, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar are already ahead of the race, acknowledging the efforts made by their community representatives in the police services, to control crimes. Shindo Barquer, the Police Chief Inspector of

Rt Hon Keith Vaz, CB Patel and Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable with Dr Kusoom Vadgama receiving the Editor’s Award.

On the other hand, Dr Rami Ranger, OBE received the Business Person of the Year award at the 11th AAA, for his success in every sense of the word and for demonstrating genuine passion for social issues.

Managing Director of Sun Mark Ltd, he is also the founder member of the Hindu Forum Britain and the Chairman of the British Sikh Association.

While the Metropolitan

West Midlands police has had 24 years of outstanding achievements and been a ideal and mentor to officers and community members and was the winner for the category of Uniformed and Civil Services.

There were many more such prominent winners at the 11th Asian Achievers Awards, which was organised by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar on 16th September at the Great Hall,

Wembley Stadium. The awards recognised, rewarded and honoured high achievers amongst British Asians and was attended by over 1000 people.

This year the Chief Guest was Dr Vince Cable, Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills and the comperes of the evening were Naynesh Desai and Joti Patel and the entertainment was presented by Navin Kundra, Shiamak Davar's dance troupe and Sirish Kumar and Clem Alford.

The Awards were presented in the presence of an impressive array of high net worth individuals, industry captains, high level decision makers, parliamentarians, community leaders and senior professionals.

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, Asian Business Publication Ltd said, “It’s the only award which people nominate and the independent panel of Judges decide the short listed candidates and winners...I know everyone cannot get wards or nominated but there are so much potential in Asian community.”

Asian Achievers Awards is unique, in that readers and members of the public nominate candidates and an independent panel of judges selects the winner after much deliberation.

Every year we receive a record number of nominations and the calibre of the candidates are very impressive.The grand dinner and ceremony provided an opportunity for guests to donate gener-

Subashkaran Alirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile and Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable with Dr Rami Ranger OBE receiving the Business Person of the Year Award

ously to our charity of the yearSILVER STAR. Shernaaz Engineer, Winner of Business in Community award said, “I feel very elated. I didn’t even know that I was nominated until I was told that I was on the short-list and was invited to attend the event.”

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP said, “The Asian achievers awards demonstrate the fact that we need to recognise the talent of all the communities. CB Patel and Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice do it in such an outstanding way.”

Last year's chief guest was Lord McNally and the charity of the year 2010 was Oxfam and we raised around £40,000 and much more was pledged later.

The winners of the Asian Achievers Awards 2011 are: Dr Rami Ranger OBE- Business

person of the year, Prof Bhupendra Jasani - Professional of the year, Mitesh Patel-Young Entrepreneur of the year, Major Tikendra dal DewanAchievement in Community Services, Rajiv Ouseph - Sports personality of the year, Bobby Singh Bansal-Achievement in Media, Art & Culture, Shernaz Engineer-Business in Community, Ruby McGregorSmith- Women of the year, Shindo Barqer-Uniformed and Civil services.

The Editor's Award for Vision and Enterprise was awarded to Dinesh Patel from Co-fresh and Editor's Award for Research and Compilation was awarded to Dr Kusoom Vadgama.

(Detailed report to follow in our post event magazine)

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Cllr Sachin Rajput Conservative Greater London Assembly Candidate For Brent & Harrow

By Spriha Srivastava

Better learning for improvements

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy hit it off The trio gave an electrifying performance over the weekend at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Said to be there first performance in the UK, Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy did not even for a moment leave the audiences wondering or bored or less enthusiastic. The crowd danced to the tunes of many of their hits and cheered after every number.

Ram Kumar, an Indian professional in London attended the show and couldn’t stop praising the performance. He said, “It was fabulous, an electrifying show absolutely and the trio have incomparable energy levels.”

With soundtracks from Kal Ho Naa Ho to Dil Chahta Hai and My Name is Khan, the trio are one of the most popular bollywood musicians of this decade. And just as their latest release Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara goes beyond expectations, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, guitarist Ehsaan Noorani and keyboard player Loy Mendonsa) made their stunning UK debut at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The show also featured Karan & KSPARK dancers from the Star Plus show “Just Dance” along with a specially-commissioned audiovisual pro-

Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa

duction of Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali – a new interpretation incorporating music, poetry and dance to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Tagore in 2011.

Presented by Asian Music Circuit, the show was worth the entire wait for Londoners.

MBKD – a not so new story Yashraj’s latest flick – Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (MKBD) speaks the entire story for itself.

Hearing the name of the movie can in short tell you what the gist of the entire movie is.

However, I won’t disappoint you by saying that it’s just that. Like every bollywood film, there is some action, lot of romance, some running around the trees, a climax in the end and then a happily ever after ending.

So, if that’s the case then why watch this film? Watch it for Katarina and Imran. While Katarina is truly a star in this movie, Imran Khan has improved a great deal in terms of his acting skills. If you see Jaane tu, which was a brilliant movie and then watch MKBD, you will see that Imran has become more matured in terms of his acting skills.

Ali Zafar plays big brother to Kush (Imran Khan) and lives in London.

After a break-up with his long-standing girlfriend, he asks Kush to find a girl for him. So younger brother Kush is out to find a bride for his elder brother Luv and finally hits upon the perfect bride in the form of Dimple (Katrina Kaif).

And there isn’t much of a story to tell after this.

What follows on is a great Indian wedding promo with a big farm house and tones of relatives. The characters are cliché but the dialogues are nice and the slightly different treatment of

the much used screenplay manages to provide us with quite a few laughs.

The screenplay also shifts a lot between the real and the impossible and while certain shifts are enjoyable some of them are too tough to handle. The scene with Katarina making crowds crazy while strumming a guitar with no sound connections or logictics check was definitely over the top. Forget about the fact that she somehow manages to start an entire concert at the Agra Fort with her entire band and without permission.

So leaving all the fantasies apart, this story could have been better with a little more innovation that the current Bollywood endeavours seem to be lacking. I guess Zafar was just following the crowd, only he didn’t say the word remake.

The movie is definitely watchable if you leave your reasoning behind in your closet at home. While there are a few scenes that will make you laugh, overall the movie has no storyline or script. It’s high time hindi cinema starts moving away from what has already been done and dusted. The movie reminded me in many ways of the earlier film “Sorry Bhai” and also many resemblances with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

All in all even with an old story line, Katarina and Imran save the movie and make it watchable.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

What do we mean about striving for more transparency within public authorities? I consider there are two kinds of public authorities namely pure public authorities which provide direct public services such as local councils, the Greater London Assembly, police forces and the like and secondly, other organisations with a remit of a public nature such as an organisation, private or otherwise, which has been granted a contract to undertake some form of work or service of a public nature. Regardless of which category we are considering of the two we live in an era where the public demand much more information.

Freedom of Information Act requests are now common practice and in all but the exempted categories such as in matters of national security this information should be forthcoming.

Most requests are genuine with a resident having a general desire for that information where it meets criteria for disclosure but sadly there will always undoubtedly be scope for mischief too. It is fair to say that with Freedom of Information Act requests much time is taken by paid civil servants to comply with the regulations and to illicit the relevant information for the intended recipient which whilst promoting transparency is a cost burden to the public purse in relation to the civil servant’s time in compliance. Surely as a cost saving measure alone it makes more sense to provide as much information as possible in the first instance to limit the amount of Freedom of Information requests being made by individuals?

Last year with the general election in this country resulting in us having a Conservative Prime Minister, the Government, listening to the people, stressed its resolve to push for more transparency, not as a cost saving measure as I outline above which could be considered a by-

product of the ultimate aim but, because the Conservative Party understood that more information should be readily available without the public having to spend time looking for it whether through excessive internet searching, at libraries or by having to make requests for information for example and that this would help people to hold public bodies to account.

Communities Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles MP, was well ahead of the curve last summer for example when he said "Getting council business out in the open will revolutionise local government.

Local people should be able to hold politicians and public bodies to account over how their hard earned cash is being spent and decisions made on their behalf.

They can only do that effectively if they have the information they need at their fingertips.

Throwing open the council books will open the door to new businesses and encourage greater innovation and entrepreneurism. Organisations that might have been effectively locked out before, including voluntary sector and small business, will be in a much stronger position to pitch for contracts and bring new ideas and solutions to the table."

This was a welcome push for the public benefit and one which has resulted in many councils across the country already publishing more information on their websites including but not limited to details of upcoming tenders and contracts and lists of council expenditure over certain limits such as £500 in some cases. It is pleasing to note that the Government’s vision of more transparency and openness goes further than just local councils and to areas such as law and order too.

Anyone who has heard Bernard HoganHowe QPM speak since being appointed as the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service last week will

have heard the words “more transparency” said more than a dozen times in relation to his vision of policing London and whilst I congratulate him on his appointment I trust that he will achieve that aim whilst maintaining an excellent working relationship with Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP the Home Secretary, both of whom have done tremendous amounts of work to increase police numbers and work to reduce the fear of crime.

We are also in an era where discussion is ensuing as to how much courtroom advocacy, deliberations and sentencing remarks should be televised when being made public.

As a legal practitioner with much trial experience I declare an interest in this topic and urge caution to be exercised when both balancing the needs of transparency and openness for the public benefit whilst maintaining good courtroom etiquette coupled with encouraging an environment where victims of crime for example feel they can come to Court to give evidence freely and without undue hindrance, risk or pressure whereso applicable and with relevant safeguards in place.

I personally look forward to the movements on this in relation to law and to how far the openness and transparency agenda can safely and properly go.

Whilst just over one year on since the general election it appears that the Government’s vision of more openness and transparency is gaining much steam as it progresses across the whole range of public bodies and whilst the public watches this materialise further we can only hope that this transformation agenda when complete can be a lasting legacy of opportunity for all and with an easier ability to make comparisons between organisations too to inform better learning for improvement in areas such as Local Government spending.

Queensbury PCSO visit SWO (UK) Centre Queensbury Ward PCSO visit SWO (UK) center in Queensbury as part of the worship week. The aim of the visit was to strengthen the good relationship with community group in

Queensbury and work together with residents to keep the area safe from crime.

Sargent Sashi Vagadia with his team of officers attended the weekly evening function

to brief resident on keeping their home secure and especially asking ladies not to wear gold chains when they walk in their local parks.

He informed residents his team of officers

would be happy to visit individual homes to advise them on how to secure their homes. This was followed by the opportunity for individual’s discussion where crime prevention advice

was given and literature available to take away.

Several youth members from the center and other community groups in Queensbury had attended the local police station after the recent

summer riots. The aim of the visit was to get an insight on the cause of the riots and see what can be done to get youths engaged in sports and local community center activities.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Political Sketchbook

“Our London” CIIr Navin Shah AM

London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

Alpesh Patel’s

“REMEMBERING WITH HOPE” 9/11 Terrorist Attack Last year in August / September I shared my thoughts, emotions and experience of ‘Ground Zero’ site visit during my holiday in New York.

Leading up to the anniversary of 9/11 2001 terrorist attack on ground zero (the former World Trade Buildings site) was the controversy about Islamic Centre with a mosque planned two blocks from the ground zero site. At the same time I also wrote about the ‘Preview Site’ adjacent the Ground Zero site which displayed an exhibition of the proposals for a ‘National September 11 Memorial and Museum’ designed to demonstrate, its vision to convey “the consequences of terrorism….. and affirm a commitment to the fundamental values of human life”.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the gruesome act of terror and destruction. It also presents us again individually and as the world community another opportunity to reflect on the incident and learn lessons for the future. On Sunday 11th September there were high- profile memorial commemoration services held worldwide. I joined London’s multi-faith representatives to remember and reflect, at a somber service held at St Paul’s Cathedral, the tragic day under the banner of aptly worded message “Remembering with hope”. The event at the Cathedral also commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the Firefighter’s Memorial Trust.

Addressing the congregation at the service Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, stated how people from many backgrounds had come together “to pray tribute for the future security of the world, for a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect, for peace and freedom, for justice and the rule of law.” The reflection remembered with gratitude the men

and women serving in Emergency Services like the Police and Fire and their sacrifice to save us in dangers. The very recent example of the bravery of our Police and Firefighters was their dedication and heroic bravery during the riots in London and other areas of Britain. As London Assembly’s representative on London Fire Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) I’m particularly proud of the great role played by our fire service in protecting London from fires and protecting lives.

Together with representatives of Interfaith Groups, the congregation was attended by Bob Neil MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local G o v e r n m e n t , Honourable Louis B. Susman, Ambassador of the United States of America, Courtney Cowart Survivor of 9/11, London Fire Brigade and representatives of Firefighters’ Memorial Trust etc.

After the service, prayers were held at the memorial statue of firefighters, opposite the Cathedral, led by the Chaplain to the Firefighters Memorial Trust and National Chairman of the Association of Jewish ExServicemen and Women.

The moving experience I witnessed at St Paul’s Cathedral brought back to me the memories from my visit to Ground Zero site and the message of harmony and hope conveyed through the proposed ‘National September 11 Memorial and Museum’ on Ground Zero Site; the prime mission of the project is commemoration and education. I’m pleased that the ‘National September 11 Memorial and Museum’ is now open. It is for us to learn lessons from 9/11 and all such dark days in the history of mankind and work together in the spirit of hope for a peaceful world.

The Politics of Godhra I write to you from Chennai. So what is troubling India? Well one thing is Narendrabhai Modi and the ghosts of Godhra. Here are some things you don’t hear.

The issue Did the Chief Minister instruct police officials to hold off protection of Muslims thereby being complicit in their deaths? You don’t hear much about the issue. That is the issue.

Hindus died. That does not mean that Muslim deaths were justified. It does not mean that when a train of Hindus are burnt for their religious beliefs, due legal process should be abstained and mob rule overtake matters. But I don’t so much hear that Hindus died. I almost get the impression from media coverage that Hindus one fine morning awoke and decided to kill them some Muslims.

That Muslims are a minority is even more reason to ensure due process and due recognition of their deaths, for those in the majority and in power could easily be corrupted into protecting only those who share their faith. But Muslims seem to have little to fear given how many Hindus are vocally protecting their interests and presenting law suits. I seriously don’t mean to make a sectarian, but only a seri-

ous point. Hindus standing up for Muslims reduces our worries about a miniority without voice or support from the majority.

We must recognise that for some people justice equals them winning and no judicial outcome will satisfy them.

You don’t hear that, quite frankly, the British government is afraid of muslims in Britain providing a backlash if the diplomatic post in Ahmedabad is elevated to a Deputy High Commission which is justified by the status of Gujarat’s trading. Oh, Beijing can be an Embassy, forget human rights, but Gujarat cannot – to the detriment of British trade, because successive British Governments are afraid of their domestic muslim population.

You don’t hear that for some losing in the ballet box, means trying to win through the legal system.

It is how George W Bush beat Al Gore. They couldn’t vote out Modi, so litigate him out.

You don’t hear, that the ambulance chasing litigators pursuing Modi are actually more concerned about keeping him out of office, than they are about the deaths of muslims.

You don’t hear liberal Delhi-ites talking much about how when Sikhs were massacred in 1984 in Delhi – not much was done – but

then again their ‘Gandhi dynasty’ worship prohibited that. Well they should remember the real Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, not Indira or Rajeev or Sonia, came from Gujarat – the last one didn’t even come from India, but the deity worship of the name goes on.

What you do hear: I do get a lot of feedback when I write on this issue that ‘Narendrabhai Modi was complicit in genocide.’ Why? Did he do it because he lives in a dictatorship and needed to shore up power? Did he do it because he wanted to kill his chances of becoming PM? Did he do it because bloody rage and revenge overtook his mind and senses? Did he do it because controlling the national media, no one would ever find out?

Did he do it because there being no political parties in Gujarat he didn’t need to worry and did it because he could?

You do hear that anyone defending Modi is an RSS saffron wearing Hindu fanatic fundamentalist. Hmmm….really? If the Chief Minister did anything to knowingly, intentionally, hinder the protection of guilty or innocent people – he should be imprisoned. Not very saffron that statement is it? But the issue is did he? Why would he?

Alpesh B Patel

Ferrari driver faces jail Tarlochan Singh, was on trial this week at Coventry Crown Court for one charge of dangerous driving. A jury of 10 women and two men took an hour and 40 minutes to return a unanimous guilty verdict.

Sentencing is yet to take place.

The trial heard from 11 witnesses who described hearing the loud revving of the sports car’s engine and seeing Singh driving at speeds of up to 30mph, where the limit is 5mph.

During cross examination, Mr Singh, who said he worked as a taxi driver in the city, said witnesses had “fabricated” the whole story.

Sentencing for Mr Singh has been postponed until October for a report to be prepared by the Probation Office and he is currently on bail.

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Dee Katwa

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

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

News in Brief

More kids means more cash from the taxpayer People in some ethnic minority communities are having too many children in order to claim more benefits, the UK’s first female Asian peer has claimed.

Baroness Shreela Flather, pictured, accused Pakistani and Bangladeshi families in particular of abusing the welfare system. During a debate in the Lords last Tuesday on the Welfare Reform Bill, the former Conservative peer, who now sits as a crossbencher, called for benefit cuts to discourage people from having extra children.

“The minority communities in this country, particularly the Pakistanis and the Bangladeshis, have very large numbers of children and the money that follows the child is an attraction. Nobody likes to accept that or talk about it because it is supposed to be very politically incorrect.”

“Well, I am politically incorrect,” said the 67year-old, “and there is

no doubt that six or seven children give you a far larger income than three or four. I think it is about time that we stop people using children as a means of increasing the amount of money that they receive.”

The peer, born in Lahore before the partition of India, said the issue did not apply to families of Indian origin.

In addition, she claimed Indian families had a different mentality to Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in the UK. “Indians have fallen into the pattern here,” she told peers. “They do not have large families because they are like the Jews of old. They want their children to be educated.

This is the other problem – there is no emphasis on education in the Pakistani and

Organ donor waiting list There are 1,016 patients in the West Midlands who are in desperate need of a heart, lung, kidney or liver transplant. But the donor waiting list is like the lottery, it’s either win or lose, the latter being death in some cases. In the past five months, 13 patients waiting for a transplant have already died.

Holiday risks on insurance Almost a fifth of Brummies have admitted to have taken the risk of going on holiday without travel insurance. And almost 25% of Birmingham citizens have said they buy travel insurance without even checking the policy to see if it covers their needs, according to new research by www.incahoot.com.

High-flier appointment Birmingham Airport has appointed William Pearson as its key sales representative. Dad-of-two Mr Pearson, 44, from Cheshire, is currently head of aviation sales at Manchester Airport. He will be spending a great deal of time on the road and overseas, attending the industry’s main global trade events.

MP spotted at Asda Tory MP Nadine Dorries, pictured, has been busier than usual. Last week, she did a three-hour stint in a supermarket to provide her daughter with items for a first term at university. But, her daughter complained that everything she was taking to university was labelled “Asda”. Oh dear.

Racist juniors Schoolkids in Birmingham are the most racist and homophobic in the country, according to a new report by the Manifesto Club, the civil liberties group. Last year, more than 20,000 pupils aged 11 or younger were put on record for what were deemed ‘hatecrimes’. The records can be passed from primaries to secondaries, or even handed to future employers or universities as part of a student reference.

Bangladeshi families.”

Baroness Flather – the great grand-daughter of Sir Ganga Ram, a noted engineer, philanthropist and agriculturalist in Punjab, India - called for a gradual reduction in benefits in order to discourage large families and suggested payments should be reduced after a couple’s first two children.

The Welfare Reform Bill is the biggest shake-up

Seeking an affair

of the benefits system for 60 years. A universal payment to replace 51 income-related workbased benefits, such as child tax credit, is planned, as are stricter rules for people losing their benefits if they refuse a job.

In the UK, there are 1.5 million people who have never worked. Three key benefits – jobseekers allowance, housing benefit and income support – cost about £30 billion. The Bangladeshi population in Birmingham stands at around 25,000 and Pakistani, 200,000, the highest of any local authority in the UK. In addition, the Bangladeshis are the most likely Asian group to be renting from Birmingham City Council – at about 22% - and housing associations – at just over 14%.

Sixteen per cent of people in the West Midlands are actively looking for affairs, a survey has found. Adult dating site www.MaritalAffair.co.uk found people looking for affairs are most likely to be male, aged 46 to 50, degree educated, married for up to seven years, with children.

NHS Trust AGM The annual general meeting of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust will take place at 6.30pm on September 29 at Conference Suite, Thomas Suite, West Bromwich. Free to attend, all welcome.

Car dealer fined A car salesman who unwittingly sold a “death trap” to trading standards officers has been ordered to pay £12,000 in fines and costs. Chumack Singh Rangla, 31, of Oxley, Wolverhampton, was caught posing as a private seller of cars that were “not only unroadworthy but actually dangerous”. The father-of-three, who had been in debt, including owing the bank £105,000 for loans taken on his house, pleaded guilty to eight charges of engaging in unfair commercial practices.

Milan boss ‘stole 23k’ Tarun Arora, a manager with Milan, the Birminghambased Indian restaurant, has been arrested by West Midlands Police over an allegation that he stole £23,000. Mr Arora, 33, has been charged with one count of theft by an employee and was due to attend a plea and case management hearing at Birmingham Crown Court this Thursday (Sept 22). It is alleged that Mr Arora pocketed the money by not processing cash payments from customers, as reported in the Sunday Mercury. Milan, the popular vegetarian eaterie, is owned and run by a Patel family, originally from Mombasa in East Africa.

Charged with murder A suspect accused of the murder of Rajkumar Thurairajah from Nottingham, has appeared in court.

Jure Slivnik, 30, was remanded in custody and will appear again on December 22. Mr Thurairajah, 45, was found with serious injuries at a flat in Radford last Wednesday. He was rushed to hospital but died later from his wounds.

Why? Why? Why?

