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26th December 2015 to 1st January 2016

Three youths from Mumbai who have been missing for quite some time are suspected of having joined global terrorist outfit the Islamic State.

Identified as Ayaz Sultan (23), Mohsin Sheikh (26) and Wajid Sheikh (25), all three are residents of Malvani area, western suburb of Mumbai. Parents of the three have registered a missing complaint with the Malvani police.

Senior inspector Milind Khetle said, “We suspect that the three joined the IS and our probe is on to ascertain this.” An official of the Anti-Terrorism Squad said they suspect the three young men have been radicalised and have joined the ISIS, adding the ATS is probing into the matter.

While Sultan went missing on October 30, the other two are off radar since December 16, the official said. Khetle said Sultan left home on October 30 after telling his parents that he had to go to Pune in con-

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

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Be sensitive while doing job: Modi's mantra to Police

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the annual AllIndia Director General of Police (DGP) Conference to a new level and advised policemen to be 'sensitive' while performing their duty. It was a typically busy day for Modi, as he did yoga, went for a walk across the salt desert along with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his deputy nection with a job offer he got from a Kuwait-based firm. Mohsin left home on December 16, saying he was going to attend a friend's wedding while Wajid also left home the same day saying he had to get the name on his Aadhar card corrected.

Based on statements taken from family members, it seems they were highly radicalised, police said. They are trying to find out whether the missing men were brain-washed into joining the IS by someone personally or through Internet. The ter-

US-bound Indian students deported

ror outfit influences youngsters from different countries, persuading them to join their 'cause'.

Four youths from Kalyan township in Thane had gone to Syria in May last year to join the IS. One of them, Areeb Majeed Continued on page25

Glorious Gujaratis

Air India saves 19 students from flying to US Air India has stepped in the heroic shoes of saving 19 Indian students from harrowing experience in the US, after two universities, they were heading for, have been allegedly blacklisted.

The aircraft was reportedly informed by the US authorities that the two universities to Continued on page25

Vol 44 | Issue 33

Gujaratis are known to make a mark everywhere in the world.

Full Story Page 6

Kiren Rijiju and attended back-to-back presentations by top police officers in the tent city of Dhordo in the Rann of Kutch. He also participated in a host of cultural events on the opening day of the conference.

It was for the first time that a Prime Minister remained present on all three days of Continued on page 25

Asian Voice wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Thank you for your love and support throughout the year.

We would like to inform you that this is our last edition of 2015.

Asian Voice will be back with a bang in 2016 and our next edition will be on 9th January.

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ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

to

Deep Rajah Dhir

Deep Rajah Dhir was born on 2nd December 1969. His career path has not been an easy, born into a medical family in Delhi he moved to UK at 1 year old. As an undergraduate he read Politics and Law at SOAS University then a Masters in Legal and Political Theory at University College London.

He began his career as a recruitment agent; where he learned how to ‘place people together’. This gave him the confidence he needed to move on. After a year of doing that he transferred to the hospitality industry.

Moving into corporate hospitality he learnt to take the pressure of a job with big responsibilities, securing Ian Duncan Smith MP amongst others as a speaker for his hotel chain; a blind alley led to California where he worked for a small travel agency which he quickly transformed into a recognized agency with Hollywood star clients.

In 2013 answering an advertisement for a radio presenter he joined Sunrise. Sunrise is recognized as the first station designed specifically for the Asian demographic.

Rajah moved to Dilse, to allow his audience speak from the “Heart”, His audience is made up of 30% Pakistani, 40%Indian and the rest mostly Bengali, Sikh and Sri Lankan, and calls even come from Norway and the US while tweets are global. Raja attracts VIP guests, he has recently interviewed Prime Minister David Cameron and many others.

1) What is your current position?

I am the producer and presenter of a one of Britain’s most popular Asian Talk back shows on Dilse Radio. Known as Let’s Talk I provide a platform for people to discuss their opinions on everyday issues. From the poll tax through to why do all Asians want to be Doctors?

2) What are your proudest achievements?

Firstly learning to walk all over again after major hip surgery. It was one of the hardest things to do but it taught me how valuable your health is building up a loyal and friendly set of listeners from nothing. Secondly, initially no one had heard of me let alone Dilse, now sometimes if I wear red socks people start wearing

Hoverboards are banned on planes It is said that an estiAirlines, such as British mated 500,000 people Airways, easyJet and Qatar bought hoverboards as Airlines have banned the presents in Britain. self-balancing, twoOfficials at British borwheeled scooters, known ders are allegedly destroyas hoverboards, from their ing and discarding over flights due to fears that they might explode and bring down the plane.

Hoverboards, which have proven to be a popular gift idea, were set ablaze while they were being charged in family homes.

While planes will Danger on wheels: Hoverboards not complete delivery have been banned from certain orders of the self-bal- airlines due to fears of explosion ancing scooter, Royal 1,000 dangerous hoverMail said they would conboards per day, after faults tinue to deliver them as in batteries, safety switches “there are no restrictions and plugs were found. on owning a hoverboard.”

8 years in jail for former Ernst & Young partner Terence Potter (55), a former partner at the Ernst & young accountancy has been sentenced to 8-years imprisonment, after he allegedly attempted to steal £2.2 million worth of tax associated to the film i n d u s t r y . Neil WilliamsDenton Financial

Terence Potter

adviser, Neil Williams-Denton (42) was also jailed for 6 years after he endorsed the fraudu-

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red socks too! Thirdly, my sense of humour!

forget they are talking to someone they don’t actually know so when a person starts shouting at me and even getting abusive, what they forget is that I am only human and I have feelings too!

3) What inspires you?

1. My father who despite all his faults has really made an impact in his career.

2. The Dilse team who really encourage me when I am not at my best 3. My love of people and the art of communication. I love people and the way they act it’s always fascinated me.

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

My self! I believe we are our own worst enemies and we build our own obstacles in life but if we have a bit of self-confidence it’s amazing the heights you can reach!

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

I have always been an admirer of Rod Eddington the former CEO of British Airways he once met me and came to meet me for a cup of tea when I was working in hotels. It was then that I realised that no matter how high or influential a person is its remembering to be humble, kind and giving everyone the respect they deserve. He will always be a major influence in my life.

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8) What are your long term goals?

To be the best chat show person there is

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

You never know who is going to call you and say what to you. It’s the most exciting aspect to it. No matter if they are famous or not it’s what they will say to me that is so exciting. Challenging an opinion, making people re think their thoughts and turning people’s ideas into a reality is something that you cannot beat in a job like mine.

7) And the worst?

That people take the debate a little too seriously at times. They

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

I think the closeness of the PM and if people could reach out to the PM and his cabinet in a more easier way maybe, just maybe, they may have a better understanding of the reasons behind some very harsh and hard decisions that have been made.

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

Ideally it would be two people.

Mahatma Gandhiji and Nelson Mandela. They are both very aspirational figures in life and have really changed things through their own ways. Sitting on a dessert Island with them I am defiantly sure I would not get bored.

Baroness Warsi urges for 15 jihadist groups could strike after Isis' defeat ‘quintessentially English’ mosques tary defeat of Isis does not According to a report by consider the other groups the Centre on Religion & in Syria [and worldwide] Geopolitics (CRG), a think with exactly the same tank organisation set up global ideology and ambiby the former British tions. Our research has Prime Minister, Tony found 15 groups stand Blair, there are allegedly ready to succeed Isis... If 15-Syrian based jihadist only Isis is defeated, there groups with over 65,000 militants ready to take charge if Isis is defeated.

Groups such as Ahrar al-Sham, and Jabhat alNusra, an alQaeda associate, allegedly hold the same ideologies as Islamic State and pose a potential risk of carrying out Fearful revelation: Allegedly 15 Syriaterrorist attacks based jihadist groups could pose as a threat if Isis is defeated against western is a high risk that discountries. persed Isis fighters and The CRG report alerts other Salafi-jihadist that military actions groups will expand their against Isis in Syria by the horizons and launch armed forces from counattacks outside of Syria. In tries such as Britain, could a dangerous escalation, risk becoming a “strategic these groups could aim to failure” by neglecting compete for the spotlightother jihadist groups to ensure allegiance from where Isis' defeat will the global fighters and prove beneficial for them. financing that Isis curThe report states, “The rently attracts.” current focus on the mililent scams which were allegedly supported by fake documents. Denton and Potter were trials and found guilty at Southwark Crown Court, London.

The court heard how Potter reportedly sold many bogus schemes to rich professionals which

exploited legal inadequacy to avoid paying tax.

Potter is also said to have set up partnerships which allegedly spent £5.7 million on two film projects, and created staged losses to let investors claim back pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax.

The first Muslim woman to sit in the Cabinet, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has suggested that architects and designers come up with new models of mosques without minarets, to make them look “quintessentially English”.

She has urged for new models of Islamic prayer places to develop an authentically “British” brand of Islam.

Baroness Warsi said, “The phrase that I keep coming back to, which is rooted in Islamic thinking, is that Islam is like a river that takes the colour from the bed over which is flows, the bed being the country in which it is found. There has to be a debate about cultural reference points in religious buildings, how does it find its identity in the place in which it is built? If you look at mosques around the world they are very differently shaped and sized; they have different features,

some have minarets and some don't have minarets...

What I would like to see is the quintessential English mosque. It is not for me to say what that would look like.”

Baroness Warsi continued, “I want to see an Islam which sits comfortably within Britain and a Britain that sits more at ease with Islam.”

Three suspected rioters were arrested at a violent student protests, in Westminster, after clashing with the police. The trio refused to reveal their identities in court have had their charges dropped.

It is said that they had allegedly refused to revealed their names to officers, and later in court when they were asked to

reveal their identities.

Instead, they shook their heads and grinned.

They were due to stand trial in 2016, however, they will not be facing any further action. The Crown Prosecution Service has been criticised for this verdict which gives out the notion that one could get away with possible crimes by refusing to cooperate.

"Quintessentially English": Baroness Warsi urges to make mosques in England more British

Charges dropped for suspected rioters

C MMENTS

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Climate change accord: Major step forward Paris was the venue of the international conference on climate change. The fact that the world’s 195 nation states joined in was a small triumph in itself. That all 195 signed up to a document on ways and means to limit carbon emissions by approximately 2 per cent globally was an even greater triumph, for no international accord in living memory commanded such unanimous support. There was much hard bargaining, of course. The bloc of developed nations, led by the United States, having had a head start in the Industrial Revolution, enjoy higher living standards, burning huge amounts of fossil fuels along the way, hence largely responsible for the global warming and its consequences we face today.

Emerging economies, such as China and India, on the high road to industrialization are now the major pollutants, together with the US. While the Paris deliberations were taking place, Beijing was in darkness during the day because of the dense smog, with schools and some factories closed and the general population advised to stay indoors. Delhi, too, was blinded by its own smog, an accustomed seasonal occurrence, following years of environmental degradation and neglect.

Smaller island states in the Pacific Ocean face an existential threat with rising sea levels; many countries are confronted by prolonged drought and the spectre of famine as their food chains wither. In Europe Alpine glaciers are melting, causing devastating changes in weather patterns: storms and floods in places where such things were unknown only three decades ago are now occurring with alarming regularity.

How best can countries in different parts contribute to arresting the slide to a looming disaster? There can be no uniform answer to this question. Contributions will vary according to circumstances; on this all participants were agreed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a leading voice at the climate change summit, proclaiming that climate change and global terrorism were the

foremost challenges facing India today. So, while it wouldn’t be unfeasible for India to stop its coal-fired power stations from functioning overnight, these could be phased out over time. For instance, India has the world’s most active programme for solar energy, and its wind energy planning has also taken off, together with an ambitious plan to build nuclear power plants across the country. The encouraging development for cleaner energy is the significant progress of science and technologies increasingly available at more affordable prices. Worldwide the cost of such sources of clean energy is calculated to require an expenditure of some $16-17 trillion.

In keeping with India’s demands, developed countries will take ‘enhanced action’ on mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, technology transfer, capacity building and transparency. Developed countries are to contribute $100 billion a year. Developed countries have also undertaken to review measures and progress in 2023 and then every five years. India, for its part, has submitted its action targets till 2030. A document as far-reaching as this one cannot provide policing provisions: that would be impossible to enforce. Monitoring progress makes greater sense. The challenge herewith will be to keep track of developments in all continents and take things from there. India’s Environment Minister Prakash Jayadekar has expressed satisfaction at the deal, while French President Francois Hollande telephoned Mr Modi to offer his congratulations on India’s contribution to the success of the Climate conference. No party has got everything it desired, but each got enough to make the exercise a worthwhile. There were no losers, only winners. The road ahead will throw up obstacles, but the present momentum is certain to gather force and surmount them. The cause of Climate change has truly taken off and there can, and will be, no going back. That’s an advance to treasure, after the stillborn Kyoto Protocol which ended in discord.

Pichai brings mobile revolution to India Google CEO Sundar Pichai came calling with a bagful of products well placed to propel India into the 21 st century. In extensive interactions with Indian business leaders, IT and Railway ministers, in Delhi, he unveiled his company’s transformative telecommunications technologies.

He discussed issues such as free public WI-Fi in railway stations, internet access for women, and expanding the headcount in India. Following his meeting with IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Mr Pichai said: ‘We are very excited as the Minister talked about working for rural BPOs. We are also keenly interested in “internet saathi” [friendship] along with the Common Service Centres (CSEs).’

He said Google was focused on expanding its base products and offer them in more Indian languages.. With 500 million Indian users expected to come on line by the end of 2017, the company is working to make its products work better for Indians. Addressing the media Minister Prasad said they want the internet to reach about 300,000 villages, to train Indian women, in particular, through their mobile internet, hence he had directed CSEs to become partners in the Google project. For Google’s Loon scheme, his ministry had agreed to partner with BSNL. Talking to the media, Mr Pichai explained that Loon was focused on rural areas. Loon drones were the perfect answer in natural disaster situations when online services were disrupted and communications lost. He said India was the second-biggest market in Android, but

would be the top market next year.

Asked about Google’s investments for startups in India, he replied: ‘We see it as symbiotic. These are people building stuff on top of our platform. We view it as a win-win situation. We want to see creativity, more innovation on our platform. This benefits us too. What’s happening now in India and China will have an impact on the future of the internet,’ Google planned to set up a a centre in Hyderabad, concluded Sundar Pichai.

The most eye-catching Google product is called ‘Tap to Translate’ that allows instant translation of any text on the Android phone. Also, one can translate messages into different languages without leaving the app. ‘Many of us spend lots of time copying messages from friends or colleagues, translating them, writing responses, then pasting them back into an app. With “Tap to Translate,” you can copy text anywhere on your Android phone and instantly get the translation right then and there – without ever leaving the app,’ said Caesar Sengupta, Vice President for Google’s Next Billionaires Similarly, the Chromebit, a small disc like a data card turns a monitor into a computer and updates any older operating system to Chromebit. It will be available in India from January. It’s no surprise that Sundar Picchai called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee to keep them abreast of his planned rollout for India. India’s magnificent scientists and engineers are embracing the future. Hopefully the politicians will do so too.

Rammohun’s birthplace a tourist hotspot Much to the credit of the West Bengal government, significant restoration work is being undertaken to bring to the fore the history and culture of what was once a vibrant corner of India. Crumbling monuments, institutions and homes of the most iconic personalities are reviving popular interest in the past. One such attraction for visitors is the birthplace of Raja Rammohun Roy (1774-1833) scholar, savant, religious, social and educational reformer, and the first great Indian of the modern age.

Sanskritist, Arabist, Persianist, the first exponent of modern Bengali, a fluent and eloquent writer of English, with a good knowledge of Hebrew, he was a truly towering figure who left an indelible imprint on his society. He travelled to Britain in 1831, participated in the movement for the landmark Reform Bill, dying in Bristol, where his

remains were interred. Rammohun Roy left an abiding impression on some of the leading English thinkers of the time, including Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

His ancestral house in Radhanagar, in the Hooghly district, was a near ruin, but its restoration – work in progress - has made it into a tourist site and reawakened interest in his life and times. The environs of the building are being beautified in the expectation that the area will draw visitors from Kolkata and beyond.

This also brings to mind Calcutta’s famous Asiatic Society of Bengal, founded by Sir William Jones in 1786.

Its building acquired in 1806, houses priceless books and manuscripts on India’s classical past. It has been restored from its previous dilapidated condition. Calcutta’s famous Sanskrit College, associated with H.H. Wilson, established around 1814, is to become a university.

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A person without a sense of humour is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road - Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

Lord Dolar Popat of Harrow and Whip in the House of Lords

Britain is a Christian Country and we should be proud of it In the lead up to Christmas there has been a lot of discussion about the de-Christianisation of Britain. In the past month a group of cinema chains made the national news for banning an advert that featured the Lord’s Prayer. The companies in question thought the sixty second advert – produced by the Church of England would offend.

Then a major report – authored by my colleague in the House of Lords, Baroness Butler-Sloss – called for a radical new approach to how we approach religion and declared that Britain is effectively no longer a Christian country and public life in Britain to be systematically deChristianised. This position has been supported by a number of bodies, including certain Asian organisations.

Whilst I welcome the discussion and debate these events have triggered, I wanted to give my personal views both as a Hindu and as a member of the House of Lords, which came in for particular criticism in the report for being overly representative of the Church of England, to the detriment of others faiths.

We are truly privileged to live in a country in which you can be a follower of any faith and none. There are depressingly few countries where freedom of speech and the right to hold your own beliefs and practice your own religion is as ingrained into the fabric of the nation as it is in Great Britain.

Yet for all the tolerance that we show in this country towards Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jews and many other religions

besides, for some reason we are becoming increasingly intolerant of Christianity, and particularly the Anglican Church.

The rationale behind the calls to ‘deChristianise’ Britain is that our nation has been ‘transformed’ by the growth of non-Christian religions. Yet this argument fails to overcome two major obstacles; the first is that many of the people practicing these ‘non-Christian’ religions came to Britain precisely because it’s a Christian Country.

The second obstacle is the failure to differentiate between cultural Christianity and biblical Christianity. Whilst the numbers attending Church on a Sunday may have gone down, it is absolutely wrong to claim that Britain is no longer a Christian country.

Indeed we should be celebrating the impact that Christianity has had on Britain’s values.

Many of the Ugandan Asians who came to Britain did so because the values that underpin Christianity; the cultural and moral leanings it promotes, are exactly what we hadn’t had in Uganda, and they are the same things that oppressed people across the world continue to fight for today.

The culture of Christianity that underpins our national life is not a hindrance to other religions, it empowers them. As a Hindu, I truly value the moral and ethical values of Christianity that strengthen our nation. I find the intolerance towards Christianity demonstrated in recent events deeply worrying.

Continued on page 6

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UK

Staff accused of Trojan Horse conspiracy Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Birmingham: A headteacher has allegedly accused that four of her staff were part of a conspiracy to convert a Birmingham school to one “run on strict Muslim principles” as part of the alleged Trojan Horse plot, a local newspaper has reported.

Hilary Owens, Rehena Khanom, Yasmin Akhtar, and Shahnaz Bibi, four teaching assistants - are currently alleging unfair dismissal from Adderley Primary School in Saltley.

The school has reportedly claimed that the four former employees handed in their letters of resignation in December 2012. However, the teaching assistants have alleged that the letters were forgeries.

Allegedly the head teacher Rizvana Darr has insisted the teaching assistants penned the resignation letters themselves and had planned to lie about them being forgeries in a move that they hoped would lead to the head’s dismissal.

In her witness statement that forms part of the employment tribunal’s evidence, Mrs Darr has alleged that Ms Owens was used “as an English face” as set out in the Trojan Horse plot to “add credibility and detract from the assumption that the Muslim community is behind things.”

The Birmingham Mail reported a letter, supposedly written by one conspirator to another, was leaked last year detailing Operation Trojan Horse - an alleged plot to take over governing bodies, oust headteachers and Islamise the curriculum.

Adderley Primary and teaching assistant Ms Owens were both mentioned in the letter.

Mrs Darr allegedly said that she believed the plan would have seen the school being taken over by the former Park View Educational Trust (PVET) - which ran three of the five Birmingham schools placed in special measures in April last year following the allegations detailed in the Trojan Horse letter.

She further alleged a template was being used by parents to send letters of complaint about the school to MPs and Birmingham City Council.

In her witness statement presented to the tribunal, which she signed last month, Mrs Darr has referred to the report penned by former anti-terror chief Peter Clarke who was appointed by the government to investigate Trojan Horse.

Mr Clarke concluded there had been a “co-ordinated, deliberate and

sustained action carried out by a number of associated individuals to introduce an intolerant and aggressive Islamic ethos into a few schools in Birmingham”.

It is widely thought that the anonymous Trojan Horse letter was not genuinely penned by plot conspirators and was a hoax.

Several investigations were sparked thereafter. Peter Clarke said in his report he had not looked in detail at claims about Adderley as, by then, the police had arrested the four teaching assistants over their resignation letters.

The women were never charged.

They all vehemently deny any association with Trojan Horse.

Inspectors found there was no issue with pupil safeguarding at Adderley but leadership and management “required improvement”.

In January 2012 the school had been rated as ‘good’ overall with ‘outstanding’ leadership and management. In December last year, Ofsted said the school was taking “effective action” to tackle areas that require improvement. MPs who formed the committee said they found only one incident of extremism and there was no evidence of a plot to take over the city’s schools.

Three arrested on suspicion of murder Leicester: Mohammed Member (25), Shafiq Member (29), and Fatima Patel (27), were charged with the murder of an unidentified woman in her 50s, whose body was found in a property in Leicester. The three are due to appear in court.

The formal identification of the deceased woman is yet to take place and the police have not revealed any further information about how the woman died.

On Saturday 12th December, at about 9:30am, officers were called by the paramedics to Holmfield Avenue, where the woman's body was found.

Nearby roads were closed as forensic and crime officers searched the area for further evidence, while also doing house-to-house inquiries.

A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous said, “It is dreadful and shocking. You hear about things happening on the news but you don't expect something like this to

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Muslims take Leicester's roads to celebrate the Prophet's birth

Leicester: Nearly 2000 Muslims took the streets of Leicester in a colourful procession to celebrate the Milad Un-Nabi festival. The procession is the third of the three Muslim Eid festivals and celebrates the Prophet Mohammad's birth and the event when the Koran, the religion's holy book, was revealed to him. Volunteer Marshall Ashraf Sheikh reportedly said: "It was a very peaceful procession with between 1,500 and 2,000 people. "The message is peaceful one with members of the procession handing out roses and tea to passers-by.

"It was a great occasion for all who took part."

'Crude device' found at a Preston shopping centre

Bomb scare: A device was found at Fishergate Shopping Centre, preston, which ignited but caused no casualties

Preston: A 27-year-old man was arrested after an instigative device was left in a shopping centre in Preston. He is currently being held in custody on suspicion of committing incendiarism with the intention of endangering life, Lancashire Police said. Shoppings were made to evacuate Fishergate Shopping Centre, in Preston, after someone found a device described as “crude”, in the public toilets at around 9:10am, on Thursday 17th December. The device erupted but caused no real damage or casualties.

Bob Singh murder trial: Accused found 'not guilty'

Three arrested on suspicion of the murder of a woman in her 50s

happen in your street. It is too close to home.” The three suspects who were arrested on suspicion of murder live

on Holmfield Avenue, and are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court.

Another 'cry for help' letter found in Primark socks Newcastle: Primark shopper Shahkiel Akbar has found a letter hidden in a pair of Primark socks after buying the pair from a store in Newcastle’s Metrocentre, claiming to be written by a Chinese torture victim.

The call centre worker, from Fenham, Newcastle, had to get that note translated into English and found what appeared to be a desperate cry for help.

But a spokesman for Primark said the whole thing is an elaborate hoax – with several similar letters showing up across the

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country.

Shahkiel found the letter a couple of weeks after buying the socks. Trying to understand what the letter said, he took it to get translated to their local Chinese takeaway, to realise the restaurant owner was Korean.

Determined to discover the contents of the correspondence he found an app on his phone that allowed him to take a picture of the words and

“It seemed like he was risking a lot to try and get a message out. He said he had endured physical and psychological abuse and that he was forced to make these socks. It felt like a real burden to me.”

Shahkiel Akbar However a translate them into Primark spokesman has English. said that the retailer Shahkiel said, “It was believes its products are an SOS from a 39-yearbeing hijacked by someold man living in China. one trying to gain publiciFrom the words I could ty, and the letter has nothtranslate you could see he ing to do with its staff or was distressed. suppliers.

Manchester: A man accused of the killing a shopkeeper beaten to death with wooden stakes, has been cleared of murdering the father of two.

In April 2004, Alfred Kurti, 31, along with a mob allegedly attacked Kulvinder Singh (popularly known as 'Bob') who was with his friends, in the Burning Balti takeaway, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. The assault in the early hours came after Mr Singh’s friends allegedly argued with two Albanian men in the takeaway, prompting the gang to return armed with planks. Mr Singh, who was 31, suffered fatal injuries after his head was stamped on several times. He had already been knocked unconscious with a wooden stake and was lying helpless on the ground.

During a trial at Manchester Crown Court it was alleged that Alfred Kurti, 31, had spent years on the run after the murder. He pleaded not guilty to a single count of murder and the jury found him not guilty after deliberating since last Friday.

Bob Singh (left); Burning Balti: the murder spot (right)

Mr Singh’s family were in court alongside police officers who investigated the case as the verdict was read out. The jury was told a witness known as Witness B, claimed that Mr Kurti confessed to the stamping attack to him in the aftermath of the incident in the takeaway.

Though it was found that Mr Singh wasn’t involved in the argument and was ‘completely innocent’ in the event that led to his death. The court heard that it was believed that Witness B allegedly 'had the motive and opportunity’ to commit the crime and said it must have been a case of mistaken identity.

The witness, who is an ethnic Albanian, has given evidence against other Albanian men convicted of offenses connected to the killing of Mr Singh in two previous trials, but has allegedly changed his mind repeatedly.

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Rupanjana Dutta Gujaratis are known to make a mark everywhere in the world, from Canada to US to Europe to New Zealand- whatever be their job- whether it's business, politics, banking, legal, art, music or acting. There are very few who do not know leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah or Narendra Modi.

This week the world famous newsweekly Economist has paid a fullsome tribute to the journey of global Gujaratis in a special feature 'Going Global: Secrets of the world's best business people'- their footprints all across the world, and how they have paved way of success for generations to come.

The Economist is an English-language weekly newspaper that started its continuous publications under founder James Wilson in September 1843.

