AV 24th October 2015

First & Foremost Asian Weekly in Europe Price 80p

The clocks will be going back by 1 hour, on Sunday 25th October 2015.

Don't forget to change the time on your clocks!

Vol 44 | Issue 25

24th to 30th October 2015

www.asian-voice.com

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

EXCLUSIVE P16 DIRECT FLIGHTS TO AHMEDABAD ARE INEVITABLE

EDUCATION

P11

SHAH RUKH KHAN BESTOWED WITH DOCTORATE FROM UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

UK

P14

LANDMARK RULING ON DIVORCE SETTLEMENT

Happy Diwali

Judiciary vs Executive Supreme Court strikes down law giving govt say in appointing judges criticised the collegium system, but expressed distaste at the way the government wanted to change the procedure. All the five judges wrote separate judgments that ran into 1,030 pages.

The SC disapproved the

presence of the law minister in the panel, pointing out that a judge appointed with his support may not be able to resist a plea of conflict of interest by a litigant in a case when the executive has an adversarial role. The court said that, CONTINUED ON P 26

Arun Jaitley In a newly provoked battle between the Centre and the Supreme Court, the latter has struck down a new law that replaced the opaque collegium system with a panel that gave the executive a say in judicial appointments. Challenging the constitutional validity of the National Judicial A p p o i n t m e n t s Commission, the verdict on the 99th amendment of the Constitution and the NJAC

Act, 2014 was pronounced by a bench of Justice Jagdish Singh Kehar, Justice Chelameswar, Justice Madan B Lokur, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Adarsh Kumar Gohel. “Some of you had suggested making it more transparent, we have decided to hear the matter further,” Justice Kehar told the jurists present in the packed courtroom. Justices Chemaleswar and Joseph

President of China, Xi Jinping visits the UK. For a more in-depth analysis, read As I See it on page 8

Fresh blow to UK steel industry Reshma Trilochun If we go back into history, Britain used to be the largest steel producer 100 years back. Now, it seems to be a completely different story altogether as China has surpassed Britain in many aspects, including the steel industry.

The steel industry in the UK has shown a significant decline in the past 20 years which makes people wonder whether it could become a prosperous infrastructure provider in Britain again. In 1997, the steel industry employed 38,000 employees, while in 2014, there was a massively evident decline, with only 18,000 people employed. A further 6,000 people are currently under threat.

There are many factors which could be iden-

Lord Paul

tified with the downfall of the UK steel industry, factors such as globalisation. The research manager at the commodities Chris analyst CRU, Houlden said, “The issue facing UK steel has been developing since the financial crisis. Demand for steel in Britain and the EU has fallen and not recovered and there's persistent global overcapacity.”

Britain's steel industry is also suffering due to cheap Chinese imports, CONTINUED ON P 14

2

ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP

www.asian-voice.com

Asian Voice |24th October 2015

to

AsianVoiceNews

David Montgomery, CEO

5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

I never forget the dedication of my parents. My father was an orphan and largely self-taught including learning the violin and my mother was a village postmistress with a prize for English.

They like many in that post-war era made sacrifices to educate my brother and me and the work ethic and doing what was right was the example they set.

David Montgomery is CEO of Local World, a company he founded three years ago when it acquired regional newspapers in England and Wales. Titles include the Nottingham Post, Leicester Mercury and the Western Morning News as well as thirteen other daily titles and around 70 weekly papers.

Previously David was CEO of the Mirror Group, publisher of five national newspapers, and editor of the News of the World and Today. As well as Local World he founded a European newspaper company Mecom Group Plc that acquired titles in six countries. He has also been involved in managing and owning newspapers in Northern Ireland his birthplace.

David has been active in the peace process and is a supporter of the integrated education movement that campaigns for schools with a mix of Catholic and Protestant as well as children of other faiths and cultures. He says that children learning together will produce peace and tolerance in the community.

1. What is your current position?

I am CEO of Local World one of the UK’s four main regional newspaper groups. Like all print publishers our revenue has been declining because of what is described as structural change.

In simple terms more readers and advertisers are going online.

However at Local World we are fighting back by continually expanding our content offering on our websites and maintaining the integrity of the local news we publish.

2. What are your proudest achievements?

I was the first member of my family to go to university and maintained a strong sense of belonging to a hard working society so chose mass market journalism, the national tabloid press, which seemed the most relevant means of communica-

tion. I am proud to have maintained that sense of identity with the readership through a career that has extended to local publishing that, of course, is closest to the community.

3. What inspires you?

This is the most exciting time in my career because the physical and geographical limitations of print have been cast off at last.

Journalists and local publishers can serve the community around the clock through online and there is no restriction to the amount of content.

Consequently we are informing our audience locally with enriched content spanning everything from service information like the bus timetable to lifestyle content from health to shopping. We are in the process of creating a revolution in the reporting of local government

and the courts introducing a comprehensive service that will increase accountability of our institutions including the key public services.

4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?

Probably at times having a little too much drive and energy.

Inevitably when there is a strong sense of purpose and a clear idea then there is a tendency to push ahead independently. With experience I hope I am now more likely to share problems and challenges with colleagues and achieve a more cohesive approach.

6. What is the best aspect about your current role?

Surprisingly, the revelation about local publishing is how it informs about the changes in society in recent times. The achievements of UK cities and their expanding pride and developing character is an untold story. There is no question now of waiting for Westminster to provide a handout – every city is self-starting with enterprise at its heart and our readers want their community to succeed.

How inspiring is that.

7. And the worst?

Do I have to write yet another report for my board and shareholders when I would prefer to offer some political commentary to our readers well, yes, I do and once I get started putting down

Prince Charles' 67th Australian birthday

It is said that during his prime as a young and eligible bachelor, Prince Charles was very popular among women.

In 1979, the Prince of Wales was famously pho-

tographed receiving a kiss from a bikini-clad model, Jane Priest, in Australia.

The photograph of the Prince and Jane Priest was pictured at Cottesloe beach, Perth, and it made

Young Prince Charles with model, Jane Priest

The DrIvIng Force To your DIvorce!

• DK MKH NFFd DFlp witD diGKILF KI sFpaIatiKN? • Is MKHI paItNFI IFfHsiNE tK lFt MKH sFF MKHI LDildIFN? • Is tDFIF GiKlFNLF iN tDF DKmF? Whatever your problem, our family solicitors have the answers you need.

• Divorce • Separation • Financial Settlement

• Pre-nuptial Agreements • Children Issues • Domestic Violence

Option to pay the legal fees at the end of the case* *Terms and conditions apply

502-504 Honeypot Lane Stanmore Middlesex HA7 1JR

020 8951 6959 • iNfK@piNdKIialaw.LKm

www.piNdKIialaw.LKm

front page news globally.

It was suggested that the photograph was given credit to helping boost the Prince's image, which was allegedly orchestrated by his Public Relations team.

It is claimed that Jane Priest, who is now a 62year-old grandmother, had allegedly claimed that the photograph had been arranged by Prince Charles' PR team “to try and make Charles more accessible”. It has now been claimed that the Prince will be returning to the Australian beach to celebrate his 67th birthday, with the Duchess of

Cornwall.

The Prince and the Duchess will be on a 12-day tour from 4th November 2015, visiting New Zealand and Australia. During their trip, they will also be having a barbecue at Cottesloe with local families.

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

the company’s progress on a monthly basis is a discipline that challenges past decisions and future strategy. Anyway, as a newspaper manager I have to keep my political views to myself.

8. What are your long term goals?

Simply to participate in the media revolution that is under way and with my industry colleagues devise an operating model that will secure the future of local publishing including the printed newspapers.

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

As a recent incumbent of Number 10 said it’s Education, Education and Education. From experience in Northern Ireland I recognise that if children work and learn under the same roof from the young age they forge friendships and share cultures in a way that not only produces good academic results but also a peaceful and productive society.

So a single integrated system of education that is class, colour and creed blind and based on merit across all skills and talents is the change I would favour.

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

I cannot imagine life without Mozart.

"No-fault" divorce

Richard Bacon MP believes the no-fault divorce would let couples part without things turning ugly

Sir Edward Leigh believes this Bill would make divorce "easier" and more common

Richard Bacon, the South Norfolk MP, has said that couples should be able to apply for an miable “nofault” divorce if they felt that their marriage has broken down.

The Conservative MP has proposed a rectification to family law which would allow couples to say there is no fault in a breakup by signing a declaration which states that the marriage has broken down irreparably.

Married couples have to currently provide evidence of unreasonable behaviour, adultery, desertion or separation without consent, while applying for

a divorce.

MPs had passed the first reading of the Bill, although the Conservative MP, Sir Edward Leigh opposed to the idea.

Sir Edward Leigh stated that a no-fault divorce would mean having a “large widespread and demonstrable effect” on society. He also mentioned that it would make divorce “easier” and more common.

However, Richard Bacon said that divorce is a “tragedy” and shouldn't be made easier, but the Bill would allow couples to part without “throwing mud” at each other.

COMMENTS

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

One voice on terrorism Prime Minister Modi’s address to the United Nations General Assembly included an impassioned appeal to the international community to speak with one voice on terrorism. Disingenuous proclamations on ‘moderates’ as opposed to ‘extremists’ should surely have run their course by now, Clearly, they have some way to go before they do. Amidst frenzied display of breast-beating and hand-wringing at the billions, if not trillions, of dollars spent in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya in an exercise of imperial conceit and futility there is not a shred of evidence that over-hyped prescription routinely intoned in Washington and elsewhere have worked. A US Senate Committee was recently informed by the Pentagon that a $500 million programme to train and arm Syrian ‘moderates’ had merely succeeded in putting 15 good men and true into battle against the ‘extremists,’ of whom ten had deserted with their arms and joined ‘extremists’ of every hue, from al Nusra, al Qaeda to the even more unspeakably barbaric ISIL. The US and vaunted Nato partners have been attacking ISIL from the air for a year without the promised results in sight.

Russia has achieved more in a fortnight. Perhaps the American game-plan was not to destroy ISIL but to cripple and contain it for use in some other project, just as in the past they have done in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Russian strategy in Syria has so far yielded a string of successes, sending Obama and his cohorts, the mainstream US and European media into panic overdrive to discredit the Russian exercise. It was first claimed that Moscow was targeting the ’moderate’ Syrian opposition and not ISIL, then, that Russian missiles had landed on Iranian soil (which falsehood the Iranian authorities exposed with brutal contempt); other stories come and go on a daily or hourly basis.

The most intriguing revelation is a UK opinion poll which, believe it or not, shows 71 per cent support among the British public for the Russia’s action in Syria, among these voices was a retired Admiral Lord West , who appeared on Russian Television to explain his support of President Putin. Incidentally, India has also backed Russian President. Gresham’s Law (which determines how fake currency drives genuine out of circulation) is taking its toll of the credibility of the mainstream Anglo-American media, as well as those of France, Germany and Holland,. To compound the confusion, a recent Times report quotes the Bahrain Foreign Minister as saying that his country and perhaps the Gulf Sheikhdoms had asked Israel for its Iron Dome anti-ballistic missile system against a possible Iranian attack. Israel has issued no confirmation of having received any such request. Handling a complex system like Iron Dome requires considerable training and

skills to operate – which Bahrain clearly does not possess. And why should Iran wish to attack Bahrain when it has larger fish to fry in Syria? The plot thickens. In fact, Prime Minister Netanyahu journeyed to Moscow to parley with President Putin and ensure that there was no conflict between Israeli-Russian activity in Syrian skies. A senior Israeli journalist said his country was agreeable to Russia’s demolition of ISIL, since it represented a grater evil than did Syrian President Bashr alAssad. Another embarrassing revelation by as yet unnamed whistle-blower pertains to the technological shortcoming of US drones and the toll these weapons have taken, and are taking, of vast numbers of innocent lives in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We should hear more of this in the coming weeks and months.

Keeping Pakistan in play against India is where US and Chinese interests converge. It did so in 1971, during the Bangladesh liberation struggle, it is broadly doing so today. Obama’s Pivot to Asia is more nuanced than most Indian commentators suppose. Realpolitik, not democracy or human rights drives US policy in South Asia and Afghanistan, will always have a Pakistani dimension, jihadi terrorism, nuclear proliferation and all. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is to visit Washington shortly.

The Washington Post fired a warning shot across India’s bows, with a leaked report of a ‘diplomatic blockbuster’ entailing a US -Pakistan nuclear accord on the lines of the one signed by the George W. Bush administration with India. According to the Post the plan for Pakistan was under active consideration in the State Department, where the proliferation ayatollahs have never taken kindly to India’s nuclearisation.

Mr Sharif apparently is to be rewarded for his cooperation in Afghanistan with this nuclear deal provided he accepts the US-designed safeguards. President Obama’s announcement that America will not exit Afghanistan, as he said it would, is a signal of intent to protect US strategic assets in the country, including its the covert relationship with the current Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammed Mansour, the son of the deceased Mullah Omar.

It means, also, that the US is determined to mantain its privileged links with Pakistan’s Inter Services directorate (ISI), enabling Pakistan to respond to ‘legitimate’ threats from India. Mr Modi’s forthcoming visit to Moscow for the annual India-Russia summit, where he will hold extensive talks with President Putin on bilateral and international issues, assume a special significance. It is imperative that India protect its national interests against the machinations of trans-Atlantic confederacy.

Revisiting the Indo-British relationship The reflexive ant-colonial narrative has blighted contemporary India’s historical discourse. It was, therefore, encouraging, to learn that a distinguished Londonbased Indian entrepreneur, now a British citizen, Kartar Lalwani, is writing a book with the working title, ‘The Making of India: The Story of British Enterprise’.

Hopefully, he will consult the writings of the social reformer and cultural polymath, Rammohun Roy, whose ideas charted the trajectory of the Indian nation on three abiding principles: social reform, cultural renewal and political emancipation.

Way back in 1853, Karl Marx wrote prophetically, that British rule having destroyed the old Mughal order, ‘the work of regeneration….has begun. The political unity of India, more consolidated, and extending farther than it ever did under the Great Mogul, is the first condition of that regeneration. That unity imposed by the British sword, will now be strengthened and perpetuated by the electric telegraph. The native army trained and organized by the British drill-sergeant was the sine qua non of Indian self-emancipation, and of India ceasing to

be the prey of the first foreign intruder.

The free press, introduced for the first time into Asiatic society, and managed by the common offspring of Hindus and Europeans, is a new and powerful agent of reconstruction….From the Indian natives reluctantly and sparingly educated at Calcutta, under English superintendence, a fresh class is springing up, endowed with the requirements for government and imbued with European science. Steam has brought India into regular contact with and rapid communication with Europe, has connected its chief ports with those of the whole south-eastern ocean, and has revindicated it from the isolated position which was the prime law of its stagnation. The day is not far distant when by a combination of railways and steam vessels, the distance between England and India, measured in time, will be shortened to eight days, and when the that once fabulous country will thus be annexed to the Western world.’ India’s greatest minds of the century were in broad accord with the insights of the great German philosopher. More power to Kartar Lalwani.

India’s healing touch saves Pakistani girl The Indian people, following a public appeal, raised Rs 1.3 million for a 14 year-old Pakistani girl, Saba Tariq Ahmed, suffering from a rare affliction known as Wilson disease.

Mother Nazia and daughter arrived on a flight from Karachi; Saba was taken to Mumbai’s Jaslock Hospital.

‘Saba and her mother Nazia…. were extremely happy

about how well the treatment worked for Saba,’ said Jaslock Hospital CEO Dr Taran Gaichandani.

It is an uplifting story coming after recent treatment meted out to Sudheendra Kulkarni and former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. – a reminder surely that the vast majority of Indians are a caring and generous lot.

3

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go.

- Dr. Seuss

“Our London” Navin Shah

GLA Member for Brent and Harrow

Unprecedented Police Cuts in London In the last couple of months further worrying news has emerged of unprecedented cuts to London’s Metropolitan Police Service. London’s Mayor has already imposed fierce cuts to the London Fire Brigade resulting in the closure of 10 Fire Stations and in the current round of budget cuts London’s emergency service are facing cuts that would risk safety of London. In the last couple of months further worrying news has emerged of unprecedented cuts to London’s Metropolitan Police Service. London’s Mayor has already imposed fierce cuts to the London Fire Brigade resulting in the closure of 10 Fire Stations and in the current round of budget cuts London’s emergency service are facing cuts that would risk safety of London.

In late September the Metropolitan Police Management Board met to consider removing in excess of 1000 safer neighbourhood Police Community Officers (PCSOs) serving London. There was an absolute uproar amongst communities across London and even the Mayor of London when quizzed at Mayor’s Question Time knew nothing about these proposals. Decision on the fate of all London’s PCSOs was deferred after fierce opposition until December.The delay in decision from the Met comes only a week after the Commissioner warned that the scale of police funding cuts were “worrying” for the capital saying that “we’ve got options on how to make savings but with that scale of savings none of them are attractive.”

I welcome that the Met is taking the time to listen to the vast public opposition to the proposed cuts to all PCSOs in London. As the Commissioner has warned, there is no doubt the spending cuts being made by Government could have a terrible impact on London’s police force.

Despite this stay of execution for PCSOs it’s clear the future of local policing in the capital remains at grave risk.

We cannot be complacent and I will be spending the next two months making the case for neighbourhood policing in the capital. There is no doubt that Government cuts are putting great strain on the police force, it’s time the Home Secretary understood that the decimation of neighbourhood policing is not a price the London public are willing to pay. I’m concerned that the commitment and good work by local police will be undermined by the cuts to PCSOs leaving all local areas without neighbourhood police. The current stay of execution is not good enough.

I note that the Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has served a further bleak and honest warning that £1bn cuts in the next four years could render London unsafe and it could even undermine met police's ability to prevent terrorist outrage. In the light of potential cuts of 5,000 to 8,000 police officers arising from crippling cuts the Met's Commissioner has said 'I'm genuinely worried about the safety of London'.

This is not scare mongering. The plain truth is that there is serious threat of London being rendered unsafe in terms of day to day policing and also putting at risk ability of police to address issues related to terrorism. As it is area like Brent and Harrow have concerns of rising crime. The latest threat of major cuts does not bode well for the safety and wellbeing of our communities. We should do everything to resist these crippling cuts.

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 Website: www.abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

4

UK

www.asian-voice.com

Muslim girls at school told refusing sex In Brief Historic churches may remain shut with husband means going to hell except on holy days AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

A disciplinary panel were informed that Muslim girls at Park View Academy in Alum Rock, Birmingham, a “Trojan Horse” school, were allegedly told that women who refused to have sexual intercourse with their husbands would be “smited” and go to hell.

It is alleged that the boys at the academy were deliberately not taught about how to put on a condom and sex education was taught to them only in the context of marriage.

There was also an alleged “Morality Squad” who would spy on pupils and report them if they showed signs of being in a relationship. There were also allegations that proIslam messages were readout in the playground, as well as leaflets which preached about Islam ideology were distributed.

Two teachers, Akheel Ahmed (41), and Inamulhaq Anwar (34), were accused at the National College of

Britain: Many historic village churches in England may remain closed except on holy days, such as Christmas due to radical plans being considered by the Church of England for coping with shrinking congregations.

A report about the future of the 16,00 Anglican churches in England disclosed that 1 in 4 rural parishes, or about 2,000 churches had less than 10 regular worshippers. Half of the places of worship would unable to gather 20 people on Sundays.

On the other hand, parishes collectively spend approximately £160 million a year on maintaining the places of worship.

Inamulhaq Anwar (34) is accused of trying to force extreme Muslim teaching at Park View Academy

Teaching and Leadership, in Coventry, of trying to force extreme Muslim teaching and ideologies onto the school's syllabus.

The teachers also face allegations of unacceptable professional misconduct.

Inamulhaq Anwar, who was also a governor at Nansen Primary School, Birmingham, faces a further charge of trying to influence the educational program.

A teacher who was

responsible for sex education at Park View Academy, referred as Witness A, expressed how female students were told “if a woman disobeyed her husband then she would be smited.”

She said, “I became aware of a handout which had been used in the boy's SRE lessons and subsequently confiscated by one of my colleagues... I recall that the handout included phrases stating that a woman could not refuse to obey her husband in marriage and that included she could not say no to her hus-

band having sex with her.

There was a wording along the lines that if a woman disobeyed her husband in marriage, then she would be smited and forced to an eternity in hell.”

She further stated, “... I recall the wording was very strong and the best way I can describe it now is that it was along the lines of 'hell, fire and damnation' for any woman who said no to her husband, including in matters of sexual intercourse.”

Ahmed and Anwar deny misconduct. The hearing continues.

Edgbaston brothers bag £84 million fortune through shopping carriers empire Two Birmingham brothers have bagged £84 million selling plastic carriers to high street shops.

Afzal and Shabir Majid Alimahomed’s company Euro Packaging makes bags for retail giants Sainsbury’s, Greggs, Toys R Us, New Look and many more.

Official papers revealing the size of their empire emerged after the new 5p plastic bag charge was introduced in England last week, reported the Sunday Mirror.

Industry expert George Daniels, of Leedan Packaging in Worcestershire, said: “They dominate the market when it comes to supplying the big retailers, supermarkets and such

like. Smaller businesses can’t compete.”

British shoppers took home more than 8.5 billion single-use supermarket carriers last year.

Ministers hope the new charge will cut down bag use by as much as 80 per cent.

Retail insiders say this will hit firms like Euro Packaging, who also make polythene bags for fruit and vegetables, plus paper sacks.

“It sure as heck will eat into their sales. Values will decrease significantly,” said one.

The Majids, who live in multi-million pound mansions in Edgbaston, own the firm through a business based in the tax haven of

Restaurant boss stripped of licence after conviction for sexual assault A Leamington restaurant boss who sexually assaulted young women when they applied for jobs as waitresses, has been stripped of his licence.

Prashant Sengar, the boss of now-closed Spicy Affair in Victoria Terrace, Leamington, was jailed for 22 months last month after he was found guilty of seven charges of sexual assault. But his case was brought back before the judge at Warwick Crown Court under what is known as the ‘slip rule,’ which enables sentences to be amended.

And Judge Andrew Lockhart QC ordered that

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Sengar, 40, of Cornyx Lane, Solihull, should also have his personal licence, which enables him to run licensed premises, revoked.

The judge had already ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years and imposed a sexual harm prevention order banning him from interviewing female job applicants without a chaperone.

Shabir Majid Alimahomed and his brother Afzal have made a fortune from plastic bags.

Jersey. It was originally set up by their father Abdul, who arrived in the UK from Malawi in 1974.

The firm, whose other clients include French supermarket chain

Carrefour and US electronics giant Best Buy, has a global HQ in Dubai with sales offices in China, France and Switzerland.

The brothers also run Euro Property Investments, which owns £47 million-worth of shopping centres and luxury apartments around the world.

Shabir, 46, owns two impressive houses in Edgbaston and brother Afzal, 51, is believed to live in one.

The larger is a £4 million eight-bed detached home with a pool, gym, cinema and games room.

Shabir also has an exclusive seafront address on the Dubai island of Palm Jumeirah.

Bus 'racist' rant woman arrested A woman, who racially abused two Muslim women on a bus in north west London has been arrested.

The incident took place on Tuesday 13th October, at around 10:30am. Through an interpreter, one of the victims, Umm Lina said, “She was saying all these words that I couldn't understand.

And because I couldn't understand what was going, I said 'please shh' and that was when she started screaming. I was scared and anxious. I am heavily pregnant and I was standing as well, so I was really stressed and upset because I couldn't

understand what she was saying.”

Lina further stated her displeasure as no one came to her aid. “No one did anything so I walked to the driver and asked him to call the police. And he said, 'You can do that yourself'. I would've expected someone to stand up for me and my family and friend as I don't speak English, especially the driver.”

The 36-year-old accused, Simone Joseph was taken into custody at a North London police station. She has been granted bail and is due to be sentenced on 13th November.

Leicester unveils bigger, brighter Diwali festival

The city of Leicester is no stranger to the festival of lights, Diwali. This year, Leicester will be celebrating Diwali in a grand manner by introducing a new two-week celebration of Diwali in the city.

Fire sculptures, digital sparklers, as well as a 100foot illuminated ferris wheel A 100-foot illuminated will be among the exciting ferris wheel will be among new features of the festival, the new features for Diwali in Leicester which begins with the switchon of the city's Diwali lights, on Sunday 1st November.