IAB hosts Eid event

Navaratri, the annual nine-night Indian festival begins next week. But why do Hindus celebrate this, and Diwali too? To find out, come to Shri Krishna Temple, Sparkbrook, Birmingham (B11 1JL) this Saturday (Sep 24) at 6.30pm. The two-hour event will be hosted by priest Rakeshbhai Bhatt. For more information, call organiser Hemaben Chauhan on 07790 269833.

Great event, yet again, by the team at the Institute of A s i a n Businesses this time to celebrate Eid. Compered by accountant Saqib Bhatti (pictured far right) one of IAB’s younger committee members, the event brought together over 200 guests. Speakers included Lee Kilgour (pictured second from right) head of Aston University’s new Engineering Academy and Corrie Harris, head of employer services at City College - led by Stuart Cutforth, one of the country’s most modest college principals and a real changemaker. It was good to see IAB’s new president, Nasir Awan (pictured, centre) making an effort to introduce himself to attendees. In his opening remarks, he paused for a few seconds after realising a page from his speech was missing, which prompted mass laughter, but quickly resolved the embarrassing glitch. Live entertainment by Fursaan, a Muslim boy band, won rapturous applause for their outstanding performance. Over and above, the round-table event was enjoyed by all.

Karate coach ‘raped’ girl A karate instructor from Birmingham has denied raping a schoolgirl who attended his martial arts classes. At Gloucester Crown Court, Jaspal Riat, 48, of Handsworth Wood, denied two charges of raping the girl when she was aged 13 or 14. The jury heard how Riat, pictured, from the Koshin-Ryu Academy of Martial Arts, or KAMA, had “one night, after a training session led her up some stairs and kissed her with an open mouth. He then kept sending her texts and even offered her private karate tuition in his home.” The girl has died since the alleged offences.

Jagdeep helps charity The coffers of Neuromuscular Centre West Midlands, a charity, got a boost of £904.02, thanks to Jagdeep Kaur Sehmbi (pictured, centre) one of its trustees, who had organised a charity event. The event featured Bhangra troupe Nachda Sansaar, henna artists Rinki Saggu and Gurmit Bansal, Indian food and clothing stalls and more.

The charity helps people with muscle disease. In the UK, over 60,000 people suffer from muscular dystrophy. To find out more visit www.nmcwestmids.co.uk

Photo: Kayie Photography

8

‘Mosque’ attacked A Birmingham college has been targeted by vandals after rumours led them to believe that a golden-clad part of the building was a mosque. It is in fact a conference centre. The centre, which opened this month, is part of Bournville College in Longbridge which has had a £66 million revamp. College Principal Norman Cave said: “It doesn’t even look like a mosque so how people are jumping to this conclusion I don’t really know.”

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Navratri 2011 in Liverpool Ankur in Merseyside and Hindu Cultural Organisation are organising Navratri festival in Liverpool.

Navratri-is one of the greatest Hindu festivals Celebrated in many forms.

An ancient Hindu festival originating from Vedic times it can be explained from the stories mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Navratrimeaning 'nine nights' in Sanskrit ‘nava’ means nine and ‘Ratri’ meaning nights. It coincides with the harvest time, and good harvest is celebrated by planting nine different kinds of food grains to offer saplings in the puja.

The three goddess's Durga, Laxshmi and Saraswati are worshipped as the manifestation of shakti or cosmic energy and creative power. There is also the story of demon Mahishasura and Durga mata, a battle for good over evil which raged for 9 nights, where eventually the good triumphed over evil. During Navratri there is also the Durga puja, marks the occasion when lord Shiva gave permission to Durga to see her mother for nine days.

Shakti Vrund - a

Traditional Folk music group will be performing authentic Gujarati GarbaRass-Ramjhaniyu-SanedoHinch-Aarti-Stuti of Shri Maa Amba and RadhaKrishna.

Shakti Vrund is led by Rakesh Joshi, singer and composer based in Manchester.

Group of ten musicians will be performing joyful traditional and Sugam Gujarati songs accompanied by Tabla, Dhol, Dholak, Bansuri, Harmonium, Keyboard and percussions. Please come with your family and friends to enjoy traditional folk music of the Gujarat and dance with the community and students in Liverpool. The Navratri festival will be celebrated every night 8 pm till 11 pm from 28th September to 5th October at Radhakrishna Temple, 235 Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 2PH.

UK 'Invisible ink' Al-Qaeda fanatic released An Al Qaeda fanatic who was jailed for 10 years for his part in a mass murder plot is back on the streets after just three years behind bars.

Manchester taxi driver Habib Ahmed, now 32, was sentenced to 10 years in prison - nine for being a member of the terror group and an additional one year for possessing a document for terror related purposes at Manchester Crown Court in 2008.

However, he has now been freed on licence after serving less than a third of his sentence and is living in a bail hostel in Manchester.

Habib, from north Manchester, was caught in possession of two diaries which had details of top Al-Qaeda operatives written in invisible ink described in court as a terrorist's contact book.

The diaries were given to him by co-defendant Rangzieb Ahmed, now 33,

British Indians in the UK celebrates India's Independence Day The British Indian community in the UK celebrated India's Independence Day at the Indian Gymkhana Club in London on Sunday 18th September.

The celebration was organised by the community, with the help of the Indian High Commission to the UK, with a series of cultural programmes including one by students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, children's painting competitions and entertainment programmes.

Addressing the gathering, Acting

Indian High Commissioner to the UK Rajesh Prasad said he is happy that the Indian community was in the forefront in organising the event as a "community" event.

Describing India as a diverse country with a large population, Prasad said, "we are proud that we are an open, free and democratic society".

Referring to the vast progress made by Indians in the UK, the Acting High Commissioner also told the Indian community: "You have done us proud".

Habib Ahmed & Rangzieb Ahmed

also jailed for life, who headed a three-man al Qaeda service cell which was preparing to commit the atrocities, the court heard. Among the names and phone numbers in the diaries were al Qaeda's

9

suspected former no 3, Hamza Rabia. Habib was spotted leaving a Manchester bail hostel this weekend to visit his wife, according to The Sun. Habib Ahmed's wife, Mehreen Haji, 28, was cleared of two counts of arranging funding for the purposes of terrorism. The National Offender Management Service said: 'Serious offenders on licence are subject to strict conditions and controls.'

Brothers jailed over 'cash for crash' insurance scam Two brothers who made £995,915 in one of the biggest ever "crash for cash" car insurance scams have been jailed.

Rezwan Javed, 34, and his older brother Rehan, 36, who organised fraudulent claims after bogus road accidents caused by other members of a crime group were sentenced to six and five

years at Minshull Street crown court, Manchester.

They ran a company which took a cut of solicitors' referral fees, courtesy car hire and the cost of storage and recovery. In October 2008, another member of the gang, Mohammed Patel, was jailed after admitting being the driver in more than 90 collisions.

Postman burned thousands of letters A postman has been convicted for burning thousands of items of junk mail because it was too heavy for him to carry on deliveries.

Abdul Gafur objected to putting the 'bin fodder' through doors on his rounds, so he siphoned it out of his mail, burned some and kept piles more in the garden of

his home. However, imposing a six month jail sentence suspended for 18 months and ordering Gafur to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC said that the Royal Mail was "a distinguished British postal institution renowned for its reliability."

YOUR VOICE

10

AAA Event on Friday 16th September 2011 I have attended AAA Event since last 8 years on regular basis and have seen this Award Event being improved and managed professionally each year.

Event on Friday 16th September 2011 in my view was the best ever I have attended and my compliments to entire team of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.

I was impressed to see the awards going to deserving candidates who were chosen by an independent jury consisting of eminent individuals not restricted to Asian Community only.

Words said at the award ceremony still echoes in my ears – “Without CB there would be no Asian Voice, No Gujarati Paper of high esteem and above all there would have been no AAA Ceremony. How true is this statement as we accept such events without much though not realising that such mega – events are perception of an individual assisted by aspiring work force who are dedicated to the cause to serve the readership and community it works for.

Words are not enough to express my appreciations.

CJ Rabheru Via Email

Pensions Claw-back The Public and Commercial Services Union announced that it will call another one-day national strike on 30 November in protest at public-sector pension changes. The union, which represents 280,000 civil servants, would be consulting with other unions about the possibility of a coordinated walkout as part of its campaign against the changes which will see personal contributions increase by 3% and a move from final salary to career average pensions. Unison, Unite and GMB which represent teachers, nurses and firefighters will also join forces so that there will be a concerted, coordinated action the like of which has not bee seen here for 85 years.

As a retired Civil Servant, I have every sympathy with the civil and public servants who will be striking against the proposals to make brutal changes in their pensions. They have a valid grievance as the expectations of their entire life are to be taken away. People in the private sector are envious of the people in the public sector but the huge amount of civil servants’ pensions quoted in the press are enjoyed by only the higher echelons of the service. The majority get only a pittance as the amounts are based on a formula of one eightieth of the number of years of service times the salary. So a clerical worker on say £15,000 pa will get a meagre £7,500 after serving a whopping 40 years. The Government has already made a switch in the rate at which pension payments increase from the more favourable retail price index (RPI) to the less generous consumer price index (CPI). This is fundamentally unfair.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Tenth anniversary of 9/11 In the history of mankind the date 11th Sept., 2001 otherwise known as 9/11 will go down as one of the most cruel and barbaric acts that man has ever committed against man. It will be remembered as the event when for the first time ever in the world history man has used man as missiles to destroy life and property.

It is true Muslims were responsible for the attack on the World Trade Centre.

It is obvious an action of this nature would naturally invite a reaction.

Unfortunately the reaction has cost even more lives and destroyed a huge number of properties and industries causing misery to millions of people. What is happening is continuing acts of revenge and retribution derived from the concept of us and them or more appropriately us against them. It is a concept originated from the Middle East, a concept that has divided the humanity into different camps with views and beliefs that naturally lead to conflict as is the case today.

Could the reaction to the attack on the WTC be different to resolve the issue?

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Eye for an eye will make the whole world blind".

He won the Indian independence for all Indians without firing a single shot. But today while settling disagreements revenge and retribution have become the general norm of human reaction. One can see the reason why Gandhiji made such a profound statement and in the context of continuing international terrorism how valuable is the meaning and substance of such a statement.

Dr. Jatindra Saha Via email

Arya Kanya Gurukul Porbandar On behalf of Arya Kanya Gurukul Porbandar and Nanji Kalidas Mehta family, I sincerely express our deep sense of gratitude for an excellent coverage of our Platinum Jubilee Celebration intimation in your editions of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.

The popularity of your well-read newspapers is upto that extent a great more than 50 past student of our Gurukul had sent their emails asking further details of these milestone events.

Many of them have read you paper in USA through internet.

Congratulation for the worthiness of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, a first and foremost and English weeklies in Europe. we are indeed proud of you.

Suresh Kothari Porbandar India

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

SC reprieve for Modi in 2002 Gujarat riot case It is reassuring that SC noticed trial by press and media, lying, cheating and bribery during 2002 riot trials, sufferings of all accused and perversion of law affecting justice, decided not to issue verdict in Gujarat 2002 riots case.

Disgruntled bigots are shamelessly demonstrating against fasting by Modiji.

Spin doctors have started whispering that Modiji may be next prime minister.

With many scandals that has embarrassed UPA, this may snow-ball into ROAR, much to chagrin of anti Modi and fanatic communalists. Modiji’s may compete with other brilliant and intelligent candidates e.g. Advaniji, Arun Jaitly, Jayalalitha, and Nitish. But inclusion of Rahul Gandhi as adversary is absurd.

America refused visa to Mr Modi now points him as potential prime minister.

Noting America’s quarrel with its favourite ally Pakistan and fate of former allies Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, America’s praise of Modiji must be viewed with caution.

Rahul has no convincing experience, academic qualifications or credentials except belonging to Nehru dynasty, but is displaying non Indian mentality inherited from Italian mother. YET, Rahul might become prime minister assisted by Muslim vote block and voting majority who are trapped in poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, may be bribed or bullied to vote for UPA. Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

India’s abject surrender It is the law of nature, higher one may climb, spectacular is the fall. No fall could be more total than the abject surrender in the last four tests and the loss of ODI, an unparalleled whitewash in the history of Indian cricket. Dhoni and co have not only let down their adoring fans but dishonoured the country that has given them untold riches and God like stature. In sports, it is but natural for one side to lose. But this was gutless, pride less and shameful surrender worthy of guillotine. Then the fault line is not with the players alone but with BCCI who have created IPL monster, the money churning but soul destroying machine. In the process they have not only marginalised test match cricket but made players so rich that there is no pride, no fight left in them. They are more like pampered Bollywood stars than gusty cricketers who could stand up to fast, rising balls that need courage and skill to play. At least in this department, Indian cricketers are at the bottom of the league.

Dhoni, once a proud cricketer, a master batsman, is a pale shadow of his former self, although his performance in the last two ODI was on par. In India, it is not how well you perform but who you know dominates the selection process.

With Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Zahir Khan and perhaps Virendra Shevag on the verge of retirement, the future of Indian cricket could not be bleaker.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

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

E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

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

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

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

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

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A US congressional Research report speculates that Narendara Modi could be BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate in 2014 Lok Sabha elections and he is very likely face newly anointed congress secretary Rahul Gandhi.

The attempt by American congressional committee to project Narendra Modi as the leader of the BJP is a deliberate attempt to create disunity among BJP leaders and allow Rahul Gandhi to become the Prime minster to continue dynastic rule. It is true that overseas Gujaratis living in the UK and America are trying to project him as the future Prime Minister of India.

There are several pitfalls if Modi is projected as a future Prime Minister’s candidate. Gujarat is a middle size state in India with 60 million population. The Muslim population in India is more than 150 million. Modi is still unpopular with Indian Muslims especially living in the UK and America. The Indian Muslims living in Western countries succeeded in persuading America and UK not to issue visa to come to these countries. Modi is denied visa in the name of personal security and the British labour party did not grant a visa.

The regional parties in the South tend to support the Congress party and people in the North will not support Modi because of the large number of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. It is true BJP needs a credible leader to challenge Rahul Gandhi. BJP should promote Sushma Swaraj, Shah Nawaz Hussein, Ram Singh and Ravi shanker Prasad. THE BJP has failed to promote young leaders and old leaders like Advani is still in the limelight.

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email

Humiliation a deterrence The recent riots that brought so much misery and shame to this country's reputation will soon be forgotten as other events take place in our fast moving daily lives. A possible radical cost effective solution for future riots could be tried and tested method used in India for other countries.

Those convicted should be made to ride on a donkey's back, with head shaven and walked through the local high street with 'brass bands' playing. Imagine the novelty scene for the British public and what a debate it will ignite.

I feel this will be very effective as there is nothing worse even for a hard core criminal to lose his/her dignity and publicly humiliated.

Think about millions of pounds that the government will save from prosecutions, imprisonment and other costs.

And the cost of hiring donkeys could be a benefit for donkey sanctuaries. One never knows this form of punishment if made legal- can become international!!

Jagdish S Vaghela Neasden

More on page 13

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Health Watch

Modi vs Rahul

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EDUCATION / COUNCIL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

New magazine and website launched to help overseas students settle better A New magazine and website helping Indian and Pakistani students settle into British culture is launched The UK has been welcoming students from India and Pakistan for generations.

Statistics show the number of Indian students in Great Britain has almost doubled in the past 12 years and the number of Pakistani students is growing year on year.

Both India and Pakistan are part of the top ten non-EU sending countries, with Indian students making up the second highest number of international students in Britain.

The latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show there were 40,350 Indian students and

mates the demand for UK higher education from overseas students will grow by eight per cent a year.

However, the GB Bag has found whilst Indian and Pakistani students excel in their studies, they find living in the UK a bit of a culture shock as it’s so different to their own culture.

Swarnalatha Kanagala, from Mumbai studying for an MA in Marketing Queen's Guard and GB Bag's and Advertising at Alicia Liu at the stall in King's Leeds University College, London photo courtesy: Stuart John Stafford Business School said: “When I arrived in the 10,400 Pakistani students UK a year ago I had in higher education (HE) absolutely no knowledge institutions in 2009-10. of British culture and Despite fears that stricter whilst the university provisa restrictions will cause vided practical help it wasa downturn in the number n’t able to help me adapt of international students, to my new surroundings.” the British Council esti-

First free school for Muslims gets the go-ahead The first free school for Muslims in the country will open in Blackburn, Lancashire, next year.

The business case for Tauheedul Islam Boys' School in Darwen has been approved by the Government.

But opponents have described the decision as 'extremely bad news' for community cohesion and claim it will deprive state schools of vital funds.

Tauheedul Islam Girls' School principal Mufti Hamid Patel, who made the application with governors, has vowed that the school will be a beacon to

raise overall achievements in all schools in Blackburn with Darwen.

Mr Patel said he had developed a curriculum where the school would play an active role in all areas of the community and also had visions to enrol students into university at 16.

The detailed plan includes all students completing 500 hours of community service throughout their school life, specialisms in sport and the Big Society, outdoor pursuits such as canoeing and mountain climbing more than once a year and a fin-

ishing school.

Non-pupils will be able to study GCSE and A-level revision sessions in areas such as Darwen and Shadsworth.

And a Sports' Academy for primary school children will be created. Since the plan was first mooted around 700 pre-registration admission forms have been submitted by parents - including from London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Dewsbury and Bolton - for the first 150 places. Only 50 per cent of the admissions will be allocated to members of the school's affiliated mosques.

11

National Hindu Students Forum (UK)

By Parth Depala

Service to man is service to god True Sewa occurs when one carries out an act without expecting anything in return. Whilst doing this, one is serving God himself. Sewa is an important aspect of Hindu Dharma and it is only termed ‘selfless’ if it is performed solely in the time of great need such as feeding the homeless or reading to the blind.

An act of Sewa can be big, small, long, short, quiet or even loud. It can vary from a huge fundraising event, cleaning up a park, organising bhajans at a mandir to serving food at a soup kitchen.

Keeping this in mind on the 25th September it is National Sewa Day, a day dedicated to sewa and everything it entails.

Following the success of National Sewa Day last year where over a 100 Sewa events were organised across the UK with over 5000 people simultaneously volunteering

their time and efforts to relieve poverty and hardship, an issue still prominent in today’s society, the initiative has now gone global. This year, 10 different countries will participate in the fulfilling act of Sewa, from local communities to universities across the nation.

We as the National Hindu Students Forum (NHSF) UK are encouraging all Hindu Societies across the UK to partake in an act of Sewa on this day. NHSF Manchester are planting a tree in Whitworth Park in Manchester to symbolise the new year ahead, and they are also doing 12 hours of continuous Sewa including activities such as painting, clothes sorting and a soup run.

NHSF Birmingham are volunteering at Acorns Children’s Hospice where they are aiming to make the hospice a more pleasant environment for

the children by cleaning toys, tidying the outdoor garden area and other housekeeping jobs.

NHSF Aston are lending a helping hand by assisting new students move into their accommodation. They are also aiding a local mandir with the maintenance of the premises, helping with aarti and prasad preparation as well as general cleaning.

NHSF Sheffield are also helping clean their local mandir and parking area. These are only a few of the great Sewa activities our chapters are organising.

A small helping hand makes such a large difference and can be an inspiration to thousands. If Yuvraj Singh can support the cause why can’t we.

Go out there and make a difference. www.sewaday.org.uk http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=vp08mw VqQF4 (Yuvraj Singh Supporting Sewa Day)

Freshers forced to live in makeshift cabins Hundreds of first-year students will be forced to live in makeshift cabins as universities scramble to find housing for record-breaking numbers.

At Lincoln University, 200 freshers will be staying in portable buildings with electric heating, a shower, toilet

and two single beds, reported by the Daily Mail. Despite paying fees of around ￡ 3,000 per year, the freshers will spend several months living in the hastily arranged housing, which is monitored

by CCTV cameras.

Lincoln has a record

3,000 students starting at the university this week. There has been a rush to take up places at institutions across the country because this is the academic last year before the tuition fee hike brings the price of studying up to around £9,000 per year.

Good education or Good teachers What do we really want for our child?

Rakesh Joshi

Education is the most important thing that we can give to our children and whilst in good trust we give our children to ‘strangers’ to teach them. Quite frankly, good quality education is rare and hard to come by as it involves many things. For me, quality education is concerned with the development of the mind and the intellect. It is an activity whose main purpose is to enhance the student’s ability to use their mind for own personal pleasure or gain.

Good education, I believe should be based on the ability of the student to understand the

subject taught and to build on that foundation. An architect knows that the deeper the foundation the taller the building he can build. At The Learning Hub, our tuition is aimed at children with a focus on improving their understanding. To us that is the foundation from which the child can grasp new concepts and topics quickly and talk to others about it confidently. We do this by giving the child different flavours of the same topic over a period of time. This gives the child time to absorb the material and relate it to everyday problems.

Whilst this is ongoing, another facet we incorporate into our teaching at The Learning Hub is to encourage the child to interact with the teacher, other members of the staff and their fellow students to develop good reciprocity and cooperation. This is important, for education to us also means building on the child’s social

The Learning Hub Tel: 0208 908 0123

skills with both the young and old to help improve their confidence and communication skills.

Therefore, good education comes from having good teachers, who are passionate about the subject they are teaching and have a degree of patience that allows them to communicate this to their students in a simple and practical manner. They should have a high level of understanding and utilise a systematic approach geared to the success of the students.

At The Learning Hub, we are a specialist centre for the all important 11plus exams taken by children for entrance to selective schools i.e. Grammar and Independent schools. If these results are to go by then The Learning Hub has met its target of becoming a Centre of Excellence in what we do. For, in the past 2 years we have succeeded in helping to secure many places at these prestigious schools. In brief, 9 children

have secured scholarships and a total of 153 places have been awarded to various Grammar and Independent schools.