For historical reasons, The Economist refers to itself as a newspaper, but each print edition appears on small glossy paper like a news magazine.

The article starts with anecdotes about the British raj, and how while the imperialists were trekking through African jungles, the empire's subjects from this coastal state, were merchants and travellers, journeying far and wide, under the cover of the Union flag.

One such was 12-year-old Allidina Visram, from Kutch (Gujarat), who arrived in Zanzibar (Tanzania-East Africa) penniless in 1863. He opened his first small shop 14 years later, and then went on to opening stores at every large railway station along 580 miles of railway track through Kenya to Uganda in the early 1900s, providing supplies to railway workers. Then he opened more stores at Jinja or Lake Victoria.

He was later joined by another Gujarati man

Glorious Gujaratis

Gujaratis expelled from Uganda arriving in the UK (courtesy: Outlook)

Vithaldas Haridas in 1893, more ambitious and adventurous and stomped 24 miles through the jungle to the small town of Iganga, where he started his own shop and more followed.

These were just the beginnings.

The jourmalist writes in the article, “Gujaratis have never been put off by small matters such as distance or temperature...”

Business of course has been the main focus of the Gujarati people, though the younger generations are found diversifying into white collar jobs, or other top professions. They also have degrees in medicine and engineering, but they have the added knack of turning a degree into a business opportunity.

“They own almost half (12,000) of America's independent pharmacies as well as one of the biggest chains in Britain, Day Lewis”, writes the journalist.

Mostly found to be efficiently running businesses – from corner shops to hotels (Gujaratis run about a third of all its hotels and motels), start ups to the world's largest conglomorates- their commercial

network is like that of the Jews, Chinese, English, Scots and Lebanese-extermely well-knit and widespread.

The article then goes to discuss the history from the eyes of experts established in world's best and renowned universities: the rise of Gujarati mercantilism, institutions known as Mahajans (the equivalent of European guilds), code and ethics of Gujarati business as early as 10th and 11th century, georgraphy, virtues of religion (Hindus and Jains), the conversion pattern (to Muslim sect of Bohras, Khojas and Memons), immigration and how in proportion to their numbers (63mn in India and 3-9mn abroad), they have claims to be the most successful- including being the driving force behind rise and fall of nations.

It further describes the success mantra of the Gujaratis, which is to attain practical goals in order to acquire knowledge, and spread wings. “EthnicIndian Americans have applied their practical knowledge to Silicon Valley; they are responsible for about a quarter of all

Dentist jailed for £800k fraud Jayantilal Dentist Bhikhabhai Mistry (67), of Wren Avenue, Willesden Green, north London, is said to have allegedly lied about thousands of patients and about treatments, in order to fraudulently claim £780,000 from the NHS. According to a judge at Blackfriars Crown Court, Mistry committed “fraud on a grand scale”.

In court, Mistry admitted false accounting and fraud by false representation between 1997 and 2013. He was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.

Jayantilal Mistry's practice was based in Kentish Town, London. It is said that he had claimed to have treated 3,360 patients, some of which were fictitious while some were also real. To date, it is said that approximately £770,000 of the money has

Jayantilal Bhikhabhai Mistry

been recovered, however, Mistry must also pay £50,000 for the investigation costs. NHS Protect's investigation searches were made at Mistry's home where dental records were allegedly found kept in fruit crates and Sainsbury's shopping bags. They also revealed that up to 90% of Mistry's 'patients' were untraceable, while nearly 300 of their addresses that Mistry used did not actually exist. Mistry allegedly also

used real x-rays and fabricated dental prescriptions to deceive the NHS. Managing Director of NHS Protect, Susan Frith said, “Like all dentists, Jayantilal Mistry was in a position of trust, but he totally abused that trust through repeated fraud on a grand scale over a long period of time. This shocking behaviour cost the NHS hundreds of thousands of pounds but thanks to the actions of NHS Protect’s investigators he has already had to pay back £775K of it.

All suspicions of fraud reported to NHS Protect will be followed up, and investigated wherever appropriate. We press for the prosecution of offenders and seek the strongest possible sanctions, so public money is not diverted from patient care.”

startups there, and a quarter of those are thought to be Gujarati.

“Around the globe, they have come to wield huge influence in the diamond business. An impressive 90% of the world’s rough diamonds are cut and polished in the Gujarati city of Surat, a business worth about $13 billion a year, and Indians, predominantly Gujaratis, control almost three-quarters of Antwerp’s diamond industry.”

Unsurprisingly given their success abroad, they have been in the forefront of India's own success- and recent economic surge. The three wealthiest Indian businesspeople-Mukesh Ambani, Dilip Shanghvi Azim Premji-are and Gujarati. The qualities that shine through Gujarati dominated industries are essentially trust amd honesty. This is a big reason why the sub groups of Gujaratis have each congregated in one trade, and why most Gujarati businesses, except the very largest, remain run by families.

Some three months ago in the aftermath of the Patel reservation and quota agitation in Gujarat, a senior journalist from The Economist came to our office and discussed with our Publisher/Editor CB Patel about the subject.

CB, a former President of the oldest Patidar organisation in the UK, gave the journalist the reports already published in Asian Voice and Gujarat Samamchar.

In a nutshell, the reservation and quota regime which is outdated and divisive in India, has definitely hurt the interests of the Patel community. Patels have thrived on challenges both at home and abroad. They, by and large are not demanding quota or reservation, which is almost impractical as well as the proud community does not wish to be down“Gujarati entrepreneurs are risk takers but they know that the family network proves a safety net,” added the author. Historically proven, Gujaratis have enjoyed their success in many British colonies, but were soon targeted by the locals after the British left.

That resulted into mass expulsion from countries like Uganda and many arrived in Britain. One such Ugandan Asian- Lord Dolar Popat, arrived in Britain at the age of 17, slightly ahead of the influx with only £10 in his pocket.

He later got a job in a Wimpy restaurant for 25p an hour, and worked so hard that his boss started giving jobs to other Gujaratis. By the time bulk of Ugandan Asians arrived, Lord Popat owned a threebedroom house in Wembley and sheltered as many as 25 refugees. He took night courses in busi-

Britain is a Christian Country and we should be proud of it

Continued from page 3 Every day in the House of Lords before business begins, we have Christian prayers delivered by one of the Bishops in the House.

I’ve always found these prayers to be energising and a stark reminder that we’re here to represent something bigger than ourselves and our respective political parties.

Yet if we were to implement Baroness ButlerSloss’s recommendations, the prayers would disappear and the Bishops would be replaced by representatives of other faiths.

This is, to my mind, an attack on the values and structures that have helped Britain to excel for centuries.

The increasingly diverse nation we live in should be a cause for celebration, people of different cultures, communities and religions living side-by-

side and in peace is an inspiring achievement. But we shouldn’t underestimate how important Britain’s Christian heritage has been in making this a reality. And we certainly shouldn’t allow any further erosion of the role of Christianity in our national life.

It is incumbent on those of us who love this country and who have benefited from its tolerance to fight for what has made this nation so brilliant.

And it is particularly important that those of us who aren’t Christians join the Church of England and others in fighting off the increasing intolerance they face.

I am proud to be a Hindu, but I am also very proud to live in a Christian country. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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graded to the so called 'low Caste'.

The journalist went back and that was the end of the matter. He later came back and met CB again and said that my Editor has asked me to make a special feature on Gujaratis for our Christmas special. CB gave him readily several names and contacts in the UK and abroad, for his research. To the credit of The Economist as a magazine and to that of the journalist, he met several contacts, travelled to Ahmedabad, Karamsad and other area of central Gujarat and spent some time in Surat.

This brilliant and factual report about the values and traditions of Gujaratis is also an inspiration for us in ABPL. Quality of contents will ensure the survival of print media. ness study, completed a part-time accountancy course and in 1977 bought his first corner shop, with a sub-post office that gave him a steady income. Three years later he set up a finance company providing mortgages, and soon after bought his first care home.

Hotels and much more followed later. Now he is worth about £70mn and was given a peerage by the Conservatives in 2010.

There are many such stories from the community that one can recall- whether it's Bhikhu-Vijay Patel or Charles Patel or our own Publisher/Editor CB Patel – they have all changed the face of Britain one way or the other. Will Gujaratis around the world continue to enjoy the same success in the future? As long as there are gaps in the market, it is inevitable that 'Gujaratis will be there to expoit them'.

Secretary charged for making false rape claim

Dilrushi A secretary, Mendis (40), of Cricklewood, had allegedly demanded £200,000 from her ex-boss to drop a false rape claim. It is said that she allegedly had an affair with her married boss, but was ultimately sacked and dumped by him. Mendis had reportedly refused to accept that the relationship was over. In March 2014, she allegedly told the police that her former boss raped her. It is said that he was in Sri Lanka when she had made the complaint. A friend informed him that Mendis would drop the case if he paid her £200,000. He refuse to pay her money, which led to his arrest. In court, Mendis admitted blackmail and the prosecutor dropped the perverting the course of justice charge.

She was jailed for 8 months, suspended for two years and ordered to carryout 80 hours of community service.

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Firearms officer arrested Muslim woman kicked and over Wood Green shooting told ‘this isn't bloody Africa’ AsianVoiceNews

On Friday 11th December, Jermaine Baker (28) was shot dead by an armed officer as police tried to obstruct an alleged conspiracy to help two prisoners escape from the police van. However, it has been said that the Metropolitan police have no credible intelligence or evidence that Jermaine Baker had any previous links to gang-related crime. The firearms officer who shot dead Jermaine Baker has now been arrested over the fatal shooting which took place in Wood Green, north London.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) held a meeting which had a panel of police representatives, the IPCC and local community. Victor Olisa, Haringey

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Shocking demise: Jermaine Baker was shot dead by a firearms officer in Wood Green

Borough Commander said that the police did not believe Jermaine Baker was a member of a gang.

At the meeting, community spokesman, Darren Henry stated, “The police officers murdered Jermaine. He was asleep when he was shot. There are witnesses who are

afraid to step forward because of the witness intimidation in the Mark Duggan case.”

IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts replied, “We do not know whether Jermaine was or was not asleep. This will clearly form part of our investigation.”

Play the Lebara way UK-based mobile operator Lebara launched a new worldwide multi-ethnic movie and live TV channel streaming service in summer, dedicated specially to migrant communities across the world who want to watch unlimited content from their home country.

Lebara Play offers over 150 TV channels and 3,000 movies that can be watched on multiple mobile devices, on the web, or using a settop box on the TV, costing £9.99 a month pay-as-yougo or a subscription plan of or £149 for 12 months, which includes the TV set-

top box. This festive season, they are offering something special- a perfect gift for you and your family. You can get an annual subscription with a FREE Lebara play set top box and save £30. To avail the offer, please call 020 3608 0298 and quote LP129.

On 28th October, at about 8:10pm, a Muslim woman in her 40s was subjected to a violent Islamophobic attack on the London bus number 63, going towards Peckham. The victim was punched in the head and kicked off the bus by two women in their 20s.

It is alleged that the two abusers filmed themselves on their mobile phones while they attacked the victim in Elephant and Castle.

Passengers were shocked at what they had witnessed on the bus. An eyewitness stated, “The girl and her friend recorded video of themselves shouting Islamophobic hate speech at the woman and physically intimidating her. After bringing the lady to tears, I heard them screaming at her 'stop crying and shut the f*** up'.

As she tried to get off the bus, they followed her to the doors where the girl violently kicked the woman on the curb [sic].”

It is also alleged that the women had shouted “this isn't bloody Africa” to the victim.

Police said that the incident left the victim

Racial abuse: A Muslim woman faced violent racial abuse by two women on the number 63 bus

badly shaken and she had to be taken to the hospital to treat her injuries.

Officers have also released photographs of the women and have appealed for people who recognise them to get in touch. They have also requested passengers who

have filmed and taken photographs of the attack to contact them.

If you have information of this incident, call the police on 101 and quote reference: 3031350.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymous on 0800 555 111.

Drivers using phone behind wheels to face tougher fines

As part of a new road safety plan, motorists who are caught using a mobile phone while holding it when driving their vehicle could face stricter fines and penalties. Those who break this law will be fined £150, an increase from the current fine of £100, as well as have more points added to their licence.

Drivers using their phones behind the wheel could face tougher fines

Britain's influential property developer dies One of Britain's most influential property developers, Harry Hyams (87), has died.

Hyams was born in 1928, in Hendon, London, and made most of his wealth by developing office space in London during the 60s and 70s.

He had built the 398ft Centre Point office development on Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road, which is said to have changed the skyline of London.

Hyams, who was the son of a bookmaker, started off as an office boy in a real estate agency, at the age of 17. He had become a millionaire by his late twenties, due to the number of calculative real

Sir Stuart Lipton, also a property developer, addressed Hyams as “the first man to recognise the importance of skilled planning and development”.

High number of students in UK higher education

Harry Hyams dies at the age of 87

estate investments in London.

During the business' prime, Harry Hyams managed a multi-million property empire, focused on London, with only six employees.

British female soldiers to be in front-line combat In what appears as a radical renovation of Army rules, women will be permitted to participate in front-line combat within the next few months.

Prime Minister David Cameron, has ordered the Ministry of Defence to be prepared to welcome female soldiers into “close combat” roles in 2016.

Most recently, India had declared that the first batch of Indian women will begin to train as fighter pilots of the Indian Air

F o r c e (IAF) in 2016; the f i r s t Indian women combat pilots could most probably be in the cockpits of frontline fighter jets of IAF in June 2017.

It seems slow, but surely the glass ceiling that existed for many years has started to break as women will not be seen in roles in the Army that was once forbidden for them.

UCAS' End of Cycle Report reveals that 532,300 people have entered UK higher education in 2015. The figures have increased by 3.1% (16,100) from 2014 is is the highest number recorded.

The most accepted students are from the UK (463,700), a rise of 2.8%. Students accepted from the European Union have risen by 11%; from 29,300 students to 39,000. The acceptance on non EU students increased by 1.9%.

Universities made a record 1.9 million offers to students and more applicants than ever before got into their first ‘firm’ choice (384,100). The acceptance rate (the proportion of applicants placed) increased by 0.9% to 74.1%, with increases for UK applicants of all ages.

In total 718,500 people applied. The reports also showed that the least advantaged young people in England are now 65% more likely to go to university or college than they were in 2006.

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Asian youngsters challenge Benni Joseph Mavelil receives the VKKM award UK employment figure One can understand Indians in India marching or protesting against British rule. But organising the same in London, singlehandedly, fighting the lion in its own den is unheard of and unthinkable; but this is what Krishna Menon did. The Institute wishes to focus more importantly on how Krishna Menon was a role model for an Indian immigrant living outside India. Krishna Menon was dedicated and selfless. He identified with the people around him and their needs, without forgetting his roots. He was proud to be Indian in England but wanted to be a part of the community where he lived. He fought for equality, social and economic justice. At the Palace of Westminster, Dr. Cyriac Maprayil, Executive Director of the VK Krishna Menon Institute stated, “Krishna Menon took on himself the Herculean task of

From left: Dr. Cyriac Maprayil, HE Dr. Virander Paul, Lord Dholakia, Benni Joseph Mavelil and Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden

educating the British people about India and the need to grant independence to India without further delay. He liaised, interacted, and lobbied the British parliamentarians of all persuasions to support Indian independence from Britain.”

The Institute sees no difference between the ideas and ideals that went into the making of VK Krishna Menon and Benni Joseph Mavelil.

Therefore, the Institute has decided to confer the

award to Benni Joseph Mavelil, President of UK Knanaya Catholic Community and Philanthropist.

Benni Joseph Mavelil said, “I thank Dr. Maprayil and the Institute for choosing me for the award...People of Indian origin in Europe as a whole is growing and changing. The VKKM Institute is the type of NGO which plays its part in building lasting links between the Diaspora and India”.

CBI President awarded honorary CBE Business Secretary Sajid Javid, on Wednesday 16 December has bestowed an honorary CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) on Paul Drechsler, President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Mr Drechsler, who is an Irish citizen, received the honour for his significant contribution to voluntary and charitable services. Mr Drechsler was Chairman of the National Skills Funding Agency

Advisory Board until September 2015 and is currently Chairman of Teach First, a charity which aims to end inequality of education by building a community of exceptional leaders in the most disadvantaged schools across the UK. The ceremony was conducted at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Speaking at the event, Mr Javid said: “I’m delighted to present this award to Paul Drechsler

for the exceptional work he has done to champion young people in business.

“Paul has used his position and expertise in business to connect with a wide range of young people, opening doors and extending opportunity to all.”

Non-British citizens are not entitled to receive their honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace and are instead presented with their awards by the relevant Secretary of State.

80 convicted in Final farewell to Pavan Over 'crash for cash' fraud Scores of mourn-

ers of all ages and backgrounds were united in grief in Birmingham at the funeral of 19year-old Pavan T a i l o r .

Described by his parents Nita and Sailesh as their “Peter Pan”, Pavan, pictured, was one of only 27 people in the world to have been diagnosed with the rare and incurable metabolic disorder Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency.

Pavan was grandson of Harigangaben Chhaganlal Tailor, originally of Tororo, Uganda. An emotional speech by Kush and Chand, Pavan’s brother and cousin respectively, at the crematorium won applause.

Glowing tributes were paid to Pavan, who

had brightened up the lives of so many people.

“Pavan was a popular young fellow who brought so many lovely people into our lives”, said Pavan’s parents who have set up a group whose mission is to provide palliative care to young adults with lifelimiting and lifethreatening conditions to help give them the best quality of adult life. To find out more visit www.oaktreeactiongroup.org.uk

Convicted scammers: Rachel Yandell, Gavin Yandell and Byron Yandell have been jailed between two and six years

Over 80 people have been convicted in a 'crash for cash' insurance fraud of £763,068. It is alleged that the Yandell family garage business in Wales, was at the heart of this scam.

Reportedly, the garage's own CCTV cameras has captured a Land Rover being driven deliberately into a forklift truck.

These bogus crash claims took place over four years involved 57 cars, with 81 convicted in a number of court cases.

Byron Yandell (32), his wife Rachel Yandell (31), his father Peter Yandell (53), as well as Gavin Yandell (31), and Michelle Yandell (52), have been jailed between two and six years.

Latest official figures have revealed that the UK employment rate has reached a new record high of 73.9%, driven by an increase in full-time workers. The figures claim that there are more than half a million more people in work compared to this time last year, bringing the total number in employment to 31.3 million. Wages are also continuing to grow strongly, up 2.4% over the same period.

Employment Minister Priti Patel said: “We are ending the year on a high, with a record rate of employment, and wages continuing to grow.

“Today’s figures show half-a-million more people in work compared to this time last year, which means hundreds of thousands of families are going into the festive season with the security and hope for the future that work brings.

“Next year we will build on this positive story with the introduction of the National Living Wage and the new offer of 30 hours free childcare for working families. In this way we are delivering the high-wage, low-welfare society with

Priti Patel MP

opportunity and security at its heart that we know the British people want.”

The figures also show that the number of people on one of the main out of work benefits is now at its lowest level since the early 1980s, and inactivity is at its lowest rate in a quarter of a century. Separate figures released show more than 287,000 claims have been made to the new benefit.

However, some from the Asian community is of a strong believe that there is a big difference netween the figure stated and actual reality.

Anand Patel, a young graduate is looking for a job for the past 2 years.

Inspite of having a degree

in business, he is yet to land anything concrete.

Same goes for Aditya Singh, a journalism graduate.

Shaqueela Begum, another student who has graduated recently from a UK university is planning to move to South-East Asia, in hopes to find a job.

Speaking to Asian Voice, she said, “It's all good. But Asian community is not rightly represented in these figures. We are still in the bottom pile and more often go jobless. Our parents work longer to support us, but that should not be the case and the govermemt must know otherwise.”

Tariq Ahmed, also looking out for a full-time job said, “To add to the problem is the growing case of Islamophobia. The picture is not really this rosey for us. We form a minority in the British community- but we are a deciding factor in case of votes. The job scene is not improving for us. We are often paid less than the natives and compared to the increasing price of food, salary rise is very minute. One must critically analyse the figures, across all possibilities.”

Picture perfect royal family Anand Pillai Their smile says it all. They come across as a happy couple today, regardless of their past. Prince Charles seems to be happy as a clam, while Duchess of Cornwall looks pretty as a picture in the Royal Christmas Card.

Theirs is a wonderful love story. Maybe people don’t look at it as one.

Perhaps, because people loved Princess Diana more than Camilla. Camilla was always seen as the other woman in Diana’s life, and so the public loved to loathe her. But Camilla never wallowed in self-pity.

Despite the public scorn, she carried herself with dignity in public life, with no tinge of bitterness or resentment against anyone.

Many love to hate Prince Charles too. It’s possible that Charles may have married Diana because the woman he truly loved (Camilla) had already married someone else.

But their love has stood the test of time. Their most embarrassing moment was when their very private words became public. But then it did not deter them from remaining together.

Charles was/is utterly devoted to Camilla, then, now and forever.

certainly wished Charles well in his life with the woman he adores.

Camilla is the love of Charles’s life, and he is her Prince Charming.

The big picture is people always got the wrong end of the stick in their case. Perhaps, knee-jerk reaction or perception is to be blamed for that.

Charles and Camilla Prince Charles with Camilla have come a long way and deserve our best When Charles got marwishes for Christmas and ried to Camilla, she was in more happiness. Hope peoher 50s and Charles loves ple get the picture this her the way she is. Small time! wonder, he looks happy A family portrait of the with her in the picture. younger generation royal Diana’s resentment at family too was released the time was justifiable, recently as a Christmas but today had she been present to their well-wisharound, even she would ers. The royal family – have accepted them and Prince William and Kate moved on. She would have Middleton with their bundles of joy George and Charlotte – is a picture of happiness.

The image was taken on the grounds of Kensington Palace by photographer Chris Jelf. Needless to say, they are royals but with a common touch. They too deserve our best wishes for Christmas Prince William, Kate Middleton with and new year.

George and Charlotte

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Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Music Label Mogul launches Notting Hill Academy of Music Shabs Jobanputra is the MD of Relentless Records and launched KT Tunstall.

His was also the first label to break Joss Stone.

He is involved with Outcaste Music Publishing, Media Village PR, Notting Hill Arts Club, Notting Hill Academy of Music.

He is a rare Asian at a senior level in mainstream music. He said, “I was DJ-ing for many years. In 1992, I got my first break in the business when I was a junior manager to Rebel MC and Shut Up And Dance Records - PJ and Smiley's pioneering London breakbeat label.

My background is PR and promotion. Over the years I’ve worked on many big campaigns including Jamiroquai and The Fugees. In terms of making records, the big thing early on was when we had our own record label called Outcaste Records, which was formed in 1995.

Shabs Jobanputra

It was a home for British Asian music. I learned about making records cheaply and promoting them on a budget.

Artists that I’ve worked with on that label were Nitin Sawhney,

Badmarsh and Shri. That all helped me to understand the business. Not so much from a PR and promotions level, but from a recording and publishing level.”

Relentless Records was founded in 1999 by Shabs

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015 and Paul Franklyn, whom he knew from university. “It started then because we felt that there wasn’t any new urban music coming from Britain. It felt like a fallow period.

One night I shot the idea to start a label and soon after we started consultancy to see, on an exploratory level, if this could come true. Luckily the first record we signed was “Re-Rewind” by Artful Dodger, featuring Craig David. This first record went to number two, sold 700,000 singles, and was a hit in many areas. After that, it definitely felt as if there was a place for Relentless.

Relentless is 50% owned by EMI Records UK. We are an eclectic, music orientated label with a wide range of genres. We’ve done anything from So Solid Crew to Joss Stone to KT Tunstall.

Relentless is the label that has broken many new artists in the past. How come?

“We try and sign things that are completely distinctive, since we can’t compete with a major. We always try to do things differently than bigger labels such as Interscope and XL, and we operate in different music areas. We try to find things that no one else wants to do, because we believe in them and we can see a mar-

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The Academy is a bouket for them. tique finishing school in the And also us being able creative cultural hub of to focus all our activity has Notting Hill, designed to made it a bit easier for us. encourage innovative We never had a big roster. thinking and above all, We can concentrate on employability. Class sizes things we actually believe have been kept small in in. That’s why it’s worked so order to attract and deliver far,” he said. the best talent through the Shabs recently helped limited spaces available, launch the Notting Hill where the Academy’s aims Academy of Music, a brand will be achieved through a new institution that could unique provision of change how artists quality content, come into music in knowledge and the UK. We try and contextualised It’s a new learning via music industry sign things unrivalled school backed that are access to by Patron i n d u s t r Trevor Nelson completely placements asy MBE, the BPI, part of the proSONY Music, distinctive gramme.

Warner Music, SJM Courses will range Concerts, Method from 6-12 months, and M a n a g e m e n t award MAs in Future of (Disclosure/Sam Music, as well as Smith), Metropolis Certificates of Higher Management, Relentless Education in Music Records and SONY/ATV Business Entrepreneur Music Publishing. from September 2016. The The Academy aims Academy will launch the to educate, elevate, first of its short-term coursinspire, and develop its stues in A&R and Song dents. With the ambition to Writing in January 2016, become a disruptive force in which will be taught and music education, the backed by industry experts.

Academy will open its doors Applications for these are to new students in January already open to all entre2016, with a unique offerpreneurs, performers, ing in music industry coursartists, producers, songes designed and delivered writers and future business by award-winning profesexecutives. The breadth of sionals and top educationmodules will mirror the alists in the field. It is also diversity of roles within the supported by major music world of music. industry body BPI.

“

”

10

READERS’ VOICE

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

The Jains of India I have recently come across some interesting information about the Jains of India which although may not be substantiated, nevertheless, I would like to share it with the readres of AV. Even though the Jains are in minority in India, representing only 1% of the population, the community contributes 24% towards the total income tax. It contributes 62% towards the charity fund and runs 12,000 out of the 16,000 gaushalas.It has established more than 50,000 temples in India alone. 56% of share holders in India are Jains and they own most of the leading newspapers. Jains also own more than 28% of property in India and contribute 25% towards Indian GDP growth.

It is the richest community in the world.

It is the most peace loving community and refrains from harming even the tiniest living creatures. Jainism’s tenets of Ahimsa, non- violence, were adopted by the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela in their struggle for independence for their respective countries.

In today’s atmosphere of violence and terrorism, where so many innocent people are being killed in the name of religion, Jainism’s principles of live and let others to live need to be adopted worldwide. George Bernard Shaw who was a great writer and philosopher, had said” I adore so greatly the principles of the Jain religion, that I would like to be reborn in a Jain community.”

