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CAG: Now, coal burns `1,860bn hole in Indian exchequer
A Level results fall for first time in 20 years, boys do better than girls
See story on page 11 VOL 41. ISSUE 17
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For report see page 25
Let noble thoughts come to us from every side
First & Foremost Asian Weekly in Europe 25th August to 31st August 2012
Patriotic fervour marks India’s I-Day celebration
hesitate to loudly declare their patriotism at every given opportunity, so much so that the loudspeaker with its constant drone of announcements was rendered unnecessary as every new development was heralded by the excited murmuring of the children before the announcer could get to it. As is the tradition, the Prime Minister visited Rajghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi before the celebrations began. The celebrations started at 6.20 am with smiling and waving schoolchildren dressed in saffron, white, green and blue singing patriotic songs. At 7.10 am the guard of honour was lined up and a few minutes later the Prime Minister arrived in his motorcade, as the children started cheering. They did not pay heed to the warnings from their teachers, who tried to hush them up, and instead
stood on chairs to get a closer look at Dr Singh. There were more cheers when the Tricolour was unfurled at 7.30 am. The cheers reached a crescendo when he began his address to the nation. They cheered on as the Prime Minister’s speech touched upon important national issues, ranging from GDP growth to Naxalism. However, it was the end of his speech that they had been waiting for. “Repeat after me, children, Jai Hind,” said Dr Singh. “Jai Hind,” screamed back thousands of high-pitched voices. This was repeated three times, every “Jai Hind” louder than the last. The schoolchildren and NCC cadets then took the lead in singing the national anthem as the grown-ups joined in. Afterwards, the usual silence that always follows the singing of the national anthem was suddenly broken by excited
Online shopping giant eBay has forbidden the sale of "magic spells, potions, and curses" after users said supernatural claims "often result in issues that can be difficult to resolve". In a policy statement, the website said sales of "advice, spells, curses, hexing, conjuring, magic services, prayers, blessings, psychic, tarot, reiki, and other metaphysical readings and services, magic potions (and) healing sessions" will all be forbidden from Aug 30. Currently, magical listings include services from "a genuine witch and spell caster of Irish descent", "a white magic healing spell" that claims a 100 percent success rate and "a black magic marriage to hell curse" to break up couples. It said eBay was trying to shake off a reputation as a haven for fraudsters. It recently cracked down on counterfeit software and designer clothing. eBay has announced a change to its listing categories which sees spells, potions and other mystic paraphernalia banned from being sold
Britain has changed remarkably over the last 20 or so years. It has grown tolerant and, of course, multi cultural. Cameron's concept of 'Big Society' has been praised nationally, while harmony and diversity are an important fabric of the modern day Britain. The growing number of ethnic Councillors, MPs and Lords are a sort of
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Asian Voice / Gujarat Samachar has banned advertisements of Black magic, Jantar-mantar, astrology etc Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar has completely banned advertisements of Black magic, Jantar-mantar, astrology, dora-dhaga etc, as it can ruin the lives of innocent people. These tabloids are losing big revenue by not entertaining such advertisements but firmly believe that by banning such ads, it is doing a yeomen service to its readers. It is the duty of the media to expose the reality rather than giving publicity to sooth-sayers. through the site. As part of the company's regular updates, eBay has decided to remove the ability to list psychic and tarot reading services, spells and potions from the surprisingly busy Metaphysical category. As a result, listings like a spell cast at midnight by Celtic witch Esmerelda just £2.45 - and listings Continued on page 26
Civil service should reflect diversity of the country assurance, that this country by all means believes in equality. Communities like Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, other Asians, Blacks have wide representatives in cities, cabinet office and local government. But the most striking news that has taken Britain by storm is the latest report in the Sunday Times,
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Overcast skies carrying the certainty of rain and an occasional, almost ominous breeze were in complete contrast to the patriotic fervour that gripped school children when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unfurled the Tricolour from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day (August 15). Saffron, white and green - ordinary colours by themselves, but when put together the symbol of what it means to be Indian - seemed to be everywhere and the thunderous 21 gun salute that accompanied the unfurling, with the national anthem playing in the background, only seemed to further rouse feelings of patriotism in everyone present. Every traditional rite of the Independence Day celebrations was met with enthusiastic schoolchildren who made up most of the crowd. They did not
murmuring from the children’s enclosure. The grey clouds that had been hovering all morning had disappeared by then. The sun had become exceptionally bright and the sky was covered with balloons. Small balloons in saffron, white and green along with big white balloons floated up towards the sky. It made a pretty picture and people gazed on till the balloons disappeared. As if on cue, the sky turned grey. During his address, Dr Singh said, “the global economy was passing through a difficult phase. The pace of economic growth has come down in all countries of the world. Our country has also been affected by these adverse external conditions. Also, there have been domestic developments which are hindering our economic growth. Last year our GDP grew by 6.5 per cent. This year we hope to do a little better. Continued on page 26
eBay bans sale of 'magic spells'
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claims the government has failed to accept a single Caribbean black person or Bangladeshi or Somalian onto its fast track civil service scheme, despite receiving 1,300 applications. The figures reportedly contained in a Cabinet Office report, drew criticism from Black, Asian and Indian leaders. For more details see Comment on page 3.