Why Grammar schools? Well simply because they are high achieving academic schools delivering results similar to Independent fee paying schools but without the fees. In this economic climate, this could mean a saving of about £100,000 over the period of the secondary education received by the child and does not factor in the GCSE or ‘A’ level qualifications obtained.

Nor the ability to thereafter go and study at a top university and the many economic rewards it brings.

Learning for me is where the student is comfortable, enjoying the teaching and having fun.

Whilst this may seem to contradict the traditional twentieth century view that it should comprise of plain simple boring hard work, quite frankly that is negative to learning and may cause

problems later on in life.

The type of work we cover complements the national curriculum and also designed to accelerate the child’s learning progress so that they actually do start to excel at their school. To help this process of accelerated learning, we write our own material to compliment the many resources we have access to.

All this is then wrapped in a seamless manner of regular assessment with an approach that the child should be moved up to the next level in a systematic and positive way.

I believe, good education is brought about by good teachers working to a successful methodology where the success of the student is more important than anything else.

I hope the above has been informative but please feel free to contact us via email at the info@tlhgroup.co.uk for any help or questions you may have.

Website: www.tlhgroup.co.uk | Email: info@tlhgroup.co.uk For: 11+, KS1, KS2, KS3 & GCSEs | Address: Vale Farm, Watford Road, North Wembley, Middlesex, HA0 3HG

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Scrutator’s Better late than never. The US administration issued a statement describing the Indian Mujaheddin “as a global terrorist organisation with significant links to Pakistan,” according to Chidanand Rajghatta, the Times of India's admirable Washington Correspondent (September 15). The US reaction comes in the wake of the recent bombings in Mumbai and New Delhi, for which the Mujaheddin claimed responsibility.

The US State Department statement linked the Mujaheddin to Pakistan terror groups such as the Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) and Harakat ul-Jihad-Islami (HUJI), the aim being to attack non-Muslims “in furtherance of its ultimate objective – an Islamic Caliphate across South Asia.”

Two Kashmiri youths had been arrested by the Indian police for the New Delhi blast, said a BBC World Service report.

Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph's Ben Farmer (September 16) described a fresh row between the US and Pakistan, with US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta complaining that repeated pleas to Islamabad to act against the the Haqqani network, which Washington believes was responsible for the recent terrorist attacks on Kabul, had brought no joy in the US capital.

The Taliban-allied faction was operating from safe havens in Pakistan, but US representations had “made very little progress.” Washington apparently was not going to take this lying down, with Mr Panetta telling reporters that Pakistan should be aware “we're going to do everything we can to defend our forces.”

Ben Farmer: “Western intelligence officials believe Pakistan still uses the [Haqqani] network , which is based in North Waziristan, as a strategic weapon to counter India in Afghanistan. This is denied by Pakistan.”

An increasingly exasperated Leon Panetta thundered: “Time and again we've urged the Pakistanis to exercise their influence over these kinds of attacks from the Haqqanis. And we have made very little progress in that area.” They attack the Americans and then “escape back into what is a safe haven in Pakistan.” Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Tehmina Janjua took exception to Mr Panetta's words, saying, “We believe these remarks are not in line with the co-operation that exists between the two countries.” Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani cancelled his forthcoming visit to the US, citing the monsoon floods in the country's Sindh province. The plot thickens.

Tiger awakes The Financial Times Defence supplement (September 13) carried an obligatory piece by James Lamont - “A tiger awakes to challenge Chinese military”.

He appears to suggest that the Indian tiger's claws and teeth were not in the best shape to see off the dragon next door. There was the customary jibe at the quality of Russian aircraft, with crocodile tears shed for the “brave Indian pilots”. But his primary concern was that India settle for the Eurofighter aircraft, which is produced by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Spain and Italy. India is soon to finalise its long-awaited order for fourth-generation 126 medium-role aircraft, worth $11 billion, as part of its military modernisation. In these hard time the deal could be a life-saver for hard pressed European and British companies.

That said, Mr Lamont would do well to ask why the US military had conducted more war games with India's armed forces than with those of any other country. This includes its vaunted Nato partners.

Sharp teeth Read the following report by Retired Air Commodore Jasjit Singh in the Indian Express (June 30 2004) and you'll soon see why. Apropos of the outcome of the US-India simulated air combat code-named 'Cope India' earlier that year, the Air

Commodore wrote that the United States Air Force was “shaken by the results, ” according to headlines in professional military publications abroad.

The actual flight paths, tactics and results were tracked by state of the art electronic systems.

According to the US Aviation Week & Space Technology, said the Air Commodore the ratio of kills were 7 American planes shot down to 3 Indian, with India's Russian-built SU-30MKI 'shooting down' all four of the US F- 15C in one engagement.

As if this wasn't bad enough the 'venerable MiG-21 at which Mr Lamont had poked fun, got a 'kill' of its own, shooting down a F-15C, a top US warplane as it happens.

Pipavav-Mazgaon tie-up for warships The Economic Times (September 15) reported the tieup between Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company and state-owned Mazgaon Dock is the first private-public partnership in the construction of warships for the Indian Navy. The joint venture, named Mazagaon Dock Pipavav Ltd. Has been listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Pipavav, in Gujarat, has been on an expansion drive following the government's clearance last March permitting the company to build warships, submarines and other vessels for the navy.

The company has won substantial orders for the design and construction of five offshore naval patrol vessels. It has roped in prominent foreign partners such as America's Northrop Grumman and the UK's Babcock Group. Pipavav has also signed a protocol with Russia's state-owned Rosoboron Export for defence co-operation in foreign markets. Pipavav has the most up to date production facilities at its shipyards.

Trials commence for stealth frigate A Press Trust of India (PTI) report (September 1) tells of the commencement of sea trials of the Indian Navy's first of three advanced stealth frigates being built by Russia.

'Teg', is the frigate of Project 11356, also known as Talwar Class. The two warships of the same class are Tarkash' and 'Trikand' are in various stages of construction at the Yantar shipyard in Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad. The new frigates worth $1.5 billion, will be equipped with the force multiplier BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. Teg will be delivered to the Indian Navy early in 2012, the Tarkash will follow later in the year, while the Trikand's delivery is expected in 2013.

Another Russian shipyard has already delivered INS Talwar, INS Trishul and INS

Students taking their degrees at the Space Science and Technology University

them for ISRO,” said Dr space science and technology. At Dasgupta. The IIST Chancellor one stroke the 117 students is Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former filled the Indian Space Research President of India and a distinOrganisation's filled almost half guished rocket scientist.

ISRO's annual recruitment Similar organistions such as needs. And they have kept the HAL, DRDO etc also need large agency's talent pool alive and in numbers of aerospace engineers. good order, said ISRO scientists.

They, too, may embark on simiThe Indian Institute of Space lar educational ventures of their Science and Technology was own to attract the country's established in September 2007, homegrown talent. the brainchild of the ISRO Chairman at the time G. Madhavan Nair who was conIndian help for Africa cerned at the loss of staff from ISRO's eight centres to the India has pledged $8 million to industrial sector. Prime Minister African countries stricken by Manmohan Singh lent a sympadrought and famine, such as thetic ear to Dr Nair's proposal Somalia, Kenya. Ethiopia and for an exclusive centre for space Djibouti. The assistance, which science. The institution was established on a 55 acre site as a matter of national priority, thanks the efforts of the two men. Now the tide is turning. IIST Director, Dr K .

S .Dasgupta, said: “At ISRO, our students start out African countries stricken by drought and famine with a package of Rs 40,000 (a month)......There will be channelled through the are many hidden benefits such World Food Programme. India as staff quarters, loans, medical has also contributed $1.5 million disbursement, besides overseas to the African Union Trust Fund trips.”

According to Dr and $0.5 million to the UN Trust Dasgupta, youngsters now do Fund (Business Line, September 14).

Vietnam, India ties

Spellbound Americans There followed a similar exercise the next year (2005). Shiv Aroor covered the event for the Indian Express (November 18, 2005), in which he quoted the US Pacific Force's Lt General Dave Deptulah as saying: “I have never seen a better executed exercise in my 29 years of service with the USAF......Every single objective of this exercise has been met....It was an exercise on how to operate together.....We will now be prepared if called upon in the future for a contingency, unnamed and unknown.

We will be in a position to respond. We can get onto the task of resolving crisis situations together without wasting time.”

Enough said

Russia starts sea trials of Indian Navy’s Stealth Frigate Teg

Tabar, all stealth frigates equipped with the most lethal weapon systems.

First batch for space varsity The Hindu newspaper (September 10) reported the graduation of the first batch of students from India's first university devoted exclusively to

not think twice about joining the space agency. This year the Thiruvananthapurambased institute received 93,000 applications for 150 seats compared to around 80,000 last year.

The four-year course is statefunded. Tuition is free, so are board and lodging and books.

“More than meeting meeting our own requirements, we mean to catch young minds and groom

The French monthly Le Monde diplomatique (August 2011) published a thoughtful analysis on the close India-Vietnam relationship by Saurav Jha. It is founded on close geopolitical interests, with both countries alert to China's increasingly aggressive behavior over Beijing's strident claims to the South China Sea. India's Foreign Minister is to visit Hanoi shortly, Beijing has warned New Delhi against joining Vietnam in exploring its waters for oil and gas since this was disputed territory. But so was Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where Beijing was involved in infrastructure projects. What is sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander, counters New Delhi. The regional bully has to be faced down. Watch this space.

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

YOUR VOICE

Advertisements by babas, tantrics, palmists and healers I was a subscriber to AV and GS in the past.

However the inclusion of advertisements by babas, tantrics, palmists etc, made me believe that the management had financial interests at heart at the risk of placing the vulnerable and gullible readers at the mercy of the advertisers.

I had stopped my subscription within one year.

However, recently I decided to restart the subscription. I was delighted to see that such unsavoury advertisements had disappeared. Mr C B Patel’s public renunciation of these advertisements needed much courage and determination at the prospect of losing lucrative advertisement revenue. All I can say here is that ABPL Group made the right decision for the good of the community.

The publication with interesting articles, news and comments not only from India but also around the world is a welcoming change. Every week I eagerly look forward to the range and the depth of the published material.

Added to this pioneering step change in publication, ABPL has also led on public events and celebrations.

This has forged a sense of identity, well being and pride not only amongst the fortunate enough to attend but also to the ones reading about them post event.

Another mark of progress is the publications relating to the other Asian Communities like Tamils, Punjabis and target topic magazines etc. This shows that the ABPL from its origins of a Gujarati Community publishing house has moved onto a true Asian identity. I would love to see articles on other Asian communities starting from Muslims, Dalits, Adivaasi etc., communities of India. Our younger generation needs to be informed of and the elders need to be reminded of our roots I should not forget to mention the deep desire and ambition Mr C B Patel fosters of encouraging and supporting the young Asian generation in the United Kingdom. It is very heart warming to see young staff

Rise in seasonal sales of Indian Food Despite optimistic predictions back in March for a ‘scorching’ August, the reality is that summer 2011 has been a cold, damp and disappointing wash out. Although this has been unwelcome news for stay-cationers and tourists, Indian food brand Patak’s has been making the most of the cool summer.

UK

13

Is UK serious about economic growth?

Over the past 14 years, my view has not changed that UK should join the Euro currency and abandon the Pound Sterling. In 2000, the Sterling exchange rate was 120 compared to 100 in 2005 and 80 in 2010 when valued against the Euro. 60% of our import export business is with Europe.

Thus in 2000 our export prices were 20% higher than 2005 and import prices 20% lower. In 2010, our export prices were 20% lower and import prices were higher.

With such fluctuations in prices both ways, for the past decade we have never figured out in which products and/or services we are “competitive” with European prices and in which ones we are not with our main partner.

Hence we in the UK do not really know in which direction and in what industry sectors we should invest more so that we could export more and in what industry sectors we should disinvest. If there is price transparency on a minute by minute business between UK prices and EU prices, and that is only possible if we had the same currency, we may gradually start producing the right goods and the right services at the right prices and become a major exporter like Germany worldwide.

All the current ideas for economic growth I hear and read about from all the three political parties such as dropping the 50% tax rate, or printing money, or low interest rate, or cracking down on tax evasion, or cutting bureaucracy and waste, or enterprise zones, or lending more to small businesses, or slowing the rate at which public sector spending is being cut, etc. are tinkering on the edges and not taking the bull by its horns.

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email playing a key role and contributing to the growth of the ABPL Group.

I must congratulate the ABPL Group for providing all this for a mere £30.00 annual subscription for Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. No household should be without a subscription.

May the ABPL Group continue its golden march towards the betterment of the community in UK. It is no longer an ethnic publishing house but a true community spirit forging publication leading from the front.

Manji Kara Harrow

Widely acknowledged as being one of the UK’s leading law firms specialising in national and regional residential and commercial property development, Harold Benjamin Solicitors has grown steadily over recent years to incorporate additional specialist departments in dispute resolution and litigation, corporate and commercial, private client, family and employment.

Today, we offer a full range of specialist skills to both individuals as well as businesses in areas including Commercial and Residential Property Development, Planning, Commercial Leasing, Corporate, Commercial, Information Technology, Commercial and Property Litigation, Commercial Property Investment, Landlord and Tenant, Employment, Private Client, Family, Wills and Probate.

Spotlight on COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INVESTMENT Each month we will be taking an in-depth look at one of the services offered by the team of lawyers at Harold Benjamin. This month we turn the spotlight on the firm’s Commercial Property Investment department.

Headed by Vijay Parikh and supported by partner Varsha Sood and associate solicitor Milli Shah, the specialist property investment service was set up last year to target the sub-continent and India.

Complementing the already well-established and highly-regarded real estate funding and property development departments, Vijay and his team specialise in servicing inward investment from India into London and the south east commercial property market as well as outward investment from the UK. Offering clients a fully-integrated service to meet their individual commercial objectives, the team has particular expertise in investment, acquisitions and disposals and is frequently involved in handling multi-million pound transactions of large commercial units including warehouses, shopping centres and retail park units.

In addition to high net worth individuals, private and public companies and LLPs, the team has a wide and diverse range of clients drawn from the Indian and Asian communities both in London and on the sub-continent as well as east Africa. The department also has strong connections in India with large corporate organisations and high net worth individuals.

The team is highly successful and efficient in all aspects of commercial investment. Within less than a year the team has concluded in excess of £60million of commercial property transactions.

Anjali Patak

MET office figures show that the UK’s average temperature from June 1 to August 15 was only 57F (13.9C) – the lowest for 13 years. In terms of unit sales, summer 2011 saw a leap of one million units (5.4m) compared to summer 2010 (4.4m).

Nic Yates, Marketing Controller for Patak’s said: “Summer 2011 has seen a significant year on year increase in summer sales for Patak’s products.

We attribute this uplift to our recent advertising campaign highlighting the versatility of Patak’s pastes in recipes throughout the year, and appropriate in-store promotional activity, combining with the cooler weather.”

Patak’s will be sponsoring this year’s National Curry Week (9th – 15th October) for the first time. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.pataks.co.uk

Varsha Sood, Vijay Parikh and Milli Shah

ASK HAROLD BENJAMIN Each month we are inviting our readers to send in any questions they may have relating to that month’s ‘Spotlight’ feature. If you have any questions that you would like to put to Vijay and his team, please email your question together with your name and contact details, to: av@haroldbenjamin.com.

Alternatively, you can write to Vijay Parikh at the address below or email vijay.parikh@haroldbenjamin.com All questions submitted will be treated as strictly confidential.

Hill House, 67-71, Lowlands Road Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3EQ

Tel: 020 8422 5678

av@haroldbenjamin.com www.haroldbenjamin.com

COMMUNITY/ART

14

India Connect Q & A: Visa to India What is Renunciation/ Surrender of Indian Passports Under the Indian law, people of Indian origin, who have acquired foreign nationality, are required to surrender their Indian passport (nationality) to the High Commission of India in London or at the respective Indian consulates at Birmingham and Jiten Vyas, VFS Global Edinburgh before submitting their visa applications.

What documents do I need to surrender my Indian Passport Documents Required for Surrender of Indian Passports Duly filled application form Original Indian Passport (Last/Valid Indian passport at the time of Naturalization) Self attested photocopy of Indian passport (Used Visa Pages) Self attested photocopy of British / Foreign Passport Self attested photocopy of British / Foreign Naturalisation certificate Processing time would be a minimum of 13-14 working days; it may take longer in certain cases. All decisions are at sole discretion of the High Commission of India, London and its Consulates in the United Kingdom.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and does not guarantee a Surrender Certificate. The High Commission of India or its Consulates reserve the right to ask for additional documents if required.

What is the fee for Surrendering my Indian Passport?

Mode of payment could be Cash, Debit or Credit Card (except American Express Card), Postal Order or Bank Draft payable to “VF Services UK Ltd” The Government of India has fixed a fee for renouncing the Indian Citizenship / Surrender Of Indian Passport based on the date, the Person of Indian Origin, has acquired British/Foreign Citizenship. The fee has been fixed w.e.f. 01.06.2010 as under:-

*The fee in the table is inclusive of the £2 Consular Surcharge.

Can I post my Indian Passport Surrender Application?

Applications can also be sent by post to our centralised postal processing centre at the address listed below. Postal applications require a minimum of 10-14 working days to be processed. This does not include the period when applications are in transit to and from the High Commission of India or its Consulate General of India in United Kingdom.

India Visa Application Centre 1-3, Canalside, Uxbridge Road Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN For further information please visit our website in.vfsglobal.co.uk For more information regarding any quires about Indian Visa please contact by email or post: Email: info.inuk@vfshelpline.com Customer Relations Department.

India Visa Application Center, 60-62 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1DE

India Connect - your questions answered on India visas” a service offered by

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

National symposium planned to promote South Asian Dance in the UK An event to promote and celebrate South Asian dance forms is taking place in Leicester next month (October). The National Symposium for South Asian Dance will be held at the Curve Theatre in Leicester City Centre on Friday 28th October.

Organisers at the Centre for Indian Classical Dance and associate partners and supporters hope that the event will enable South Asian dance to reach a wider national audience.

The symposium is expected to attract potential

dance artists, agencies, promoters, educationalists, organisations, arts officers and dance academics from across the UK. The Centre for Indian Classical dance is based in the East Midlands and works with students, dancers and arts organisations across the UK. Set up in 1981, the centre has charitable status and aims to promote knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Indian

dance and culture within the diverse culture of Britain.

Asda customers help Muslim Aid Shoppers at Asda superstores across the UK have helped British charity Muslim Aid raise over £11,000 towards tackling global poverty this Ramadan.

Muslim Aid volunteers visited Asda stores in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham this August during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Volunteers helped Asda customers pack their shopping and collected donations for the charity’s Ramadan campaign.

To mark the end of the Ramadan campaign and join customers in celebrating Eid, five Asda superstores in London

How to go up the office ladder

By Rudy Otter Office talk filled the air at Earls Court but it had nothing to do with gossiping around the water cooler.

This was the second annual exhibition of an impressive event called "office" which ended its two-day run on 16th September, having enlightened personal and executive assistants and office managers on all the latest developments to help them do a better job and progress their careers.

More than 5000 visitors interacted with 175 exhibitors to learn more about how to make the best of their office routines with seminars and talks given by experts ranging from "looking good, feeling good" to "how to get the recognition you deserve" and "winning people over".

Among the Asians I met were Jayna Patel, conference and events sales manager of One Great George Street, Westminster, an award-winning venue offering office personnel 19 meeting rooms and catering for "anything from six to 600 people," Jayna told me.

She, like the other Asians I spoke to, were there to enhance office life in every way with a variety of products and services.

Imran Malik, London City's district key account executive of Shred-it.

Manchester, told me the company provides a "secure information destruction service" to security-conscious organisations, operating from more than 140

branches in 16 countries.

Sabrina Aziz, account manager for the Life in Motion group in central London, provides a "onestop shop" for travel, eventarranging, accommodation and concierge services" Swati Bhargava gave up her investment banking job to start Pouring Pounds, a cash back website that offers office managers, personal assistants and others the opportunity to earn discounts if they make their bookings for everything from travel and hotel accommodation to shopping via her site. "Earning cash backs every time you shop at more than 2,300 top brands always comes as a welcome surprise," she said.

and Birmingham held special Eid parties on Saturday 3 September.

Activities at the Asda Eid celebrations included face

painting, henna artistes and special Eid gift boxes for children. Customers were also treated to special recitals by internationally renowned Islamic Nasheed singers from the group Labbayk.

Donations from customers will go towards saving lives and alleviating the suffering of thousands of men, women and children affected by the droughts in East Africa.

Muslim Aid is continuing its fundraising efforts to help tackle the deepening crisis and restore stability.

Harriet Harman addresses Dr Onkar Sahota’s GLA Campaign Launch

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

Diwali Festival of light

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

Special Edition - October 2011

Dear Readers,

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

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

- Asian Voice

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

by Shree

f ashionista

For more stories visit www.scribbledesk.com

Short Story by Neha Garg

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

Fashion’s New Power Couplings Lately there are more designer collaborations on the high street than you can shake a stick at. I can’t even count how many of them were launched last year, and some were far more memorable than others; but I still find it hard not to get excited every time a Roksanda Illincic for Whistles, or Preen for Topshop is announced.

How else will a cashstrapped girl acquire a label that’s eluded her wardrobe so far?

My first attempt to buy something high on the low, started with Matthew Williamson at H&M. And it was quite the experience. I wasn’t mad enough to queue up for two days before the launch. I was being sensible and only ventured on day Four, only to find that it was a warzone instore; I being the kind of girl who would rather buy an item untried (one can always return it) rather than brave the thirty-deep dressingroom queues. This time however, I soldiered on, but despite the persistence, I found that not only were all the great pieces gone, but even the crappy ones weren’t available in my size anymore. All it did for me was to push me a little further into the bottomless chasm that is internet shopping. Hard to beat whittling away my money while lying the sofa and the dog warming my feet; and there is next-day-delivery.