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Race to the White House What an unhealthy, unpleasant and incompetent racism debate that I watched in CNN last night regarding the "Race to the White House?

The US and their cronies still have not learned the lessons from the carpet bombing and orange agent bombing in Vietnam, Iraq, Syria etc and the effect they are still having on the victims. How can we expect peace when the US and it's cronies selling trillions dollars of arms to Taiwan etc? And did the world leaders of the so-called the civilised society of the developed world learned after spending millions of dollars and time in the recent climate change meeting in Paris?

I am a former Gurkha and according to my experiences involved in the first gulf war selling weapons and creating a wars has been the main focus and the main strategy of the so-called the civilised society of the western leaders?

Now I work as a caretaker in Central London and there live one American guy and he had started his refurbishment of his flat since 2010 and still have not finished and caused so much misery to me and the residents and never seems to be bothered or concerned about others grievances and he has put scaffolding blocking the window from opening for the other residents and the building is 35 degree 24/7 and the office turn into the residential building and the UK government is planning more empty offices convert into the residential building without proper consultancy and proper doing the home work etc?

The point I am trying to make here is one American guy can cause misery to so many others residents living in the building. I wonder what will happen if the people like Doland Trump and others will do to others when the people's of the so-called civilised society of the US will vote for their leaders? And I did listened in radio and one American lady was saying in the air that, I am more sacred of TPP than the west creation of ISIL? I think the leaders of the US have lost their credibility and moral and running like a horse without rein.

Yam Gurung (Retd) By email

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Xmas blessings I was very happy to read your Christmas special coverage on page 14 of Dec 19th edition and thought of writing my views on this subject.

On November 27 it was PA (Professional activity-day off to students) in school so our 10 year old grandson Jaiden came to our place and we thought of decorating the Christmas tree whilst listening to Christmas songs.

This small Christmas tree and ornaments has special significance and attachment in our life. We bought it 39 years ago when we first lived in one bed room apartment and since than every year we put up same tree with old ornaments and some new as we consider as our part of our family members in good time and bad time to give us comforts.

We have seen ups and downs but one by one we overcame all hurdles, gave university education to our two daughters. They both married, having good jobs and children and settled down in their own homes. Me and my wife worked for banks and are now enjoying retired life.

As usual we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas (not holidays as per politically correct people) and Happy New Year just as the same as we used to wish back home in India irrespective of their religion and nobody, then or now, complained.

Suresh and Bhavna Patel Canada

Irony and Insight

I was rather amused to read Dinesh Sheth's letter published in the 19th Dec issue.

Ironically it was neither 'interesting' nor 'informative and focussed on issues of concern in this country'.

As a relatively new AV reader, I have not read any of his previous letters but wonder if there should be a 250 words letter limit!

Amit Patel By email

FISI program

I had the privilege of meeting C .B. Patel at a program arranged by the Friends of India Society International at V.H.P.’s Hindu Centre-Croydon. The program was meant to furnish feedback about Prime Minister of India Mananiya Modiji and visit to the U.K. during November 2015. My hearing disability was not handicap due to the consanguine nature of C.B Patel. He responded warmly to all those whom he knew. He went around the hall, meeting friends and acquaintances more times than formality would permit.

Mr. Raghu Shetty, education and efficiency consultant, undertook to write gist of points by various speakers in my diary. Thus I was able to follow main points by various speakers and especially trend pursued by C. B. Patel. The striking feature about C. B. Patel was that his speech was very short. This allowed many questions from the audience, which were answered to satisfaction of the member as was evident from body language of members and C. B. Patel.

The whole exercise served to spread awareness about good work by P. M. Modiji, his efforts, achievements, national and international impact. We must thank F.I.S.I. for this magnificent gesture which was well planned and executed. C.B. Patel deserved the honor bestowed upon him.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

A'Bad Direct Flight

I would like to congratulate you and your team for all your efforts and hard work that you have put in reinstating direct flight for A'Bad. I read reviews and people's opinion on GS/AV FB pages as well as on site and felt the joy and excitement.

Your contribution in making this whole initiative was unmatching which was triumphantly echoed by our PM Mr Modi during his visit to the UK where he personally named you as "My Friend CB" in front of the thousands cheering audience at Wembly and gave you the credit for reinstating the flight. You were and are a crusader who fought for this noble cause for almost decade without giving up. One can learn one of the quality from your leadership is "Never Give Up".

Once again I would like to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart and pray to the almighty god that he gives you more power and courage and live long so that you can serve the community in same way as you have served so far.

Gaurang Patadia Career Coach, Bristol

EU membership referendum

The likely outcome of the final result will be very close either way when the referendum is held. Unfortunately only a tiny proportion of average voters fully understand all implications.

Prior to the referendum, there should be a vote in both Houses of Parliament whose members I hope are more informed than the average voter, just as we did recently re air strikes in Syria.

In the case of military strike, no sooner 66% of MPS approved to carry out air strikes, U N passed a unanimous resolution by 15 nations calling for a ceasefire. So they did not get it right.

Despite that fiasco, In the case of membership of the EU, MPs and Lords debate and their final vote could enable average voters to understand all implications at a deeper level than is currently understood.

Immigration of EU migrants is one worry. But that could easily be solved by issuing ID cards to all citizens and asking for papers frequently and by ensuring like in EU countries that anyone being paid for any work needs to show papers and provide a receipt.

Another worry is the perceived loss of sovereignty. EU Parliament runs on an annual Budget is 2% of EU GDP spread over 28 countries. UK Parliament runs its country on an annual Budget of 35% of its GDP. Finally, if UK wishes to export its expertise in banking and insurance sectors to India, they are more likely to succeed as members of EU. Nagindas Khajuria By email

Coverage on Direct Flights

Tons of congratulations for your involvement in this mega endeavour for Indians & Gujaratis. Very very nice, I am so happy but just one thing. There was no mention of my best wishes which I had sent you on the day even in a line any where !!!

Just imagine CB Bhai If this thought had not reached you through me from God then Gujarat Samachar & Asian Voice would have missed such an important coverage!

Would you agree?

Mayura Patel Chairperson Croydon Hindu Council

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UK and Nepal celebrate 200 years of friendship AsianVoiceNews

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This month marks the UK-Nepal bicentenary – two hundred years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

The Foreign Office hosted a reception on Wednesday 16 December, to celebrate the UK-Nepal bicentenary, welcoming the Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr Kamal Thapa, to the United Kingdom for this special occasion.

Speaking at the reception, Minister Hugo Swire said:“As the son-in-law of a former Gurkha officer, Nepal is particularly close to my heart – as it is to the hearts of many people across the United Kingdom.

The Bicentenary year will not only be an excellent platform on which to look back at our rich, shared history and celebrate our close ties. It will spur us on to strengthen our partnership for the future.

“We are hopeful that the National Authority Bill Reconstruction approved today in Parliament in Nepal will help to speed up reconstruction following the devastating earthquake in April.

“September’s new Constitution was a significant milestone in the

political process. Challenges remain, but I hope peaceful dialogue and compromise will continue – both to remove the blockages to humanitarian aid – and to agree a political position that meets the concerns of all Nepali citizens. Just as we did after the earthquake earlier this year, just as we have over the past two centuries, the UK stands ready to assist in any way we can.”

International Development Minister, Desmond Swayne said: “This year has demonstrated the strength and importance of the UK’s friendship with Nepal. When the devastating earthquakes struck, we were quick to help the Nepali people in their time of need with essential support including shelter, water and blankets. Our work to prepare Nepal for such disasters through strengthening infrastructure and pre-positioning vital supplies meant schools remained standing, people who had lost their homes were reached quickly and lives were saved. We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Nepal through its recovery and look forward to continuing our 200-yearlong partnership.”

After two hundred years of friend-

ship, the relationship between Britain and Nepal now has many strands, including our vibrant people-to-people links with over 80,000 Nepali diaspora in the UK and more than 30,000 British tourists visiting Nepal each year.

Eight months on from April’s devastating earthquake, Nepal continues to face serious challenges. As Nepal’s largest bilateral donor, the UK remains fully committed to providing humanitarian assistance and to the reconstruction process. As well as working on short term relief, the Department for International Development is supporting Nepal’s longer term development including by strengthening its health service and helping people train in skills and get into jobs.

As part of his programme, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thapa met the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, and Minister of State for Asia, Hugo Swire, for bilateral talks, as well as International Development Minister Desmond Swayne.

Other bicentenary events are planned for Nepal and the UK in 2016.

Home-schooled children at risk of radicalisation The education secretary, Nicky Morgan, told officials that home schooling should be reassessed due to the concerns over thousands of children potentially becoming radicalised by their parents.

Nicky Morgan has proposed to increase supervision, also setting up contact points at local councils,

Nicky Morgan

which would enable teachers and parents to raise

concerns about children.

The education secretary already declared a suppression on unregistered schools, as well as “weekend madrassas”, as some were found to be endorsing extremist notions.

It is said that there are up to 50,000 children who are home-schooled, however, the accurate number is

Six jailed for the death of teenager Shahena

Horrific death: Shahena Uddin endured torture for years and was beaten to death by her family members

Shahena Uddin (19), was beaten to death by her six family members and was also subjected to abuse for many years, including made to lick a lavatory bowl and forced to eat her own faeces. She had died on 11th October 2014, at her family home in Watford. The six accused were jailed on Monday 21st December.

The six family members were four of

Salma Begum

Suhail Uddin

Jhuhal Uddin

Tohel Uddin

Jewel Uddin

Rehena Uddin

Shahena's older brothers, her older sister and her sister-in-law. They have been jailed for more than 56 years in total.

Salma Uddin (32), Shahena's sister-in-law, was found guilty of murder and perverting the court of justice. She was imprisoned for life, with a minimum of 18 years.

Salma's husband, Suhail Uddin (35), was cleared of murder and an alternative

charge of manslaughter, however, he was jailed for ten years for causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Shahena's other siblings, Rehena Uddin (22), Jhuhal Uddin (33), Tohel Uddin (24) and Jewel Uddin (27), were jailed for five, nine, six-and-a-half and eight years, at St Albans Crown Court.

Baroness Stowell says peers should retire at 80 Baroness Stowell, pictured, of Beeston, the government's Leader of the Lords, suggested that elderly peers should resign at the age of 80, and peers with criminal convictions should now

resign from the House of Lords.

It is said that the Baroness is conceptualising plans regenerate the Upper House so that the ancient institution is still “relevant to the world outside”.

still unknown as parents do not have to inform their local authorities.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said that Nicky Morgan was “determined to tackle radicalisation wherever it occurs.”

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

11

Despite death, Lord Janner's hearing may go ahead Labour Peer, Greville Janner, had been suffering from dementia and past away peacefully at home, on Saturday 19th December, amidst the allegations of child sex abuse against him.

Lord Janner was a QC, and a Labour MP for Leicester West from 1970 to 1997. He was also one of the leading figures in the British Jewish community.

However, his reputation went downhill after serious allegations appeared claiming that Janner had sexually abused children; one victim allegedly being as young as eight. There were also claims that his alleged offences had been covered up. Janner was also disgraced by having his Labour Party membership suspended in April 2015.

It has been revealed that Lord Janner was to face new sex abuse charges in the new year, related to several complaints by four new alleged victims.

Although these sexual allegations have taken prominence when we think of Lord Janner, he was once considered as a vigorous and dependable

Lord Greville Janner died aged 87, after a long illness

member of the Jewish community in the UK; he was also an outstanding campaigner for the Holocaust victims.

Despite of his death, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has indicated that a “trial of the facts” to investigate the sexual abuse allegations on Lord Janner could still be taking place.

The CPS said, “When a defendant dies during criminal proceedings, it is usual that the case no longer goes ahead following formal confirmation of the defendant's death at a hearing before the court. However, we are considering the procedural implications of this specific case.”

It has also been said that Lord Janner's estate could be seized. The finances of Janner and his family could be scrutinised once a compensation claim resumes in the civil courts.

12

MEDIA WATCH

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

The long pending General Services Tax (GST) Bill stuck in the Rajya Sabha seems destined to remain there for yet awhile.

Hopes of a breakthrough on its passage through the upper chamber of Parliament were aborted by the Congress party despite the best efforts of the government, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the lead, to achieve a consensus with the Opposition to smoothen the legislative process.

The Winter Session of the Rajya Sabha has been in a state of paralysis as Congress MPs repeatedly disrupted proceedings on the ground of an alleged ‘vendetta’ against the mother-son duo of Party President Sonia Gandhi and her Vice President heir apparent, Rahul Gandhi. Both vehemently claim that the case calling them to account in the Delhi High Court regarding the affairs of the National Herald newspaper, presently defunct, was driven by malice aforethought.

Attempts to convince the mother and brat that such issues were best settled in a court of law and not in Parliament, fell on deaf ears They have been impervious to sweet reason, determined to put their personal interests ahead of the national interest. The captains of Indian industry launched a desperate appeal to government and opposition alike to facilitate the passage of GST legislation because it was key to the economic reform programme India so badly needs going forward.

Nothing doing, said the Gandhis.

The cabal around the pair have displayed similar truculence.

Congress is a rump opera. The party is unelectable because Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will it so. Rahul Gandhi’s policies for the country, it would appear, are a family secret. His political trademark is hysteria, its setting a travelling roadside circus.

President’s admonition

President Pranab Mukherjee, watching from afar in Kolkata, in a public address deplored the mayhem, saying that the letter D stood for democracy, debate and dissent not disruption.

Hopefully, Congress MPs will take note of the barb while there is still time to restore its tattered image (Hindu, Times of India, Business Line December 15)

Nehru on public responsibility

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, driven to despair, quoted a speech delivered by Jawaharlal Nehru on 28 March 1957 on the last day of the first Lok Sabha, which reads as follows: ‘Here we have set in this Parliament, the sovereign authority of India, responsible for the governance of India. Surely there can be no higher responsibility or greater privilege than to be a member of this sovereign body…We have functioned, therefore, during these five years not only on the edge of history but sometimes plunging into the recesses of making history.’ Nehru is not the copyright of a self-perpetuating cabal but a national legacy (Times of India December 15)

Factory output at five-year high

India’s factory output surged to a five-year high in October, driven by a double-digit growth in man-

ufacturing, and robust Diwali, Dussehra festive demand. The Index of Industrial Production rose 9.8 per cent, in contrast to the October figure of 2014 when it contracted 2.7 per cent (Mint December 12)

Car sales rise

Car sales grew for the 13 th successive year in November with 173,111 units sold, up 10.39 per cent despite sluggish rural demand. Overall, the passenger segment which includes cars, utility vehicles and vans rose 11.40 per cent in sales of 236.664 units. ‘Almost every segment has shown improvement , particularly in passenger cars,’ said the Society of Automobile Manufacturers Director Vishnu Mahan (Hindu December 12)

crack down on terrorism. This, he said, had to be translated into ground realities. Mr Modi was addressing them on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya where a two-day conference was held on defence and security issues (Hindu December 16)

Mega Russian defence deal

A defence deal worth Rs 40,000 crore with Russia has been approved by the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, and could be the highlight of Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Moscow for the annual Indo-Russian summit with President Vladimir Putin.

The deal involves the acquisition

by India of five batteries of advanced Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems, travelling at 4.8 kilometres per second, which can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, including stealth warplanes , missiles and drones at ranges of 400 kilometres. Its long range can track 80 aircraft at a time. India may also lease a second nuclear submarine from Russia, adding to the one acquired earlier on a 10-year lease (Times of India Hindu December 18)

Indo-Russian cooperation

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, vested with special responsibility for Russia’s relations with India flew into Delhi, where he met with Prime Dilip Kumar honoured Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Mr Rogozin pointed to Islamic State activities in Afghanistan and said ‘India fully supports Russia’s efforts to fight terrorism. It is not surprising that that everything we discussed in New Delhi largely concerned the struggle against terrorism and radical forms of Islam.’ Messrs Modi and Putin are on the same page Veteran actor Dilip Kumar has been on this existential struggle. honoured with Padma Vibhushan More so than any two major world leaders Bollywood great Dilip Kumar, (Economic Times December 10) now 93 and in poor health has been awarded the Padma PSLV launch for Singapore Vibhushan by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who called on The Indian Space Research him at his Bandra home in Organization ((ISRO) launched Mumbai. The Minister said ‘The six Singapore satellites into sepaPrime Minister [Narendra rate orbits. The PSLV rocket has Modi] asked me to go and perfour stages, the fourth being a sonally present him the Award as critical operation. ‘Restarting a he was too ill to come to Delhi to rocket engine after it is shut off is receive it.’ Also present with a critical technology ….Once the Home Minister Singh were rocket engine is activated the Maharashtra Governor heat generated is very high….the C.Vidyasagar Rao and Chief trick is to cool it down and then Minister Devendra Fadnavis (Hindu, Times of India December 14)

Environment Minister Prakash Jaydekar at Paris Climate change conference See comment page 3

Sundar Picchai, Google CEO in India

restart it,’ said an expert. Former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar, hailed the achievement, saying that it underlined the confidence of foreign clients in Indian space science and technology (Hindu December 18)

India-Japan chart Asia’s rise

Sanjaya Baru’s admirable editpage article in the Hindu (December 15) highlighted key elements in the unfolding IndoJapanese partnership, which he correctly averred comes at a critical moment in world history, ‘in which China looms larger, and the United States and Europe remain preoccupied with their own problems.’

Walking the talk

Japanese companies have hit the ground running. According to Masakazu Sakakida, Chairman and Director of Mitsuibishi Corporation India Pvt Ltd, India had a demographic advantage; in its young skilled workforce, which Japan presently lacks. He was inaugurating the Japan Information Centre at the Department of Foreign Languages in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (Business Line December 15)

Progress on human development

In October, the World Bank decided to raise the bar for its minimum standard for global poverty from $1.2 earned per day to $1.95 per day (in Purchasing Power Parity or PPP) and update the data for individual performers. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India witnessed the fastest poverty reduction in the last 15 years. India’s Gross Nation Income more than doubled during this period, from $2.522 to $5.497 between 20002014 (PPP), greatly exceeding the growth of the previous 15 years (Hindu December 16)

President lauds Christian Contribution to nation

President Pranab Mukherjee, on a visit to Kolkata, paid a warm tribute to the Christian community, lauding its work for social and education uplift in West Bengal and beyond. Addressing a function organized by the Diocese of the Church of North India. He referred to the ‘respect’

Andhra Pradesh growth surge

Andhra Pradesh has clocked an impressive 11.7 per cent growth in the first half of the current financial year April-September.

Releasing the report, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the figure had exceeded the set target of 10.82 per cent. The growth target for the entire financial 2015-16 was 10.8 per cent. He also announced that the State capital, Amaravati, would be completed by 2018 (Business Line December 15)

PM’s assurance to Service Chiefs

Prime Minister Modi assured India’s Service Chiefs of the government’s vigilance on security threats to the country. He explained that the approach to Pakistan for a peaceful and stable relationship would depend on Islamabad’s undertakings to

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

ISRO launched

Pranab Mukerjee

with which the Christian community was perceived for its ‘contribution to nation building.’

(Hindu December 15)

Bandel Church restored

Bandel Church is a favourite spot for sightseers. Located some 40 miles upstream from Kolkata in small town of Bandel, the church was built in 1599 by the Portuguese. It was in urgent need of renovation and restoration which is now almost complete.

The major attraction is the 14 Stations of the Cross with 54 lifesized statues depicting Jesus carrying his cross to Calvary and his subsequent crucifixion. (Times of India December 14).

UK

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

13

Shishukunj London organises a unique Seva day for over 300 children Xmas - Lose Your Faith

Throughout the year, the weak and the voiceless have begged the powerful for help. If Christmas is about anything, it is about the voiceless, the weak. For 2016 – will we listen? Will we have faith in our own humanity?

A girl pleaded with the United Nations that her and many like her had been raped and violated and beaten and tortured by ISIS. She begged the powerful nations of the world to help, to ‘wipe them out’.

A Syrian refugee father whose wife and children died as they crossed a sea to safe Europe begged for a home, but nothing in Europe would be home without his family, and so he returned to Syria.

German’s leader Chancellor Merkel became Time Magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ for her country’s generosity in accepting refugees – someone at least remembering that Christmas is about a Middle Eastern couple looking for a home, for themselves and their child – Jesus.

All the while an American man, who wants to be President of the most powerful and wealth nation in history said he would stop entry into his country to all Muslims.

400th anniversary of first British envoy to India

The Indo-British Heritage Trust will be publishing a book in 2016, on the “special relationship” between Britain and India.

10th January 2016 will be marking the 400th anniversary of Britain's first envoy to India, Sir Thomas Roe, presenting his credentials to the Moghul Emperor, Jahangir, at the Court of Ajmir, in 1616.

The link between the two countries began in 1591, when the first trading boats went to India during the reigns of Akbar the Great and Queen Elizabeth I. In 1600, Elizabeth I granted a Royal Charter to the Honourable East India Company to trade with India. Despite the huge differences in culture, religion and language, the bond between the two countries has continued for over 400 years, from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I to the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Nine in ten hospitals are severely understaffed

According to official figures, nine out of ten hospitals in England have been reported as being severely understaffed, which has increased the fears of a winter crisis occurring.

Senior nurses are worried about the increasing pressure during the winter, as there is just one nurse for 22 patients in some hospitals.

He was followed by an Indian Immigrant to that country, Bobby Jindal, who also wanted to be President said he wanted in that nation of immigrants in his State, Louisiana, founded by immigrants, to stop all immigrant refugees entering it – even though he is an immigrant.

2015 brought hatred of man against man and against woman and child. Hate is a stronger emotion than love.

Little wonder the poet AE Housman seeing the woes of the world challenged Jesus Himself with the words “If in that Syrian garden, ages slain, You sleep, and know not you are dead in vain, Nor even in dreams behold how dark and bright Ascends in smoke and fire by day and night The hate you died to quench and could but fan, Sleep well and see no morning, son of man.

But if, the grave rent and the stone rolled by, At the right hand of majesty on high You sit, and sitting so remember yet Your tears, your agony and bloody sweat, Your cross and passion and the life you gave, Bow hither out of heaven and see and save.”

Let us not lose our faith in humanity, even if we lose it in God …at times.

Teenager dies from stab wounds Jamar Walker

On Sunday 20th December, a 15-year-old boy, Jamar Walker, was found with stab wounds at 2:20am in Smethwick, West Midlands, near a pub. The emergency services had taken him to the hospital but he died due to his injuries.

From CCTV footage, detectives revealed that a 17-year-old also suffered a minor stab injury to his lower back. West Midlands Police are currently investigating this case. Detective Inspector, Warren Hines said, “We are continuing to

investigate what happened during the early hours of Sunday morning in Raglan Road. It is believed there was some sort of fracas in the street which led to one teenager tragically losing his life and another being injured.”

According to experts, rail passengers are being exploited by the expensive train ticket fares.

An analysis of ticket fares during the Christmas period shows up to seven different amounts for the cheapest price on the same route.

The cheapest was a standard ticket on Virgin services, from London to Manchester, which ranged from £73 on one journey,

while £20 on another.

Cheapest CrossCountry trains between Leeds and Bristol was £110.80 on one Christmas Eve service, while it cost £32.80 for a train two days later.

Train fares system deemed as complex by experts

Neem Tree Care Centre for the Elderly Greenford Middlesex is looking for a full time cook for the asian vegetarian kitchen.

The role will be 36 hours in 4 days over a 7 day rota. Candidates must have knowledge about working in a Commercial kitchen and able to cater for Vegetarian Gujarati and Punjabi dishes .

All interested candidates should send their CV to chandni@neemtreecare.co.uk and phone 0208 578 9537 between 9am-5pm on Monday-Friday for an application form.

On Sunday 13 December, over 300 young children aged 5 upwards came together at Claremont High School, in Harrow, for Shishukunj London’s annual Seva day.

A wide variety of activities were organised to teach the children about different forms of Seva, from small actions like donating food and sharing a pencil to raising money.

The fundamental lesson throughout the day was to encourage the children to be appreciative and grateful for all the privileges that they take for granted in their daily life The children also learnt more about the Seva that Shishukunj has done during its 40 year history in London which included personal stories from a group of16 year olds who talked about their experiences of setting up Medical Camps and visiting orphanages in India and Africa.

A unique element of the day was the basic lunch, which was served to the children who sat cross-legged on the floor

Children having lunch at Shishukunj London’s annual Seva day

to share the experience that millions of youngsters in India have every day. The children could not believe that their meal had cost less than 80p each and were instantly struck by the sheer contrast with what they are used to in daily life.

Prina Shah (22), organised the entire day and said, “There is no doubt that our baalako left the day with not only a

deeper understanding and appreciation of what Seva is, but having helped the education and consequently the future of thousands of less fortunate baalako across the world.”

The day had a very unique atmosphere and is testimony to the fantastic work that Shishukunj London undertakes in the UK and around the world.

For more information or to make a donation please visit www.shishukunj.org.uk

14

COMMUNITY

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

New Consul of Uganda for Midlands

Widows are victims of ‘double discrimination’

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AsianVoiceNews

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Call to set up commission for widows in India

Anand Pillai

Dhiren Katwa, Jaffer Kapasi OBE, Kishor Parmar with others

Dhiren Katwa

An influential business guru and communities Jaffer ambassador, Kapasi OBE, has this week formally installed as the Honorary Consul of Uganda.

The signing ceremony took place at Uganda House in London. The master of ceremonies was Guma Komwiswa, PA to Uganda’s High Commissioner in the UK, Her Excellency Joyce Professor Kakuramatsi Kikafunda.

Speakers included Lord Sheikh, Subhash Thakrar, Vice President of London Chamber, and Dr Jen Dickinson from Leicester University.

Guests were each asked to introduce themselves and to say a few words about their acquaintance with Mr Kapasi.

Guests included Malcolm Deboo, President of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, media representatives Rajiv Popat, Romail Gulzar, Amit Roy, Ahmed Versi as well as community Hamidbhai activists Malik, Pravinbhai Amin, businessmen Vic Sethi, Zed Lorgat, Hussein Ghor and Bert Kee, Cllr Vina Mithani and our Advertising Manager Kishorbhai Parmar.

Mr Kapasi’s main responsibilities will include building economic, social, cultural and educational bridges, as well as encouraging bilateral trade, investment and exports for mutual benefit, thus adding even greater value to existing links.

Uganda’s President, His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, said: “Jaffer is a longstanding friend of Uganda. He is truly deserving of this honorary role as ambassador for Uganda in the Midlands and I wish him success in his work.”