There will also be new activities, including an Indian Summer Diwali Parade through the city centre; live Rangoli at the Clock Tower with international Rangoli artist, Janak Chauhan; and a Diwali Mela Bazaar, on Humberstone Gate West.

Fraud trader released from jail

Britain: Former trader, Kweku Adoboli (35), who is considered to behind Britain's biggest ever fraud, was released from prison after serving less than half of his prison sentence.

Adoboli, was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of two counts of fraud in 2012. He was also banned from working in financial services. He was released from prison in June 2015.

Basket theft on a rise

Manchester: After the new plastic bag charge, thefts of shopping baskets has increased, which has made Tesco to resort to putting security tags on their baskets.

The government's 5p tax on carrier bags were imple- Customers will no longer mented as of 5th October be allowed to walk out with shopping baskets 2015, and supermarkets have stated that there has been a significant rise in the number of stolen baskets.

It was reported that 1/3 of Tesco's wired baskets were stolen from one store in Greater Manchester, within a week.

75% of hospitals failing adequate standards

Britain: According to regulators, 2/3 of hospitals in the UK are not good enough, while ¾ do not meet the adequate safety standards. They warn that staffing cuts and conceited care are putting patients at risk.

The Care Quality Commission stated that bad hospitals have been struggling immensely due to the funding cuts. Inspectors also mentioned in the annual report that they were “surprised at how truly poor the care can be.”

Mandatory reporting of FGM comes into force

On Tuesday 20th October 2015, the Government announced the start date for mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation (FGM), as well as published guidance to help professionals get ready for their new duty. As from 31st October onwards, regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales will have mandatory requirement to report visually confirmed or verbally disclosed cases of FGM in girls under 18 to the police.

Karen Bradley, Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation said, ““FGM is a crime and it is child abuse, and this Government will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls. The duty is an important step forward in tackling this practice, and we believe that it will make sure professionals have the confidence to confront FGM.”

www.asian-voice.com

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

5

Special offers across a range of food and drink for Diwali.

2 for

£10 £12 3 for

KTC Sunflower Oil 5L

£7

KTC Vegetable Oil 5L

£6

Any 4 for

Apna Rice 5kg

75p

£1

Mix & Match

KTC Chopped Tomatoes 400g / Chick Peas 400g 40p

Shana Original Paratha 400g £1.25 75p

£7.50

2 for

£3 Desi Paneer Full Fat Soft Cheese 250g £1.65

Available at selected stores, find your nearest store at sainsburys.co.uk/Diwali

All offers valid until 28th October 2014. Selected stores, lines and availability. Limited stock only. All offers apply to online orders delivered by 28th October 2014. Online delivery charges apply. KTC Sunflower Oil 5L £1.40/L; KTC Vegetable Oil 5L £1.20/L; Apna Rice 5kg £1.50/kg; KTC Chopped Tomatoes/Chick Peas 400g £1.00/kg; Shana Original Paratha 400g 19p/100g; Desi Paneer Cheese 250g £6.60/kg.

6

UK

www.asian-voice.com Amber Rudd

the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

Why do the UK and India need to work together to tackle climate change?

Climate change is one of the most serious threats we face, not just to the environment, but to our economic prosperity, global security and efforts to eradicate poverty.

With just two months to go until the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris, it’s more important than ever to focus on the right solutions to deliver clean, secure, affordable energy for all.

As major economies, India and the UK will play an important role in the Paris negotiations.

While establishing those solutions can be challenging, I firmly believe that we can succeed if we work together.

After all, we already have strong cultural, political and commercial links and share world-class expertise in research and technology, which I am keen to extend further.

That was why I was so excited by the opportunities for partnerships with India when I visited New Delhi recently. I am grateful for the warm welcome from the Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister, Prakash Javadekar, shortly before he made a pledge to reduce the emissions’ intensity of India’s economy (by up to 35% of its 2005 levels by 2030).

One great challenge faced by both India and the UK is sustainable

urban development – as cities will play a critical role in meeting our targets for a low-carbon economy. I was able to see first-hand India’s impressive actions in the area when I visited New Moti Bagh.

CoE urges Cameron to take in at least 50,000 refugees in next five years AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

therefore create the environment that allows businesses to succeed and drive the transition to low carbon growth.

In Paris, the UK will be pressing for an agreement that sends the right signals to investors and

The British government has long been on the line of fire for its poor response to the ongoing migrant crisis.

Citing its response as “increasingly inadequate”, the Church of England bishops have called for at least 50, 000 Syrian refugees to be taken in over the next five years. In a letter signed by 84 bishops, sent to Prime Minister David Cameron, the CoE urged him to take a “meaningful and substantial response to the scale of human suffering we see daily.”

The bishops wrote, “We believe such is this country's great tradition of sanctuary and generosity of spirit that we could feasibly resettle at least 10,000 peo-

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Rt Rev Bishop Paul Butler

David Cameron

ple a year for the next two years, rising to a minimum of 50,000 in total over the five-year period you foresaw in your announcement.” They also pledged to encourage their churches to give housing and foster care to the refugees. They were however let down as they

did not receive a response from the PM. Rt Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham said it is “disheartening that we have not received any substantive reply.”

The British government had pledged to take in 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years.

Flu jab causes traffic jam Prakash Javadekar with Amber Rudd

The renewable energy, waste recycling and rainwater harvesting systems in operation are showing others how resources can be more efficiently used and in doing so make urban development both economically and environmentally sustainable.

The New Moti Bagh site also demonstrates the key role business must play in making low-carbon economies a reality.

It is a simple and powerful thought, as equal in its worth in Mumbai as it is in London, that only if green solutions are affordable for every citizen can sustainable economies flourish.

Governments must

innovators long-term and creates a level playing field for business.

This means having legally-binding rules that send the right signals to the markets to put impetus into new ideas on tackling climate change, as the costs of technologies fall.

I left India confident that together we can make our economies more sustainable and I am looking forward to working with India during Paris talks and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK next month is an opportunity to further strengthen our energy and climate and wider bilateral relationship.

Teacher Rukshana Miah 'strangled to death with bra strap' A primary school teacher was strangled to death with her own bra strap by her estranged husband after he took her £20,000 wedding jewellery and stashed it in a city centre safe, a court heard.

Mum-of-two Rukshana Miah, 35, who taught at Broadoak Primary School in Ashton-under-Lyne, died after allegedly being strangled with the strap and also the cord of an electric heater at her home at Longford Road West, North Reddish.

Her husband, former Abul club doorman Kashem Miah, 37, of Florist Street, Shaw Heath, Stockport, denies murder but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, saying he lost self-control. The prosecution in a Manchester Crown Court trial reject this and say he acted out of ‘pure and simple anger’.

The court heard the couple began a relationship in 1999, and married in an Islamic ceremony, in spite her family’s disapproval of him and ‘love matches’ in

general. The relationship ‘burned brightly’ at first, prosecutor Rob Hall said.

However over time Abul Miah acted in a ‘violent’ and ‘controlling’ way and ran up debts.

The Government has announced that as from 1st February 2016, “Right to Rent” will be introduced.

All private landlords in England will have to check whether new tenants have the right to be in the UK before renting out to them.

Under the new rules, landlords could face penalties of up to £3,000 per tenant if they fail to do the

required checks beforehand. This new rule applies to private landlords, as well as people who sub-let or take in lodgers.

Immigration Minister, James Brokenshire said, “Right to Rent checks are quick and simple, and many responsible landlords already do them as a matter of routine. We are providing landlords in

England with all the advice and support they need before the checks go live on 1 February 2016. The new rules are part of the Immigration Act 2014 which introduced measures to reform the immigration system. Right to Rent is about deterring those who are illegally resident from remaining in the UK”

"Right to Rent" to be introduced in February 2016

The town of St Austell, Cornwall, came to a standstill by 3,360 people who were queueing in their cars to get their flu jabs at a clinic. The police were called to ease the traffic jams on Saturday 10th October.

The executive manager of St Austell Healthcare

Group, Bridget Sampson said, “Each person got a letter giving the location and a two-hour time slot.

Some of them didn't read the letter properly while some of them did but disregarded it, so they have to take some responsibility.”

24-hour Tube plans on hold An all-night Tube train service was due to commence in September 2015, but have been delayed until 2016.

The 24-hour service was to start on the weekend on five lines but were stalled due to unions and management failing to agree on rosters and pay.

The Unions had stated that staff will be forced to work

extra night shifts for little extra pay.

Aslef district organiser, Finn Brennan said, “We have put forward a number of proposals to resolve this in a way that is fair and benefits both sides.

London Underground have rejected them all.”

London Underground had hoped to launch the

night Tube service to cooccur with the start of the Rugby World Cup in September.

Hate preachers to be treated like paedophiles As part of the Government's counter-terrorism strategy, Prime Minister, David Cameron will be announcing that extremist Islamists and hate preachers will receive the same treatment as paedophiles and will be banned from all contact with children.

This is to ensure that people convicted with terrorism or extremist activity are automatically banned from working with vulnerable people, as well as chil-

dren, in the same manner as those who are convicted of sexual offences against children.

Cameron said, “I have said before that defeating extremism will be the struggle of our generation. It is one of the biggest social problems we need to overcome. We know that extremism is really a symptom; ideology is the root cause- but the stakes are rising and that demands a new approach. So we have a

choice- do we choose to turn a blind eye or do we choose to get out there and make the case for our British values.”

He continued, “The government's new CounterExtremism Strategy is a clear signal of the choice we have made to take on this poisonous ideology with resolve, determination and the goal of building a greater Britain.”

There will also be a web ban on hate preachers.

Does your boss employ less than 30 workers? If yes, then you could soon be one of the millions of workers enrolled into a workplace pension between now and early 2018.

You will get a letter or e-mail from your employer, giving you more details.

Your employer will then automatically enrol you into the scheme. Once you’ve been enrolled, a small percentage of your salary will go straight into

your pension pot. Your employer will pay in as well – that’s EXTRA money that you wouldn’t otherwise get. The government will give you tax relief too.

There will be three contributors who will continue to pay into your pension pot regularly. The three contributors are you, your employer and the government.

You might feel you already have a plan in place to give yourself money in

later life. Perhaps you intend to keep working (beyond State Pension age), sell your house, or your partner has a pension.

But life doesn’t always go to plan. You might want to have several plans in place and your workplace pension could be one of them.

Don’t ignore the workplace pension.

Find out more: www.workplacepensions.g ov.uk See advert on page 7

Don't ignore the workplace pension

www.asian-voice.com

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Don’t ignore the Workplace Pension

With a workplace pension, you’ll get money towards your future. Because when you pay in, your boss pays in too. Your employer will have to offer you one by law.

For more information go to www.workplacepensions.gov.uk Qualifying criteria apply.

7

8

UK

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

As I See It

CB Patel

Britain has become Great by planning long term Great Britain, an comparatively small island nation in the north west corner of Europe, has not only become one of the richest countries on the planet, but its influence is recognised the world over.

In The Times (Monday 19th October), the cartoonist has taken the liberty to put forward a slightly less flattering view. I, with all my reservations, would readily accept The Times as one of the guardians of the ethos of British journalism. I admire The Times, but as editor of Asian Voice I beg to differ with their opinion in this case.

Great Britain is a living democracy with core values of fairness and tolerance and its most effective qualities, both nationally and internationally is one of give and take, viz. diplomacy. Britain excels in diplomacy.

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has arrived in London. He has been received with pomp and ceremony.

Early this year, Prince William went all the way to Beijing, carrying the personal invitation from Her Majesty, the Queen, and a few weeks George ago, Chancellor Osborne went to China and spent some eight days cultivating the leadership.

Britain needs huge investments to develop its infrastructure. China has almost limitless funds and is looking for avenues to invest not only for financial gains, but to spread its influence. It's that same, timeless old story: It's the economy, stupid.

One needs to look back at the Sino-British relationship.

In the 19th century, from the jumping board of British India, Britain sent its gunboats through the rivers deep into the Chinese mainland.

Opium trade was the attraction. China accepted British hegemony and Hong Kong and other possessions were handed over to Britain.

Britain, to its credit, developed the rocky place called Hong Kong as a trading post, as well as a staging post over the decades, where China was ready to accept its unique system of wealth-creation. With the rise of Communism and the end of the Second World War, China became a Republic and as an ally of the Soviet Union, waged wars in Korea and Vietnam, defeating the USA, France and finally the Western alliance in 1979.

USA and Britain have a unique relationship where they have worked in tandem for over 150 years. Although the American War of Independence lead to Britain's defeat, in the long run Britain may have actually won. Strange, but true; by the end of the nineteenth century, the USA was the world's biggest economic power, but its political influence was

largely confined to that hemisphere alone. In the First World War, Britain received significant material and some military assistance from the USA leading to Germany's defeat. Twenty years later, in the Second World War, America became the leading member of the alliance and Germany and Japan were defeated albeit paying a heavy price in both money and manpower.

But the victors, mainly the USA, poured billions of dollars of aid into Germany and Japan and, in no time, these countries recovered. Not only that, they became staunch allies of the USA and played active roles to halt the spread of Communism and Soviet influence. Diplomacy, the vehicle of democratic nations was deployed when everything else was failing. Henry Kissinger, the National Security Advisor, secretly went to Peking and parlayed with Chou En-Lai and other leaders. The package was simple. China would politically remain a communist dictatorship, and at the same time, its economic policy would become more or less capitalist. China's command economy created a miracle. Human rights and other values were, and continue to be, put aside.

So what? It did not bother western democracies to willingly work with China and enable it to become the economic giant it is now.

China has just under four trillion dollars at its disposal, and over a trillion dollars is funding the U.S. government borrowing binge. China is using its financial muscle to spread its influence.

But China also is aware of the famous American Doctrine of the American naval strategist, Alfred Thayer Mahan who died in 1914, and the importance of sea power in both trade terms and defence.

In the recent past China has been strengthening its navy so fast and so threateningly, especially in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, that Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as Vietnam, all feel threatened. Just recently, President Obama announced miliary exercises by the American navy in the South China Sea to try to address their fears. India is also involved with the navies of some of the above mentioned countries, in an exercise called Malabar, clearly intended to keep the Indian Ocean free from Chinese hegemony.

But let's leave all that aside for one moment. As has happened with other countries, British diplomacy could - in its own unique way - help soften China's aggressive tendencies in a different way. Look at the

openness of Great Britain.

Nuclear power was up until recently a "top secret" capability, not available to powers other than staunch allies. The Chinese President and the British Prime Minister are about to sign documents for a huge Chinese investment of over £24.5 billion for a nuclear power station. Other projects to be finalised by Thursday would total investment of over £100 billion.

China has got the money and Britain needs it.

The Great Britain of today is not the India of the 1950s.

“Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai” was the buzzword of the day and the Panchsheel Treaty may not have been worth more than the paper it was printed on to China but India, under the influence of the Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru, took it as gospel. The sudden, terrible attack by thousands of Chinese troops on India in 1962 was, and has remained, a painful lesson for India, and the new Government of Narendra Modi is far different. It is rapidly building its defence capabilities and by 2027 it expects its navy forces of ultra modern calibre to number some 200 (just under the present strength of China).

India also has opened its defence sector production for private internal and international investments. The Modi government is much more pragmatic and determined.

In three weeks time, Prime Minister Cameron will welcome, felicitate and do business with Prime Minister Modi. At the root of this diplomacy, the economy is of prime importance. Great Britain is Great. Maybe, India and China have some border disputes, but this triangular relationship is going to be worth watching. Perhaps, with a degree of optimism, I am hopeful of a relationship which could be win-win for all, if there are adequate checks and balances.

China is outwardly very successful, but it has its own serious problems of extremism and terrorism, as well as real issues with the children of the migrants who hail from rural backgrounds. Command economy has helped China to come to the present level, but the change is inevitable. The aspirations of a human being cannot be locked up forever. In that area, Indian democracy with all its restraints has some positive attributes.

In this race between the hare and a tortoise, the end result is not certain. The British, astute as they are, will certainly derive their own lessons from the cartoon of Monday's Times. Overall, the net benefits of the Sino-British partnership seem to be positive. Let's welcome, let's hope for the best, but also be prepared for the worst.

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Mayor launches new app to make it easier to report hate crime A new smartphone app was launched on 16 October to make it easier for Londoners to report hate crime and access support services. The Mayor of London’s Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) launched the app during National Hate Crime Awareness Week, with the aim of boosting confidence in reporting and encouraging victims of hate crime to come forward.

With 14,631 hate crimes recorded in London last year, the Crime Survey for England and Wales suggests that up to 52 per cent of hate crime goes unreported. The Mayor’s Hate Crime Strategy, published in 2014, aims to make it easier to report hate crimes and there has already been a 30 per cent increase in reporting in London in the last year.

The new app, which is free to download and available on both Apple and android platforms, builds on the existing Self Evident crime reporting app from social enterprise Just Evidence. It enables victims to immediately report an incident, with the information going directly to the Police via a secure server. Users can also upload photographic and video material as part of their report, providing the option to submit a verbal statement or footage of the incident.

MOPAC provided £100,000 funding for the development of the hate crime support app and its year-long pilot across London. Extra custom-built software was added to the existing technology, allowing easier access to support for all victims of hate crime, including those who may not necessarily want to involve the police. The aim is to increase the chance of obtaining swift justice for victims and to ensure they receive support to help them cope and recover from the effects of the incident.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Crimes committed simply because of who a

victim is have no place in our society. They must never be tolerated and anyone who suffers should receive support as quickly as possible.

We’ve already seen a rise in reporting, which is important to help the police do their job, and I am very pleased we have been able to launch this app. It will help increase reporting even further, boosting confidence, reducing repeat offences and helping victims get the support they need."

Developed with the Metropolitan Police and local community groups, the app provides information and access to support services to help victims, and offers the option for those who do not wish to report to the police to log the incident or seek help through Victim Support.

In use across London and Sussex, the app uses GPS to determine a victim’s location. If a victim uses Self Evident outside of these areas, the app refers their report to the relevant police force and Victim Support service in the victim’s area of residence.

The new app builds on the Mayor’s existing work against hate crime, which includes the distribution of a resource pack to schools, community groups and voluntary services. MOPAC’s hate crime dashboard, now live, also provides information to the public and increase transparency around the issue. In addition, MOPAC established, and facilitates, a twice yearly London Hate Crime Panel, working with partners to implement the Hate Crime Strategy, and recently convened a roundtable discussion with social media companies to consider ways to reduce online hate crime. Commander Mak Chishty, Metropolitan Police Service, Hate Crime lead said: “Hate Crime remains hugely under-reported and the new app makes it easier for people to report incidents. We want to safeguard victims and bring offenders to justice.

“We urge victims not to suffer in silence, they should speak out, report

Boris Johnson

incidents as soon as possible. In an emergency, victims should call 999.

We have over 900 specialist Police officers in Community Safety Units dedicated to investigating all hate crime and domestic abuse. We take all hate crime seriously, it should not be tolerated; if you can't report it to police, seek advice from a third party organisation.”

Fiyaz Mughal OBE FCMI, Founder and Director of Faith Matters, said: “Hate Crime Awareness Week is an opportunity to refocus the public on both the importance of tackling hate crimes and the reporting of such issues.

By producing an app, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime is increasing accessibility and this is to be warmly welcomed, as people want to be able to report hate incidents quickly and without disruption to their daily lives. We welcome this step and anything that increases accessibility in terms of reporting hate incidents.’’

Dave Rich, Deputy Director of Communications at Community Security Trust (CST) said: “CST supports Hate Crime Awareness Week because we believe that every victim of hate crime deserves to get the help and support they need. We hope that this new app will give victims and witnesses the confidence to report hate crimes and make it easier for offenders to be prosecuted.”

The app can be downloaded here: Android: https://play.google.com/ store/apps/details?id=or g.witnessconfident.app iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com /gb/app/selfevident/id571644999?mt =8

Autistic man dies due to carer's negligence

A 28-year-old autistic man, Masjid Akhtar, pictured, was found floating face-down in the King's Mill Reservoir, Nottinghamshire, on 10th September 2012. A coroner has ruled that his carer, Nikki Deaney, was allegedly “distracted” using her phone to message a man she had met on a dating site. Akhtar was on an activity trip with other patients from Springwood Day Centre, which cares

for people with autism and learning difficulties. An inquest heard that Deaney had spent most of the trip on her mobile phone, instead of taking care of him. Assistant Coroner for Nottinghamshire, Andrew McNamara said, “The death resulted from the failure of one-to-one care when the carer became distracted using her mobile phone.”

UK

www.asian-voice.com

Leading Lights

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

BBC and BT Sport Presenter Reshmin Chowdhury Reshmin Chowdhury is a sports presenter and reporter, working for the BBC and BT Sport. She broadcasts for both the BBC News Channel and BBC World News. For BBC World News she presented throughout the London 2012 Olympics. Reshmin is currently travelling across the continent, reporting on the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League for BT Sport.

With a solid background behind the camera, she got her first taste of presenting at Real Madrid TV, where she worked in English, Spanish and French. It was here she conducted the world exclusive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo, following his then record-breaking move to the club. This clever lady lives in London with her husband and two young children, and cites singing, travelling, languages and cooking among her passions.

Reshmin Chowdhury

Reshmin began her career at Reuters TV News and honed her skills as a producer at BBC News, ITN and Bloomberg TV. She previously produced business reports for international print media, interviewing politicians and leading business figures across Africa and the Middle East. Reshmin was also part of the original production team that trav-

elled to Borneo for the ITV1 programme, Survivor.

A Bengali, born and raised in London, Reshmin enjoyed an incredibly cultured upbringing, courtesy of her parents and local community. She sang from an early age and is also an accomplished vocalist, having worked alongside Nitin Sawhney. She performed in the UK touring theatre production of The

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015 Mahabharata and recorded vocals for the 2007 Fox Searchlight movie, The Namesake. After an eight year absence, Reshmin decided to join a choir in 2015 and is relishing this new challenge.

After the Asian Voice observed Reshmin co-hosting a recent fundraiser for Bobby Grewal’s charity Walk Full Circle, covered in this week’s paper, Reshmin took time out to talk to us.

Of her work, she said, “I always wanted to get into sports broadcasting, but there was no clear route when I started out. Having studied politics, news seemed the most natural path at the time.

Journalism, particularly broadcasting, isn't an easy arena, let alone without any fixed structure or a mentor, although I think that is slowly changing now.

My brother is 14 months older than me and together we watched sport throughout our childhood.

My passion for football began during the unforgettable World Cup campaign in 1990, but I also watched tennis, major tournaments, Olympics, rugby union and plenty more besides.

Working for BBC Sport fulfils a childhood ambition, because it's a household name and I grew up watching it. Having the chance to work on

9

August.

European football at this Reshmin continues this level with BT is also a “giving back” theme by dream come true.” Once telling us that she is hoping the season is over, to inspire more people of Reshmin’s next challenge Asian background to enter will be reporting on the Rio the broadcasting industry, 2016 Paralympic Games for especially behind the camBBC 5 Live and “so the jugera as well as in front of gling act of being a it. She wants to working mother, spread diversity who travels, will “I had a burning across the begin again,” ambition to present board. she laughs. and I chased the The Asian Amazingly, position at Real Voice found her Reshmin is also Madrid.” highly professiongiving back by al and serious about accepting extracurricher work, combining her ular service activity. roles with skilful juggling, Last month she was planning and dedication. It appointed an ambassador is refreshing to find somefor the Prince of Wales’s one so honest and commitcharity, the British Asian ted that they reach their Trust. For two years in a goal come what may. She row Reshmin has mentored does this by cutting superat Kick It Out’s annual fluous activity back comRaise Your Game pletely, admitting she has Conference. She was also no time to go for designer once a mentor for the fittings, often wearing her Mosaic charity on the own clothes for gala prePrimary School prosenting instead. gramme for mothers and Performing was always daughters. in Reshmin’s DNA, “I had a Not only that, but carburning ambition to presing Reshmin has been ent and I chased the posidoing school talks for many tion at Real Madrid. I obviyears. A couple of recent ously have a very supportive ones were part of the husband, because this was Inspiring Women camone year into my marriage! paign launched by Clare I'm also incredibly blessed Balding this year. As an to have both sets of parents influential woman in sport living close by, though it is herself, Reshmin was on definitely my children who the judging panel choosing keep me grounded. We the Independent on laugh a lot, out loud, every Sunday’s “50 most influensingle day!” tial Women in Sport” list in

10

READERS’VOICE

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Mrs Merkel’s Mess

In Late August, Mrs Merkel’s (Chancellor of Germany) pledge to accommodate almost any number of migrants was undemocratic and irresponsible. One can only guess her hasty impulse for such a carte blanche invitation to eagerly awaiting migrants. Was her action prompted by guilt of gassing Gypsies and Jews, the falling birth rate among indigenous population or humanitarian considerations?