Easier said than done.

As millions of women wisen up to the comforts of click n’ buy, you have to be a dart off a bowstring to score anything ‘limited edition’. The only time I managed was when Prabal Gurung launched his capsule collection for J. Crew. Of course, there is always Ebay and it only takes a couple of hours for the designer pieces to start

Topshop, on the other hand, has done much to glamourise the store’s profile.

In the cashs t r a p p e d economies, these collaborations are money-spinners for the designers and the retailers a l i k e .

Although I can’t help but wonder sometimes, that with them all laughing Prabal Gurung with models wearing his the way to the collection banks, are we showing up. But they the customers proving to always go at three or be the proverbial ‘suckmore times higher than ers’? Maybe all these the original price. Not clothes really aren’t much very much High-Street better quality than reguabout a £400 dress. lar high-street clothing, Perhaps the most talkedtheir only appeal being about collaboration of the tag that hangs with recent times was the them? Also, much like Lanvin for H&M collecthe sale, these mass-hystion. Such was the reach teria fuelled shopping of it’s hype that I rememfrenzies have the potenber a friend from tial to make fools of Australia, asking her smart women, making Facebook friends in them buy things that they Europe and North would never have bought America to ship the stuff in regular circumstances. over to her.

I’d however, like to It’s easy to lose one’s think that designer-high footing and one’s pursestreet collaborations, strings in the marketing along with being clever blitz and the hype, but business strategies, are not all designer-store colalso a fantastic way of laboration are worth making extraordinary their trend-setting salt. designs available to the As with almost everymasses. While much has thing in life, it is worth been said about pricey considering these colleclabels losing their sheen tions on a case by case and exclusivity, I tend to basis. They vary enordisagree. Very few among mously in terms of qualiregular high-street shopty, price and demonstrapers are those who never tion of the designer’s sigaspire to own a piece of nature style. Take for wearable art, or, very few example, Cavalli for women with the means H&M – leopard prints for it only clad themare hard to pull off at the selves in designer togs. best of times, but print Jimmy Choos with a Zara them on cheapish fabrics dress is not uncommon and it screams tacky. by any standards. The Also, Valentino for idea is to mix high street Gap...ruffles have their with high end...both inplace and time, but a pair store and in aesthetics. of chinos is not it.

Next up, Versace for Kate Moss for H&M.

The Emperor's New Clothes This story starts, as do all, with a mighty King, invited to a ball, His biggest worry though, was to have his importance grow.

And the only way he knew how to do that, was to have a new wardrobe, stat.

So he sent far and wide, and weavers from all across the Kingdom tried.

They wove, they stitched and they sewed, but none could please the King, with their show.

'T was then that two weavers appeared, Tiny lot and generally weird.

'We shall weave you a suit, Sire,' 'That shall be mightier that all your attire.'

'You see, this suit shall remain invisible,' 'To all but the wisest possible,' 'Anyone who cannot see the suit,' 'Is unfit for office and should get the boot.'

The King was ecstatic, he danced for joy.

Now he would see the simpletons in his employ.

'You go ahead. You weave that suit,' 'And I shall cover you head to toe in loot.'

The weavers grinned, Oh did they wink, This King was not as wise as he would think.

They asked for silk, thread and tools of gold, All these went to the market to be sold, Oh, a huge profit did the weavers make, With the King's treasury at their stake.

Finally, came the day of the ball,

5

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Disclaimer: This puzzle is created solely by Radha abw with the help of a pen and paper, understanding the basics of the subject at hand, and any resemblance to a similar puzzle is purely unintended and coincidental.

And the weavers arrived, in their hand was the shawl, The King gaped and he stared, He could not see the shawl, he declared.

'Ah! Then you are a simpleton, my King' 'You are not fit for this gorgeous thing.'

'No, No. That is not true,' the King said, 'I was only joking and admiring the thread.'

Promptly did the King then wear, the suit and set about combing his hair.

In his new suit, he strutted, for all to see, his procession, marching as quick as can be.

'How beautiful are your clothes, King,' the crowd, as one voice did sing.

'But he has nothing on at all,' screamed a child, not two feet tall.

The King was shocked and knew, himself a fool and his clothes see through.

The procession must go on, the King did feign, But since that day he was never seen again.

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Asian Voice Saturday 24th September 2011

Shruti Haasan to croon for Mallika

It looks like the Munni song in “Vosthi,” the remake of “Dabangg,” will be sung by Kamal Haasan’s daughter, Shruti Haasan. Though director Dharani did not confirm this news, he says the song is yet to be recorded and shot. Mallika Sherawat has been signed on for this much-hyped number. Says an industry source, "Shruti is

keen on singing for films and they think she would be a perfect fit for this. Plus, the song requires a slightly different kind of voice and it went to be a superhit in Hindi." Apparently, Simbu has excelled with his dancing skills in a song titled Damaal Doomeel. This song was picturised at a police station, adds the source.

Minissha Lamba refuses to don a bikini again

Kollywood stars Bharath, Simbu, Arya, Sneha, Santhanam, Shriya and Madhu Shalini are set to perform live in London on Sept 25. All are excited to perform and they are busy preparing for it. They will be leaving Chennai on September 23. “I'm look-

Minissha Lamba had donned the two-piece in a steamy song in 'Kidnap' (2007), but the actress has put her foot down saying she wouldn't wear a bikini in 'Hum Tum Shabana', even though the script demanded it.

Her character in the film is a participant in a beauty pageant and even though the original script included a swimsuit round, the 26-year-old actress told director Sagar Bellary that she wouldn't do the film if she had to wear a bikini.

"It is obvious that a beauty pageant will have a swimsuit round. But I said I won't do the film if I had to wear a bikini. But Sagar was kind enough to accommodate me, so we don't have a swimsuit round now in the film," said Minissha.

The reason why the actress refused to comply is that she doesn't want a bikini-scene to become a "necessity" in every other film of hers.

"I have done it in Kidnap and that's exactly why I am not doing it now. Every film I take up can't be about wearing a bikini, because then such a thing becomes a necessity in every script. I have done it once, doesn't mean I am going to do it in every other film," she said.

cord in the family of popular actor Darshan and his wife Vijayalakshmi.

Speaking to reporters, association chief Muniratna Naidu said, “We admit that it was a hasty decision. Actor Nikhita has a blemish less record and is of a good character. She is free to go anywhere in Karnataka and act in Kannada films.

We have decided against resorting to ban on actors hereafter”.

Kollywood stars to perform in London

ing forward to meeting Kollywood fans there," says Bharath, who was last seen in “Yuvan Yuvathi.” "After Kandein Kadhalai, I play an urban guy in love in this film. I'm very happy with the response the film has received," he says.

Shahid Kapoor is flying high...literally. After all, he is playing an Indian Army pilot in his father Pankaj Kapoor's directorial debut film “Mausam.” In an interview he talks about his views on a host of subjects. When asked about his views on his co-star Sonam Kapoor in Mausam, he said, "Sonam talks a lot; I actually had to ask her to keep her mouth shut. However, I must say she has a great understanding of fashion, in fact every time I am out for Mausam promotion, I need to take an approval from her for my attire."

Confessing his mistake, Shahid shared, "I have to start doing 3 movies per year. Bahut galti kar di. Itna choosy hone ke baad bhi kitni filme nahi chali, to phir kya point hai."

On the film Mausam being written and directed by his father Pankaj Kapoor, he said, "two years back, dad gifted me Mausam’s script on my birthday. I was very nervous initially, as I had to act in front of Dad whom I consider to be one of the finest actors in the country."

The movie consumed almost 2 years of Shahid's life and now when the movie is on the verge of release, Shahid shared, "I can't sit still these days."

Finally speaking on his current relationship with long time rumored girlfriend Priyanka Chopra, Shahid stated, "I won't say anything until I find somebody with whom I want to spend my life. I haven't found that person so far."

Shilpa Shetty has called it quits after the film “The Desire.” "I had taken a break and after this film I have decided that I won't do any movies because my priorities have changed and I want to concentrate on myself, travel, concentrate on my business. So I have decided not to take up any work," Shilpa said in an interview.

"This is not a comeback. Actually this film got delayed; so it seems I am coming back after a long time," added the actress. Shilpa, who got married to UK-based Indian businessman Raj Kundra in 2009, wants to focus on her personal life and business, which includes a spa chain. "This is going to be the last film audiences are going to see me in for some time. So, out of choice I am not going to work for another couple of years. I think if people want to see whatever little I have done, they should go and watch the movie. Marriage is a full-time job...I'll keep doing ads, appearances and television but along with my business," she said.

Shilpa plans to produce movies, but direction is not on the cards. "I haven't thought of it (direction), but I would be definitely producing films, she said." Shilpa is paired with Chinese actor Xia Yu in "The Desire", directed by journalist-turned-national award-winning Malayalam film director R. Sarath.

Ban on actor Nikhita lifted

Following criticism from the film industry, the Kannada Film Producers Association has lifted its three-year-old ban on multi-lingual actress Nikhita Thukral, saying its action against her was “foolish.” The Association also tendered an apology to the actress, admitting that the decision was taken in “haste”, four days after it slapped the ban, holding Ms. Nikhita responsible for the matrimonial dis-

I haven't found my life partner yet: Shahid Kapoor

‘The Desire’ to be my last film: Shilpa Shetty

Sayali Bhagat keen to wear a bikini Sayali Bhagat is all set to don a sizzling hot orange bikini in her next - Tinu Verma's action thriller opposite model turned actor Rajneesh Duggal.

While most Bollywood heroines refuse to expose, former beauty queen Sayali Bhagat wants to steam it up on the silver screen. She is candid enough to admit she doesn't mind exposing on screen. "I work out regularly and have one of the hottest bodies in B-town. I am fed up of playing the good girl on screen. Now I am looking for a change of image and would love to do sexy roles like Bipasha in Dhoom 2. I don't understand all this talk about girls refusing to sport a bikini in Dhoom 3. I'd gladly do it and look super hot too.

But sadly, I am only getting performance-oriented roles, ” she added.

Playboy cover girl, Bollywood's latest import The 27-year-old South African model Candice Boucher sizzled on the cover of the April issue of Playboy magazine last year. In an open-front shirt and denim jeans, the Durban-born beauty pouted her way into the entertainment industry. She later created quite a stir with her see-through gown, at the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival this year. She is B-Town's latest firang import. She'll be seen opposite debutant actor Sachiin Joshi in the thriller “Azaan.” Before you get excited, let’s clarify that she has a very sober role in this film and there is no skin-show.

I love bikes, but not more than women: John Abraham John Abraham revealed about his relationship status, chiselled body and of course his love for motorbikes and women in an interview.

“After Dhoom, I haven't done any action film. People asked me why you haven't attempted any action film when you have the physique and the body for it. ‘Force’ is my answer to a lot of people out there who finally want to see the action hero. The film has great content, song, dialogues and screenplay.

Stallone inspiration: I have undertaken special training for this film. When we finalised the film, my director Nishikanth Kamath told me you have 8 months to build up a body that looks international, like a machine, like Sylvester Stallone. So with ‘Force,’ we have tried to create a look that is unbelievable in terms of physique.

Lifting a heavy bike: It was just a 110-120 kilos bike very honestly. ACP Yashwardhan is supposed to be like a machine, very powerful who can lift and break anything. That's my character in the film. That's why I had to lift the bike. You need cables to balance it but finally you need your strength to lift the bike and throw it. So yeah, I have thrown the bike.

Bikes or ladies: I love motorcycles but not more than women.

Women are the most beautiful creation of mankind.

Enjoying singledom: I am happy that I have time by myself.

When I get married, it'll be different. Hopefully I'll get married someday. Till then, I'm enjoying my space and time.

Luck works wonders for me: Kareena Actress Kareena Kapoor, who scored a hit with Salman Khan starrer 'Bodyguard', says there is no mantra behind her success as luck has been working wonders for her."I have no success mantra. There is no particular calculation or anything of that sort. I just have been lucky with some good films, good directors and good scripts," Kareena told reporters here after the music launch of her forthcoming film 'Ra.One'.

'Bodyguard' has surpassed all box office records while her previous films like '3 Idiots' with Aamir Khan and 'Golmaal 3' were also boxoffice hits.Kareena would be seen next in Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Ra.One', a science-fiction film, which will hits cinema houses on October 26. It will be followed by 'Agent Vinod', an action-thriller with her beau Saif Ali Khan that will release on December 9."Shah Rukh has given me such a wonderful film and I am looking forward to my next festive release which is 'Ra.One' which I believe, will be one of the biggest hits," Kareena said.

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

17

Divya Dutta bags two Hollywood films Actor Divya Dutta has her kitty full with both Bollywood as well as Hollywood assignments.

The actress is looking forward to her roles in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine", Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "My Friend Pinto", Dev Anand's "Chargesheet" and Vinod Bachchan's "Zilla Ghaziabad". One of her Hollywood films, "Heart Land" directed by Fred Holmes releases this year, while she begins work on two more next March. "I can't talk much about the Hollywood films, but I can definitely say that it has opened a world of opportunities for me," enthuses the National Award winning actor.

Ajay Devgn hikes his price Ajay Devgn who made his debut with “Phool Aur Kaante” in 1991, has been charging Rs 60 to 80 million for his films. After the success of “Singham,” the actor has finally decided to hike his price. For Vashu Bhagnani's next project, the remake of 1983 superhit “Himmatwala,” Devgn has been paid Rs 180 million, more than double his usual fee. Devgn is one of the most bankable stars in the industry today. In the last couple of years he has given many hits like “Golmaal 3,” “All The Best,” “Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge,” “Rajneeti” and “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai.” But it is only after “Singham” that Ajay has decided to hike his price. After all, Singham earned a profit of over Rs I billion.

Abhishek injured during film shoot Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan fell from a rickshaw while shooting in Jaipur for a sequence of his upcoming film “Bol Bachchan.” The shooting was called off after the accident. The actor reportedly injured his hand. It's not the first time Abhishek Bachchan has hurt himself. He sprained his back badly while shooting for “Dum Maaro Dum.” But the actor continued to shoot despite the injury. But this time the shooting was cancelled for good.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Jaguar Land Rover to build major engine plant in UK Dear Financial Voice Reader, I write to you having finished travel…for 3 weeks anyway. I started in the States (downgraded by credit rating agency), then Italy (downgraded by credit rating agency) then India (not likely to be downgraded). And I am hearing from a lot of people they want to take up trading full time. So let me give you some advice.

If you need £30,000 per annum to live on, and think you are nearly as good as Warren Buffett so should make 20% per annum in profits, then you need to have £150,000 cash to trade with. We’ll ignore tax for now. Of course some years you will not make 20% and you will have to go a whole year without food and water.

To make life easier you may try to achieve 10% on £300,000. But most don’t have £300,000 speculative money hanging around. Then you read somewhere that 90% of private investors lose money trading the markets. True of course. But you reckon you are in the top 10%.

Next comes time. How are you going to generate that return. You could spend every second trading.

Maybe 10 trades a day. Maybe they cost you £10 each.

That’s £100 in commissions or other costs. That is £500 a week, or £2000 per month or £24,000 a year. So you need actually to make not 20% on £150,000, but actually closer to 40% on £150,000.

Or you may say you want to reduce those costs by trading less frequently but still look to make 15% say.

This is more realistic. You would look to pick a basket of stocks expecting a 15% rise over 12 months. That seems to put less strain on your time and limited skills and experience.

But how many stocks? Which ones? The number should be manageable. So let’s say 15. Any fewer and if one does poorly it will have a heavy impact on your whole portfolio. Any more and if one does very well it won’t have enough of a positive impact.

Of course they should not all be in the same sector, or even geography, otherwise it’s really one stock disguised as 15.

But which ones? What moves? What does undervalued mean and where do you find it? Online websites? Magazines? The pub? You can start with magazines dedicated to investments from your local newsagents. Look for reasoning of the commentator.

Look to see if it is speculative or safer. For instance are they talking about the hope of discovering gold (speculative) or Apple?

Stories told by stock commentators can be seductive and attractive and alluring – about prospect of discovery. Remember not to be greedy and lured into such fantasies. Go for solid analysis not hope. Learn what price-earnings ratios are and why they are important.

Do all of the above, aim with a portfolio of 15 stocks aiming for 15% (once they hit your target decide whether another 15% is likely over another year) and if they drop 25% sell them no matter what excuses and you might just get out alive.

Suzuki to pick Gujarat for new $1.3 bn plant: report

Suzuki Motor is most likely locate a planned new $1.3 billion passenger car factory in Gujarat, Japan's Kyodo news agency said last week. The report came two days after the company said it wanted to end its alliance with Volkswagen, a tie-up that had been expected to help Europe's biggest carmaker expand on the Indian subcontinent.

"We haven't come to a decision yet. We plan to announce the location of the plant by the end of October," Suzuki spokesman Ei Mochizuki said. He added, however, that the automaker's chairman and CEO, Osamu Suzuki, visited Gujarat

last week. Suzuki controls about half the Indian car market through majorityowned unit Maruti Suzuki.

But Maruti Suzuki said last month it expected to post single-digit sales growth this fiscal year, a far cry from its 25-per cent climb in 2010, as rising interest rates and prices in Asia's third largest economy force consumers to tighten their purse strings.

Car sales in India, the world's second-fastest growing major auto market after China, fell 16 per cent in July, their first drop in two-and-half years, after rising a breakneck 30 per cent in 2010.

Tata-owned luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is planning to build a major new engine plant in the West Midlands area of the United Kingdom.

The development, which is expected to take up to two years, will be on the i54 business park in Wolverhampton, confirmed as one of several new enterprise zones in July.

Jaguar Land Rover was previously believed to be considering sites in south Wales and India.

It is believed the engine plant will employ hundreds of people as it has financial support from

the government. The business park is part of a 120hectare site in Darlaston and Wolverhampton North, in the Black Country.

Ford currently supplies engines to Jaguar Land Rover from sites including Bridgend and Dagenham.

The i54 site is seen as one of the best places to put the plant logistically.

Jaguar Land Rover currently has factories in the West Midlands and on Merseyside.

JLR wins awards Meanwhile, Tata Motors said it had bagged two awards for Jaguar

and Land Rover from Autoweek at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Jaguar C-X16 was selected as "Best in Show" winner and the Land Rover Defender Concept 100 Sport as "Best Concept" by Autoweek, the company said in statement.

"Winning two of the top media awards in our industry at the Frankfurt

Motor Show is a tremendous achievement for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands," Jaguar Land Rover Global Head (Communications) Frank Klaas said.

"The C-X16 is our compelling vision for a 21st century Jaguar sports car. It embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future," Jaguar Cars Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark said.

Asian Development Bank cuts India's growth forecast to 7.9% for '11-12

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has trimmed growth forecast for India to 7.9% for the current fiscal, from 8.2%, in the wake of subdued growth of major world economies and rising crude oil prices.

The ADB's 'Asian Development Outlook 2011 Update', which was released last week, has also raised the March 2012 inflation forecast to 8.5%, from 7.8% earlier.

ADB's growth projection is lower than that of Indian government, which expects GDP to expand at

8.5%. The revision in the forecast comes within five months of the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2011 in April which projected India's growth at 8.2% this fiscal.

Even as, outlook report projects, Asia's emerging economies will grow

robustly into 2012, led once again by China, the troubles in the United States, Europe and Japan will clip their momentum.

The resilience of the region, which has led the world since the 2008/09 global financial crisis, means policymakers cannot relax in the fight against inflation even as global growth concerns overtake price pressures as the dominant economic risk.

That will keep investors edgy and capital flows in Asia volatile -

both inflows on the region's out performance and the chance of a sudden withdrawal if risk appetite is pared, the ADB said in its Update.

Despite global woes, growth will be healthy across the region, the ADB said. Developing Asia made up of 45 countries in Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific - is expected to grow 7.5% in 2011 and 2012, down from April forecasts of 7.8 and 7.7% respectively, and growth of 9% in 2010.

Jet Airways raises airfares 000 "&

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With jet fuel prices hiked by 2.5%, Jet Airways on Friday increased fuel surcharge on its tickets by Rs 200 with effect from Saturday, raising airfares.

Other airlines like Kingfisher and Air India are yet to take a decision in the matter, their officials said.

Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price at Delhi's T3 airport was hiked by Rs 1,429 per kilolitre (kl), or 2.5 per cent, to Rs 57,689 per kl with effect from Friday. ATF prices vary from airport to airport, depending on the local sales tax or VAT. A Jet spokesperson said, "With the recent hike in ATF prices, Jet Airways has decided to increase its fuel surcharge by Rs 200 per domestic sector.

"This will be applicable on all flights of Jet Airways, Jet Airways Konnect and JetLite, for sale and travel effective September 17, 2011", the spokesperson said.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

19

Auspicious or Suspicious?

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

Over the last week we have had three deals complete, requests were made in all cases regarding the time of exchange and completion - all influenced by Astrology. This promoted me to write something on this subject as it seems to permeate the way Gujaratis transact.

The common thread seems to be the client speaks to a Brahmin/Maharaj which his family uses, he is advised on the optimum days to exchange and complete, if the property does not complete or exchange on those days the clients get distressed and there is a fear something will go wrong if not now then most definitely in the future.

One client set up simultaneous completion and exchange together on the opportune date and was most disappointed when the other side sent a letter that same day to say they were not ready to complete.

It threw everything in the air and another auspicious date had to be sought immediately.

Luc k il y t he so li ci to r we u se is Je wish an d is u sed t o t his id ea as J ews al so fo l lo w t he prin c ipl e o f no t o nl y co n sid eri ng wh at t he y d o b ut whe n th e y d o it an d t ry and c on du c t t h ei r bu sin e ss o n ce rt ain fav ou rabl e pe rio ds .