Her Excellency Professor Kikafunda described Mr Kapasi “a hardworking individual” and “a son of Uganda” adding, “his contributions to both Uganda

and to the UK have been remarkable. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge, vast experience and connections which will, I’m confident, add even greater value to all the work that we do at the High Commission in London.”

Ian Harrison, Regional Director of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the East Midlands, described Mr Kapasi “an asset to the East Midlands”. He added: “I’m sure his new role will add even greater value, particularly to businesses with links to Uganda, or those considering to establish ties with Uganda. I wish him well.”

Jaffer Kapasi arrived from Uganda into the UK in 1972. Since, he has settled in Leicester where he runs his own accountancy firm. In 1997 he was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty The Queen for his services to business in Leicestershire.

Mr Kapasi, 65, has served as a Non-Executive Director on a number of Boards, including that of the NHS and University of Leicester. He is a Director of East Midlands Chamber, also of Asra Housing Group.

Recently, Professor K Sato of Meji University of Tokyo wrote a biography on the life of Mr Kapasi and his various contributions to the British way of life.

Mr Kapasi said: “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to represent the Republic of Uganda in the Midlands.

There is enormous potential to do so much more for the benefit of both Uganda and the UK and I pledge to encourage individuals, groups and organisations to work together on all fronts to help reach common goals and objectives for the benefit of everyone.”

Mr Kapasi is married to Yasmin and the couple , who live in Oadby in Leicester, have a daughter, Rashida, who is a chemical engineer and a

“Widows should be treated as women. Unfortunately, they are not. They are victims of double discrimination – first, as a woman, and second, as a widow.

We need to put a stop to this,” said Lord Raj Loomba, chairman of the Loomba Foundation, in London last Wednesday.

He was speaking at Chatham House at 10 St James’s Square, at a press briefing for a preview of a major research study on discrimination and prejudice against widows worldwide.

World Widows Report – the comprehensive study compiled by the Loomba Foundation on the plight of widows – was presented to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a meeting in New York on December 18.

According to the Report, the UN-initiated Sustainable Development Goals – like ending poverty in all its forms everywhere; ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages; ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all; achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls – won’t be achieved unless specific action is taken to address the discrimination against widows.

The Loomba Foundation has been campaigning for widows’ rights around the world and has also been instrumental in declaring June 23 as International Widows’ Day by the UN. Lord Loomba said along the lines of the National Commission for Women, the Government of India must set up a national commission for widows to provide a voice for their issues and conson, Muffaddal, who is an auditor.

Uganda has a population of approximately 37 million people, making it the third largest consumer market in East Africa. Over 100 UK companies are operating in Uganda. These include Tullow Oil, Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays Bank, Unilever, Shell and British Airways. Bilateral trade in goods between the UK and Uganda exceeded £81.5 million in 2013. In 2013 UK exports to Uganda totalled £66 million.

person or official in a village or town to lodge complaints, it will act as a deterrent, Lord Loomba added.

In its bid to empower widows economically and break the shackles of poverty, the Foundation has launched a project in the City of Widows – Varanasi, which incidentally happens to be Prime M i n i s t e r Narendra Modi’s constituency.

“The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is very CONCERN: Lord Raj Loomba with the keen to address this issue. Of the World Widows Report 39,000 widows cerns, apart from protectliving in Varanasi, we have ing and promoting their selected 5,000 of them interests. and are providing them According to the tailoring training to help Report, India is home to them stand on their feet. A nearly 47 million widows – foot-operated sewing as per 2015 estimates. machine is also provided He said the state govto them. The beneficiaries ernments in India must cannot sell the machine as authorise a person who can an agreement prevents take up and attend to widthem from doing so. A ows’ issues. Seventy per staff from the Foundation cent of India’s population inspects them every six lives in rural areas. Widows months regarding their don’t have a job and they achievements and any are wholly dependent on support they need. We family members. They are have done a similar projabused physically, psychoect in Punjab earlier and logically, emotionally and have supported widows sexually, and treated like with sewing machine projslaves. They don’t know ects in Bihar, Pondicherry, whom to turn to with their Andhra Pradesh and othproblems. So, if there is a ers,” Lord Loomba said.

According to the Report, there are 258 million widows in the world with 585 million children.

Of these, 38 million widows live in extreme poverty. One in seven widows lives on less than a dollar a day.

“Widows have been suffering in silence for centuries, but no government, not even the UN has ever attended to this problem. There is a grave need to address this issue. We need to link this issue to sustainable development goals. The first goal is the elimination of poverty and the last goal is to leave no one behind. So I want to make sure widows are not left behind,” Lord Loomba said.

He said it is sad that the widows’ number is increasing. This is happening because of conflict in different countries, diseases like Ebola and others and of course, poverty.

So the need of the hour is to remove poverty.

“The Loomba Foundation has educated over 10,000 children of poor widows across 29 states in India,” he added.

When asked how to tackle the issue, Lord Loomba, speaking to Asian Voice, said, “If they work, earn money and are independent, they won’t become victims of other people. Nobody will be able to exploit them.

Poverty is the main culprit of the problem. Removing poverty is the key to tackling the issue.”

Local entrepreneur becomes face of renowned American brand A very talented, local entrepreneur has taken the media world by storm by becoming the face of the renowned American brand 'Future Cut Cloths', which is based in New York and Chicago and Nottinghamshire in the UK. Kiran Rai recently auditioned for more than 2000 models worldwide and got selected to be the face of the brand, meanwhile leading the Shanghai Fashion week in Dubai with five Russian super models and had a chance to meet the Abu Dhabi Prince.

23-year-old Kiran has also recently become the UK editor of an international magazine, adding to his already impressive portfolio. He was seen in Warwickshire last month shooting for the first cover

of the online fashion and arts magazine, he is launching next year called Kings and Queens. The online magazine will also have American, Sri Lankan and Middle Eastern editions.

Kiran was born in Nottingham, but spent much of his time growing up at his aunty and uncle’s house in Waveley Road, Spon End. Already a star in Latin America, Kiran is represented by the IC Talent agency which has also represented the Jackson 5, Tina Turner and Diana Ross. He has appeared in numerous music Videos and Adverts and worked alongside actors Kulvinder Ghir and Ameet Chana of goodness Gracious Me fame.

His worldwide campaign shoots have involved

Kiran Rai

working alongside Oscar nominated actor Oris Erhuero and supermodel Ruth Oti. Speaking to Asian Voice, Rai said, "I am very excited to be in this position, it's amazing experience and I'm thrilled it's finally happened to me.

“I was modelling for duke clothing for many years but there new brand future is more urban and has more fashion inside the brand.

“I'm 23 years old and travelling the world doing what I love, it's amazing that someone like me can achieve this. I'm very humbled."

SP

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Indian origin barrister appointed as Circuit Judge A prominent barrister of Indian-origin has been appointed as a Circuit Judge in the UK. Kalyani Kaul, who has handled high-profilecases, is known for her extensive and wideranging experience in heavy-weight criminal defence work. In the last 10 years, she has prosecuted offences of murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences and fraud.

She studied law from the London School of Economics (LSE) and was the third highest-paid barrister in terms of legal aid payments in 2005.

Called to the Bar in 1983, Kaul became a Recorder in 2009 and took Silk in 2011. Kalyani was sworn in as a Circuit Judge in November and now sits at the Snaresbrook Crown Court.

She was the Senior Circuit representative on the Bar Council (2013-14), a vice president (former

Rotherham detective allegedly had sex with young girls

From top left: Karen McGregor, Shelley Davies and Arshid Hussain Bottom left: Qurban Ali, Sajid Bostan and Majid Bostan At a Rotherham sexgrooming trial on Friday 18th December, it was revealed that a corrupt police officer allegedly had sex with young girls, as well as gave drugs to a man who was accused of targeting children for violent abuse.

The detective constable, who was named in court as Kenneth Dawes, is said to not have taken any action when an abused girl sought his help. He allegedly revealed her routine use and sale for sex by a group of men, who are of Pakistani-origin in South Yorkshire.

The same abused girl stated that she had told the staff at her children's home about the abuse she endured but they thought she was lying and making excuses for running away, even though she returned “in a bloodied state”.

The victim said that at the age of 11, she was

in politics you need to be a team player

Kalyani Kaul

chair) of the Association of Women Barristers, and one of the two Diversity Officers for the South Eastern Circuit.

Kalyani is the daughter of well-known British journalists Mahendra Kaul and Rajni Kaul, both of whom worked for long years with the Voice of America and the BBC. Mahendra was the first Asian to be honoured with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1975.

befriended and raped by a man who later “passed her” to other men.

Prosecutor Michelle Colborne QC, had asked her how she knew Kenneth Dawes. She replied that he “used to come to houses where we were. He used to have sex with girls and he used to take drugs from people and pass them on to Ash [Arshid Hussain]”.

Arshid Hussain would allegedly beat her when she refused to abide to sexual advances.

On trial, Arshid Hussain (40), Basharat Hussain (39), Qurban Ali (53), Majid Bostan (37), Sajid Ali Bostan (38), as well as two women, Karen McGregor (58), and Shelley Davies (40), are accused of 63 offences. The two women have been accused of befriending young girls and then forcing them to have sex with Asian men.

The case is ongoing.

TLIGHT

Sundip Meghani

Showing us How It’s Done

Sunetra Senior

Avidly dedicated to the pursuit of social development and justice, it is not hard to believe that solicitor and former Labour Councillor, Meghani, achieved the best result for his constituency of Harborough, Oadby and Wigston since the nineteen-seventies, in the 2015 general election. Having grown up on the St Matthews council estate in his home county of Leicester, Sundip has said that “disadvantage and discrimination has shaped my world view”, and what gave him the “deep desire to want to help people and make a difference”. In recent years, he has served as the Labour and Cooperative Councillor for Beaumont Leys (2011-2015). Earning a coveted spot on the board of the Leicestershire Police Authority, as well as serving as Ethnic Minorities Officer, and enjoying several broadening roles in the sales, banking and customer relations departments of different FTSE 100 companies, have also been part of the long and luminous string of professional accolades, since his graduation in Politics and Contemporary History degree, and subsequent qualifications in law. Compassionate yet determined, Meghani is then a fitting role model for affecting social progress.

Independent of party politics, his personal journey shows that an underlying resilience can be the strongest current for carrying philanthropy. This is only proven through his current work with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, where he is continues to ensure a high quality of service to the public, despite the tidal wave of a Tory win. Though ultimately coming second in the election, he remains a premier player in the community’s governance and legal order.

You were the Labour Councillor for Leicester City.

Could you tell us a bit about some of the projects you were involved in?

I helped save more than 200 as a Councillor member of the Leicestershire Police Authority, as well as bringing conferences and large business events to the area. I have campaigned on homelessness and the protection of refugees, and also led the Council in passing a motion to recognise the contribution of Ugandan Asians (40th). But I have to emphasise the support from all my Labour colleagues in this; in politics you need to work with your team in order to get things done.

You are very passionate about having a welfare state, and public services like our NHS and the state education system. If you had to sum up with a few sentences

15

human rights and opportunity. It is thanks to them that we have the trade union movement, time off from work, sick pay, free education and healthcare, and opportunities to work hard and get ahead.

Is there a particular area of government right now that you want to see bettered?

The government is doing some good work in areas such as global development and fighting terrorism abroad; but this is vastly overshadowed by all the damage they’re doing at home- public sector workers are being poorly paid and stressed from over work. Tens of thousands of police and fire-fighters are being sacked, which has an adverse affects on us all. Also, I feel that working people and SMEs are being let down by this government; I’d like to see that reversed.

Did politics always appeal to you?

When I was a young teenager I would sit and watch the news with my grandfather. I became interested in world affairs and how the actions we take can affect other people. I also had a very poor and difficult upbringing, with my parents and grandparents coming to the UK as refugees: I remember getting free schools meals and clothes from charity shops as a young boy. So, ultimately it became about what I could do – and how I could serve – during my lifetime, to help improve our country, and help bring about better well paid jobs and opportunities for more people in our society.

Tell us a bit about your work now?

Currently I am a Lead Investigator for the Independent Police Complaints Commission. This means I run high level investigations into the work and conduct of police officers and police staff, when there are serious concerns or allegations of wrongdoing. This is in a strictly independent and non-political capacity.

Do you have any particular hope for the future in politics?

I do want to return to politics eventuallyand I would like to become an MP. Finally do you have a personal motto that keeps you going?

Not really, but I like to remind myself and those around me that we have approximately 80 years of life on this planet if we’re lucky, with no guarantee or evidence of an after-life: so do what you can to live a life of purpose that makes a difference in the world, but also remember to do the things you enjoy: wear that expensive fragrance around the house; eat delicious food wherever you are; spend time with people you like and in jobs you like; and show sincere kindness and warmth to strangers and to animals.

why you believe strongly in the initiatives of the Labour Party, what might you say?

The Labour Party is the do what political wing of a huge you can to social movement, which for decades has been live a life of advancing the causes of purpose social justice, equality,

W sundipmeghani.com twitter.com/sundip

16

SPECIAL

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Brent Indian Association discusses Modi's UK visit AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

The Brent Indian Association had organised a discussion on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit on 12-13-14 November and, the relations between India and Britain, at the BIA hall in North West London, Ealing Road. Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice Editor, CB Patel was invited as the chief speaker on the occasion. He, along with other speakers, put forth their view on Narendra Modi's visit, bilateral relations between India and Britain, amongst other topics.

CB said, “Modiji in his speech, mentioned two great nations. Our India and Britain has similar virtues. India has until now invested over £ 20 billion and in return, Britain has invested just as much.

Today, the Economist has published an article on the growth of the Gujaratis. Be it Prime Minister Cameron or the Economist, everybody sings praises for us Indians. Time will tell how far India has come. The country is currently safe and strong. Prime Minister Narendra Modi can look eye to eye with other global leaders. The world praises the prime minister. Modi is not arrogant, but assertive, which is why India is being heard.”

From left: Sureshbhai Kansagara, Dhirubhai Vadera (Secretary-BIA), Sumantrai Desai (Treasurer-BIA), Anitaben Ruparelia, CB Patel, Kokilaben Patel, Navinbhai Shah, and Mohammad Batt Putting light on the performance of local social organisations, CB said, “Most of our organisations are on papers. Anitaben has been appointed the chairperson of the BIA and I am pretty sure she will do justice. So many of our leaders are active only for Facebook's sake. Our future generation needs to have self-confidence. The kids should learn about our language, history and religion.” Brent Council leader Mohammad Batten said, “CB has a genuine link with India. We have to keep in mind our culture, identity and history, passing it on to the new generation. I am

proud that Modiji's address on 13th November, at Wembley stadium brought thousands of people to Brent. Modiji has opened new doors for India, and by keeping good terms with the neighbouring countries, he has built a path towards success.”

BIA chairperson Anitaben Rupareliya said, “Narendrabhai Modi has bestowed a gift to all his sisters in Britain by being present in Brent on 13th November, on the occasion of Bhaibeej. The very next day BIA celebrated its 50 anniversary. BIA stands tall on its own feet today.

We don't get any grants but

we have strong backers.

From welfare benefit to immigration, OCI, we provide help to everybody without any caste or religious barriers. Today, I thank all those present.”

Vinubhai Sachaniya, who has long been associated with the BJP, said, “Narendrabhai Modi has worked his magic on people across the world. He said that if the Muslims had followed the principles of Sufi, there would not have been guns in so many hands. Nothing can be done without empathy.

NaMo truly said that he had no other option but to start the direct flight as CB

kept holding me by my throat. CB does a lot for his fellow Gujaratis. Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice are the only newspapers who do not take adverts on black magic.”

Ashish Goyal who works as a portfolio manager at hedge fund company Bluecrest said, “Because of Modi the entire world celebrated yoga day. Obama to Putin, Merkel to Jinping, all the leaders want to meet Modi. From opening to bank accounts, to Swachch Bharat, from building toilets to Make in India, Modi has started so many initiatives. Today there is a 100 per cent increase in foreign direct investment, and over $ 40 billion as investment.”

“Narendrabhai Modi is a visionary person. During his tenure in Gujarat, he had changed the state, and now, he will do that with the whole of India. The city of London is powerful and our business link is of foremost importance. London's links with different cities of India will produce good results,” said Brent and Harrow, London assembly member Navinbhai Shah.

Brent's Conservative group leader Sureshbhai Kansagara said, “BIA functions smoothly and I am grateful to all those who have supported it. Indians

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

in Mauritius and Fiji have lost a lot owing to less connections with their home country. I am grateful to CB for organising such a programme.”

During the event, questions on topics such as child sex grooming, cleanliness and the construction of toilets, OCI, court cases and others, were asked to Jasuben Mistry (Prajapati Association, London), Shri Bhatt, Bhartiben Trivedi, Prabhubhai Shah (Axbridge), Pravinbhai G Patel (SPMS), Jayrambhai Patel, Gopalbhai Vyas (Dunstable), Subhashbhai Sampat (Harrow), Dileepbhai Chaubal (Harrow), Geetaben (Wembley), Smitaben Patel, Ramniklal Jasaani, Praffulbhai Patel (Wembley), and others.

Managing Editor, Gujarat Samachar, Kokilaben Patel presented an outline of the programme. Well-known artist Harinbhai Gadhvi presented beautiful prayer, along with a self written composition on Narendra Modi.

Gujarat Samachar News Editor Kamal Rao introduced all the speakers present, and, gave special thanks to Anitaben. Food for the evening was sponsored by Bhavnaben Patel of Oriental Foods.

Warm welcome to passengers at Ahmedabad airport After years of hard work and petitioning, direct flight took off from Heathrow Airport in London to reach Ahmedabad at 6:45 am on 16 December, aapnu amdavad duly welcomed it and its passengers with pomp, fervour and affability. As the feeling of celebration ran in the air, the 180 travellers got off the plane with smiles and glow on their faces despite the long journey.

Present at the terminal were State Civil Aviation Minister Jasabhai Barad, Minister of the NRI department, Pradipsinh Jadeja, Ahmedabad's recently elected Mayor Gautam Shah, Deputy Mayor Pramoda Sutaria, and, buzzing media reporters who effectively stepped up the excitement. Also present was All Party

From left: State Civil Aviation Minister Jasabhai Barad, CB Patel, Manoj Ladwa, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Additional Secretary (NRI) NP Lavingiya Committee for Direct Flight's India Co-ordinator Bhupatrai Parekh.

Amongst those welcomed were London solicitor Manoj Ladwa and APBL

Publisher/ Editor CB Patel.

Tourism Department Commissioner N

Srivastava, Additional Secretary NRI department NP Lavingiya, Gujarat state NRG Foundation Director PV Antani, Captain Ashok Chauhan, airport officials, Gujarat Tourism department officials and, Gujarat Samachar (UK) and Asian Voice was made their attendance in greeting the first direct flight in 14 years.

Speaking after the arrival of the direct flight, Pradipsinh Jadeja said, “I am overjoyed with the fact that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave in to our demand for a direct air connectivity from Britain to Gujarat. Earlier passengers used to get air connectivity either from Mumbai or Dubai which wasn't really convenient. Gujaratis living across the world and those in Britain can now directly reach Ahmedabad

Pradeepsinh Jadeja and, Ahmedabad Mayor Gautam Shah welcome passengers

airport, which is not only handy but also saves them time.”

Expressing her delight, passenger Anilaben said, “We are very happy that the direct flight has finally resumed after a lot of time.

It helps make it easy for people like us to reach our country. Before this we had to get down at Mumbai or Dubai which prolonged our travel and it took us a lot of time to reach Gujarat. The direct flight saves our time.” Another passenger Kshama Parekh said, “The direct flight from London to Ahmedabad saved me a lot of time, and, it didn't get dreary!” She also added, “The flight did stop over in Mumbai but no time was wasted. If the plane provides us with a direct air connectivity to Ahmedabad, a short stopover is no big deal.”

SPECIAL

www.asian-voice.com

17

ABPL honours all who worked for direct flight AsianVoiceNews

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent visit to the UK, announced the London-Ahmedabad direct flight at the Wembley Stadium, with a special mention of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice Publisher/Editor CB Patel, who had spearheaded the campaign. The first flight took off from Ahmedabad on 15 December.

An event was organised on the evening of 16th December, at the Imperial Banquet Hall (Fortune Inn Haveli), in Gandhinagar, to honour all those who helped and gave their support to the cause. All the invitees marked their presence in the gathering. Well-known singer Mayaben Deepak commenced the evening by beautifully singing a prayer and guruvandana. She sung compositions in Hindi and Gujarati throughout the evening, captivating the audience with her melodious voice. Anchor Tushar Joshi shared details about the cause, engaging the invitees in a rendezvous that made it a night to remember. Aptly summarising CB Patel's direct flight campaign he said, “main akela hi chala tha janib-e-manzil magar log ate gaye karvaan banta gaya.” It took ONE man to voice his demand.

People gradually joined him and the campaign bore fruits.

Publisher/Editor of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, and UK coordinator of the All Party

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Committee for Direct Flight, CB Patel personally felicitated those who helped him with his cause. He said, “I have been living abroad for 55 years now. For me, our culture is of the essence.

Our grandchildren should be acquainted with Indian culture. Narendra Modi is a person who understands true words. There are those who resent the direct flight campaign and then there are those whose interests lie in the flight's functioning.

When the UK government shut down the Hare Krishna temple in Watford, even then all Hindus got together and opposed the decision. It took more than 35,000 people for the tem-

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

ple to successfully reopen.

People in large numbers have helped us in the London-Ahmedabad direct flight campaign. Thousands of people helped us by signing our petition.”

Honouring UK's corporate solicitor and a member of the All Party Committee for Direct Flight UK, Manoj Ladwa, CB said that he is like a son to him. “The question of Manoj Ladwa is one the closest to Narendra Modi can be raised. I believe that Modi has many followers but then at the same time, he has none. He also has a lot of enemies. Modi has told Manoj that after the London-Ahmedabad flight, we should do some-

People honoured in the event

Arjun Modhwadia, Former President of Gujarat Congress

Harin Pathak, Former BJP MP

Manoj Ladwa, Corporate Solicitor and, Member of the All Party Committee for Direct Flight (UK)

Vejabhai Ravalia, Chairman, Seasons Hotels, Rajkot

KH Patel, Chairman of the NRG Foundation, GCCI Ahmedabad and India's former High Commissioner

AK Sharma, Director of Ahmedabad Airport Authority

CK Patel, Hotelier

Digant Sompura, Political Advisor, British Deputy High Commission, Ahmedabad

Vishal Sevak, RJ 94.3 FM, Bhaskar Group

thing about Bhuj and Rajkot. First, we should work on a Muscat-Bhuj flight.” After the honour, Manoj took the mike to share a few words. He said, “CB Patel is the guidance for those living in the UK and Gujarat. CB is like a father to me. Whereever there is struggle, CB will be amongst the first to reach.

CB asked me the question, but the answer depends on me. The first time I came to India was when I was 11.

From London, we went to Muscat and then Mumbai.

There was a flight to Porbandar from Mumbai after two days. This way, it took us 4 days to reach Porbandar. Our aim behind

London-Ahmedabad flight isn't pecuniary, in fact, it is social. Our focus is to help the old, the disabled and the kids. The campaign does not end here. We still have a lot of cities in the country where we can provide direct air connectivity.”

Honouring former BJP MP Harin Pathak, CB shared that Harinbhai has constantly appealed to the Lok Sabha regarding matters of the railways and the airport. In reply, Harin said, “We should not be congratulating Harin Pathak, but CB Patel.

Bhupatbhai had informed me that CB is running the direct flight campaign from London. The direct flight

Jagdish Bhavsar, School Board Chairman, Ahmedabad

Nishit Vyas, Spokesperson, Gujarat Congress Samiti

NP Livingia, Additional Secretary (NRI), General Administration Department

PV Antani, Director, Gujarat NRG Foundation

Mayaben Deepak, Singer

Tushar Joshi, Anchor

was initially announced and then shut down.

Narendra Modi has a big hand in this flight taking off again. I may not be a member of the Parliament, but it in no way means that my work here is done. MPs and Social Workers should work hand in hand.”

CB then honoured Vejabhai Ravalia, Chairman of Seasons Hotels, Rajkot.

He said, “I have not seen a person as outspoken and frank as him. This is the first time in 32 years that he has returned to Gandhinagar after leaving the legislative assembly.” Vejabhai said, “Harinbhai and Manoj said what they had to. I was 29 years old when I became a member of the legislative assembly. CB is my friend and I always bow down to his love. He started the fight for the London-Ahmedabad flight. I want to tell him that the more he keeps fighting for the right, the younger he will become.”

The committee's Gujarat-based Coordinator Bhupatrai Parekh said the direct flight campaign has created history. “CB Patel is the one who drove the campaign to success. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the commencement of the direct flight to the audience at the Wembley Stadium, UK, my chest swelled with pride.”

At the end of the event, CB expressed his gratitude towards all those present and invited all to join him for dinner.

Yogesh Madlani, Assistant Manager, Air India

Kailash Sinh, Air India, Ahmedabad

Subhash Joshi, Gujarat Government

Bhupatrai Parekh, Senior Journalist and, co-ordinator of the committee (Gujarat)

18

ASIANBUSINESS

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Consultant Editor Financial Voice

Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, So Lord Sugar has his business partner in BBC’s the Apprentice. I see a lot of business plans each week from people with various propositions. The one thing that usually let’s them down, and I saw this just this week in an otherwise great fashion based business plan, is that they don’t explain the return the investor will get.

We Indians are great business people, especially Gujaratis, as an article in the Economist this week explained. But a business person looking for money has to be able to explain the investor the return for them.

Now, that was easy when all you wanted was a loan. The return was the interest rate, and the other person took a risk on your and your business’s ability to pay.

Now of course, as with Lord Sugar, it is not about a loan but shares in your business. What is the investors’ return? How will they get the money back?

After all if shares are in a private company, then who will buy them? How could they be valued?

You have to be able to answer what the company will be worth in three years, how you came about that value, who will buy it, what experience you have in selling company shares.

For instance, is 100% of the company worth a multiple of its average annual profits for the past three years? Maybe 5 times is the multiple? So that in 3 years my, say, 50% stake, I can start working out what it will be worth.

But how does that get sold? Maybe you can comfort me with another method such as paying me dividends each year – so again I know my returns.

Of course all the while I have to be sure you have the expertise to make the returns you mention. And that’s when it gets complicated – in case it was not already – because I may then say I will give you money, but if your company doesn’t do well, I want that to be a loan, and if it does well I want it to be for 50% of the company.