Once an immigrant is in Germany and receives the necessary papers he or she can lawfully travel to, work in and settle in any of the other 27 EU countries. Thus her action affects each and every person of the EU and hence her pledge without proper consultation and approval of the EU Nations was undemocratic.

We are witnessing the biggest mess in Europe since 1945 in terms of movement of people and resultant chaos and hardship for countries like Greece and Hungary and their people including migrants themselves. Hungary has to build a barbed wire fence all along its eastern and southern border to protect itself from ingress of uncontrolled and undocumented thousands of migrants daily which invited severe criticism from countries worldwide. (Isn’t it strange that no one raised an eyebrow when USA built thousands of kilometres of fence along its border with Mexico to keep poor and needy neighbour out?)

More importantly the situation has presented a god given gift to the human traffickers which also caused death at sea of scores of unfortunate migrants.

It also gave a unique opportunity for so called IS to inject foot soldiers without fear of detection. Turkey has exploited the situation and has benefited politically as well as with billions of Euros. Mrs Merkel could have acted responsibly by emulating Mr Cameron and pledged to accept any number of documented migrants directly from the designated countries.

Narsibhai Patel New Malden

What a heinous act!

Immigrants must integrate

I refer to the article in Asian Voice, page 24, 10th October 2015, about the unfortunate act by P. Tirumala Rao, who beheaded an innocent 4 year old child in Andhra Pradesh, in order to offer his blood to Goddess Kali to seek divine powers.

This is really an act by someone who needs help as nowhere in our scriptures has indicated that Goddess Kali can be pleased with innocent bloodshed and human sacrifice. In actual fact, Goddess Kali punishes such evil people.

Rao was caught by villagers who tied him to a tree and doused him with kerosene and set him on fire, but he was saved by the police.

But I am curious to know what justice is given to the family and individuals who have lost loved ones in this brutal act and what and how Rao is going to be made to pay for his inhumane deeds!

Sudha Rasik Bhatt, Benson

Unfair student quota I would like to draw the attention of Kumudini Valambia regarding ‘ unfair student quota’ for students from Indian sub- continent which includes Pakistan and Bangladesh students. The writer should get the facts correct.

During the labour government several polytechnics were upgraded to university status and issued student visas to Indian students in spite of the fact they did not have necessary qualifications.

Most of them claimed to do business and Computer studies and accountancy which are all part-time courses and these courses are run today on franchise basis by Indian businessmen to make money.

There are more than 5000 colleges mainly English classes for overseas students and the government want to stop this racket. Most of the Indian universities are not recognised by British universities.

Valambia should know that it is not easy to get admission in USA and Australia and they have to take English test before they are given student visa. Most of the students who go to USA get teaching fellowship in science and engineering subjects.

Reputed British universities feel that new bucket shop colleges spoil the reputation of their universities.

Immigration policy has failed due to common market which allows free entry to people from East Europe and they are flooding in.

The good relationship between India and Britain does not mean to open the flood gates to allow bogus students come here. There are 733 universities and person who wants to spend £ 6000 a year plus other expenses can easily get admission in wellknown institutes in India.

It is a good policy to introduce quota system to allow only highly qualified students with good knowledge of English to study here and there is no question of Racism is involved.

Subscribe Today Asian Voice in UK for only £29 for one year

Arun Vaidyanathan By email

UK being rich, liberal, fair, tolerant country with an ideal welfare system attracts people from world over to make it their permanent home. This beautiful country, where humanity comes first before religion, accommodates refuges from a war torn, troubled countries on compassionate and humanitarian grounds irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. Whilst there are many grateful immigrants, who take pride in being British and adopt all that good things the country has to offer, make their due contributions economically and otherwise thus enjoying richness in diversity.

However, there are others, once get stable in terms of safety and security, economically better off, become obsessed with their religion and wage a war against the country to impose their culture, tradition and beliefs which they escaped. The onus should be on the immigrant to integrate and not the other way round. British people have every right to preserve their identity, culture, values and country from the dubious immigrants forcing themselves to this country.

Niranjan Vasant London

Refugee-themed Mitzvah Day

Mitzvah day falls this year on 22nd November. It was first started here by Laura Marks in 2008 to spread friendship and brotherhood among neighbours, bring people of all faiths together, helped by army of volunteers, has now become an international event celebrated in 30 countries throughout Western world.

It’s aim is to help people, especially old, disable and sick, as well as new arrivals who may be struggling to settle down and as such this year’s theme is to help refugees escaping wars and torture in Syria. Last year it attracted 37,000 volunteers from every culture and religion that included odd job men to doctors. It is expected to reach 40,000 this year, visiting venerable people in their own home, mending, decorating, cooking, gardening and doing odd jobs for those needy people who are unable to look after themselves.

Many local charities participate; contribute volunteers for the event that is gaining pop star status, attracting celebrities from all walks of life. This is a day when differences and animosities are laid to rest, friendships facilitated and new relationships cemented that encourage communities to live in peace without fiduciary animosity.

I hope our own charitable institutions like SEWA, ISCKON, SHM and community based organizations will participate in great numbers to celebrate this truly multicultural event to bring peace and prosperity to our beloved nation.

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

NHS meltdown

Recent report that NHS is £1 billion in red, only after three months, should ring alarm bells.

But as usual, this government is oblivious to the sufferings of our people, ploughing billions in overseas aid, building schools, hospitals in developing countries, PM Nero (Cameron) playing fiddle while Rome (London) is burning!

Due to NHS negligence that ruined my family member’s life, we are frequent visitors to A & E, so often waiting up to six hours before receiving due attention. Although NHS staffs, especially junior doctors are caring, same cannot be said of Consultants some of whom are arrogant and treat junior doctors and patients with contempt.

If we get influenza outbreak in winter, worse months for NHS, I wonder how many people will die as a result of shortages of beds, nurses and doctors. No civilized country should have to put-up with such appalling conditions mainly due to ignorant politicians who are unable or unwilling to reform NHS in line with some successful countries like Germany, France and Scandinavian where no one has to wait, although most have to contribute tiny amount through insurance scheme that bars health tourism.

We already pay for prescriptions and dental treatment, most expensive in EU, yet unwilling to pay to see our GPs due to political dogma, willing to accept poor service instead.

It is time NHS should be funded to some extent by patients in line with dental treatment.

Kumudini Valambia By email

Golden Ticket

After a span of some fifty years, a first new grammar school will open in Sevenoaks, in Kent after ministers allowed a grammar school to be built as an "annexe" of a school in another town. Acquisition of a place in a grammar school is like receiving a golden ticket for better education and better prospects in life.

There is no doubt that grammar schools provide superior education in comparison to comprehensives and give their students a head start over other children. But there is fierce competition for places and only the very few lucky ones get admitted. We Indians, particularly the Gujaratis, have always given importance to education for our children. In the absence of publicly available grammar school places, we scrimp and save to send our children to private schools. We know that in a fiercely competitive job market, the only way to give our children a better start in life is by arming them with better educational qualifications.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

ASIAN VOICE

Tel: 020 7749 4080

(Off Coronet Street)

Rates Valid from 1-10-2015

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

Karma Yoga House Fax: 020 7749 4081 E-mail: support@abplgroup.com 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

UK EUROPE WORLD 1 Year £29 £77 £92 2 Years £52.50 £141.50 £169 Subscriptions are non-refundable after 30 days

Visit our website: www.abplgroup.com

NAME

ADDRESS POST CODE Email:

TEL:

I'd like to be kept up to date by email with offers and news from ABPL

Please charge my VISA / MASTERCARD / CREDIT / DEBIT CARD for £

Card No:

Signature

Card Expiry date

Date

EDUCATION

www.asian-voice.com

Shah Rukh Khan bestowed with In Brief doctorate from University of Edinburgh Schools to warn teenagers about AsianVoiceNews

The Bollywood phenomenal superstar, who has 15.7 million followers on Twitter, Shah Rukh Khan (49), was bestowed with his second honorary doctorate, from the University of Edinburgh, on Thursday 15th October 2015. He received the award from the University Chancellor HRH The Princess Royal in Edinburgh.

Shah Rukh Khan was presented the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa, in recognition of his outstanding record of philanthropy, altruism and humanitarianism, as well as for his global reach as an actor.

Khan's charitable work includes creating a children's ward at a hospital in Mumbai, India; supporting relief funds to assist areas devastated by tsunamis; and bringing solar power to rural villages in India.

While receiving the

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

degree, Khan said, “It is a pleasure to be honoured by the University of Edinburgh and tread in the footsteps of so many of the world's illustrious thinkers, leaders and personalities.

To have the opportunity to address one of the most esteemed educational institutions in the world is a special moment.”

He further stated, “I look forward to the university continuing on its path as a great civic university, demonstrated by its partnership with India, addressing health, academic research excellence and social justice. I hope that many more of India and South Asia's brightest minds get a chance to learn, think and grow at Edinburgh.”

It is said that Edinburgh's first Indian student graduated in 1876 and it is suggested that by

Asian Voice |24th October 2015

delayed parenthood

It is said that sex education lessons will warn teenagers about delayed parenthood and how it could make it harder for them to have children. About 12 schools in the London borough of Merton will be introducing a fertility module in the sex and relationship education classes for ages 1618.

Cambridge Professor warns about drinking games Shah Rukh Khan receives his doctorate from Princess Anne

the 1920s, Edinburgh's Indian student population was far greater than that of any other UK university.

The university's viceprincipal, Professor Charlie Jeffery said, “The University of Edinburgh has very strong ties with India and I am delighted that we are able to recognise the philanthropic work and career of one of the most outstanding stars of world cinema. It is a great

privilege to present Shah Rukh Khan with one of our highest honours, a doctorate of the university. As India's population and economy grow, so too does the demand for world-class education. Our aim at Edinburgh is to build partnerships and strengthen awareness that will reinforce our position as the partner of choice for the Indian knowledge economy.”

the antisemitic message.

In February 2015, Choudhury was convicted and fined £465 after admitting the racially aggravated use of abusive words. He has also been banned from the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

Mahmudul Choudhury

Teacher banned from schools for antisemitic message

Mahmudul Choudhury (35), a teacher from south London, has been indefinitely banned from all schools in England, after he allegedly posted a picture of Hitler on Facebook and writing, “you were right”. He was reported after a Jewish student saw

11

Many first year students have been pressurised into participating in drinking games during freshers' week. This has lead to Professor Sir Alan Fersht (72) at Cambridge University, to warn students about their future.

He sent an email to the studied, stating that those who “bully” others into participating in drinking games will end up becoming “inside traders, exchange rate riggers and corrupt Volkswagen engineer” if they did not amend their ways.

He also lamented second year students who forced new students into drinking “shots of liquor until they vomited”.

Jewish school's orthodox law on "family purity"

Barnet: It is said that Hasmonean High School, a state Jewish school has been ordered to change the admissions criteria that put restriction of parents' sex lives.

The state faith school in Barnet, north London, allegedly Hasmonean High School, Barnet asked couples to obey to the orthodox law on “family purity” which does forbids sexual intercourse during menstruation.

The Office of the Schools Adjudicator has sustained an objection, stating that it would not be possible to evaluate whether people were complying to this law.

12

MEDIAWATCH

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement on the virus of intolerance and its accompanying violence: for neither was the central government to blame,he said; he was also ‘saddened’ at the Dadri lynching in which an innocent Muslim life was lost to mob fury.

Except for opposition diehards; few would claim the government was directly responsible for such incidents; the point to stress was the climate which permitted, even encouraged, such behavior.

The lunatic fringe of the Sangh Parivar appear to be calling the shots. Three noted intellectuals, scholars all, were assassinated for no other reason than their rationalist philosophy and the right to give it free expression.

There are far too many hotheads in the NDA family who speak foolishly and irresponsibly and conduct themselves disgracefully.

Condemnation, not pieties

The BJP leadership – most of all the Prime Minister – must condemn murders, when they occur, not be content with pious expressions of regret. A vibrant and forward-looking society, able and willing to embrace the 21st century in science and technology will invariably be an inclusive society, with inclusive values, conducting a conversation with itself and likeminded people abroad in the same vein. Mr Modi was rightly bowled over by the successes of the Indian diaspora in the United States and Europe. He must have noticed, surely, that they operate on a level playing field under the rule of law and the principles that are the platform of any meritocracy.

They will want to be associated with an India that shares a similar way of life. India is more polarized today than it ever was since independence. Public discourse, it would appear, is following unhealthy trajectory (Hindu, Telegraph, Times of India October 14, 15)

Blackened India

The disgraceful tarring of Sudheendra Kulkarni by members of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, currently a coalition partner of the BJP-led Maharashtra government was an act of lawlessness that shamed the Sena and the entire country.

The Sena objected to the release of a book authored by a former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. The Government of India had no objection to his visiting India.

That said, he had every right to expect the courtesies accorded to any guest. Nobody would have objected to a peaceful and dignified protest to the man’s presence or his book. Kulkarni may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he had every right go about his lawful business like any Indian citizen would expect to do. Is India to be Talibanised: prescriptive diets, moral policing, dress codes for women, thought control, and all?

Shared culpability

Poet and former civil servant Bejan Daruwala, when returning his Sahitya Acadmi award, spoke of the sins of omission and commissions of previous governments, point to their complai-

sance and cowardice in preventing novelist Salman Rushdie attending the Jaipur Literary Festival; he also attacked the Communist-led Left Front and Trinamool Congress regimes in West Bengal - each surrendering to the diktat of local mullahs - for refusing the Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen entry into Kolkata, and permission to reside there (Hindu October 15).

Moral turpitude

However, the worst example of such moral turpitude , by far, was the Rajiv Gandhi government overturning of a Supreme Court judgment in the infamous Shah Bano case, when a Muslim lawyer refused to pay the prescribed alimony to his 70 year-old divorced wife under Indian law in favour of Islamic sharia law which allowed him to get away with a derisory pittance. The Supreme Court ruling was cast aside by an act of Parliament, where Mr Gandhi’s Congress party commanded a two-thirds majority. The chickens are home to roost.

Industrial growth

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose by a robust 6.4 per cent in August, with the manufacturing sector rising by 6.9 per cent, both exceeding last year’s figures for the same period ‘The good performance” of manufacturing , capital goods and consumer durables sector, in particular, seems to have resulted in the favourable development,’ said Rana Kapoor, President, Assocham (trade body). (Hindu October 13)

Buoyant Infosys

Vishal Sikka CEO Infosys

Infosys, India’s second-largest IT provider, has beaten market expectations by posting robust growth of 9.8 per cent, compared to the same period last year, in the second quarter ending September 30. The total revenue stood at Rs 15,635 crore [$2,392 million] 17 per cent growth over the same period last year. Commenting on the performance, Vishal Sikka, CEO and MD, said: ‘The second quarter revenue performance was the best in the last 16 quarters.

We are very happy about that. All aspects segments did well for us.’

Infosys is set to hire 20,000 staff in the current financial year (Hindu October 13)

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

TSC on song Tata Consultancy Services, India’s largest IT company has reported 14.5 per cent growth in net profit for the second quarter ending September 30. ‘Given the the growing market adoption of digital, we continue to new and platforms to market successfully as well as invest in training our talent,’ said CEO and IP-led products,’ said CEOO and MD N. Chandrasekaran at a press conference in Mumbai. TCS plans to recruit 60,000 new staff (October 14)

Upbeat Nilekani

One of India’s leading tech giants, Nandan Nilekani, a founder-member of Infosys many moons ago, is a venture capital entrepreneur and adviser.

Speaking to a reporter, he said he was buoyed by the Indian startup scene. ‘Certainly Bangalore…..has a very vibrant startup community. I think, number one, you are seeing many more startups.

Second, I think the quality is very good. People are trying diverse things…..I am very excited at what I am seeing.’ (Hindu October 11)

Indian startups global third

Fuelled by $100 million worth of startups every week, the sector has grown by a creditable 40 per cent over the last year, and now occupies third place [4,2004,400], after the US and UK. [The US figure is 47,00048,000, UK 4,499-5000, Israel 3900-4,199, and China 3,3003,500] Thus far, in 2015-16, India has registered 1,200 startups. The number of startups are projected to reach 12,000 by 2020. ‘Startups are now creating innovation technology solutions that are addressing social problems,’ said R.Chandrashekharan, President Nasscom (Times of India October 14)

India hub for Baleno

Three decades and more ago,

Baleno car manufactured by Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki, a lesser known Japanese auto manufacturer arrived in India to find a market where the infamous Hindustan Ambassador car was the only show in town , the source of much dark humour at home and abroad. Suzuki set up shop and began what turned to be the biggest revolution on Indian roads for a century. The first Maruti 800 model, shaped like match box, took off, other models have followed down the years, all an expression of Japan’s technological might and management.

Maruti Suzuki is today a global player with an Indian hub, a mar-

Former President of Israel, Simon Peres calls on the President Pranab Mukherjee along with his official delegation members at Hotel David, Jerusalem in Israel last Wednesday (14th October)

riage made in heaven, as it were.

Its latest model is the Baleno, and guess what? Balenos are to be exported from India to Japan and regions and continents beyond, 100 countries in all. Its launch date will be October 26. A local manager said: ’It is a proud moment for us. A vehicle made at our Manesar factory [in Haryana] will be sold in Japan.

Phew!’ (Times of India October 14)

President in Israel

President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Israel to a red carpet welcome last week, following stopovers in Jordan, where he was received by King Abdullah II, thence to Palestine, where his visit was cut short because of violent anti-Israel student demon-

defence and intelligence sharing.

Addressing the Knesset [Parliament] Mr Mukherjee deplored the use of violence in pursuit of political goals. Such methods solved nothing, simply left a trail of bitterness which solutions more intractable.

Israeli President Ezer Weizmann paid a state visit to India in 1997; Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visited India a few years later, when the Vajpayee governmewnt was in power.(Hindu,15, 16)

Air Force day

One of the notable features of India’s Air Force day [raised in 1932] was the display of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with a range 290 kilometres and a speed of 2.8 mach [almost thrice the speed of sound]

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee meets with Jordan King Abdullah II on October 10, 2015 in the capital Amman ahead of his planned trip to Israel

strators. The President held talks with King Abdullah, who expressed firm support for India’s place at the UN Security Council.

Issues of trade and investment were discussed and joint venture cooperation in establishing industrial plants in Jordan. The high point of Mr Mukherjee’s sixday tour of the region was Israel, with whom India has close ties in every sphere, from agriculture, water management, husbandry, science and space cooperation,

BrahMos comes in three forms: on land for the Army; at sea for the Navy; and in the skies for the Air Force. The army and naval versions are now operational, the Air Force version has had to be lightened, without loss of destructive power, and will operate from India’s Sukhoi MKI30 squadrons. The kinetic force of the BrahMos is truly awesome; there being no effective defence to counter it. (Mint October 6)

BrahMos cruise missile under X head Air Force Day

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

13

Stock Market Watch Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Accendo Markets

Sundeep Dhanjal is a Senior Trader at Accendo Markets, the City trading services provider for CFDs, Spread Betting, Shares and Forex.

Lloyds share sale - Register now, don’t wait for Spring A basic tenet of economics holds that a pound today is worth more than a pound tomorrow. This is down to your ability to purchase at a known price today versus risking paying more in the future. It is also based on being able to earn interest on that money immediately. The ‘time value of money’ is something we see every day, but give little thought to. And this got me crunching numbers with our analyst on the government’s £2bn share sale in Lloyds next spring.

The deal looks great on paper with successful subscriptions for the maximum £1,000 investment potentially being allocated shares at a 5% discount (£50 gain) and eligible for £50 dividends and a 1-for-10 loyalty bonus if the shares are held for a year (max value £200). A return of up to £300/30% for a 12 month investment? Very attractive.

Let’s go.

Not so fast. And this is the crunchy bit. The maximum loyalty bonus of £200 would require the shares to rise by 90% over the following 12 months. If they did so, the value of your investment would of course almost double too, generating total returns of 125%. Very nice.

However, coming back down to earth, assuming the shares climbed a more reasonable 10%, returns would be a more

realistic 33% while a static share price would mean gains of 21%. But this still assumes the share price doesn’t fall. If the price dipped 10%, come the following spring your overall return would still be positive to the tune of 9.5% with the discount, dividends and loyalty bonus offsetting the fall, however, anything worse than an 18 % share price fall and your overall return would go negative.

What I’m trying to say here is that, while the 5% discount and 5% dividend yield are almost certain, offering a 10% return, there is absolutely no way of knowing what the share price will be come loyalty bonus time. The shares may have doubled; they could have halved.

And while the loyalty bonus will always boost the overall return, it will never be able to completely offset any big share price fall.

And this brings me to the magic 100p, with many making assumptions based on this share price (subliminal message within offer, with £1000 lots and 1-for-10 bonus?). If you are among them, this implies the shares rising 33% from the current 75p by next spring.

So I ask you, would you rather, A) wait until next spring to buy a maximum of £1,000 at 95p (5% discount applied), wait another year to pocket £50 divi-

dends and a loyalty bonus of unknown value, whilst risking a share price fall denting the value of your investment?

Or would you, B) like to benefit from immediate and increased exposure, buy more than £1,000 of those same shares right now, at a 25% discount (75p), with no restrictions on how long you can hold them for, still eligible for dividends and only needing front a 5% deposit. If you’ve picked the latter, you might want to consider CFDs (Contracts for Difference) which can offer more cost effective investment options versus shares.

95% of brokers are bullish on Lloyds shares today with targets above the current share price (average 92p, 23% higher). Do you really want to wait for George’s offer next spring to find out the brokers were right and the shares trading 100p? Why not make the most of both opportunities? Whatever you do, allow Accendo Markets help you make the most from your investment and trading plans.

CFDs, spread betting and FX involve a high level of risk and you can lose more than your original investment. It is not suitable for everyone so please ensure you understand the risks involved.

14

COMMUNITY

www.asian-voice.com

Landmark ruling on divorce settlement Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

In what appears to be a landmark decision, people who discover that their former husband or wife had lied to them regarding the value of their wealth during the divorce procedures will now have the opportunity to reopen their settlements.

This landmark ruling follows the appeal of two women, Alison Sharland (48), and Varsha Gohil (50), who argued that their divorce cases should be reopened as their former husbands had not fully disclosed the value of their assets. Seven Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled in favour of the women, who will go back to the courts to rehear their divorce claims.

In her 2004 divorce settlement, Varsha Gohil had received £270,000

and a Peugeot car from her husband, who had claimed he was of modest means.

Six years after her divorce to former solicitor, Bhadresh Gohil, he was convicted of money-laundering and currently serves a ten-year sentence. It is said that he had helped a Nigerian politician to steal allegedly £50 million.

Varsha Gohil had argued that there had been material which were not disclosed during the time of her divorce settlement.

Regarding the judgement, Gohil said, “There are absolutely no winners in divorce and more than a thought has to be given to the children of families locked in this type of litigation. The price they pay is a very heavy one. The emotional strain of it is huge on everyone, the drain in

Varsha Gohil is to have her divorce settlement case reopened

financial resources is enormous and none of it serves the family.”

She continued, “The court process is unfortunately geared towards those with financial means and I consider myself for-

Guest interrupts Sunday Morning Live to protest Sikh Killings Sian BBC presenter Williams threatened to have a panellist removed live on-air after he tried to protest about the lack of media coverage on violence against Sikhs in the Punjab.

A guest on the Sunday Morning Live, Jagmeet Singh, from the Basics of Sikhi, an educational charity, stood up to the camera and interrupted Williams.

He said, “I have to say Sikhs are being killed in Punjab and nobody is reporting it.

Please report it.”