For example amongst the Jews following the death of someone close there is a period of mourning for seven days known, interestingly enough, as the Shiva. During this period no business is conducted. They have other period likes this scattered throughout the year. As this race is a dominant force in the market, auctions are normally held on days where it is not forbidden for Jews to trade.

The other main variable, is not just when the deals are done but the number on the property, which is a science based on the western equivalent of numerology.

I had a client who would not purchase a property with the number 8 on there. They had lived in a property with the number 8 and it hadn’t been a good period for them, the Maharaj then duly confirmed this to them.

In stark contrast for a Chinaman this is a most auspicious number.

F or Chinese the nu mbe r 8 is considered luck y. Therefore, it shou ld come as n o surprise that the Ol ympic game s in China start on Aug ust 8, 2008 o r 08/08/08. In China you have to pay e xtra to have the n umber 8 in yo ur ph one number or licen se plate .

In ad dition, ho me and business owners like to have the number 8 in the ir add ress.

The main reason has to do with the pronunciation of the word for the number 8 in China. It is pronounced "ba" and sounds like the word for prosperity which is pronounced "fa". Another reason why the number 8 could be considered lucky is because it is a perfect symmetrical shape. You can cut the number 8 in half vertically or horizontally, and both halves mirror themselves perfectly. Perfect symmetry lends itself to perfect balance. In Chinese astrology perfect balance is considered the ideal. It is also the symbol for infinity should you flip the digit on its side.

Many years ago I also had a client for whom we were endeavouring to do a mortgage for who try as he may could not purchase a property no matter what, something or another always went wrong in the transaction. This happened in about three deals in succession which was very frustrating both for us and him.

On a trip to Ind ia he was referred to a highly e st eemed astro loger an d he was advised n ot t o purchase in that period and wait un til anothe r period which would be con d ucive to his de sire t o purchase the pro pe rty. He followed the advice an d lo and be hold thing s fell into place and he finally completed o n a property.

The principle this science or belief relies upon, is that we are not fully independent to make our own decisions. Man and universe is interdependent, when we go according to these currents things flow smoothly and when we go against them we end up banging our heads on a brick wall.

It is also known that Financial Astrology has been used to predict stock market movement. In researching Financial Astrology I came across a character called W.D.Gann who was born in Texas in 1878.

He was regarded as the patron saint of Financial Astrology and made $50m from his predictive skills. Staring from 1st October 1909 over a 25 day period he made 286 trades in front of witnesses and 254 where

profitable - this gave him a 92% success rate. This was a well publicised and documented event.

I’m no expert in this science, I have simply narrated my experience in the property field. However logic tells you there must be something to this. Even looking at the physical gravitational effect of the moon in controlling the tides means there must be some influence on the human psyche as 70% of our bodies are made of water. Interestingly the word lunatic comes from the word lunar meaning moon.

I thought it best to get the view point of somebody actually in the field of astrology.

In the words of someone who is a practising astrologer: “This is a very complicated science. Unfortunately nowadays there are few and far between knowledgeable astrologers who can help and advise on choosing good Muhurats, whether for a wedding or for a property deal! It is not helped by the aspirants who want the "best muhurat" but then they want the job done in 2 weeks! So people start to compromise and the unscrupulous astrologer will give any nearby date to please the client and get the money..... and then later when things go wrong... well it's is blamed on God or astrology.

Astrology is not an absolute science as not all is known in kaliyuga, lots of knowledge being lost over the ages. However it is pretty reliable, though the same cannot be said of the astrologer who is human after all and prone to making errors now and then”.

Interestingly in his opinion it wasn’t the completion of a property purchase which was the main crux it was agreeing the deal: “With regards to the property muhurat specifically, the time of completion is not as crucial actually as the time of first agreeing/signing/or paying deposit for the deal. Just in the same way as all farmers know that WHEN to plant / sow the SEED is more important than when to REAP/ eat the fruit it bears. Sowing at the ripe/opportune moment will promise a more favourable outcome bearing a ripe and sweet fruit. But sown at the wrong time/inclement weather conditions then the fruit may still grow .... but may not be optimal in shape, size or taste!”

According to him it is the sowing which is important and NOT the time of completion. This is NOT the way most implement this science.

In summary it seems there are two main points, one is the knowledge of astrology and the other its implementation.

As with most things in this age it seems as if the knowledge has been diluted by ulterior motivations of the practitioner and so to find a true source is not so easy.

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

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

Tips of the Week l Rather than making a bad decision most people suffer from indecision & procrastination, which can sometimes be worse. l The biggest block to investing in property is not a logical or even astrological one, its one driven by our own fears

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financial voiCe

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

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

Maria Fernandes

maria@abplgroup.com

The Shortage Occupation List Revisited The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) were asked to review the shortage occupation list and consider whether it would be sensible to retain those positions by employing labour from outside the European Economic Area. . MAC makes these recommendations to the Government who will then decide whether or not to accept these recommendations. So far all the recommendations made by MAC have been accepted.

For an occupation or job title to be placed on the shortage occupation list for the UK and Scotland it must pass three tests: • first, whether jobs are sufficiently skilled to be included on the shortage occupation lists; • second, we consider whether there is a shortage of labour and • finally, whether it is sensible for immigrant labour from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to be employed.

MAC relied on a number of indicators and considered evidence from these sectors. Some of the evidence was robust and properly evidenced and merited inclusion on

the shortage occupation list.

Among those who remain on the list are: Neurologists because the current focus on improving stroke care represents a major driver for neurological input particularly as there is an ageing population creating significant demand pressures on neurology.

Others include audiological consultants, non consultant posts which deliver acute care services, theatre nurses, physics and chemistry teachers, ballet and skilled contemporary dancers, video games and visual effects posts, social workers, actuaries and sleep physiologists.

Skilled chefs remained on the list following a tightening of the regulations and some evidence that efforts were being made to upskill this sector. However a warning was issued that the evidence provided was weaker than in the past.

This is an indication of the lack of co-ordination by this industry to marshall its arguments and evidence coherently rather than the fact that the shortage is beginning to lift. As the report rightly acknowledges

Loss-making Kingfisher Airlines needs funds to remain afloat: auditor

Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, controlled by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, needs to infuse required funds to continue as a "going concern", its auditor has said, raising concerns about the future of the loss-making carrier. The loss-making airline said also that it has raised nearly 5 billion rupees ($105 million) via loans since January to continue operations and that it is exploring mobilizing capital either via global depositary receipts or through a rights issue or a follow-on share sale locally.

The statement came after a local media report said that Kingfisher's auditor has raised doubts about its survival, but India's second-biggest airline by market share said the report was "incorrect."

Shares of Kingfisher fell as much as 5.3% following the auditor's remarks.

They closed 3.4% lower at 25.25 rupees in a Mumbai market that rose 1.0%.

Last year, the airline narrowed its net loss to 10.27 billion rupees from 16.47

billion rupees. Net loss during April-June 2011, however, widened to 2.64 billion rupees from 1.87 billion rupees a year earlier. Kingfisher this year recast its debt by converting about 30% of its loans to shares and issuing them to lenders and founder companies. The recast helped the airline trim its debt to 60.07 billion rupees in January from 76.51 billion rupees. The airline, which has a fleet of 66 planes, has also been trying to raise funds to cut debt.

It previously announced plans to raise $250 million via a GDR issue. And in August, Kingfisher said its board has approved raising up to 20 billion rupees through a rights issue.

there is evidence that employers are poaching staff from other restaurants.

The ones that have been removed include: Consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology and pediatric surgery, pharmacists, and biology teachers.

Some posts which were unsuccessful in their attempts to enter the list were Thai spa therapists and nurses working in the care sector.

MAC believes there is a strong case for crossgovernment engagement with the relevant sectors to fully understand why these occupations and jobs require ongoing access to migrants. And, where appropriate, to promote further initiatives to cut such dependence. This must surely include financial investment into initiatives to upskill.

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

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

Indian govt slashes sops on exports; 1100 items to be hit

As a setback to exporters, shipments of 1,100 items will be entitled to lower tax refunds from October 1 when curtains draw on the popular DEPB scheme, government of India announced last week.

On export of these items, the tax refunds would be reduced by 1-3 per cent, finance secretary R S Gujral said while unveiling the transitory scheme for the Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) scheme. "As a transitory arrangement, these items will suffer a modest reduction in the existing DEPB rate to the extent of 1-3 per cent..." he said. Industry sources said the reduction amounts to withdrawal of the stimulus package given in 2008-09 after the global financial crisis. The DEPB rates were revised upward as a stimulus, they said.

Since tax incentives for these goods will now be available under the Duty Drawback Scheme (DDS), the total number of items under the DDS would increase to about 4,000 from present 2,835.

The Carrot and Stick Approach It is often said that you don’t get anything for nothing. Have you ever noticed that when you are out shopping and you see the ‘buy one get one free offer’, we immediately see the ‘free’? Despite the fact that the ‘buy’ is more demanding than the ‘free’. How often do we buy things, not because we actually need them, but because we feel we are getting a really good, once in a lifetime deal?

While I am not familiar with the technical term used by salesman, it is however, very much like the carrot and stick approach used by many businesses to get their staff to work harder.

Dangle the carrot just far enough that it is seems reachable but is still just out of their grasp.

So when the Chancellor of the Exchequer tells us that the government need to review the 50p tax limit because it is actually hurting the economy, is he really putting money

back into the pockets of the rich, or is he actually dangling a carrot. He is saying to the wealthy, come to the UK, invest in our businesses and we will make sure that you can keep a bit more of your earnings for yourself so that you can spend that here too.

Labour propose to leave the 50p tax in place to generate more revenue to spend on social assistance (welfare) programs to help the poor develop their skills and improve their quality of life. So they too are resorting to carrot and stick tactics.

In effect, they are promising the carrot of a better, cheaper life in return for people’s votes.

Before we label them all as manipulators consider this - There has never been a leader you has not offered a carrot.

Victoria offered dominions and power; Roosevelt offered the American Dream during the Great depression; even Mugabe offered the

The rise and fall of a trader of Swiss bank UBS

Mr Kweku Adoboli, the trader of Swiss investment bank UBS, the 31 year-old was earning a six-figure salary and spent his spare time travelling the world, building up his collection of Argentine boutique wines. But his fantastic life came to a halt when he was arrested by detectives who suspect him of carrying out the largest single fraud by a London-based trader, accused of covering up a loss of £1.3 billion, dwarfing the £827 million lost by Nick Leeson when he brought down Barings Bank in 1995.

Until now, his life was a long success story, starting in Tema, near the Ghanaian capital. As the son of a Ghanaian United Nations worker, Mr Adoboli was born into a life of privilege, his journey started with boarding school in England, from there he went on to study for a BSc in Computing and Business Management at Nottingham University. His computing skills earned him a graduate job at UBS, where he started in a back office before being transferred to a trading desk.

People were a little surprised when he turned up on the trading desk because he didn’t have a trading background. After starting his trading career in 2006, he proved sufficiently adept to be moved on to the Delta One trading desk.

Until four months ago, he lived in a 3,000 sq ft open-plan apartment in

Kweku Adoboli

the city, paying £1,000 per week rent. His neighbours had no complaints, he was supposed to be vibrant, hardworking and one having girlfriends.

He said his former tenant used to talk about his African background and made regular trips back to Ghana to see his parents and extended family. But at some point over the past year, it is alleged, things started to go wrong at Mr Adoboli’s trading desk. It remains unclear by exactly what means he is alleged to have lost £1.3 billion. One theory is that the bank’s losses were related to the devaluation of the Swiss Franc on Sept 6. If the bank, or one of its employees, was trading in foreign currency the sudden devaluation could have had a disastrous impact on any trading that relied on a higher valuation. In recent months Mr Adoboli had been working exceptionally long hours, according to neighbours at the apartment complex in Whitechapel, east London, to which he recently moved. The first sign of trouble came when Mr Adoboli updated his Facebook page to say: “I need a miracle.”

By Amit Patel

land owned by the white farmers to the poor farm workers for their support – each were successful in making their carrot appealing enough to get people to follow them.

And herein lays the key to their success. It is not about what is right or wrong, or even about what is affordable or practical. It is only about offering the carrot that people want.

This can sound cynical and indeed some leaders offer material rewards such as land or wealth (or bonuses) in order to achieve their material aims. But it can also be inspirational - great leaders offer freedom, not theirs but ours; freedom to think, to speak and most importantly to grow.

What kind of leader would you be? The answer to that can be found by knowing what type of carrot would you reach for?

Mahindras take to skies with 5-seater aircraft

In what is being described as a milestone for both India’s indigenous civil aviation and the publicprivate partnership programmes, the Mahindra group in collaboration with CSIR National Aerospace Laboratories has successfully test-flown a five-seater aircraft. The project, which took three years to move from the drawing board to the skies, is billed to revolutionize Indian transportation over the next decade.

The aircraft has completed five tests in the last 10 days and it could take six months or more before it gets the FAR 23 certification, which guarantees the highest standards of safety. It could then go for commercial development.

Once ready, each aircraft is expected to cost around $400,000 and would also be the first such commercial aircraft in the world which offers a five seat configuration. For the Mahindra group, it is the second leap into aviation after it acquired the Australia-based aircraft maker Gippsland Aviation about two years ago.

“It may not have the sex appeal of jets but it would open up areas which were virtually not accessible earlier and aviation would become an alternate mode of transport to connect such remote locations,” a visibly excited Anand Mahindra said describing the reach and potential of the initiative.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

21

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

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

Pressure Mounting on Euro We are continuing to see more problems emerge from Europe.

A major question that now keeps appearing is ‘what are the European finance ministers and leaders really doing about it?’ I believe it was Emperor Nero who carried on playing the fiddle whilst Rome burnt, if I recall rightly, and this seems to be the same scenario that European Finance Ministers and Leaders would appear to be taking in their handling of the Eurozone Sovereign debt crisis.

Markets are disappointed and becoming more skeptical as to whether there actually is a solution to the debt crisis in Europe – we seem to be on the brink of witnessing a major disaster! It has almost become inevitable that Greece will default; maybe something that

might have already occurred by the time you read this article!

Investors are more interested in how this default will be handled and if the situation will be contagious.

Pressure could be further mounting on German Chancellor Angela Merkel, you only have to look at this weekend’s latest regional poll results in Berlin, as she attempts to get through the Bundestag plans to boost the Eurozone’s rescue fund (EFSF) and to approve the second bail-out package to Greece. Greece is still in a position of uncertainty for the future despite Prime Minister Papandreou calling off a trip to the US to primarily concentrate on further austerity measures ensuring that Greece meets the demands of its lenders for the first bail-out package.

Let’s not be under any illusion that the UK will not be affected if the problems in Europe escalate. In fact the rumor is that if problems in Italy were to escalate this could affect UK Banks negatively to the tune of £80 Billion! Not that the UK doesn’t have its own issues – Even with all the austerity measures, we are being told that a new £12 Billion black hole has appeared! With all the unpopu-

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 20th September 2011 @ 11am GBP - INR = 75.39 USD - INR = 47.96 EUR - INR = 65.74 GBP - USD = 1.57 GBP - EUR = 1.15 EUR - USD = 1.37 GBP - AED = 5.77 GBP - CAD = 1.55 GBP - NZD = 1.91

lar decisions … we could easily see the austerity measures passed on to the next parliament and inherit the same issues as the current one!

Is it all doom and gloom?

Well I attended the 12th year Asian Achievers Awards on Friday the 19th September; and in talking to the Asian business economy, it seems we are still seeing growth and prosperity.

There are new opportunities opening up for the cash rich and creative ideas being delivered from up and coming entrepre-

neurs… it is in these times when the new Donald Trump’s are created and Richard Branson’s born!

The best thing about this event is where we see Asian businesses pull together and provide support for each other – We work with several large Asian businesses and I can safely say that they the most astute when it comes to ensuring they are getting the best exchange rates and service; this would be the right time to say… I am very happy that we are able to deliver.

GBP - AUD = 1.53 GBP - ZAR = 11.99 GBP - HUF = 334.64

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

22

PakIStan-BagladeSh-SrI lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Rein in Haqqani men, US asks Pakistan In focUS Washington: The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressing "deep concerns" about violent attacks mounted by the Haqqani insurgent network, has again pressed the Pakistani military to take action against militant havens, US officials said.

The chairman, Adm Mike Mullen, held a twohour private meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, during a military conference in Seville, Spain, where the two discussed their nations' com-

China offers military help to Bangla army chief Beijing: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie promised all form of assistance to the Bangladesh military in order to advance bilateral and military relationship.

"China is willing to enhance interactions with Bangladesh in all fields and at all levels to advance bilateral and military relations and make contributions to safeguarding regional peace and stability," Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie told the visiting Bangladesh army chief Muhammad Abdul Mubeen.

Mubeen's visit to Beijing comes within days of his army and government participating in an agreement for settling the India-Bangladesh border dispute during the recent visit of Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka.

The official Xinhua news agency quoted Mubeen as saying that the government and military of Bangladesh attach great importance to developing relations with China.

Bangladesh is willing to work with China to enhance cooperation and further promote militaryto-military relations, he said.

Liang responded by saying that it was China's established policy to strengthen friendly cooperation with Bangladesh.

Sirajuddin Haqqani

plicated relationship.

"Admiral Mullen conveyed his deep concerns about the increasing - and

increasingly brazen - activities of the Haqqani network and restated his strong desire to see the Pakistani military take action against them and their safe havens in North Waziristan," said Capt John Kirby, the chairman's special assistant for public affairs.

American officials have said they have compelling evidence that Haqqani fighters have received support and direction from Pakistan's ISI. Admiral Mullen has sought to improve ties

with Pakistan's military leadership, and on many bilateral issues he has served as the United States government's leading interlocutor with Pakistan.

During the recent meeting in Spain between Admiral Mullen and General Kayani, the two "agreed that the relationship between our two countries remained vital to the region and that both sides had taken positive steps to improve that relationship over the past few months."

Pak PM Gilani calls off US visit after Obama snub

Islamabad: Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani called off at the eleventh hour his planned visit to the US after President Barack Obama refused to meet him on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

The prime minister's house announced that Gilani had called off his visit as he intended to personally supervise relief operations in flood-hit areas of Sindh, but the Dawn newspaper quoted its sources as saying that one reason for the move was the US president's "refusal to meet" Gilani on the sidelines of the UN session in New York.

Gilani has now direct-

Yousuf Raza Gilani

ed foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar to represent Pakistan at the UN General Assembly session.

There were indications that the strained relations between Pakistan and the US had led to Gilani cancelling his trip to America, where he was to address the UN General Assembly session, the daily reported.

The Pakistan embassy in Washington and the Consulate General in New York had "tried hard to arrange a meeting between Gilani and Obama but failed," the report said.

The visit was cancelled at the "eleventh hour" and "all arrangements related to the trip, such as issuance of tickets to members of the delegation and their hotel bookings in New York, had been finalised," the report said.

"Supervision of flood relief efforts is an excuse, because only this week the prime minister had a couple of days' trip to Iran," a journalist, who was to accompany Gilani to New York, was quoted as saying.

Pakistan court asks govt to block Facebook Lahore: The Lahore High Court has directed Pakistani authorities to block access to all websites, including Facebook, that are involved in "spreading religious hatred" and to submit a compliance report by October 6.

In an order issued on Monday, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed directed the information technology ministry to "deny access to all websites in Pakistan involved in spreading religious hatred". However, the judge directed the ministry that access to Google or other search engines should not be denied.

The judge issued the order in response to a petition seeking a permanent ban on US-based Facebook for hosting a competition on blasphemous caricatures of Prophet Mohammed.

Lawyer Muhammad Azhar Siddique, who had filed the petition, said Islamic values were being insulted in the name of access to information and this was hurting the feeling of billions of Muslims across the world.

Despite an earlier order of the high court, the information technology ministry had not blocked web-

sites spreading religious hatred, Siddique claimed.

Siddique also asked the court to direct the federal government to stop the display of material considered blasphemous by any religion or insulting to the Prophet Mohammed on all websites in Pakistan.

He said the government should be directed to establish a permanent authority with legal status, which could monitor such "objectionable activities" across the world.

Pakistani authorities had briefly barred access to Facebook last year on the orders of the Lahore High Court.

Pak refuses to hand over ex-ISI chief to Bosnia tribunal Islamabad: Pakistan has refused to hand over a retired general, who headed the spy agency ISI, to an international tribunal investigating war crimes in Bosnia, according to a media report.

The Pakistan government cited medical grounds as its reason for not handing over former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt Gen (retired) Javed Nasir to the International Tribunal of Hague, official sources were quoted as saying by The Express Tribune newspaper. The tribunal had demanded custody of Nasir for his alleged support to Bosnian Muslim fighters despite an embar-

go by the United Nations.

The Bosnian Muslims were fighting against the Serbian army in the 1990s.

Pakistan has informed the international court that Nasir "lost his memory" following a recent road accident and was unable to face any investigation into the issue.

Nasir himself was unavailable for comment.

His son, Omer Javed, said the former general was not in service during the Bosnian war of 1993-95 as he had been "removed from the army" by then.

The summons for Nasir came when Serbian army officials were put on trial by the international

Javed Nasir

tribunal for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Bosnia.

It was then revealed that Nasir was actively involved in the war and had supported and provided arms to the Bosnian Muslim resistance.

The case was built on a "confessional statement" that Nasir made in a petition filed by his lawyer against an English daily after it published a report of his alleged involvement in embezzlement.

In the petition filed in an anti-terrorism court in Lahore on October 23, 2002, Nasir disclosed that "despite the UN ban on supply of arms to the besieged Bosnians, he successfully airlifted sophisticated anti-tank guided missiles, which turned the tide in favour of Bosnian Muslims and forced the Serbs to lift the siege, much to the annoyance of the US government".