Without these things, why would anyone buy shares in a private company and give an entrepreneur money? Unless of course you are asking friends and family?

I see a lot of business plans and this is the most common failing – not understanding how to answer what the person you are asking money from, needs to know. You need to put yourself in their position.

Instead people are so much in love with their business they almost feel entitled to money. Whereas to an investor the company is a machine which produces money – hopefully! They don’t love it, nor need to love it, the way you do.

India lowers FY16 GDP growth forecast to 7-7.5% India is expected to grow by 7-7.5 per cent in 2015-16, slower than the previous estimate of 8.1-8.5 per cent as weak exports, sluggish farm sector and private investment weighed on faster expansion, as shown by the government's midyear review.

While RBI estimated growth to be about 7.4% this year, private economists and multilateral agencies said the Indian economy will expand close to 7.5%. The Indian economy is seen as a bright spot against the backdrop of slowing growth across the world. Even with this growth rate, India will still be the fastest growing economy in the world. The government vowed to meet the fiscal deficit target of 3.9 per cent for the current financial year without resorting to any expenditure cuts but said the fiscal

outlook for next year was challenging and called for a careful reassessment of both fiscal and monetary policies. Retail inflation is likely to be within RBI's target of about 6 per cent in 2015-16.

“The economy is recovering but it's hard to be very definitive about the strength and breadth of the recovery for two reasons; economy is sending mixed signal and second there is some uncertainty over how to interpret GDP data,” said Arvind Subramanian, chief economic adviser in the finance ministry. “A lot is going on in the economy and different things are happening in different sectors, which make interpreting somewhat difficult,” he said, adding that overall tax revenues were buoyant, inflation was under control and external situation was robust.

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Britain's Rice King: How He Made It AsianVoiceNews

Moni Varma, always dreamt of becoming a millionaire, but never imagined his fortune would be built on rice. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Varma described how he 'got distracted' by rice, while planning to set up a trading company in Ealing, to buy and sell steel.

“I did not want to sell rice- I wanted to work in the steel industry...” Born in India (where his parents were on holiday), the youngest of 8 children, Varma grew up and lived in Nyasaland, which became Malawi. 33 years old Varma came to Britain in 1982. His father was an electrical engineer and mother a housewife.

In his homeland he helped to run a company that made steel products, but when a relative asked him to import Basmati rice to Britain, he saw an opportunity he could not ignore.

A nation of curries, rice has become a great part of the British cuisine. Duties on milled rice imported in Europe were £400 a tonne, while for unmilled brown rice they were £200.

Moni Varma Varma thought there were profits to be made by importing unrefined rice and milling it himself.

And his hunch was proved right. Launched in 1987, today Veetee Rice has a sales of £72mn and profits top £3mn. Varma's fortune is esimated at £215mn and ranked 450th on The Sunday Times Richlist. The company mills and packs rice for household names such as M&S and Tesco. All the own-brand rice on the shelves of Waitrose, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrison's also comes from Vetee.

Varma left school in 1968. He planned to study law, but was offered a job as a salesman for

Gestetner, the copying machine maker.

The money was good, so his academic aspirations was soon forgotten. After 11 months Varma left the job, set up a business with a friend to sell barbed wire.

They expanded it into a steel supplier before Hastings Banda (Malawi's then President) bought over the company in 1980.

He then moved to Britain with his wife.

“I don't regret my decision,” he said speaking about his decision to take up rice over steel. “Both industries are equally problematic. Every commodity has its cycle- it goes up and down.”

Varma also runs Veetee foods a sister company starte in 2005, which sells rice dishes ready to heat and eat, and had a revenue of £18mn in 2014.

Undaunted by pitching to big companies, today his business has two factories in India. 66 years old Varma lives with his wife between two homes, one in Middlesex and other in Mayfair. They have two children- Priya, 32 and Rajiv, 30, who works at Vetee as the deputy chair-

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man.

What is Moni Varma's future ambition? He plans for a £25mn factory in North Carolina to help Vetee win more business from American supermarket chains. It is already supplying to 7500 outlets, including Walmart, which brings in £6mn of sales.

Whether his bold ambitions for a new site will pay off or not he does not know for sure. If it does, he could be prepared to accept one of the many offers he has.

“I will sell the companby at son stage, may be when I have the factory up and running.” It seems he will have no problems securing the funds for his future endeavours. He is also sure that the company revenue will remain the same in the next financial year.

Signing off with an advise for budding entrepreneurs, a role-model Varma emphasised there is no smooth sailing in a business.

“If you want to start your own venture, go right ahead. You will prevail if you use your common sense and persevere.

There's always a risk in everything you do.”

Bengal to host Global Business Summit in January Rupanjana Dutta Bengal will be hosting a Global Business Summit in partnership with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, from 7-9 January 2016, in Kolkata at the Milan Mela grounds on E M Bypass.

The summit will focus on West Bengal's capability and readiness to take on bigger and greater business challenges. With the aim to fulfill aspirations, the vision is to establish an image of Bengal that embodies the essence of a new, businessready Bengal.

The summit promises to guide the State towards greater avenues of business possibilities by implementing technology, policies, practice and strategic investments.

Armed with a vision for the State's vibrant and diverse sectors this threeday long summit will seek to open up new business possibilities. Seeking to partner with the business community, investors and intellectual capital from outside the State and the Country, the Summit will aim to encourage investments in a range of areas that will trigger a journey of growth and progress in the years to come.

While there will be platforms for sharing experiences of doing business in Bengal by major industry players, there will also be presentations from overseas

Bengal - At a Glance

and national investors.

Describing West Bengal as India's gateway to South East Asia, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at Bengal Global Business Summit 2015 in Kolkata earlier this year had said: "West Bengal has several strengths. It's strategically located, it's one of the most important cities of India and perhaps the most important city of eastern India. It's our gateway to Southeast Asia...”

21 Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) were signed with the UK in health, education and urban development industry, when Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited London in July.

During the visit, Priti Patel, the UK Employment Minister addressing a gathering of delegates said, "For 34 years, West Bengal languished under Communist rule. The state had tremendous potential, but that

potential remained unfulfilled... I am delighted to say that things are changing fast. Today, West Bengal is on the move.

"Under Mamata Banerjee's leadership the state is enjoying a renaissance and its potential is beginning to be realised.

"The Prime Minister was impressed. It was clear to him this was a state - and a Chief Minister - that we could do business with.

That's why he invited Ms Banerjee to visit London.”

The MoUs included academic exchange programmes between the University of Cambridge and Presidency University, Kolkata, in the areas of Arts and Humanities and between London-based School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Presidency for studying Bangla as a language.

In the health sector, a MoU was signed between

the Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, and the UK's Royal College of General Practitioners for technical support to run post-graduate diploma courses on family medicine.

It also included a technical collaboration for development of micro climate controlled bio domes for 'Eco Tourism Township' in Kolkata.

Speakers at the summit will include top industrialists and experts. Sectors focussed will include IT Software and Hardware, Urban Infrastructure and Housing, Hospitality, Tourism and Entertainment, MSME & Textiles, Healthcare, education and skills, Energy & Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Transport services, Food processing, Horticulture & Floriculture.

For more info on the summit see: www.bengalglobalsummit.com

REALESTATEVOICE

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Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

Exploiting the Market in 2016

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

19

We are gearing up for a busy start to 2016. There will be limited stock especially at the lower levels; at higher levels there tend to be more deals as there are less players in the market and therefore more room to breathe. The frenzy is expected due to the anticipated rise of 3% in Stamp Duty which is expected to occur in April.

In his Autumn statement in late November, the Chancellor outlined plans for an extra 3% stamp duty payable on buy-to-let investments and second homes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The detail has not yet been issued – the initial consultation is due to be published next month. Until this happens, it is hard to draw firm conclusions, but landlords will likely review their holdings in conjunction with the change of policy around mortgage interest relief which is being phased in from 2017.

A 3% increase in cost should not sway your decision to invest in property, but for many who have been sitting on the fence this could be the push they need.

With this expectation it is increasingly more important how one identifies a deal. Here are a few pointers which will help your search for one. Broadly speaking there exist two avenues of sale: one is through the auction route which gives sellers certainty of sale and time. The other is through agencies where one may get more money but there exists uncertainty in terms of whether a sale will fall through or not and typically transaction times tend to be longer and uncertain. Auctions also provide transparency to the process, i.e. anyone can go and bid for a property. This is why this route is favoured by charities, trustees and public bodies. The risk of getting sued post sale is minimised.

In regards to auctions there are three points at which one can purchase: one is pre auction, the other on the auction day itself and the third is to pick up unsold lots post auction.

At times properties are left unsold, this can occur if the seller had set too high a price on the property. The auction will make a comment on their website ‘unsold but available at £X’. The X is the reserve price, which is the minimum the seller requires. This means the market was not prepared to pay this amount. Therefore in this scenario do not be afraid to offer less than the reserve figure as this was unrealistic, especially if the property was being sold by a public body as they can justify accepting a lower offer, since it has been through the auction process and hadn't sold.

We purchased a property in Maida Vale which came with five unknown tenancies. It was a freehold block and we purchased it at £1.1m; we traded it three days later for £1.3m without ever completing.

At times you may find a property and want it so much you do not want it to go to the room, in case you lose control of the deal. One often has the option to bid prior to the auction, which many are unaware off. Depending on the lot auctioneers like properties to go to the rooms, as they like the activity and the buzz generated by this.

However they like their commissions more, and so would be prepared to have a certain sale too. Properties owned by public bodies and trustees are more likely to be sold in the room, to ensure the process remains transparent, i.e. there does not exist the option to give the auctioneer a back hander, unlike the estate agency route.

The pre auction purchase is more likely to be done where the vendor is a private individual.

In buying at auction you have the risk of uncertainty, all it takes is one other person who wants the property a little more than you do to bid the price up. There are however some signs to look out for which will increase the chances in your favour. There are properties which have been simply put into the wrong auction. I remember purchasing a property from a small auctioneer and reselling it with a larger auctioneer in the space of two months and there was a difference of £22k. If a landlord has a long standing relationship with an auctioneer this may blind him to giving the instruction to them. If the property is in the centre of town, and the auctioneer is not, chances are they may not be the best people to achieve the highest price. The other point to watch out for is certain auctioneers specialise in certain locations; at times properties are mismatched. An extreme example is a Welsh auction selling a Central London property. In practice this happens with the auctioneers within the London Area.

Another point to look out for when hunting a deal is repossessed property. These will be listed as the vendor being the LPA receiver.

Often when a property is sold in this way the person who has been repossessed is not very forthcoming with the paperwork. In the event the property is tenanted it will be described as an unknown tenancy, as the receiver does not have access to the agreement. This means it could be an AST, which is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy or a more complicated one which means you cannot evict the tenant out in the normal fashion. The latter can devalue the property significantly.

A shrewd person who has been repossessed will sabotage the deal and then try and buy the same deal back at a fraction of the cost. In fact in this way they could make more money than doing a plain vanilla deal. Withholding tenant information is not the only way to sabotage a deal, you can also add illegal alterations which may attract an enforcement notice from the council. Externally this may look complicated and problematic, but in actual fact there may be a very simple way to resolve it for the person who had instigated this.

I knew someone who had his property repossessed in Paddington, he had employed such measures with precisely the intention to purchase this deal right back from the trustees. He had encroached into the space of the next door building whom he was in cohorts with to make the situation very messy.

The other aspect to look at is timing. It is not a good time to have an auction for example when the Olympics are going on. People are drinking, and sleeping late, they are in no mood to be purchasing at auction the next day. That is of course unless you’re a Gujarati, don’t drink, and just want to make money.

We have had firsthand experience of this and been at the wrong end of the transaction. We put a property in auction during the time when London hosted the Olympics as well as celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee. The property was a block in Shepherd’s Bush, it was freehold consisting of three flats. The property was unsold at the auction even though it was only on at £650k, we had some feeble offers at around £600k by some opportunists post auction which we refused. We were happy to take less as we had only exchanged on the property and therefore time was of the essence. Only a year later we sold the property for £975k, flat by flat.

The bottom line is people are motivated more by fear than the pursuit of pleasure. If there is uncertainty in a deal this causes paralysis in most investors, if you can unravel the problem or take a logical gamble on it you can exploit the situation.

We will examine some ways to spot deals on the estate agency side in the next issue, which will be out in 2016.

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Tips of the Week

l Three points should be considered when investing: Firstly, is the investment safe?

Secondly, is it going to go upwards? And thirdly, what time period can you exit - if required.

l When purchasing in auction always check the seller has held the property for longer than six months, otherwise you will have difficulty obtaining a mortgage with most high street lenders. Many properties held for less than 6 months are dumped in the auction.

BUSINESS -

20

WORLD

www.asian-voice.com

FICCI elects new President

Harshavardhan Neotia

Pankaj R Patel

Rashesh Shah

Mr Harshavardhan Neotia has taken over as the President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) at the conclusion of the Chamber’s 88th Annual General Meeting on 19 December 2015.

Mr. Neotia is the Chairman of Ambuja Neotia Group. Operating through several companies, the Ambuja Neotia Group covers the entire spectrum of the Real Estate industry including Housing, Hospitality, Health Care and Education. He did his schooling in La Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata and obtained B.Com (Hons.) from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. Subsequently he completed the Owner President Management Program (OPM) from the Harvard Business School, USA. Mr. Neotia was conferred with ‘Padma Shri’ by

the President of India in 1999 for his outstanding initiative in social housing.

He was also honoured with YPO Legacy of Honour Award in 2005.

He is a Member on the Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata and also a Member on the Society of Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. He is on the Board of Shree Somnath Trust, Gujarat.

Mr Neotia is the Honorary Consul of Israel in West Bengal. Mr. Pankaj R. Patel is Chairman and Managing Director, Zydus Cadila Cadila Healthcare Ltd. He brings with him over 35 years of professional experience and spearheads the affairs of Zydus Cadila.

He is the Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Science Education and

Research, IISER, Kolkata; a Member of the Board of Governors and also the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad; Member Governing Board of The Ahmedabad University, Chairman of School of Life Sciences, Ahmedabad University; Member of the Board of Management of the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies and Executive Chairman, Vice President and Trustee of the Gujarat Cancer Society and Chairman of the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute.

Mr. Rashesh Shah is Chairman and CEO, Edelweiss Group. He has spent over 25 years in the corporate and financial markets sector and is one of the leading spokespersons for the industry.

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Pravin Gordhan Finance Minister of South Africa again Newly reappointed South Africa's Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan is an Indian-origin former pharmacist with an antiapartheid struggle record dating back to the 1960s. He was Minister of Finance of the Republic of South Africa from 11 May 2009 to 23 May 2014.

Pravinbhai was born on 12th April 1949 to Rumbaben and Jamnadasbhai Gordhan and is married to Vanitha Raj and has two children.

He graduated as a pharmacist from the University of Durban Westville in 1973 and became involved in politics as a student, helping organize opposition to all-white rule for the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party.

Pravinbhai played a key role in negotiations between the ANC and the National Party government (the white supremacist government) leading to South Africa’s first all-race elections in 1994. He was instrumental in negotiations with the Western governments as well.

He was a Member of Parliament between 1994 and 1998 for the African National Congress. He was elected as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee (1996), which oversaw the implementation of the new constitutional order. At the same time, he played a leading role in drafting the present Constitution. After the ANC took power under Nelson Mandela, he was appointed a lawmaker and chairman of a committee overseeing the implementation of a new Constitution. During the period of apartheid era of the white ruling government, Pravinbhai was detained several times by the then South African police for his revolutionary activities incorporating the African National Congress.

He was Deputy Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service from March 1998 and was Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service from November 1999. He was Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 23 May 2014 to 13 December 2015.

Pravinbhai organised and led the student movement and civic structures during the 1970s and 1980s. He took part in the Natal Indian Congress call to boycott elections in the 1980s and was detained three times by the

apartheid government. He spent four years in the underground structures.

He was also involved in the South African Communist Party (SACP) and African National Congress (ANC).

He worked as a pharmacist at the King Edward VII hospital in Durban until he was expelled after his detention by the police.

Pravinbhai is also the former Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service as well as the former Chair of the World Customs Organisation (WCO). He was presented with “Commander of the Order of the Crown” award in recognition of his leadership as the Chairperson of the Council for the WCO and for his relentless

rand currency to record lows, sparked a sell-off in bank stocks and sent yields in local and dollardenominated debt soaring.

Credit agency Fitch downgraded South Africa on December 4, leaving the continent's most sophisticated economy just one notch above junk status. Under pressure, Zuma removed Rooyen after 4 days and on December 14 appointed Pravinbhai as the new FM. The markets cheered Gordhan's appointment, the rand bounced back 5% against the dollar and the Johannesburg stock exchange also recovered some of last week's losses.

Pravinbhai now plans to stabilise South Africa's economy after the Nene debacle. He has the absolute backing of the leadership. “As far as I’m concerned, otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting in that chair. I’ve been given a responsibility to both direct and stabilise our ship,” he was quoted as saying to the Financial

A peek into Parajiya Soni history

Pravin Gordhan is a Dhanak (Soni community). Around 1152 AD, there was a Parajiya Soni named Jam Kesarji. He was appointed by King Dhalurasha of Bambhanasur in the Sindh province (now in Pakistan) to take charge of his mint, manufacturing of gold coins and the finances of the kingdom.

Jam Kesarji's effective leadership and efficient operations to manage kingdom’s finances impressed the King. In order to acknowledge his services for looking after the kingdom’s wealth (‘dhan’ in Gujarati), the

efforts, internationally and domestically, to promote Customs integrity. Mr Gordhan was re-elected during the June 2002 WCO Council meeting held in June at Brussels, Belgium. He is a doctorate in both law and commerce.

This widely respected Indian-origin politician was appointed South Africa's new finance minister by President Jacob Zuma, becoming the third finance chief of the country in a week amid a raging economic turmoil.

Zuma sacked Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister on December 9 and replaced him with a relatively unknown lawmaker David Rooyen, sparking a wave of criticism and financial turmoil. The removal of Nene sent the

King awarded Jam Kesarji to be called Dhanik (keeper of ‘dhan’). Dhanik later came to be called Dhanak. Thus, Jam Kesarji Dhanak became the first ancestor of the Dhanak pariwar. The lineal ancestors of the Dhanak families, all of whom can be traced back generation by generation to the founding ancestor Jam Kesarji. As they say history repeats itself.

After more than 850 years, Mr Pravin Gordhan – another Dhanak – will be looking after South Africa’s ‘dhan’ as the finance minister.

Times.

Pravinbhai indicated his intention to tackle the economic problem through structural reforms and said he would try to boost inclusive growth with “a more extensive and intensive reaching out to the private sector”.

“The fact the majority of black professionals and the black middle class feel excluded from the economic benefits is a problem that both the established private sector and government have to give more serious attention to,” he was quoted as saying to the UK's leading financial daily. “We have a particular historical legacy in terms of the structure of the economy and the time has come to start discussing how we reform that structure.”

CURRENCYVOICE

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21

Foreign Exchange

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX,

UK retail sales boosts Pound value in November Currency Specialists.

It has been a defining week for the US dollar with Janet Yellen finally announcing a long awaited rate hike. As our reports have been alluding to in the months prior to the announcement, we saw the US Federal Reserve raise interest rates by 25 basis points from 0.25% to 0.5% – its first increase since June 2006. In addition, the US central bank raised its projection for economic growth next year from 2.3% to 2.4%, which suggests the bank does not think the rate increase will damage growth. The rate rise vote was unanimous and the bank cited as the reasons for its action increased household spending and investment by business, along with a continued low rate of inflation. The committee said: "The committee judges that there have been considerable improvements in labor market conditions this year, and it is reasonably confident that inflation will rise, over the medium term, to its 2% objective."

With regards to the Euro, industrial production in the Eurozone rebounded in October after two months of decline, according to new figures released this morning.

On the year, industrial production across the currency bloc was up 1.9 per cent against a 1.3% consensus. Output from Eurozone factories, quarries and mines, jumped 0.6% in October compared with 0.3% the previous month. The figures, published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Commission, showed the biggest annual gain was in durable consumer goods, which includes things like fridges, cars and mobile phones.

Further, production of durable consumer goods was up 4.2 per cent. The fastest annual growth was in Ireland, where production is 14.6 per cent higher. It also climbed at healthy rates in France, Spain and Italy, but declined 0.1 per cent in Germany, the Eurozone's biggest economy. Germany plans to raise some 210 billion euros ($231.76 billion) by issuing bonds and similar debt instruments in 2016, nearly 13 percent more than it borrowed this year.

In addition, German business confidence unexpectedly slipped in December in a sign that companies are concerned about the risks facing Europe’s largest economy. The IFO institute’s business climate index dropped to 108.7 from 109.0 in November. The Bundesbank kept its 2016 growth projection unchanged at 1.8 percent this month, arguing that the economy is benefiting from “lively” domestic spending even as the export-oriented manufacturing sector suffers from uncertainty in emerging markets.

With a renewed drop in oil prices undermining efforts by the European Central Bank to boost inflation in the euro area and a refugee crisis testing the region’s political resolve, risks to the outlook have increased. As an overview, we have seen GBP/EUR from a high of 1.3846 and a low of 1.3703 and EUR/USD from a high of 1.1031 to a low of 1.0809.

Turning to the pound, The Bank of England deputy governor Minouche Shafik has said she will not vote for an interest rate rise until

she is convinced wage growth has recovered. In the latest sign from policymakers that borrowing costs will remain on hold well into 2016, Shafik noted signs that the rate of earnings growth in the UK had “levelled off” recently and that other factors were also keeping inflation low, such as the strong pound and a drop in commodity prices. Shafik saw several possible explanations for wage growth easing off: that the number of hours worked per person per week may have started to decline; that employment growth has been skewed towards lower paid jobs; and that the low level of headline inflation may be leading to less generous pay rises.

Also worthy of note is that the UK’s inflation rate edged back above zero in November for the first time in four months, a move that still leaves the rate a long way from the Bank of England’s target of 2%.

Prices rose an annual 0.1 percent in November after falling 0.1 percent in October, said the Office for National Statistics. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, accelerated to 1.2 percent from 1.1 percent.

The BOE expects inflation to remain below 1 percent until the second half of next year and only reach its 2 percent goal in late 2017.

The figures follow a warning from BOE officials this month about weak inflation filtering through the economy and flattening out wage growth. BOE Deputy Governor Minouche Shafik said on Monday that she would wait for wage growth to be sustained at a level consistent with inflation returning to target

before voting for an interest rate increase. UK wage data being released this morning is forecast to show that annual income growth has slowed from 3 percent to 2.5 percent. Average earnings in the U.K. increased less than expected in the last three months of the year, reducing the case for higher interest rates. The average earnings index including bonuses rose by 2.4% in the three months to October; this came in below the forecast for a gain of 2.5% data released yesterday showed that the jobless rate in October fell to the lowest level since mid-2008. The rate of unemployment dropped to 5.2% in the three months to October. The Pound was also boosted when UK retail sales rose by more than expected in November, as shops offered promotions at the end of the month in the run up to Black Friday. Sales volumes increased by 1.7% in November from the month before, the Office for National Statistics said.

However, in spite of this we saw sterling hovering near an eightmonth low against the dollar on Friday as well as heading for its worst week since August on a tradeweighted basis, on bets the Bank of England is in no rush to follow the U.S. Federal Reserve with an interest rate rise. Though the BoE is expected to be the second major central bank to raise rates since the financial crisis, investors do not expect a move until late 2016, or even in 2017. Data this week showing inflation at zero and slowing wage growth will keep pressure off the Bank.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 22nd December 2015 @ 1pm

GBP - INR = 98.80

USD - INR = 66.33 EUR - INR = 72.54 GBP - USD = 1.48 GBP - EUR = 1.48

EUR - USD = 1.09 GBP - AED = 5.46

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In Brief

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Landslide devastates Chinese industrial park, 91 missing

BEIJING: At least 91 people have gone missing after a huge mound of mud and construction waste collapsed at a business park in southern China, burying 33 buildings. Premier Li Keqiang has ordered an official investigation into the landslides, which come four months after huge chemical blasts at the northern port of Tianjin killed more than 160 people. The mudslide smashed into multi-storied buildings at the Hengtaiyu industrial park, toppling them in collisions. A villager said the mud came like “huge waves”, as residents ran out of the way. The mud covered an area of more than 380,000 square metres and was 10 metres deep in parts. Provincial authorities sent a team to investigate and said the accumulation of a large amount of waste meant that mud was stacked too steep, “causing instability and collapse, resulting in the collapse of buildings”.

EU army to protect borders

BRUSSELS: Proposals of a 2,500 strong border and coastguard corps could see armed German personnel sent to Greece or the Balkans. European Union's first paramilitary force will have the power to take control of a nation's borders without the consent of the sovereign governments. The force, wearing blue armbands and an EU and agency insignia, will be equipped with naval patrol vessels, helicopters and drones, as per plans made by European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker. Based in Warsaw, it will have 1,000 permanent officials and be able to deploy a standing 1,500 border guards at three days' notice to secure the frontier of the Schengen travel zone. “In urgent situations, the agency must be able to step in to ensure action is taken on the ground even where . . . that member state considers there is no need for additional intervention,” the proposal said.

Roulette fraud trio can keep £2m

MONACO: Three British gamblers, Sajid Rashid (49), Oamar Hussain (26) and Zahidul Haque Khan (45), were jailed in Monaco for a roulette table fraud, which even had officials expressing unwilling amazement for them. Monaco Criminal Court were told that the gamblers had made £2.69 million over the year in Monte Carlo casino. The court was also informed that the trio had gambled so much money that the casino in an expensive hotel for free, also treating them to meals whenever they arrived in demesne. Although they were found guilty of fraud, it is astonishing to know that they have been allowed to keep £2 million.

Indian-American trafficking victim appointed to key US post

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has nominated an Indian-American, victim of human trafficking, to an administration post that deals with the issue. The White House said in a statement that Harold d'Souza, from Vadodara, Gujarat, has been named a member of the US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. “I am honoured that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country.

They bring their years of experience and expertise to this Administration, and I look forward to working with them,” Obama said in a statement. Currently a Senior Supply Chain Associate for Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, d'Souza is also a founding member of the National Survivor Network and is active with End Slavery Cincinnati. “I am a survivor of labour trafficking and debt bondage and a dedicated advocate against human trafficking,” he wrote on his LinkedIn page.