Miffed with the disruption, Williams put her foot down saying, “Jagmeet I will have to get you taken out unless you allow polite

Jagmeet Singh interrupts Sian Williams on Sunday Morning Live

and respect for guests here and our audience at home.”

The presenter then diverted viewers' attention to an unrelated clip and when the cameras returned to the panel, Singh was no longer there. This disappointed his charity and they said on Facebook, “So disappointed by the BBC’s treatment of Jagmeet Singh on Sunday

Morning Live this morning. The presenter shut down Singh and repeatedly belittled him from bringing up the issue of violence against Sikhs in Punjab.” A BBC Spokesperson said, “On live TV unplanned things happen and this was dealt with professionally and appropriately by Sian.”

Fresh blow to UK steel industry

Continued from page 1 with high electricity prices caused by green levies, as well as the strong British currency. China have heavily invested in the steel industry and are now responsible of a large portion of the world's steel output.

However, there have been many criticism on China's mills for dumping their excess output, while its overcapacity has been estimated to be 250m tonnes a year. The European editor at the steel industry data provider Platts, Peter Brennan said, “China's production is not abating. You might have thought they would cut capacity, but in a country where industry is effectively government-controlled it's not happened. In what's arguably a more unstable society, the government has no intention of cutting masses of jobs.”

China's President, Xi Jinping is currently on a state visit in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister, David Cameron will be speaking to the Chinese

President about the steel industry, highlighting the concern over steel dumping. David Cameron mentioned in the Commons, “Of course, we'll raise all these issues. That is what our relationship with China is all about.”

Evidently, the steel crisis has inflicted a big toll on Britain and on notable steel companies. One prime example of the downfall is Caparo Industries.

Labour peer Lord Swraj Paul's Caparo Industries, which is a major producer of steel products, with as many as 1,800 staff across 20 sites has fallen prey to Britain's steel industry crisis.

Caparo received a fresh blow as 16 out of the 20 business went into administration. It was suggested that Lord Paul had recently been looking for funding options, although he is considered as one of the 50 richest people in Britain, with an estimated fortune of £2 billion.

PwC were appointed as administrator to Caparo

Industries and its 16 businesses in the UK, on Monday 19th October.

PwC are now looking into selling, restructuring or closing the businesses down. After moving to Britain, Indian-born Swraj Paul founded Caparo in the 1960s. He first started off with a company which made pipes for the gas industry. It eventually evolved and became an international business which operated in the UK, Europe, the USA, as well as India, with an annual turnover of £1 billion.

Caparo's global business is not limited to steel; it is also involved in material testing services, hotels, product development, media, interior and furniture design, as well as financial services and energy.

What comes as another blow is that the Indianowned company Tata, has decided to cut back its UK operations. Tata Steel announced that there will be nearly 1,200 job losses in its Lanarkshire and Scunthorpe plants.

tunate that to have been able to conduct most of my case on my own. All spouses subject to deceit and deliberate financial skulduggery in a divorce owe a huge debt of gratitude to the tireless efforts of the legal team...”.

In 2014, a British jeweller, Dharmesh Dwarkada Bhura, who moved to Georgia, USA, was said to be a “dishonest litigant” who “spirited away a large amount of valuable jewellery with the intention of defeating the wife's claim for a financial remedy”.

A leading family lawyer, Marilyn Stowe said, “In the past some spouses might have thought it was all right to get away with non-disclosure just because it's the family court and it is a dispute just involving their other half.”

Deceased teenager allegedly "forced to lick toilet"

Shahena Uddin

St Albans court heard how Shahena 19-year-old Uddin, lived in a “regime of fear” and was allegedly beaten to death by her family. Her body was found by paramedics in October 2014.

It was also alleged that the teenager was made to lick the toilet seat and bowl, as well as forced to eat paper for things such as eating at the wrong speed.

Shahena Uddin's brother, Suhail Uddin (35), and his wife Salma Begum (32), both deny murder, while five others deny causing or allowing her death.

The trail continues.

Dr Badiani wins Dentist of the Year 2015 AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Dr Mitesh Badiani was awarded Dentist of the Year 2015, by the primary care trust at a ceremony held recently in October 2015, at London Hilton.

This award is due to nominations put forward by his fellow colleagues, doctors and healthcare professionals.

It is the second award that Dr Mitesh Badiani has been awarded; the first was earlier this year, at the Dental Awards in London, where he was presented as Dentist of the Year South, and later as UK Dentist of the year 2015.

Dr Mitesh Badiani is the clinical director of 6 dental practices, most of which are based in Devon.

He has a specialist interest in dental

implants and is an associate clinical professor at the University of Warwick, as part of their MSc dental implant programme.

He dedicates all the awards including team of the year UK and south award in 2013 and 2014 to his family and his dedicated fellow professional, nurses, managers and support staff without whose help and guidance none of the above would have been possible.

The Golden Women’s Awards arranged by WODESS (Women Designed for Success) took place on 16th October, with nominations in various categories for women from across the globe.The award ceremony was held at Helsinki, Caisa Cultural Centre.

Baljit Bains, Managing Director of Wanjara Records is the UK's first Asian woman to direct and manage a record company within a male-dominated industry.

Over the course of many years, she has shown commitment and dedication in overcoming the gender barrier that any woman going to business is liable to face. Baljit Bains broke this barrier within the UK Asian Music Industry in 2014, by establishing her own record label, Wanjara Records.

The record label not only aims to advocate the power of women within business, but also aims to create a

fairer industry where talented artists’ social or economical backgrounds do not deprive them of success.

Baljit was nominated for and won the Golden Women Award for Entertainment, Media and Communication.

Baljit has been hard at work promoting her husband Lalit with his own written, composed and performed songs and videos. This year saw the launch of two fabulous songs/videos, ‘Ranjhana’ and ‘Pheren’ among the many other songs released.

The event was attended by people from all over the world, and Lali Wanjara performed live on stage at the events too.

UK's first Asian lady with record label wins award

Divine Dancing - A Display of Devotion through Dance The Bhavan has been London's home for Indian Arts & Culture for the last 25 years and they will be presenting its Diwali season of events and training sessions.

A feature event will be taking place on Saturday 31st October 2015; Divine Dancing- an epic creation produced by well known dancers and producers, Jayshree Rajkotia 0Parvati Nair. The dance items presented will relay stories of Hindu Gods and Goddesses; Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati, Radha, Krishna and the Gopis, as well as the ten incarna-

Kathak dancers

tions of Lord Vishnu and the majestic story of the holy river, Ganga.

The mediums of dance

used to tell these epic stories include rhythmic graceful Kathak dance of North India, ancient fiery Bharatanatyam dance from South India, and statuesque flowing Odissi dance from the eastern province of Orissa (Odhisha).

Other features of Divine Dancing include English narration, exciting visual effects, over 40 performing artists and a delicious Indian dinner prior to the show.

With the above grand combination, it is a unique production which is not to be missed.

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Diwali at the Palace Divine Dancing will be shown on Sunday 25th October, at Watford Palace Theatre, as part of Diwali at the Palace.

Linked with Diwali at the Palace, Diwali on the Parade, which is a free event will also be taking place on 25th October.

Visitors will have the opportunity to try mehndi and gopi dot painting, as well as have a go at making floating lanterns. Visitors can also spend time at the Diwali craft and food market, where they can pick up a variety of treats and tasty delicacies.

Dorothy Thornhill, elected May of Watford said, “I really enjoyed last year’s event – especially seeing the children’s faces

Farhana Bhula

Film Forward

SP

TLIGHT

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

15

Sunetra Senior

as the lanterns were paraded down the High Street. This year’s Diwali event will be a sumptuous celebration for everyone to enjoy. People will have the chance to try some new and wonderful things – I’m delighted that we can bring such vibrancy to our town.”

Landlord sues students over rent where flatmate died

Robert Chavda

Werner Toogood

Students who were too in shock to go back home after they found their housemate dead in his bed, are being sued by their landlord for £6,500 of unpaid rent. The three friends who needed counselling for post traumatic stress, were rehoused by their university after they found Robert Chavda, 21, lifeless in bed. They said the incident has destroyed them emotionally and they can't possibly move back into the five-bedroom property.

However, untouched by the event, landlord Werner Toogood has demanded rent for the remaining five months of their contract for the house on Sussex Avenue, Canterbury.

The students are now tangled in a legal battle against Toogood. He claimed rent for the 2013/14 academic year to Medway Civil Court and expects a verdict later this month. Toogood argued, “The fact is that the building is still there. The circumstances have not

changed. It was not our circumstances which changed, but the tenants.

Had the building fallen down, it would have been a different argument. We did what we could, but unfortunately we did not have any spare accommodation.

It was the tenants' responsibility to pay the contract, but after various conversations we received a letter saying they were no longer going to continue with paying the rent. The offer was made for three months, but it was rejected because it would have left it fallow for three months.”

Robert died on January 11 last year, following a brain haemorrhage after taking MDMA. His housemates Dan McCourt, 22, Elon Carlton-Carew, 22, Adam Waller, 24, and Jack Dick desperately tried to resuscitate him. Three of the students offered to pay Toogood three of the remaining five months of their tenancy to terminate the contract, but he refused. Jack Dick paid in full to avoid court action.

Farhana is a forward-thinking film producer, having worked to get a variety of individualistic films off the ground: “nothing beats the thrill of being on set” she beamed; “that feeling of knowing that you’re partly responsible for lifting an idea off the page, and having such a massive operation in front you”.

Transitioning from her own production company Fable Films, she is currently a film executive at Endor Productions; the outfit responsible for such groundbreaking and acclaimed dramas as ‘State of Play’ and Roald Dahl’s ‘Esio Trot’. In addition to this, she has recently produced her first feature movie, the quirky, black-comedy ‘Bonobo’, to much gleeful, social acclaim. The film, which explores ideas of “middle-class British repression” and questions the conventional values by which we tend to measure success, was premiered at the ‘Raindance’ and ‘Reykjavik’ independent Film Festivals, and centres on an edgy, older mother who tries to persuade her daughter to return from a “peace-loving” commune who “strive to live by” the compassionate principles of the Bonobo ape. With ‘Bonobo’ being one of the very few movies to feature female leads over the age of 50, Farhana shows that being open-minded can open doors in your career. This is only confirmed by the prestigious Screen International, who selected her one of their top ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ for 2015.

Tell me more about your current feature; what can we expect?

‘Bonobo’ is a Matthew Hammett Knott film, a filmmaker I’ve been working with since the start of my career. One of its many stars includes Tessa PeakeJones (Only Fools and Horses). The film follows Judith (Peake-Jones), a lonely, divorced housewife who learns that her daughter has run away to join a commune. Seeking to put an end to this ‘debauchery’, Judith agrees to join the commune for just one day. But while she’s there, she learns some interesting facts about herself and starts to question her own ideas about relationships and society.

Is there a particular type of script you look to produce?

After finishing 'Bonobo', I started working for Hilary Bevan Jones at Endor Productions. I joined the company working in development (finding new ideas and talent) and I have since started to work more closely on the company’s film slate. I’m not wedded to a particular genre or subject matter; instead I’m drawn to scripts that move me. I love learning about interesting people or moments in history, but for me it’s always about the characters– I don’t always have to like them but I enjoy getting under their skin.

Did you study film; how did you get into it?

I didn’t study film at university, where I attended Trinity College, Cambridge. I

studied Spanish and Italian with a particular focus on literature. While my degree touched on film, it was always from a theoretical perspective so I never considered filmmaking as a career. It was only when I started working on a student film festival, Watersprite, that I began to forge links with filmmakers. After graduating I started working at Google but I made short films as a hobby alongside. At this point I realized what I loved doing, and decided it was time to make the jump.

What grabs you in particular about the world of film-mak-

ing?

Among other things, I love the global reach films can have. At the moment we’re translating Bonobo into Spanish and I love the idea of making something that can reach an audience you might never meet.

Is there any particular type of film you enjoy producing?

I’ve been drawn to comedies mostly, but I’d love to produce a political thriller. I’m also keen to produce a family movie – something that can be enjoyed by children and adults.

What has been a highlight of your career?

It always makes me feel proud when fans of ‘Bonobo’, often older women, come to us after the screening to tell us that the film has particularly resonated with them. I guess middle-age sex-

I’m not wedded to a particular genre or subject matter; instead I’m drawn to scripts that move me ual liberation is often neglected on screen.

Is there a particular producer/director you admire, and why?

My obsession with all things Spanish is probably to blame, but I love watching films by Pedro Almodovar. There is so much more to him than outlandish characters and a vibrant visual style.

All his films are rich in symbolism, while also being deeply entertaining (and commercially successful!)

Name a good film you’ve seen recently?

Wild Tales: a dark comedy composed of six sketch-like variations on themes of anger and revenge. Each of the films involve violence while also illustrating the arrogance of the wealthy and powerful. I love this film because it is an unsettlingly funny look at human behaviour when pushed to its limits, but also because it manages to weave in strong political commentary.

What is your advice to other young producers looking to start out in this industry?

Work in development; learn the tools to get your script right. Matters of production are invaluable but easier to master with experience. It’s also really important to pay close attention to the creative process of discovery and appreciation. Finally, try to learn the ropes by working for people whose output inspires you. twitter.com/Farhanabhula

www.redarrow.tv/companies/ W endor-productions.html

16

UK

www.asian-voice.com

Direct flights to Ahmedabad are inevitable AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Rupanjana Dutta

India, Beef and a Time to Kill Nahari: I'm going to Hell! I killed a child!

I smashed his head against a wall.

Gandhi: Why? Nahari: Because they killed my son!

The Muslims killed my son!

Gandhi: I know a way out of Hell. Find a child, a child whose mother and father have been killed and raise him as your own.

Gandhi: Only be sure that he is a Muslim and that you raise him as one.

Those lines are of course from the film ‘Gandhi’.

If you want to show love of faith, of nation, walk the steps of Lord Ram, and eradicate slavery in India. Silence.

Eradicate attacks on women. Silence. End child poverty. Silence. True leadership would say at this critical time, ‘arise my fellow Indian, turn not upon each other, but let us commit to ending child poverty for every child regardless of faith in India by 2020. Let us commit to this now, in the week a 2 year old child was raped. Let us unite under this banner. What use a sacred animal, when our own children and women are not held sacred?

Human rights are on the agenda as the Chinese Premier visits the UK. I write from India where the right in issue is the right to eat beef.

In Britain virtually all laws are based on the ‘harm principle’ which is the essence of Western liberalism; that only those things which ‘harm’ others should be criminalised. Of course that leaves the issue what is ‘harm’? Physical harm is easy. But what about emotional harm? Usually something causing emotional harm is not criminalised. Instead the West relies on social pressure to prohibit causing emoNishit Shah Following the introduction of a charge on using plastic bags in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, England introduces a 5p charge for each plastic bag used at larger stores like superstores. The purpose of this charge is to deter consumers from using plastic bags which is proving to be one of the greatest nuisances of our modern lifestyle.

These plastic bags are not bio-degradable and take years before they are fully destroyed and thus plastic bags end up in landfill sites, choke up seas and oceans causing damage to marine ecosystems. Plastic bags cause soil pollution by reducing the fertility of soil, which in turn reduces the growth of vegetation, forest cover and wild meadows which in turn affect the quality and quantity of wild life and loss of top soil via soil erosion. They also clog up drains and sewers causing floods and layers of plastic also affect the quantity of ground water by reducing the ability of soil to absorb water.

Having identified some of the major problems caused by plastic bags, the introduction of 5p charge seems an excellent idea but will it achieve what it purports to achieve.

In its present form this policy of the Government seems to be self-defeating. Firstly this 5p charge for each plastic bag is not to be charged by all retailers but only by big businesses

tional distress.

Why is India secular? Why is it not a Hindu nation, the ‘Hindu Republic of India’? In their wisdom the drafters of the Constitution of India, just like those who founded America, knew that religion and politics often lead to tyranny, death, fear.

So both countries decided to separate Church and State.

There is a time to be a Hindu nationalist, a Hindu chauvinist. When my faith is everywhere threatened will be that time.

When it is on its knees it will be that time.

Just as an army does not need to constantly be at war to prove its might, Hindus do not need to be either paranoid or be chauvinist to show their credentials as defenders of the faith.

In a country like India, chauvinism is the equivalent of throwing a match into a barrel of oil. Now is not that time. When Hindus are in the majority, and so many Indians can be risen like an uncontrollable mob so easily, now is not the time to chest beat and provoke and bait which can in this country so easily lead to murderous rampages.

Now is the time for leadership of character in India. This is not a new problem for India.

And this too is why we are here. To find a way out of hell. Each of us by feeding a life, regardless of religion can find a way out of hell by raising and educating children as our own. After all Gandhi said, “I am a Muslim and a Hindu and a Christian and a Jew and so are all of you.”

And in the Christian bible it says, ‘there is a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up.’ Now is the time to build up and heal.

The 5p Saga

that employ more than 250 employees; though smaller businesses could introduce the same voluntarily. But if they do so they stand to lose in such a competitive world which would discourage smaller businesses from doing their bit for the environment.

There are also a number of exemptions to the rules with stores not charging for bags for products such as raw fish and meat, loose fruit and vegetables as well as goods with open blades such as knives and razor blades. Existence of such exemptions would put customers and retail staff on a collision course, in anticipation of such situations employers have trained or are training their staff how to deal with argumentative customers resulting in increased costs for the employers. Besides this the absence of an eco-friendly alternative does not help the situation.

Air India will be introducing an additional daily direct, morning flight from London Heathrow to Delhi from the 1st of November 2015. With the introduction of this additional flight Air India will now have 5 daily flights from the UK to India i.e. 4 daily direct flights from LHR to India and 1 daily, direct flight from Birmingham to Delhi.

going to be India's own national carrier- Air India, which completed its 83rd birthday on 15th October 2015 and is going from strength to strength.

Contemplating the excitement involved in a new kind of Indo-British partnership for the diaspora, Asian voice exclusively spoke to Ms Tara Naidu, Air India Regional Manager in the UK about the upcoming ventures.

Ms Naidu, who is a well

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

However, having said that, direct flights on this route may not be very far off. It's just a matter of time."

Air India which has brand new aircraft with flat beds in first and business class now is becoming popular for its leg space and comfortable wide seats even in economy class.

Many people flying as far as Australia, love flying Air India. With a layover in India's capital New Delhi, where they are provided

Tara Naidu, Regional Manager, Air India, UK Asian Voice last week reported about the upcoming direct flight to Ahmedabad. While the flight carrier has not yet been announced formally, there are high chances it's

Time would reveal how successful this policy of the government to charge 5p for each plastic bag will be.

But whether this charge works or not, RECYCLING works as Japan has proved it to the world. At 77%, Japan's plastic recycling rate is about twice that of the UK, and well above the 20% figure for the US.

I was born in 1982 as a normal child until the age of four when I started having frequent falls and difficulty in getting up from the floor and I was walking on my toes and was diagnosed as having Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which is a terminal genetic disorder. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is caused by deletion or duplication of the dystrophin gene which produces a protein with the same name (dystrophin). This protein helps in the repair of muscles; and the absence of which results in the muscles becoming tight and weak and ultimately the muscles would lose mobility.

As a result of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy I am completely wheelchair bound, fully dependant for personal care, cannot swallow food and therefore I am fed via PEG tube, and I cannot even write or type but I am fortunate that I can use computer mouse and thanks to technology I use On-Screen Keyboard to click each alphabet using the mouse.

Thus with the use of technology in my case I can say “Mouse (not Pen) is mightier than the Sword”.

known figure among the diaspora in Britain spoke about several unique points that still makes this company the most trusted airline to travel to India and beyond.

Air India has been serving Britain's diaspora for the last 68 years. With flights to 34 international destinations, its latest non stop flights to San Francisco from December, announced during Indian PM Narendra Modi's recent visit, has won the hearts of the Indians settled in the Silicon Valley.

But then why has Air India failed to continue with the direct flights between London Heathrow and Ahmedabad, Ms Naidu explained, "A direct flight does not only depend on the seats in the economy section. It's very important to have the front cabins i.e. the business and first class cabins filled up too.

“However with our new Dreamliner aircrafts, with an advanced technology and fuel efficiency, things are turning around, and I think the AhmedabadLondon flights are a possibility not too far away."

However, having said that she clarified, that she hasn't yet been notified about Air India direct flights between the two cities. "It's undoubtedly a huge market. There should be direct flights between the two cities. But there are several other constraints that need to be considered, such as frequency, crew etc.

with a complimentary hotel stay, adds to the little pleasures of a comfortable trip.

Adding to this Ms Naidu said, “Air India is the only Indian airline that provides you with customs and immigration clearance at the final port, for many destinations in India. The passenger is provided with 2 boarding cards at the time of departure, and it's a smooth sail from there.”

Air India which currently operates from Terminal 4 of the Heathrow airport, will soon be upgraded to Terminal 2. Being a Star Alliance Member now Air India is providing benefits including sharing Frequent Flier miles with partner airlines globally. This has ensured that the number of passengers in the front as well as back cabins of the aircraft has increased considerably, making it a popular choice.

“We are a dependable brand, and flying Air India has many advantages. Not only is the food great, the crew is approachable, and they definitely speak your native Indian language.”

An exquisite experience, with a touch of warmth and homely comfort, Air India has started regaining popularity. We hope that the diaspora, which is eagerly waiting for their direct flight to Ahmedabad, will soon be privileged to be a part of this unique experience of flying directly to their home town in India like a 'Maharajah'.

FESTIVAL

www.asian-voice.com

17

Dussehra marks victory of good over evil AsianVoiceNews

Dussehra is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus; to mark the triumph of good over evil. The day marks Lord Rama's victory over demon king Ravana. Derived from Sanskrit word Dasha Hara, it literally means Dashanan Ravan, i.e., Defeat of tenheaded Ravan. The occasion is also celebrated to honour the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishashur. The name Vijayadashami is derived from Sanskrit words Vijaya dashami, which means victory of the dashami.

Celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin, the preceding nine days are celebrated as Navratri. Navratri is one of the most awaited festivals in India. Devotees fast for nine days and worship the goddess. As per tradition, women observing a fast bring an earthen pot with holes, and light it every evening to perform aarti.

The pot is called ‘Garbi’ and the light symbolises Shakti, power. Gujaratis play two beautiful dance forms of Garba Raas and Dandiya Raas, donning bright chaniya cholis and kedias.

The spirit of the festival reaches Gujarati diaspora abroad as even they unfailingly celebrate the festivity.

London Indians recreated the magic at Greenford Hall for all nine evenings this year.

The festivals are observed in different ways in different parts of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. North India and several parts of Maharashtra celebrate it more in honour of Lord Rama. Plays and dramas are conducted during the 10 days, with outdoor fairs and large parades around mighty effigies of Ravana and Meghnad. Filled with firecrackers, these effigies are later burned in the evening, in a spectacular demonstration of fireworks. During the festival, people in the north India fast and worship each incarnation of the goddess.

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme, MVSD looks to draw attentions towards social evils.

Cutting across all religious differences amidst recent communal tension in the region over the lynching of a Muslim man, several craftsmen of the minority community add colour to Dussehra this year with the effigies made by them. Sixty-five year old Aliyaz Khan has been making effigies for the past 21 years, to earn his living. His younger brother Gyasudin Khan said, “For generations, our families have been making effigies for Dussehra. The simmering differences between two

The south Indians observe Navratri by displaying a collection of toys and miniature artifacts they have inherited over generations. The toy exhibition is popularly known as Bombe Habba in Karnataka, Bommala Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Golu

or Kolu in Tamil Nadu.

West Bengal celebrates it as Mahashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami. They begin the festival with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja.

Nine forms of Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja. Young girls

are treated as Goddesses, in a particular ritual called the Kumari Puja which is performed on Maha Ashtami.

Many Indian communities this year, have decided to portray the true spirit of the festival this year. While the country lives a constant paradox where on one side

Goddesses are worshipped and the other side women are discriminated against, one of the oldest community durga pujas in Gurgaon, Maruti Vihar Sarbojamin Durgotsav has decided their theme upon 'India, Let her live- Save the Girl Child'. Taking inspiration

communities are unfortunate, but this does not deter us or the organising committees in hiring us. We have developed personal relations with them.”