8 killed as bomber targets top Pak cop

Karachi: A Taliban suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives outside the home of a senior police officer Chaudhry Aslam tasked with cracking down on militants in Pakistan's largest city Karachi.

The blast killed at least eight people, including six policemen, who were guarding Aslam’s home, police said. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. The target of the bombing, Chaudhry Aslam, escaped unscathed and said he would not be cowed by the attack. "This is a cowardly act," Aslam told local television. "I'm not scared. I will not spare them."

20-hour Kabul siege ends, 27 killed Kabul: The 20-hour insurgent assault on the Afghan capital left 27 dead - including police, civilians and attackers - when fighting finally ended last week, officials said. Eleven Afghan civilians were killed, more than half of them children, said US Marine Corps Gen John Allen. Five Afghan police officers also died, he said. A total of 11 insurgents were also killed in the fighting, seven of them as Nato and Afghan forces launched an operation to clear the attackers out of a half-built concrete high-rise near the US embassy and a Nato compound where they were holed up for the assault.

New Libyan rulers warn Pakistan Islamabad: Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) will not revalidate residential visas of Pakistani diplomats in Tripoli, if Islamabad does not recognise the new administration soon, according to a newspaper report attributed to official sources. The Libyan Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani charge d'affaires in Tripoli to inform him of the decision, The Express Tribune reports. According to the NTC, Tripoli will not revalidate residential visas issued by former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi to the diplomats of all those countries that do not recognise the new Libyan authority as a legitimate representative of the people.

Al-Qaeda operations chief killed in Pak Washington: Al-Shari, the Al-Qaeda operations chief in Pakistan, was killed in Waziristan, according to a source. While there was no explanation how he was killed, it is known armed predator drones have been used to kill suspected terrorist. 'The loss of their chief of operations in Pakistan, an individual who played a key operational and administrative role for the group, will pose a challenge for top Al- Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, an unnamed official was quoted as saying.

Death toll in Pak suicide bombing rises to 34 Peshawar: The death toll from a suicide bombing that targeted members of an anti-Taliban militia attending funeral prayers in Pakistan's northwestern region has risen to 34. The bomber blew himself up as mourners gathered on open ground in Jandol town in the district of Lower Dir, 100 km from the once Taliban-infested Swat Valley. Bombings blamed on Taliban and al-Qaida-linked networks have killed more than 4,630 people in Pakistan since 2007, destabilising the nuclear-armed state.

Snakes, hunger stalk Pak flood victims Badin: Pakistani flood victims are crowding hospitals and camping out near inundated fields as the government struggles to deliver relief supplies. Floods have ravaged Sindh province since early last month, killing more than 220 people and damaging or destroying around 665,000 homes. Ameer Zadi said she carried her younger sister, Begum, on her back through the waist-high waters after she was bitten by a snake.

Sindh saw similar scenes during last year's floods, which at their peak affected all four of the country's provinces. While some districts have been flooded out twice, many of the hardest-hit towns and villages this time around were unaffected in 2010.

Buddhist monks destroy Muslim shrine in Lanka Colombo: A crowd led by Buddhist monks demolished a Muslim shrine in Anuradhapura, an ancient Buddhist city and Unesco world heritage site, last week. The monk who led the group said he did it because the shrine was on land that was given to Sinhalese Buddhists 2,000 years ago.But a Muslim leader in the area said he was very sad and the sentiment was shared by many Sinhalese too.Local government officials arrived and said they would remove the shrine within three days, but the crowd said "we cannot wait" and proceeded to tear down the structure.

US urges Lanka to probe war crimes Colombo: A top US official has urged Sri Lanka to address allegations of war crimes in a report on its civil war due to be released this year. The call from US Assistant Secretary of State Robert O Blake comes just days after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent a expert report to the UN Human Rights Council that concluded that tens of thousands of people were killed in the last five months of the war, primarily by government troops.

world

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Ganesh vs Hitler play in Melbourne Festival worries Hindus

In Focus Denmark gets first woman PM

Copenhagen: Denmark's centre-left was celebrating victory after narrowly winning a general election to end a decade in opposition, ushering in the nation's first woman prime minister. “We made history today,” added the Social Democratic leader destined to become Denmark's first woman head of government. After 99.6 per cent of votes had been counted, it was clear the centre-left bloc headed by Thorning-Schmidt had taken 89 seats in Denmark's 179-seat parliament against 86 for exiting Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen's centre right government and parliamentary supporters.

Nepal PM travels in economy class to UN Kathmandu: Nepal's new Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai headed for New York leading a 13-member delegation to attend the 66th UN General Assembly. What makes the very start of the journey comment-worthy is that the former finance minister, who revived Nepal's flagging economy two years ago, has now chosen to travel economy. A media report last week quoted Bhattarai, born to a poor farming family in western Nepal, as saying that since he was a farmer's son, he would fly as ordinary people did - by economy class.

No pat-downs for kids at US airports Washington: Children under 12 may soon be spared patdowns and taking off their shoes as the US begins to implement new airport security screening procedures, homeland security secretary Janet Napolitano said. "And we hope, over the coming weeks and months to be able to begin rolling that out." "Today, 14 million passengers fly to, from and within the United States each week and 100% of them are screened against government watch lists, Napolitano said. More than 52,000 TSA personnel serve at over 450 US airports. Thousands of these TSA officers will require additional training to incorporate the shifts in strategy,” Napolitano said.

Obama support slips; Hillary Clinton most popular Washington: As new polls suggested that President Barack Obama's support is eroding among elements of his base, he claimed that his odds of being re-elected in 2012 are 'much higher' than they were in 2008.

Meanwhile, another poll suggested over a third of Americans believe the US would be better off now if his 2008 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton were president.

Nevada (US): Hindus are concerned at the play "Ganesh Versus the Third Reich", which is having a world premiere at Melbourne Festival in Australia on September 29.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA), said that Lord Ganesh was meant to be worshipped in temples and homes and not to be made a laughing stock on theatre stages.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that Lord Ganesh was divine and theater/film/art were welcome to create projects

about/around him showing his true depiction as mentioned in the scriptures. Creating irrelevant imaginary imagery, like reportedly depicting him being tortured and interrogated by Nazi SS, hurt the devotees.

Its creator, internationally acclaimed "Back to Back Theatre", itself calls it a "strange" fable, "rambunctious". Describing the play, media release of copresenter Malthouse Theatre says that Ganesh "seeks to go one-on-one with Hitler". It is also described by some as "wildly inventive ride through history, where

sacred icons and rituals become weapons" and "brimming with humour".

Rajan Zed argued that taxpayer funded organizations like Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria, and City of Melbourne; which supported this play; should be more vigilant in their selections.

Zed further pointed out that we needed to be more sensitive about the feelings of "others".

Recently, depiction of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi on swimwear at a fashion event held in Sydney (Australia) resulted in worldwide protests.

Popular radio host Kyle

1 in 6 Americans living below poverty line Washington: One in six Americans are now living below poverty line, the Census Bureau said in a report, reflecting the adverse impact of economic crisis on common man.

"The nation's official poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 per cent, up from 14.3 per cent in 2009 - the third consecutive annual increase in the poverty rate," Census Bureau said in its report.

"There were 46.2 million people in poverty in 2010, up from 43.6 million in 2009 - the fourth consecutive annual increase and the largest number in the

52 years for which poverty estimates have been published," it said. These findings are contained in the report 'Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010.'

The government defines the poverty line as income of $ 22,314 a year

for a family of four and $ 11,139 for individual.

Census Bureau said, the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 49.0 million in 2009 to 49.9 million in 2010, while the percentage without coverage - 16.3 per cent was not statistically different from the rate in 2009.

Since 2007, the year before the most recent recession, real median household income has declined 6.4 per cent and is 7.1 per cent below the median household income peak that occurred prior to the 2001 recession in 1999.

Sandilands recently made derogatory remarks, ridiculing Hindus' holy river Ganga, on Sydney's hit music station. Australian swimwear company, Sandilands and his radio station later apologized after the protests.

Bruce Galdwin directed "Ganesh Versus the Third Reich", will be shown at Merlyn Theatre (The Malthouse) in Southbank (Victoria, Australia) from September 29 to October 9. Ticket prices are up to $58. It is also scheduled to be exhibited at the "5th World Summit on Arts and Culture" on October 4.

India backs Libya’s National Council in UN New Delhi: As Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh prepares for his visit to the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, India has announced support for Libya’s Transitional National Council in the UN. The government said in a statement that it supported the acceptance of credentials of the delegation of the TNC, led by its President Mustafa Abdel Jalil, to attend the forthcoming UNGA session in New York. “India will also be participating in the high level meeting on Libya scheduled to be held in the margins of the UNGA.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Suicide bomber kills ex-Afghan President Rabbani

US sees Rahul vs Modi fight for prime ministership in 2014 polls

Kabul: Former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who headed a government peace council set up to facilitate contacts with Taliban insurgents, was assassinated om Tuesday by a suicide bomber concealing explosives in his turban, officials said. Four of Rabbani's bodyguards also died and a key presidential adviser was wounded.

President Hamid Karzai cut short a visit to the U.S. over the attack, which dealt a harsh blow to peace efforts after a decade of war. The turban bomber entered Rabbani's house in the capital Kabul on Tuesday evening and blew himself up inside, said Mohammad Zahir, the chief of criminal investigation for the Kabul police.

Rabbani headed the country's High Peace Council, which was set up by the Afghan government to work toward a political solution to the decadelong war. However, it had made little headway since it was formed a year ago.

A report on India by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), a bipartisan and independent research wing of the US Congress, finds Modi a strong prime ministerial candidate for the opposition BJP in 2014, while at the same time discussing the prospect of the Congress putting up Rahul Gandhi for the position.

The US’s obsession with Modi, despite its public stance, is evident from the fact that of all the leaked cables, Rahul Gandhi is mentioned in 120 Wikileaks cables, and Modi is mentioned in 91.

Interestingly, a cable with subject ‘Congress Versus Modzilla In Gujarat’ from US consulate in Mumbai, dated May 13, 2009, says: “There is no one else in the BJP who comes close to matching him (Modi) in star power.” It goes on to say, “Several contacts refer to 2009 election as a ‘semifinal’, with the ‘final’ as a showdown between the

presumed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Modi for Prime Minister, perhaps as soon as the next midterm elections.”

As the debate on potential prime ministerial contenders for the 2014 elections picks up in India, a US Congressional report says it might just turn out to be a direct contest between Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

However, the report which gives a detailed account of international political dimensions of India, does not clearly state it would be a Modi vs Gandhi affair in 2014.

Party chief and UPA chair, Sonia Gandhi is seen to wield considerable influence over the coalition's policy making process, it said.

"Her foreign origins have presented an obstacle and likely was a major factor in her surprising 2004 decision to decline the prime ministership," the report said, adding that Rahul is widely seen as the most likely heir to Congress leadership.

82 killed as quake jolts Sikkim, Bengal, Nepal and Tibet Continued from page 1 Some students are trapped in Rabengla in West Sikkim where aerial reccee is being carried out.

General Officer Commanding, Eastern Command, Lt General Bikram Singh said that army had lost five jawans due to the quake and added that the roads beyond Mangan are completely blocked and will take 25 to 30 days to clear.

Though electricity has been restored in parts of Sikkim's capital Gangtok, rescue operations have been slow due to bad

weather. Nine helicopters have been mobilised and 10 doctors have been airlifted to Chungthang in North Sikkim which is still without power supply.

The army has also deployed 10 medical units in the quake-affected areas.

National Highway 55 which connects Bagdogra to Darjeeling has now been restored while the Gangtok Nathu La Highway, known as Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, is expected to be cleared soon. More than 5,000 jawans are carrying out rescue and relief operations in the area.

(Courtesy: The Times of India)

One way traffic is being allowed on National Highway 31A, linking Gangtok to Bagdogra which was partly opened on Monday. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamlin held a high level meeting to review the situation.

Meanwhile, aerial reccee and damage assessment were still on of worst affected areas like Sintham, Pegong, Chunthang. Food packets were also being dropped in several places.

Looking dangerous, one side of Sikkim's Paljor stadium is tilted and threatening to topple down. The state's Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Thupten Bhutia has taken stock of the devastation.

Mandeep Singh, SP, East Sikkim, said that most of the rescue operations have been finished as far as east district is concerned and most of the tourists stuck in Gangtok have left the state.

Guj offers help to quake-hit states Gujarat has extended help to northern parts of the country hit by earthquake on Sunday. Chief minister Narendra Modi, while conveying sympathy towards the quake-affected states and its people, expressed readiness to send trained rescue teams of Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority ( GSDMA). Gujarat had received help from various parts of the country and the world during the devastating earthquake of 2002.

Since the incident, the state has developed a special mechanism to handle rescue operations during the incidents like earthquake and other natural calamities.

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

Yagna and Freedom Today, we revisit stories within the Mahabharata during the Pandava princes’ exile. Then, Rishi Lomesh had taken them on a long tour of all the holy places in Bharata.

The rishi then tells Yudhisthira, “O king we are now in the part of the country called Kalinga.

This is the river Vaitarni.

Dharma, the lord of death, performed a great yagna on the northern shore of this river near these foothills. Since then many rishis have done yagnas here, this place is always full of Brahmins performing austerities and reciting verses from the Vedas. For those tapasvis who wish to reach swarga or heaven, the road is from the southern to the northern banks of this river. Once, the gods also decided to perform a big yagna here. They forgot to keep a share of the yagna for Lord Shiva. In the midst of the yagna, Lord Shiva, in his form of Rudra, came and took away the sacrificial animal. The yagna being incomplete, the devas started fearing the consequences. The devas then prayed to Lord Shiva, praising him in beautiful verses. They requested him not to destroy their yagna and give them back the sacrificial animal. Lord Shiva was pleased and the devas got the animal back. They finished the

sacrifice and gave a proper share to Rudra. It has, since, been the custom that in any yagna the first fruit is offered to Lord Shiva.” Here, Rishi Vyasa says that whoever recites the verses the devas recited for Rudra to be happy will see the pathway to paradise.

The Pandavas, then, bathed in the river. It is said that after a person dies, he has to cross the Vaitarni. A dip in this river gives one remission from sins. The word Vaitarni comes from “vitru” or to cross over and also from “vitaran” or to distribute. It means that at the point of death we have one more chance to be free, and this is by crossing this river. To cross over, we must distribute or give away all that we hold on to.

Shiva came in the form of Rudra. This comes

from the root “rodayati” or to cry. To perform a yagna we must first be free of crying or complaining. We complain about everything in our lives and because of complaining, we never get the fruits of our actions. All of us have an animal within us and before death we have to transform this animal nature. The first step is to be free of complaining and the second to perform actions with an attitude of prayer. This is depicted by the beautiful verses sung by the devas to get back the sacrificial animal.

The river is in Kalinga.

This comes from the root “kal” or strife or quarrel.

Before we die, we want to drop all the strife we are holding on to and this is done by crossing the river.

We then stand on the other shore, pure and free.

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

Modi fasts for 'peace and unity' Continued from page 1 undertaking such a fast and wants to show that he is their protector."

Despite criticism from public and opposition party, Modi remained undisturbed and continued what he intended. At the end of the fast, he gave a speech, exhorting India to “dream like Gujarat” and pledged his “life, mind, body and heart” to the service of the country.

“It is often said that India does not dream big and that is the root cause of all our problems. Why can’t we dream like China, Europe or America?

Sapne hi nahin hain to sankalp kaise hoga, aur sankalp nahin to jodne ki ichchha kaise hogi? (How can there be resolve without dreams, and from where will the impetus for unity come without resolve?)” Modi asked.

The country needs to dream like Gujarat He wanted Gujarat to develop for the sake of India’s development, the chief minister said. “I am not satisfied yet... I want to take Gujarat to newer

heights... I wish to show the world the strength that drives Gujarat.”

“Rashtraneeti”, Modi said, is above “rajneeti” “We wasted 60 years during which nearly every government worked with the objective of winning the next election... Gujarat has come out of this in the

ment for all. Many people felt that his fast was a smart move by Mr Modi to propel himself for the prime ministership in the next general election.

Maintaining that his fast was not against anybody, he said, “I don't want to speak about anybody.

Gujarat wants to move forward. We want to be in service of India. We want to move together and Sadhbhavna (harmony) will be our strength.

Development is our only motto. We will be a model for the world on how development can be achieved with peace, harmony and Cong leaders Shankarsinh Waghela and Arjun Modhwadia brotherhood," Modi said.

Among the prominent ending their fast.

BJP leaders, who visited Modi during the fast were last decade.” veteran leader L K Advani, His government, Modi Sushma Swaraj, Venkaiah said, did nothing specifiNaidu, Hema Malini, cally for either the majoriArun Jaitely, Smriti Irani ty or the minority - it always worked for the peoand Punjab chief minister ple of Gujarat. “The Parkash Singh Badal BJP Sachar Commission asked spokesperson Nirmala me, ‘What do you do for Sitaraman and the minorities?’ I said Maharashtra Navnirman Seva (MNS) chief Raj ‘Nothing. Nor do I do anyThackeray. Tamil Nadu thing for the majority. chief minister Jayalaathia Whatever I do is for the also send emissaries to people of the state; I represent her. believe in equal develop-

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

India, China square off for sea fight Soon after India announced its decision to go ahead with oil exploration in South China Sea with Vietnam, China said it would expand its exploration of 10,000 sq km of seabed in southwest Indian Ocean.

This was announced as part of its 2011-2015 oceanic development policy.

Xinhua, China's state run news agency, quoted China's head of oceanic development Liu Cigui as saying, "We will expand the depths and scope of oceanic research and improve our understanding of the ocean, with special focuses on the polar regions and deep sea environments." Liu, head of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), made the comments at a meeting on oceanic technology in Beijing.

The Chinese intent would have security implications. India's Naval Hydrography Department, one of the best in the world, has done extensive work, mapping the bottom of the Indian Ocean. Sources said Indian hydrographers, with skills developed over the years, have perhaps the best knowledge in the world of the bottom of the ocean -which would not only help mariners, but are invaluable resources for India's defence and strategic planning.

On July 11, the International Seabed

Authority (ISA) allowed exploration for polymetallic sulphides by China Ocean Minerals Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA). The development sent shockwaves across the Indian government. The thing is, India could have done any number of such exploratory activities. India has received exploratory rights by the ISA for a large number of blocks. But Indian inaction has meant that a number of these blocks have had to be surrendered to the ISA. India still retains a number of blocks in the Indian Ocean. India cannot object to China obtaining mining rights in the Indian Ocean, particularly as India has itself neglected its concessions.

Obviously, keeping in mind China's swift moves into the Indian Ocean, the government last month released its surveys of the sea-bed on Indian territorial waters. The surveys by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) shows the presence of heavy deposits of ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, monazite and garnet off the east coast, as well as off Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The GSI has also conducted reconnaissance surveys to identify potential areas for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) off Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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25

Anna Hazare rules out joining politics Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare last week ruled out joining politics or his movement taking a political turn.

"Absolutely not. I am taking extreme care to keep the anti-corruption movement free of politics.

There is absolutely no such possibility," the 74year-old activist said.

He was replying to a question whether his movement against corruption for a Jan Lokpal Bill could slowly take political hues following the recent announcement of Team Anna asking people to vote out MPs opposed to their version of the law in the next Parliament elections.

Hazare, however, minced no words in branding the proposed anti-corruption "yatra" being launched by senior BJP leader L K Advani as the one designed to derive political mileage.

5"/

"If this yatra is aimed at rooting out corruption , why do not they oppose the ruling party and bring the Jan Lokpal bill? "If they are sincere in their fight against corruption why can't they set up 'Lokayukta' in BJPruled states? We suspect a political motive in this yatra", he said reacting to Advani's announcement on embarking on a countrywide yatra against corruption.

Asked about Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's statement that Lokpal should have Constitutional status on the lines of Election Commission, Hazare said,

"both Lokpal and Election Commissioner would have the autonomous status without government interference in their functioning".

Hazare also strongly refuted the allegation of Congress leader Digvijay Singh that his anti-corruption movement was based on the support from RSS and the claim by VHP leader Ashok Singhal that his organisation had backed it.

"Our movement has nothing to do with RSS or VHP. All this is being talked to mislead the people," he said.

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Elaborating on the issues he wanted to be included in the resolution adopted by Parliament to break the deadlock over his recent fast, he said, "we wanted these three points to be adopted to create confidence among people about the Bill's scope which should ultimately bring Prime Minister, judiciary and MPs in its ambit after due deliberations."

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26

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

UK Parliament discusses Kashmir issues, but finds no takers Jammu and Kashmir and has been for years and remains a subject for regional dispute. On Thursday, the House of Commons held its first debate for many years on the position of human rights in the Indian sub continent. Much of the debate, however, centred on the issue of alleged human rights violations in Indian controlled Kashmir. Emotive speeches were made on the subject and calls were made for the UK to play a greater part in trying to resolve this long-standing regional dispute.

Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also came to London to attend this parliamentary debate, a spokesman of the conglomerate said in a statement.

The British MPs from across the political spectrum urged the British government to intervene and seek a commitment from India that it would do everything possible to protect the rights of the people of Kashmir.

However their efforts virtually fell flat as the debate on the issue drew few takers. There was no vote on it and less than 30 members of the 640-strong House of Commons attended the debate.

The British government also asserted that it was for India and Pakistan to resolve the problem bilaterally.

Britain's Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Alistair Burt said, "No matter how well intentioned, any attempts by the UK or other third parties to mediate or prescribe solutions (to Kashmir issue) would hinder progress."

Speaking during a debate called by the Conservative MP Steven Baker, whose constituency has a large number of

Kapil’s

KHICHADI Twitter: @kdudakia

by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com

Terrorist Sympathisers in British Parliament?