2 blasts hit a mosque inside Bangla navy base

DHAKA: The latest in a series of attacks on mosques, at least six people were injured when two Molotov cocktails exploded at a mosque inside a major naval base in Bangladesh's port city of Chittagong after the Friday prayers. “Two (Molotov) cocktails exploded at a mosque inside the BNS Issa Khan in Chittagong after the (weekly) jumma prayers... Six people received minor injuries in the blasts,” the navy said in a statement. The statement however, did not say of authorities suspected any Islamist outfit or other groups for the incident, but said “outsiders too come to the mosque to offer prayers” alongside naval personnel. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

www.asian-voice.com

Cameron urged to think again over migrant benefits AsianVoiceNews

BRUSSELS: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has rejected British Prime Minister David Cameron's plan to strip EU migrants of their benefits for four years. French President François Hollande talked to Cameron over dinner and told him there can be “no flexibility” over the rights of EU workers.

Diplomats said he also told the Prime Minister to “think of alternatives”, in what seemed to lead to a major confrontation.

Refusing to back down, the British PM told his 27 counterparts that he needs a treaty change to secure a number of reforms on welfare, protecting the economy from eurozone integration and exempt Britain from the principle of evercloser union. While months of negotiations between technocrats in Brussels over the four-year policy have been fruitless, Cameron hoped to break

David Cameron the deadlock by giving a lengthy presentation to other delegates on how British schools and hospitals are currently struggling to cope with hundreds of thousands of European migrants. Despite arguments that his plan does not match with European membership, Cameron offered a no compromise solution and expected none in return. British lawyers had prepared a five-line draft treaty change they want, which Cameron presented to President of the

European Council, Donald Tusk, two weeks ago.

Cameron said the task ahead was very tough, and emphasised that he had not taken his widely rejected demand for a four-year ban on EU migrants receiving UK in-work benefit off the negotiating table. But other EU leaders said he had backtracked by accepting he could not discriminate against citizens of other EU member states. Tusk said he did not want to sound too dramatic in advance, but the meeting had been “a make-or-break moment.

The most important thing was atmosphere and goodwill”. Tusk accepted the issue of welfare and free movement remained “the most delicate and difficult.

We have to respect what David Cameron has said and we have to respect some members’ needs,” he said. Cameron said the British government was attempting “something

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

very tough by holding a referendum at a time of our choosing with a mandate from the British people”.

Insisting there was momentum behind his campaign, he added there was “enormous support for keeping the UK in the EU”.

He urged the leaders to recognise the unique nature of the British problem on migration, and its impact on the welfare of the country.

“The levels of migration we have seen in a relatively short period of time are unprecedented, including the pressures this places on communities and public services. This is a major concern of the British people that is undermining support for the European Union. We need to find an effective answer to this problem. Countries need flexibility so they can make changes to their welfare systems to better manage migration,” he said

Chinese buy bottles of fresh air from Canada BEIJING: Making money off the intense and hovering air pollution issues, a Canadian start-up company bottling fresh air from the Rocky Mountains has seen sales to China soar.

Vitality Air was founded last year in the Edmonton, but began selling to China less than two months ago.

“Our first shipmen of 500 bottles of fresh air were sold in four days,” cofounder Moses Lam said.

With a crate containing 4,000 more bottles on its way to the Asian country, Lam says most of the shipment has already been brought.

A 7.7 Litre can of crisp air taken from Banff National Park in the majestic Rocky Mountains range sells for roughly 100 yuan (£10), which is 50 times more expensive than

a bottle of mineral water in China. Most of their customers live in big cities in the northeastern and southern parts of China where severe pollution warnings have become a common occurrence.

However, the Canadian company is not the first to sell fresh air to the Chinese.

Last year, Beijing artist Liang Kegang fetched the equivalent of £512 for a

glass jar filled with air taken from a business trip in southern France.

Lam said he started out the company as a joke as well when he and cofounder Troy Paquette filled a plastic bag of air and sold it for less than 50 pence on the auction site Ebay. A second bag sold for £105. “That’s when we realised there is a market for this,” Lam said. Vitality

Air sells bottled fresh air and oxygen across North America, to India and the Middle East. But China remains its biggest overseas market. The company's China representative, Harrison Wang, said their customers are mainly affluent Chinese women who buy for their families or give away as gifts. But he says senior homes and even high end night clubs have also stocked up on their product. “In China fresh air is a luxury, something so precious,” Wang said.

The company finds trouble keeping up with the constant demand as every bottle is filled with hand. “It's very labour intensive but we also wanted to make it a very unique and fun product. We may have bit off more than we can chew,” he said.

Turkey's work on migrants to be assessed BRUSSELS: European leaders will meet together to deliberate over whether Turkey has done enough to halt the flow of migrants into Greece, to receive 2 billion pounds in aid. They will analyse migration data presented by the President of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, to assess whether Ankara has held to its end of the bargain struck with Brussels last month. Latest figures showed the number of arrivals fell to 108,000 last month, and last week, 5 people, 3 of them children, drowned and 80 were rescued when a boat capsized off the coast of Lesbos.

A source said, “It is still too early to make any final judgement on whether the

deal with Turkey is working or not working. Those who want to say it is a great success are not justified. Those who say nothing will work are not justified. We need more time.”

A report has accused the EU of being “complicit” in illegal deportations of refugees back to Syria and Iraq, as part of the deal.

Amnesty International said that refugees arriving in Turkey have been forced back to war zones; some into the hands of armed groups, and suggests EU money is being used for the operations. The charity said that EU has allowed its funds to be used for equipment and infrastructure in Turkish facilities from which refugees and

asylum-seekers are being unlawfully pressured to return to countries such as Syria and Iraq. Refugees in Turkey's Erzurum detention centre showed Amnesty staff labels attached to furniture advertising the centre's funding under an EU preaccession programme. EU officials in Ankara confirmed to Amnesty that the 6 EU-funded open reception centres outlined in the draft action plan “will actually be detention centres”.

The EU agreed to pay Turkey 2.17 bn pounds last month, towards the cost of catering for Syrian refugees in the country, with renewed momentum on talks for Turkey to join

the EU. It was also agreed to fast-track visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens travelling to the EU in return for Ankara taking back deported migrants from EU states. Turkey promised to strengthen its western borders to stop the flow of migrants and refugees towards the EU. However, the Amnesty report claimed that since September, the Turkish authorities have rounded up scores and “possibly hundreds” of migrants on to buses and transported them to isolated detention centres. A 40 year old Syrian said, “When they put a chain over your hands and legs, you feel like a slave, like you are not a human being.”

www.asian-voice.com

Risk being covered in urine if you 'wee' on walls

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Walls in Shoreditch and Dalston have been coated in liquid repellent

spends a staggering £100,000 yearly to wash away urine from walls and pavements.

These 'hydro-phobic' walls, which repel all liquids, are being trialled in Shoreditch and Dalston during this very busy festive season.

The coating on the walls work as a barrier.

Those who urinate on these

walls will have their urine bounce back at them, covering their trousers and shoes.

Feryal Demirci is in charge for neighbourhoods and sustainability. She said, “No one wants someone weeing on their own doorstep, yet some people do it on the doorsteps of our residents and businesses. If the prospect of a fine

doesn't put them off from weeing in the street, maybe the risk of getting covered in urine will.”

If the fear of being fined doesn't deter them, then maybe the fear of being covered in their own urine will make them think twice before relieving themselves in public. Furthermore, this is a great way of keeping London clean.

Libya's warring factions sign peace deal SHKIRAT (MOROCCO): Members of Libya's warring factions have signed a peace deal that could pave the way for British troops helping them to fight an attempted take-over of the country by the Islamic State. After more than a year of talks brokered by the United Nations, representatives of Libya's two main armed camps put their names to an agreement at a signing ceremony in the Moroccan resort of Shkirat.

Theoretically the deal creates a new unity government that will end more than a year of low-level civil war, during which ISIL militants have gained control of the late Colonel Gaddafi's hometown, Sirte on Libya's Mediterranean coast. Britain has said that it would support the new government in its fight against ISIL, by contribut-

Mohammed Chouaib ing up to 1,000 troops to a 6,000-strong training mission led by Italy, the country's former colonial power.

Despite warnings from the British envoy to the Libyan talks that the country is at risk of becoming a “Somalia by the Med”, it is far from guaranteed that the peace deal might even lead to a new government.

Meanwhile, many senior figures from both camps have refused to sign the deal, including Nouri Abusahmain, president of

the Tripoli-based General National Congress, which is one of the two factions involved in the talks, along with the Tobruk-based House of Representatives.

The agreement must also have the backing of militia leaders who act as the respective factions' armed muscle. Foreign diplomats are hoping to overcome resistance to the deal by gaining enough signatures of lower-level parliamentarians, plus local mayors, tribal leaders and other Libyan power-brokers.

“It is in the nature of this agreement that nobody is entirely happy, this is always like this in difficult situations,” said Martin Kobler, veteran German diplomat who has been acting as the UN's main envoy to the talks. “We have only 75 per cent of people who are happy with it. But I think it's a good start.”

Adding, “The doors remain wide open to those who are not here today.” Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, hailed the signing of the deal as a “positive step” for Libya, and said that Libyan politicians who had not endorsed it could still come forward and do so. The next step will be to create a UN resolution giving any new government international recognition, which will give it theoretical control over Libya's financial institutions and diplomatic support abroad.

It will also allow Britain to formally commit troops, likely to include special forces in covert roles, to help in the push against ISIL. Hammond said the West and the Gulf states would immediately “swing behind” any new Libyan government to help them return stability to the country.

Don't speak against India, Sharif tells his ministers ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told his ministers to refrain from airing antiIndia statements so that the peace process is not hit, an official said. A close aide to Sharif said that the ministers and senior officials had been asked not to issue any statement that could damage the peace process.

"There will be statements only that encourage the dialogue process rather than digging out the past.

The PM has asked the close aides and cabinet members to promote peace," The Nation quoted an official as saying.

He said Sharif was optimistic about better ties with India, which would benefit the whole region.

Nawaz Sharif Sharif was annoyed by statements from India that New Delhi only wanted to discuss Pakistan occupied Kashmir in talks, but understands this is not Indian government's policy, the official added.

Sharif, the official said, wanted to give top priority to Kashmir, terrorism and

In Brief

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

23

Academic who wore headscarf in solidarity with Muslims suspended

CHICAGO: An academic at a Christian college in Chicago has been suspended for wearing a headscarf in sympathy with Muslims, in what is the most recent incident in America's fogged impression of religion and minorities. Larycia Hawkins, associate professor of political science, Wheaton Colleges, was placed on an administrative leave following a series of statements she made highlighting the relationship between Islam and Christianity. Dr Hawkins, in a Facebook status, said, “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book.”

Some Texas schools to arm teachers

Urinate on walls and risk being covered in your own urine LONDON: During a night out whilst high on liquor, there are people who shamelessly urinate on nearby walls. It tends to get even worse during the Christmas and New Year period. Hackney Council have attempted to combat this issue by coating walls and pavements with a liquid repellent.

Hackney Council

WORLD

trade when the two sides discuss peace. Another official said Sharif and the military leadership were on the same page to make peace with India.

"There is no difference of opinion and both agree that there should be no compromise on the stated position on key issues," he added. An interaction between Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Paris and subsequent meeting of the National Security Advisors in Bangkok set the pace for improvement in the bilateral ties.

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also visited Pakistan on December 8 to attend the Heart of Asia conference.

She met Sharif and his advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz on the sidelines of the conference. It is expected that Sharif and Modi will meet again in Switzerland in January.

The two leaders will be together on January 20 to attend the 46th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters.

India's outgoing High Commissioner to Pakistan TCA Raghavan said the relations between the two countries were heading towards betterment.

Analysts said it was a positive development that Pakistan and India agreed to resume comprehensive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues.

HOUSTON: A US school district has voted to allow some teachers to carry guns to make schools safer and prevent accidents like the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre. The Keene Independent School District in Johnson County, Texas, which has four campuses, has voted to approve the “Guardian Programme”. The school's board members approved the policy that would allow a few selected staff members inside its four campuses to carry a gun. The carriers would be selected by the district, who would do so only if they wanted to and would carry a gun provided by the district. The measure will take affect next year, as early as February or March. Argyle in Texas adopted a similar proposal last year, as have several other districts across the state.

Miss Philippines crowned Miss Universe after live TV mixup

LAS VEGAS: In a show ending that would but daily soaps to shame, a pageant's host and comedian, Steve Harvey misread his cue card, initially announcing Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner. As the 'winner' blew kisses at the cheering and ecstatic crowd, an awkward Harvey said, “Okay folks, I have to apologise.

The first runner up is Colombia. Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines.” The Colombian contestant and, the actual winner Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, both looked stunned with Pia mouthing “What?” The awkward mistake spread like wildfire on social media, with the #MissUniverse2015 hashtag trending. Alonzo Wurtzbach told reporters after the ceremony that she wished the jilted winner well. “I'm very sorry, I did not take the crown from her and I wish her well in whatever she wants to pursue after this pageant,” she said.

US killer plotted motorway massacre LOS ANGELES: Enrique Marquez has revealed the plans of the San Bernardino gunman Syed Farook and his wife who killed 14 people and injured 22 others.

Marquez, an accomplice of Farooq, who was arrested by police said they planned to use pipe bombs to bring rushhour traffic to a standstill on the Route 91 freeway heading east from Los Angeles. Farook intended to walk past the stationary cars, killing those inside with one of two AR-15 assault rifles bought by Marquez. The Walmart security guard was to use the other assault rifle to shoot at trapped vehicles from a hill while looking out for police. Marquez is said to have bought the guns they used. Pipe bombs and other devices used in the massacre and found at the killers’ home resembled those that Marquez, 24, said they had planned to use in an earlier aborted attack.

Fake bomb found in Air France plane with 459 passengers MOMBASA (KENYA): A fake explosive rigged with cardboard, sheets of paper and a household timer, forced an Air France flight to land in Kenya, sending hundreds of passengers down emergency slides. The amateur apparatus was found around midnight, hidden in a lavatory cabinet behind a mirror where it was apparently placed during the 11-hour flight to Paris from Mauritius, said the airline's CEO, Frederic Gagey. He said the airline had heightened security checks around the world since the November 13 attacks that had left 130 people dead in Paris. The Boeing 777 was heading to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris when its pilots requested an emergency landing at Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa. “It was an ensemble of cardboard, papers and something that resembled a kitchen timer. Nothing that presented a danger to the plane, to the passengers or to the crew,” Gagey told a news conference in Paris. He said it contained no explosives. Air France has been the target of three prior hoaxes, all in the United States, he said. The fourth came on board the flight from Mauritius, a popular winter vacation spot for French tourists.

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INDIA

www.asian-voice.com

Rajiv Gandhi killer Nalini moves HC, seeks clemency Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

CHENNAI: Undeterred by the Supreme Court's recent verdict against premature release of seven convicts serving life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Nalini Sriharan has sought to move the governor for early freedom. The 48-yearold is at present serving her 24th year in custody after her arrest in 1991. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991. Last week, the apex court set aside the Tamil Nadu government's move to invoke provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure to release the convicts, saying the Centre

ing, has asked the enjoyed primacy in state police and jail deciding premaauthorities to ture release of peoobtain instructions ple convicted in a from the governcase involving cenment. He said the tral agency or laws. matter would be In her present bid heard after she has knocked Christmas recess of the Madras high the high court. court doors by Convicted for invoking Article 161 of the Nalini Sriharan conspiracy, Nalini was originally senConstitution, tenced to death along with under which a state goverher husband Sriharan alias nor can grant pardon and Murugan and two others. It offer release, acting on the was also confirmed by the advice of a state cabinet.

Supreme Court on May 11, Justice M M Sundresh, 1999. However, the death before whom Nalini's writ sentence was commuted petition came up for hear-

Kerala park modelled on mythical bird Jatayu

KOLLAM: The first phase of an ambitious tourism project worth £10 million in Kerala's Kollam district is all set to open in January 2016. The Jatayu Nature Park project envelopes small mountains, valleys, cliffs and rock-formations spread over 65 acres in Chadayamangalam, and has been conceived to promote mythological, adventure and wellness tourism.

The highlight of the project is the giant sculpture of Jatayu, the mythical bird

that tried to rescue Sita from the clutches of Raavan from Ramayana.

Local legend says the bird fell at the spot after it was struck down by Raavan.

The sculpture, measuring 200 ft long, 150 ft wide and 70 ft in height, is described as the largest bird statue in the world and will sit on top of a hill.

It will house a 6D theatre and an audio-visual based digital museum that will show glimpses from the Ramayana.

Jokes land 12-year-old Sikh boy in US behind bars TEXAS: A 12 year old Sikh boy was held behind bars for three days after he allegedly joked with his classmate about blowing up the building with a bomb stowed in his backpack. In a Facebook post written by Armaan Singh Sarai's cousin, she said, “a bully in class thought it would be funny to accuse him of having a bomb, so the principal, without any questioning, interrogation, or notification to his parents, called the police.”

“Worried and frightened at home, his family was concerned as to why he had not reached home right after school. They started calling every police department in the area, only to find that he was sent to a juvenile facility.

They kept him held behind bars for three consecutive days,” Sarai’s cousin Ginee Haer wrote in the post, shared by around 8,000 people on Facebook.

An officer, however, said the boy was sent to the juvenile centre after admitting he had joked

about the threat. “We received a call on December 11 about a student who threatened to blow up the school with a bomb. When we arrived, we had to evacuate the classroom consisting of 16 students and a teacher and spoke to the student who alerted the teacher… The student who made the threat admitted to saying he had a bomb and that he would blow up the school but that he was joking,” said lieutenant Christopher Cook. He said the police checked the boy’s backpack and made sure he did not pose any security threat, but still arrested him, as making a “terroristic threat” is a felony. When asked why Sarai was held for three days despite investigations being “completed within 45 minutes”, Cook said, “We arrested the boy and handed him over to the juvenile facility. How long they hold him for is not under our control; it’s determined by the juvenile justice department.”

into imprisonment for life

by Tamil Nadu government which invoked Article 161 of the Constitution. The then governor consented for the decision on April 24, 2000.

She, therefore, was being treated as a life convict from January 28, 1998.

Pointing out that ever since she became a life convict in April 2000, a total of about 2,200 life convicts had been prematurely released by Tamil Nadu government, Nalini's counsel Pugalenthi said many had been released after completing even seven and half years in custody.

Jaya seeks Modi's help in scholarship issue CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for an “urgent” release of the central share of £154.97 million for the disbursement of post matric scholarships to students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu.

In the current fiscal, the state will incur a total expenditure of Rs £129.55 million towards the scholarships. While the central share is £94.2 million, it has released only £56.73 million so far. The arrears of £117.51 million are pending until the previous fiscal year. “I have been

J Jayalalithaa informed that the ministry of social justice and empowerment has admitted the claims of Tamil Nadu under the post matric scholarship scheme but is unable to release the funds to the state due to insufficient budgetary allocations,” Jayalalithaa said in a letter to Modi.

“Delay in the disbursement of scholarship undermines the credibility of the scheme,” she said.

Khaps to help fight stubble burning CH AN DI GAR H: Haryana's Dahiya khap has decided to mobilise other khaps against stubble burning among the farmers in the state. The khap's president Pratap Singh Dahiya said that they would campaign against burning paddy harvest residue and will start with a special meeting at Kharkho da village in Sonipat where they will come up with a strategy.

Dahiya said there were about 50 villages mostly in Sonipat that fall under their jurisdiction. “First, we want to put our own house in order,” says the former wrestler and retired deputy superintendent of police. A spokesperson of Dahiya khap, Virender Singh Badkhalsa adds, “Today, the image of khaps is like that of a villain but in reality we work for social reform.”

Sunil Jaglan, a leader of Jind's Naugama khap said this was a good initiative and adds, “We are ready to join hands with other khap leaders on the

issue.” The leaders have also planned to involve agriculture and environment experts to educate farmers, as stubble burning not only leads to air pollution, but also reduces land fertility. The state government issues an advisory to farmers every year asking them not to burn wheat stubble and recover it with machines for use as fodder.

However, the problem still prevails in around 200,000 hectares of Haryana as per official estimates.

Joint director of Haryana agriculture department R S Chahal says that paddy is grown in about 1200,000 hectares especially near the Grand Trunk Road, including Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Panipat.

In Brief AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Karnataka ready to run buses to Gujarat, Rajasthan

BENGALURU: With a large number of people travelling to North Indian states, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has planned to deploy its services to Gujarat and Rajasthan. However, the KSRTC cannot ply the buses without a bilateral arrangement with the Maharashtra. KSRTC Managing Director Rajender Kumar Kataria said, “We need to have a bilateral pact with Maharashtra. That is why the entry of our buses is barred on certain routes to Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Once Maharashtra opens up, travel further North is easier. Our plan is to run KSRTC buses to Gujarat and Rajasthan and this can happen if Maharashtra and Karnataka agree to certain norms.” The corporation is also working on bilateral pacts with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The department's aim is to have a good hold in South India and Western India by having bilateral arrangements.

Karnataka to elect new Lokayukta on Dec 28

BENGALURU: Karnataka will conduct a meeting of the Selection Committee on December 28 in Bengaluru, to shortlist candidates for the post of the Lokayukta.

The post remains vacant since the Justice Y Bhaskar Rao resigned following his son's alleged involvement in a corruption scandal. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Selection Committee, which includes himself, the chief justice of the High Court, presiding officers and the Opposition leaders of the legislature, will meet and select the candidates. The list has been sent to the governor who will announce the selected Lokayukta.

Justice A M Nayak, former chairman of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission seems to be the current choice for the post.

Call Money scam: YSR Cong boycotts Andhra Assembly

HYDERABAD: The YSR Congress Party boycotted the Andhra Pradesh Assembly over the Call Money scam.

Last week, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly saw the suspension of 58 Opposition MLAs including YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. The Members of Legislative Assembly were suspended after an uproar over the Call Money scam. A massive blackmail, extortion and sex racket linked to Call Money was exposed in Andhra Pradesh, in which 80 people from different political parties have been arrested. Call money is a loan that is just a phone call away, with money delivered at one's doorstep. The flipside is that the lender can demand it back at any time and if the borrower cannot repay, the lender can take away property.

Amarinder, Badal exchange sweets, flowers

CHANDIGARH: Political rivals, Amarinder Singh of the Congress and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal exchanged sweets and flowers through emissaries recently, in a show of bonhomie. Amarinder sent sweets and fresh flowers plucked from the garden of his estate in Patiala, through a close aide, and in return, Badal greeted him on his appointment as chief of the Punjab unit of the Congress, and sent a bouquet of flowers, a fruit basket and five boxes of sweets. Amarinder will formally take over as Punjab Congress president at the public rally in Bathinda, the stronghold of Badal family.

Jyotiraditya Scindia vs Harsimrat Kaur in LS

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha heated up when members of the Congress and, the BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal indulged in an argument over alleged atrocities on Dalits in Punjab. Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia accused the Akali Dal-BJP government of wrongdoing the Dalits and women in the state. Union minister and daughter-in-law of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal hit back at the Congress for politicising a “gang war”. The Congress, TMC and RJD staged a walk-out with the BJP lashing out at the Congress for using the parliamentary forum to “defame” a state government. During zero hour, Scindia cited figures to attack the Punjab regime, “Every 18 minutes, there is a case of Dalit atrocity. Every day three Dalit women are raped.” While Speaker Sumitra Mahajan expunged Scindia’s references to the Badal family, minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy argued Harsimrat should be given a chance to present her side.

INDIA

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Two arrested in India for al-Qaeda link Police in the capital of India, Delhi, have arrested two people who are allegedly important members of the “Indian branch” of alQaeda. One of the men detained, Muhammad Asif (41), from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is allegedly a founding member of al-Qaeda in the region.

It is said that al-Qaeda set up its South Asian base about over a year ago, where they brought militant groups from across the area together. It is alleged that the group was also behind the murder of four bloggers in Bangladesh, and instrumental behind many attacks in Pakistan.

The two detained men were also involved in recruiting young Indians into their group, Indian authorities have said.

The arrest of Muhammad Asif is said to have led to the arrest of the second man who allegedly ran the social media for alQaeda. Police stated that the arrests will prove as an important move to uncover al-Qaeda's operations within India and in South Asia.

3 youths from Mumbai suspected of joining IS

Continued from page 1 returned and currently lies in NIA custody while whereabouts of the other three were not yet known.

Also, a Pune-based 16-yearold Muslim girl, who was reportedly radicalised by her IS contacts abroad and brain-washed to go to Syria, was questioned by ATS officials earlier this month and sent to a de-radicalisation programme.

In similar news, two absconding members of the banned Indian Mujahideen have joined the dreaded terrorist group ISIS, Lok Sabha informed. In reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Haribhai Chaudhary said, “There are intelligence inputs of one or two members of the Indian Mujahideen, who were absconding from India since many years, having joined the ISIS/ISIL.” Some disillusioned British youngsters have been a cause of concern by going over to Syria and joining ISIS. With the news of these suspects from India allegedly joining Isis, adding to the ever-growing list of radicalised youth, is certainly alarming and disheartening.

Rajya Sabha passes Juvenile Justice Bill

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

adults for heinous offences.

Also, anyone between the age of 16-18 who commits a less serious offence may be tried as an adult if he is apprehended after he attains the age of 21.

Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi who had moved

People across the country rejoiced as the Rajya Sabha passed the Juvenile Justice Bill against the backdrop of uproar over the release of the juvenile convict in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case.

The Bill will ensure that from now onwards, 16 yearolds involved in heinous crimes will be prosecuted as adults.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015, provides for the trial of those between 16-18 years as

New diesel car sales banned in Delhi as pollution war intensifies The Apex Court has banned new luxury diesel vehicles in the Capital, doubling a recently imposed “green tax” on trucks coming into the city, in a series of tough measures to curb pollution. The ban on the registration of new diesel vehicles with engines of two litres or more will only be in force until March 31. But, it comes as a warning to India's car industry of the growing backlash against diesels, especially larger, heavy sport utility vehicles popular among the wealthy.

The Society of Indian Automotive Manufactures said, 37 per cent of all passenger cars sold in India during the financial year to March 2015, were diesel variants, and the share of diesels in total car sales has

Continued from page 1 which these students were heading to were under 'scrutiny'. Air India immediately took action by preventing the students from being 'inconvenienced'.

A statement issued by the national carrier cited the plight of 14 students who had earlier travelled on Air India flights to San Francisco to the same universities but were deported after questioning for 14-15 hours in San Francisco, allegedly by the FBI. Another set of students arrived in Delhi said they were kept in a cell for three days before being deported.