While India lights up in festivities, the vibrant Indian community in Egypt decided to take part in the revelry. People gathered at the grounds of the Maadi British International School in Cairo where Indian Ambassador Sanjay Bhattacharya extended Durga Puja, Navratri and Dussehra greetings to the community people. He commended them for retaining Indian traditions and welcomed the Egyptian guests present in the event. The function started with the traditional lighting of the lamps and was followed by an aarti.

18

ASIANBUSINESS

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Consultant Editor Financial Voice

Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, When it comes to making money in the markets one of the most popular questions I am asked by my apprentices is what to do in volatile markets.

Sometimes I appears the markets are out to get you.

You buy and the market immediately moves the other way. Or you sell and it moves in the opposite direction.

Trading psychology is much needed to get through the feeling of paranoia of such losses. But what else can we do? These are things worth remembering: 1. Eighty percent of your profits will come from twenty percent of your trades. This is common across all professional traders. You must therefore by logic cut losing trades quickly and re-entering when warranted.

2. By logic too, when you find a trend, you add to it.

3. By logic too, you do not add to losing trades.

When in a hole and it feels like the market is wrong-footing you have several options: a. You could take a pause. Sitting on your hands can make you money by making sure you do not make losses by going fishing in choppy waters. b. You can look at a longer time frame, or a shorter one. Sometimes the market is clearer if you look at the same time frames as the short trends, or take a longer term view to iron-out the short term choppiness. c. Scale back your trade size d. In extreme cases, I have seen people do the opposite of their trading signals, to really outsmart the market. Ie they buy when they would have sold and vice versa.

Let us remember two more things: First, it’s been one of the worst years for hedge funds globally since the financial crises. So the markets really are choppy and not trending.

Second, even the best hedge funds, such as my mentor Bill Lipschutz who used to be Global Head of FX at Salomon Brothers when Warren Buffett was Chairman, makes money if correct only 4 times out of 10. How? By making sure the winning trades are big by adding to profitable positions and closing out losing ones quickly.

Also remember the greatest hedge funds manage sometimes to have not just losing months, but losing years – yet they are billionaires. The thing about billionaires is, they are not also ‘get rich quick’ strategists.

RIL posts record net in Q2 on high refining margins Reliance Industries' second quarter consolidated profit rose 12.5% to a record $1 billion, boosted by a record high refining margins. The company's refineries earned $10.6 per barrel of crude processed, the highest in seven years, as against $8.3 a year earlier. RIL's gross profit increased 6.4% to a record $1.9 billion, as per a company release.

RIL's Q2FY16 revenues declined 33.8% to $11.5 billion as the benchmark oil prices declined by half in the last one year.

The refining and marketing business, which accounts for the chunk of RIL's revenues, decreased 41.3% to $9.3 billion, but gross profit from this segment increased 42% to a record $ 800 million.

Petrochemicals, the second biggest contributor to revenues, declined 20% to $3.2 billion in the second

www.asian-voice.com

India emerges as most attractive investment destination AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

32% of business leaders from global corporations polled for a survey said India is the best for investment purposes, followed

by China, Southeast Asia and Brazil.

India has emerged as the most attractive investment destination in the world for the next three years, as per a survey by Global consultancy firm EY. Thirty-two per cent of business leaders from global corporations polled for the survey said India is the best for investment purposes, followed by China, Southeast Asia and Brazil. DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant said, “The finding reconfirms and reaffirms many other recent findings,” at the launch of the report.

He said the study gives clarity on the fact that there was an increased focus and emphasis on manufacturing and India's growth in terms of FDI would be driven by manufacturing. “India must continue the reform process on a sustained basis over a

long period of time,” Kant said, adding that the challenge for India is to grow at rapid rate of 9 to 10 per cent per annum year after year for three decades or more. “The Prime Minister has set us a challenge of taking India to the top 50 position on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business in the next three years. “We will marginally improve (our ranking) this

year… We will substantially improve next year but in the third year we will definitely reach top 50,” Kant pointed out. “We continue to attract investments across and it is important that India becomes a part of the global supply chain. We are pushing for new bankruptcy laws, easier entry and exit.

The V i s h w a n a n t h a n Committee will give its recommendation this month and take it forward so that there are easy entry and exit norms,” he said.

Adding, “Much has been talked about the tax regime, the lack of consistency but we have taken several decisive steps. The Prime Minister has gone

Vodafone preparing for IPO in India British telecom major Vodafone said it has started the pre-work for initial public offer of its Indian business, the largest if customer numbers are to be believed. Vodafone Group CEO Vittorio Colao said, “I cannot give you a date but I can tell you we are positively inclined to an IPO and have started some preparatory work.” The company had asked investment bank Rothschild to compile a report about the benefits of a possible IPO, which would provide the company with cash for its plans for India. The company has been considering an Indian IPO for several years, but regulatory and tax issues in the country held them back. “We have not made a final decision because there are many factors that influence one way or the other but we are positive,” he said.

Not specifying any dates, Colao said, “It's very

Vodafone Group CEO Vittorio Colao

hard to give you date as many things can happen in financial markets. We have preparatory work underway so that we can make a decision.” The business, with more than 180 million customers, accounts for 10 per cent of Vodafone's total revenue.

When asked if the company can go for an IPO during the pendancy of a £2 billion tax dispute, Colao said “yes”, without going into the details. The company said it has invested more than 12.8 billion

pound in India since 2007, and in 2013, made a commitment to invest about £ 850 million annually.

Vodafone is India’s second-largest wireless mobile operator with a market capitalisation of about 9.3 billion pound, and an enterprise value of 11.4 billion pound, according to analysts at Citi. The Indian division’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation reached 1.28 billion pound on sales of 4.3 billion pound in 2014-15.

on record to say that India will not resort to retrospective tax.”

The survey titled 'Ready, set, grow' was conducted during March and April, and includes views of over 500 decision-makers from multinational organisations across sectors like industrials, automotive, consumer products, life sciences, infrastructure and technology, among others.

It finds major gains in perception as compared to the findings of the 2014 survey in key areas such as macroeconomic stability (up from 70% in 2014 to 76% in 2015), political and social stability (up from 59% to 74%); relaxation in FDI policy (up from 60% to 68%); and the government’s efforts to ease doing business (up from 57% in 2014 to 67% in 2015).

India's exports shrink India's merchandise exports dipped 24% in September for the 10th month in a row, mainly due to steep fall in shipments of petroleum products, iron ore and engineering goods amid slack global demand. Also affecting imports that shrank 25.4% to $32.3 billion in September on yearly basis, narrowing the trade gap to 10.5 billion from $ 14.5 billion recorded in the same month of 2014. Exports in September 2014 were valued at $28.9 billion. The cumulative exports during the first half of 2015-16 have been valued at $132.9 billion versus $161.4 billion in the same period of last year.

Exports were down 17.4% year-on-year in the first half of 2015-16. As per the data, the trade gap or trade deficit during April-September 2015-16 has narrowed to $67.9 billion as against $72.7 billion in the same period last fiscal.

Enjoying a new world of caffeine kick Mukesh Ambani quarter through September from a year earlier while revenue from retail increased 22.2% to £509.1million, also a milestone for the company.

Its revenue from oil & gas business declined 31% to £206.7 million. Lower oil prices and decline in gas production from KGD6 block impacted the revenues of its domestic exploration and production business by 15.5%.

With the winter dawning upon London, that hot cuppa coffee tastes and smells heavenly every morning. Last year in Britain, £730 million was spent on coffee. Britain consumes 500gms of coffee per person, per year. While India has long been associated with drinking tea, now apparently coffee manufacturers are aggressively asserting their position in the subcontinent's beverage marketplace.

The FT reported that owner of Indian homegrown chain Cafe Coffee

Day has launched an initial public offering that is expected to raise $176mnthe largest in the last three years in India. Founded in 1996 by Bangalore based entrepreneur V G Sidhdhartha, Coffee Day Enterprises operates more than 1500 coffee shops all across India.

On the other hand Africans are enjoying a caffeine kick. Roberio Oliveira Silva, executive director of International Coffee Organisation, which represents countries that consume, distribute and pro-

duce coffee said, 'Africa is the next frontier'.

The emergence of an urban middle class in countries like Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, coffee drinking has increased considerably.

However still African consumption of coffee is much lower compared to many countries, such as Brazil.

Some roasters are also turning to Africa for new flavours. Nestle Nespresso, after four years working with farmers in South Sudan, the premium coffee arm of the Swiss food and beverage group this month

launched a coffee from the country's first exports.

Though Africa's coffee market is growing, the biggest question still remains productivity. Another challenge to African output is the increase in land values.

With commodity prices fluctuating, and demand for real estate soaring, some coffee growers have sold up.

But industry officials are optimistic about African coffee production and the continent's new consumer focus are as likely to increase the buzz around farming.

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

REALESTATEVOICE

Monopoly of Property

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

19

I like Monopoly, and have done for decades, the problem is no one likes to play with me. They say I take it too seriously and am too aggressive; some have even accused me of taking advantage of other players. I think that’s a little unfair, I just like to get involved with the game and play to win.

Monopoly was made in the US in 1903, and has become a game which is almost timeless. Variations of the original have been made, but it still survives as one of the all time favourites. The game is named after the economic concept of monopoly—the domination of a market by a single entity. Players move around the board buying or trading properties, developing their properties with houses and hotels, and collecting rent from their opponents, with the goal being to drive them all into bankruptcy leaving one monopolist in control of the entire economy. It has become a part of popular world culture, having been locally licensed in more than 103 countries and printed in more than 37 languages.

Though it’s only a game, it is very revealing game for one it shows peoples’ characters and how they deal with money in real life. There are those who never wish to do a deal with another player, they just want to hold on to what they have, these are the ones ruled by fear and wish to clutch on to their pile of cash in case by doing anything they may reduce it. They like certainty, and the less variables involved the safer they feel. They will typically end up losing the game.

Then there are those who don't want to do a deal because they feel by doing one it will always be to their disadvantage, as why would someone do a deal with someone if the other person comes out on top. They cannot envisage a win/win situation by doing a deal with someone. It must be a win/lose situation. And therefore unless they are wiping the floor with someone they will not do a deal, which means they probably will never do a deal, and again typically end up losing.

There are those who are reckless risk takers, they play big. The problem is either they could win big or end up broke, typically very quickly. A little strategy and direction to taper this emotion is a good combination.

As with life, there is also the element of luck; if Lady Luck smiles on you and delivers the right opportunities you will float to the top more easily.

There are many more psychological scenarios, apart from the ones I have mentioned here. there will be no other paintings being produced. There is no comparison to this piece and with age it will increase in value.

The game shows and proves an important principal regarding property. There are only a fixed number of properties, as the game goes on money has less and less value. There will come a stage where the properties have run out, meaning players can now only purchase from other players. At this point a property is worth whatever one person is willing to purchase it for, and the other wants to sell it for, with the sky being the limit.

According to Nationwide London property prices have increased by 334% during the same period this equates to an annual uplift of 18%.

It would be problematic borrowing against a rare piece of art, whereas the borrowing for property is still relatively plentiful. You only need to put in 25% - 40% of the property value which means you only need to invest at the most half of the money in cash. This will almost double the return generated. Furthermore property gives you a yield, a monthly return.

Bearing these factors in mind from an investment point of view you would probably be better off investing £116m into London property than even a rare piece of art.

When you look at the rise in property prices in comparison to a rare piece of art it puts things into perspective and reveals attractiveness of the London property.

This seems rather like some pockets of London, planning restrictions are so tight, with many listed, the properties as good as fixed, not only can you not build any more, it is very difficult to add any square footage to the ones which exist.

To put this in perspective, if we look at a painting done by none other than the renowned Picasso you will see the valuable nature of holding property.

One piece of work he did is known as the Women of Algiers which sold for £116m in New York in 1997, this painting went up by 462% in 18 years; roughly 25% per annum, you can understand this. As he is dead,

The Real Deal

There is also the basic principle of money which is continually being printed in huge amounts; during the credit crunch this was done in the name of saving the citizens and rescuing the banks. This means that anything which is physical and limited increases in value as money is printed literally from thin air.

Bayswater, London, W2 Purchase Price: £2.6m

So here are two very important principles already. If you focus on holding onto money, you will lose the game. If you focus on owning properties, in the right locations, to generate money you will probably win.

The important point is the location. In a class at university I remember the lecturer saying there are three important points to consider when purchasing property, and they are Location, Location and Location. This is the overriding factor when considering property investment, if the location is good, even if the other factors are not favourable, the location will probably override all other factors.

Mayfair and Park Lane on the board are the most expensive to purchase and command the highest rentals. These are the ones which players focus on. If you concentrate on prime locations, and are lucky enough to own a complete set which then allows you to build houses you will probably end up winning the game.

If you wish to put these two principles at work straight away we have two properties in Notting Hill, a prime location, for only £675k each. The contracts are in and the deal is waiting to be done NOW.

l l l l

A large six bedroom house in an excellent location Freehold High ceilings Close to restaurants, bars and boutiques of Notting Hill Gate and the green open spaces of Kensington Gardens l We expect the value of the property after refurbishment to be around £4m.

Call us now to secure this deal!

0207 993 0103

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in

Central London Property Sourcing

info@sowandreap.co.uk

www.sowandreap.co.uk

55 Bryanston Street, Marble Arch Tower, London, W1H 7AA

Follow us online:

Sowandreapuk

SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week l The money you invest in property will grow in direct proportion with the location you invest in.

l Always plan your strategy before you invest in property otherwise you may end up going in the wrong direction.

20

BUSINESS

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Boeing may assemble fighter planes in India

www.asian-voice.com

EY celebrates the contribution of entrepreneurs globally AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

The world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs

Giving more support to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, American aviation major Boeing chairman James McNerney said that the company could assemble fighter planes and either the Apache or the Chinook defence helicopter in India.

“Even (building a commercial aircraft wing or fuselage in India) is closer than you think,” McNerney said.

Boeing, with the announcement, has become the biggest global company to commit to the 'Make in India' initiative.

Last month, Boeing had got a $3-billion contract for supplying 22 Apaches and 15 Chinooks to India. While finalising the chopper order, the defence ministry had said that contract will have a 30% offset clause and bring in business worth $1 billion for the Indian defence industry.

“Make in India is a very

important mission for the country. Over the last two to three decades, the capability of the Indian people has been obvious and clear.

Modi's initiative takes up those capabilities two to three levels,” McNerney, who recently met Modi, said. “Boeing sees this market as a civil aviation opportunity as conversion of only 1% of people travelling in trains to aviation can double the market size here. We are also looking at producing more fuel-efficient, green and longer-flying capable planes to bring down the cost of flying to attract more customers,” he said. “If the politics here allows this initiative, to continue with the same momentum that it has today, for the next five years, the goal of moving the manufacturing contribution to the economy from 14% to 25% is achievable. The capability is here.”

Maruti to export 'made in India' vehicle to Japan

Maruti is ready to export a 'Made in India' vehicle to Japan, to be sold by parent company Suzuki. Japanese company Suzuki, which controls 56 % stake in Maruti, recently decided to make India a global manufacturing hub for its upcoming premium compact car 'Balena', which will be exported to over 100 countries.

The car will be its first attempt in the premium compact segment, and is scheduled to debut in India on October 26.

Baleno will directly compete with Hyundai's Elite i20 and Honda's Jazz.

Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, it will have a 1.2 litre petrol engine and 1.3 litre diesel engine.

“Baleno has been developed for the global

markets and India will be the exclusive manufacturing hub for the car,” R S Kalsi, executive director (marketing & sales) at Maruti Suzuki, said.

This will be the first time that Maruti will supply a car to its parent for sale in Japan. The company which contributes 40% to Suzuki's global sales volume and one third of its revenue, sees this as a “big achievement”. They said, “It is a proud moment for us. A vehicle made at our Manesar factory will be sold in Japan.”

Apart from Japan, other countries where the Baleno will be sold include, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Spain. In South America, it will be sold in Chile, Paraguay and Colombia.

Entrepreneurs have achieved significant growth in the last 12 months, despite the uncertainty over the general election and the ongoing Eurozone crisis.

According to an EY survey, UK entrepreneurs delivered a robust performance over the last year that saw profits increase for 76% of respondents and 39% creating over 20 new jobs.

And they appear even more confident about the future. Over the next three years 90% expect their profits to grow, with 53% forecasting growth greater than 10% for their businesses. That growth is expected to translate into jobs as 93% of respondents plan to take on new hires over the coming year. A fifth (20%) of participating businesses said that they are looking to create more than 50 new jobs.

It is this sheer confidence and optimism that helps to propel the wider economy, driving innovation, creativity, wealth, jobs and prosperity. And a prime reason as to why, at EY, we celebrate the exceptional achievements of entrepreneurs across the globe.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year: EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. It has been running for 17 years in the UK. The awards programme is the first and only truly global award of its kind, celebrating those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, in more than 145 cities in 60 countries. It provides unrivalled networking and mentoring opportunities from a local to a global level.

The awards programme, which opens for nominations in January

EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 2016, begins regionally in Scotland, the North, Midlands, and London & South. Regional winners progress to the UK finals in October to compete for the title EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK overall winner and the chance to represent the UK at EY’s World Entrepreneur Of The Year in Monaco.

Winners are selected by an independent judging panel, which was chaired in 2015 by John Spence, CEO of Karma Royal Group. The judging criteria includes: entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, global impact, innovation, personal integrity and influence.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK 2015: Healthcare innovator Richard Steeves, Founder & CEO of Synergy Health, was crowned EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK 2015 overall winner, at an awards ceremony in London this month.

Richard was one of thirteen winners to take home an award along with TransferWise, Poundland and Pure Gym. Establishing Synergy in 1991, Richard identified a gap in the market and introduced surgical packs to reduce the rate of HIV infection in operating the-

atres. Headquartered in Swindon, the company now processes more than 150 million reusable medical and surgical instruments a year and makes daily deliveries of sterile reusable gowns, towels and set up packs.

Richard has taken Synergy from start-up to stock exchange, providing mission critical services to the healthcare industry, to help safeguard patients by reducing the risk of postoperative infections.

The judges referred to Richard as a true master entrepreneur. His perseverance to find a better way, his strong financial performance, innovative approach and clear strategic direction really impressed the judges, as did the commitment he has shown to making our health service more efficient and doing so in an environmentally sustainable way.

Richard will go on to represent the UK at EY’s World Entrepreneur Of The Year in Monaco next June to compete with more than 60 other country winners for the global title.

Register your interest in EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year UK 2016 programme at www.eoy.co.uk

Previous EY Entrepreneur Of The Year winners: • Nitin Passi, CEO and Founder, Missguided – 2014 North region winner and 2014 UK winner • Ashok Lakhani, Founder and CEO, Kolak Snack Foods – 2015 London & South region winner • Shelim Hussain, Managing Director, Eurofoods Group 2015 London & South region winner • Dilshad & Barinder Hothi, Co-Founders, The Knowledge Academy - 2015 London & South region winner

Previous EY Entrepreneur Of The Year judges

• Dr Jason Wouhra, Director and Company Secretary, East Ends Foods • Majid Hussain, Chief Executive Officer, Accrol Paper • Mohsin Issa, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Euro Garages

Challenges of the Bar The Annual Bar Conference and Young Bar Conference 2015 took place on Saturday 17th October, in London. Hundreds of barristers attended this annual conference where they debated about the roles of advocates in keeping civil liberties safe, as well as discussed about how to survive at the modern Bar. There are many highesteemed barristers in London who may have faced many challenges in the initial stages of their careers. One such wellrespected barrister is Shiva

Shiva Ancliffe, barraster, Coram Chambers Ancliffe (46), who was called to the Bar in 1991.

She joined Coram Chambers in 2014, dealing with public law care proceedings and also under-

takes work on forced marriage, child abduction and adoptions.

Regarding the early challenges she faced, Shiva Ancliffe said, “In pupillage I felt I had to shine more brightly to get ahead because of my background- whether this was a reality or my own internal belief system, my hard work paid off. I initially resisted doing family law because I felt women were often pigeon-holed so I did mainly crime and civil. But I did a bit of family and gained a reputation for

being a good local authority barrister, so public law became the mainstay of my work.”

She also believes funding is the biggest challenge in her area of practice.

Shiva Ancliffe has also lectured to social workers and solicitors over a number of years, as well as provided training to social workers on court procedures and giving evidence.

Outside of work, she is a trustee of Wycombe Women's Aid and is involved in the children's work at her local church.

CURRENCYVOICE

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX,

Inflation returns to negative Currency Specialists.

Britain’s inflation rate returned to negative territory for only the second time since 1960, reflecting weak price pressures that the Bank of England has warned will persist into 2016. Consumer prices fell an annual 0.1 percent after stagnating in August. The ONS said that a smaller than usual rise in clothing prices, and falling motor fuel prices, were the main contributors to the drop in the rate. The CPI rate has been at zero or close to zero for most of this year. It was last in negative territory in April.

Weak inflation data will reinforce the view that the BOE is some months away from raising its benchmark interest rate from a record-low 0.5 percent. The BOE said last week that its near-term outlook for inflation had weakened since August and that price growth will probably stay below 1 percent until spring 2016, well below its 2 percent target. David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, said they expected inflation to remain at or below 0% for most of this year. "Our forecast is that annual CPI inflation will start to creep upwards early in 2016, but will remain below the 2% target well into 2017," he added.

21

Foreign Exchange

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Britain's jobless rate has fallen to its lowest level in more than seven years but pay growth was a bit slower than expected, suggesting the labour market is not strong enough to speed up a Bank of England interest rate hike.

Britain's unemployment rate fell to 5.4 percent in the three months to August, down from 5.5 percent in the three months to July. It was the lowest jobless rate since the second quarter of 2008, before the worst of the financial crisis, and came in below the forecast rate of 5.5%.

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany has further declined in October. Decreasing by 10.2 points compared to the previous month, the index now stands at a level of 1.9 points. This decline is much sharper than anticipated with a forecasted figure of 6.1.

This is the lowest level it has been since this time last year. ZEW president said "The exhaust gas scandal of Volkswagen and the weak growth of emerging markets has dampened economic outlook for Germany. However, the performance of the domestic economy is still good and the Euro area economy continues to recover.

This makes it rather unlikely that

the German economy will slide into recession."

Consumer prices in Germany in September 2015 were on the same level as in September 2014.

The inflation rate fell to 0.0% in September 2015 from 0.2% in the previous month. The low inflation rate was due mainly to the decrease in energy prices.

Eurostat first estimate states the Eurozone economy grew by 0.3% which marks a slight slowdown from the 0.4% registered in the first quarter.

On Friday morning, the market saw the release of Consumer Price Index data for the month of September for the Euro Area. The reading of 0.2% was directly in line with the previous months reading and the consensus forecast, and had little impact on the sideways trajectory of GBPEUR, which continued seven weeks of range trading.

China’s exports and imports fell in September as global demand remained weak, signalling that the world’s secondlargest economy continues to struggle into the end of the year.

Exports dropped less than some economists had expected. Still, they said the data offered a further indication that China’s third-

quarter growth figures set for release next week will likely fall below Beijing’s target of about 7% for the whole year. Chinese exports fell 3.7% in September from a year earlier following a 5.5% drop in August. Imports in September fell 20.4% from a year earlier, compared with a 13.8% decrease in August, the customs agency said Tuesday.

In the US the Federal Reserve governor refused to discuss the timing of when the Fed would hike rates, but her comments suggest that she likely is in the minority of Fed officials who do not see a rate hike in 2015 according to projections released at the September policy meeting.

According to the "dot plot" released after the September policy meeting, four Fed officials did not think the Fed would raise rates this year while 13 others thought a move could happen in either October or December.

This was conflicting with Fed member Lockhart, who stated that there could be sufficient economic data for the Federal Reserve to consider a rate hike at their meeting later in October but there will be a lot more data on hand in time for the December meeting.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 20th October 2015 @ 6.35pm GBP - INR = 100.48 USD - INR = 64.97 EUR - INR = 73.73 GBP - USD = 1.55 GBP - EUR = 1.36

EUR - USD = 1.13 GBP - AED = 5.68

GBP - CAD = 2.01

GBP - NZD = 2.29

GBP - AUD = 2.13

GBP - ZAR = 20.53

GBP - HUF = 422.91

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.

Safe as houses

With RationalFX you get: ȏ 0% commission & no hidden costs

ȏ Stop/limit orders & forward trades

ȏ Fixed exchange rates for up to 2 years

ȏ Online payments platform available 24/7

ȏ Low wire transfer fees

ȏ Personalised service

Sign up for a free account today: www.rationalfx.com/business or call our dealing desk: 020 7220 8181

22

WORLD

In Brief

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Menial job can prove more stressful than a high-pressure career

LONDON: While the common notion is that most stressful professions belong to neurosurgeons, bomb disposal expert, miner or even stockbrokers, a new study has suggested that it is the menial, thankless jobs that actually take a toll on people. Such jobs leave people suffering the most stress, which is why they emerge to be the most unhealthy. Chinese scientists have found that low-paid jobs with high workload, such as waiting tables in restaurants, expose employees to far greater risk of heart problems and 58 per cent more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke, caused by a blockage of blood flow.

Government agrees to relax tech visa system amid skills shortage

LONDON: Rules on visas for foreign technology specialists are to be radically changed, after industry giants and start-ups alike, complained that they were struggling to recruit enough staff to match their growth. The British government will soon make it easier for non-EU citizens with specialist technology skills to enter the country for work by introducing a series of new ways to meet the criteria. Due next month, the relaxation have been agreed in response to concerns that a scheme originally unveiled by the Prime Minister nearly two years ago has not met with the needs of fast-growing technology companies.

Myth about modern life and less sleep

CALIFORNIA: A study by the University of California has debunked the theory that modern life, with television, mobile phones and street lights prompt less sleep than our ancestors. They recorded three tribal societies in different parts of the world and found that on average they slept a little under 6.5 hours a night. Jerome Siegel said, “The argument has always been that modern life has reduced our sleep time below that our ancestors got, but our data indicates that this is a myth.”

East Coast rail jam hits hopes for competing services

LONDON: FirstGroup and Alliance Rail are bidding to run competing services on the line between London and Edinburgh. While the former aims to take on the low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet with a service that is cheaper and faster than the incumbent's existing operations, Alliance Rail, a subsidiary of Germany owned Deutsche Bahn, wants to offer luxury Pendolino tilting trains to cut journey times. However, a letter from Network Rail suggests there are a number of issues that could hit the competing bids. The pending decision on the bids, expected to be made by the end of the year by the ORR, comes amid a shake-up at Network Rail after it emerged that the state-owned infrastructure group was heavily behind schedule and over budget on its £38bn investment programme.

Animals ‘grieve’ for lost relatives

LONDON: Several scientists have revealed that, similar to humans, even animals experience grief or a deep anxiety when they lose a relative or friend. In a case, Siamese cat howled for days and would not eat after his sister dies, another incident showed a female dolphin repeatedly prodded at the lifeless body of her calf and would not eat.

A herd of elephants in Kenya was observed mourning the death of its matriarch. There have also been several examples of apparent grief in dogs and giraffes, both highly social animals.

Gulf states want Israel’s Iron Dome as a shield from Tehran

DUBAI: Foreign Minister of Bahrain has revealed that Gulf countries fearful of attack from Iran are in talks to acquire bigger version of Israel's powerful Iron Dome antimissile system. The multi-billion pound deal would involve negotiations between the Gulf Co-operation Council countries Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, and Israeli companies, with the US playing the middleman. Ancient foes Israel and the Gulf now share a common enemy in Iran, which has prompted them to increase their weapons capabilities.

Big Ben needs £40m refurbishment

LONDON: The world's most famous bell, the landmark in London, the Big Ben is set to remain silent for three years due to the urgent need of repairs and refurbishment, which may cost up to £40 million. A source from Westminster stated that the Big Ben is in such a bad state that it is “ready to fall off”.

www.asian-voice.com

President Mukherjee hails Indian diaspora in Jerusalem AsianVoiceNews

JERUSALEM: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee commended the Indian community for their contribution to the Israeli society. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Jerusalem, he said, “India is very proud of its large diaspora. Indians all over the world are successful not only as dedicated professionals and hard working businessmen, but also as model ci tizens. They are proud of their contribution to the society in which they choose to live and work, yet they nurture in themselves and their younger generations an enduring Indianness and an undying love for their motherland. I commend you all.”

“This is a time of great opportunities in India. A unique transformation is taking place. The country is at the threshold of a new era of rapid economic development.

Several recent initiatives of Government have already

Pranab Mukherjee shown results and a positive impact has been created in key sectors,” he added. “The 'Make in India' campaign to make India an investment and manufacturing destination, the 'Digital India programme' to transform India into a digitally empowered society, 'Smart Cities', 'Model Villages', 'Swachh Bharat' and the 'Clean Ganga mission' are some of the flagship schemes. In the last year alone, Government of India has succeeded in

encouraging our people to open almost 140 million bank accounts under 'Jan Dhan Yojna',” President Mukherjee said.

“In the realm of external relations, I am happy to say that Government has intensified India's engagement with her neighbours and all friendly countries across the globe. In August, the Forum for IndiaPacific Island C o-operation was hosted in Jaipur; later this month, New Delhi shall host the largest ever

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

gathering, in India, of Heads of State and Government of the African Continent in the 3rd Summit of the India Africa Forum.”

“India is working with like-minded countries in multilateral organisations, including the United Nations to play an enhanced role in diverse fora - from the Arctic Council and the Pacific Alliance to the UN Security Council where India has made a legitimate claim to permanent membership.

The potential of India now has a stronger resonance.

Our circle of friends has expanded. India's efforts for inclusive economic growth and social advancement have shown the way to many developing countries,” he said.

The President who was on a five-day state visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel landed in Tel Aviv on a 3-day state visit, the first by an Indian Head of State.

US launches anti-bullying campaign in Indian languages WASHINGTON: With the increasing diversity in the US, the White House has launched its annual antibullying campaign in three South Asian languages; Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

Latest figures show that one in five students report being bullied during the school year and bullying occurs once every seven minutes. According to White House, half of AsianAmerican students in New York City public schools reported bias-based harassment. It announced to

launch its anti-bullying campaign in the Asian languages, along with Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese in the National Bullying Prevention Month.

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, in partnership with the Sikh Coalition and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, recently launched the 'Act To Change' public awareness to address bullying, including in the Asian American and Pacific

Islander community. The campaign aims to empower AAPI youth, educators and communities with information and tools to address and prevent bullying. In addition to promoting 'Act To Change', the Hindu American Foundation will publish survey data on antiHindu bullying and bias in schools.

Arjun Singh, the Sikh Coalition's Law and Policy director said, “The bullying of Sikh children is an epidemic. Misinformation and misunderstanding regard-

ing the Sikh faith, coupled with a dramatic increase in bigoted dialogue towards religious minorities, has resulted in intolerance and bullying in our schools.”

The Sikh Coalition's New York City Community Development Manager, Harjot Kaur said, “Students understand bullying better than anyone because they see it and experience it every single day. The launch of this new initiative gives them a single, reliable platform of resources to combat bullying.

Sylvester Stallone sends family to Haridwar to perform son's shradh It is said that the Hollywood superstar, Sylvester Stallone told the Vedic scholar, Mishrapuri, that he still sees his son Sage (36), who had passed away in 2012.

The astrologer, Mishrapuri allegedly suggested that Stallone performs the Hindu ritual of shradh to ensure peace for the departed. Stallone's half-brother, Michael and his wife were seen in Kankhal, Haridwar, India, performing the “tithi shradh” by the banks of the holy Ganges. Tithi shradh is performed for those who passed away through an accident or by being murdered. Mishrapuri shared, “In our meeting last year in LA, he [Sylvester Stallone] asked if it is possible to speak to his son. I told him it is possible, but it would be

Hollywood superstar, Sylvester Stallone sends family to Haridwar to perform shradh for his son, Sage very painful for Sage's soul.

He confessed that he had seen his son and that he was deeply disturbed.”

The astrologer also stated that he explained the concept of shradh and its

Left: Michael Stallone and wife performing shradh in India effect on the divine souls.

He added, “After checking with the Panchang [sacred calendar], I told him of the date and time when the rituals should be done. He had plans to come here himself, but had to drop them. He then asked his brother to visit. This is a ritual that can

be performed by only blood relatives. The family had sought to make it a quiet affair and I provided them details of nondescript hotels they could stay at. After the shradh of Sage, Michael also performed a ceremony for his sister Toni Ann, who died aged 48 in 2012.”

WORLD

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

UK national jailed for 20 years in US NEW YORK: British man, 41 year old Haroon Aswat has been jailed for 20 years after admitting to plot a set up of an extremist training camp in the US. From Batley, West Yorkshire, Aswat pleaded guilt to terrorism charges in New York in March, admitting to conspire with radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to set up a camp 15 years ago in Oregon. He had also pleaded guilty to a count of “providing material support to al-Qaeda”. District judge Katherine Forrest said Aswat would be returned to the UK after completing his sentence.

The court heard he spent six weeks in Seattle and Oregon in 2000 to set up a training camp for al-Qaeda recruits who wanted to fight in Afghanistan, as per orders from Abu Hamza. Speaking after the sentencing, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin said, “Aswat was arrested more than 10 years ago, and his sentence is the result of the tireless and persistent efforts of law enforcement to hold accountable all those who wish to harm the United States, whether at home or abroad, no matter how long it takes.”

18-year-old Indian from Dubai becomes youngest CA

Ramkumar Raman becomes the youngest Chartered Accountant 18-year-old Ramkumar Raman, from Dubai, of South Indian origin, has been touted as the youngest Chartered Accountant (CA) in the world. He has been recognised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the global professional accounting body in the Gulf as being the youngest ACCA affiliate ever to have registered among all of the other candidates, members and affiliates.

What comes across as remarkable it that Raman managed to clear all the 14 papers in his first attempt.

It is said that Ramkumar Raman, who graduated from the Indian High School, Dubai, is now looking to pursue an MBA in the United States of America, and prospectively enter the field of investment banking.

Obama delays Afghan In Brief troop withdrawal

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Announcing the new US military plan for Afghanistan, US President said that despite significant progress, “the Afghan forces are not as strong as they need to be.

WASHINGTON: The US has announced it will stay in Afghanistan for longer than initially planned, and with larger troops. The ongoing drawdown will stop, and the current force level of 9,800 will continue until the end of 2016, after which it will drop to 5,500, but with no cut back deadlines. This is far more than what the US had planned earlier, to leave behind after 2016, only 1,000 and confined to Kabul, to solely protect the US embassy.

Forces stationed on Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar, will remain in train and assist and counter-insurgency roles.

Announcing the new US military plan for Afghanistan, President Barack Obama said that despite significant progress, “the Afghan forces are not as strong as they need to be. By now it should be clear to the Taliban and all who oppose Afghanistan's

38 Indians missing in Iraq are alive: Palestinian President

RAMALLAH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has claimed that the 38 Indians who went missing in Iraq for several months, are in fact alive. Providing with no evidence to back up his claim, he told Indian President Pranab Mukherjee that the missing Indians are safe.

There has been several speculations that the Indians were being held captive by ISIS in the Mosul region of Iraq.

Jamaica’s Marlon James Wins Man Booker Prize

progress that the only real way to achieve the full drawn down of US and foreign troops from Afghanistan is through a lasting political settlement with the Afghan government.”

He added the sanctuaries for the Taliban and other terrorists must end.

“Next week I will host Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan and I will continue to urge all parties in the region to press the Taliban to return to the peace

No nuke deal, US tells Pak as Sharif arrives WASHINGTON: Ahead of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s three-day tour of the United States, both countries ruled out the possibility of a nuclear deal between them, but Pakistan went a step further to emphasise that they were not even discussing any such deal. Sharif arrives in the US on Tuesday.

“No deal is being discussed between the two countries. Nor has the US made any demand on Pakistan,” Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said in Islamabad on Monday, which appeared to be not in accord with the White House view on the issue. A White House spokesman said a deal would “not come to fruition” during the visit, but nuclear security

23

remained a topic of conversation between the two countries. “About the sort of reports that the United States and Pakistan were planning a [civil nuclear deal]…. I would significantly reduce your expectations about that occurring on Thursday," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. Sharif and Mr Obama will meet on Thursday. Earnest had said last week that the US and Pakistan were “regularly engaged in a dialogue about the importance of nuclear security,” and the topic would figure in conversations between the leaders. The idea of a USPakistan civil nuclear deal, which will allow Pakistan access to civilian nuclear technology and material in a regulated manner has been around for a while.

Hindu Centre (East London) Radha Krishna Temple

Reg. Charity No 254982 (A Religious Cultural & Social Institution)

5/7 Cedars Road, Stratford, London E15 4NE Web: www.eastlondontemple.com Tel: 020 8534 8879 ⌡ RESIDENT RELIGIOUS WORKER is required to conduct regular temple services, including bathing the statues of the Gods/Goddesses, performing Arati. Clean and maintain the sacred temple altar. Should be able to play Dholak, Tabla and perform Bhajan Keertan & religious scripts. Take part arrange cultural activities, regular festivals. Ability to get on with every one. ⌡ Salary £1500 pcm includes accommodation, food & other amenities.

Please send your application to Mrs Saroj Mittal (General Secretary) 07859 057 598 Email: sarojmittal2@yahoo.co.uk secretary@eastlondontemple.com

talks” and do their part in the pursuit of peace that the Afghanis deserve.

Afghanistan still wavers as it is not ready to fend for itself yet, as extremists wait to strike from sanctuaries in Pakistan. While India has welcomed the new US plan, it is concerned about Pakistan moving to reoccupy space left behind by US pullout, as it did previously after 1989, turning Afghanistan into a hub for terrorists from all over the world.

LONDON: Author Marlon James has won the Man Booker, giving Jamaica its first winner in the prize's 47 year history. His 'A Brief History of Seven Killings', a fictional history of the attempted murder of Bob Marley in 1976, was described as a “crime novel that moves at a terrific pace and will come to be seen as a classic of our times” by the judges. The plot of the book has over 75 characters and voices, edged past several books, including Sunjeev Sahota's 'The Year of the Runaways', to win the world's most prestigious literary prize for fiction worth £50,000. James' first novel, 'John Crow's Devil', was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Commonwealth Writers Prize. His second novel, 'The Book of Night Women', won the 2010 Dayton Literary Peace Prize and was a finalist for the 2010 National Book Critics Circle Award.

Ex-gen to replace Sartaj Aziz as Pak's next NSA

KARACHI: Pakistani officials have confirmed that Lieutenant General Naseer Khan Janjua, who retired from the military recently, will be appointed as national security advisor soon and will accompany Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his trip to the United States. “The army chief feels that Sartaj Sahib's attention is divided,” a military source said. “So it has been decided that general Janjua will be appointed as the national security adviser and Sartaj Aziz can give his full attention to the foreign office.”

24

INDIA

www.asian-voice.com

8-year-old writes to Modi, gets reply In Brief AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

In his letter the boy told the Prime Minister that because of an incomplete flyover, it takes him 45 minutes to commute a distance of 3 km from his home to the school

BENGALURU: An 8year-old boy from Bengaluru has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about an incomplete flyover that was causing traffic pileups on his way to school.

Abhinav Suresh of class III, from Doddabommasandra, Vidyaranyapura, said it takes him 45 minutes to commute to a distance of 3 km from his home to the National Public School in

Abhinav Suresh Yeshwanthpur. In his letter, he pointed out that the incomplete flyover over a railway crossing on the

Outer Ring Road, near Goraguntepalya junction, was causing traffic jams.

Talking to a media source, the little boy said, “Because of the traffic jam, people's health will suffer and my studies are also affected. I decided to write to the Prime Minister because he is an honourable man and can solve any issue.” Within just two weeks of his letter, he received a response from the PM's Office assuring

appropriate action.

Abhinav's parents are extremely proud of their son and were surprised at the response to the letter.

“We are so proud of him and we're very glad he took the initiative to write the letter,” Abhinav's mother told reporters. Abhinav is currently busy with his exams, but he is sure that the construction of the bridge will soon be completed. “Definitely within a year,” he said confidently.

Andhra all set to build TN remembers Kalam its own capital city on his birth anniversary HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government is making elaborate arrangements for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the state's new capital city at Amaravati.

Sending out invites to the celebration, ministers have personally invited actorturned-politician Pavan Kalyan and other leaders of neighbouring Telangana in Hyderabad.

State Panchayat Raj minister Ch Ayyanna Patrudu and Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas met Kalyanm to invite him on the occasion.

The actor has told reporters that his attendance in the function would solely depend on his schedule as he has to go to Gujarat for a film shoot.

Answering questions, he said that he wished Amaravati should not become another

Hyderabad, in reference to the development being centralised in the city. Also on the list are Telangana leaders, Legislative Assembly Speaker S Madhusudanachar y, Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy, Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is expected to meet Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to extend a personal invitation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would lay the foundation stone for the capital city on October 22, the Vijaya Dasami day.

CHENNAI: Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam was fondly remembered on his 84th birthday, through a host of programmes held by the Tamil Nadu government, schools and voluntary organisations across the state. The state observed the day as 'Youth Resurgence Day', in accordance with an announcement made by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa after the former President's death in July.

Governor K Rosaiah paid floral tributes to Kalam at a simple function held at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai.

Later, he presented awards to students and launched Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Students Federation of India in a programme organised by India Reigns Magazine.

'Resurgence Day rallies' were taken out by school and college stu-

sentiments of the community, the Sikh clergy decided to annul the earlier edict as the Dera chief is not a real saint and his apology was not acceptable to Akal Takht,” Gyani Gurbachan Singh said in a statement.

The Dera chief had sent a written apology through his messenger, wherein he said that he could never think of copying the Tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh since he had a deep regard for all Sikh masters. He said he never compared himself with any spiritual master or saint and hence could not dare to copy the personality of a saint. The Sikh community, hardliners and various other outfits were upset with the Akal Takht for pardoning the chief without him making a personal appearance before the temporal seat of the Sikhs.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has convened an emergency cabinet meeting as protests continued in various parts of the state against the alleged desecration of Sikh holy books. Paramilitary forces were also deployed in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.

Six BSF companies have already reached Punjab amid deteriorating law and order situation. The decision to deploy BSF came following talks between Union home minister Rajnath Singh and Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. Rajnath Singh called up Badal as several major cities remained out of bounds for commuters amid protests. According to the state's intelligence wing, protests are on at 162 gurdwaras, 59 key locations on the Amritsar-Delhi national highway and 103 locations

Jaya to work from Kodanad for a few weeks

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has arrived at Kodanad Estate in the Niligiris. An official release said that she would perform official duties from there. While the CM's visits to Kodanad has come under strong criticism, she maintains that she had been governing the state from Kodanad. Her latest visit to the region comes after about 18 months, as the last time she visited was in April 2014. On her arrival at Kodanad, she was greeted by the district collector, MPs, MLAs, AIADMK functionaries and police officials.

Lifer for 3 in Manipal University gang-rape case

MANIPAL: Three men found guilty of gangraping a student at Manipal university in Karnataka in 2013 have finally been sentenced to life imprisonment, along with a fine of £1,100 each. Two others, guilty of destroying evidence in the case were sentenced to three years and fined £50 each, by a court in Udupi. A young woman while leaving the library on campus late at night was dragged into an autorickshaw and gang-raped, in June 2013. She was later dropped back to near where she lived. The incident was followed by several protests and manhunt was launched for the rapists, based on the description and security camera footage of the vehicle involved.

Stalin reaches out to farmers

dents across the State.

Organised by the state government, it was flagged off

by Chennai district collector Sundaravalli. Science exhibitions were held in several government institutions and schools including the Birla Planetarium.

Saplings were planted and distributed to students in several districts, including Tirunelveli.

Voluntary organisations, private schools and colleges too organised similar functions. Ruling AIADMK showered encomiums on Kalam in its mouthpiece Dr Namadhu MGR in a poem. It hailed him as “Missile Tamilian, hero of the youth.”

Akal Takht revokes pardon Unrest in Punjab towns: Central forces deployed granted to Dera chief AMRITSAR: Yielding to pressure from the Sikh community and hardliners, the Akal Takht; supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, has annulled its edict pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case. In a special meeting held at the Takht, the Sikh clergy, headed by Jathedar Gyani Gurbachan Singh decided to annul its earlier edict issued on September 24, when the Sirsa-based sect head was pardoned for appearing in an attire of Guru Gobind Singh during a religious congregation.

After a marathon meeting at the secretariat of the Akal Takht, the Sikh clergy said the Gurumata (edict) of September 24 pardoning the Dera chief has been annulled since it was not acceptable to the Sikh community by and large. “Keeping in view the

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

on state highways along which trucks routinely ferry commodities such as crude oil, acid and metal. An intelligence report said that protests are being led by women sarpanchs, head granthis, taxi unions and college students. The report also classified some protests as those led by radicals and religious groups. Many see these protests as a fallout of Akal Takht's controversial order that pardoned Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly imitating Guru Gobind Singh in 2007. The takht has revoked the pardon since then but the anger has continued to simmer. Two persons have lost their lives in police action due to ongoing protests.

TIRUVARUR (TAMIL NADU): DMK Treasurer M K Stalin has assured farmers that they would get a better deal under the party's regime as the DMK has special considerations of protecting their interests. Under his 'Namakku Naame' programme, Stalin interacted with sugarcane and paddy growers at Ullikkottai and Mela Nagai villages in Tiruvarur district and responded to the farmers' demands for remunerative price for their produce to meet the growing cost of agricultural inputs and other factors such as labour shortage. They complained about the dredging operations not being carried out properly and in time, and pleaded with the former deputy chief minister to grant them Rs 3500 a quintal for paddy. Stalin has promised to consider their demands and include them in the poll manifesto.

Row over Haryana CM's remarks on beef eating

NEW DELHI: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has provoked a fresh row over a statement he gave in an interview where he said the Muslim community can live in India but must give up eating beef as it doesn't violate their faith but that the cow is an “article of faith” for Hindus. He is also quoted as saying that the Bhagvad Gita and Saraswati are articles of faith for Hindus and that minorities must not violate others' religious beliefs. The minister was quick to deny when he faced criticism for his insensitivity. His office clarified that Khattar “absolutely did not say” those things in the interview. “Our CM didn't say anything like this, all he said was we should respect everyone... The newspaper which has posted this news piece has tried to put words in the Haryana CM's mouth,” said Jawahar Yadav, officer on special duty to the chief minister.

Haryana Jats to restart quota stir

CHANDIGARH: Jats in Haryana have decided to relaunch their agitation for reservation under the OBC category from December 23. The decision to relaunch the agitation, earlier stopped in view of the panchayat election in the state, was taken in a meeting of the 45 khaps chaired by chief of the Binain Khap, Nafe Singh Nain.

Addressing the gathering national spokesperson of Sarva Jat Khap Panchayat, Sube Singh Samain said a rally would be organised in Jind on December 23. In the rally, it will be decided if we would organise a 'Delhi Gherao' or initiate a 'jail bharo' programme, he said.

Punjabi author returns Padma award

CHANDIGARH: With protesting writers and authors returning their awards in protest against the growing intolerance in the country, Punjabi author Dalip Kaur Tiwana has announced that she would return her Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian honour. The 80 year old said, “In this land of Buddha and Guru Nanak, atrocities committed on Sikhs in 1984 and on the Muslims recurrently because of communalism are an utter disgrace. In protest, I return the Padma Shri award.

To kill those who stand for truth and justice put us to shame in the eyes of the world and God. In protest, I return the award.”

UK & INDIA

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Harnaam Kaur writes inspirational letter to 11-year-old self Harnaam Kaur has proven to be a very inspirational and positive role model for those who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition which can cause excessive hair growth. She works as a body activist, helping to inspire confidence in other people.

Harmaan Kaur has written a beautiful inspirational letter to her younger self with words of encouragement and advice.

Kaur had develop excessive facial hair at the age of 11 due to PCOS, and was relentlessly bully throughout her teens for her excessive body hair on her face, chest and arms.

Affected by her condition and the constant bullying, Harnaam Kaur had even considered suicide at the age of 16.

She has now become the compelling and inspirational role model- one that she lacked while

just how many people will be inspired by your selflove, your strength, your selfempowerment. You will grow up to be a Left: Harnaam Kaur aged 13 gorgeous growing up. Kaur took young woman who will part in Ilamasqua's shake the normal societal #LetterToLittleMe camstandards of beauty. You paign where they have will grow to be an activist, encouraged women to and you will mature to compose letters to boost help men and women all the morales of their over the world. You will younger selves. show people what beauty To her 11-year-old self, truly is.”