Bob Blackman

Rickie Sehgal

Virendra Sharma

people of Pakistani origin from Mirpur, members referred to an Amnesty International report alleging widespread abuse of human rights in Kashmir and called for an independent commission to be sent to the region to investigate the allegations.

Mr. Baker said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had recently assured that no violation of human rights would be tolerated.

Another Tory member, Jason McCartney, demanded a repeal of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act and an “independent and impartial'' inquiry into alleged rights abuses.

Labour's Denis MacShane, a former Minister, described Kashmir as a “forgotten tragedy'' and urged the global community to break its “silence.”

His party colleague Barry Gardiner highlighted the Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks on India and said that the situation in Kashmir must be seen in the context of terrorism promoted from across the border (see page 3).

The debate raised eyebrows in Indian diplomatic circles with sources describing it as “not very unhelpful” in advancing India-U.K. relations.

Labour MP Virendra Sharma, who called it a routine debate said, “We are not making it an India issue or see it as an attack on India."

Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative) said, "Having grown up with Indians over many years, I have debated and talked about this issue for some 25 to 30 years...It is often forgotten that there are more Muslims in India than in the whole of Pakistan and Bangladesh combined; it is a truly secular state, which offers equal opportunity to people of all religions.

It has also been the subject of many terrorist atrocities, most of which, it is claimed, emanate from the state of Pakistan. Naturally therefore, the Indian Government are concerned about whether Pakistan can be trusted...Jammu and Kashmir had the opportunity of joining either India or Pakistan. While it deliberated, Pakistan invaded.

There is an illegally occupied area of Kashmir, therefore: the area that is Pakistani-controlled. The area that is administered

by India represents what was wanted by the people of Jammu and Kashmir at the time of secession. All the atrocities that have taken place on both sides of the dividing line should be investigated, and both sides should be held to account.

Let us compare the two states in their current forms, however.

In Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, all political parties can

debate and stand for elections. In fact, there was an 85% turnout for this year’s local elections in Jammu and Kashmir. All Members of this House would like to see such a turnout for a general, let alone a local election. By contrast, in Pakistaniadministered Kashmir political parties are allowed to form and agitate only provided they accept Pakistan’s right to rule Kashmir that is not even-handed in any extreme. We must seek to even out the position and make sure that people understand that the current position is not even...”

Rickie Sehgal, chairman of the BACL commented: "The BACL represents the new multicultural face of British politics. We can assist in helping politicians and the public understand both matters which concern Asians in the UK but also those in their respective homelands...

BACL will lend its constructive support to all sides in the interests of fairness. Only if there is this fairness, I believe, can both India and Pakistan resolve this matter. Britain is a valuable ally to both countries.

More positive and constructive energy should be devoted to building trust and commercial bridges with India and Pakistan as the commercial centre of gravity moves to the East."

Fake death certificates net millions for tourist Indian doctors are helping unscrupulous tourists with an insurance fraud that costs millions as reported by The Sunday Times.

An investigation by The Sunday Times exposed the illicit trade in fake medical reports and death certificates sold by corrupt foreign doctors to unscrupulous British holidaymakers seeking to make false insurance claims.

Their undercover reporter was handed a series of falsified documents by doctors and medical officials in India that wrongly stated he had been treated for dengue fever, heart problems and a stomach complaint while on holiday. Each would have enabled him to make claims for thousands of pounds on his health insurance

by submitting the fake bills. Even more lucrative are death certificates that can be obtained for as little as ￡800.

One, bearing the name of the reporter and apparently stamped by a registrar from the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, could have been used to claim hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The Sunday Times launched its investigation after being tipped off about the secret trade by a whistleblower. Insurers detected false claims worth ￡6m last year, yet experts say this represents only a fraction of the total.

Even when false claims are discovered, the insurers are deterred from pursuing prosecutions because of the time and cost involved.

Family values: Answer to Britain’s crime

No doubt the headline above must have caught Let me your eye.

15th on explain, September 2011 the Parliament British allowed a debate on a motion titled: ‘General debate on human rights in the Indian sub-continent.’ The motion tabled by the Conservative MP Steve Baker, along with four other MPs appears to have been created for the sole purpose of talking about the situation in Kashmir, and to underIndian the mine Government. The debate was a humiliating failure and showed the stupidity of some of the MPs. It does however beg the question, why did they not cover issues such as the following?

The role of 1.

Pakistan and its state sponsored cross border terrorism over many decades?

Why since the 2. of independence Pakistan, people from faiths other than Islam have been wiped out almost totally? What happened to their human rights?

What about the 3. plight of the Kashmiri Pandits (the true custodians of the area over many millennia) who have lost 100’s of thousands, with many millions displaced from their homeland as a result of Pakistani sponsored cross border terrorism?

The list is not exhaustive but suffice to say, the ‘root’ cause of this evil stems from across the border. Don’t take my word for it, even Cameron Munter the US ambassador to Pakistan said last week that there is evidence linking the Haqqani militant network to the Pakistani government.

Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "I Bernard Hogan-Howe, the new don't think we are here to be Police Commissioner has social workers, to run schools." emphasised that family values Policing has are the most important been distracted aspect in preventing from fighting crime crime- the 'values' that head on by commuare strongly upheld by nity projects and Asian communities. needs to refocus on Mr Hogan-Howe its core role, the told the London newly appointed Evening Standard that, Metropolitan Police despite being brought up by an "unmarried Bernard Hogan-Howe Commissioner has said. mum" and only seeing The 53-year-old confirmed his father "about 10 times in my his feeling that the sentencing life", he believed that family values were the most important of rioters and looters was not aspect of society in preventing too harsh, but said that his main concern now was to crime. ensure the London Olympics In his first interview since passed smoothly next summer. being given the job on Monday,

Benazir When Bhutto said, ‘Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism,’ those same forces of terror in Pakistan assassinated her – lest the supporters of these crazy band of evil forget.

Interestingly, in what could have been an orchestration, the gallery overseeing the debate was full of people who were on the side of Pakistan. Regrettably, there was a glaring absence of anyone from any of the Indian repreto bodies sentative overt this counter the of expression caliphate.

I am glad to say that there were some MPs who showed intelligence and pointed out the other side of the argument. Barry Gardiner was one such MP who placed on record issues missing from the debate.

Barry and MP’s of his ilk have to be commended for they have not sold out to supporters of dictators and terrorists.

We must question why MPs of Indian origin (on all sides) were not taking part in the debate? We have to ask our national organisations, where were all of you whilst this was happening on your watch?

We have to ask those in our community who welcome honours and peerages – yet are not seen when such atrocities occur in our Parliament?

Indians (of all faiths) must recognise the systematic attacks being perpetrated by those who follow the path of extremism and terrorism.

They have the backing of dictators with their billions who use any and all means to further their march unacceptable against democracy.

The former Chief Constable of Merseyside Police officially takes charge of the UK's biggest force on 26 September, after which he wants the Met to spend a couple of days every month cracking down on specific crimes.

"Take two out of 28 days, the whole organisation will concentrate on principal things.

One day it might be about bail hoppers, another day about drug warrants," he explained.

"Instead of squeezing the problem from one place to the next right across London you can see an impact."

(A more detailed report will be published in the coming issues of Asian Voice)

feSTivAl / TrAvEL

asian voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Navratri- a time to worship Goddess Durga and her nine avatars Navratri, the festival of nine nights is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the

end of the rainy season.

Navratri starts on 28th Sept of this year.

The nine days have great religious significance as Goddess Durga had destroyed the evil force (in the form of the demon Mahisashura) during this period.

The festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity all over the country. People from various sections of the society irrespective of caste and creed celebrate this festival by visiting temples and offering pujas at the Mother’s feet.

In some places special puja samarohas are also held by setting the images of Mother Durga on beautifully decorated pandals.

Temples dedicated to Shakti also make arrangement for pujas and vratas to mark these nine days as true symbols of devotion and adoration towards the divine Mother.

Garba-Raas-Dandiya: In Gujarat, Navratri is a community event, where people sing devotional songs and perform dances that are popularly known as 'Dandiya Raas' and 'Garba Raas', and observe Jaagran (waking through the night), to please the Goddess. Amba Mata Temple at Junagadh, Gujarat, is a favorite pilgrim for devotees, during Navratri. Here, painted earthen pots are used to represent the Goddess and Garba dances are performed by the Gujarati women around those pots, in circles. The pots are valued as the abode of the Goddess. The Rasa has its origin in the life scenes of Lord Krishna and is associated with the agricultural rites, while Garba is performed only by men and is related with the agricultural fertility.

The garba effect has made today’s youth excited to celebrate navratri.

Today’s youngsters play different varities of garba, raas and dandiya. The style and variations differ

in every city of Gujarat and every state of India.

Like in Ahmedabad it is “Popatiyu”, Vadodara it is “Dodiyu,” Rajkot it is “Chalti”. There is more of dandiya trend in Mumbai.

This festival is celebrated in all parts of India.

Navratri Customs: The celebrations of the festival include fasts, strictly vegetarian diet, japa (chanting mantras in honor of the Goddess Shakti) and recitation of religious hymns, prayer, meditation and reading of sacred texts related to Goddess Durga.

Navratri is celebrated twice a year - once in the month of Chaitra (AprilMay) and again in the month of Ashwin (September-October). On both the occasions, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. In the September-October celebrations, the main ritual consists of placing images of the Goddess in homes and temples. On the tenth day, the idol is immersed in water.

Numerous other celebrations are also associated with Navratri festival.

Customs & Rituals of Navratri: • The main ritual of Navratri, celebrated in September-October, consists of placing images of Goddess Durga, in homes

and temples. The devotees offer fruits and flowers to the Goddess. They also sing bhajans in her honor.

• The first three days of Navratri are devoted exclusively to the worship of Goddess Durga, when her energy and power are worshipped. Each day is dedicated to a different appearance of Durga, namely Kumari, Parvati and Kali.

• There is also a custom of planting barley seeds in a small bed of mud on the first day of puja. The shoots, when grown, are given to the attendees, as a blessing from Goddess, after the puja ceremony.

• These fourth, fifth and sixth days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth & prosperity.

Goddess Saraswati is also prayed to, on the fifth day, which is known as Lalita Panchami.

• The seventh day is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Goddess of Art and Knowledge is worshipped on the eight day and a yagna is also performed.

• The ninth day is the final day of Navratri celebrations, which is also known as 'Mahanavami'.

On this day, Kanya puja is performed, where nine young, who have not yet reached the stage of puberty, are worshipped.

Each of these nine girls symbolizes one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The feet of the girls are washed, to welcome the goddess and show respect to her.

Thereafter, the girls are offered food and a set of new clothes, as a gift from the devotees.

• The nine-day Navratra celebrations, which fall in SeptemberOctober, come to an end with the immersion of the idols of Goddess Durga in water.

• Dandiya and Garba are the featured dances performed on the evenings of Navratri, mainly in Gujarat. Garba is performed before the 'aarti', as devotional performance in the honor of the Goddess, while

Dandiya is performed after it, as a part of the celebrations.

• In case of September-October Navratri celebrations, the tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra. On this day, devotees perform 'Saraswati Puja', for blessings of knowledge and mental peace. On the day, the burning of the dummy of demon king Ravana also takes place.

27

Purvi’s travel bag

By Purvi Apurva Shah

Sasan Gir - The only place having Asiatic lions A visit to Sasan Gir National Park is an amazing experience. It can be scary and at the same time exciting to see the King of Beasts prowling through the dense deciduous forests and crisscrossing streams.

This rugged terrain of Gujarat- Sasan Gir- is the home of Asiatic lions, the only one in Asia. While visiting the jungle, there is no guarantee that you will spot one despite roaming for the whole day in the jungle.

But there are also chances that you will surprisingly see a large pride of lions moving freely all around you. Since you are in a turbo, you are safe.

But any pranks with them and you know what can happen. There is no need for tension as one guide is constantly with you spotting the sensitive place likely for lions visit.

Usually early mornings or mid-nights are ideal time to see lions as they are

work together and encircle the herd from different points.

The national park and its forests are also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and visiting it is an interesting experience.

The park is home to around 2,375 different species of fauna including

south west of Amreli.

The closest domestic airport is located at a place called Keshod which is situated around 90 km from the place. The other option for those who are arriving by air is the Diu Airport and this is situated around 100 km from the Gir Sanctuary.

mammals, insects, reptiles and birds. Some of the animals that can be seen in the park are lions, leopards, chinkaras, antelopes, sloth bears, hyenas, jungle cats and the ever elusive rusty spotted cats. Asiatic Lion was counted at 411 a few

out to find their food.

They are very smart to find their prey - they take advantage of factors that reduce visibility; many kills take place near some form of cover or at night. They sneak up to the victim until they reach a distance of around 30 metres.

Typically, several lionesses

years back.

The lions of Sasan Gir almost went into extinction due to hunting and the first preservation steps were taken by the Nawab of Junagadh. Established in 1965, with a total area of 1,412 km, the park is located 65 km to the south-east of Junagadh and 60 km to

At Sasan Gir, there are many hotels in form of luxurious lodges, some very close to the jungle, some sides being open, many tourists have seen lions strolling around their hotel. There are cases where tourists have been surrounded by lions. Day by day lions were getting less in number and the government is taking steps to see that this rare breed do not perish and even breeding is encouraged to increase them.

The Somnath Temple is also quite popular amongst the tourists. It is situated at 46 km from Sasan-Gir and is one of the most popular and ancient Hindu religious temples of India. It also has many nearby attractions like Somnath beach, Somnath museum, Junagadh gate, Bhaika Teertha, Jama Masjid, Ahilyabai Temple, Bhidiyo Pagoda and Mai Puri.

Girnar Mountain is mainly famous for the ancient Jain temples present on its hill top.

28

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 This week in CB Live watch the launch of the much awaited 2012 Hindu Pilgrimage brochure by Skylink Travel of Wembley with Gurudev Dr Rajeshji from International Siddhashram Shakti Centre. The discount travel structure for Kailash- Mansarovar, Chardham and other yatras, visit to Shree Krishna Temples and Shree Ram temples- is meant especially for devotees.

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

As the Sun transits your seventh house, you have a greater need than usual to be in a relationship. The emphasis is on "us" rather than "me". Social interactions of a personal nature are highlighted. This is likely to be an extremely busy time for most of you. Use tact and diplomacy in your dealing, otherwise you are likely to come across as over confident and egotistical.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

7pm to 8pm

For more information e-mail: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Coming Events l Gandhi Jayanti, Monday 26th September, 6pm onwards, Kadva Patidar Centre, HA3 8LU. Contact: Mahatma Gandhi Foundation(UK) 020 8863 2376 l The Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research, organised Walk for Heart and Stroke, Saturday, 24th September 2011 from 10.30am.

Register- http://heartandstrokeresearch.org/walk2011-registration-form. l Mr. Ashok Kumar Verma, President of Global Punjabi Society (UK) Chapter announces GPS's Award Nite and Diwali Dinner and Dance, 7pm on Saturday 29th October 2011 at the Liecester Stage Hotel, Wigston Fields, Leicester LE18 1JW. Contact: gpsuk@dcscare.org/ 07710 433 964. l 20 Gret Human Values- from Bhagavad Gita, Monday 3 Oct- Wed 5th Oct, 7-8:30pm. Conway Hall, London WC1R 4RL, Free admission. l Asia House, 3 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7LP - Film Screening: Everywhere and Nowhere with post-screening talk with Director Menhaj Huda, Friday 30 Sep, 2011 6:45 PM l Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street. London W1K 1HF. 23rd September, 6:30pm: Urdu solo Play by Tom Alter : Maulana Azad September 27, 2011; 7pm to 8pm. Poetry : Shabdanjali – A Bouquet of Words, Manjit Singh Chatrik

Navratri Special

l Aden Mitra Mandal celebrates Navratri, 28th of Sep to the 6th of Oct, and follow up the sharad purnima garba on the 11th of Oct at Alperton Community School, HA0 4PW. l Surrey Gujarati Hindu Society celebrates Navratri festival, Kingsley Junior School ,Chapman Road,Croydon,CR0 3JT, 28th September to 5th October. Sharad punam, Tuesday 11th October 2011 with music. 7.30-11.00pm. Admission Free.

Contact: Ghanshyam Patel on 0208 773 1828. l Anandmilan’s celebrates Navratri, Guildford Community Centre, Leapale Lane, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4LY, 28th Sept to 6th Oct, 8pm to 11pm. Entry is Free to members and, in 2011, membership to Anandmilan is also Free. l Kingston Navratri Festival: 28th September till Thursday 6th October at the Tolworth Recreational Centre, Fullers Way North, KT6 7LQ from 8.30pm till late. Sharad Poonam-11th October with 'Rangeela Orchestra'. Entry Free for all children under 14 years and paid members.

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Contact: Mahendra Thakar 07508 346810 l LCEL celebrates Navratri, from Wednesday 28th September 2011 and Sharad Poonam, 11th October 2011, Oasis Banqueting Hall, 6 Thames Road, Barking, Ilford: IG11 0HZ l Hari Aum Arts and Cultural Association Presents Navratri Festival, Hindu Cultural Society 3 Lyndhurst Avenue (Entrance), London N12 0NE, 28th September 2011 To 6th October 2011 Poonam Celebration On Saturday 8th Ocober 2011, 8.00pm Till late. Free. Contact: Suresh H Depala020 8446 5057 l Navratri Garba at Jalaram Jyot, Repton Avenue, Sudbury, Wembley, Middx HA0 3DW daily from 8.00pm from Wednesday 28th September till Thursday 6th October. Free entry. Interested sponsor-Contact: Usha Purohit - 07894 858 566 l Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford - Navratri Festival: Wednesday 28th September to Thursday 6th October 2011 from 8pm to 10pm - Durga ashtami havan: Tuesday 4th October 2011 from 11am to 4pm Contact: 0208 578 8088, Shree Jalaram Mandir, 39-45 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9LB

WIN CD SOUNDTRACKS FOR FORCE!

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Send your correct answer to aveditorial@abplgroup.com by 26th September 5pm.

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TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 The Sun transits your solar sixth house and highlights your health and also makes you take pride in your day to day work. Hence, you should enhance your skills, get organized and take up a health regime for your wellbeing. This transit highlights the need for efficiency and as such you should bring in the new and get rid of the old ideas that do not work.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 After a period of relative inactivity, you are coming out of your shell, ready to perform and to express yourself creatively. This is a very progressive period of the year, when you are inspired emotionally. You take more pride in your your love affairs, your children, and your hobbies and are generally very sociable and make friends easily.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 With the Sun transiting your solar fourth house of family and home, these areas are highlighted during this period. Buying or selling of property or even renovating it will be uppermost in your mind as you will be trying to put your roots down permanently. It is also a time when family life will be charged with emotions so be diplomatic and respect other people's views.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 You are exploring and searching now, making connections, and paying attention to your immediate environment. Socially you are very popular and your communications strengthen your connections. You will be busy with errands, paperwork, phone calls, and light socializing. Siblings, neighbours, close relatives, friends, and co-workers may play a more important role than usual in your life during this period.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 The Sun highlights your second house of finance, and your focus is on material affairs and comfort issues. This is a good time to plan your future investments carefully to maximise your profits. If travelling make sure you keep your documents safe as there is a possibility of misplacing them. Some of you might change your travel itinerary which could create upheavals at the last minute.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 The Sun transits your first house and this affects your personal identity, appearance, outward behavior, and self-expression. This marks the peak of your physical solar cycle, and you are in the position to make an impression on others, and to assert your personal influence. Increased energy and a renewed feeling of confidence is with you now, so take advantage of your charisma to achieve your goals.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 The Sun travels through your twelfth house now, marking a time of retreat and regeneration. This also heralds a time for research and unfinished behind-the-scene activities. Matters which have dragged on for a while should now be re-assessed and put to rest. Some of you will be looking to spiritual enlightenment and take up yoga and meditation.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 The Sun illuminates your sector of friends, social gatherings and group activities.

You will be in constant demand and will be in a position to network with new-found friends who will promote your cause. Personal relationships are also to the fore and some of you might even find true love. This is a time to follow your dreams and ideals, and to plant a seed in the form of a wish for the future.

More than any other time of the year, your focus is drawn to your career and standing in the society.

This is the time when you are more interested in, and focused on, accomplishing something important. Contact with authority figures is more likely during this period.

Recognition will come your way whether you ask for it or not, and the responsibility that goes with it.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

You are feeling most adventurous and willing to achieve higher knowledge and spiritual growth. This is a good time to broaden your horizons through travel and higher learning. This may take you to far off lands in pursuit of your new-found goals. You must distance yourself from the mundane grind of life and take on something which is more meaningful for your inner growth.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

The Sun energizes your sector of change, transformation and regeneration. On a more practical level, you may be dealing with joint finances and shared resources now more than usual. You should also make sure that your tax affairs are in order along with your investments. You are more willing than usual to explore and delve deeper into life's secrets and arrive at meaningful conclusions.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

HealtH WATcH

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Yoga can reduce chronic pain and stress among women Practice yoga twice a week for eight weeks to reduce chronic pain and mental stress in women. This was revealed by a study that looked at the effects of yoga on levels of the hormone cortisol in women who are suffering from fibromyalgia. The condition, which predominantly affects women, is associated with chronic pain and fatigue, and symptoms such as muscle stiffness, sleep disturbances and depression.

Previous research has found that women with fibromyalgia have lower-

than-average cortisol levels, which can contribute to pain, fatigue, and stress sensitivity, according to the researchers. In the new study, participants’ saliva revealed enhanced cortisol levels following a program of 75 minutes of Hatha yoga twice a week, over the course of eight weeks.

Also, patients reported significant reductions in their pain levels, as well as a mental boost from the yoga practice.

“Ideally, our cortisol levels peak about 30-40 minutes after we get up in the morning and decline

throughout the day until we’re ready to go to sleep,” said the study’s lead author, Kathryn Curtis, a PhD student at York University in Canada.

“The secretion of the hormone, cortisol, is dysregulated in women with fibromyalgia.”

The study, published in the Journal of Pain Research, follows another published report earlier this year that found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis, who practiced yoga, showed significant improvements in their symptoms.

Earlier this year, a study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience that found that meditation also delivered powerful pain-relieving effects to the brain with even just 80 minutes training in an exercise called focused attention. In the study, the subjects each took four 20-minute sessions to learn how to control their breathing and put aside their.

Now, laugh your way to good health Laughter is indeed the best medicine. Scientists scientifically backed the age-old adage, “don’t worry, be happy,” reporting patients with cardiovascular disease, who suffer fits of anger could be vulnerable to recurrent heart attacks.

However, when people laughed their major blood vessels dilated, improving blood flow.

This is a major marker for a reduced risk of cardiac events. The research carried out by the Institute of Clinical Physiology in Pisa, Italy, and presented at the ongoing European Society of Cardiology meeting in Paris was carried out for over 10 years.

As many as 78.5% of patients with cardiovascular disease, who did not indicate an angry personality profile, had “infarction free-survival” compared to 57.4% patients, who exhibited anger profiles, said Franco Bonaguidi from the Institute.

Michael Miller from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, in a separate

study, said when people laughed their major blood vessels dilated, allowing for easier blood flow. Both researchers confirmed

how psychological wellness directly influences cardiac-related outcomes.

And the difference of constriction of arteries could be as much as 30% to 50% in diameter between the two categories of people. Reacting to the study, chairman of the Escorts Heart Research Institute Dr Ashok Seth, said, “Numerous Bollywood movies have shown how a bout of anger leads to an actor’s heart attack. It has now been scientifically proven. Anger releases adrenergic and rasoconstrictor hormones, which decrease blood supply to the heart and also increas-

es blood clotting.” He added, “Happy people, on the other hand, have an attitude of mental relaxation, which is already been shown to dilate arteries.”

For the anger study, 228 patients were recruited 200 of whom were men. Over the course of the study, 51 people suffered coronary events - 28 deaths and 23 heart attacks. .

Survival of the heartiest Group of researchers from Pisa, Italy, find 78.5% of heart patients, without angry profile, have ‘infarction free-survival’ 57.4% of ‘angry’ heart patients suffer infarctions leading to attacks Anger triggers release of stress hormone cortisol that hikes blood sugar causing cardiovascular disease.

By Radhika Madlani

Is rating everything?

Although most schools do imagine living there.

Parents with toddlers will an amazing job to cater Others on the other hand, relate to reading Ofsted for these preferences, it is rightly or wrongly ‘feel’ ratings for their local hard to judge which ones wrong. I felt the same schools. Do you judge a do it well simply based on vibes as I carried out school by its Ofsted ratan ‘ofsted rating’. tours of the local schools. ing? For those not familI am a firm believer in I realised that a simple iar with Oftsed, it is the ‘outstanding’ scoring was official body that inspects judging for myself yet it is not going to persuade me schools and provides a difficult subconsciously to send Ria to the estabstandards based indicanot to pay homage to lishment. I think schools tion of how poor or wellofsted ratings as a good should also recognise that performing a school is in place to start the selection getting the best grades comparison to its peers. process. After all, there is out of their students Although the system has probably no smoke withbeen simplified down to 4 out fire and as a newcomshould not become a pricategories from the previer on the scene, guidance mary focus. The wellbeous 27, the jury is still out is helpful. So, in the end, ing of the children and the I succumb to listing our smiles on their faces have on whether an ofsted ratlocal schools and looking some bearing for parents ing should be a leading up their ofsted reports as like me who want their indicator in making this a starter. A friend of mine children to treat school as crucial decision. who is a teacher put me a home away from home Like us, many parents and not a ‘business’ will be reviewing these straight by telling me to whose objective it is to ratings and talking to just visit the school and churn out As by driving other parents to decide judge for myself.

Her their pupils hard. which school to send their ‘honest insider view’ is So, I have learnt my children to. It is a painful that ofsted inspections are lesson.

In business, I decision that will have a like a house viewing. The wouldn’t judge a company significant impact on Rias state of our house on a purely on its stock price. future so it is not a decinormal day vs when In my personal life, I sion to be taken lightly. In someone is coming to see my opinion, a school has it can vary greatly. wouldn’t judge a person to offer much more than a Enough said. simply by the letters after We are fortunate to their name or book a hotel good standard of educahave choice in our area of or restaurant based on tion and a safe surroundsome very good state and the number of stars it has. ing. It has to be a home private schools but it will So, why would I judge a away from home where be the one that I can school by its rating? It is the values that we teach imagine Ria in that will the overall experience Ria at home are mirrored take preference. If I conthat counts afterall. at school. It has to reflect Quote: the diversity of the real tinue the analogy, some world whilst honouring houses give you good “Dont judge a book by its our cultural preferences. vibes and you can just cover” – Edwin Rolfe Should you have any comments or want to get in touch with me you can email on avmamaria@gmail.com

Drink lemon juice for good health Lemon juice has more benefits that you'd ever imagine. Lemons have five per cent of citric acid, which gives it its unique taste.

Rich in vitamin C, it also has vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, proteins and carbohydrates.

Here are some benefits.

• Suffer from indigestion? Mix a few drops of lemon juice with warm

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water and sip on it. This is useful for treating nausea, heartburn, diarrhoea, bloating and burping.

• Since lemon is a natural antiseptic, it is great to cure skin problems. It clears your skin and also acts as an anti-ageing agent by eliminating wrinkles and blackheads.

• Have a toothache?

Apply fresh lemon juice where it hurts. If you have bleeding gums, applying lemon juice can curb the bleeding and stop bad breath.

• A sore throat can be cured by gargling with lemon juice and water regularly.

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Sport

I had a satisfying ODI career: Rahul Dravid Rahul Dravid who played his last one - day international at Cardiff, England said that he had a satisfying ODI career.

Talking to the media, Dravid didn't sound emotional about his retirement because he has hardly played ODIs in recent years: "I am not really emotional. It does not feel like I am finishing in some ways or retiring since I would be playing Test cricket. Obviously, I won't be playing anymore one-day cricket, which I thought I won't be even two years ago. But it's a nice to reflect back on what I think was a pretty pleasing and satisfying one-day career."

Did it help his Test career when he was not being considered for the ODI team on a regular basis?

"It did in some ways. Initially I found it a bit difficult adjusting from being someone who was playing continuously to one who was not playing one-days. I found that the gaps in between the Tests were as big as nearly six months. It used to become slightly difficult to get straight into Tests especially nowadays when there are not a lot of side games on international tours.

"With time I have learned to manage and adjust. I started enjoying the breaks as that helped met get a lot fitter because I got to spend a lot more time on my fitness and my training.

It also helped me iron out flaws in my game and work on it and helped me spend more time with my family. So all in all it has worked out quite well for me."

Talking more about his career in both forms of the game, Dravid said, "I have had some highs and lows in both forms of the game. That is life, that is cricket and it has taught me a lot about myself as a person and how to deal with a lot of things. I have absolutely no regrets. I do not dread the day at all. Retiring from this form of the game is not going to bring very different change to my life over what it has been in the last twoand-a-half years. Obviously when I retire from Test cricket I would have a lot more spare time to think about stuff to do and what to do but I would think about that when I get there."

Before signing off, he said he would miss the intensity with which he uses to prepare for matches once he retired from Tests as well.

"Growing up you didn't do certain things that you normally would have done in college or with your friends. We just didn't have time or energy to do all that stuff because you are so busy playing cricket. But it's something I've always loved and enjoyed doing. Obviously you got to be careful as you get older, as you keep playing cricket you got to ensure and watch things like fitness, diet and practice."

I do not dread the day at all. Retiring from this form of the game is not going to bring very different change to my life over what it has been in the last two-and-a-half years".

I am now fit to play any form of cricket: Harbhajan Critics have ripped him apart in recent times for his poor form but an undeterred Harbhajan Singh says having a clear conscience and performing the role assigned to him by the team is what matters the most.

Harbhajan, who is now fit to play after being ruled out of the England series due to an abdominal muscle strain, insists he could not have taken over 400 Test wickets if he was not good enough at the highest level. "All these years, I have maintained one thing. After a hard day's play, I go back to my hotel room and look at myself in the mirror. If I know that I have given my 100 per cent, that's what matters to me", Harbhajan said in an interview. "More than what people believe, an individual is the best judge and I can't fool myself," said the 31-yearold off-spinner.

Harbhajan came back after the second Test match in England because of a Grade I abdominal muscle strain and had to undergo intense rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Miserable summer crowned with misery

Premen Addy

Former Indian cricket icon, Farokh Engineer, penned a dirge in the Times to the Indian team's woeful tour of England. The title of the piece - “India must never be allowed to plumb these depths of humiliation again” - said it all. The final ODI of the series at Cardiff provided a faint glimmer of hope, for the beleaguered tourists and their legions of disappointed fans, that India would come good with a flourish at the last time of asking. As usual they flattered to deceive. With 304 for 6 on the board it was surely time to grasp that elusive victory. The batsmen were in prime form: Rahul Dravid in his farewell one-day international made an elegant 69, the youthful Virat Kohli lived up to his promise with a splendid 107 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni tasted the last of the summer wine with an unbeaten 50 drilled from 26 deliveries.

But this is a team game, as captain Dhoni ruefully reminded his audience at the post-match press briefing.

Bowlers, too, had to do their bit. They didn't and it never looked as if they would. With the inclement weather and frequent rain interruptions the England innings was reduced to 34 overs and the victory target to 241 runs. Yorkshire debutant Jonny Bairstow, whose late father played for the county and England, smashed the pie-throwers of India to every corner of the ground and beyond for a devastating 41 not out, while his partner Ravi Bopara played joyous second fiddle with an unbeaten 37. Under the Duckworth-Lewis rules, England cantered home to a deserved 6 wicket win in 32.2 overs. India should have disappeared in sackcloth and ashes. Perhaps they have appeared in this salutary garb when their plane touched down in Mumbai.

Rahul Dravid leaving the field to a standing ovation after playing his final ODI innings

Farokh Engineer castigated India's cricket administrators for the ham-fisted schedule: players wandering in like cows from the Caribbean, others doing much the same from India itself with barely a care in the world. Many were out of condition, none except the heroic Rahul Dravid had the stomach for a fight.

Engineer lamented the absence of left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and paceman Varon Aron, whose case for selection was obvious to all except the dumb-witted, toxic Indian selectors and their partners in crime in the cricket board. Ojha has just helped Surrey, to whom he was strongly recommended

by Anil Kumble, to promotion to division 1 in the county league. He

crowned his season with match figures of 10 for 90 against Derbyshire. Not that the brazen Krishnamachari Srikkanth would have noticed.

A fresh ODI series in India, with England again as opponents, is due to commence on October 14. Be prepared for the worst. Whither Dhoni? You may well ask. The scale of India's drubbing would have meant curtains on his career as India's captain. There being no obvious successor, he might earn a reprieve. He could well repeat with Hamlet: “Who would fardels bear,/To grunt and sweat under a weary life,/But that the dread of something after death, / The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns....” Enough said.

Injury played huge part in England debacle: Dhoni India suffered a humiliating whitewash in both Test and one-day series in their disastrous England tour but captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that injury to several key team members played a huge part in the debacle.

"I have not seen so many injuries in the last five years.

To see 9-11 players get injured in one series has been shocking. In the ODI series we also did not have luck," he said at the press conference after India lost the fifth and final ODI by six wickets.

"If you look at the first two Tests, we were left with three bowlers. If your bowling starts looking weak, the pressure piles up on batsmen. You cannot carry a team consistently on just one department.

"If Zaheer was there in the first Test and we could have pressed advantage in the second innings instead of relying on part-timers. It could have looked different. But it's important what we did. There is no point in sulking," Dhoni said.

Dhoni, however, said that his side would not be thinking for revenge when England tour India next month to play five one-day matches.

"You should not have such a feeling. If you have revenge in your mind, you become

desperate and start putting pressure on the whole side.

It's better to stick to basics," he said.

"We also would have to see how many of the 9-11 players who are injured are now fit and have played some matches. We have to see who all are available for selection."

Asked if he thought injured players should straightaway be allowed to get back into the side without having a few matches under their belt, he said, "It's tough.

We have to exactly see what kind of injury it is.

"It is good if someone has some matches under his belt.

But it's difficult because you need experience in a line-up.

You try to balance it. You don't want your bowling department to look complete-

ly fresh."

Dhoni blamed the conditions and injury to Munaf Patel as the reason for India's six-wicket defeat in the fifth and final match here.

"To have Munaf injured after four overs, broke the rhythm of our bowling. The ball was also getting very wet.

This was the fifth time we lost the toss and it became very difficult for spinners," he reasoned.

The Indian captain underlined the point that the practice games should not be an official fixture where only 11 players can play. Flexibility with numbers of players who can play is important for practice games.

"We were not able to use practice games in best possible manner. The first game was

official and we could not play more than 11 players. Just before a Test match, the players had to be on the field for 90 overs. The second practice game was the same," he said.

"We will make sure there is an MoU in place that practice games should be just practice games. You should be able to play more than 12 players. If I am asked to play an official game, I would prefer playing a Test match than these practice games," he added.

Dhoni held a high view of the present England side but was not prepared to concede they were the current best side in the world.

"England are a very good side, irrespective of the format they are playing. As they play more and more cricket, they would get only better.

But it's difficult to say if they are the best side. The top 3-4 sides are all good. They are among the best sides.

"In sub-continent, it might be different but they can still get the reverse swing to control the batsmen. England's batting line up also looks settled. Broad and Bresnan can not only bowl fast and quick but they can also bat which means England bats very deep," he said.

Sport woRLd

Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Aamer confesses to involvement in spot-fixing After claiming to be innocent for long, banned Pakistan pacer Mohammad Aamer has reportedly confessed to his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal that shook the core of international cricket last year.

According to 'The News International', Aamer "submitted his written confession during a hearing at the Southwark Crown Court in London."

The 19-year-old was found guilty of spot-fixing and banned along with the then Test captain Salman Butt and pacer Mohammad Asif after it came to light that the trio conspired to bowl deliberate no balls during the Lord's Test against England on the instructions of a Britain-based bookmaker Mazhar Majeed.

The daily reported that Majeed has "also submitted his written confession

at the London court." "'The News' has learnt through reliable sources that in his written confession, Aamer has claimed that he was forced to deliver the no-balls in the Lord's Test. Sources said that Aamer has tried to dispel the impression that he bowled the no-balls in return of

Davis Cup: India out of world group

money," the newspaper reported.

"However, it is not clear whether Aamer has accused Salman Butt, who was Pakistan's captain at that time or the player has blamed any external factors for the no-balls he bowled during the Test," the daily said.

"Sources said that Aamer submitted his confession in the court through his British lawyer Gareth Pierce's legal firm Birnberg Peirce and Partners."

A court hearing regarding the spotfixing case is set to take place on October 4 in London.

The daily said that Aamer has been told to plead guilty by his lawyers as they believe it would help him get a lenient view from the judges because of his young age.

Aamer was banned for five years, Butt for 10 years while Asif was handed a seven-year ban.

Kochi Tuskers suspended from IPL for defaulting on payment

Japan beat visitors 4-1 to make it to elite group for the first time since 1985

Japan stormed back into the Davis Cup World Group for the first time in nearly three decades on Sunday after Kei Nishikori defeated Vishnu Vardhan to give the hosts an insurmountable lead over India.

Nishikori, ranked 55th in the world against Vardhan's 456th, coasted to a straightforward 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 victory to put the tie beyond doubt at 3-1.

In the last, dead rubber, Rohan Bopanna quit the match at 5-4 up in the first set to give Go Soeda a win and Japan a 4-1 overall score line.

Japan, who had only three wins and 18 defeats against India previously, have not played in the World Group since 1985. They advanced to the play-off by

beating Uzbekistan 4-1 in July.

On Friday, Japan's Yuichi Sugita upset higher-ranked Somdev Devvarman 6-3, 64, 7-5 and Nishikori chalked up a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Bopanna to give Japan a commanding lead.

India stayed in the tie after Mahesh Bhupathi teamed up with Bopanna in the doubles to keep India's hopes alive, beating Tatsuma Ito and Sugita 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Debutant Vishnu Vardhan might have lost his match against Kei Nishikori of Japan but he earned praise from his teammates and the rival camp for his courageous show in the fourth rubber of the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie in Tokyo.

Controversy-ridden IPL franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala was slapped with a suspension notice for nonpayment of bank guarantee by the BCCI at its Annual General Meeting on Monday. The consortium, which was mired in a bitter ownership dispute after its very inception, defaulted on Rs 1.56 billion annual payment it was to make as bank guarantee despite reported reminders from the IPL authorities.

According to BCCI sources, the franchise has been asked to make the payment within a stipulated timeframe failing which Kochi's participation in the IPL would be terminated.

The franchise, which was bought for Rs 15.50 billion, is supposed to make the yearly payment for the next 10 years.

The team made its debut only last year and was among the laggards in the league.

Led by Mahela Jayawardene, the side has also been hitting the headlines due to its owners' reported desire to shift the team's base to Ahmedabad.

Kochi had faced the prospect of being axed even last year when the BCCI questioned its shareholding but the matter was settled after agreement between the various owners.

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India hockey team rejects Rs 25,000 prize money

Indian hockey players who won the Asian Championship refused to accept Rs 25, 000 cash reward offered to them by Hockey India.

The winning national hockey team felt insulted on being offered the meagre cash reward by sports minister Ajay Maken during their felicitation ceremony.

Hockey team captain Rajpal Singh said that their feat of beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the finals of the prestigious event was not rewarded well, and added that his team was disappointed

by Maken's hollow claims of reviving the national sport in the country. Singh further said any cash reward should be motivational for the players, both now and in the future.

He urged other sports federation to take a leaf out of the BCCI's working and awarding of players to motivate them for better results. India defeated Pakistan 4-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy finals last week in Ordos, China.

Govt hikes reward After the rejection of the reward by the players, the government of India assured the team that each player would get Rs 1,50,000 as reward. Maken said this was de rigueur - that the champs would have got this money anyway under a government rewards scheme. That the Centre just did not see reason to make a song and dance about the cash award since it was public knowledge anyway. He was also at pains to point out that the paltry sum of Rs 25,000 that was offered to the players was Hockey India's doing. Not the Centre's.

"Rs 25,000 cash award was not announced

by Govt but by the Hockey India. Govt. spends all the money on training, coaching & foreign exposure," Mr Maken posted on his Twitter account. Mr Maken backed players' decision to refuse the amount. "Players were right in refusing the money. It was an insult to the players," he said at the press conference. Mr Maken's clarification came close on the heels of the Punjab government's announcement that it would give an award of Rs 2500,000 to team.

Mr Badal, while announcing the Shiromani Akali Dal government's more generous cash prize, also asked the UPA government at the Centre to apologise to the members of the hockey team for them being offered so paltry a sum.

Australia win test series against Sri Lanka

N Srinivasan takes over as BCCI president Raising the ante against the controversial Decision Review System in the aftermath of the incidents on the recent England tour, the Cricket Board decided to oppose the 'Hot Spot' technology too along with the ball tracking system which it has consistently been against.

"We were extremely reluctant to implement the DRS and had no belief in the ball tracking system.

BCCI is not averse to technology and agreed to a minimum usage of DRS including 'Hot Spot' at the last ICC meeting in Hong Kong," said N Srinivasan after taking over the reins of the BCCI from Shashank Manohar on Monday.

"We were under the

N Srinivasan

impression that 'Hot Spot' was very good. It is not necessary for me to dwell on the accuracy of 'Hot Spot".

It was there for everybody to see.

"The BCCI will raise this issue at the next ICC meeting. We want to revisit it as we feel 'Hot Spot' is insufficient technology and there-

fore we would request (ICC) that it be revised.

This is the position we will take", said Srinivasan at the media conference after the Board's 82nd AGM where he took over as its president.

At the AGM, Sanjay Jagdale of MPCA, Himachal Pradesh's Anurag Thakur and Maharashtra's Ajay Shirke were elected unopposed as secretary, joint secretary and treasurer respectively of the country's richest sports body.

Two new vice presidents - Chitrak Mitra and Sudhir Dabir representing East and Central zones - were also elected without any fight along with Arun Jaitley (North), Shivlal Yadav (South) and Niranjan Shah

(West).

The senior selection panel was also recast with 1983 World Cup hero Mohinder Amarnath being the lone new face in the five-man committee replacing Yashpal Sharma from North Zone.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth, of South, would continue to be its chairman while three other committee members - Surendra Bhave (West), Narendra Hirwani (Central) and Raja Venkat (East) were also re-appointed for one more year.

The indications are that Amarnath would take over as the chairman of the panel when Srikkanth's term ends next September along with those of the other three panel members.

Australia won the three-match test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 after captain Michael Clarke and Phil Hughes scored centuries to force a draw on Tuesday in the third test.

Australia was dismissed for 488 in its second innings after erasing a 157-run deficit. Spinner Rangana Herath returned a career-best seven wickets for 157 and recorded his 100th test wicket. Sri Lanka was set an impossible 331 to win in less than a session and batted for two overs, scoring seven without loss, before the captains decided to call off play.

Clarke hit 112 and shared a record 176-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Mike Hussey, who was out for 93. Hughes was earlier dismissed for 126. Hussey was named player of the series after scoring two centuries and two half-centuries in five innings. Sri Lanka entered the final day hoping for quick wickets in its search for a series-leveling victory. Herath struck in his first over when he had Hughes caught by Lahiru Thirimanne, but Clarke and Hussey combined to frustrate the bowlers, sharing the best fifth-wicket partnership in test cricket between the two nations.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 24th September 2011