The deported students are from Hyderabad, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and other states. All of them had the word "revoked" written across their US visa. The official in Hyderabad said, "In the past, we have witnessed that students who secured admission in those institutions have been deported to India as soon as they land there. To avoid embarrassment to them and save their money, we prevented them from boarding the flight.”

been rising in the recent months. However, about 90 per cent of the SUVs and other utility vehicles sold last year, and many German-made luxury cars, run on diesel, which is substantially cheaper than petrol.

The ban will affect some of India’s best-selling passenger vehicles, including Mahindra & Mahindra’s Scorpio, Tata

Motors’ Safari and Sumo, Toyota’s Innova, Mitsubishi’s Pajero. Most vehicles sold in India by luxury carmakers Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are also diesel variants. “The rich can’t be allowed to buy luxury diesel cars and SUVs and pollute the air with adverse consequences on the health of the rest of the population,” the court said.

the Bill said, “I'm happy that everyone supported the Juvenile Justice Bill and want to thank everyone.”

She said juvenile crime is the fastest rising segment of crime. “You cannot have a more comprehensive, more nuanced and compassionate Bill,” she said. She also reminded the Congress that the Bill was theirs and not hers or the NDA government's. “We may not be able to do anything about the juvenile convict in the Nirbhaya case but we can

25

deter many other boys,” she said.

“I am satisfied, but sad that my daughter couldn't get justice,” the gangrape victim's mother said.

“Juvenile Justice Bill which has been passed in RS is a tribute to our daughter,” her father said. The juvenile convict was released from the correctional home on Sunday after completing his sentence, amid protests by the parents of the victim and others in the national capital.

Be 'sensitive', Modi's new mantra to policemen

Continued from page 1 the conference. The topics discussed ranged from internal security right from lurking danger of ISIS to women's safety. Modi said that “sensitivity has to be vital element of policing.

Police forces should establish strong links with local community and connect with people.” He also launched a website “Indian police in service of nation,” a single web platform promising to contain information of all state police. Stressing for better inter-state police coordination, he also sought reports of implementation of works initiated during the conference like; reforms needed at PS (police station) level, raising competitive spirit at PS level, reviving beat constable system to collect information, improving behaviour of policemen, maintaining cleanliness at

PS and winning confidence of vulnerable sections, initiative towards SMART policing, Inter-state police coordination and bringing symmetry in police insignia/uniform, changes needed in laws/procedures to improve investigation and prosecution.

“This has been a good experience so far. We loved the Rann of Kutch, the sunset and sunrise. But credit should go to the PM, who has made this place pretty famous now,” said an officer. Modi later tweeted, “The presentations & sessions were on security related matters, terrorism, cyber security, woman’s safety, disaster management.” In another tweet he said, “It’s been a fruitful day at DGPs conference in Kutch.

Attended various theme based sessions where officers shared insightful presentations.”

US-bound Indian students deported

Victims' reaction: Deepak, whose father has a transport business, was one of the 14 deported students, who was issued valid visas following a clearance by the US Department of Homeland Security. "We were interrogated for 14-15 hours. We were all kept in one cell. It was humiliating, we were not allowed to go anywhere and were told that we have to return immediately.

“If the universities were blacklisted, why did they issue us the visa?" he wondered.

"It was hard to raise 23 lakhs for a US university.

Now I have been shamed publicly. How will the blemish go from my passport and from my future?

Maybe it was wrong to dream," he said.

Deepak chose the Silicon Valley University because he saw on the website that thousands studied there. He even spoke to Indian students who were studying there and found the fees reasonable.

Balaraju, 22-year-old son of a farmer in Hyderabad said, "I gave up my job to study in the US. My dreams, my parents'

hard-earned money, one whole year are all gone."

"We were treated like criminals and sent back," said another student who has been deported by the US authorities.

Word of caution: Air India said it received word on December 19, 2015 from the US Customs and Border Protection agency that allegedly two universities, Silicon Valley in San Jose, California and North Western Polytechnic College in Fremont, California are under scrutiny. The communication from the agency further stated that students who arrived into San Francisco were not allowed to enter the US and were deported back to India.

Air India in a statement said, "Students travel on a one-way ticket to the US and, in the event of deportation, incur huge expenditure to buy a ticket back to India on first available service. Further, seats are often not available on any airlines to travel back.

"Considering the situation, as a precautionary measure and to avoid inconvenience, students booked for travel to take

admission to these universities are not being accepted on Air India flights.”

In a notice to its travel agents, Air India said that those travelling on a student visa and heading to these two California universities were not to be sold tickets.

The national carrier, which did not allow the 19 students to board the flight at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, has decided not to accept students headed to these universities till the time it got clearance from Air India's US office for their travel. They have also offered a full refund and waived all charges such as cancellation and rescheduling fee. The airline said it will start accepting students travelling to join these universities, at no additional cost, as soon as clearance is received from Air India's US office.

US Consulate officials in Hyderabad said they are trying to get more information on the situation.

An immigration official at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport said his department had nothing to do with the students

not being allowed to board the flight.

In the meanwhile, one of the universities in question have claimed that "absolutely false" reports are being disseminated by certain media outlets and other groups and the institute has not been blacklisted by the US government.

In a series of recent year investigations, many independent colleges in the UK were under severe scrutiny, some later proved as bogus intitutions, that took money from students, but were not in position to confer a degree. That led to quie a few students landing in the UK unknowingly, without a real college or course to study, a place to stay, money for food or even to buy a ticket to go back. They took shelter in temples and Gurdwaras, and ultimately the community came forward to help and rescue them.

National Indian Students Union (UK) in a facebook statement said, “Absolutely horrifying.

International education should be stopped from becoming a mere commodity, at the expense of student welfare.”

INDIA

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Two arrested in India for al-Qaeda link Police in the capital of India, Delhi, have arrested two people who are allegedly important members of the “Indian branch” of alQaeda. One of the men detained, Muhammad Asif (41), from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is allegedly a founding member of al-Qaeda in the region.

It is said that al-Qaeda set up its South Asian base about over a year ago, where they brought militant groups from across the area together. It is alleged that the group was also behind the murder of four bloggers in Bangladesh, and instrumental behind many attacks in Pakistan.

The two detained men were also involved in recruiting young Indians into their group, Indian authorities have said.

The arrest of Muhammad Asif is said to have led to the arrest of the second man who allegedly ran the social media for alQaeda. Police stated that the arrests will prove as an important move to uncover al-Qaeda's operations within India and in South Asia.

Three Indian youths suspected of joining IS

Continued from page 1 returned and currently lies in NIA custody while whereabouts of the other three were not yet known.

Also, a Pune-based 16-yearold Muslim girl, who was reportedly radicalised by her IS contacts abroad and brain-washed to go to Syria, was questioned by ATS officials earlier this month and sent to a de-radicalisation programme.

In similar news, two absconding members of the banned Indian Mujahideen have joined the dreaded terrorist group ISIS, Lok Sabha informed. In reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Haribhai Chaudhary said, “There are intelligence inputs of one or two members of the Indian Mujahideen, who were absconding from India since many years, having joined the ISIS/ISIL.” Some disillusioned British youngsters have been a cause of concern by going over to Syria and joining ISIS. With the news of these suspects from India allegedly joining Isis, adding to the ever-growing list of radicalised youth, is certainly alarming and disheartening.

Rajya Sabha passes Juvenile Justice Bill

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

adults for heinous offences.

Also, anyone between the age of 16-18 who commits a less serious offence may be tried as an adult if he is apprehended after he attains the age of 21.

Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi who had moved

People across the country rejoiced as the Rajya Sabha passed the Juvenile Justice Bill against the backdrop of uproar over the release of the juvenile convict in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case.

The Bill will ensure that from now onwards, 16 yearolds involved in heinous crimes will be prosecuted as adults.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015, provides for the trial of those between 16-18 years as

New diesel car sales banned in Delhi as pollution war intensifies The Apex Court has banned new luxury diesel vehicles in the Capital, doubling a recently imposed “green tax” on trucks coming into the city, in a series of tough measures to curb pollution. The ban on the registration of new diesel vehicles with engines of two litres or more will only be in force until March 31. But, it comes as a warning to India's car industry of the growing backlash against diesels, especially larger, heavy sport utility vehicles popular among the wealthy.

The Society of Indian Automotive Manufactures said, 37 per cent of all passenger cars sold in India during the financial year to March 2015, were diesel variants, and the share of diesels in total car sales has

Continued from page 1 which these students were heading to were under 'scrutiny'. Air India immediately took action by preventing the students from being 'inconvenienced'.

A statement issued by the national carrier cited the plight of 14 students who had earlier travelled on Air India flights to San Francisco to the same universities but were deported after questioning for 14-15 hours in San Francisco, allegedly by the FBI. Another set of students arrived in Delhi said they were kept in a cell for three days before being deported.

The deported students are from Hyderabad, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and other states. All of them had the word "revoked" written across their US visa. The official in Hyderabad said, "In the past, we have witnessed that students who secured admission in those institutions have been deported to India as soon as they land there. To avoid embarrassment to them and save their money, we prevented them from boarding the flight.”

been rising in the recent months. However, about 90 per cent of the SUVs and other utility vehicles sold last year, and many German-made luxury cars, run on diesel, which is substantially cheaper than petrol.

The ban will affect some of India’s best-selling passenger vehicles, including Mahindra & Mahindra’s Scorpio, Tata

Motors’ Safari and Sumo, Toyota’s Innova, Mitsubishi’s Pajero. Most vehicles sold in India by luxury carmakers Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are also diesel variants. “The rich can’t be allowed to buy luxury diesel cars and SUVs and pollute the air with adverse consequences on the health of the rest of the population,” the court said.

the Bill said, “I'm happy that everyone supported the Juvenile Justice Bill and want to thank everyone.”

She said juvenile crime is the fastest rising segment of crime. “You cannot have a more comprehensive, more nuanced and compassionate Bill,” she said. She also reminded the Congress that the Bill was theirs and not hers or the NDA government's. “We may not be able to do anything about the juvenile convict in the Nirbhaya case but we can

25

deter many other boys,” she said.

“I am satisfied, but sad that my daughter couldn't get justice,” the gangrape victim's mother said.

“Juvenile Justice Bill which has been passed in RS is a tribute to our daughter,” her father said. The juvenile convict was released from the correctional home on Sunday after completing his sentence, amid protests by the parents of the victim and others in the national capital.

Be 'sensitive', Modi's new mantra to policemen

Continued from page 1 the conference. The topics discussed ranged from internal security right from lurking danger of ISIS to women's safety. Modi said that “sensitivity has to be vital element of policing.

Police forces should establish strong links with local community and connect with people.” He also launched a website “Indian police in service of nation,” a single web platform promising to contain information of all state police. Stressing for better inter-state police coordination, he also sought reports of implementation of works initiated during the conference like; reforms needed at PS (police station) level, raising competitive spirit at PS level, reviving beat constable system to collect information, improving behaviour of policemen, maintaining cleanliness at

PS and winning confidence of vulnerable sections, initiative towards SMART policing, Inter-state police coordination and bringing symmetry in police insignia/uniform, changes needed in laws/procedures to improve investigation and prosecution.

“This has been a good experience so far. We loved the Rann of Kutch, the sunset and sunrise. But credit should go to the PM, who has made this place pretty famous now,” said an officer. Modi later tweeted, “The presentations & sessions were on security related matters, terrorism, cyber security, woman’s safety, disaster management.” In another tweet he said, “It’s been a fruitful day at DGPs conference in Kutch.

Attended various theme based sessions where officers shared insightful presentations.”

US-bound Indian students deported

Victims' reaction: Deepak, whose father has a transport business, was one of the 14 deported students, who was issued valid visas following a clearance by the US Department of Homeland Security. "We were interrogated for 14-15 hours. We were all kept in one cell. It was humiliating, we were not allowed to go anywhere and were told that we have to return immediately.

“If the universities were blacklisted, why did they issue us the visa?" he wondered.

"It was hard to raise 23 lakhs for a US university.

Now I have been shamed publicly. How will the blemish go from my passport and from my future?

Maybe it was wrong to dream," he said.

Deepak chose the Silicon Valley University because he saw on the website that thousands studied there. He even spoke to Indian students who were studying there and found the fees reasonable.

Balaraju, 22-year-old son of a farmer in Hyderabad said, "I gave up my job to study in the US. My dreams, my parents'

hard-earned money, one whole year are all gone."

"We were treated like criminals and sent back," said another student who has been deported by the US authorities.

Word of caution: Air India said it received word on December 19, 2015 from the US Customs and Border Protection agency that allegedly two universities, Silicon Valley in San Jose, California and North Western Polytechnic College in Fremont, California are under scrutiny. The communication from the agency further stated that students who arrived into San Francisco were not allowed to enter the US and were deported back to India.

Air India in a statement said, "Students travel on a one-way ticket to the US and, in the event of deportation, incur huge expenditure to buy a ticket back to India on first available service. Further, seats are often not available on any airlines to travel back.

"Considering the situation, as a precautionary measure and to avoid inconvenience, students booked for travel to take

admission to these universities are not being accepted on Air India flights.”

In a notice to its travel agents, Air India said that those travelling on a student visa and heading to these two California universities were not to be sold tickets.

The national carrier, which did not allow the 19 students to board the flight at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, has decided not to accept students headed to these universities till the time it got clearance from Air India's US office for their travel. They have also offered a full refund and waived all charges such as cancellation and rescheduling fee. The airline said it will start accepting students travelling to join these universities, at no additional cost, as soon as clearance is received from Air India's US office.

US Consulate officials in Hyderabad said they are trying to get more information on the situation.

An immigration official at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport said his department had nothing to do with the students

not being allowed to board the flight.

In the meanwhile, one of the universities in question have claimed that "absolutely false" reports are being disseminated by certain media outlets and other groups and the institute has not been blacklisted by the US government.

In a series of recent year investigations, many independent colleges in the UK were under severe scrutiny, some later proved as bogus intitutions, that took money from students, but were not in position to confer a degree. That led to quie a few students landing in the UK unknowingly, without a real college or course to study, a place to stay, money for food or even to buy a ticket to go back. They took shelter in temples and Gurdwaras, and ultimately the community came forward to help and rescue them.

National Indian Students Union (UK) in a facebook statement said, “Absolutely horrifying.

International education should be stopped from becoming a mere commodity, at the expense of student welfare.”

26

2015 IN A NUTSHELL

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

LOOKING BACK AT MAJOR EVENTS IN 2015 Considered as one of India's biggest diplomatic jamborees of the year, the third India-Africa summit kicked off in style in New Delhi on 26th October.

• India's daughter Geeta returns home from Pakistan

INDIA January • Vajpayee, Malaviya honoured with Bharat Ratna • India is full of opportunities, Modi tells expats • 15 honoured with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman • CB Patel launches writing competition on Gandhi's life • Indian-origin Rahul Verma takes charge as new US envoy to India • India's mighty show on R-Day

November

• • • • • • India showed its rich cultural diversity and military might as well as achievements in diverse fields at the 66th Republic Day parade in Delhi which had US President Barack Obama as the chief guest for the first time.

• Advani, Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar get Padma Vibhushan

Former Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpyee and freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malaviya were conferred with Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honours.

BJP becomes largest political party in the world Over 3,000 Indians rescued from Yemen, 26 countries seek India's help NRG foundation organises seminar on passport, visa and immigration Malala gets her friend treated in Kolkata Heavy rains kill 11 in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh AAP expels Bhushan, Yadav, 2 others for anti-party activities

May • Expats are proud of Modi: Lord Swraj Paul • 72 killed in India quake, most are from Bihar

• • • • •

26 in Saurashtra region, when heavy rains lashed Gujarat.

In a first, 109 sent to jail for urinating in public Modi's digital vision, launches audacious 'digital India' It's official! Shahid-Mira hitched in private ceremony Pak ceasefire violations give India sleepless nights First anniversary of Modi government

August • Patidars demand reservation; launch statewide protest • RK Pachauri shown the door, Mathur steps in • Terror attack in Gurdaspur, country on high alert • People's President laid to rest

• Won't leave India, but stand by my statement: Aamir Khan • TN govt can't release Rajiv killers: Supreme Court

• • • • •

Seventy two people were killed, mostly in Bihar, when massive quake hits India.

The quake and after shocks were felt in some parts of North and East India.

Salman's conviction stayed, out on bail Modi, Mamata bury animosity, bond in public Fresh quake kills 42 in Nepal, 17 in India Modi, Xi discuss ways to strengthen trust between two countries After being in coma for 42 years, nurse Aruna Shanbaug passes away

June March • All 6 accused acquitted in British nationals' killing case • Mufti Sayeed takes oath as J&K CM

JD-U leader Nitish Kumar was sworn Bihar chief minister for a firth time at a grand event attended mostly by non-BJP leaders

December

February • AAPOCALYPSE in Delhi In an unprecedented showing, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has stormed to power in Delhi assembly election by winning 67 out of 70 seats, thereby decimating BJP and completely obliterating Congress.

• Modi plays cricket diplomacy with Sharif • Kejriwal vows to make Delhi corruptionfree • Santokbba award for Lord Bhiku Parekh • India will not allow any group to incite hatred: Modi • The big fat wedding of Sanjay Hinduja at Udaipur • Rahul Gandhi takes leave from politics

• Modi announces $10 bn additional credit for Africa • 71 killed as heavy rains lash TN • Modi gifts Jammu and Kashmir 8 bn pound • Chhota Rajan in CBI custody • Nitish sworn in Bihar chief minister for 5th time

• Heat wave kills 2,330 people in India • Modi makes history in Bangladesh with land swap

India's 'Missile Man' APJ Abdul Kalam was laid to rest in a massive public ceremony at Pei Karumbu burial ground near his hometown Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu.

• Freedom at midnight: enclaves swapped in border deal • India offers e-ticket visa to British citizens • India-born Sundar Pichai takes over as Google CEO

September • Gunmen kill Karnataka rationalist leader • Lord Meghnad Desai opens academy of economics in Mumbai • Muslim population grows faster than Hindus in India • Bengal lifts the smoke screen off Netaji mystery Putting an end on classified information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his family, the West Bengal government has declassified 64 files which was in possession of Kolkata and West Bengal police.

• Modi to tour US, Ireland from Sept 2329 • Anti-reservation ghost haunts Gujarat

• • • •

The Supreme Court has ruled that Jayalalithaa government in Tamil Nadu could not unilaterally commute life terms of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts and release them without the Centre's concurrence.

Delhi to restrict use of vehicles to cut pollution LeT plot to attack Modi in Delhi foiled Court moved to declare Taj Mahal as Hindu temple Local body polls: BJP suffers setback in rural areas

INTERNATIONAL January • Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi arrested before his release • AirAsia crash: 40 bodies found in sea • Srisena sworn in new Lanka President

October

In what may be called a great reconciliation between two politically divergent ideologies, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir • My govt's only religion is India first: Modi • PM Modi leaves for 3-nation tour • Rape survivor argues in court against accused

• • • • •

India and Bangladesh opened a new chapter in their relations as they settled the 41-year-old boundary dispute and promised to do more during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to that country.

India extends $2 bn credit to Bangladesh Sushma in soup over visa for Lalit Modi Indian army commandos kill N-E ultras in Myanmar Bend it like Modi Over 12.5 mn people join Yoga in Gujarat

April

July

• Bharat Ratna conferred on Vajpayee, Malaviya

• 70 killed as floods hit Saurashtra At least 70 people were killed, including

• Modi seeks Irish help for NSC, UNSC seat • 2006 Mumbai train blasts verdict: death for 5 • Outrage over Saudi maid attack, India mulls ban on workers • Protesting writers return Sahitya Akademi awards • Modi urges Hindus, Muslims to fight poverty, not each other • Africa converge in Delhi

• • • •

In a stunning election result that was unthinkable just weeks ago, Sri Lanka's longtime president Mahinda Rajapaska has been defeated by his one -tme political ally and former cabinet minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Pak bans JuD, Haqqani network US court gives clean chit to Modi Coup bid charge against Rajapaksa Indian-American doctor invited for Obama's State of the Union address

2015 IN A NUTSHELL

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

February

September

• India, Russia, China join forces to fight terror

• US supports Lanka's war crime probe • Dawood Ibrahim acquires a new residence in Karachi • Briton held over murders of Bangladesh bloggers • 40 killed as clashes erupt over new Nepal constitution • Russia assures India of support on UNSC permanent seat bid • UN seeks special court on Lanka war crimes

• • • • •

India joined hands with Russia and China to fight terror, pledging at their 13th trilateral meeting to crack down on not only terrorists but also those who finance and give refuge to them.

Elderly Gujarati man brutally assaulted in US Hindu temple vandalised in US Permanent UNSC seat for India unacceptable, Sharif tells Obama Bangladesh orders death for another Islamist Indian-American appointed special envoy

March • 'Jihadi John' killer from Islamic State unmasked as Londoner • Another Hindu temple vandalized in US • Pakistan has more nukes than India • Obama chooses Ajay Banga for key position • Win hearts and heal wounds, Modi tells Lanka

• • • • •

June • Murder charges against 41 over Rana Plaza collapse • Two bus services launched between India and Bangladesh

UK January

The United Nations, after finding evidence “strongly indicating” that war crimes were committed in Sri Lanka during the end of its civil war, has called for a special hybrid international court to investigate people responsible for the atrocities.

• Hindus find Selena's 'Om' tattoo 'out of line'

• • •

Two bus services were flagged off by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Sikh victim of hate crime awaits justice in US 7,000 take part in Belgium and Luxembourg China blocks India's move against Pakistan in UN New generation Gujarati entrepreneurs in US moving beyond motels

July • Jindal joins US presidential race

• Lithuania to unveil Gandhi, Kallenbach statues • Indian couple donates $100m to New York University school • Nepal elects new Prime Minister • President Mukherjee hails Indian diaspora in Jerusalem • No nuke deal, US tells Pak as Sharif arrives • 335 killed as quake hits Afghanistan, Pakistan

At least 335 people were killed, many others were injured as a 7.5 magnitude trembler struck South Asia.

• Liberals sweep Canada polls with Punjabi help

April

November

• Modi, Merkel vow to push economic ties to new level • FBI to track hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus, Arabs • Lakhvi's release challenged in Pak SC • Vandal's deface Bapu's statue in SA • Modi unveils Gandhi statue in Hannover

• China allows couple to have two children • 370,000 people speak Gujarati in US • It's India's turn to make its bit for Asia: Modi • Malay Indians roll red carpet for Modi • PM Modi opens Ambedkar memorial in London • Bangladesh hangs 2 top opposition leaders for 1971 war crimes • Suu Kyi's party wins 77 pc of seats in Myanmar election

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the city hall of Hannover, saying it was a moment of pride not only for the residents of the city but also for every individual who has faith in humanity.

• Modi, Harper cement ties with uranium deal • Obama pens Modi's profile for Time magazine

May • Massive quake devastates Nepal

peace talks • India, Pak break ice in Bangkok India's national security advisor Ajit Doval and foreign secretary S Jaishankar met with Pakistani counterparts Nasir Khan Janjua and Aizaz Ahman Chaudhary for over four hours in the Thai capital of Bangkok, for an exchange which covered several outstanding issues.

• Diwali celebrated in European parliament • India become the second highest recipient of Britain's aid • Oscar Pistorius found guilty of murder

• The New Year Honours list 2015 The New Year Honours list 2015, recognised the achievements of different people across Britain for their extraordinary accomplishments.

• Tributes paid to Indian soldiers who fought in World War 1 • Cameron 'blocks ban on caste bias' • Leicester professor Nilesh Samani knighted • Taxpayer paid £250,000 to send Shrien Dewani to South Africa

October

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a forceful pitch for devolution of powers and resources to provinces in Sri Lanka, a key demand of the island's Tamil-dominated northern and eastern provinces.

• Blasts at two Lahore churches kill 15, trigger violence • Lakhvi detained after Pak court orders his release • Indian-origin author assaulted in SA for 'praising' Rushdie

The death toll from Nepal's devastating earthquake could reach 10,000, the prime minister said, as residents frustrated by the government's slow response used their bare hands to dig for signs of their loved ones.

Sikhs urged to explain meaning of turban to Americans 5,000 strong cheering Indians greet Modi in Shanghai India, China sign more than $22 bn deals Bobby Jindal testing ground for US presidential run US woman jailed for shoving Indian to death

27

Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal jas joined the race for US presidency in 2016, giving himself a mountain to climb from the bottam of a full pack of Republican candidates.

• Modi's eight-day tour across Central Asia • Iran signs historic nuclear agreement with the States • China detains Britons, SA and an Indian national for terror links

• Indian diaspora rejoice at Alphonso mango ban lift • Hundreds come together to commemorate Kashmiri Hindus' forced exodus day • British Sikhs condemn racial attack in North Wales • Murthy family donates £200,000 to the Gandhi statue memorial trust • Indian High Commission hosts a reception for Indian minister and community leaders • Londoners join in to celebrate Saraswati Puja

February • Indian diaspora to decide the future of Britain?

• • • • •

August • Barak Obama opens new business prospects in Kenya • China conducts air and sea drills • Islamic state abducts four Indians • Pak hangs teen, faces global reproval • Child abuse scandal shocks Pakistan Recent revelations of child abuse scandal in central Punjabi village of Husain Khan Wala has shocked Pakistan as parents accuse the law's incapacity at breaking up the thriving paedophile ring.

• Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party has won 77% seats in Myanmar's landmark poll.

•

December • • Warm Modi changes climate of emission talks • Sharif, Ghani vow to resume Taliban

As many as 615,000 Inidans voted in the elections on 7th May. UK residents comprised of the largest number of prospective migrant voters in England and Wales.

High Commission of India celebrates Republic Day with the diaspora UK Indians among world's 100 richest Sikh election manifesto announced Bristol church bans yoga Brit-Indian woman honoured for community work Four new trustees join Gandhi statue memorial trust Sikh regiment on the cards for British army Sikhs introduce mobile langars to help UK's homeless

28

2015 IN A NUTSHELL

• Asian Voice Political and Public Life awards celebrate achievements of outstanding individuals • Britain pays tribute to Commonwealth soldiers • First Hindu faith school to open in Croydon • Gandhi returns to London

• • • •

AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

March

•

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Prime Minister David Cameron along with Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Parliament Square.

Sikh community tightens grip, asks candidates to adhere to manifesto Gopal Gandhi's speech at the unveiling ceremony Indian finance minister Arjun Jaitley concludes two day visit to the UK Conservatives may have more Asian MPs than Labour Osborne presents budget 2015

April • Asian Voice attends yoga day launch at Indian High Commission • Hindus are the highest educated group in Scotland • A rare honour for Lord Parekh Lord Bhikhu Parekh acquired the highest distinction; a volume of almost 400 pages titled Multiculturalism Rethought edited by Dr Varun Oberoi and Professor Tariq Modood. The book contains essays on Parekh's life and work.