Kaur wrote, “You have a Harmaan Kaur ended heart of gold and you will by thanking her younger empower many one day. self for her strength and Don't you see it? Can't you braveness. She wrote, see just how amazing and “Thank you for going beautiful you are?” through all those battles She further added, “I and hardships with promise you that the world strength. Thank you for will one day read your making me the woman story. You have no idea of that I am today.”

UK financial services institutes to collaborate with GIFT A delegation of six British professional qualification providers were in Ahmedabad recently, to scout through potential ties with the Gujarat International Finance TecCity to offer skill development and training in financial services sector in the state. Mirroring the Indian government's recent 'Skill India' campaigns, the delegation interacted with several companies and broadened prospects where UK and Gujarat could collaborate as India's first financial support company.

Led by the UK Trade and Investment Team in India, the delegation included representatives of British financial services institutes, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), The Institute and Faculty of Actuatries (IfoA), International Association of Book Keepers (IAB) and Accounting Professionals (IAAP), The Association of

Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), and the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

“The purpose of the mission is to interact with GIFT officials and maybe provide UK-Gujarat partnerships to create world class financial services training. As qualification and learning offered by these UK institutes are recognised by employers around the world, we want to work with Indian companies and collaborate with GIFT city in Gujarat by providing financial services skills training and development to its employees,” said Geoff Wain, British Deputy High Commissioner, Ahmedabad, addressing media persons in Ahmedabad.

County Head of CIMA, Debashish Biswas said, “Once the infrastructure is created at GIFT city then the right kind of firms will

come, they will need skilled manpower which will be our contribution through an integrated need-based approach. Most of these institutes already have a presence in India with a total intake of 100,000 students at any given point of time. We are looking to partner with tuition partners and are looking at any segment of students in Gujarat who are looking at a UK qualification through short, medium and long duration programmes.”

They talked of wider trader and wider investment in the state, secure British exports to India and promote relations with companies. Wain said, “It is the start of a process and not the end. We look to provide better advise to the clients.” The delegation believed India to be their largest market of students and looked forward to raising the profile of financial services within the country and globally.

25

Chuni Chavda's open letter to Corbyn and Khan The former Liberal Democrat Party Councillor, Chuni Chavda, had written an open letter to the Labour Party's leader, Jeremy Corbyn, regarding Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's visit to the UK in November.

Corbyn was one of the 6 sponsors of an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the Parliament, after the riots which took place in Gujarat, when Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The open letter to Corbyn asked whether he still had the same opinions about Modi now to when he had signed the EDM 479 of 2013-14. However, Chavda is yet to receive a

Jeremy Corbyn

reply for the letter dated 24th September 2015. As a result, he has also written to the Labour MP of Tooting, Sadiq Khan.

Chavda forwarded his previous letter written to Corbyn to Khan, as well as posed further questions to the Labour MP, asking him “Why should Indians vote for the Labour Party candi-

PM Narendra Modi

date when the leader has not responded to my letter?”, as well as, “Why should Indians vote for the Labour Party candidate when the Labour Party leader is not in favour of having the Indian prime minister visit England on invitation from the British prime minister?”

Bromley landlord fined for reparation failure On Wednesday 7th October 2015, Kanthasamy Sothilingam, a landlord from Bromley was ordered to pay more than £2,000 at Bromley Magistrate's Court, for failing to carryout repairs to a home occupied by a woman and her children.

It is said that Bromley Council had to rehouse the tenants due to the bad

conditions of the house, on Main Road, St Paul's Cray.

Sothilingham pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, £930.50 in costs, £100 victim surcharge, as well as £150 criminal courts charge. Kate Lymer, executive member for public protection and safety said, “We must make sure that rented properties do not

present a hazard to anyone's health or safety.

Landlords must meet their statutory obligations and ensure their properties are let in a reasonable condition. The council will not allow them to get away with letting substandard properties and if they fail to comply with improvement notices, legal action will be taken.”

Bank For Your Banking Needs

Hi-return on your term deposits.

Rupee exchange rate - you will not like to miss.

Hi-Interest rates on FCNR and NRE Deposits in India.

Business Finance - Personalised attention to your needs.

On demand access to your money in savings account.

24*7 Internet Banking access.

Bihar polls second phase sees 55 per cent turnout Phase II of Bihar elections surpassed the previous record by 3 % , with 55 % polling despite Maoist threats. The trend of women outnumbering men at the booths, stuck, as the female turnout was 5 % more than male voters.

The overall voting percentage is likely to increase after the final computation.

Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, Ajay Nayak said the polling was peaceful in all six districts.

For further information and T&C, visit www.bankofbarodauk.com or call 020 7457 1515 Visit any of our 10 branches in the UK:

“We are thankful to the people that they came out in large numbers.” UAVs and Helicopters kept an eye from the sky and 993 companies of security personnel were deployed.

Meanwhile, an FIR was lodged against RJD candidates Mundrika Singh Yadav and Subedar Das, who were allegedly seen accepting bribe in a sting operation.

Bank of Baroda London Main Office EC1Y 2BD T:+44 (0) 20 7457 1544

Bank of Baroda Tooting Branch SW17 7TR T: +44 (0) 20 8767 6469

Bank of Baroda Ilford Branch IGI 2RT T: +44 (0) 20 8514 8609

Bank of Baroda Aldgate Branch E1 1NL T: +44 (0) 20 7480 0000

Bank of Baroda Southall Branch UB1 1QD T: +44 (0) 20 8574 1324

Bank of Baroda Wembley Branch HA0 4TL T: +44 (0) 20 8902 7407

Bank of Baroda Kenton Branch HA3 0HD T:+44 (0) 208 909 1739

Bank of Baroda Birmingham Branch B21 9SU T: +44 (0) 121 523 5973

Bank of Baroda Manchester Branch M4 5JU T: +44 (0) 161 832 5588

Bank of Baroda Leicester Branch LE4 6AS T: +44 (0) 116 266 3970

Bank of Baroda is established in the UK with company number BR002014 and is based at 32 City Road, London EC1Y 2BD. T. +44(0)207 457 1515 F. +44 (0)207 457 1505 E. info.uk@bankofbaroda.com W. www.bankofbarodauk.com Bank of Baroda is authorised and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Our regulator firm reference no. is 204624 Bank of Baroda, UK Operations facilitates submission of NRI application forms to India. Account/s opened and amount deposited are held in India which comes under banking regulation of Reserve Bank of India only. For details, you are requested to visit www.bankofbaroda.com.

INDIA

26

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Hardik lands himself in jail, again Detained Patel Agitation poster boy Hardik Patel was arrested by the Rajkot police after an FIR was filed against him at Paddhari Police Station for allegedly insulting the Indian national flag.

R a j k o t - R u r a l Superintendent of Police Gagandeep Gambhir said the police have collected concrete evidence before filing an FIR against Patel.

He said, “We have checked all the video footage, which clearly suggested that Hardik did commit an offence of insulting the national flag. Thus, police have lodged an FIR against Hardik at Paddhari Police Station today. After which, we have arrested Hardik.”

Gambhir said Hardik's feet allegedly touched the national flag, which he was carrying, as he jumped on a car in an attempt to talk to the media when he was stopped by the police at Madhapar crossroads, while on his way to the stadium. “When he was stopped by police, he suddenly jumped on the roof of his car with the national flag. While doing so, the flag touched his feet, which is against the dignity of the tricolour. This is

many other spectators who have come here to cheer up Indian team. We have tickets for the match also,” Hardik said. “I want to urge to the people to keep calm and not to do anything that will breach peace and law and order situation of Gujarat,” he said.

The PAAS convener had earlier declared that they will block the way of the two teams and not allow them to reach the stadium. He also said they would surround the venue if he and his supporters were not allowed to go inside to protest. Hardik has urged the Patel community members to remain present in large numbers during the Rajkot match to raise their reservation demands.

PAAS leader Lalit Vasoya and his supporters were also stopped. “We tried to reach the stadium but were not allowed to take the Jamnagar Road.”

Following the threats, the Rajkot police had made unprecedented security arrangements for the ODI. A three-tier security ring was thrown around the stadium and police ensured no spectator took placards and water bottles inside.

Hardik Patel not allowed as per the law.” Hardik was detained by police on his way to Khandheri cricket stadium in Rajkot ahead of the India-South Africa One Day International. He had threatened to stage a protest at the stadium.

“Police detained Hardik Patel from Madhapar cross road area when he was on his way to Khandheri Cricket Stadium in the city, where an ODI between India and South Africa is scheduled to be played,” superintendent of police of Jamnagar Pradip Sejul. He said Patel along with four of his supporters were detained when they were going to the cricket stadium in the attire of a farmer, he said.

“We have not come here to protest, but we just want to watch the match with our Patidar brothers. Like

One year subsrciption

Asian Voice Newsweekly Bumper & Trustworthy News Various informative/inspiring columns, Subscribers also receive sevaral Theme based Special issue, Diwali Magazines, Annual Calender delivered at home

Asian Voice £29 Gujarat Samachar £29 Both Weeklies (separate) £58 Both Together for Subscriber only £35-00 Total Savings £23-00 You Save 40% By adding only £6 you can subsribe Gujarat Samachar

SUBSCRIPTION FOR

One year subscription of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice is ONLY £35 (UK)

Please tick as appropriate:

GUJARAT SAMACHAR & ASIAN VOICE ASIAN VOICE

Europe and Overseas Subscription rates are being held the same as last year!

G.S.

UK A.V. Both

It means only 9 Pense a day

Rates Valid from 1-10-2015

EUROPE G.S. A.V.

Both

1 Year £29 £29 £35 £77 £77 £126 2 Years £52.50 £52.50 £63.50 £141.50 £141.50 £242

WORLD G.S. A.V.

Both

£92 £92 £169 £169

£150 £280

Please Note: Subscriptions are non-refundable after 30 days

Please detach this form and send it with your payment or credit card instructions to address below

GUJARAT SAMACHAR & ASIAN VOICE

12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW

Tel: 020 7749 4080 / 020 7749 4000 Fax: 020 7749 4081 E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

NAME

ADDRESS Email:

£

POST CODE

www.abplgroup.com

Click p.com rou for

abplg

e-Editio

n

TEL:

I'd like to be kept up to date by email with offers and news from ABPL

Please charge my credit card VISA / MASTERCARD / CREDIT / DEBIT CARD for Card Expiry date

Card No: Signature

Date

NOTICE: Subscribers who pay by credit or switch card, the transaction will show as made for Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL) on your bank statement.

Please make the cheque payable to Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice.

NOTICE: If you are going away on a holiday and would like to suspend Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice for that duration, please notify us in advance in written via email at support@abplgroup.com or via post (see below for address). We do not take any such instruction on phone. Please NOTE we are CLOSED on Saturdays and Sundays

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

BJP chief pulls up top party leaders over controversial remarks The BJP has pulled up to party leaders over controversial remarks on the Dadri lynching in which a Muslim man was killed over allegations of beef eating and cow slaughter. The move came a day after its ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal, warned the Centre that “fringe elements” were hurting its credibility with “irresponsible utterances”.

BJP chief Amit Shah summoned Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan, MP Sakshi Maharaj and Uttar Pradesh MLA Sangeet Som to the party office in the morning and pulled them up for “making unnecessary inflammatory remarks”. Sources said Shah’s message was directed at Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma as well, though Sharma was not present at the meeting.

According to party sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his disapproval over the statements and conveyed his displeasure to Shah. He

Amit Shah is learnt to have directed Shah to issue a strict warning against such remarks.

Sources said Modi was “upset” because these statements had hurt the BJP’s agenda in Bihar and adversely affected his attempts to bring in foreign investment. The party believes that such remarks served to vitiate Modi’s message of poverty alleviation and job creation.

“The state government should have been in the line of fire (over the Dadri incident). But the public statements of our over enthusiastic leaders have

put the BJP on the defensive,” said a party leader.

Such statements have provided ammunition to the opposition to attack PM Modi and the party, he said.

“The message was not just for those who were present in the meeting. It was also a warning for those who are prone to making controversial statements,” said a party leader. “Because of such irresponsible statements, the government and the party are getting embarrassed before the international community. It is affecting the investment atmosphere adversely,” Shah is learnt to have said at the meeting.

In a related incident over beef eating controversy, an independent J&K legislator who organised a beef party in Kashmir was attacked by hooligans while he was on a visit to Delhi. The miscreants threw black paint on him as he just finished his address to the mediapersons.

promise with that.” The party's stand on the verdict comes in sharp contrast to its vote in favour of the bill in the Parliament.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley took on the Supreme Court for striking down the NJAC, saying the judiciary could not arrogate unto itself the role of being a parallel legislature.

In a blog post, Jaitley said the verdict raised several issues in his mind, particularly the fact that “politician bashing seems to be the key ingredient of the judgment” and this ignored the “basic structure of the Constitution” where parliamentary democracy was central and where the will of the people (as represented by elected representatives) was sovereign. He said the judgment was based on the premise that the independence of judiciary would be compromised because of the presence of politicians on the judges appointment commission, that judges thus appointed would feel indebted to the politicians.

“Indian democracy cannot be a tyranny of the unelected and if the elected

are undermined, democracy itself would be in danger. Are not institutions like the Election Commission and the CAG not credible enough even though they are appointed by elected governments?”

Jaitley asked.

Meanwhile, the revived collegium cleared the names of 24 additional judges in six high courts for appointment as permanent judges. The law minister promised the CJI that the government would send the files to the President to get his signature. “It was my moral duty to see that these 24 additional judges did not suffer uncertainty because the Supreme Court is on Dussehra break,” the CJI said. These 24 additional judges were cleared from the high court collegium for appointment as permanent judges. However, their appointment could not be made permanent owing to the rejection of the constitutional validity of the NJAC. While the ruling party has lost this round with the SC, the war seems far from over.

Judiciary vs Executive

CONTINUED FROM P1 “The sensitivity of selecting judges is so enormous, and the consequences of making inappropriate appointments so dangerous, that if those involved in the process of selection and appointment of judges to the higher judiciary, make wrongful selections, it may well lead the nation into a chaos of sorts.”

The quashing of the government's role in the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary came as a surprise to the Centre.

Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda said, “We brought the will of the people. Hundred per cent of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have supported the bill. Voters are represented

by Parliament members.

Twenty state legislatures have supported that bill.”

The Aam Aadmi Party welcomed the decision of the judges, saying it was a “great blow” to the NDA government which had brought the law. “SC judgment on NJAC is historic.

The judgment is a great blow to the central government that is trying to make judiciary committed to itself. This government made CJI as governor.

That was brazen,” AAP Spokesperson Ashutosh tweeted.

Congress spokesperson R S Surjewala said the Congress respected the judgment. “Independence of the judiciary is a key factor in our democracy and there can never be a com-

AsianVoiceNews

FOOD

FITNESS

HEALTH&WELLNESS AsianVoiceNewsweekly

LIFESTYLE

US study links sugar with heart problems A

US study has suggested that too much sugar can be deadly, at least when it comes to fatal heart problems. It doesn't take all that much extra sugar, hidden in many processed foods, to substantially raise the risk, the researchers found, and most Americans eat more than the safest amount.

Being in the highest risk category in the study means your chance of dying prematurely from heart problems is nearly three times greater than for people who eat only foods with little added sugar.

For someone who normally eats 2,000 calories daily, even consuming two 12-ounce (340-gram) cans of soda substantially increases the risk. For most American adults, sodas and other sugary drinks are the main source of added sugar.

Lead author Quanhe Yang of the US Centres of Disease Control and Prevention called the results sobering and said it's the first nationally representative study to examine the issue.

Scientists aren't certain exactly how sugar may contribute to deadly heart problems, but it has been shown to increase blood pressure and levels of unhealthy cholesterol and triglycerides; and also may increase signs of inflammation linked with heart disease, said Rachel Johnson, head of the American Heart Association's nutrition committee and a University of Vermont nutrition professor.

Yang and colleagues analysed national health surveys between 1988 and 2010 that included questions about people's diets.

The authors used national

death data to calculate risks of dying during 15 years of follow-up. Overall, more than 30,000 American adults aged 44 on average were involved.

Previous studies have linked diets high in sugar with increased risks for non-fatal heart problems, and with obesity, which can also lead to heart trouble. But in the new study, obesity didn't explain the link between sugary diets and death. That link was found even in normalweight people who ate lots of added sugar.

"Too much sugar does not just make us fat; it can also make us sick," said Laura Schmidt, a health policy specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. She wrote an editorial accompanying the study. The researchers focused on sugar added to processed foods or drinks, or sprinkled in coffee or cereal. Even foods that don't taste sweet have added sugar, including many brands of packaged bread, tomato sauce and salad dressing. Naturally

occurring sugar, in fruit and some other foods, wasn't counted.

Most health experts agree that too much sugar isn't healthy, but there is no universal consensus on how much is too much. US government dietary guidelines issued in 2010 say "empty" calories including those from added sugars should account for no more than 15 per cent of total daily calories.

The average number of daily calories from added sugar among US adults was about 15 per cent toward the end of the study, slightly lower than in previous years. The authors divided participants into five categories based on sugar intake, from less than 10 per cent of daily calories - the safest amount - to more than 25 per cent.

Most adults exceed the safest level; and for 1 in 10 adults, added sugar accounts for at least 25 per cent of daily calories, the researchers said. The researchers had death data on almost 12,000 adults,

including 831 who died from heart disease during the 15-year follow-up. They took into account other factors known to contribute to heart problems, including smoking, inactivity and excess weight, and still found risks for sugar.

Adults who got at least 25 per cent of their calories from added sugar were almost three times more likely to die of heart problems than those who consumed the least - less than 10 per cent. For those who got more than 15 per cent or the equivalent of about two cans of sugary soda out of 2,000 calories daily - the risk was almost 20 per cent higher than the safest level.

Sugar calories quickly add up: One teaspoon has about 16 calories; one 12ounce can of non-diet soda contains about 9 teaspoons of sugar or about 140 calories; many cinnamon rolls have about 13 teaspoons of sugar; one scoop of chocolate ice cream has about 5 teaspoons of sugar.

Dr Jonathan Purnell, a professor at Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cardiovascular Institute, said while the research doesn't prove "sugar can cause you to die of a heart attack", it adds to a growing body of circumstantial evidence suggesting that limiting sugar intake can lead to healthier, longer lives.

spending some time on outdoor activities.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and maintain bone and muscle health. The skin naturally produces this vitamin after exposure to sunlight.

People also absorb smaller amounts of the vitamin through foods, such as milk fortified with vitamin D.

"Our findings indicate that vitamin D is associated more closely with glucose metabolism than obesity," said one of the study authors, Manuel MacasGonzilez from the University of Malaga in Spain.

Earlier studies had found that people who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to be obese. The current study found that vitamin D levels were directly correlated with glucose levels, but not with Body Mass Index (BMI).

The researchers compared vitamin D biomarkers in 148 participants. All

participants were classified by their BMI as well as whether they had diabetes, pre-diabetes or no glycemic disorders.

Researchers measured levels of vitamin D in the participants' blood streams and vitamin D receptor gene expression in adipose tissue. The analysis found that obese participants who did not have glucose metabolism disorders had higher levels of vitamin D than diabetic participants.

Likewise, lean subjects with diabetes or another glucose metabolism disorder were more likely to have low levels of vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause diabetes

new study has revealed that people who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have diabetes, regardless of how much they weigh. The findings suggest that besides maintaining a healthy diet, people can reduce their risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders by

A

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement it. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

27

| Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

www.asian-voice.com

Health mistakes we usually make

Following are some steps which are essential to have a healthy life Not flossing enough: Just brushing your teeth isn't enough when it comes to dental hygiene. You also need to make flossing a regular habit. Plaque stuck between your teeth can not only lead to oral problems, but if the bacteria goes into your blood stream, it can cause chronic inflammation and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and even cancer. Thus, flossing is recommended at least once a day to avoid teeth being weakened by plaque.

Lugging around a heavy handbag: While big handbags and totes may be fashionable, what most women don't realise is that keeping a big bag almost always leads to dumping unnecessary things in it.

And carrying this weight around everywhere inevitably leads to back, neck and shoulder pain.

Experts say that heavy handbags can cause back spasms, disc degeneration, neck problems, arthritis, and poor posture. Make it a habit to empty out your handbag (and wallet) at least once a week. Carry only the very essential items and discard the rest.

Skipping sleep: If you think that sleep is a waste of time, think again. Your body needs rest to repair itself and experts say that lack of sleep can lead to a number of health problems. No matter how healthy you think you are or how regularly you exer-

F

cise, you need to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep daily. Research has found that people who skipped sleep more than doubled their risk of stroke and heart disease. This is why, it is advisable to sleep and wake up at fixed times daily.

Procrastinating exercise: While over-exercising is a definite no-no, don't have a very laid back view about your fitness. A weighing scale is the best way of knowing just how much you've let go, so make it a habit to check your weight every two weeks. This way if you've gained weight, you can do something about it sooner rather than later.

Not eating breakfast: This, by far, is one of the biggest mistakes we commit unknowingly.

Skipping your breakfast means you're starting your day by being low on energy. You'll feel sluggish by the time it is noon, and staying hungry will only cause health woes as your body will store up more fat to use as fuel through the rest of the day.

Over-exercising: While exercising to stay healthy and in shape is all right, if you're going overboard with the hours in the gym, you need to slow down.

Being very hard on your body can lead to hormonal changes, which could further lead to weight gain, weaken your immune system, damage your muscles and cause knee or back problems. Know your body and its limits and adjust the exercise accordingly.

28

www.asian-voice.com

– Arnold to make Indian film debut in a Rahman a bundle Rajini film of talent AsianVoiceNews

Trisha is back with her first love

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

S

outh Indian actress Trisha has a handful of big projects like Kamal Haasan's 'Thoongavanam', 'Boologam' with Jayam Ravi and three heroine dominating f i l m s , 'Aranmanai 2', 'Bhogi' a n d 'Nayaki', all ready to h i t screens.

Trisha, who has been associated with several handsome guys in the past, recently claimed that she is getting back with her first love.

What she meant by the announcement was that she is returning to her first love swimming. She said, “I love to swim, but since I was constantly shooting I could not get time for it. Recently, I got a break as Nayaki’s shoot wrapped up early and returned to the hotel soon.

Without wasting time, I rushed to the pool and started at sunset and came out after a solid two hours.” She posted a picture on her microblog and wrote, “Back 2 my 1st love #sunsetswim #waterbaby #favexcersise #50laps #wastrainedbythebest #mukundansir. (sic)” Ha! Gotcha!

S

hankar's Rajinikanth starrer 'Enthiran' was considered India's most expensive film, until SS Rajamouli broke the record with his two-part fantasy drama 'Baahubali'. Taking up on the challenge, the director is raising the bar with 'Enthiran 2' with Rajini reprising his role.

But wait! There's more!

Making his Indian film debut with the movie is none other than Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger!

He will fly down for the film's first schedule in January to play a rogue robot in the film.

Confirming the news, Shankar said, “Arnold and I discuss a lot of Indian movies. He attended the audio launch of my Vikram starrer, 'I', and told me that he wanted

A

to work in Tamil films. He was impressed with the storyline of Enthiran 2 and agreed to be a part of the film.” 'Enthiran', which bagged two National Awards, one for Best Special Effects and the other for Best Production Design, was the story of a scientist and his robot Chitti who turns against him. Shankar reveals that the sequel is very different, “Enthiran 2 is a superhero film, a sci-fi adventure, a triangular love story with bits inspired from the Ramayana.”

Gauthami continues her rendezvous

fter returning to the big screen after a long sabbatical, playing Kamal Haasan's coy and clever wife in the thriller 'Papanasam', actress Gauthami is ready to continue her rendezvous with the camera. She will pair with superstar Mohan Lal in a Telugu-Malayalam bilingual to be directed by Chandra Sekhar Yeleti. The duo was last seen together in Mani Ratnam's period flick 'Iruvar' in 1997, where they played husband and wife. The yet to be titled bilingual is touted to be a family entertainer and the film would mark Gauthami's comeback in Telugu and Malayalam film industries.

'Shaandaar'

'Dhoom' again with Amitabh Bachchan

V A romantic comedy film, directed by Vikas Bahl and produced by Anurag Kashyap and V i k r a m a d i t y a , 'Shaandaar' stars Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor

O

ne of the most talented and celebrated musicians of the Indian movie industry, composer A R Rahman has quite a few talents up his sleeve. With a long list of international collaborations, the musician has already won two Academy Awards and two Grammys. In a recent interview, Rahman revealed he was offered an acting role in a Hollywood movie once, which he declined. “Yes, I was offered a role in a Hollywood film once, and even in a Tamil movie.

Actually, I don’t exactly remember what the roles were, but till now, I’ve got about four acting offers. I am too old for all that. But I am very flattered, of course. I believe that one can’t be the master of everything. Music is my passion and my mission in life.”

in lead with Pankaj Kapur and Sanjay Kapoor in supporting roles. The film is scheduled to release on October 22nd Thursday instead of Friday.

eteran actor Amitabh Bachchan is reportedly all set to join the fourth instalment of Yash Raj Film's hit series 'Dhoom'.

Produced by Aditya Chopra, the film will star Hrithik Roshan for the second time. To be directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, the film will see Big B as ACP Jai Dixit. A source said, “At the moment it is not very clear where Victor (Vijay Acharya) is going with this. All that is confirmed is that Aditya Chopra and Victor have approached and signed Bachchan and Hrithik.” Another source said, “While Hrithik, Adi and Victor are coming together, the film might not be Dhoom 4, but another thriller.”

Fan team's special gift on SRK's 50th birthday

B

ollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan will complete 50 years on November 2, and his team has a special surprise in store for him.

National Award winning editor, Namrata Rao, who is also editing his upcoming 'Fan', has revealed that the film's second teaser will be released on SRK's birthday. While the first teaser showed Shah Rukh playing two characters, one of a superstar and the other of a fan (Duh-uh!), the second teaser will provide a better insight to the story of the movie. A source said 'Fan' is a very special film for Shah Rukh which is why the second teaser will release on his 50th birthday.

Kareena celebrates wedding anniversary without Saif

K

areena Kapoor Khan and hubby Saif Ali Khan completed three blissful years as a married couple on October 16. The 'Agent Vinod' co-stars, however, are spending the anniversary away from each others this year. While Kareena is busy shooting for R Balki's 'Ki & Ka', Saifu is preparing himself for Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Rangoon'. A media reported that onscreen husband Arjun Kapoor and the entire crew of 'Ki & Ka' got the actress a cake to celebrate her day of remembrance.

29

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Anushka is breathtaking in Femina cover

T

he October issue of popular magazine Femina, features 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' actress Anushka Sharma who looks breathtaking in a sheer and sequinned purple gown. Anushka looks effortlessly stunning on the cover, shot by celebrity photographer Prasad Naik.

Anushka was recently shot by celebrity photographer Rohan Shrestha in a 2-min photoshoot. She kept her outfit casual. She donned a smokey eye which clearly stood out.

She was in London and in Austria for Karan Johar's next directorial venture and will be returning to Mumbai after the completion of her first schedule, for seven days to complete her other commitments. She will then go back to London for the rest of the shoot.

'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' is being directed by Karan Johar and also stars Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Fawad Khan and Imran Abbas Naqvi. The movie is to be shot across the globe, including locations like Delhi, New York, London and Paris. It is a love story dealing with relationships and heart breaks. The film is set for Diwali 2016 release.

Priyanka nominated for People’s Choice Awards

P

riyanka Chopra w h o recently made her international TV debut with 'Quantico' is taking the American television industry by storm. In recent news, the actress has been nominated for the People's Choice Awards' Favourite Actress in a New TV Series. Excited, Chopra, who plays Alex Parrish, a rookie FBI recruit with a mysterious past, said she was honoured for the nomination. “Wow this is such an honour! First year and a nomination! Thank you @peopleschoice what's say people? #quantico,” she tweeted. The show features Jake McLaughlin, Tate Ellington and Graham Rogers, also as FBI recruits. Voting for the shows will commence from November 3 this year.

S

Homesickness overtakes Sonakshi

onakshi Sinha who is currently shooting for her next 'Force 2' in Budapest seems to suffer from a serious case of homesickness. The actress made a dub smash video where she is seen saying how much she misses her loved ones and India.

Last seen in 'Tevar' opposite Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi will be paired with John Abraham in Abhinay Deo's next, to be produced by Vipul Shah. With the two actors to be seen together for the first time, expectations are already high with the new fresh jodi of Bollywood. Recently, she had also shared a video of her along with the stunt directors where she was seen learning new moves. She wrote, “The boys taught me a fun new game today on set.

Its called ninja…

Stay in position and slap each others hands.

Looks stupid b u t

John Abraham and Genelia D’Souza. John Abraham’s character in the film was praised and appreciated by the critics and audiences and now that the actor is part of the sequel, more of action and drama is on its way for the audiences in part 2.

its Super fun!!!!! @craig.macrae @russmccarroll @ianstock_gymnat thank you for brightening up this gloomy dark day #shootshennanigans #theshootlife #traveldiaries #force2 #budapest #ninjasona.”

‘Force 2’ is a sequel of 2011 hit film ‘Force’, which starred

Salman to launch Aahan Shetty now

A

fter launching Suniel Shetty's daughter Athiya in the industry, Salman Khan is all ready to launch his son, Aahan. Known to be a godfather to the budding talent in the industry, Salman had introduced Athiya Shetty and Aditya Pancholi's son Sooraj in the recent remake version of 'Hero'.

Suniel said, “He has plans to launch him.

There is time, it will take two-three years.

Aahan is getting groomed. He is doing all that is required for him to do – dance, acting and other things- as an actor. He is learning a lot of things by travelling across the world.”

Sky diving wows Sidharth Malhotra

B

ollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra has ticked one item off his bucket list and highly recommends it as a “must do” to everyone. Using the words “Wow”, “Out of this world!” and “Amazing”, to describe his first ever experience in sky diving, the 'SOTY' actor said, “I think this is the best best best experience that New Zealand has to offer. The view is amazing. It takes just three seconds to jump off and then you're right on the edge. It's an amazing free fall, then you go through the clouds... it's like flying... and totally out of the world!” He also tweeted saying, “One Insane!awesome! epic! Thing off my bucket list: skydiving in New Zealand! #NZMustDo #SidNZ @NzoneSkydive Must Do”

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Katrina not in contention for 'Don 3'

W

hile the rumours about Katrina Kaif appearing in the third instalment of 'Don', directed by Farhan Akhtar did the rounds, sources reveal there is absolutely no truth to it.

It has been reported that the actress was never approached for 'Don 3'.

Putting at rest all the speculations, producer Ritesh Sidhwani tweeted, “Much speculation on #Don3 & it's Casting.

No thoughts of changing it's casting... working towards developing the script. Will keep u posted.”

Director Farhan Akhtar also took to Twitter saying, “Please do not react to rumours regarding the sequel. As and when the time comes, you'll hear the truth from me.” A source said, “Katrina has not been approached for Don 3 hence signing the film is out of question. As per producer Ritesh Sidwanis' tweet, the makers have no plans of changing the casting and may stick to the original starcast.”

So it is safe to say that Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra are set to reprise the lead roles in 'Don 3'. The first remake of 'Don' and its sequel was widely appreciated and did well at the box office. The first remake of Don was in 2006 when Shah Rukh stepped into the shoes of Amitabh Bachchan. It was followed by a sequel in 2011. Both the films were appreciated and did well at the box-office.

Few days back, there was buzz that since Priyanka Chopra has her hands full with many projects, the makers had decided to go ahead with the project with a new character i.e. of Katrina.

Vidya Balan officially joins Twitter

V

i d y a Balan, the 37year-old 'The Dirty Picture' a c t r e s s , joined the micro-blogging site six years ago but made it official only now after many fake accounts in her name surfaced. Filmmaker Karan Johar welcomed Vidya on Twitter, saying, " My 'Mitwa' friend ( she knows what I mean) is on Twitter!!! @vidya_balan... she deserves all the love!!" The actress, last seen in Mohit Suri's "Hamari Adhuri Kahani, has ventured into Marathi film industry with a special appearance in a biopic on the late actor-director Bhagwan Dada. Vidya will play the golden era actress Geeta Bali in the film, which traces the Bhagwan Dadas life and the difficulties he faced while making his musical "Albela".

30

UK

www.asian-voice.com

Life through Indian classical music & dance Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

Jailal Academy of Music (JAM) has inherited an ancient art form of teaching Indian Classical Music which has been passed down to the current generation by its gurus, Lt. Pt. Ram Gopal Misra, the grandson of the renowned and esteemed, Pt Jailal Maharaj, who started JAM in Kolkata. His wife, Guru Susmita Misra, and daughter, Smt. Kajol Misra Roy, have ensured that his legacy lives on as they continue to teach this unique style of music in Kolkota. In 2003, his son, Pt. Rajkumar Misra, together with his wife, Smt Chandrima Misra, set up JAM in London. Together, they have trained and presented

over 150 UK-based students in performances across the UK. JAM aspire and aims to reach out to the UK to help its society appreciate musical depth and personal achievement through teaching Indian Classical Arts.

JAM present entertaining and collaborative shows throughout the year performed by both internationally renowned maestros as well as their British students. After the success of their previous group production at the Cadogan Hall, London, in April 2014, JAM’s upcoming production on 5 November is eagerly awaited by the city’s cultural community.

With more artists than

Coming Events

l All World Gayatri Pariwar UK- Navratri Purnahuti Gayatri Maha-Yagna: Sunday 25th October 2015, 1:30pm. Participation in yagna is free. Mandhata Youth and Community Centre, 20a Rosemead Avenue, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7EE. Contact Kapilaben Patel: 020 8883 9540. l Jailal Academy of Music Presents Life- Indian Classical Music & dance: Thursday 5th November, 7:30pm. St John's Smith Square, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA. For tickets, contact: 020 7222 1061. l Diwali at the Palace- Divine Dancing: Sunday 25th October, 6pm. Watford Palace Theatre.

Visit: www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk or contact: 01923 225 671. l Southwark Hindu Centre- Diwali Celebrations: Sunday 8th November, 5pm- 8:30pm. St Faith’s Community and Youth Centre, Red Post Hill, London SE24 9JQ. Contact Dr Deepak Singh: 07521 932 468. l Anoopam Mission- Shree Lakshmi Poojan: Monday 9th November, 6:30pm- 7:30pm. Shree Sharda Poojan: Wednesday 11th November, 6:30pm8pm. Annakut Darshan: Thursday 12th November; first Aarti at 1pm, thereafter every hour until 6pm.

Anoopam Mission, Brahmajyoti, the Lea, Western Avenue, Denham, Middlesex UB9 4NA. Contact: 01895 832 709. l Shree Jalaram Prathna Mandal Mandir, LeicesterLaxmi Pujan & Chopda Pujan: 11th November, 7:30pm. Annakut, Aarti & Prasad: 12th November, 12:30pm. Jalaram Jayanti: 18th November, 10am5pm.

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Editorial Executive: Reshma Trilochun Tel: 020 7749 4010 - Email: reshma.trilochun@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Chief Operating Officer: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Account Executive: Arjun Chokshi Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email: arjun.chokshi@abplgroup.

Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Business Development Managers: Rovin J George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Graphic Designers: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com Leicester Distributors: Shabde Magazine, Shobhan Mehta Mob: 07846480220 (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad.

Tel. +91 79 2646 5960 Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (M) +91 94266 36912 Email: nilesh.parmar@abplgroup.com Consulting Editor: Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad,

ever before, ‘LIFE’ will be showcased at St. John’s Smith Square, London, an exquisite, traditional and classic venue located in the heart of London.

Be mesmerised by the exciting and high intensity group tabla; let your thoughts drift in the wonderful raagas, and get enchanted by the flair of

the kathak dance. A show performed by Britishbased students whose immense respect, dedication and devotion to these ancient arts creates the sublime classical energy that has enthralled audiences for centuries.

Hindus, Sikhs and Jains with diabetes who are planning on celebrating Diwali can still enjoy sweet treats but in moderation, according to Diabetes UK. Diwali is held on Wednesday 11 November this year, and with traditional festival foods often being high in fat and sugar is it important that people with diabetes think carefully about how they approach it. But having the condition doesn’t mean having to miss out if you plan your day’s meals in advance and use moderation, says the charity.

Krishna Sarda, Engaging Communities Manager at Diabetes UK, said: “Traditional sweets can mean that Diwali presents a challenge for people with diabetes, as foods like barfi and mithai typically contain high fat and sugar levels. Also, fried foods such as pakoras and

samosas are high in fat and calories. However, people with diabetes can enjoy small amounts of these festive foods if they plan ahead and fit it around a healthy balanced diet.

“Throughout the day, it’s best to eat healthier foods such as fruit and vegetables, wholegrain basmati rice, chickpeas and dhal. These types of foods can help keep your blood glucose levels more stable during the celebrations, but keep an eye on your portions.

“You can also make some small changes to make traditional recipes healthier, such as using vegetable oil instead of ghee, using spices and herbs to replace some of the salt, and by replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners.”

For more information about diabetes visit www.diabetes.org.uk

Plan your meals to enjoy treats at Diwali, advises Diabetes UK

For more information, see advert on page 9.

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 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. You are more willing than usual to explore and delve deeper into life's secrets and arrive at meaningful conclusions.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 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.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 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 well being. 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.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 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.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 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.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 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 socialising. Siblings, close relatives and friends may play an important role in your life during this period.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 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.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 The Sun transits your first house and this affects your personal identity, appearance, outward behaviour, 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.

Gujarat Tel: +91 79 2630 4142 Urvashi Jagadeesan (India) Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 2012, Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad. Tel +91 79 2646 5960 Email: horizon.marketing@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Hardik Shah (M) +91 99250 42936 Email: hardik.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Neeta Patel (Vadodara) M: +91 98255 11702 Email: neeta_abplgroup@yahoo.co.in Business Co-ordinator: Shrijit Rajan M: +91 98798 82312 Email: shrijit.rajan@abplgroup.com International Advertisement Representative: Jain International Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 022 2471 4122 Email: jain@jaingroup.net Delhi Office: Tel: +91 9311581597

Asian Voice Head Office

Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080, Fax: 020 7749 4081 www.abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

Asian Voice switchboard: 020 7749 4000 Gujarat Samachar switchboard: 020 7749 4080 Advertising Sales: 020 7749 4085 asianVoiceNews AsianVoiceNewsweekly AsianVoiceNews linkedin.com/company/asian-achievers-awards

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 The Sun travels through your twelfth house now, marking a time of retreat and regeneration. This also heralds a time for research and unfinished behindthe-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.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 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 newfound 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.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 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.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 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.

SPORTWORLD

www.asian-voice.com

80-year-old man, 2,600 miles; a great walk

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

31

Vijender Singh gearing up to fight in London

Rani Singh

10 October, Jumeirah Carlton Hotel London was an India Association- hosted black tie dinner event. It heralded the next stage of 80-year old IA Chairman Balwant “Bobby� Grewal’s charity fund raising “Walk Full Circle.�

Bobby will walk 2,600 miles from Kanyakumari, via Chennai and Kolkata, to New Delhi. He will walk roughly 25 miles a day for around five months, hoping to raise ÂŁ1.5 million for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and the British Asian Trust.

He already walked from North to South India, raising ÂŁ100,000 to fund cancer and AIDS research.

Among Walk Full Circle patrons present were Rt. Hon. Virendra Sharma, MP, Ealing/Southall; and Colin Green, UCL Emeritus Professor of Surgery. Also present were veteran journalists CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar; Mr and Mrs K.N. Malik; and Managing Editor of Gujarat Samachar, Kokila Patel.

Barclays presents a cheque for ÂŁ10,000 to Bobby Grewal (center)

(Photos courtesy: Bhupendrasinh Jethwa)

motor home, eating locally sourced food. In India, mobile cancer screening camps will set up at Delhi and Patna with Chennai and Kolkata also planned.

Patron Rt. Hon, Dominic Grieve QC also sent a supportive video message.

Air India’s Regional Manager UK, Tara Naidu, gave a message exclusively to Asian Voice via an attending Air India official. “Air India, India’s national carrier, is proud to be one of the sponsors of Bobby’s Walk Full Circle. Carrying Bobby in the Dreamliner 787 will make his flight

Bobby Grewal and Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, Minister of Coordination- High Commission of India Principle Scottish Ballet and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra harpist Meredith McCracken played for arriving guests. Elliot Bibby performed magic tricks.

The comperes were BBC Radio Stoke’s James Watt and BBC/BT sports journalist Reshmin Chowdhury. The Tuxedo Jazz band was joined by singer Hannah Layton Turner of Hannah’s Yard.

Dr Rajan Bhanot, who will accompany Bobby in India, explained via video that Bobby will live in a

stage as the person behind Bobby’s successful efforts on all fronts. He told the Asian Voice, “Bobby’s a great community man. He gave his life to charitable work by making sacrifices.�

Bobby told the audience that he always wanted to be a sportsman, and at middle school, was the “Smallest and fastest runner.� But his middle school sports teacher preferred a couple of other favourites.

This situation changed at high school, when allrounder Bobby had a much more encouraging sports master who told him that one day he would play for

Kokila Patel, Managing Editor for Gujarat Samachar; and CB Patel, Publisher/Editor for Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar

much more enjoyable and comfortable when he starts and ends his journey in London.�

A Barclays Bank team presented a cheque for ÂŁ10,000.

A written pledge of ÂŁ5,000 from the Karma Yoga Foundation was one of the highlights. CB Patel said, “The Karma Yoga Foundation is privileged to be of some small service.â€?

Sterling Dental Foundation pledged a pound for every mile to be walked; ÂŁ2,600.

Virendra Sharma called Mrs Harjeet Grewal on

India. A knee injury seemed to dampen his dream.

However, Bobby said, he took inspiration from author Ffyona Campbell’s “On Foot Through Africa� and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who is now another of the Walk’s patrons. Bobby ran the London marathon and “slept under the stars� on the first half of the Walk Circle.

From Great Ormond St Hospital Charity, Parent ambassador John Plank spoke. John described how his son Alex, also present, had been diagnosed with a

unique heart disorder at two days old. He said that Bobby’s gift of money helped GOSH in four ways, so that: 1) Now parents like his wife and he could escort their anxious children between departments, 2) Equipment, 3) Research- it meant that after 10 years, Alex’s condition was identified, 4) So that others like John and his wife could stay with their infants through all procedures, like “When your baby’s being cut open.� Above all, Bobby’s donations had given families “hope,� he said.

Professor Colin Green from Northwick Park Hospital said that Bobby “Saved my institute of research from collapse, to the extent that it has now become the number one surgical institute for stem cell research. “From the ÂŁ100,000 donated by Bobby, we have now been given another ÂŁ15 million, and the ÂŁ100,000 given by him after the Parliamentary walk triggered another ÂŁ5 million donation to St Marks Research Trust for work on bowel cancer.

Reshmin, BAT ambassador, introduced a video in which two Bengali girls, Serena and Asma, spoke of being trafficked. Bobby Grewal’s charity funds raised will help girls like them too.

ABPL Group wishes this committed young octogenarian all the very best for his walk. God speed, Bobby!

Bobby will walk 2,600 miles from Kanyakumari, via Chennai and Kolkata, to New Delhi.

)'%

, !

)'%

& # '#

/

Mihir Bose wins Lifetime Achievement Award

The Calcutta-born, award-winning journalist, Mihir Bose (68), was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Asian Cricket Awards, at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Mihir Bose, who is a writer and broadcaster, has many accomplishments and achievements, including writing acclaimed books, such as The Spirit of the Game and A History of Indian Cricket; he also became the first Sports Editor at the BBC. The Lifetime Achievement Award which Bose was bestowed with was in commemoration of his contribution to cricket journalism.

Bose also writes for leading British newspapers, including the Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times and London Evening Standards.

# . +#

! (

/

! ) &, (

! #

)*

% !

)!

, !

')'&+'

/

,% !

/

. ')#

/

'& '&

/

$!

/

! )' !

/

' && * ,)

+ % & ,

/

/ )

/

% )! +* )

/

&

) & ! * '

/

$ ',)&

/

/ & /

/

)'%

)'%

' ! &

)!

- & ),%

& # '#

$!

) ! &

/

/

/

/

,* +

'

/

/

/

/

,% !

) !

b

/

! " ! &

)* )* - . *& &&" % &$ ' ( $! # # ! &%) &

'

# ! *)

(&$

! (# ! % )

/

After a smashing Manchester debut, Indian boxing star, Vijender Singh is all geared up for his explosive London debut, on Friday 30th October 2015, at the Harrow Leisure Centre.

The middleweight boxer made a great impact in his debut fight, on 10th October, beating Sonny Whiting in three rounds with a display of powerful punches.

Vijender Singh said, “I'm thrilled to be fighting in London as a professional for the first time and I can't wait to meet with my fans in the south and give them some bigfight action.�

Regarding his debut win at Manchester, Singh said, “Winning... was a very big moment for me, I had my whole country watching me on TV. Even though they weren't there, it felt like they were and I knew that I had to give them something special and I did. I've been overwhelmed with messages from fans congratulating me on the win and they keep asking, 'When are you coming to London?

You must come to London and fight.' So now they will get to see me on October 30th.�

/

/

*+ )!

, ) &+

*/ ''# ! &

, *+'% ) )

)'+

+

'. &$' ',) ((

!

"

!

!

#

# #

32

SPORT

twitter.com/AsianVoiceNews

www.facebook.com/AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Dhoni's experiment fails to click

Asian Voice | 24th October 2015

www.asian-voice.com

South Africa beat India by 18 runs in 3rd ODI at Rajkot

India's ODI captain MS Dhoni is turning out to be a bundle of contradictions.

Few days ago he said he can’t take the risk of batting at No 4 because his lower order is not experienced to mount a run chase.

He batted at No 4 on Sunday, leaving Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina to tackle the situation when the actual run chase begins. Another call was made, reverting Virat Kohli to his original No 3 slot, pushing Rahane down the order. In the end, his call on shuffling the batting didn’t turn out to be productive.

On a day when India’s bowlers prided themselves on impressive death bowling, the batsmen choked at the death. Rajkot pitch considered as the best batting wicket in the country, India bowlers restricted South Africa to a less formidable 270 to left feeling that they had done the job

for their batsmen. India, despite some individual brilliance, still fell short by 18 runs in the third ODI. The South Africa bowlers fought back just when the chase looked damage proof. Morne Morkel stifled the scoring and held sway over top

India batsmen.

Rohit Sharma proved Indore was an aberration; he is unmistakably leaving a deep imprint of his class on this series. Despite losing opening partner Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit was effortless as he went after the bowling. He

swept, nudged and ran well only for that casualness to emerge again, a return catch to part-timer JP Duminy leaving it in the hands of Dhoni and Kohli.

The two smartest runners between the wickets were quick to pick singles.

Kohli was piercing the field

with force, whipping deliveries off his leg and dictating the bowling while Dhoni’s slashes matched Kohli’s effort.

However, both gradually slipped into a state of run-coma, with just one boundary coming between the 30th to 40th overs when Kagiso Rabada and Tahir together dried up the runs.

Morne Morkel bowled a stingy spell punctuated with back of the length deliveries forcing Dhoni and Kohli to play uppishly.

Dhoni was gone trying to ramp up the scoring.

Kohli too scratched around before regaining his attacking mode but by then the run rate had spiralled out of control and India lost wickets and momentum. In the space of 10 runs, Kohli, Raina and Rahane had all fallen to ambitious shots.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium pitch afforded little movement

for the seamers after South Africa won the toss again.

David Millier’s promotion to open with Quinton de Kock showed the intent for quick runs.

Miller produced crunching shots but India plugged Quinton de Kock’s favourite scoring areas.

Still, the latter’s counterattacking plan clicked as he kept the run rate slightly below six all along.

Harbhajan broke the opening partnership and Mishra removed Hashim Amla immediately after, but de Kock and Faf du Plessis looked to consolidate. Harbhajan bowled with discipline while Mishra bowled with freedom, showing his variety.

The de Kock-du Plessis partnership still produced 118 runs. De Kock completed his seventh ODI century, but SA were dealt with twin setbacks on 210.

The spinners in particular restricted SA to 60 in the last 10 overs.