• 200th anniversary of the Gurkhas • London's Vaisakhi festival finds new home • The Royals at the Gurkha 200 pageant • Northern Ireland gets its first ever Sikh PPC • First Asian woman to receive Queen's award for enterprise promotion • Sunday Times presents political rich list 2015

May • Asians remarkably flourish in the Rich list 2015 • Cameron tries to win community trust, speaks to Asian Voice • Britain goes to poll amidst widespread skepticism • The arrival of the new Princess of Cambridge • Patel, Javid break glass ceiling • Record 24 South Asian MPs in House of Commons • Family of 4 found dead in East London • Indians put Cameron back on No 10

David Cameron was voted back into Downing Street with the highest share Tory party has ever won.

June • Keith Vaz appointed vice-chairman of Labour Party

• Indian-origin teacher honoured by Oxford University • Scotland plans to offer Indian students two-year work visa • Thousands of British Sikhs march in protest through London • Royals join the Gurkhas to mark 200 years of the regiment • Queen's birthday honour list • East London school bans children from fasting during Ramadan • Vaz re-elected as the chair of Home Affairs select committee

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Gujarat Samachar, Asian Voice honour elderly people

Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, along with Sangat Centre and Lohana Community, organised three different functions in 2015, to honour the elderly for their contribution to the society. The first event was held on 24th January, in Croydon, where 40 elders over the age of 80 were felicitated. The second such event was held on 12th April, in Preston, and the third function was held on 21st March, in Leicester.

The longest serving Member of Parliament of Indian origin, Keith Vaz was re-elected to the influential role of the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee of the House of Commons.

July • British NRI leads to secure free places for refugees while the country observes world refugee day • Labour Party hosts leadership and deputy leadership hustings in Harrow • British army gets its first ever female Major General • Indian origin doctor launches hard film to warn about FGM • Muslim community split over Modi's visit

• • • •

Some Muslim groups in the UK were unhappy over the uncritical welcome afforded to Modi, while some pitched into the preparations.

Mamata Banerjee invited to deliver lecture at London Business Schoolgirl Prime Minister targets 'anti-British Muslims in landmark speech Hundreds of Sikhs protest outside parliament Former Indian cabinet secretary receives honorary doctorate from University of Birmingham

August • Yashmin Mistry wins 'solicitor of the Year' • Cameron's British Asian aide helped shape extremism speech • Sant Nirankari Mission recognised with Queen's award for voluntary service • Gujarat Samachar -Asian Voice and Jain Samaj Manchester honour octogenarians

AV and GS organised a ceremony to honour the elderly for their contribution to the society.

• Gujarati, Punjabi and Bengali languages stay in school curriculum • After triumphant fight with eating disorders, Holly Desai reaches Miss England finale • Cameron's hint at new peers sparks debate

• Celebrating India's Independence • Thousands join the annual Goan festival in the UK

• Charitable trust to raise money in memory of RAF officer killed in Afghanistan • New Scotland Yard launches 2015 Diwali on Trafalgar Square

September October • Indian Prime Minister Modi to receive 'Olympics style' welcome at Wembley stadium • Prime Minister announces new Asian Peers • Dewani may face public questioning as UK inquest resumes • Gurkha charity helps rebuild lives after Nepal earthquakes • The winners of the 15th Asian Achievers Awards announced

Winners of the 15th Asian Achievers Awards were announced at a glamorous gala event at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

• Britain to welcome new Indian high Commissioner • Watford to celebrate the festival of light • London celebrates Gandhi Jayanti • Park in Ireland home to 9 Ganesh statues • Thousands gather at Diwali on the Square

London Mayor celebrated Diwali on the square on 11 October with more than 35,000 people in attendance.

• Shah Rukh Khan bestowed with doctorate from University of Edinburgh

2015 IN A NUTSHELL

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

November

• Harbhajan makes comeback to Indian squad

• • • • •

• Lalit Modi plans to challenge ICC

September

• Diwali at the Supreme Court • Hollande promises fitting reply to ISIS • He came, He saw, He conquered

Narendra Modi received rockstar style in his first visit to the UK as the Indian Prime Minister.

PM Modi announces resumption of London-Ahmedabad direct flight Angad Paul falls to death from his penthouse Motion passed in the parliament in support of Basaveshwara statue Seven Indian women listed on BBC 100 women 2015 list Armed forces Hindu network celebrates Diwali

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• • • • • • • •

Indian Tennis star Leander Paes won the Australian Open mixed doubles along with partner Martina Hingis, after defeating the French-Canadian team of Kristina Mladenovic and Daniel Nestor.

Sachin leads Viv Richards' top ODI batsman list India to host World T20 in 2016 Sachin voted in greatest ODI XI of all time Rohit's 150 powers India's win over Afghanistan Dutch man Paul van Ass appointed Indian hockey coach Kumble inducted into ICC Hall of Fame Ray's book on Cricket praised by President Mukherjee Dhawan ton sets up another win for India

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh made a comeback to the one-off Test match against Bangladesh.

• England beat New Zealand in dramatic finish to first test

June • Sachin, Saurav and Laxman in BCCI's advisory panel • Boxer Amir Khan fails to impress • US denies visa to 20 Indian junior archers • Dravid to shape future Indian cricketers

• Indian women's hockey team qualifies for Olympics Indian women's hockey team will return to the Rio Games after a long gap of 36 years.

• Khel Ratna award conferred on Sania • India clinch historic victory in Sri Lanka • Ashwin helps India level series with Lanka • India pick up Gurkeerat for ODIs, Arvind for T20Is

October • India A inflict innings defeat on Bangladesh A • Former cricketer Gorden Greenidge visits Swaminarayan Mandir • Bindra wins gold in Asian Championship • Shashank Manohar takes charge as new BCCI chief • Rousing welcome to Pele in Kolkata • India win hockey test series against NZ

December March • First Indian female footballer in Britain to be sent back • American Muslim condemns treatment at Heathrow airport as inhuman • Baroness Scotland appointed as Commonwealth Secretary General • Assessing the Modi impact: will UKIndia relations leapfrog?

• Indian journalists' association bids farewell to HE Ranjan Mathai

• Dalmiya returns as BCCI president • Shami gains 14 places in ICC rankings • Viv Richards pips Sachin as greatest ODI player • Ray launches his book on World Cup cricket in London • Indian women beat Poland to win hockey world league round 2

Former India captain Rahul Dravid was appointed as the coach of U-19 and India 'A'.

• Shah Rukh Khan buys stake in Caribbean league • Bangladesh humiliate India, win ODI series • England win 5th ODI against New Zealand

July • Sachin voted best Test player of 21st century A farewell dinner was hosted for Indian High Commisioner HE Ranjan Mathai.

• Leytonstone attack unites Brit-Asians • Prof Venki takes over as President of the Royal Society

The Indian women's hockey team did the country proud as they lifted the Hero Hockey World League Round 2, defeating Poland 3-1 in a high-intensity final in New Delhi.

• Sania-Hingis win Paribas Open title

November • Sania-Martina pair lifts WTA finals doubles trophy • Pakistan refuse to play 'home' series in India • Russia suspended from athletics competitions • Shashank Manohar is new ICC chairman • England beat Pak by 84 runs, clinch ODI series

April

SPORTS January

India managed a 1-1 draw against New Zealand in the final Hockey Test, winning the four-match series 2-1 in Christchurch.

• SA hammer India to claim series win

• Saina, Srikanth lift India open super series titles

• Australia run out of time, but win series against India • Dhoni retires from test cricket, Kohli to lead India

• • • •

'God of Cricket' Sachin Tendulkar was voted the Best Test Player of the 21st Century in an online poll conducted by Cricket Australia's website.

India score a consolation victory over Bangladesh Rahane to lead India for Zimbabwe tour Wimbledon 2015: They came, They saw, They conquered Lord Patel of Bradford becomes first British -Asian appointee to ECB management board

Jos Butler makes a record-breaking century which helped England beat Pakistan by 84 runs, clinching the 4match one-day international series by 31.

• Delhi's Aditi named Asian woman footballer of year in England • Indian colts thrash Pakistan, clinch Asia cup

December August

• • • • •

India heard a collective sigh of sadness when Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced of immediate retirement from Test Cricket, making Virat Kohli the captain.

No yuvraj, Axar, Binny in India World cup squad New Zealand sweep series against Lanka India manage a draw; Australia win series 2-0 Constantine appointed India's football coach SC bars Srinivasan from contesting BCCI poll

February • Paes-Hingis win Australian open mixed doubles title

• • • • • •

Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth clinched their maiden titles at the India Open Super Series badminton tournament.

Australia win World Cup in 5th time Glitzy start to IPL 2015 Sania-Hingis win Miami open title Sania Mirza is world No 1 in doubles India beat Korea, finish 3rd in hockey

• Moeen Ali plays street cricket with Birmingham youngsters • Sreesanth given clean chit

• England win T20 series vs Pak • Sarfaraz stars as India Colts win title

May • Punjab-born Gurpreet Singh Sandhu makes football history • Bangladesh whitewash Pak in ODI series • Pietersen left disappointed by another ECB rejection • Aston Villa boosts football for women in India

More than two years after Indian cricketer S Sreesanth and others were charged with spot-fixing, the test fastbowler and two others were cleared by a New Delhi court.

• Michael Clarke retires from international cricket

• • • •

India's Under-19 boys walloped the Bangladesh colts in a one-seded final, emerging as unbeaten champions in the triseries.

India win Nagpur test, clinch series Hockey medal after 33 years Panesar taking expert help to overcome personal problems India win series against South Africa 3-0

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UK

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British Asian Festival takes place in January Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

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Coming Events

It's that time of the year when people get together, rejoice and just be merry. This period need not be a distressing time when you are not sure about how you should spend your New Year's Eve. Here are some special Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve extravaganzas where you could spend the last few evenings of the year in great spirits.

Christmas Eve- Thursday 24th December 2015

Rifco and Watford Palace Theatre presents three days celebrating the diverse talents and achievements within British Asian arts and culture in January.

Curated by actor and director, Ameet Chana, and Rifco’s Artistic Director, Pravesh Kumar, the festival will feature a diverse line-up of British film, theatre, art and comedy.

The festival kicks-off on Thursday evening with a screening of BAFTA Cymru winning Comedy Convenience, followed by a talk with Actor and Producer Ray Panthaki, hosted by Ameet Chana.

Friday’s line-up includes scratch performances of new writing from four Rifco Associates - the theatre company’s artist development scheme and later in the evening, the BBC Asian Network brings its Big Comedy Night to Watford.

Breakfast show presenter, Tommy Sandhu hosts

some of the biggest UK stand-up comedians and spotlights the hottest new talent including Hardeep Singh Kohli, In Cahoots, Sindhu Vee and Ahir Shah.

On Saturday, the vivacious MummyJi returns to the stage with her variety show MummyJi P r e s e n t s … T h e Professionals. This time MummyJi is bringing audiences an extra special show for the festival, inviting some well-known names and celeb friends to join her for a chat in her living room.

Throughout the festival, contemporary illustrator, Inkquisitive will be exhibiting his vibrant creations and the theatre will also host The Singh Project a collection of images by photographers Amit and Naroop.

The British Asian Festival runs from Thursday 21st January to Saturday 23rd January 2016 at Watford Palace Theatre.

l The City Pavilion presents Bollywood Christmas Eve, featuring Hans Raj Hans with Rocky & Krishna. They will be rendering Punjabi Folk, Classical Punjabi, Bollywood and Sufi songs.

Standard adult tickets: £25. Child ticket: £15. The City Pavilion, The Millennium Suite, Collier Row Road, Romford, Essex RM5 2BH. Contact: 020 8924 4000. l Lions Club International, in Aid of St Luke's Hospice & Sylvia Wright Trust presents Music Night with Rajeev Sharma & Group. Ticket price: £22.50, which includes vegetarian dinner from 6pm- 8pm, followed by music until 11:30pm. This event is at Dhamecha Lohana Centre, Brember Road, South Harrow HA2 8AX. Contact: 07932 623 852.

New Year's Eve- Thursday 31st December 2015

l The City Pavilion presents The Bollywood Bond Ball Dinner & Dance at The Millennium Suite, with DJ Krash, DJ Sanj-J-Sanj, Panjabi Hit Squad and DJ Nish. There will be a cocktail reception and photo booth, plus many more attractions. Adult tickets: £60. Child ticket: £25. The dress code for both men and women: Sleek and Glamorous.

The City Pavilion, Collier Row Road, Romford, Essex RM5 2BH. Contact: 020 8924 4000. l GP Promotions presents New Year's Eve Extravaganza Dinner & Dance, with DJ Dubz. There will be Bollywood flavours, themed decor, laser lighting, plus many more attractions. Tickets are £35. The ticket price includes a 3 course vegetarian or non vegetarian dinner, quality wine & soft drinks. This event starts at 8pm, at Kadwa Patidar Centre, Kenmore Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex HA3 8LU. For ticket, contact G.P. Desai: 07956 922 172.

Drinking level soars among teenage girls According to an analysis, teenage girls are more likely to need emergency care for drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol. Senior doctors have stated that it is absurd how alcohol was “cheaper than bottled water”.

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ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 A blast of personal energy

comes your way, and showing your leadership skills works for you now. Romance and pleasure are highlighted this week. The flowing, expressive, and spontaneous energy surrounding you attracts like-minded people. Be sure to take time to enjoy yourself, preferably around others!

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 At work sometimes a little upheaval and chaos is exactly what you need to set things right again. There’s no need to be complacent: the time is now. Unpredictable energies continue to influence your health sector, bringing erratic highs and lows. The key for you as always is to remain calm and collected.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 You

have been going through major changes in your relationships, as a result of your own radical personal transformation. Your ideas about love and partnership are changing daily. As with most things, your health waxes and wanes. You might even find the energy to keep up with your projected gym schedule. No matter how hard you are working, try to make time for relaxation.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Venus, the planet of love and romance throws a pleasing light on affairs of the heart.

It is certainly going to be a fortunate time for those already married or in an established relationship. The keynote is emotional enrichment through close interaction with a loved one.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 Much enthusiasm goes into professional ambitions right now, but you need to be your own boss in many ways. You will be determined to place your lifestyle on a foundation of greater security.

Taking a broad perspective on the prevailing cosmic pattern, far-reaching change begins to gather momentum.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

There seems to be a danger of conflicts of duty between home and work. Your work is likely to take up a lot of your time which may generate some domestic strain. Try to balance these areas of your life. Some of you will be intent on expanding their mental horizons through meditation, yoga or by travelling.

Extra energy and drive will serve you well in getting things accomplished, but try not to come on too strong when you deal with others. It is now time to take stock, consolidate and plan ahead. The art of making haste slowly should therefore be cultivated for it will be only too easy to allow other people to rush you.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 Your communication sector is all-abuzz with planetary energies firing you up preventing you from sleeping properly. Give yourself plenty of physical outlets to drain off some of the excess mental stimulation. You should try to settle into a more grounded and steady routine instead of letting your schedule run you.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Whether you’re single or attached you’ll have to go through a lot, as deep psychological transformations are taking place in all types of relationships. Don’t be afraid to experiment, trust your hunches, go with your gut feeling. Solutions to minor problems should be considered very carefully.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. Your thinking is inspired, so listen to your thoughts. Home and family duties and responsibilities may weigh heavy on you. In effect, you’re building a new foundation, so the work you put in now will pay off in the future. Professional and financial pressures will begin to ease.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

The transit of two planets in your Solar 12th House indicates that experience will put you in a deeply reflective mood. This is a favourable time for getting away from usual routines and seeking a retreat for a few days. It will be good for you to get involved in therapies that help you to get in closer touch with your inner self.

Don't get over- anxious if you feel that you're being kept in the dark. You will probably find that worries have been unfounded. Although you may be faced with a difficult decision concerning your career or employment, this is not the time to hide. Don't waste time if you can improve matters.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

SPORTWORLD

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Asian Voice | 26th December 2015

Bengaluru boy to play for Spanish football club

McCullum to retire after Australia Tests New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has officially announced that he will retire after the second Test against Australia in February. It also means that he will not be available for the World T20 starting soon after and Kane Williamson is set to lead New Zealand in the marquee tournament.

"Ideally, I would have preferred to wait until after the Test in Christchurch to make this news public. However, the schedule for naming the ICC World T20 squads means I could not have managed this without causing a lot of confusion and speculation something I was keen to avoid. "I've loved my opportunity to play for, and captain the Black Caps, but all good things have to come to an end, and I'm just grateful for the wonderful experience of playing for my country," said McCullum.

The 34-year old will play his 100th consecutive Test when New Zealand take on Australia in the first match of the series on February 12 while the second Test starting on February 20 will be the last of his career. McCullum also preferred not to distract himself from the challenges before that. New Zealand take on Sri Lanka and Pakistan in limited overs series before Australia come touring.

"There's a time and place for reflection, and that's at the end of your career. For now, I'll be giving all my attention to helping the team focus on what's coming up over the next few weeks - and making sure we're in the best possible shape for what's going to be a very challenging summer," said McCullum.

Sonal Lakhani

On top of the world Mount Kilimanjaro

Sonal Lakhani (34), from Pinner, successfully ticked off one of the challenges from her bucket list, as she victoriously climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to see the “exhilarating” sunrise. She climbed the tallest mountain of Africa to raise money for a good cause- to build a school in Mgnongeni, an urban slum region in Mombasa.

The 34-year-old was determined to embark on this challenged in order to make a difference to many lives. She decided to support the charity, The Mustard Seed Project.

She braved the excruciating cold temperature of 26 degrees, as she hiked the Lemosho Glades for six to seven hours a day, during her 8-day trek. Sonal Lakhani said, “It was really hard and freezing- I don't think I've ever been so cold.

I expected it to be difficult and a lot of mind over matter, but nothing can quite prepare you for it... It was very hard to breathe due to the high altitude, lack of oxygen and altitude sickness.”

It was a constant struggle to reach to the top of the mountain, but once she reached, she realised it was all worth the effort. She said, “When we were ready to climb the summit, it was a real test. We climbed through the middle of the night and when we got to the top, it was exhilarating.

I felt really emotional and

Scaling Heights: Sonal Lakhani climbed the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro

tions.

Sonal Lakhani's challenge helped build a new classroom in a school, as well as provided furnitures, books and stationeries for 25 boys and girls between the age of three and eleven.

She said, “The fact that I raised extra money which is now going towards setting up a health clinic in the school is just brilliant.

Seeing the founders of the school and spending time with the children, giving out toys and sweets, was amazing too. It was really nice to see for myself exactly where the money I’d made is going to tell the people who sponRaising Funds: Sonal Lakhani with sored me they’d schoolchildren in Africa helped make a difference. The experience has Her initial target was to been life-changing. It was raise £2,500, but she manphenomenal, it put me on a aged to beat that target by high.” raising £5,500 in donaabsolutely ecstatic. I couldn’t quite believe I’d done it. it was quite overwhelming.

I felt on top of the world – literally. Coming down the mountain I was overcome with exhaustion. At times it was a matter of putting one foot in front of another. I would think of all the support I've had to keep me going which I'm so grateful for.”

Jimmy Hill – an all-round footballer

Jimmy Hill who passed away on December 19, aged 87was an all-round footballer having worked as a player, coach, manager, director and chairman and above all a BBC presenter. He was a man of infinite generosity, kindness and courage. In the eighties when Match of the Day returned to BBC screens, the Head of Sport had decided that it was time for a different presenter for the programme, which meant Jimmy Hill would in future be the main pundit, instead of combining the two jobs as he had for over 20 years.

For a time he was on

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Jimmy Hill the programme with Terry Venables. They never saw eye to eye. They nearly always had the opposite point of view. Though professionally they were having opposite views, off air

they were good friends.

Though Jimmy's role was reduced after the induction of younger blood, but when there were major events like World Cups and European Championships, Jimmy would play an important role. His summation of on that night’s Match of the Day of what happened remains a master-class in television journalism.

Of course he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea to say the least and was much reviled by Scottish football fans, following some supposed slight at the 1982 World Cup. At the 1998 finals in France, Jimmy,

was having lunch with his friends when couple of hundred Scots fans passed the window and spotted Jimmy. Within a few minutes Jimmy had beguiled them and ended up having photos taken wearing one of those tam-o’-shanters with the obligatory red hair attached. He was a charmer.

Before his BBC days of course he had been a player, coach and manager, taking Coventry City to three promotions. He was an ardent enthusiast of the all-seater stadium long before Hillsborough concentrated the minds of the authorities.

Ishan econd from left It was a dream come true for Ishan Pandita, the 17-year-old Bengalurean, who took a sabbatical from studies to pursue a professional football career in Spain in 2014. He is all set to be part of the Under-18 team of UD Almeria, which was relegated from the Spanish Primera Liga to the second division last season. The talented striker was noticed by a scout last year during his fruitful stint with Alcobendas CF in Madrid. Due to Fifa's protection-of-minors clause, which states that international transfers of non-European players are permitted only if they are aged 18 or more, Ishan will be able to sign an official contract with Almeria in May 2016.

"Getting a call from Almeria was one of my most cherished moments until now," Ishan said. "As part of their U-18 squad, I live and train with the team and play friendlies with other youth teams. If everything goes to plan, I expect to sign a contract in May next year, which will enable me to play the club's official league games." Almeria's academy manager Agustin Sanchez was all praise for Ishan. "It's for the first time we have accepted an Indian player into our club. At first, we had our doubts; so we asked others for their opinion about Ishan before accepting him. We liked he has adapted well to Spanish football," he said. Having begun playing football at six, Ishan relocated from the Philippines to Bengaluru in 2009 and was one of The International School Bangalore's top footballers, eventually being named the school team captain. He turned out for Students Union and Bangalore Yellows in the BDFA's 'A' Division and 'C' Division state football leagues, respectively. In 2013, Ishan got a major break after his performance in the Gothia Cup in Sweden caught the eye of officials of local club IF Bromficials of local club IF Brommapojkarna, who invited him for trials for their U-17 squad. The following year, he signed up to join Intersoccer Madrid football academy in Spain, which helped him secure a berth in Alcobendas CF. "At Almeria, it's a completely different ball game, compared with Indian standards. The technical abilities of players are a lot better and the Spanish coaches are very knowledgeable.

Each training session has a complete set of coaching staff, including doctors and a physio," said Ishan, who is also pursuing his Cambridge A-Level education simultaneously.

Chauhan seeks government support

Aditi Chauhan, the first Indian female goalie in Britain, playing for West Ham United, has graduated from Loughborough University last week.

Her support team and Change.org in India has been able to rope in over 10,000 supporters for this petition but unfortunately, no one from the Indian government has come ahead to support her. The truth remains that the battle is yet to be won.

The team is seeking advises on how Aditi could lawfully continue her playing career in UK, and seeking support of the government and have approached the Home Affairs Committee Chair, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP for help. The team told Asian Voice, “I request you to continue sharing the petition with as many people as you can and try garnering as much support for Aditi as possible. After all, ‘Football’ and ‘Woman’ do not go hand in hand in India and it would be a shame if we let go of this opportunity to change that fact.

We want to share this update with all those who have/will be signing the petition."

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Yuvraj, Harbhajan in India's T20 squad for Australia

Allrounder Yuvraj Singh and pacer Ashish Nehra have both returned to India's T20I squad for the upcoming series against Australia. Yuvraj has not played for India since the 2014 World T20 final, while Nehra's last international game was in 2011.

The selectors made six changes to the T20 squad that lost 2-0 to South Africa in October, including a maiden call-up for 22-yearold allrounder Hardik Pandya. There was no place in either the ODI or T20 team for Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny and Amit Mishra, while Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja were recalled to both squads.

Shami made the cut after completing his recovery from a knee injury he suffered during the previous tour of Australia, in December 2014, while Jadeja's rich form in the Ranji Trophy and the recently-concluded South Africa Tests also earned him a spot in the 15-man squad.

Harbhajan Singh, who made an international

Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh Trophy, where he is curcomeback during the South rently the third-highest runAfrica series in October, getter with 341 runs at an kept his place in the T20 average of 85.25. squad, but was dropped "Yuvraj Singh will from the ODI team. always remain special."

Yuvraj, the Man of the Sandeep Patil, the chairman Series during India's World of selectors, said. "The selecCup win in 2011, was tors are very happy, and the included on the back of captain is also very happy to strong performances in the have him back. We cannot ongoing Vijay Hazare

promise any player whether he will be part of the next tour or the World Cup. We want every player to perform and every player has a chance to come back in the team."

He said the selection of senior players like Yuvraj and Nehra was to give the selection committee an opportunity to assess them ahead of the World T20.

"We have introduced and given many youngsters [opportunities], which we are very happy about," Patil said. "This game is not only of youngsters, this game also needs to have experience. And we are looking at the World Cup T20 championship in India where we will certainly need experienced players."

Yuvraj was widely criticised for his performance in the 2014 World T20 final - a 21-ball 11 which sucked the momentum out of India's innings, paving the way to a six-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka.

He was subsequently left out of the international scene, but continued to attract big bucks in the IPL;

he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ÂŁ1.4 million in 2014, before being signed by Delhi Daredevils for ÂŁ1.6 million in 2015. His form, though, continued to be inconsistent, as he managed just 248 runs from 14 matches at an average of 19.07 in IPL 2015.

Nehra, in stark contrast, was one of the best performers in the last IPL, picking up 22 wickets from 16 matches to help Chennai Super Kings into the final.

Nehra has played just one match since then, but Patil felt the seamer's experience would come in handy.

"Keeping in mind World T20, this is a chance for a lot of players to use as a platform. Those who have not been selected, they were all discussed. We have extended the pool.

"Nehra is a consistent performer in the T20 format. He will be useful in the team. We will need experienced players in the World T20, and the Australia tour is perfect chance to give them a shot.

The BCCI also con-

firmed that MS Dhoni would continue to captain both the ODI and T20I teams till the 2016 World T20, quelling speculations surrounding his future.

"There were a lot of stories going around," Patil said. "Selectors wanted to send a very clear cut message to all, to the media and the players - and I am not talking about India team players - but general players, that who is going to be our leader.

"There is only three months time. I am happy that all selectors were of the same opinion that Dhoni should be the captain till the T20 World Cup. What happens after that we will let you know after the T20 World Cup." T20I squad: MS Dhoni (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Harbhajan Singh, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra