AV 29th November 2014

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Obama to be chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations

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70 per cent turnout in J&K Assembly polls

Pragnesh Modhwadia - Managing Partner

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Future of CSK, Rajasthan Royals uncertain

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VOL 43. ISSUE 29

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

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Dewani urged to explain himself on the witness stand

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World's oldest couple celebrate their joint birthdays A husband and wife, with a combined age of 211, celebrated their joint birthdays on reaching 109 and 102 years respectively, with four generations of family members at their Bradford residence on Sunday.

K a r a m Chand and wife Kartari, who claim to be the world's oldest married couple, tied their know 89 Karam Chand with wife Kartari years ago in married life. Mr and Mrs December 1925 after Chand moved to meeting in India as England 50 years ago teenagers. Their son Paul with Bradford being Chand said he was proud their home for more than to see his parents celeseven decades. brate almost a century of Continued on page 13

British businessman eyes freedom after ‘ludicrous’ prosecution case On 8 December a judge in South Africa will decide if the trial against British Indian businessman Shrien Dewani should continue. While the trial may be on the verge of collapse after defence lawyers signalled for the case to be thrown out, the family of murdered bride Anni Dewani has urged Shrien to go on the witness stand and answer the allegations against him.

Earlier on Tuesday, Anni’s family appealed for the case to continue, saying they wanted to

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Shrien and Anni Dewani

know what had happened to her from Shrien Dewani himself. Anni's uncle Ashok reportedly said: "Shrien Dewani has said all along that he would like to clear his name.

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ed four years for this to happen and it would not be right if he does not do it."

Prosecutors claim the millionaire, who is bisexual, wanted to be out of his marriage and arranged a "hijack-gone-wrong" in which Anni was killed and her husband escape unharmed. But Western Cape High Court judge Jeanette Traverso has dismissed sections of the state's case, describing evidence about Dewani's sex life as irrelevant, while prosecution witnesses have included men already convicted of Anni's Continued on page 26

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Sarah Hayward, Leader of Camden Council

Sarah Hayward is the Leader of Camden Council. She's worked tirelessly to tackle inequality and help people from different backgrounds get one. This includes specific work to help women from Bengali and Somali background get in to employment, tackling poverty wages by leading the way in introducing the living wage and building more council housing than any other local authority. Sarah is hoping to take this experience to a national stage by seeking Labour's parliamentary nomination in Holborn & St Pancras.

Away from politics, Sarah is married to Dan, lives in Kentish Town and is an avid Arsenal supporter 1) What is your current position?

Leader of Camden Council 2) What are your proudest achievements?

Last year one in 20 council homes built in the UK were built in Camden. We provide 25 hours of childcare for three and four year olds and later this month we'll launch a trial apprenticeships for adults who haven't done post 16 education. These adult apprenticeships were inspired by women who'd had children young and struggled to get back in to the work place.

poverty and yet we have received the 8th highest cut in the country. The Tories think that's fair! It means we've had to make some very difficult decisions and been forced to cut vital services that we know save us money in the long run.

lem - I like to find answers and solve issues. And good music.

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

My head of sixth form Jesse Elms. Initially I wasn't going to go to university. I grew up in a single parent family and my mum struggled to make ends meet and I was scared of the idea of debt and whether I'd be able to pay it back. He sat me down and talked me in to it. I don't know where I'd be now if it wasn't for him.

itics for. I can't do everything I want and I definitely can't do it fast enough. But I get to make decisions every day that change other people's lives for the better. You can't beat that feeling.

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

I get to make a difference to people. It's what I got in to pol-

6) And the worst?

Having to deal with the Tory cuts. More than one third of Camden's children live in

7) What are your long term goals?

I'd love to live in a country where everyone has an equal chance of success whatever their background. Issues like race and gender or poverty should have no bearing on how successful you are.

I've worked to tackle inequality all my life, and wherever I end up this will also be a key part of who I am and what I do.

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

I'd raise the National Minimum Wage significantly and implement living wage legislation so

that high cost areas like Camden can ensure employers pay a living wage. One of the biggest barriers to equality is that people on the lowest wages are trapped in jobs paying poverty wages.

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

Rosalind Franklin. I didn't pursue any sciences beyond school, but always enjoyed them. I'm fascinated by research and discovery. I never cease to be amazed at how quickly the boundaries of our knowledge are being expanded.

Rosalind Franklin was the unsung hero in the discovery of DNA and as a feminist she deserves much greater recognition than she got at the time or gets today.

We have to make a proactive choice to tackle inequalities - including racism and sexism. Part of that is about properly recognising the contribution that people from different backgrounds make. Rosalind Franklin's work continues to under pin scientific discovery today. That's definitely worth celebrating.

British Asian employment hits a record high

3) What inspires you?

A seemingly intractable prob-

Rupanjana Dutta

British Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed the new official statistics, revealing that unemployment rates amongst Britain's ethnic community is in decline.

Though the income rates remain relatively low across the community, the new figures of unemployment have greatly pleased the British Asian community.

The figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Monday show that there are 166,000 more people from BME backgrounds in work, compared to this time last year, bringing the total number to a record high of more than 3 million. The employment rate has also hit a new record high of 62.5%, a 2.3% point rise over the last year. Amongst others, the employment rate of Bangladeshi people now stand at a record high of 57.1%. Their unemployment rate has fallen by 7% over the year.

The Prime Minister has attributed this success to a range of government schemes designed to help people into jobs, out of which, more than 50,000 opportunities have already been taken up by people from BME backgrounds.

These include schemes that offer work experience, employer-led placements, or help starting up

a new business.

Mr Cameron in a statement told Asian Voice: “I warmly welcome these latest figures showing record employment rates for people of black and minority ethnic heritage. And along with reductions in the number of young people not in training, education or employment, this shows

new businesses - this is not just great news for those individuals and their families, but it’s great for businesses and the economy too.

“That is why this government is committed to go further still and make sure barriers are lifted and opportunities are opened to people of all back-

our long-term economic plan is delivering for people of all backgrounds and ages.

“Over 160,000 more black and minority ethnic people are in work today compared to this time last year, with more than 50,000 opportunities being taken up on government-backed employment and training schemes designed to help people into jobs. Alongside this our enterprise scheme has helped budding entrepreneurs from black and minority ethnic backgrounds set up over 6,000

grounds. This is how we will truly ensure we have a brighter and more secure economic future.”

Minister for Employment Esther McVey said: “We’ve seen record numbers of people share in the improving jobs market as the economy continues to grow – and this includes people from all backgrounds and all regions across the country.

“More and more people are having their lives transformed by moving into work and having the security of a regular wage.

From government schemes that give people the skills and experience they need, through to help setting up in business, we’re working hard to ensure that everyone is a step closer to the job that could change their life.

“We know there is more to do to ensure people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds have the same opportunities as everyone else, which is why we will continue to follow our long-term economic plan to help businesses to create the jobs that people need.

“We also know how important role models are – especially for young jobseekers or budding entrepreneurs, and we’d encourage more successful business leaders to step forward and work with us to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation.”

Reports show that sector-based work academies offer people a package of pre-employment training, work experience placements and a guaranteed job interview in specific industries, such as hospitality. Almost 21,000 placements on work academies have been picked up

so far by people from BME backgrounds.

People on Jobseeker’s Allowance are offered work experience through Jobcentre Plus, giving them up to eight weeks to learn new skills in a new industry. Over 32,000 work experience placements were started by people from BME backgrounds. Over 700 jobcentres have the freedom and flexibility to tailor schemes based on local needs, which could include where people from an ethic group share a common barrier to finding work. Melody Hossaini, the former Apprentice star, is now the face the #firstjobs campaign, that is designed to inspire by hearing about surprising celebrity first jobs and the benefits that it can bring.

Surprising responses have included footballer Ian Wright working as a builder, chef Lorraine Pascale working in an iron monger with Melody her-

self starting working life in a supermarket.

The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme, which is supported by Levi Roots, founder of Reggae Reggae sauce, offers jobseekers a business plan financial support and mentoring to set up on their own. 15, 720 opportunities have been picked up by people from BME backgrounds where they have worked with mentors to make the first step in starting up their own business and through NEA, the Government has helped people from BME backgrounds to start up 6,540 new businesses.

However Ministers and advisers recognise that a gap still remains compared with the rest of the population, and they aim that they will be able to deliver tailored support specific to local communities through jobcentres, helping the ethnic community to reduce unemployment rates further.

CB was detained at Sahar airport in Mumbai on 28 November 1986 for 9 hours. He was accused as a pro Khalistani, pro Pakistani and anti Indian.

Surprised?

For full story see Asian Voice next week.

Kamal Rao (From our Archives)

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

COMMENT

Indian valour in Great War extolled

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rescued the contribution of Indian troops in the Great War of 1914-18 from the condescension of his country’s political establishment; he did so appropriately in Australia.

It was a masterly stroke of diplomacy; his words were uttered at the right place at the right time. The setting was Australia’s War Memorial, where he laid a wreath on Remembrance Day to honour the country’s war dead, many of whom had fought with legendary courage at Gallipoli. He chose the moment to recall the bravery and courage of Indian soldiers who had also died on the same battlefield for the same futile goal of evicting the Turkish forces from their entrenched position on the higher ground.

ANZAC Day is a poignant time for Australians and New Zealanders who, jointly, bore the brunt of the Allied assault. By referring to the role of the Indian troops who fought on the entire front, from Europe to the Middle East, where they played a leading role in the liberation of Iraq, Syria and Palestine from the grip of the Ottoman Turks, Mr Modi brought home to the people of Australia that Australian and Indian troops had been comrades in arms then, and in World War II, as fellow members of the British Commonwealth. Such awareness should do much to deepen the India-Australia relationship and take it to new heights of common endeavour. Mr Modi’s decision to break the mould with his public recognition of Indian valour in foreign fields will go a long way in dispelling the claustrophobic anti-colonialism and its hypocrisies that have bedeviled the country’s political discourse over the past decades. If Indian

soldiers are to be excluded from their country’s official narrative because they fought under the colours of the British Empire, then the same standard should apply to numerous civil servants, police officials, railway men , medical personnel, educationalists, who also served the Raj. General Joginder Singh, the former Chief of the Army Staff, in a newspaper article, issued a vigorous call for the recognition of the performances of Indian soldiers in both World Wars.

They helped save, did they not?, the world and India from the scourge of Hitler’s Nazism and the predatory fascism of Imperial Japan. The Indian Army, Air Force and Navy operate today from the foundations established during the Raj. Are we expected to forget the yeoman service rendered to the Republic of India

by Air Chief Marshals Subroto Mukherjee, Aspy Engineer, Arjan Singh, Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw, Cariappa, Generals Thimayya, Kumaramangalam and JFR Jacob plus several Admirals of the Indian Navy?

India’partnership with Australia will surely be cemented by closer security ties including naval, army and air exercises. The architecture will be complete with deeper trade and investment ties. A long ending trade pact should be concluded by the end of next year and closure applied shortly to a civilian nuclear accord. Mr Modi told Australia’s business community that the time to enter India was now, that it was the propitious hour to spread its wings in India where there would be opportunities galore for new entrepreneurs. India and Australia have come in from the cold. About time too [See page 12]

The Paris-based think tank, Organization of Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) in its Economic Survey of India has posted evidence of its economic recovery – the fastest among the emerging economies. The OECD upgraded its Indian growth forecast in fiscal 2015-16 to 6.6 per cent from the earlier prediction of 5.7 per cent. Its figure for the current fiscal ending March 31, 2015 is 5.4 per cent. However, for India to achieve the 8 per cent plus growth of 2002-09, the government must undertake a series of deep structural reforms; it warns that while absolute poverty in the country had declined over the past decades, overall poverty was stil unacceptably high, as were social and economic inequalities. The Survey explained: “New reforms, some of which are included in the package presented

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, need to be implemented to put the country on a path to strong, sustainable inclusive growth.” OECD Chief Economist Catherine Mann released the report in Delhi last week in the presence of the Indian Government’s recently appointed Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian, which surely carries a potent message.

The decline in inflation, said the report, was encouraging but consumer prices are higher than those in the OECD and BRICS areas, the report said.

Proposals for the restoration of former high growth levels include tax and labour reforms; freeing up of funds for infrastructure development; early implementation; reduction of structural barriers to job creation; switching expenditure from subsidies to social, physical infrastructure.

The widely acclaimed survey of global fund managers by Bank of America Merrill Lynch for November shows high investor confidence in Indian equities. According to the survey, global emerging market investors’ exposure to India is now around three standard deviations above the mean relative to its history, while it is about 2.5 standard deviations above the mean for Asia- Pacific investors. By that yardstick, India comes across as the most preferred market for both emerging markets and Asia-Pacific investors. Taking the entire picture into account, the future trajectory of the Indian economy spells hope of better things to come. Roll on, the tide of the future.

Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Fiji opened a new chapter in what was once a fraught relationship. He was accorded a warm welcome by Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who said: “This is a visit of the leader of the world’s largest democracy to Fiji, a nation which has just instituted the first true democracy in its history.” Replying, Mr Modi said: “The tides of history brought our people here, forging the timeless link that makes our relationship

unique.” Addressing the Fijian Parliament, Mr Modi offered Fiji an Indian line of credit worth $75 million for the rejuvenation of its ailing sugar industry. He promised more scholarships to Fijian students to study in India. Mr Modi proposed an annual summit between India and all 14 island nations of the Pacific region, who were present in Suva to join in the welcoming ceremony – surely the opening chapter to a brighter relationship for all sides.

Robin Sengupta, neurosurgeon extraordinary, with a Newcastle hospital has an Operating Theatre named after him, is today an emeritus consultant. His journey to eminence has been long and arduous. It began after the subcontinent’s Partition, in Chittagong, then part of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where he was born and received his early schooling.

Coming from a family of modest means, he earned his pocket money, from which he paid the school fees, by selling fruits and vegetables at a local market.

He bore these travails manfully, but was driven by an unquenchable ambition to be a doctor. Opportunities were scarce, as were institutions of higher education.

Those that did exist fell short of the generally acceptable academic standards. So he packed his bags and made his way across the border to Calcutta, which had several good medical colleges. The problem for the youthful Sengupta was that he had no Indian papers, but he eventually got a small refugee stipend, which went some way to pay for a room and board in

one of the poorer districts of the teeming metropolis.

The next step was admission into a reputable medical college, most government-run. In the absence of the required papers, he didn’t qualify for admission. He eventually made it to the non-government National Medical College, from where he took his degree.

Thence to England in 1961 and an internship at a British hospital, leading eventually to a coveted FRCS from Edinburgh. Specializing in micro-surgery, he returned to India and worked for a while in a Delhi hospital, before returning to England because of a lack of facilities in India at the time (mid-1970s).

It was at Newcastle that Mr Sengupta operated on the wife India’s President Venkataraman, who had suffered a brain haemorrhage. Others of the great and good from across the world heads came knocking at his door. He retired in 2002, aged 65, returning to his roots in Kolkata, where, at 78, he is busy putting his experience and diagnostic skills at the service of his patients and, happily, still going strong.

Indian economy in revival: OECD

Visit to Fiji

Neurosurgeon’s tale of despair and fulfilment

3 If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.

- J.K. Rowling

Baroness Zahida Manzoor CBE of Knightsbridge

Preserving Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in 1948, soon after the end of World War Two. Article One of the document states “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

This is a message we should all be thinking about this November, one-hundred years since World War One, as we remember the sacrifices soldiers from both Britain and across the World, have made to fight for these principles.

To me this statement is a given, this is how we should behave anyway, it shouldn’t need to be written down on paper to make sure everyone respects the freedoms, rights and dignity of others. Yet in the years since this document was approved by the member states of the United Nations, we have continued to struggle to follows its principles.

We have seen in Gaza in recent months, a flagrant disregard for these basic rights to pursue life. I condemn all terrorist tactics. By hiding among civilians Hamas has shown it is willing to sacrifice its own people for military advantage. It is appalling that vast amounts of money are been spent on tunnels designed to hurt people rather than using that money to build schools, mosques and clinics to help ordinary Palestinians.

Nevertheless it is difficult to deny that Israel’s military action was disproportionate and resulted in the collective suffering of the Palestinian people.

Instances such as the shelling of UN runJabaliya refugee camp, even after precise location of the school was given to Israeli commanders 17 times, have rightly received condemnation for Israeli’s allies. Such untold suffering cannot be allowed to happen, and particularly not with UK support.

This recent crisis was hugely damaging to the lives of local people, on both sides, lives were lost, homes destroyed and essential services damaged beyond usefulness. It all comes down to a basic disregard of human rights and the dignity of others. The ‘spirit of brotherhood’ highlighted in Article One has been completely lost in the region. Until each side starts some serious work toward building this spirit in each other this conflict will continue. This means that people from both sides of this conflict will have to learn to trust each other once more. This includes making difficult decisions on both sides, including, vitally ending the illegal blockade of the region, something for which my Party, the Liberal Democrats have long called. However, it is by taking this decisions and recognising the human rights of each other, as identified and written down in 1948 following the most violent war in history, that we can overcome our differences and stops the pointless loss of life that is seen in such conflicts.

In the Lords I have had opportunities to reinforce the ideals put down on paper in 1948. The Liberal Democrat group of which I am part has long campaigned for human rights to be upheld in law and currently we are helping push through new measures to tackle the abhorrence of slavery, a practice that unfortunately still effects millions around the world today.

Experts have estimated that over 20 million people are currently in slavery.

We must do what we can in the UK to make sure human rights are respected across the world. I am pleased that my colleagues in the Liberal Democrats have been vocal where these basic rights are ignored.

We are using our position in government to make noise about human rights abuses in both the Gaza Strip and in those places, including our own country, where slavery still exists. I am pleased that I am being given the opportunity to take a positive stand for the rights we enshrined on paper nearly seventy years ago so that we can all work together to ensure that the terrible suffering seen in the two World Wars is never seen again.

4

MIDLANDS VOICE

Family businesses are “bedrock” of UK economy

Dhiren Katwa

Winners of the annual Midlands Family Business Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony attended by around 300 guests at Nottingham Trent University.

The awards recognise family businesses, their innovation, operations, growth and performance in ten categories.

Lestercast was crowned Employer of the Year; Edward Mellors scooped the Director of the Year (Under 40) trophy; Breedon House Nurseries won Service Excellence title; Mereway Kitchens notched up the Business Innovation award.

Created and organised by third generation family business The Wilson Organisation, the awards are the Midlands’ only independent, not-for-profit initiative to recognise and celebrate the work and achievements of family businesses and their advisers.

Leicester-based BM Fashions were Highly Commended in the International Development and Fastest Growing Family Business categories. From left: Gurdev Mattu, Nickey Mattu, Navnet Mattu

Annabel Prow, CEO of The Wilson Organisation, said: “Family businesses are the bedrock of the UK and global economies, generate over £1 trillion each year in UK revenues and provide more than nine million jobs in the UK. The Midlands is home to almost half-a-million family businesses, and all entries this year demon-

strate the exceptional pedigree of the region’s family businesses.”

Judges this year included our senior news editor Dhiren Katwa, Hussein Lalani of 99p Stores and David Evans of Manor Pharmacies. To see a full list of winners, and for details on how to enter visit www.familybusinessawards.co.uk

Birmingham blackmailer jailed for viscous conduct

18 year-old Ameer Hamza Arshad received a one year jail sentence after losing an appeal at the Stafford Crown Court against charges of sexual blackmail. Mr Justice Jay stated that ‘this court has emphasised the seriousness and nastiness of the offence of blackmail on a number of occasions' and that 'his pre-sentence report demonstrates a lack of remorse or insight. This was a tough sentence, but imprisonment was close to being inevitable in this case.'

Arshad was taken to court after trying to bully a Birmingham-based school girl out of £50.00, claiming that he had top-

Accomplished surgeon condemned for sick sex assaults 51 year-old neurosurgeon Nafees Hamid of the Queen Elizabeth and Priory hospitals was jailed for 16 years after a horrific breach of the Birmingham community's trust. The well-respected doctor was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault on vulnerable female patients.

The award-winning specialist neurosurgeon had already been found guilty of nine incidents of sexual abuse between 2012 and 2013, with more cases coming to light since: “I was terrified and froze to the spot” the first of Hamid's victims to come forward, a 26 yearold woman, told the Birmingham Mail. “I felt like a little child, powerless to do anything (…)

My whole body went numb and I couldn’t move (…) it lasted about five minutes…then I put my trousers back on whilst he signed the MRI scan

Nafees Hamid

authority form. That’s when he said 'you’re a sweet girl.”

The young lady came in to the Priory Hospital for a back examination in which “Nothing at all, anything at all was aimed with the problem with” her back. She went on to say that the experience left her scarred and it felt mandatory to call the police despite feeling 'terrified' that she would “not be taken seriously”. An important official in the investigation Detective

UKIP campaigns for regional separation

Inspector Ian Ingram praised her actions saying: “She went home, spoke to her family, and straightaway contacted the police.”

Though Hamid denied all charges, claiming that all intimate examinations were medically sound, it was decided through independent medical opinion that 'it was sexual assault.'

The brave 26 year-old victim has said “Now, I pity him, if anything. He had a fantastic career, he had family. I feel sorry for his family. What a horrendous thing to have to go through (…) he could have helped so many people but he chose through his power of trust to ruin it for himself”. This case is another step forward for women socially, happening alongside the recent civil injunction ruling that prevented the sexual exploitation of a teenage girl from a pre-emptive position.

Trojan Horse: about time for change

Michael Wilshaw Carver and Etheridge

Stafford Crown Court

less pictures of her that he would show her protective brother. The judge ruled that the fourteen year-old, who had previously been targeted by other men associated with Arshad, 'was clearly a vulnerable victim and there was evidence of psychological difficul-

ties.' Though the defence had asked to suspend the sentence on the basis of a good character reference, Mr Justice Jay said that the 'the period' that would be 'passed' by Arshad 'was not manifestly excessive' given the nature and attitude behind the offence.

Mental care for Leicester's elderly Dr Nitin Joshi, pictured, of the Leicester City clinical commissioning group explained how the appointing of social mental health specialists would benefit the city's elderly: “Patients identified with underlying mental health conditions will be better supported so they can stay in their own surroundings which will immediately help them relax and feel safe as well as make managing their condition easier.” The service, which is supported by the Leicester City Council and subsidised by the Better Care fund, has already yielded positive results. A Mrs Whitmore whose husband has

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

received help under the programme, said in an interview with the 'The Leicester Mercury' that “John (Mr Whitmore) started having problems with his memory so he was referred to the support worker by our GP (… ) our support worker, Stephen, explained every-

thing to us and made the process so much easier (… ) we now have the peace of mind that if we have any worries or John’s memory gets worse, we can contact Stephen and he will give us the advice we need.”

So far a total of three specialists have been working with Leicester's elderly community to combat mental illnesses such as depression and dementia. Whether or not the service can be expanded will depend on next year's budget, however one thing is sure as Dr Joshi elaborated, “psychological, social and general health is closely linked to our quality of life.”

The anti-immigration party seems to have extended, or further narrowed, its policies to local turf when MEPs pushed for Birmingham and Black Country to remain separate authorities.

Mr Carver, UKIP’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate in Stourbridge, and Mr Etheridge, fulfilling the same role in Dudley North, are organising a “Hands off Birmingham, Hands off the Black Country” protest to oppose the plans of the Dudley Council to merge the two neighbouring domains.

Carver commented that “this EU-led regionalisation push is a huge

threat to the identities of both Birmingham and the Black Country and I urge people to attend this protest and in turn send out a message to those who want to see the establishment of this colossal combined authority.”

The demonstration is to be held at the Council House at 5.15pm on December 1 to precede the district talks.

Etheridge emphasised “we don’t want to see the centralisation of power.”

However UKIP had previously stated they were against Scottish independence on the grounds that the Scottish people were being sold a "false prospectus.”

Pensioner commits benefits fraud

72-year old Leicester-based Ghulam Raja was convicted of dishonestly claiming benefits despite living with three of his adult working children and having ownership of the property. He asserted that he Leicester Magistrates Court was living with his a £703.00 penalty on top wife on another's privately of the money owed. owned land. He was given

The chief inspector of schools Sir Michael Wilshaw has demonstrated outrage at how little action has been taken in light of the 'Trojan Horse' enquiries. He warned MPs “I don’t think we’ve seen the end of the Trojan Horse issues (…) that’s why I’ve been clear that Birmingham’s got to step up to the plate and monitor what’s happening in their schools, if it’s a local authority school, much more effectively (…) there needs to be a greater sense of urgency (…) It is astonishing that the local authority has not produced an action plan, what they call their integrated plan to address the Trojan Horse issues.”

Indeed, an updated report that was conducted

by Ofsted showed that the infrastructure of affected schools, including Park View Academy and Golden Hillock School, had not shown improvement.

Leading civil servant at the Department for Education, Chris Wormald, retorted that though serious steps did need to be instituted immediately, it does “take quite a bit of time, particularly around a variety of staffing changes”.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

London to host a discussion and debate on PM Modi's Foreign Policy Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landslide victory in the general elections six months ago provides the potential for a bold foreign policy towards the South Asian region and beyond. Modi has since travelled to several countries including Bhutan, Nepal, Brazil, Japan, the US, Myanmar and Australia.

In the US and Australia he has received a huge reception from overseas Indian communities. The President of China and the Prime Minister of Australia have visited India. What are Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy priorities and objectives?

How will he seek to ensure regional stability and security? How best can he maximise India's policy options in its extended neighbourhood in the Gulf and the IndoPacific? What are the challenges and opportunities for relations with

M J Akbar

Shri Modi in Brisbane, Australia

the P-5 countries?

Mobasher Jawed Akbar, more popularly known as M J Akbar, the National Spokesperson of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a discussion and debate on the Indian PM's foreign policy, challenges and opportunities on Friday 28th November. He is also a leading Indian journalist, political commentator and author. He has been a Member of Parliament from the

Kishanganj Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.

He is the founder and former editor-in-chief and managing director of The Asian Age, India's first global newspaper, with editions in Delhi, Bombay, and London.

This RSVP only meeting will be chaired by Rahul RoyChaudhury, Senior Fellow for South Asia, IISS and will at Arundel House.

For more detail see: www.iiss.org

British Indian businessman donates £100,000 to Gandhi statue

Dr Rami Ranger, MBE

A British Indian businessman, philanthropist and social activist has taken the lead to donate £100,000 to the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust for the proposed statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr Rami Ranger, MBE, Director of Sun Mark Limited, is the first to contribute so far the biggest sum to this Trust, which is responsible for fundraising for the statue at the Parliament Square in London.

Dr Ranger who was born in 1947 in Punjab, has deep ties with the Indian independence movements, having lost his father Shaheed Nanak Singh, who was assassinated in March 1947 whilst trying to save students in a procession against the break-up of India.

Dr Ranger who is a well respected member of the British Asian community, was the first Indian businessman to have the

Prime Minister of Britain, Mr David Cameron visiting his office and factory premises, earlier this year.

Speaking to the Press Trust of India, he said,“The world owes Gandhiji a huge debt of gratitude for liberating one fifth of mankind through non-violence thereby creating a better world."

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi's was announced by Chancellor George Osborne and the then Foreign Secretary William Hague during their visit to India earlier this year. The proposed inauguration is meant to be in time for the centenary of Mahatma’s return to India from South Africa. The Foreign Office has confirmed that it has extended an invitation to the Indian PM Narendra Modi to visit Britain during the inauguration- most probably to take place on 30th January 2015.

Lord Desai reportedly said, “This is more good news which adds to the steady flow of donations which have been coming in from all around the

UK

Minister visits Farnborough Gurkha energy company

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Sir Gerald Howarth, Member of Parliament for Aldershot and Amber Rudd, Minister for Energy celebrate the one year anniversary of GnERGY with Chief Executive Major Tikendra Dewan and other members of the local business community

Amber Rudd MP, Minister for Climate Change, visited GnERGY on Monday 24 November to mark its first year of business. She was accompanied by Aldershot MP and former Minister Sir Gerald Howarth.

GnERGY was launched by ex-Gurkhas in December 2013 as a community owned company. It seeks to offer customers a viable alternative to the Big Six energy providers with easy, hassle free switching and no contracts to sign or confusing small print. The company’s UK based customer service team speak English, Nepali and Hindi and, uniquely in the industry, offer a face to face service for inquiries about their services or assistance to existing cus-

tomers.

Major (Ret’d) Tikendra Dewan, Chief Executive of GnERGY said of the Minister’s visit: “I was delighted that the Minister could come to officially mark GnERGY’s first year of business. The visit has really shown me the Government’s support for small businesses. I was also very pleased that the Minister was so impressed that this is a community led initiative, it is a wonderful endorsement of the hard work by all at GnERGY.” Local MP Sir Gerald Howarth said: “GnERGY is a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit shown by so many former Gurkha soldiers. I was delighted the Minister was able to visit GnERGY

and I congratulate Major Dewan and his team on their progress. I look forward to seeing GnERGY go from strength to strength in the years to come.”

Amber Rudd MP said: "Small energy supplier GnERGY offers households and businesses easy to understand tariffs and has put excellent customer service at the very heart of its operations.

"It's great to see companies like GnERGY entering the market, offering consumers choice and providing a strong competitive challenge to the Big Six. "Within its first year around 500 people have made GnERGY their supplier of choice, and I wish GnERGY every success in the future."

Hindu women organisation launch survey to understand pressing issues An organisation for women has launched a survey this week called 'Hindu Women in the UK 2014: Opportunities and Challenges', to understand the most pressing issues that are at the forefront of the minds of Hindu Women in the UK. Conducted by the Hindu Women Convention, it strongly believes that the purpose of this survey is to listen to all the Hindu women in Britain, and understand their needs.

Chairman Heena Solanki, speaking to Asian Voice said, “As the Chair of HWC this survey will help us direct out efforts and delivering topics of discussion, events and activities aligned to Hindu women needs. world through our website as awareness spreads. It is the combination of lots of small donations and a few large ones which is taking us swiftly to our final goal.

But, of course, we still welcome all those who would like to donate. As Gandhiji said: 'If the cause is right, the means will

come,'" Earlier this month at a press conference, the Trust confirmed that other donors from all across the globe are also stepping forward to contribute towards this iconic statue, taking it closer to its aim of raising around £750,000.

"We want to know and listen to their needs.

We do webinars where we attract women who find it hard to get to an event. So to ensure these webinars are engaging, and women get the most benefit, we need to listen to them first.”

Hindu Women Convention (HWC), an organisation aimed at the needs of the Hindu women in Britain, was launched in April 2013.

The organisation committee includes five other women viz. Smita Shah, Dipvanadana Shah, Shivani Pala, Bansri Lakhani and Zina Parmar.

Ambitious, looking to build a perfect and strong platform for Hindu women, Heena added, The bronze statue, created by sculptor Philip Jackson will be based on Gandhi's last visit to London in 1931, and will be the last statue to be placed in Parliament Square.

The statue will portray a pensive Gandhi, without his iconic stick, draped in

“We are aiming to make HWC a platform for Hindu Women- that is accessible to women anywhere in the world. We have subject and teams trained specialised for various issues that is affecting the community at the moment ie. grooming, rape, conversion, forced marriages, domestic violence and many more. We also have specialist advisors available for careers, mothers, marriages and many more.

These are issues/topics that all samajs (societies) and communities face/are concerned about. We need to collaborate and work together.”

To know more about this organisation visit www.hinduwomen.org.uk a heavy shawl and dhoti, but bare legged. It is being created on the lost wax process, which dates back to the Graeco-Roman times and reportedly follows the same procedure as that of the famous Renaissance sculpture of David created by Donatello.

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Are Indian women free?

Spriha Srivastava

Discussions, debates and conversations are an important part of our lives. We Indians love to talk and debate over things – be it Cricket, Bollywood, corruption, water problems, child labour, women issues, education system in the country and so on. But how many of these conversations make a difference?

I spoke to Lady Kishwar Desai, an Indian author and columnist who has written extensively on women’s issues in various books and articles. Married to Lord Meghnad Desai, a member of the British House of Lords, Kishwar is based in London and travels to India quite often to do research on her books.

I caught up with her recently to know what she thinks about women’s safety in India and if things are any better under the Modi government. I hope you enjoy her interview.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in North India, mostly in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi...and spent most of my childhood reading and writing as I was a very shy child.

I wanted to be an author or a film maker, but initially became a print journalist, before moving to television, which seemed a good mix of the audio, the visual, as well as the written word as I also wrote scripts. I worked for over two decades as a producer, a correspondent, an anchor in TV, at various networks such as NDTV, TV Today, Doordarshan, Zee TV, and my last job was as the head of a TV channel. After that I made a total break as I still wanted to fulfil my childhood desire to write books, and it was wonderful when I published my first book in 2007.

After I won the Costa First Novel Award, I felt really encouraged to carry on, and that's what I do now: write books!

Being an Indian woman, what do you think about the state of women in India at the moment?

Child sex ring linked to politicians

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

There is little doubt that the gender issues in India have not been really addressed so far, and the biggest problem we have faced is the tremendous bias against women, right from birth, and indeed even before birth.

We need to focus and fast

Lady Kishwar Desai

track solutions otherwise India will not be able to reach its full potential, either.

We recently celebrated 68 years of freedom but are Indian women free?

Obviously, Indian women still struggle against medieval mind sets and regressive attitudes. Far too often when there is any form sexual molestation against women, the victim is blamed. And instead of changing the mind set of men, the solution is, usually, to place further restrictions on women.

For instance, in parts of Haryana, Khaap panchayats have routinely passed diktats banning girls from carrying mobile phones, or wearing jeans. In other places, such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and UP the 'moral police' takes it upon themselves to impose rules and regulations on women, especially regarding sexuality and relationships.

How do you think the government should be dealing with women’s safety in India?

The Congress government that was in power for ten years did very little to ensure the security and safety of women. We can only hope that the new government will take some urgent steps.

A start has already been made by Prime Minister Modi putting gender at

the heart of his Independence Day speech. His emphasis on the importance of toilets for women and girls, in schools and at home, has already led to the pledging of Rs 100 crores by corporates towards building toilets. There has to be a further push for equality of women, at home and in the work place, supported by strict laws against any violation. We need many more fast track courts, as well as a speedy investigation in cases of rape and molestation. The list is long, but if the government shows some will, as has already been done by Mr Modi, we can hope for change.

Things might look better in the big cities but we continue to hear cases of rapes, foeticide etc. What’s your take on that?

The real change in that will come when more and more women enter the work force, and are no longer regarded as a burden on their families. The traditional role of women needs to be challenged and their economic prowess needs to be enhanced, as unfortunately, today's India only understands the language of money. If you earn and are financially independent, you are more likely to earn respect as well.

You are an author and have written many books now. Do you think that has had an influence in people’s attitude towards women?

Oh yes. I think books have power and influence, and in my books I emphasise the role of women as survivors and change makers. We need to move away from literature that only shows women as victims as it reinforces the stereotype.

In my Simran Singh series, for instance, though I highlight gender issues, my central character is a strong, free spirited, independent minded woman. A lot of my readers genuinely like and admire her, and wish to be like her. That's how change can also be brought about.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

A shocking parliamentary scandal was re-ignited from the 1980s when an alleged victim of child abuse came forward to the Metropolitan Police. The witness said he had seen three boys murdered with one being strangled by a Conservative MP during a depraved sex game in the Thatcher years. Amongst the strongest evidence was Mr Vishambar Mehrotra's, a former magistrate and member of the legal system, claim that he had brought this very concern forward some 30 years ago when his son, Vishal, went missing at the age of eight as he was walking home from the marriage procession of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Mehrotra had a

Vishal and Vishambar

recording of an unknown man rasping into the phone saying that his son may have been abducted and taken to a notorious guesthouse in 1981. The ex-magistrate claimed that he had approached officials at the time but was turned away because

of the stigma it may have placed on “judges and politicians” and felt it was a “huge cover-up.” A spokesman for Sussex Police, with whom Mehrotra tried to file the case at the time, said the force were open to a new investigation.

Doctor goes on suburban rampage

43-year old Fatima Wakawa, NHS medic and mother, was arrested for allegedly going “berserk” as one witness described it, on a sleepy suburban street in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands.

Apparently wielding a knife and attacking the doors and cars of neighbours with whatever came to hand, such as rocks and garden ornaments, she had to be tasered by the police in order to be detained. One witness told the 'Daily Mail' “it was a surreal situation.

There were rocks and dirt from plant pots on top of the cars and she was pacing around.”

Wakawa's children and husband were out of the house when the incident occurred. This may have been a product of psychosis, which can come on suddenly, but officials have yet to make a comment.

Indian migrants received most British citizenship, Brussels survey shows A study published by Brussels immigration authorities showed that Britain had granted more migrants citizenship than other country in the European Union, end 2012. Most of these passports were given to people from India constituting 14.6 of the percentage while Pakistan trailed closely behind at 9.5%.

Nigeria was on 4.6% and the Philippines had 4.2.

The figures reflect the admission into the country of 193,900 people, making up almost one in four new citizens across all E.U states.

Suburban chaos

Cameron's statistical optimism PM David Cameron is determined to reach the net migration aim of having under 100,000 enter the country, despite Home Secretary Theresa May's warning that this is an unrealistic target: “It is of course unlikely that we’re going to reach the tens of thousands by the end of the Parliament,” Mrs May told 'The Telegraph' in a statement.

“Why is that? It’s because we’ve seen increasing

numbers of people coming from across Europe, partly because our economy is doing better than other economies in Europe."

However Cameron remains passionate about honouring his party's manifesto which fuelled the Tory's triumph back in 2010.

Annual net migration figures will be printed on the 27th November and are likely to challenge the Prime Minister's goal.

Manchester marriage shams: Duo gets jail

Ringleaders: Amir and Miguel

Pakistani national, Muhammad 'Jimmy' Amir and a Diana Fernandes Moreira-Miguel were jailed for setting up marriages between “grooms” and “brides” from their respective places of origin, to cheat the UK immigration system.

Four Pakistani men and clients were jailed for one year each, while the duo in charge received four years

(Amir) and 15 months (Miguel). The prospective “brides” have now returned to their home country of Portugal. Dave Magrath from the Home Office's criminal investigations unit said this is not “a victimless crime. It exploits society's most vulnerable people, and the gangs involved often have links to serious organised crime.”

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

As I See It

Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square Some controversies are coming up rather needlessly (?) about the Gandhi statue, in the Parliament Square in London – a few hundred yards from the Houses of Parliament. There are already other statutes of eminent world-wide personalities and many felt that the statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been missing long enough on that historic site.

Some ten years back Mr D.T. Tanna, launched a campaign and submitted petitions signed by thousands to the then London Mayor – Ken Livingston. This campaign of erecting Gandhiji's statue in the Parliament square, was supported by the Mahatma Gandhi foundation, which has been active in London for forty years as well as by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.

However, with Boris Johnson being elected as the new Mayor of London, this proposal took a backseat.

Now since the thumping victory of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Shri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, there has been a sudden yet pleasant development. Some five months back, two senior British cabinet ministers – Chancellor George Osborne and William Hague, rushed to Delhi to announce the construction and unveiling of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in the Parliament Square on January 30, 2015. The British media indicated ample motives for such a surprise visit and spectacular announcement by the UK Govt. , such as gaining preferential trade relations, defense contracts, Indian investments in UK, etc. However not much was said about the impending general elections in UK in May, 2015 and the huge advantage that the Conservative Party especially PM David Cameron could derive, with the arrival of the hugely popular Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for the unveiling of the statue.

Sir James Bevan, the British Ambassador in New Delhi encouraged and assisted Lord Meghnad Desai to form a special trust to raise funds for the construction of the statue. Since then for the past four-five months, Lord and Lady Desai, the trustees, are spearheading this project and have claimed that the funds are flowing in, less than a £1 million is required.

However the details on pledged or paid donation amounts have not been made public as yet.

In the meantime, Lord Swraj Paul and some others have raised questions on whether the funding for the statue creation should be state-financed or through public funds and donations. Such questions, need not be ascribed to party politics, but never the less, this

issue has the potential to become a controversy to say the least.

Also, we have Ms Kusoom Vadgama vigorously protesting against the construction and erection of Mahatma Gandhi's statue (see page 8 for her latest salvo).

She has little following, but she has managed to keep her flag flying.

There are reports in the Asian media that some groups have already started planning for a huge celebration and reception by hiring the Wembley Stadium, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives here, as they foresee the scale of the event to be much larger than any of its predecessors in New York or Australia.

We now know for sure that the US President Barack Obama, will be attending the 65th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26, 2015 as the Chief Guest. Think whatever you may wish about this whole political jamboree, but keep in mind Shri Narendra Modi's astute political sense as he may wish to keep away from this project for the moment since it has raised several eyebrows both here and in India for various reasons, especially since his presence and personality could not be made available to a political party in Great Britain.

Respect for the Elders Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar way

We see more and more elderly people living longer amongst us, but little do we understand the gravity of thier problems and challenges they face in their twilight years.

The extended Indian family is now a matter of the past. As much as children and grand-children would love to look after their elderly folks, it is very difficult if not impossible for these younger generation to keep pace with their modern lives and yet take care of their elderly. As old age dawns, so does the health problems. Besides all the various health issues, the elderly also face isolation, loneliness and various other fears.

With all these harsh facts of the society that we live in, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have been organising some simple but inspiring events specially for elders. One such event took place on November 8, 2014 where your two news-weeklies in association with the Sangat Community Center, Harrow, organised a reception for elders of over 85 years of age. We had 49 elders present for this event, with the eldest one in the group being 104 years of age. Each of these 49 elders were accompanied by 3 of their relatives or friends. At this event, we had 2

doctors talking on health care, diet, medication etc., also a yoga teacher spoke about simple yoga asanas to keep them relaxed and happy. Two entertainers kept them amused with jokes, music and songs. This program which lasted for about an hour and half, also felicitated each of the elders with a specially framed citation. The eminent dignitaries of the afternoon included Mr Navin Shah (Member of London Assembly), Mr Dhimant Trivedi (CEO of Bank of Baroda – Europe Operations), Mr Manubhai Ramji (a successful public spirited entrepreneur) who went to each of the respected elders, bowed down in the traditional Indian way and handed over the citation to each recipient. Towards the end of the program, a vegetarian buffet was served for all.

We have organised such events in the past and surely many others would be doing something similar.

However let me share some experiences that I got by listening to the elderlies and several other people present for the event as well those who had a second hand account of the event. Many of the elders told me that they haven't been out of the house to socialise with other people let alone meeting people of their same age group. Some of the elders who live on their own or those not in touch with their families, felt happy to converse, share and discuss their problems and getting adoration from everyone during the event. Atleast two younger generation people called me to say how happy they felt to see their grand parents receiving the citation, which has now proudly found its place on the mantle piece or amongst their deities in their homes. Many grand children were proud to see their grand parents being loved and adorned this way with respect, importance and honor publicly.

By giving our elders the much deserved dignity I feel that such a simple ceremonial, communal program for our elders is good for all.

Post this program we have been contacted by several readers in South London, Leicester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Preston to organise such ceremonies there.

But I believe that we all can help in our own way. By giving joy we create a positive environment and harmony in the society. Once again, I am most thankful to Kamal Rao, Kokilaben Patel, Harish, Ajay as well as Kanti Nagada of Sangat Community Center Harrow, Dr Sheetal Shah, Dr Jayashree Shah, Manisha Wala, Kanti Patel, Amit Kansara as well as others who have helped us organise such an event, felicitating our elders.

- CB

Apnoea sufferer kills motorcyclist in sleep

42 year-old council worker Imtiaz Shah caused the death of a motorbiker when he chose to ignore his doctor's advice about a debilitating sleep disorder.

Lancashirebased Shah was diagnosed with sleep apnoea which makes the muscles in the throat relax and narrow, inducing a deep sleep, and was told not to drive his 4x4 vehicle unless he received the

effective treatment.

Shah consequently fell limp at the wheel, and crashed into Stephen Hayes leaving the then mechanic irrevocably paralysed.

Shah received 30 months in jail with his driver's license suspended for at least three years.

Hayes suffered severe injuries to the head and body and is now in a wheelchair unable to

Imtiaz Shah

speak. The victim's devastated daughter told 'The Mail Online' “He (Shah) condemned my dad to a life sentence dealing with those injuries yet he'll be out of prison in a little more than a year (…) In a split second, my dad was robbed of his independence, much of his ability to communicate and to enjoy his life and his hobbies”.

Remembering the other half

Chattri

The Chattri memorial commemorates all Indians who died fighting for Britain in the First World War; particularly the 53 Hindu and Sikh soldiers who died in Brighton hospitals. 21 Muslim British patriots were also buried at Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking, near the city of Reading.

Speaking with the Chattri war memorial above Patcham in his thoughts, General Lord Dannatt lead an appeal to all Britons to remember the lives of soldiers from across the empire, in Brighton and beyond. The Chattri memorial is built where an Indian funeral pyre once stood.

Choudary: permission to preach again

Anjem Choudary

Anjem Choudary, who has been linked to the Lee Rigby hacking and Trojan Horse plot, is set to have the social restrictions on his bail relaxed. The extremist Muslim cleric, and former solicitor, was arrested under the Terrorism Act in late September but was released on bail.

From the 18th of December, he will also have the freedom to disseminate religious material and talk at religious stands after his ban for a short time. The senior district judge, Howard Riddle, ruled that Choudary was entitled to exercising “religious freedom.”

Four adult men were each sentenced to 17 years in jail for engaging in the gang rape of a drunken woman in one of the individual's taxi. Bradford Crown Court heard how taxi-driver Tamseel Virk picked up the intoxicated victim as she was leaving a friend's birthday in Leeds, and began driving to a destination she had not specified. Passing out during the journey, the victim awoke to find that she was being taken advantage of after already being violated by one of the other conspirators.

Together with the 42year-old driver Tamseel Virk, Najim U-Saeed, 31, Wakar Akhtar, 21, and Azad Raja, 38, prearranged the attack with the court hearing that 15 phone calls were made between Virk and the other perpetrators. The judge stated: 'On that day, as was her right, she enjoyed at the birthday

party a number of drinks.

That is part, gentlemen, of our culture (…) This (their actions) was totally despicable, it was utterly callous, it was a degree of inhuman behaviour hard, even for one such as myself inured to evil, to understand.'

The victim who works as a teacher said: “I felt I had the identity and everything I had worked for kicked out of me (…)

Something so horrific and personal has happened.”

Taxi rapists took advantage of drunken woman

Taxi-driver Virk

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

At 85, One of the Godfathers of Indian Journalism Mr K.N. Malik has had a distinguished career in journalism in India and was the European Correspondent for The Times of India. He was a Senior Researcher Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and a Research Associate, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.

He wrote columns for the Illustrated Weekly of India and the Tribune, Chandigarh. He is the author of ” India and UK- change and continuity in the 1980s.” He pioneered reporting in Civil Aviation and Tourism in India.

I met with him last week at his flat in an exclusive part of Kensington.

Mr K.N. Malik’s experience stretches far beyond the media.

It was in his early years that a spirit of giving was instilled in him, he said.

He explained that he

Mr K.N. Malik

and his childhood friends explored different philosophies like Marxism before settling on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, founded before Mr Malik’s birthyear of 1929. Mr Malik said that he always wanted to work for society, and that during the Freedom Movement, “The Congress Party, the Socialist Party; all had

inputs in one’s mind.”

The RSS placed an emphasis on charity, service and self-discipline so that its members could train and give selflessly unto others. As a Hindu, he saw no religious division in his mind; He also joined the Gurudwara movement as a volunteer. His third seminal influence was being part of the Scout movement.

“You imbibed the service instinct, how to serve other people,” Mr Malik added.

He remembered going to Punja Sahib, near Rawal Pindi, towards the North West Frontier area of what is now Pakistan, and seeing a massacre during the period of the partition of India. He and a small group served in a refugee camp there.

In his student years, Mr Malik was involved with the evacuation and rehabilitation of people fleeing terror. He was part of a group that established the DAV College Refugee camp, Lahore, used by hundreds of thousands of refugees as an exit point from Pakistan.

“You care about the family of humanity almost than your own family,” he said of himself.

For a lengthy period, he was imprisoned, along with other senior professionals like doctors and lawyers. “We remained cheerful, even in jail,” he commented, admitting that conditions were hardly luxurious, let alone comfortable. Everyone slept on the floor. When his father sent his brother to suggest he apologise to the government and get released, K.N. replied, “What for? I’m quite happy round here.”

In Delhi, after his MA he supported himself by teaching two hours a day. Mr Malik applied to the Times of India, and was initially rejected. But he knew Prithviraj Kapoor, member of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. “Prithviraj spoke to the General

Manager and owner of the Times of India. I was told I could work as an apprentice; they would not pay me.”

Talent will out, and K.N. Malik started hitting headlines immediately. “Within the first month, two of my stories were lead stories.”

“You imbibed the service instinct, how to serve other people” The first was about a famous chimpanzee; the chief guest at a party given by the American Ambassador. The second was an investigation about the police intimidation of witnesses in the case of a murdered chief medical officer of health.

After this, the chief editor of the Times of India came to Delhi to meet K.N. He asked if he was being paid. “No,” came the reply. So Mr Malik was given a staff position and a suitable salary.

He was approached to move to England to report from here but refused. He was given salary increases and

allowances. He continued to write fearless headline news stories, not tempted by any monetary offers.

Mr Malik held out in Delhi until he could not refuse any longer. At his departure, he was the only person ever to be given a farewell dinner by the chairman of the company, At that dinner, the chairman told Mrs Malik; “There is hardly a prime minister or minister of any party who has not complained about Mr Malik.”

“I thought that was the biggest tribute that could be paid to a journalist!”

Smiled Mr Malik.

One critic was Indian president Giani Zail Singh, “who tried to get me sacked,” Mr Malik said. “My reporting didn’t suit him.”

After a call from the president to his chief editor that resulted in a decision that Mr Malik’s stories should be vetted by the chief before they went to the city editor, this wily journalist made sure that a particularly important story on President Singh was filed on an evening when the chief editor was not at home, even calling his chief’s house to demonstrate due diligence. So the story was published; and as a lead!

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Gandhi’s questionable past

Praise where it’s due

Every penny raised for the Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, London, (AV 22 November), is a nail in the coffin of honour and dignity of women. It is unbelievable that a man with self-confessed use of women, and not just any women but his own teenage great-grand niece and the wife of his great-grand nephew, who crossed all barriers of decency and morality, should be so honoured.

Gandhi's whiter than white dhoti and wrap, presented as symbol of purity, cannot hide the dark and immoral side of his life.

If that was not bad enough, Gandhi also put aside all principles of democracy and appointed Nehru as the first Prime Minister of Independent India in 1947, even though Sardar Patel had won the votes for the great office by a very large majority. Gandhi, infatuated by Nehru's charm, turned the dishonest exercise into a coronation.

It is also a myth that Gandhi 'created' the civil-disobedience and non-violence movements in India to fight the British.

In fact they were already started by Gokhle, Tilak and Lajpat Rai, honourable leaders who have been shamefully and ungratefully erased from memory and from the history of the campaign for Indian independence.

For all intents and purpose, the history of India's struggle for freedom begins and ends with the life and work of just one man - Gandhi. His disciples can sweep all his unconventional behaviour under the carpet but they will never be able to change the facts about what he did in his private life as well as in politics.

It is a sad day for women, for democracy and for India that there will be yet another Gandhi statue, in spite of his questionable past.

I live in Queensbury Ward in Brent bordering Harrow. I regularly use Mollison Way Shopping centre, with Post Office, GP Surgery, Café and many shops serving both neighbourhoods.

Although parking is plentiful with two disable parking bays, (DPBS) it is always full, as it is free and some garage owners parking their cars with “For Sale” manifest notices, using these spaces as rent-free sales room.

Recently DPBS were blocked, perhaps by an abandoned car. Although it was issued with “Parking Offence Notice and Clamped” it was not removed for days, thus causing immense hardship to disable people.

In desperation, after unable to visit these shops for a week, I contacted Harrow Cllr. Barry Kendler (Edgware Ward) requesting his assistance to free DPBS. His response within hours came as pleasant surprise, promising swift action.

Not only offending car was towed away but illegally parked cars received notices, some clamped, with a promise that Council will soon install metered parking with regular visits by Traffic Wardens. No wonder parking is now easier, trade picking up, to the delight of local shop-keepers. But unless it is patrolled regularly, it will slip back to bad old ways.

I feel it is my duty to thank these three Labour Councillors, Kendler, Amadi and Parekh who work as a team, as politicians in general and Councillors, MPs in particular receive bad publicity, from fiduciary press and maligned by their fellow politicians for cheap electioneering purpose.

Kusoom Vadgama By email

Bhupendra M Gandhi By email

Is the NHS becoming a retirement home for fragile OAPS?

The NHS Trust in Dorset, desperate to free beds with winter onslaught on the horizon, threatened to take legal actions against families who refuse to take home their elderly relatives, who are ready to be discharged; with flimsy excuses of going on holidays, decorating homes, having overseas guests to abandon them in NHS hospitals where they will be fed and looked after.

Britain, once cradle of civilization with kind and caring people is fast becoming renegade materialist society with fiduciary politicians who care more for the poor in Africa rather than their own. Even Church is preoccupied with fashionable ideology of homosexuality, gay marriages, and female bishops, putting care and compassion on slow burner. Euthanasia, draconian mercy killing is fast gaining approval amongst our population!

In sharp contrast, countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand,

Philippines care and respect their elderly where putting some one in care home due to age or infirmity is alien to their culture.

Our culture drastically changed under disillusionary rhetoric Labour Champaign Socialists who advocated nationalizing old age with prototype nursing homes. They would be an asset if used wisely, with compassion. But recent scandals brutalizing defenceless OAPs will make us shudder if forced to move to these money making institutions with minimal supervision.

Shibboleth socialism is fading fast. It is time to revitalize, restore our caring culture, beginning with families if we want to avoid becoming rhinestone culture society.

Kumudbala Valambia By email

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The cost of a birthday party

Mulayam Singh, the so called NetaJi by his son Akhilesh, the Chief Minster of U.P India celebrated his birth day in a big way supported by Azam Khan one of the Minsters of the U.P. government Celebrating your birth day is the right of every person but when asked where the money is coming from for these big celebrations Mr. Azam Khan replied “Why does it matter where the money for celebrations is coming from? Some have come from Taliban, some from Abu Salem, some from Dawood (Ibrahim) some from terrorists."

This is a very serious statement given in public and must not be taken lightly.

Both the Home Minister and Defence Minister of India should not sleep but act on this statement. If this statement was given by any person in Britain he or she would have been arrested and searches would have been started immediately to protect the public from terrorism.

It is usually the poor and ordinary people who suffer due to the acts of terrorists. So may we know from the Indian High Commissioner in London what actions are being taken to protect people of India and also the people who are visiting India.

Dharam Sahdev Ilford

Lessons of a barbaric beheading

Readers may endorse Mr. Gandhi’s optimistic letter about benign Muslim friends. It is assuring that the whole Islamic community is not in favour of ISIL or global jehad. We must wish that such ethos may prevail over whole Islamic community/nations. We hope and pray for violence-fatigue and emergence of new Islamic world order that may compete with Jain or Budhhist style of non violence and/or Hindu Yoga.

But these are ideas of Seikhchilli, when two faced western and selfish vested interests love to fish in troubled waters.However, both before and after 9/11 terrorist attacks in U.S.A., Canada, India, U.K., Belsen-Russia, atrocities on Kurds and Yazidis neutralise any merit points earned by moderate Muslims.

There is no sign of abatement of such attacks. These horrendous actions attract many youth who migrate to join ISIL, as radicalised terrorists/fighters. Some are paraded while beheading victims. Most obnoxious acts are the killings between Shias, Sunnis and Wahabees.

Such radicalised, extremist and terrorist activities traumatise the whole of humanity directly as well as the innocent bystanders too.

To harbour an optimistic picture is denying the reality facing the whole world. Victims can only build rings of steel or arrest suspects but are helpless to eradicate them.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

The barbaric beheading of Peter Kassig has been reported all over the world. He is the fifth western victim to be murdered in this way. Before the advent of the modern world beheading was practised by many countries as an instrument of capital punishment.

The advancement of knowledge has raised human conscience and the people in the world have moved on. However, in the modern world only Muslims practise this most inhuman and barbaric act of violence. For example Saudi Arabia has been using beheading as a means of capital punishment on a regular basis.

By all accounts Peter was a kind and compassionate person. He had dedicated his life to help ameliorate sufferings of Muslims of all denominations. It is for this reason he went to Syria. He was not against Muslims or Islam. He even got himself converted to Islam and took the Arabic name Abdur-Rahman.

But nothing seems to make any difference to ISIL. They are determined to take revenge by any means against their opposition both real and presumed so that no one dare to raise any voice against them.

It is a problem specific to Muslim society. Only they can resolve this issue.

They should realise that these are the type of actions responsible to induce Islam phobia among non-Muslims.

If Muslims really would like to resolve these issues then there is a need to ascertain why there is so much intra-religious violence in Muslim countries and what is the source of such a mindset.

Let charity begin at home

Some 20,000 students demonstrated in London last week because they said they did not want to live in a society where access to higher education was based on wealth. The students were demonstrating against an increase in top up fees.

I used to work in the Higher Education Division of the Department for Education when the proposal to introduce top up fees was first mooted. At that time the fees were very nominal. Now they have escalated to their present level.

One wonders why the government pays out £9 billion a year from our tax money to undeserving countries who carry a chip on their shoulders against us? This money could be put to better use at home to alleviate poverty in poorer areas here or to reduce the tax burden on hard working British people or to provide free university education. £9 billion is a huge sum of money to be dished out when that could be used to raise the pensions of old age people who have to struggle to pay for food or to pay out the ever increasing utility bills.

An old aged pensioner gets a weekly allowance of £106 bearing in mind he has paid his income tax and national insurance contributions whereas immigrants and refugees who have paid no income tax and national insurance contribution receive a weekly allowance of £250.00.

Why this anomaly? If we want to be generous, let the charity begin at home!

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Dr Jatindra Saha By email

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

EDUCATION/COUNCIL VOICE

11

Sign the petition to move Central Ofsted: 'Radicalisation risk' at Croydon stations to zone 4 six Muslim private schools

Sarah Jones, Labour’s candidate for Croydon Central and Steve Reed MP for Croydon North have launched a joint campaign to switch central Croydon train stations from zone 5 to zone 4 on the Transport for London (TfL) map.

The zone switch would cut fares for Croydon commuters, with savings of up to £336 a year for an annual Travelcard.

And it would make geographical sense, as the zone map carves out Croydon for no good reason other than to make more money. Other stations further out than

MPs Steve Reed and Sarah Jones

Croydon are already in zone 4.

Sign Steve and Sarah's petition here: East Croydon and West

Croydon stations should be re-designated into zone 4 or zones 4/5 http://www.zone4croydon.com

These yardsticks would make it easier to assess the performance of universities and sanction failing ones, Which? said.

Of 1,023 UK under-

dents were satisfied with their academic experience, three in 10 rated it as poor, raising concerns about the amount and quality of teaching and the content of their courses.

Fewer than half of the respondents ( 4 9 % ) described their course as "demanding" and only 45% felt seminars were generally worth attending. The umbrella body, Universities UK, said higher student fees in England had "undoubtedly" raised expectations.

Universities that fail should be punished, says Which?

It should be easier to remove the degree-awarding powers of universities that fail to meet academic and consumer standards, a report by Which? has said.

The consumer group said tougher regulation was needed to encourage high standards and punish failings. It said universities should provide more information to applicants and set standards on handling complaints. It also said institutions should offer students contracts setting out details of what each course would involve.

graduates surveyed for the report, a third said their course was not good value for money.

Although most stu-

Pupils at six small Muslim private schools in east London are at risk of extremist views and radicalisation, says Ofsted's chief inspector.

Sir Michael Wilshaw said the pupils' "physical and educational welfare is at serious risk" following a series of emergency inspections. He said all the schools focused too heavily on Islamic teachings.

One of the schools called Ofsted "unprofessional", while another said its findings did not reflect reality.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan says the schools will be closed down if changes are not made quickly.

"We asked Ofsted to carry out these independent school inspections and the findings are very concerning. While there is no suggestion of a co-ordinated plot, it is clear that

these schools are failing children and this is unacceptable. All schools must prepare children for life in modern Britain," she said.

At one school, inspectors found pupils did not know the difference between sharia and British law. And they said the curriculum at Mazahirul Uloom School in Tower Hamlets "focused solely" on Islamic themes.

In a letter to Ms Morgan, Sir Michael said he was "extremely concerned about the large number of failings" in each of the six schools and was "not convinced" current managers were capable of making necessary improvements.

"I believe that, in all six schools, pupils' physical and educational welfare is at serious risk.

Given the evidence gathered from these inspections, particularly in relation to the narrowness of

the curriculum, I am concerned that pupils in these schools may be vulnerable to extremist influences and radicalisation," he wrote.

Mazahirul Uloom, a small secondary boys' school that professes to teach the National Curriculum and Islamic Sciences, faces the most criticism.

Inspectors said too much of the curriculum "focuses solely on Islamic themes" and judged it inadequate. They said pupils believed it was wrong to learn about other religions, were not taught art, music or drama and had a "narrow view" of women in society.

Some students told inspectors: "Women stay at home and clean and look after the children.

They cook and pray and wait for us to come back from school with homework."

Ealing tackles filthy food A branch of Pizza Hut Delivery was closed for a week by Ealing Council food hygiene inspectors because of a cockroach infestation.

Atifa Wasim Enterprises Limited, which operates the South Road Pizza Hut Delivery, was forced to pay more

than £890 in legal costs after a hearing at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 6 November verified the council’s decision to close the business temporarily.

In a separate case, the operators of supermarket Quality Foods, LB Enterprises Limited, at 47-

61 South Road, Southall had 16.2 kilograms of hazardous sweets seized. The business was ordered to pay the council’s legal fees of £604.04 after some imported jelly sweets called Pran Pudding were found to contain a banned jelling agent which can pose a choking hazard.

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Let to Rank Group Gaming Division Limited (until 2077) and Spicerhaart Property Service Limited (with guarantee) Rent £119,500 p.a.x. with 731.33 sqm (7,872 sqft) of retail to be let

Let to Post Office Limited on a regeared lease.

Rent £74,500 p.a.x

HARROW HA1 3UA 205/205A Watford Road Let to J & C Taverns Limited until 2033 (subject to option). Includes a self-contained maisonette on the upper floor.

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LONDON N14 5JN 1-18 Onslow Parade, Hampden Square, Southgate Comprises an unbroken parade of 18 retail units. Busy neighbourhood retailing hub in affluent North London suburb.

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MIDDLESBROUGH TS1 2JZ 52 Linthorpe Road Prime pedestrianised position opposite the main entrance to the major Middlesbrough Hill Shopping Centre.

Vacant possession

SKEGNESS PE25 3ES 138-140 Drummond Road, Lincolnshire Let to A F Blakemore and Sons Limited (t/a SPAR). Includes 2 x recently refurbished selfcontained maisonettes and 3 x self-contained flats.

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LEICESTER LE19 1WE Woodcote House, Harcourt Way, Meridian Business Park Let to AXA PPP Healthcare Limited.

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LUTON LU4 8FE Units 1 & 2 Imperial Court, Laporte Way, Bedfordshire Let to Civica UK Ltd on a new 10 year lease (subject to option).

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ROMFORD RM1 3ER Tollgate House & Mews Car Park, Market Place 698 sqm (7,508 sqft) office accommodation with two retail units and separate car park.

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EPSOM KT19 8AH 34 High Street, Epsom, Surrey, Let to Ryman Limited on a rebased rent. Includes two self-contained residential flats.

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LONDON N8 0RE 599 Green Lanes, Hornsey

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FOLKESTONE CT20 2AA 70-72 Sandgate Road, Kent Let to Halifax Limited until 2021 (no breaks).

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BROMLEY BR1 1JQ 111 High Street, Bromley, Kent Let to Woolwich Building Society, (part of Barclays Banking Group).

Rent £138,850 p.a.x

BRADFORD BD5 8LB Beta House, Parkside Court, Rooley Lane Tenants include Yorkshire Building Society and Yorkshire Housing Limited. Well located on Bradford Ring Road (A6177). Approximately 1,130.70 sqm (12,171 sqft).

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12

MEDIA WATCH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a roll. Several months ago, he took New York by storm at a vast gathering of Indian Americans; he followed this with cordial talks in the White House with President Barack Obama, supplemented later with an extensive conversation with US company chairmen and CEOs on doing business in India, of ways and means to surmount bureaucratic hurdles and make the passage to the country a pleasure. Mr Modi’s visit to Australia has been little short of a triumph.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Communist (CPM) leader Prakash Karat recognized when he rejected the Banerjee call.

She threw a tantrum on television, when asked of her possible involvement in the Saradha scam. Taming of the shrew could be the title of a book on her term in office, if the shade of one William Shakespeare were to waive the copyright. (Telegraph, Times of India November 18, 19)

Burdwan terror: suspect held

Narendra Modi and Australian premier Tony Abbott

First came the G20 economic summit, followed by an enthusiastic public gathering of Australia’s Indian community in Brisbane, climaxed by an eloquent address in English to Australia’s Parliament in Canberra. Mr Modi struck the right notes throughout. He acknowledged to Australian MPs that his visit to their country was the first by an Indian prime minister in 28 years, that the Indo-Australian relationship had come in from the cold, hence bilateral visits by Indian and Australian prime ministers would henceforth be the norm, not a rarity. He promised to facilitate two-way trade and investment and intensify defence and strategic ties between the two countries.

Australian visitors to India would be granted visas on arrival, a measure limited to select countries with whom India enjoyed the closest trust.

It was hardly a coincidence that as the speech echoed to all corners of Australia, the Indian Adani Group sealed its purchase of the Carmichael coal mine in Queensland , with the state government helping out in developing the railway to take the coal from source to port, from where it would be shipped to India for power generation, the Queensland government having approved and signed the deal into law.

ed. A new and exciting chapter in Indo-Australian has commenced under the stewardship of two fully engaged prime ministers, Narendra Modi and Tony Abbott. [See page 3]

Low farce

Mamata Banerje, the Chief Minister of West Bengal clearly feels the ground fast slipping under her feet as the Trinamool Congress sinks deeper into the black hole of urban lawlessness, rural violence, and also by revelations of ministers and party bigwigs being covertly involved in the Saradha ponzi scam.

Desperate situations required desperate remedies: hence the beleaguered Chief Minister journeyed to Delhi for the Nehru birth anniversary celebrations to float the bizarre idea of a “secular front” against the ruling BJP government, to include the two communist parties and the mother-and-son Congress rump led by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Ms Banerjee, only a few days previously, was cursing and abusing these self-same parties.

Now she wants them on board her leaking ship.

Suicide pact rejected

Shared values

Beyond economics, the Indian Prime Minister made a pointed reference to the shared democratic practices and values and the love of cricket that underpin the Indo-Australian relationship.

The thriving Indian diaspora was a bridge between the two countries, he said. Democracy, pluralism and inclusiveness were the beating heart of the Indian polity. Without these it would never have been possible for him, Narendra Modi, who once sold tea at railway stations back home, to stand on the podium of Australia’s Parliament and address its elected legislators. The applause that rang out showed that Mr Modi was on message, that his words were well understood – and appreciat-

Prakash Karat

Such an alignment would surely be a case of assisted suicide for all the participants, as the

Mamata Banerjee,

The National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) pursuit of jihadi terrorists linked to the Burdwan bomb blasts reveals new and unexpected catches by the day, the latest in faraway Hyderabad.

Khalid Mohammed, a Rohingya from Myanmar, has been arrested on suspicion that he was the bomb maker and one of the hubs for the transmission of funds across the terror network across West Bengal. NIA sources said that Khalid had links with Bangladesh-based terror groups, running terror camps along the Bangladesh - Myanmar border.

Khalid, it is believed, received his training from Pakistan’s Tehrik-i-Taliban, one of that country’s foremost jihadi outfits.

Under the Trinamool Congress dispensation, Bengal has turned into a hotbed of international terrorism (Telegraph, Times of India, Hindu November 19)

India, not China Israel’s partner

China is Israel’s’s largest trade partner in Asia, its value a massive $10 billion, compared to the $5 billion with India, although this is expected to increase exponentially with the free trade pact currently under negotiation between the two countries, said Israeli officials speaking to an Indian media delegation in Tel Aviv. India was Israel’s strategic partner, which China was not, they said. This partnership was set to deepen with the Modi government. They pointed to India as the largest buyer of Israeli defence equipment and a partner in the joint development of weapons systems. (Times of India November 18)

Prithvi-II test-fired

India conducted a routine Prithvi-II test of its nuclearcapable surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 kilometres. This is part of a periodic user trial by the army.

The state-o-the-art missile, which was tested over the Bay of Bengal, is capable of carrying a 500-1000kg warhead from a mobile launcher (Mint November 15)

projects in collaboration with industry. To improve the system the Army Static Communications network and the Army Wide Area Network have been put in place. Cloud computing opens up opportunities for seamless connectivity from corps to tactical levels, enabling full battlefield transparency (Hindu November 19)

Indian market attractive

ups, which needed to be fostered for a leap forward in manufacturing, said Shankar. (Hindu November 15)

ONGC investment Rs 10,000 crore

The board of India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has approved an investment of Rs 10,000 crore in two major proj-

India is the world’s most attractive market over a 5year timeline, said Christopher Wood, Managing Director of CLSA Ltd, during a newspaper interview. If the country was able to get an investment cycle going similar to the one it had between 2002-2009, the ONGC oil rig off Mumbai coast Sensex would 40,000. He said India would benefit from “negative issues relating to ects for enhancing oil and gas other emerging markets.” Wood production in the country’s said India’s interest rates had western offshore fields. (Hindu peaked, but wasn’t unduly worNovember 15) ried about the possibility that the Reserve Bank of India would Tata expansion again defer a rate cut. (Mint November 18) Tata International (TIL), India’s largest exporter and manufacturer of leather and leather prodInfrastructure key ucts, has unveiled its expansion plans. With a presence across India needs to establish centres several verticals in the leather of excellence in infrastructure footwear segment, TIL is setting for job creation and introduce its sights on a turnover of Rs single- point clearances in indus14,00 crore in three years from trial parks as a route to attractthe current Rs 900 crore. “From ing a greater volume of investthe current 6.5 million pairs of ments, said Ajay Shankar, footwear annually, we are targetNational Manufacturing ing 11million pairs in three Competitive Council Member years. Of this 10 million will Secretary. Addressing the thircome from exports and one milteenth manufacturing summit, lion from the domestic market,” organized by the Confederation said N.Mohan, head of TIL’s of Indian Industry in Mumbai, Global Business (Hindu he said: “Infrastructure and November 19) logistics should be the key.

There is positive expectation with the Delhi-Mumbai Troops punished Industrial Corridor creating for fake encounter inter-linked new industrial townships and parks.”

Five soldiers of the Indian Army, including two officers, have Labour reforms been sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting dead three These were unavoidable, said unemployed Kashmiri youths Ajay Shankar. “India needs to and passing them off as move beyond ease of doing busiPakistani jihadis in a stage manness. Though the cost is high, aged encounter in the Machil there is need to see where we sector, in April 2010, along seccan improve our cost advantage, tor of Jammu and Kashmir Line and achieve new cost advanof Control. The general court tages.. … The focus should now martial recommended that the be on new areas such as ship guilty men, one a colonel, be building and electronics. India cashiered from service. The rule had an economic system for of law had prevailed (Times of advanced manufacturing startIndia November14).

Army network-centric by 2020

With the rapid strides in information technology, the Indian Army is gearing up to connect and fully integrate its vast structure by 2020, said Lt General Philip Campose, Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He said the Army would fast track critical communications infrastructure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Fijian counterpart Frank Bainimarama shortly after his arrival See comment page 3

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

An Indian Life Is Worth Less Than An American One I let down Asian Voice last week; I was unable due to illness to conduct an auction for the 30th anniversary for the victims of the Bhopal tragedy. It is timely because this week President Obama has been confirmed as the Guest of Honour at India’s Republic Day Celebrations.

My BBC TV newspaper review allowed me a couple of years ago to vent some anger about Bhopal and Obama.

The story I was asked to comment on was the fury of Obama at BP for the oil spill in the US. Now I can imagine the President, pacing in the Oval office, the most powerful man in the world, with the largest nuclear arsenal, yet unable to put a boot on the throat of BP. I don’t have a problem with the President’s anger, and indeed welcome it on issues of the environment. But I only wish the Americans could have given half a damn when it came to 3,000 dead Indians in Bhopal due to an American company and a chemical spill.

You see with BP – no one has died.

Okay some Louisiana fisherman are suicidal, but with Bhopal mothers witnessed their children die. Son and daughters buried their parents, fathers held the dead corpses of their suffocating children and sister and brother wept as they were orphaned. Dead. 3000. But it doesn’t count.

Doesn’t count because poor Indians do not count. The lovely Louisiana coastline and the livelihood of one bloated American living in the world’s

richest country counts more than 3,000 dead poor Indians. Rich Indians don’t count either. No Indians don’t count, and never will, unless their Government counts them. You think Americans don’t fire up the Jets when even one American is beheaded by ISIS? One life, and they’ve drawn up plans for an invasion.

So why should America care about Bhopal when the Indian Government itself didn’t want to put a boot on the throat of Union Carbide – now owned

by Dow Chemicals?

Oh, on Vodafone you can levy a retrospective tax, but nothing for the victims of Bhopal – is it because in the Vodafone case the money does not go to the poor and dying?

Your citizens are worth what your Government is willing to do for them. I guess prices of citizens is based on supply and demand and India has an oversupply of people.

So when the Prime Minister of India welcomes the President of the United States to New Delhi, I hope he looks the President straight in the eyes and tells him that Indian lives are worth a few dollars more.

I wish the Prime Minister of India will boldly and proudly demand full and fair compensation from the President of America – if any Indian PM would – this one would.

I hope he does and prove to the world over – an Indian life is worth every dime as much as the life of an American.

World's oldest couple celebrate their joint birthdays

Continued from page 1

The couple have eight children, 27 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Mr Chand, who moved to the UK in 1965, has reportedly said in the past: 'Eat and drink what you want but in moderation. I have never held back from enjoying my life.'

Daily Mail reported that the retired mill worker smokes one cigarette a day before his evening meal and also drinks whiskey or brandy three to four times a week.

Mrs Chand told the newspaper: 'We have always eaten good wholesome food, there's nothing artificial in our diet but things like butter, milk and fresh yoghurt are what we like.

'We know that being married for 86 years is a blessing, but equally we will be ready to go when it's time.

'It's all up to the will of God, but we really have lived a good life.

'We just get along with each other and we are family focused, its simple really.'

Honourable doctor receives likewise merit

Outstanding Indian citizen Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, founding President of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), was awarded an Honorary P.H.D in Science (Medicine) from the University of London at Buckingham Palace.

The eminent cardiologist and former head of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), was handed the degree by Chancellor HRH Princess Anne on the 26th October 2014: “I am grateful for this recognition of my lifelong commitment to improving the health of the people of India and my contributions to global health” Reddy told Asian Voice. “I believe it is a tribute to India's resolute pursuit of good health and wellbeing for all of its people and its steadfast solidarity with other nations who seek the same for their people”.

Reddy is no stranger to international recognition; he already possesses an Honorary Professorship at the University of Sydney and was the First Bernard Lown Visiting Professor of Cardiovascular Health at the Harvard School of Public Health in 2009. He has also been trusted to serve on WHO (World Health Organisation)

expert panels and is currently the President of the World Heart Federation for 2014.

The Professor has cultivated much from his background in cardiology and epidemiology. His resume is as eclectic as it can get without straying into another field. He is acknowledged world-wide in research, teaching, advocacy, advising and activism where the projects include cardiovascular health, tobacco control and chronic disease prevention. That he has edited the National Medical Journal of India for ten years running and has more than 400 scientific publications globally, should then be no surprise.

The Public Health Foundation of India, the establishment during which time the Professor was conferred the British P.H.D, also demonstrates a multifaceted dedication to the promotion of healthcare. The organisation, established by former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, is a revered public Think Tank that helps in the building of public health through various related institutions using interdisciplinary and health system connected education and

Silver lining in husband's crookery A London-based mother of three children received the right to a larger divorce payment when she discovered that her husband had an extra income from underworld launderings. In 2010 Bhadresh Gohil was jailed for ten years when he assisted a Nigerian politican, James Ibori, in stealing £50 million from the oil rich state that he governed. Having already received £270,000 from her former solicitor husband from their divorce in 2004, in which she accused him of cheating and unreasonable behaviour, Varsha Gohil

13

Bhadresh Gohil

has now been granted the permission to seek out a bigger sum, after claiming

that she could not tell of her spouse's illegal earnings before.

Ros Bever, a lawyer with Mrs Gohil's solicitors Irwin Mitchell stated: “Dishonesty in any legal proceedings should not be tolerated; the family court should not be an exception (…) this is yet another case in which an unfair settlement has been agreed because of one party being dishonest and not sharing all the details.”

Mrs Gohill will appear in the Supreme Court next June 2015 to fight the controversial case.

Prof.K. Srinath Reddy

training, policy and programmes & advocacy for prioritized health causes.

Dr. Virander Paul, Dy. High Commissioner, one of Reddy's former students from many years ago, was also offered an Honorary merit.

Rochdale clothing boss jailed for VAT fraud A Rochdale businessman, who pocketed nearly £1.25 million in two VAT repayment frauds, has been jailed for five years after an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Mubbashir Alam, 39, of Maldon St, set up eight fake clothing companies in a deliberate attempt to claim false VAT repayments. Gemma Caffrey, 33, and Shabana Asim, 45, both also from Rochdale, helped Alam commit the fraud and fronted two of the fake businesses each.

They hijacked other people’s identities to conceal the ownership of many of the companies in an attempt to disguise their own involvement. When HMRC tax inspectors visited Alam’s premises in Rochdale, he tried to avoid arrest by persuading others to pretend to be the owners. Alam and Caffrey pleaded guilty to all charges in July 2014, Alam was sentenced to five years jail and Caffrey to six months imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday 18 November.

Asim pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in December.

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UK

Prideview Group hosts annual Medical Investors' Dinner

Members of The Prideview Group, Acuitus Auctions and Axiom Stone Quality Solicitors

The Prideview Group hosted the annual Medical Investors' Dinner at Spice Rack Lounge in Stanmore on Wednesday 19th November. The event was oversubscribed with 150 medical professionals coming from as far as Birmingham and Bournemouth to hear what Prideview had to say about commercial property investment.

Guest speaker Richard Auterac, the head of Acuitus Auctions, gave an update on the auction

market and suggested that we may now be entering a new commercial property cycle. This was followed by Nilesh Patel and Jesal Patel, directors at Prideview, who talked about the difficulty in sourcing 'bluechip' commercial properties and the growth of the organised convenience store market in recent years, as well as walking through some recent transactions. Raj Patel, one of the founders of Prideview, commented "the fantastic turnout

demonstrates the appetite for good quality commercial property investments amongst the Asian community. In today's market where such properties are hard to find, it is essential that buyers are represented by an experienced firm who can source and negotiate deals privately or via auction." If you are medical professional and would like to know more or attend next year's event, visit http://www.prideviewproperties.co.uk/me dical

Outstanding musical performance by young children of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden hosted a unique musical programme of devotional singing by young children on Saturday 15 November 2014. The event was part of the year-long celebrations commemorating the 150th anniversary of Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, the founder of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

After almost two months of practice, 16 children aged between 8 and 12 years presented an awe-inspiring performance which included a creative medley of a number of bhajans dedicated to the life and work of Shastriji Maharaj.

The outstanding vocal exhibition was supported by an array of musicians playing the

harmonium, violin, guitar, keyboards, tabla, and a range of other percussion instruments.

The programme was eloquently compered by two young boys who linked the elements seamlessly in fluent Gujarati. A montage of video clips and photo-

graphs were displayed simultaneously on the large screens, enthralling an audience of more than 1,000 people.

Devotees and invited guests who witnessed the ‘concert style’ performance were greatly impressed by the young pool of talent. They espe-

Sabbir Karim wins twice again at the Asian Curry Awards

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

After winning top prizes both in 2012 and 2013, restaurant owner, master chef and British Airways purser Sabbir Karim has again been awarded top accolades at the 2014 Asian Curry Awards held recently at the Hilton Park Lane.

There was a pan-Asian set of restaurants and audience members making the event “Asian” in the widest sense of the word.

Indonesia, Malaysia and China were all represented along with Indians and a preponderance of Bangladeshis who have been the drivers behind the popularity of Asian restaurants in Britain.

Yawar Khan, Chairman of the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers and the Asian Curry Awards, opened the event which was presented by a Chinese-South Asian team.

Chinese classical singer/songwriter Maisie Tooley performed and there were also dance, song and martial arts items from a young Chinese singer and South Asian dance troupe.

As soon as the audience sat down, the awards started rolling. There were prizes for restaurants all over the UK and one prizewinner from Stockholm.

But Sabbir Karim stands out from the rest for his healthy and innovative dining concept. His food is quite unlike anything else available on the market in being novel, yet filling and with a big Asian influence. Beautifully presented, each dish is an art work and not frustratingly minimalistic like that offered by many of his rivals.

So after winning big in 2012 and 2013 at the Asian Curry Awards, it was not surprising that he was soon up on stage to be given the prize for Best South Asian Restaurant London for Namaste Kitchen, in Camden. cially praised the children’s confidence, maturity, discipline and composure in front such of a large audience during the one-hour show.

Rohit Patel, one of the volunteer trainers, s h a r e d : “Programmes such as these demonstrate what can transpire when you combine hard work, commitment and talent with devotion. It’s a testimony to the way children are nurtured at the Mandir and how their talents are developed.

We cannot thank

Sabbir & Aneela's Namaaste Kitchen wins Best South Asian Restaurant London 2014

Sabbir believes in team playing and acknowledges the work of his beautiful Pakistani wife Aneela. She along with his restaurant managers, Karan and Ed, were present, along with his sister’s family and his 74-year old mother.

Leader of the Liberal Party and Deputy Prime Minister The Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg was the Chief Guest of the evening and Sabbir was invited back stage to speak with him

chef.

“I feel extremely honoured to have been awarded title of Best Chef of the Year and am so pleased that Namaaste Kitchen’s fine cuisine and hospitality has once again won the Best South Asian Restaurant in London,” says Sabbir Karim.

The Guardian calls Sabbir “A maestro in Modern Indian and Traditional cooking.”

Sabbir takes influences

Award Winning Chef Sabbir Shows off his his cooking to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

privately. There, examples of Sabbir’s cuisine were laid out to show to Mr Clegg and Sabbir discussed them with him.

They then went on stage where Nick Clegg presented Sabbir with the Chef of the Year Award 2014, the most important prize of the ceremony since a restaurant set is only as good as its master

Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the sadhus enough for all their encourage-

from his counterparts in Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka, Mauritius, Rangoon, and other international cuisine hubs.

That’s why he is popular on television, radio and in the wider media.

Sabbir continues to win big through his consistent hard work and humbly continues to serve the world through cuisine.

ment, guidance and inspiration in fostering our next generation.”

UK

Gala event commemorates three decades of Bhopal disaster and raises funds to help survivors

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

A gala event, at the London Living Room atop London's City Hall, organised by London Assembly Member Navin Shah, has raised significant funds towards supporting long-term healthcare for survivors of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster. The money raised goes to the UK based Bhopal Medical Appeal which funds two award-winning clinics, in Bhopal, which treat the survivors of the gas disaster along with those affected by an ongoing toxic water disaster.

The water contamination crisis affects thousands of poor families and is caused by recklessly dumped toxic waste, from the same disaster, leaching chemicals in to the local water supply.

These two clinics are the only places to offer all of these people free healthcare.

The gala event took place on Friday 21st November and was supported by the London Mayor, Boris Johnson, who delivered a pre-recorded address. Mr.Shah co-hosted the event along with CB Patel and the ABPL Group, publishers of Asian Voice.

Further support came from Amnesty International, whose speaker made an impassioned address to the audience directly before Farah Edwards, from Bhopal and a survivor of the disaster herself, described some of the disaster scenes. Boris Tanveer Mann

Fifteen million records sold, five consecutive Top 40 Billboard singles, and over a decade of international success, the UK’s finest R&B artist, Jay Sean, is back in the UK promoting his newly released mixtape The Mistress II. After being signed to Cash Money Records for six years, with whom he released two highly successful albums, All or Nothing, featuring hits Down and Do You Remember, and Neon, Jay made the shocking announcement in October that he was to leave the record company.

Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, Jay explained, “It got to the point where I couldn’t be at that label anymore, I couldn’t stand all the weighting and the lack of support. We had a great amount of success together, we did big things, we created history but in the end, I just sat down with them and said I need to go

London Assembly Member Navin Shah

Johnson Mayor of London sent a goodwill message by a video.

Whilst enjoying a fine vegetarian meal, with traditional Indian music and dancers, the guests were invited to make their pledges toward the Bhopal Medical Appeal's work and, directly afterwards, Navin Shah Assembly Member co-hosted an auction alongside Assembly Member Darren Johnson. The two assembly members made a fine double act, a good example of cross-party working, and the auction quickly boosted the funds. Overall, not only was a significant sum of money raised, for the appeal's work in Bhopal, but an important group of peo-

Peter Frankental from Amnesty International

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar

Bhopal Gas disaster survivor Farah Edwards

ple were reminded of the scale of this terrible tragedy whilst hearing about the ongoing public health crisis still being generated by the contaminated water.

Navin Shah AM, Assembly

Member for Brent and Harrow said “I’m pleased that Londoners marked the 30th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas tragedy by turning up in large numbers at City Hall. The event paid tribute to the thousands of people who lost their lives. The event helped to raise further awareness of the ongoing issues of water contamination and the resultant serious health problems faced by children and families surrounding the old factory areas. The diverse gathering of community & faith leaders and businesses etc at City Hall

expressed solidarity with this major humanitarian cause and I’m moved that they demonstrated their commitment by generously donating to help the local charities in Bhopal doing wonderful work for the victims and their families.”

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, Bhopal tragedy is a blot on the way the MNC’s work in the third world countries. It is also a shame on the Indian authorities that they failed to stand up to the gerrymandering of the vested interest both from abroad and within India.

Dance performers at City Hall

The Original Jay Sean: Chasing Soul and Substance

and do this, this is where I’m happier.”

His new album is a clear shift back to his musical roots and harkens back the original UK urban style, which gained him the attention that launched his career. A

15

Ocean. I wanted people to understand what this project is about. Of course I can do the fun up-tempo party songs but that’s just one side of me, at the core, this is what I do.”

Explaining how he came up with the idea for The Mistress II, he said, “When I was writing my last album Neon, with Cash Money, I was struggling to inject enough soul and subJay Sean with Tanveer Mann stance and passion into it to be honest. I reflection of a sound on knew that it had to be his earlier albums such as commercially viable; it Me Against Myself, Jay’s had to have something new singles Tears In The that would sell because Ocean, Jameson and All I when you’re with a record Wanna Do showcase his company, they’re investrenowned R&B style. ing money in you. They “I wanted to set the want stuff that radio will tone with Tears in the

play and that’s the difficult thing about being an artist signed to a label.”

Jay made it clear that he is happy with his decision, despite R&B becoming a “niche” now. “I find more joy and satisfaction out of this kind of music, then writing two minutes of a song that will be here today, gone tomorrow.”

The theme throughout the new album is adultery, which is often considered a taboo subject, particularly in Asian culture.

Jay’s response was, “There’s been films about it, so why not an album?

With Mistress, I basically made a movie in my head, about a guy who is married to a girl and he falls for someone else. In the beginning, its fun, playful, risky, an adventure and he feels alive but then there is the guilt that comes along with it, pain, lying, deceit, all of that and that

allows me to write songs about everything.”

Turning the question on to him, does he practice what he preaches? “No absolutely not. I’ve actually always been a very loyal boyfriend. If I knew

“People think I’m crazy for my decisions but it’s because I know what I’m worth, I know my value, I know what makes me happy” it was coming to the point where I was going to mess around, I always ended the relationship. Because of this, I’ve actually managed to stay friends with all my exes.”

The music industry can often make or break artists in a blink of an eye.

Yet Jay has always remained true to his beliefs. He said, “I have always been who I am and

photo courtesy: Raj D Bakrania, Prmediapix

have always stayed true to myself. I’m too firmly grounded and I think that’s the reason why I’m able to make the crazy decisions I do. People think I’m crazy for leaving medicine, for leaving Virgin Records, leaving Cash Money Records but it’s because I just know what I’m worth, I know my value, I know what makes me happy and if I’m not getting all those things, I leave.”

“I never got into any of this for girls, drugs, to be a superstar. It never meant anything to me.

What has always mattered to me is credibility, respect, and dignity for my work,” he added.

A few fun facts you didn’t know about Jay: Julia Roberts is his favourite actress, he would pick Etihad above any other airline, if you ever catch Jay at a bar, buy him a Vodka Soda, New York definitely over London and, of course, his favourite restaurant is Nandos!

SPECIAL

Expats helping to fight ebola in west Africa

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When ebola broke out in West Africa, some have sent money to the crisis appeal; many will buy the new Band Aid single; others simply fret more about it reaching the UK or dismiss it as “west Africa’s problem”.

There are some people, however, who go the extra miles and serve the victims. What if you had just happened to be in Sierra Leone when the crisis erupted last May? Would you have got the hell out or stuck around to help, putting your comfortable home life on hold? These people chose the latter path and now man the country’s front line against ebola. Some don’t even have a medical background but pitched in offering other skills.

Here are some of their stories.

From the musical Wicked to running an ebola centre Until recently Amardeep Kamboz worked for a London the-

Amardeep Kamboz

atre production company managing big West End shows. Kamboz, 30, is a volunteer at the command centre in Freetown, coordinating the response to the ebola crisis. She helps manage the flow of patients and ambulances to the isolation units and is described by colleagues as a “powerhouse”.

When she went there in May for a career break and to “recharge her batteries,” she had no idea she would end up in the eye of the worst ebola epidemic in history. She intended to stay for a few months teaching children in a Freetown slum school, but the first case of ebola happened in her first week and as the crisis escalated her instinct was not to get out but to stay put and help. “You really get to care about people here,” she says.

Initially she educated community children about ebola, using games to teach them signs and symptoms; about hand hygiene and raising the alarm if they see anyone suspected of having the disease. The sad reality in the slum, though, she says, is that washing with clean water just isn’t possible for many. She then helped set up a command centre, pulling together various systems into one overarching facility.

“It is very intense every single day,” she says. “The phone is going every three minutes for twelve hours a day.” She begins at 7.30 am with a team of five or six people, establishing which isolation facilities have beds and getting lab results.

The biggest problem is lack of beds, although this is improving and she says that on average there are 40 people waiting in the community for one to become available. “The worst part of my day is watching the list on my whiteboard growing and not having anywhere to put people,” she says.

The board charts those who are suspected of being ebola sufferers, but who haven’t yet been tested. “There are times when the district surveillance officer reports ten possible cases in a single house.

You desperately hope it’s not but in the back of your mind you know it probably is.” Yet she has noticed that Sierra Leoneans are more resilient, physically and emotionally, than Westerners. “I come from a world where there are very few problems. This isn’t the first or last time they are going to face disaster on some scale, yet they take it in their stride.

That really strengthens me. When you are frustrated because the power has gone off, you don’t have enough ambulances and your phone’s not working, the people around me say: ‘It is what it is. We do our best.’ ” Many are stigmatised for working in the ebola ward yet they still turn up every day.

“There’s never been a point here when I’ve felt at risk,” Kamboz says. “I keep it in perspective; I’m not actually treating ebola patients. All I need really is good hand hygiene and if someone is visibly sick you don’t go near them. It doesn’t feel more dangerous than that. If you have ebola you’re only infectious when you’re showing symptoms and the symptoms are pretty aggressive. Generally now there is a more robust culture of not shaking hands, hugging or touching.”

She recently returned to London briefly and was struck by some people’s disproportionate fear of ebola. Kamboz is keen to emphasise how strangely “lucky” she feels to have been in the right place at the right time to help.

From the front line in Afghanistan to technical adviser “The hardest part for me is dealing with the children,” says Andy Hall, 25, a military nurse who served on the front line in Afghanistan, attached to the Parachute Regiment.

“As patients they’re a lot more demanding than adults; they need you more on the ward. They

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

need affection and contact and this means you build a stronger relationship with them, so often you build these relationships and the children die and it’s devastating.” Hall has been working in Sierra Leone as a King’s Volunteer since August.

Already he has designed and built three new isolation units, assisted by local contractors and funded by an Irish NGO, creating an extra 30 isolation beds in Freetown. He is also acting as a technical adviser to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Department for I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development, and recently briefed Justine Greening, its secretary of state.

He originally came to Freetown to run a brief trauma-training programme for local A&E staff, intending to return to the UK to take up a job in oncology at Guy’s Hospital in London. He ended up running the training package for ebola control and now works on the ebola ward at the Connaught Hospital every day. “When I came in August it was supposed to be for three weeks, but it looks like I’ll be here until next August at least,” he says. He has seen three colleagues and close friends die from the disease.

Initially, when there were fewer volunteers, Hall started at 7.30 am and often didn’t finish until 10 pm, wearing the white plastic body suits (personal protection equipment - PPE) that make conditions even more exhausting in the sweltering heat. Now the situation has improved and he spends eight hours a day in the isolation room but still has construction and training work to do besides. “Every time we go into the unit we lose about a litre of fluid,” he says.

“You spend the whole day completely dehydrated.

It’s pretty horrific, to be honest.”

When he returned home to Maidstone, Kent, for brief recuperation he ended up in hospital with a kidney complaint probably caused by dehydration. He is diplomatic but clearly frustrated by the slow international response to the crisis and would like to see the military setting up hospital field units in west Africa.

“We need to tackle the situation here now, not wait until it reaches the UK. Ebola is going to kill upwards of 100,000 people in west Africa, although deaths will be 20 times higher because people will have reduced access to healthcare.”

Hall would like to see more units on the King’s model rolled out across

the country if the government would be willing to send teams led by British Army clinicians and environmental health technicians.

Because of the physical contact children crave, the risk of caring for them is higher. “But it’s not, in my opinion, good enough not to provide the care needed just because you’re scared. For me that’s what sets the local staff apart: they carry on and continue to work despite that fear. That’s real courage. If I get infected I know I’ll be repatriated and receive world-class care, but if they get infected they will remain in Sierra Leone.”

Does he have any regrets about not taking up the job in London? “No, it was a no-brainer. I can’t imagine now ever doing a normal ward-based job in the UK.” He turns 26 next month. “I spent my 21st birthday in Afghanistan and I’ll be spending my 26th in Sierra Leone. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

Working alongside Hall on the ward is Sewa Lehai, 21, a first-year medical student. His classes were cancelled owing to the emergency but instead of returning to his family in the Koinadugu district of Sierra Leone he volunteered. On his first day he suffered a panic attack. “I went in with nurse Andy from King’s to Ward 8 with two other cleaners.

We had to move a patient who couldn’t walk. The face mask was so tight I couldn’t breathe. I felt like I was suffocating,” he says. “I came back the next day and I was OK. I have only had one day absent since August because my younger brother was involved in an accident.” The worst part of his job, he says, is taking dead bodies and putting them in bags.

“I feel so fresh when I finally take off the PPE. It is very, very hot and sometimes when you sweat a lot your mask becomes like snow and you can’t see.

Sometimes new patients from outside want to run away when they see you in PPE. I have to explain to them why we wear it.”

Volunteering has come at personal cost to him, as previously he and a colleague were staying with his uncle in Freetown.

“The day he learnt that we are working in the ward he told us to leave the house.

He was scared. The hospital gave us rooms to sleep in. My mother and brothers and sisters don’t know what I am doing. I know if I tell them they will worry and my mother will come and take me back to my village.”

From fashion blogger to hospital co-ordinator “It’s hard being here at

times but I don’t know if I could be anywhere else right now,” says Jo Dunlop, who is communications manager for King’s, as well as a fundraiser. “I love this country.

Seeing [it] decline into a state of emergency has been utterly heartbreaking.”

Dunlop, 39, from Australia, came to Freetown three years ago to work on a project providing free healthcare to

Dr Aatish Patel

mothers and children. She then began freelancing, started a fashion blog and her own project supporting young athletes in Sierra Leone. She has even written a blog post detailing Freetown’s various stylish medical uniforms. “I didn’t come here to blog about fashion but when I arrived I started to notice all the incredible style around Freetown.

This is a country where people generally don’t have a lot of money to spend, but their resourcefulness, dignity and selfexpression around clothes is just wonderful.”

She has been part of the King’s team for 18 months (she is staff, not a volunteer) and is based in the main hospital. Her worst moment so far was learning that a health worker she knew was infected. The woman died soon afterwards. “She was so brave and committed. She was someone I only met a few times but she left a real impression.

She was this beacon of resilience.” The health worker died at a time when “it felt like the world was ignoring this humanitarian disaster” and “somehow her death seemed to highlight that.

How could we let this very, very important person who had saved so many lives die?”

Dunlop is continually impressed by local health workers and nurses who defy the stigma associated with ebola work. “Often it is the people at the lower end of the hierarchy within the health system who have stepped up to take these roles — nursing students, cleaners and porters. I know a cleaner whose wife asked him to leave until ebola finished,” she says.

International health

workers face it too. “I know health workers whose families want them to keep their distance when they return. This is really disappointing.”

Sierra Leone has lost more than 100 health workers to ebola, disastrous for an already fragile health system. “I hope when this is all over we can all step back and take time to reflect and honour these incredibly brave people,” Dunlop says.

She’s unsure how long she will stay. “I would love to be here the day [the] WHO declares Sierra Leone is ebolafree.” Although medics are desperately needed, she says there is also “a need for logisticians, social workers, public health people. Working on any humanitarian disaster can be an incredible experience.”

Dr Aatish Patel (from Bhadran ) is flying to Sierra Leone on 5th December with British government aided support to help with Ebola outbreak. He will be there for about three months, he will also train community healthcare volunteers to help prevent the spread of the disease by educating them about personal protective equipment etc.Aafter the first phase of education is over, he will then go to Masanga which is three hours from Freetown city. They will go and reopen the Masanga hospital and treat those with the disease.

Masanga hospital is situated in the middle of the Sierra Leone jungle and provides a vital healthcare to the people of Tonkolili District. It is a 100 bed hospital with emergency, paediatric, maternal and surgical facilities. Due to the outbreak ebola the hospital has unfortunately had to suspend clinical activities.

However, Masanga is about to reopen its doors under an exciting new banner – Masanga Mentor Initiative. This is a new training programme aimed at reducing transmission rates of the deadly disease.

The challenge is to facilitate Ebola safety training for 450,000 Community Health Volunteers in 15 countries across West Africa in the next 3 months. We will use immerse technology to create virtual simulations and web and app based animations to help spread messages relating to safe PPE use and community health and hygeine.A donation of any amount would be really appreciated and will go long way to help needy people out there.

To donate please follow the link below: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AatishPatel

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

I created the Financial Voice section of this paper many years ago because I know as a community we are very saavy when it comes to money. But also because I felt a community, campaigning paper of such importance should have a vehicle for its advertisers that was as relevant to its audience as is the financial content.

So in my capacity as Consultant Editor of these pages, do let me know what you would like to see more about. Financial literacy, financial education is so very important to me that my very first book was written specifically for the Indian community.

My dedication to ensuring the community is financially literate then became a mainstream crusade as I started a weekly Financial Times column and Bloomberg TV show. After all, are our needs any different to those of the mainstream? We may of course have a gold heavy portfolio, but are we otherwise different? Sure, we may save more than most, but that’s just a sub-group of the mainstream.

So in all these years what is the best advice I could give my community in the best traditions of a campaigning newspaper – in this case campaigning for the best financial education and literacy in our community – because wealth brings independence and choices and opportunities and freedom.

First, teach your children about stocks and finance from a young age. Schools will not do this. Our schools are poor educators of finance. I’ve been asked to speak at Eton College on financial literacy – I want the readers of this paper to have the wisdom Eton College is going to get from me.

Second, give them some money – even just £100 – and let them invest it through an online account – in shares. Nothing will increase their appetite to learn, than doing. They will be excited, intrigued, fascinated and teach themselves better than you ever could.

Third, teach them about the differences between assets – between bonds, and stocks and index trackers and commodities and what is diversification and why it is good, and when it fails.

Fourth teach them why clever people recommend index trackers and Exchange Traded Funds over individual stock picks.

Fifth, teach them why fund managers although experts should not be revered as better than a ten year old child when it comes to performing well on the stock market.

Finally, give them confidence in finance that they treat the language of money as something they own – they are the experts, because in finance there really are no experts. If there were there would never have been a credit crunch or economic cycles and crashes. There are guesses with imperfect information and a lot of people swimming without trunks – who will be in trouble when the tide goes out!

Shell India wins tax case after Vodafone

The Indian arm of Royal Dutch Shell has won two transfer-pricing adjustments made by the income tax department of Rs 150 billion and 30 billion for 2007-08 and 2008-09, respectively to the taxable income of Shell India Markets Pvt Ltd (SIMPL).

"Bombay High Court

rules in favour of Shell following its Vodafone ruling.

The HC deletes the transfer pricing adjustment and the consequential interest in respect of alleged undervaluation of shares issued by SIMPL," counsel for Shell, BMR Legal, said in a statement.

India can grow at 9%, become $10 trillion economy: PwC

India has the potential to achieve 9 per cent growth rate and become a $10 trillion economy by 2034 on the back of concerted efforts by the corporate sector and a constructive role played by the government, a PwC report said on Monday.

"India is on the cusp of major change ... For India to take the winning leap and grow its GDP by 9 per cent per annum to become a $10 trillion economy, a concerted effort from corporate India, supported by a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and a constructive partnership with the government will play a critical role," said the PwC report, 'Future of India The Winning Leap'.

Up to 40 per cent of India's $10 trillion economy of 2034 could be derived from new solutions, it said.

The report added, however, that the winning leap should not be limited to a new approach of solutions but rather needs to be seen as a play-top-win mind set. "The world economic picture is pretty challenging in the next 1218 months. Having said that we are talking about all the opportunities that are here in India and they are significant," PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) International Ltd

chairman Dennis Nally said after releasing the report.

"I think with the right type of collaboration between government and private sector, the potential of this economy is much bigger than 5 per cent that is currently forecasting," he added.

The report said that each of the key areas education, healthcare, agriculture, retail, power, manufacturing, financial services, urbanization and the enabling sectors such as India's digital and physical connectivity - face challenges and their resolution will need new and scalable solutions that are resource efficient and environmentally sustainable.

It emphasized upon the need to tap into the vast human resource capital available in the country and the Human Development Index (HDI) needs radical

improvements over the next two decades. "A young demographic, paired with a burgeoning middle class that is digitally enabled, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for India to develop economically and socially. India can only build shared prosperity for its 1.25 billion people by transforming the way the economy creates value," Nally said.

For the shorter term, Nally expects Indian economy to grow at about 5.56 per cent. However, he added that 9 per cent is most definitely achievable if the things suggested by PWC report are put in place. The report categorically suggests that anything less than $10 trillion would not secure India's future.

"The nation needs to create 10-12 million jobs every year in the coming decades to provide quality of life for its growing population ... The recent elec-

toral mandate for development is a more immediate signal for Indians' desire for growth and for the benefits of growth to be extended to all members of the society," it said.

A 9 per cent GDP growth rate with a per capita income rising from $1,500 to just under $7,000 per year will boost quality of life for more than 1.25 billion citizen, it added.

About organisations, it said they should focus on serving informed and empowered customers, create flexible and adaptive operating models, draw on non-traditional resources and partnership as well as adapt a growth and innovation mindset.

They should also focus on accountability, integrity and sustainability to form basis of their capability building measures and investment, it added.

PwC chairman Deepak Kapoor said: "Corporations alone can't fuel growth and innovation needed to power India's winning leap.

Hence, the entrepreneurial sector must also play a major role and they possess qualities critical for developing innovative solutions, the willingness to take risks and aptitude for fast decision-making, and bold leadership."

Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the outlook for Indian non-financial corporates from negative to stable due to economic recovery and political stability. "We changed the outlook for Indian nonfinancial corporates to stable from negative, reflecting our view that economic recovery, enhanced access to the global capital markets and successful implementation of promarket policies will lead to improved corporate cash flows and be broadly supportive of business growth," said Vikas Halan, a Moody's vice-president and senior credit officer.

Improved external vulnerability should also

reduce foreign-exchange risk for Indian corporates, despite gradual interest rate normalisation by the US Federal Reserve, Moody's stated.

"We expect 5.6% GDP (gross domestic product) growth in India (Baa3 stable) for the fiscal year ending March 2016, led by an acceleration in manufacturing activity," Halan said.

Moody's outlook stated that Indian corporates' key financial metrics would weaken in 2015, but the pace of leverage growth would moderate as corporate earnings continue to improve. Higher equity markets and asset valuations would also sup-

port deleveraging.

Moody's changed the outlook on the refining and marketing, steel, metals and mining and automotive sectors to stable from negative to reflect the broad-based improvement in growth prospects for companies in those sectors, despite lingering challenges. Recent energy reforms have also improved overall credit availability for the corporate sector. As a result, Moody's outlook is stable across key industries.

In the exploration and production sector, India's gas price hike would boost the revenues of upstream players, although the fall in crude oil prices would

hurt profitability, the agency said. "Demand for steel will pick up gradually, but we expect production growth to keep its pressure on prices and margins. The broader metals and mining sector continues to be affected by mining bans and regulatory issues," Moody's said.

Demand for new vehicles would also remain weak across most segments in 2015, limiting sales for automotive companies, the agency said.

Moody's said it would change the outlook to positive if government measures that unlock GDP growth beyond 7% lead to a broad-based improvement in credit metrics.

Moody's upgrades India's corporates outlook to stable

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19

Looking past the labels

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

The conclusions of a recent report from Knight Frank on W2, are a ringing endorsement of the areas which have been traditionally seen as the poor side of Hyde Park. I have been in this locality since 2002, when I started in property as an estate agent in Spring Street, Paddington W2.

I have seen the area get cleaned up and rise from the ghetto it was, before in the darkness the area would change. It has slowly gentrified and in a few years will match the rest of the prime patches existing around the park.

It was always an oddity, why the prices were so low in comparison to its neighbours only a stone throw away. The same way in which council flats seemed cheap and exceptional value from a BTL point of view back then, the only thing holding them down was the unfair label they had been given and the discriminatory way the lenders used to view all council flats regardless of location.

I give very few reports on property much credence, especially the forecasting kind, this was a very refreshing report, it was very thorough in its research and perceptive in its predictions.

The re search is cen tred around the 625 acre epice ntre of Lo ndon , which is H yde Park.

It analyses the ongo ing develo pmen t on th e n ort h side of H yd e Park, from Marble Arch upward s. List in g those which merely have plann in g consent s and those which are actually going throu gh to build and those which have ac tually be en co mplet ed, it nails them down to the number o f u nits which will be coming on to the market.

The n umbers are: 239 un its have planning and 137 un its are u nde r construction .

With such low numbers coming onto the market there is little fear of an oversupply. This regeneration of Paddington will be boosted by the Crossrail which is due to come in 2018. There are three blocks which we have purchased on behalf of our investors which will be riding this wave. The first was a row of four mews houses which I bid for in an auction in London Mews, the second a commercial block with planning for four flats in London Street, and the third which is due to complete is on Southwick Street which comprises of a restaurant on the ground and lower ground with four residential flats above it.

There have of course been several properties we have obtained for clients, a large number of which are in Hallfield Estate W2, where prices have gone from £300,000 in 2011 for a two bedroom to £450,000 currently an uplift of £150,000 within three years. Even if the properties were kept empty the whole time these were still deals worth doing. Despite the damp property forecast in the coming couple of years I still think there is more mileage in this particular area partly due to the regeneration due to occur in Queensway.

The report points out that in the decade leading up to June 2014 the price growth in other postcodes neighbouring the park went up by 27% in comparison to W2.

I was showing one property on the cusp of Mayfair in Hereford House to an Indian industrialist, it didn't suit his requirement. I mentioned to him I have a good apartment just across Oxford Street which will be more suited, he insisted it had to be Mayfair. This mindset is obsessed with labels and that too labels of the past.

What’s happening now and into the future means the centre of gravity will be shifting and will not be as it always has been.

Fo r th e year and a hal f le adin g up t o J un e 2014, Ind ian pu rch ase rs have bee n a do min an t fo rce in purc hasing property in Mayfair, m ak in g up 25% of all purc hasers sec on d on ly to t he British base d b uyers. Eve ry year 3000 u lt ra high n e t wo rth famil ies co me to Lon d on t o esc ape t he h eat of In dia. Land Re gist ry fig ures sho w alm ost £450m h as bee n spe nt in pu rch asin g 221 re side nt ial prope rtie s, t he most popu lar be ing in Mayfair, St J oh n’ s Wo od an d Bel gravia; and th ese are ju st t he t ran sactio ns f or the public, man y are d on e by way of share transfe r and are n eve r se en .

T his i s disappoin ti ng if you lo ok at it in isolat ion , but t he past isn 't always a go od i nd icatio n to pred ic t t he fu tu re. If yo u co nsid er t he gro wth rat es f or t he last co uple o f ye ars, you will fi nd Qu ee nsway and Padd ing to n have surpasse d th e g ro wt h rate s i n bot h Mayfair an d Kn ig htsbrid ge .

The Indians have come into force in the London property scene, one of the most impressive has been the purchase of the Canadian High Commission by the Lodha Group, for £306m. The Lodha Group plans to turn the seven storey 135,000 sq. ft. High Commission into a scheme of over 40 luxury residences. I received a tip off from someone who was appointed to do the due diligence for them late last year.

Another luxury developer is Luxlo, which has undertaken a series of residential developments in Mayfair including penthouses in Park Lane which have sold for over £4,000 per sq. ft., and Aion, whose latest ultra-prime apartment at 18 Grosvenor Square is priced at a record £5,130 per sq. ft. The Dominus Group, another luxury developer owned by an UHNW Indian family, is also said to be looking for development sites in Mayfair.

Their interest is not restricted to the residential market, UK and overseas based Indian families also own some of Mayfair’s most prestigious hotels. The famous Flemings Hotel is owned by the Veladail Hotels Group, headed by Satinder Gulhati. The Washington Hotel on Curzon Street is understood to be owned by the Sanga family and The Mayfair Hotel is believed to be owned by Jasminder Singh of the Radisson Group.

And not forgetting the now infamous Sahara India Pariwar Group, headed by Indian entrepreneur Subrata Roy Sahara, who currently owns landmark Grosvenor House Hotel which was acquired for £470 million in December 2010, and two years later acquired New York’s Plaza Hotel for £570m.

It’s clear Indian Indians have a strong appetite for London property, but perhaps their tastes could do with some refining, so that it is not based purely on labels and contains a little more research. It is with this intention I fly to both Mumbai and Bangalore for events which will take place on this coming Monday and Tuesday at the Taj Hotels in both places. The events have been organised for those who wish to find a good home for their funds. London property is a sound place to invest and clearly the appetite is strong in India.

This will take some digestion especially for the Indians based in India. Their purpose for purchasing is not always based on sound investment, they have an emotional attachment to areas like Mayfair or Belgravia much like a fashion label.

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20

LEGAL VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Israel, India forge deeper business ties under Narendra Modi Since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India in May, ties between Israel and India have been in overdrive, with the two signing a series of defence and technology deals that have underscored their burgeoning commercial and political relationship.

Last month Modi's cabinet cleared a longdelayed purchase of Israeli missiles for its navy. In October, India closed a $520 million deal to buy Israeli anti-tank missiles.

And last week, a jointly developed aerial defence system passed a major trial, which India called a "milestone".

"There is great momentum in cooperation, on both the defence and economic sides," Naftali Bennett, Israel's economy minister and a member of

Netanyahu's inner cabinet, said. India is now the largest buyer of Israeli military equipment, while Israel is India's largest customer after Russia. In the first nine months of 2014, bilateral trade reached $ 3.4 billion, on target for a record this year. While that may not be vast in global terms, it has helped push Asia to the brink of overtaking the United States as Israel's largest export market after the European Union.

India is steadily catching up with China as it buys more Israeli defence and cyber-security technology, an area where China is limited since the United States frowns on Israel dealing too freely with Beijing in defence matters.

The roots of the Israel relationship go back to

2006, when Modi was chief minister of Gujarat and visited the region to explore new ideas in irrigation, an area of Israeli expertise. As a result, India started buying dripfeed technology, said Amnon Ofer, a friend of Modi's and chairman of Naan Dan Jain Irrigation, formed after India's Jain Irrigation acquired a firm created by two Israeli collective farms.

Under Modi's predecessor, Manmohan Singh, India kept its relationship with Israel under wraps, in part so as not to upset its Muslim minority, said C Raja Mohan, head of strategic studies at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi.

"Cynics in Israel would point out that Delhi was treating Tel Aviv like a mistress - engage in pri-

vate but refuse to be seen with in public," said Mohan. "The Modi government is having none of that."

The question is where the relationship goes from here. Strategically, Israel is glad to have a rising Asian power as an ally.

But for both the focus is really on business.

Israel Ports Co. is partnering India's Cargo Motors to build a deep water port in Gujarat, and Israel's Tower Jazz is teaming up with India's Jaiprakash Associates and IBM with plans to build a $5.6 billion chip plant near Delhi. At a security conference in Tel Aviv recently, executives from top Indian firms were shopping for systems to secure their pipelines, refineries and other infrastructure.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week pledged a multi-million dollar line of credit for Fiji's struggling sugar industry, once worked by thousands of indentured labourers from India under appalling conditions.

Sugar was the mainstay of the island economy under British colonial rule before falling into disarray during decades of political upheaval and racial tension between the descendants of early cane field workers and indigenous Fijians.

India will provide a $70 million line of credit to build a co-generation power plant at a sugar mill, Modi said in an address before the Fiji parliament. He was invited to speak by President Voreqe

Bainimarama, who twice seized power in coups before being voted in after a general election in September.

"Let us create an ocean of opportunity marked with a new horizon and a new era," Modi said in an address to parliament. Modi is only the second Indian prime minister to visit Fiji, despite Indians making up 40 per cent of the population, after Indira Gandhi in 1981. "For Modi, this is really another example of reaching out to the Diaspora, while Bainimarama wants to demonstrate Fiji's role in directing South Pacific policies," said Jenny Hayward-Jones, Melanesia programme director for Sydney-based think tank Lowy Institute.

India is likely to announce new measures to curb gold imports, a senior finance ministry source said, and they could include restrictions on a group of private trading firms that have been allowed to bring in the precious metal.

Shipments to the world's second-largest gold buyer jumped fourfold in October from a year earlier to $4.18 billion, raising concern about India's fragile balance of payments.

"We are working on it. The measures to slow gold imports are almost ready and may be announced soon," said the source.

Officials from the finance ministry and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) were considering whether to reimpose import restrictions on "star trading houses" that were eased earlier this year, the source said. The source did not elaborate but said any announcement could be made by the RBI. A meeting between officials from the finance ministry and RBI failed to reach any decisions. The RBI restricted gold imports in early 2013 as India battled a balance of payments crisis triggered by the US Federal

Reserve's announcement that it would start to ease its programme of quantitative easing.

In addition to imposing a record high duty of 10 per cent on overseas purchases of gold, the RBI introduced a rule making it mandatory to re-export a fifth of all bullion imports.

The embargo helped compress India's current account deficit, which fell to 1.7 per cent of gross domestic product in the quarter to June, down twothirds from a year earlier.

However, it also led to a surge in gold smuggling, which the authorities tried to counter in May by allowing so-called "star trading houses" - private jewellery exporters that had been barred from importing gold - to resume imports.

Although India's trade deficit has been kept in check lately by a sharp drop in the cost of oil imports, analysts warn that is unlikely to last if inbound gold shipments continue to surge. They also say that emerging economies with structural external deficits remain vulnerable to any increase in US interest rates.

Struggling to forge a domestic consensus on its outreach to Beijing for strengthening economic ties and days after China and South Korea signed on the outlines of a free trade agreement (FTA), Taiwan is keen on fast-tracking such trade pacts with India and other nations, particularly those in the AsiaPacific region.

"We have been trying for an FTA with India since 2009. It will be beneficial for both. We are waiting for a response from the new

Indian government," said Michael Tseng, deputy chief negotiator in Taiwan's ministry of economic affairs.

He said a Taiwanese team will soon visit India to explore market for automobiles, shipbuilding and textiles among other things. "Our team will visit Gujarat and some other places later this month to see prospects for original brand manufacture (OBM) facilities as also setting up techno parks," he said. India has so far been cautious in response

to Taipei's overtures lest it ruffles feathers in Beijing.

"We hope the new government in India will be more assertive in promoting economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. India should take advantage of the situation through engagement," said Vanessa Shih, Taiwan's vice minister for foreign affairs, when asked about the shadow of Sino-Indian diplomacy on New Delhi's ties with Taiwan. Taiwan's fresh initiative to increase its export footprint- Free

Economic Pilot Zones (FEPZ)- currently faces scrutiny in Parliament which is also debating the contentious 'Supervisory Act' put in place after the students' unrest earlier this year. The 'Supervisory Act', is aimed at setting up institutional checks and balances for transparency while dealing with China.

In March, thousands of students had protested for weeks in Taipei to stall ratification of a services pact between Taiwan and Beijing.

Modi pledges $70 mn credit for Fiji sugar industry

India taking steps to curb surge in gold imports

Taiwan keen on Free Trade Agreement with India

Maria Fernandes

The petty foibles of the Immigration Service

Change is a fact of life and usually taken as a given unless of course you happen to be the Home Office who carry on as if nothing has changed since 1900. I recently had the misfortune to accompany a client to an interview at Heathrow Airport. It took several calls and faxes (email is still new technology) most of which fell along the wayside but I was finally informed at 5.00pm that the interview would go ahead.

It was set for 10.00am in the morning.

When I got there I was nonchalantly informed that there were no staff available to carry out the interview and that I could expect to wait at least 1 to 1.5 hours.

When I protested about the reason why an interview would be scheduled if no staff were available I was given short shrift.

After all the Immigration Service are “not there to answer questions.� No they live in their ivory towers lording everyone about.

The interview finally took place at 3.30pm. Worse was to come. The interview was held in conditions which

are more appropriate for hot yoga sessions. I was tolerated at the interview, ignored mainly and made to stand throughout the interview whilst 2 rather large male officers sat on their backsides carrying out the interview. I have written to complain since and guess what. I have not heard a thing. Change happens everywhere but not at the Immigration Service.

Of late employers are beginning to complain about the fact that more and more administrative burdens are being placed on them which rightfully belong to Immigration officers. After all we are paying our taxes to pay their salaries.

These impositions are not just placed on employers who have sponsor licences but on all employers. Is there a clear dividing line between what an employer should reasonably be expected to do and what is being foisted upon them? Whilst the aim is to cut down numbers, it cannot be right to place additional burdens on employers whenever they employ migrant staff.

To contact Maria Fernandes, please email at: info@fernandesvaz.com

India relaunches Kisan Vikas Patra

With a view to raising the rate of domestic savings that are in decline, the government has re-launched the Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) investment scheme designed to target India's poor.

"In the last 2-3 years, the savings rate in the country has declined from a record high of 36.8 per cent to below 30 per cent due to a slowdown in the economy. It is, therefore, necessary to encourage people to save more," finance minister Arun Jaitley said at the launch of the revamped KVP. "There is an urgent need to raise savings in the country. These savings are then used for nation building," he added. Besides, KVPs would help poor gullible investors channelise their savings in trusted government scheme instead of Ponzi schemes where hard earned savings disappear, Jaitley said. Available in the denominations of Rs 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 50,000, the sum invested would be doubled in 100 months. The instrument has no upper limit for

investment and can be encashed after a lock-in period of 30 months. The KVP would be a bearer instrument without the name of the holder in the first phase, the finance minister said.

"This will be a bearer instrument just like currency and easy to encash," he added. The certificates can be issued in single or joint names and can be transferred from one person to any other person or persons, multiple times.

Transfer facility will be available from one post office to another in India, as well as of nomination.

The certificate can also be pledged as security to avail loans from the banks, and in other cases of need as collateral security. The scheme, launched earlier in 1988 was very popular, while the percentage share of gross collections under KVP was in the range of 9 per cent to 29 per cent against the total collections received under all National Savings Schemes.

KVP gross collections in 2010-11(scheme closed in November 2011) were Rs 216.31 billion.

CURRENCY VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

21

Foreign Exchange

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

Economist Forecast Downward Growth In a report released on Monday 17th November some senior city economists now believe interest rates may not rise off their record lows of 0.5% until 2016. They also revised their growth forecasts for 2015 downwards to 2.4% from 2.6%, lower than BoE forecasts. last week Bank of England Governor Mark Carney and his chief economist, Andy Haldane, indicated they are focused on downside risks to inflation as the central bank emphasizes the reasons for keeping loose monetary policy. The comments came days after the BOE lowered its U.K. growth and inflation forecasts because of global expansion and stagnation in Europe. The central bank’s nine-member Monetary Policy Committee kept its key interest rate at a record-low 0.5 percent this month, and Carney said in the interview that low borrowing costs were justified because of slack in the labour market, among other issues.

One of these other issues was revealed in a report released the middle of last week: New figures from the Office for National Statistics showed UK real wages have fallen for the sixth year.

This indicates the full scale of the squeeze on living standards, as earnings have stagnated in the face of economic ‘recovery’. Real

Monday november 17th

pay, adjusted for inflation, fell by 1.6% this year, with gross weekly earnings barely growing at all.

There was increasing signs this week that the US economy is getting healthier and healthier for instance: Purchases increased 0.3 percent after a 0.3 percent drop in September, the Commerce Department reported in Washington on Friday. The median forecast was projected a 0.2 percent advance. Eleven of 13 major categories showed gains, indicating broad-based growth.

The Commerce Department’s retail sales figures used to calculate gross domestic product, climbed 0.5 percent in October after being little changed the prior month. The September reading was revised up from a previously reported 0.2 percent decrease.

The 1.9 percent increase in demand at non-store retailers, which include on line merchants, was the biggest since March.

Restaurants, sporting goods, clothing and pharmacies were among the other categories showing an upturn in demand.

U.S. consumer sentiment also rose in November to a more than seven-year high as falling unemployment and lower gasoline prices boosted views on both current conditions and expectations, a survey released on Friday

Monday november 24th

showed. The University of Michigan's preliminary reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment for this month came in at 89.4, the highest reading since July 2007, well above the expectations of economic forecasters.

As well as this, wholesale prices unexpectedly increased in October as higher costs for services and food outweighed a slump in energy. The 0.2 percent advance in the producer-price index followed a 0.1 percent drop the prior month, the October increase reflected the biggest gain in services costs since July 2013.

There was a catalogue of improving economic news coming out of the Euro zone last week: The Euro significantly strengthened on Friday after news emerged the euro-zone economy grew 0.2 per cent in the third quarter, according to official figures published by Eurostat, beating expectations of 0.1 per cent growth. The French economy grew faster than economists forecast in the third quarter as domestic demand helped it bounce back from a contraction in the previous three months. Gross domestic product rose 0.3 percent in the three months through September, the most in more than a year.

Monday november 17th

The German economy has narrowly avoided recession, growing 0.1% in the third quarter, the country's statistics office said. With the economy contracting 0.1% in the April-to-May quarter, another negative figure would have meant Germany entering recession.

Germany's 0.1% contraction in the second quarter was a revision from a previous estimate of a 0.2% shrinkage in the April-toMay period.

The statistics office said German consumers had increased spending strongly during the third quarter period, and that exports had also risen .The figures will be seen as good news for the wider euro-zone, whose sluggish growth has forced policy makers to cut interest rates and introduce other stimulus measures.

German government forecast growth of 1% next year following a 1.2% expansion in 2014, citing "geopolitical risks" such as the Ukraine crisis as a potential reason for the slight drop, but also criticised policies such as plans to introduce a minimum wage next year.

Further good news for the euro-zone, Greece exited recession and entered growth for the first time since austerity measures were put in place.

Monday november 24th

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 25th November 2014 @ 3.30pm GBP - INR = 97.15

USD - INR = 61.84 EUR - INR = 77.08 GBP - USD = 1.57 GBP - EUR = 1.26

EUR - USD = 1.25 GBP - AED = 5.77

GBP - CAD = 1.77

GBP - NZD = 2.01

GBP - AUD = 1.84

GBP - ZAR = 17.20

GBP - HUF = 386.10

www.rationalfx.com

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

Monday november 17th

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Monday november 24th

22

WORLD

Obama's executive action gives succour to many Indians

Washington: US President Barack Obama has announced his intention to carry out a “lawful” executive action to fix the country’s “broken” immigration system, a measure that would offer, from early next year, three-year deferment of deportation proceedings and the right to work legally here, to nearly four million undocumented parents of US citizens, including many Indians, and legal permanent residents, and undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country before the age of 16.

Striking an emotional chord in his announcement of the action, Obama asked, “Are we a nation that tolerates the hypocrisy of a system where workers who pick our fruit and make our beds never have a chance to get right with the law?

Are we a nation that accepts the cruelty of ripping children from their parents’ arms? Are we a nation that educates the

Barack Obama

world’s best and brightest in our universities, only to send them home to create businesses in countries that compete against us?”

While the President came in for the expected criticism from conservative quarters, particularly for what his detractors labelled as “amnesty” for undocumented workers, he sought to keep the lines of communications open with Republicans on Capitol Hill when he said, “I continue to believe that the best way to solve this problem is by working together to pass that kind of common sense law.”

However, he added, until that happened, he

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

had the legal authority to take certain actions as President, “the same kinds of actions taken by Democratic and Republican presidents before me”, which would help to make the immigration system more fair and just.

Among the broad areas of policy change that the executive action would bring about are three main themes, namely more resources for policing the US borders to stem the flow of undocumented immigrants; the deferred deportation of certain immigrants; and a more streamlined process for high-skilled immigrants, graduates, and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to the US economy.

The last of these is likely to have a significant impact on Indian graduates in the US, principally in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, especially given

that, according to a White House ‘fact sheet,’ the President’s action will strengthen and extend the use of the existing Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme for STEM graduates of US universities.

Further, the White House noted, the President’s action would provide portable work authorisation for highskilled workers awaiting their permanent residence, or green cards, and their spouses.

At present, employees with approved green card applications often wait many years for their visa to become available, officials noted, and the Department of Homeland Security will make “regulatory changes to allow these workers to move or change jobs more easily [and finalise] new rules to give certain H-1B spouses employment authorisation as long as the H-1B spouse has an approved [green card] application.”

Massachusetts (ten per cent), Missouri (nine per cent)and Oregon (two per cent).

Although the US population of unauthorized immigrants was stable from 2009 to 2012, the number of Mexicans in this population fell by about half a million people during those years.

Unauthorized immigrant populations from South America and from a

grouping of Europe and Canada held steady between 2009 and 2012, whereas it grew slightly from Asia, the Caribbean, Central America and the rest of the world for the same period.

Rounding out the top 10 in 2012 are China (300,000), the Philippines (200,000), South Korea (180,000), the Dominican Republic (170,000) and Colombia (150,000). Five East Coast states were among those where the number of unauthorized immigrants grew were Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Numbers also rose in Idaho and Nebraska. Six Western states where the unauthorized immigrant populations declined were Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon.

450,000 illegal Indian immigrants in US

Washington: More than 450,000 unauthorized Indian immigrants live in the US, constituting four per cent of the total illegal immigrants in the country, according to a report by Pew Research. The estimated figures are of the year 2012, the report added.

There was considerable decline in the number of illegal immigrants from Mexico between 2009 and 2012, but the overall number of 11.2 million unauthorized immigrants living in the US in 2012, remained unchanged from 2009.

Indians are the largest unauthorized immigrants in New Hampshire. While the Indian illegal immigrants comprise second largest population in Indiana with four per cent, the percentages in other states were Michigan (14

Suicide bomber kills 50 in Afghanistan

Gardez (Afghanistan): A suicide bomber killed 50 people at a volleyball match in Afghanistan on Sunday, a provincial official said, as foreign troops withdraw from the country after more than a decade of fighting. More than 50 people were wounded in the attack in Yahya Khel district, where residents had gathered to watch a tournament.

Most of the casualties were civilians. Casualties were high because the crowd was so dense, since many people had come from nearby districts to cheer on their team.

per cent), Minnesota (nine per cent), New Jersey (11 per cent), Ohio (11 per cent), Pennsylvania (11 per cent) and Washington (five per cent), the report said. Indians were the third largest unauthorized immigrants in Alaska (four per cent), Arizona (two per cent), Delaware (seven per cent), Illinois (five per cent), Kansas (five per cent),

Indian-American lawmaker Ami Bera retains seat

Washington: The lone Indian-American lawmaker in the US House of Representatives staged a spectacular comeback to retain his seat in Congress after an extended count of provisional and postal ballots showed he had surged into a winning lead. Democrat Ami Bera, a physician from California’s 7th Congressional district that includes parts of Sacramento, led his Republican rival Doug Ose by almost 1,400 votes with nearly all votes tallied when Ose conceded

Ami Bera

the race.

Bera had trailed by more than 3,000 votes at the end of regular counting more than 10 days ago and looked likely to be a

one-tern congressman.

But he had maintained all along that he still stood a chance of winning because a lot of provisional and postal ballots remained to be counted and they tend to go the Democratic way.

He staged a similar comeback in 2012 when he won his first term by a narrow margin. So it turned out this time too, much to the delight of the Indian-American community, from which stock he is only the third US Congressman after Dalip Singh Saund and Bobby Jindal.

In Brief

Peers being enticed to retire

London: Peers are being enticed to retire by offering them lifelong club rights to the House of Lords, including its heavily subsidised restaurants. Other perks will include use of the library and the Peers’ Guest Room, which overlooks the Thames. They will also be allowed to sit on the steps of the Throne in the Upper Chamber, although they cannot take part in debates. Parliament is already known as the “best club in London”. But the proposals from the Lords House Committee to extend privileges to retired peers raised questions over whether they could be used for lobbying and carrying out other business interests at Westminster.

Gunmen kill 28 in northeast Kenya bus attack

Nairobi: Somalia’s al-Shabaab Islamist group brought terror to neigbhouring Kenya by hijacking a bus and murdering 28 non-Muslim passengers on board. The group claimed responsibility for the sectarian attack on a bus travelling near the Somali border, in which the lives of passengers who could recite the Koran were spared. The massacre bore echoes of last year’s al-Shabaab attack on the Westgate shopping mall in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, in which victims were again singled out by their religion. The ambush took place outside Mandera, a town in Kenya’s far north that lies close to the borders of both Somalia and Ethiopia, and which is home to many ethnic Somalis.

Theresa May to give more powers to MI5, police force

London: Home Secretary Theresa May will give powers to police and the security services to force terror suspects to relocate to other areas far away from their homes as she restores a key element of control orders. The ability to relocate suspects to other areas was abandoned when control orders were replaced by the weaker terrorism prevention and investigation measures following a series of court rulings.

Paying women to breastfeed

London: Derbyshire and South Yorkshire are giving shopping vouchers worth £200 to encourage mothers to breastfeed their children. This trial has become successful and this scheme may be extended to other parts of the country.

Hospitals to take legal action against 'bed blocking'

London: Hospitals are planning legal action to remove elderly patients who are ‘bed blocking’- preventing other patients from being admitted. Families are abandoning elderly people in hospital wards, even when they are well enough to go home, denying other patients the chance of treatment, hospitals say. Now, families of patients suspected of bed blocking will be given seven days to find their relative a space in a care home or face being taken to court.

Commons' speaker calls for ending ancient practice

London: John Bercow, the Commons' Speaker, says that Parliament should end the ancient practice of referring to MPs as "honourable lady" and "honourable gentleman" and instead of by their names. The speaker said that Parliament should conduct a review on whether there is "scope for change" in the language used in Parliament to move towards a more "modern system".

$100,000 for royal dinner

London: Four hundred and fifty wealthy Americans will pay up to $100,000 (£64,000) next month to dine with Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a fund raiser at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The funds thus raised will go to St Andrews University where the royal couple met as students. Tickets for the invitationonly event on December 9 are almost sold out.

Manhattan socialites are shamelessly clamouring for the remaining spaces.

Afghan couple given 100 lashes for premarital sex Kabul: An Afghan man and his girlfriend were each given 100 lashes in public for having sex outside of marriage, officials in the eastern Afghan province of Kapisa said. Dozens of people witnessed the punishment of the couple, aged 19 and 21, according to governor of Kohistan region, Mohamed Osman Haqyar Ahmadi. They were arrested a month ago and sentenced after a lengthy trial, he said. "The punishment was applied to both in accordance with the rules of Islamic Sharia law, because they are of legal age to be punished," Ahmadi said.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

In Brief

Schoolboy faces suspension for selling 'unhealthy food'

London: Tommie Rose, a school boy who claims to have earned £14,000 in just three years by selling snacks faces suspension from the school. He targeted a gap in the market at his school for selling crisps and fizzy drinks snacks, which are banned under a ‘healthy eating’ policy. His smuggled snacks are so popular that he claims to have even employed two other pupils.

Tommie, 15, says he is saving the cash to pay for tuition fees if he fulfils his dream of winning a place to study business at Oxford or Cambridge. However, he has fallen foul of teachers, who have threatened to suspend him for undermining school policies aimed at combating obesity. He operated a similar undercover tuck shop at his previous school, Oasis Academy, but was repeatedly suspended and eventually expelled.

Buile Hill headmaster James Inman said: “We admire this pupil’s entrepreneurship but school is not the place to set up a black market.”

Newborn baby dumped down 8ft drain survives

Sydney: A newborn baby boy dumped and left for dead at the bottom of a drain beside a busy Sydney motorway has survived after passing cyclists heard him screaming. The baby may have been at the bottom of the 8ft deep drain for five days after he was pushed through a gap in the drain’s heavy concrete cover and left to fall to the bottom. Police and hospital staff believed the badly dehydrated and malnourished boy would not have survived if David Otte and his 18-yearold daughter, Hayley, cycling by, had not stopped to investigate cries they thought were those of a kitten.

The police located the baby’s 30-year-old mother and charged her with attempted murder. If convicted, she faces a jail sentence of up to 25 years. It took six men to lift the 200 kg cover off the drain and rescue the baby, who was wrapped in a hospital blanket.

Chewing gum makers told to pay £60 mn for clean-up

London: Chewing gum makers will be asked to to pay £60 million which the city councils spent for removing tonnes of their discarded produce from the city roads.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents almost 400 councils in England and Wales, says that sticky gum is now “a plague on the country’s pavements”.

Claims firms making millions for doing very little

London: According an analysis claims firms have made £155 million in commission in the past year from people applying for compensation for mis-sold payment protection insurance. Annual accounts filed at Companies House by seven of the largest claim management firms reveal multimillion-pound turnovers made from commission on payments to victims, whereby lenders mis-sold PPI to customers.

HINDU PRIEST VACANCY

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) (Registered Charity No.: 267309) has a vacancy for a Hindu Religious Person to be based in Leicester

Job Description: 1. To meet the needs of HSS(UK) in terms of providing Vedic Teachings to its members throughout the UK as approved by the Management Board.

2. Required to perform relevant administrative duties at HSS(UK) centres.

3. Travel to HSS(UK) centres throughout the UK on a regular basis and as directed by the Management Board.

4. To conduct various Vedic Ceremonies as required.

Qualifications and other Requirements: 1. Shall have unconditional faith and respect to Sanatan Dharma and related Hindu customs and traditions.

2. Be able to read and write in Hindi and an understanding of Gujarati and Sanskrit.

3. Be well versed in Vedic traditions and knowledge 4. Full UK Driving License.

5. Good personality.

6. The job performance, personal conduct and life style should comply with accepted Hindu customs and traditions.

Prospective Applicants should send their CV and two references to: Asian Business Publications Ltd, Karma yoga House, 12 Hoxton market, London N1 6HW All applications must be received by 31st December 2014

WORLD

Sharif seeks Obama's help to settle Kashmir issue

Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked US President Barack Obama to play a role in resolving the issue of Kashmir when he travels to India, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said Sharif made this request when Obama called him. It said Sharif and Obama discussed recent incidents of Indian troops firing across the Line of Control that divides the disputed Kashmir region. The two leaders spoke hours after Pakistan blamed the Indian army for killing a soldier in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The statement said Sharif told Obama that the recent cancellation of ministerial-level talks by India

and the cross-border gunfire incidents indicated that India was averse to normalization of relations with Pakistan. The White House confirmed that Obama called Sharif from aboard Air Force One while en route to Las Vegas, saying the two leaders discussed efforts to "advance shared interests in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan and

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region." Read aloud by White H o u s e spokesman Eric Schultz, the statement made no specific reference to Kashmir. " T h u s , while we remain open to the resumption of bilateral dialogue, the onus is on India to create a conducive environment in this regard," the Pakistani statement quoted Sharif as telling Obama. Sharif urged "Obama to take up the cause of Kashmir with the Indian leadership, as its early resolution would bring enduring peace, stability and economic cooperation to Asia," it said.

It said Obama assured Sharif that he would visit Pakistan soon.

Earlier, the foreign ministry announced that a Pakistani soldier was killed a day earlier in the Pandu sector along the border, which splits Kashmir between Pakistan and India. It said Pakistan has a lodged protest with India "over the unprovoked firing and mortar shelling by the India forces".

Exchanges of fire are common along Kashmir's heavily guarded Line of Control. But such incidents intensified last month when violence erupted in the region during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. Both sides often blame each other for initiating the incidents.

UK unveils tough anti-terror measures to counter jihadists

London: The UK government on Monday unveiled tough new measures, including a ban on insurance companies covering the cost of terrorist ransoms and stripping teenage jihadists of their passport, to counter the growing threat of terrorism.

The measures are the part of a new Counter Terrorism and Security Bill to be fast tracked in Parliament. Among the new measures is a ban on UK-based insurance companies covering the cost of terrorist ransoms. The government hopes firms and families will be deterred from paying ransoms if the money cannot be claimed back.

According to UK Home Office estimates, ISIS has raised 28 million pounds in the past 12 months. Home Office feels there has been an element of “uncertainty” about whether insurers were prohibited from paying claims made by com-

panies and families who had met ransom demands.

Home secretary Theresa May said jihadists will be barred from returning for at least two years and teenage jihadists will be stripped of their passport. Internet companies will be required to store details linking individuals with IP addresses, and hand them over to police when asked to assist in identifying terrorists and paedophiles.

Charity boxes may be funding terrorism Sir Bernard HoganHowe, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said that members of the public should be careful

about giving money to charities because donations could be used to fund Islamist terrorists.

He said that his officers had foiled four or five terror plots by Muslim extremists this year, compared with one a year normally.

Sir Bernard said that there was growing concern about “lone wolf” attacks similar to the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby close to an army barracks in Woolwich, southeast London, in May last year.

He added that when an estimated 500 British jihadis who have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq returned to Britain they

would be “militarised... have a complex network of people they know and they will have learnt tactics that they may want to use here”.

Sir Bernard said that Scotland Yard would seek public support to tackle terrorism, including trying to cut off funding for extremist groups.

Reports earlier said that dozens of British Muslim groups are being covertly monitored by the Charity Commission because of concerns that they may be involved in radicalisation and extremism.

Five organisations are the subject of full statutory inquiries amid fears that they are being used as cover by foreign fighters to enter Syria. They include al-Fatiha Global, for which Alan Henning, who was murdered by Islamic State, was working when he was captured.

The charity has insisted that it is a legitimate humanitarian group.

Colombo: Five Indian fishermen sentenced to death in Sri Lanka for alleged drug trafficking were released last week after President Mahinda Rajapaksa pardoned them.

Prison officials said the five have been handed over to the immigration author-

ities for further action.

“We are pleased to confirm that five Indian fishermen, who were sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court on October 30, 2014, were released from prison for being sent back to India,” an Indian High Commission statement

said. “We are deeply grateful to Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, for this humanitarian gesture, which will further strengthen the strong and multi-faceted relations between India and Sri Lanka,” it said.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa issued a presidential pardon for them,” Presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said. “We would like to thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa for remitting the sentence of five Indian fishermen and release them from jail,” Indian high commissioner Y K Sinha said. Sinha met the five fishermen after their release to ascertain their well being.

Rajapaksa's move to pardon the five comes less than a week before the SAARC summit in Nepal which will be attended by him and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Emerson, P Augustus, R Wilson, K Prasath and J Langlet, all hailing from Tamil Nadu, were apprehended in 2011 and were sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court on October 30 for alleged drug trafficking. India on November 11 had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka against a verdict of the high court awarding death sentence to them. Rajapaksa and Modi had a telephonic conversation last week on the issue.

Lanka frees 5 Indian death row fishermen

Sunni Matrimonial

Alliance sought from well educated and well settled Indian Sunni Muslim Namaazi unmarried groom age between 35 – 42 for two Indian born and brought up, British citizen, decent, unmarried, Sunni Muslim Namaazi girls. (1) Eldest girl is Haji, age 35 years, height 5' 8", educated in Mumbai hold masters degree and CCNA living and working in Nottingham. (2) Mumbai based youngest girl is Namaazi, graduate, CCNA, 30 years age and height 5' 3".

Please contact: a_naaz@hotmail.com

Tel.: 0091 99302 92766 (India) and 0044 7831 858 492 (UK)

24

INDIA

Jaya revamping AIADMK affairs now

Chennai: Nearly two months after her conviction and sentencing in the wealth case, AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa is back in action with a series of measures to restructure the party and strengthen it in the run-up to the 2016 assembly election. The move is also aimed at reinforcing her position within the party despite the legal setback and meant to convey to the rank and file that she is still at the helm.

While the shake-up within AIADMK has been minor, including merging of some party districts, the signals are clear, that Jayalalithaa is back in the hot seat. The Supreme Court guidelines mandate

Chennai: The DMK might be passing through one of its worst phases, but middle level leaders are using the money power to win organisational elections. Though the top leadership is rarely challenged, candidates for even minor posts like union secretary and town secretary have been offering their voters - the party's panchayat representatives - twowheelers, costly mobile phones and even residential plots.

In villages, party members elect representatives for the panchayat level.

These panchayat representatives elect union secretaries who in turn elect the district secretary. In DMK, the district secretary wields much power and practically controls the organization.

To his or her work, victories and defeats are often attributed.

"There have been reports of abduction of candidates as well," a leader said. The

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

her disqualification as MLA, after her conviction in a corruption case, but they don't prevent her from managing party affairs. She has restructured the party administration in all 12 city corporations and made similar restructuring at the union level in a few districts. In the

first phase, select unions have been divided into two in many districts.

"Our party has not been restructured since the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies in 2008. Now, our leader has decided to reorganize the party ahead of the assembly polls. This would facilitate better field work," a senior AIADMK leader said.

Jayalalithaa said party men holding posts at the zone and ward levels in corporation areas would retain their positions even after the re-organisation.

Lower level leaders have been complaining about lack of communication from the leadership on important

party matters. Jayalalithaa has been meeting only select leaders, including chief minister O Pannerselvam and some senior ministers.

"Many of the second-rung leaders, including party MPs, have no clarity on various issues. We don't know what kind of village can be adopted under the central government-sponsored Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojna. We have many leaders, including M Thambidurai, A Navaneethakrishnan and Dr P Venugopal, but we don't know from whom to take instructions," said a debutant MP. But, with Jayalalithaa back in action, the mood within the party is upbeat.

party elections turned violent in Krishnagiri district with three cadres sustaining head injuries during the union election. A candidate for union secretary in Thiruvallur district has gifted an iPhone 6 to swing voters. "There were three candidates in the fray for the union secretary post with 70 voters. While this woman gifted smart phones, her competitor has promised scooters for those who would vote for her in the secret ballot system," a former MLA said.

The elections for union and town units at K a n y a k u m a r i , Ramanathapuram, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai Tuticorin, Sivaganga, Dindugal, Krishnagiri, Cuddalore and Kanchipuram districts have been over. In most of the districts, at least half of the union and town level units have elected their representatives unopposed.

Hyderabad: K Nityananda Reddy, the director and vicechairman of Aurobindo Pharma, has foiled an attempt to kidnap him. An unidentified person opened fire from an AK-47 at him but he escaped unhurt, police said. Reddy also fired from his pistol to counter the attack. The incident took place around 7 am when Reddy returned to his car after a morning walk in the park located in Banjara Hills and Jubliee Hills. The gunman, who was sitting in the car, apparently tried to kidnap Reddy.

Reddy told reporters that he held the attacker's gun and in the scuffle he fired four rounds. He shouted for help and his brother Shivananda Reddy also reached there. They tried to catch hold of the assailant, who fired few more rounds, damaging the window panes of the car. Faced with stiff resistance, the assailant fled the scene, leaving behind his

weapon and a bag.

Senior police officials rushed to the scene and launched investigations.

They gathered several clues and also recovered bullets and empty shells. The police have taken the incident seriously as an AK-47 was used by the assailant. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy, who visited the scene, said the rifle was missing since January this year from a commando of Greyhounds, the elite anti-Maoist force.

The police are probing the incident from all angles including the possibility of involvement of a Maoist or a former Maoist. The motive of the attacker was not clear.

The investigating officials were gathering information from Reddy and his brother and also analyzing the footage from CCTV cameras installed at the nearby traffic signal and at the office of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to identify the attacker.

J Jayalalithaa

DMK leaders wooing voters with costly gifts

Controversial Godman Rampal in judicial custody

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has sent controversial Godman Rampal in judicial custody till November 28 and directed the Haryana DGP to file an affidavit in the contempt of court proceedings case against him by November 28. "There should be checks on other deras and ashrams," the high court observed. Earlier, Rampal was put behind the bars after the high court cancelled the bail granted to him in a 2006 murder case.

Rampal who remained elusive was arrested from his fortified Satlok Ashram near Barwala in Haryana. At least six people lost their lives in the stand-off, while many of his key aides and around 450 supporters were also arrested. The death of five women and an infant occurred during a stand-off and violent clashes between the controversial sect leader's followers and the security forces.

Police have booked Rampal - who is already facing charges of murder, incit-

Rampal

ing mobs and contempt of court - for sedition. Rampal claimed that he was innocent. "I am innocent. All the charges against me are baseless," he told journalists. A division bench of the high court earlier cancelled the bail granted to the self-styled Godman in April 2008.

Guns, bombs & pregnancy strip found Meanwhile, a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the Satlok Ashram. A Haryana police spokesman said three .32 bore revolvers, 19 air guns, two DBL of .12 bore, two .315 bore rifles, 28 live cartridges of .32 bore, 50 live cartridges of .12 bore, 25 live cartridges of .315 bore and one chili grenade was found in the ashram.

Hyderabad executive foils kidnap bid

Control Navjot Singh Sidhu, Akalis tell BJP

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal officially lodged a protest with Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma over the comments made by former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu in Ludhiana against the coalition government in the state.

SAD secretary and Punjab education minister Daljit Singh Cheema rang up Kamal Sharma to apprise him about the derogatory remarks made by Sidhu at a religious function in Ludhiana. Cheema said that this action of Sidhu was intolerable and against the spirit of coalition dharma.

He expressed surprise that even when the BJP high command in Delhi as well as in the state had openly clarified that there was no issue between SAD and BJP, Sidhu was still speaking against the SAD leadership.

Sidhu's remarks were itself in violation of the advice of the senior BJP national leadership which has recently publicly endorsed the continuation of the alliance in Punjab.

Navjot Singh Sidhu

Cheema urged Sharma to take up the matter with the party high command so as to tame Sidhu; he also demanded on behalf of SAD that strict disciplinary action should be taken against Sidhu. In a statement issued from the party head office, Cheema said that such remarks are creating bitterness in the SADBJP alliance and he hoped that the BJP leadership will take the matter seriously.

Earlier, Sidhu said that the state that had gone to the corrupt and the deceitful people and time had come for "Ram Rajya" to be established in Punjab. In Ludhiana, Sidhu minced no words while attacking the coalition partners in the state.

South Brief

Karnataka CM for single child norm

Holalkere (Karnataka): Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah advocated the single child norm, if not, couples should have maximum two children. According to Siddaramaiah, this is the only way to check population explosion in a country like India.

Besides, he wanted people to have simple marriages and shun big, fat weddings. The chief minister said this at a mass marriage organized in Holalkere town, 30 km from Chitradurga, where social welfare minister H Anjaneya' daughter A V Anupama married S Shashwath. Stressing that people should avoid lavish weddings, Siddaramaiah said: "People live in debt after spending lavishly on their children's weddings.�

Case registered against Andhra CM's son

Hyderabad: The police have registered a case against AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh for making derogatory comments against Telangana government and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader Ramanarsimha Goud lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Nara Lokesh has posted derogatory comments on Twitter against the Telangana government and the chief minister. "The complainant alleged that Lokesh had posted on Twitter saying that the Telangana government is being run by goondas and the chief minister is acting like Hitler," police inspector E Srinivas Reddy said.

Indians conduct 'homa' for Sultan of Oman

Bangaluru: The Indian diaspora in Oman performed a five-day homa at Muscat for the well being of the ailing ruler of Oman, 72year-old Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. The sultan is reportedly suffering from colon cancer and has been under treatment for the past few months. Bangaluru-based astrologer expert Chandrashekar Swami and a 22member team of vedic Brahmins were recently flown in to Muscat to perform this ritual. An advisor to the sultan who hails from Gujarat has organized the ritual, Swami said.

A large number of people, especially Indians settled there and some royal family members also attended the homa. The ailing Sultan believes that the homa would do him good.

North Brief

5 newborns die in a day at Ludhiana hospital

Ludhiana: Two days after its inauguration, mysterious death of five newborns - four boys and a girl - rocked the Mother Child Hospital in the Field Ganj area of the city on Sunday.

All the five patients were under the treatment of gynaecologist Dr Alka, who was recently issued a show-cause notice. The hospital - a special wing for the expecting mothers on the premises of Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital - was inaugurated on Friday by Punjab health minister Surjit Kumar Jiyani. The minister ordered an inquiry into the deaths. "As soon as I got the information, I ordered an inquiry and asked the officials to visit the hospital to probe the matter. Six days ago, a show-cause notice was issued to the doctor, when she went on leave without telling anyone," he said.

Haryana to train Afghan babus

New Delhi: Afghan civil servants will now be trained at the Jindal University at Sonipat in Haryana. The university will welcome the first batch of senior Afghan civil servants in the next few months. These civil servants coming from Afghanistan hold the ranks of director general to deputy directors in various Afghan government ministries. "These civil servants will be trained ... in topics like leadership, human resource management, law and justice, organisational change, good governance and post-conflict institution building," it said. Ashraf Haidari, deputy chief of mission of the Afghan embassy here, was quoted as saying that the current focus in Kabul was to strengthen civilian institutions.

INDIA

Medical Council of India probing graft charges against 300 doctors

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

The Medical Council of India has summoned about 300 doctors from across India to Delhi to answer questions on an anonymous complaint that they had been bribed by a pharmaceutical firm.

About 100 of these doctors appeared before MCI's ethics committee on Monday.

According to the complaint, an Ahmedabadbased pharma company has been paying doctors millions of rupees as well as gifting them cars and flats and sponsoring family foreign trips in return for prescribing its medicines even though cheaper alternatives from better known companies are available.

Of the 150 doctors summoned to appear at

the last meeting of the ethics committee, 109 appeared. The rest were summoned on Monday.

"About 135 are left and they have been asked to appear at the next meeting of the committee in December. According to the rules, they have to be given three chances," explained Dr K K Aggarwal, a member of the panel.

The letter asking doctors to appear before the committee said: "Please bring your ITR, bank statement for the last three years, passport in original, as well as a set of photocopies of the said documents." The letter also warned that "in case you fail to appear on the above said date and time, the ethics committee will

Baroness Sandip Verma leads a business delegation to India

Baroness Sandip Verma, UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, visited India in mid November, covering Jaipur, Chandigarh and New Delhi. She was accompanied by a business delegation which includes representatives from the education/skills training and retail sectors, among others.

In Jaipur, the minister called on the Chief Minister of Rajasthan Smt Vasundhara Raje and delivered the keynote address at a CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) event on “Strengthening UK trade with Rajasthan.”

CM Raje and Baroness Verma held a meeting the Chief Minister's residence, and identified sectors for partnering that include renewable energy, transmission of energy, education, skill development, smart meters and small grids for power. She also told Raje that British investors have keen interest in investing in solar and other renewable energy resources, along with manufacturing of solar cells, metres and grids in Rajasthan. She offered the CM to share the experience of the British department of energy in supporting companies involved in renewable energy.

In Chandigarh, the minister called on the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Sukbir Singh Badal and senior officials in the Haryana government.

The 7 member delegation lead by Baroness Verma, told the Deputy CM that it wants officials of Punjab government to tie up with the UK and exchange details about

Baroness Sandip Verma

procedures through which entrepreneurs of the UK could come and study the investment scenario in Punjab for making investments in these sectors.

Verma also delivered keynote address at a CII event “Strengthening UK Trade with Punjab and Haryana” followed by the closing address at a panel discussion on UK education and Chevening Scholarships.

In New Delhi, she called on the ministries of the Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy; Parliamentarians active on climate change, and Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). She attended a round table discussion on energy efficiency and renewable organised by CII, and a CheveningMcKinsey round table on the economics of climate change organised by British High Commission (BHC).

Her visit is part of a series by senior British government representatives, and follows her participation in the Government of India’s regional Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in London last month.

25

proceed for ex parte decision against you on the basis of available records in the council office".

About 100 doctors appeared before the MCI office. They were asked to give a response in writing.

While many submitted their responses and documents immediately, others chose to wait and talk to their lawyers. "The letter sent to us with a copy of the complaint did not include the details of the

charges against us though the complaint did mention that it included details of charges against each doctor.

Without knowing the exact allegation against us, how can we be expected to respond?" said a doctor.

Dr Ajay Kumar, who chaired Monday's meeting, said, "They have a week to respond. We did not want to reveal the exact allegations against them in the letters. But when they appeared, the complaint against them was read out.

Now they know the content of the complaint and they have been given a proforma to fill as response."

The anonymous com-

plaint was received by the department of pharmaceuticals in August. "The vigilance division of the department was of the view that since it involved such a large number of doctors, it ought to be examined in detail. So, they sent it to MCI in the first week of September, though anonymous complaints are usually disregarded," said Dr Aggarwal.

According to the complaint, one of the ways in which the firm would bribe doctors would be by paying millions for running advertisements on a TV installed in their clinics. The letter gave the name of each doctor with his or her address and the bribe given to him or her.

It alleged that the doctors were violating basic

norms and claimed that the turnover of the company had grown from zero to Rs 4 billion in just five years. The letter alleged that company's brands were priced 15% to 30% higher than those of wellestablished companies like Cipla, Ranbaxy, Sun, Aristo, Alkem, Zydus and Cadila but still doctors were prescribing its products as the company "was buying doctors by way of offering various means of bribes".

The complainant claimed that the firm was adding the cost of bribes to its products, forcing the patient to pay up. The complainant sought an I-T probe since doctors who allegedly accepted these bribes were evading income tax.

Defying separatists’ election boycott call and braving cold weather, voters turned out in large numbers on Tuesday to record over 70 per cent polling without any incident in 15 constituencies in the first of the five-phase polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Election Commission officials said the poll percentage figures released so far were tentative and that it was likely to go up by two to three per cent as voting was going on at some places even after closure of voting at 4 pm.

Polling began at 8 am in cold wave conditions.

A 61 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the 2008 Assembly polls for these 15 seats - 6 in Jammu division, 5 in Kashmir Valley and four in Ladakh. Today’s polling was spread over seven districts.

“Polling has gone absolutely peaceful without any incident. It was 100 per cent flawless polls and there was not a single incident which vitiates poll process,” Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told reporters in Delhi.

Dealing a serious blow to separatist politics, thousands of voters had lined up before polling stations with nearly 1052,000 voters being eligible to vote. Separatist groups like all the factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF have called for a boycott of the polls and a general strike as well.

A total of 123 candidates including seven ministers were in the fray with the ruling coalition partners National Conference and Congress and the Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and BJP fighting for the spoils.

In five Kashmir Valley constituencies, two in Ganderbal district record-

ed 68 per cent turnout - an increase of 13 per cent from 2008 assembly polls while three in Bandipora district recorded 70.30 per cent, registering an increase of 11 per cent.

In six seats of Jammu division, two constituencies in Doda district recorded a turn out of 76 per cent while it was 70 per cent each for the four seats in Kishtwar and Ramban districts. While there was increase of eight per cent in Doda district and nearly four per cent in Ramban district, Kishtwar district recorded a drop of over three per cent.

The four constituencies of Ladakh region, which normally witnesses high voter turnout, marked a decrease in number of voters exercising their franchise. In two constituencies of Leh district, the turn out was 57 per cent, down from 61.88 per cent in 2008 assembly polls and substantially down from 68.23 per cent registered during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.

In Kargil district, 59 per cent voters cast their votes against 72.90 per cent in 2008 elections.

Early morning chill and fog failed to dampen the spirits of the voters who had assembled at the polling stations an hour before the scheduled start of voting.

The voting time had to

be extended in several polling stations to allow those voters, who were already inside the polling station premises, to cast their votes.

Serpentine queues of voters could be seen at most of the polling stations even in the five assembly constituencies of Kashmir Valley, where the turn out used to be usually lower than in the segments in Jammu division owing the boycott call by the separatists.

“Reports of brisk polling in the Valley are very encouraging. Glad to hear turnout in Chenab valley seats also picking up,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, commenting on the early trends of voting.

He wished “good luck to all the voters braving the cold weather” and urged them to vote in large numbers and “vote with your hearts”. The lack of effect of the boycott call was evident from the fact that long queues could be seen even at polling stations where the separatists had posted their anti-election material.

Militants hurled grenades at two polling stations in Bandipora and Sonawari constituencies.

The attacks failed to have any effect on the polling process as no one was hurt in the twin attacks while the voters stayed put to exercise their fran-

chise. A minor clash broke out between supporters of ruling National Conference and opposition PDP at a polling station in Baroosa area of Ganderbal constituency.

One person sustained minor injuries but security personnel restored order and polling went on smoothly thereafter.

While most of the old timers turned up to vote based on their ideological affiliations, development and unemployment was the key issue for the first time voters.

“We want development in our constituency. We are not very far from either Srinagar (the summer capital of the state) or Bandipora district headquarter but we seem to be living in dark ages,” Farhat Jabeen, an 18-yearold voter from Sonawari constituency, said.

Abdul Majid, another first time voter, said unemployment was the biggest problem of the area. “We have not seen any one from our area get jobs in our area. We want change and we hope the new dispensation will grant us our wish,” he added.

Abdul Gaffar, a 60 year-old, however maintained that the area had not lacked on development front. “We have seen the area change over the past six years and would want to continue it,” he said.

70 per cent turnout in J&K Assembly polls

26

INDIA

Obama to be chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

US President Barack Obama will attend India's Republic Day celebrations in January as chief guest, a sign of steadily expanding ties between two countries that share concerns about China's growing power in Asia.

Obama was invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be the first US President to attend a Republic Day celebration, the White House said.

Diplomats said Obama, who visited India in 2010, would also be the first US President to visit the country twice while in office.

India's relations with Washington have flourished in the past decade, although they have also had tussles over trade and other issues. The two countries are developing a strategic partnership prompted by shared concerns about China's increasingly assertive territorial claims in the AsiaPacific region.

Modi met Obama on a visit to the United States in September and they have spoken by telephone since. Their relationship is thought to have helped resolve a major trade spat in the World Trade Organization. Modi used a

Twitter message to announce Obama as the chief guest on Republic Day, which marks the enactment of India's constitution on Jan. 26, 1950.

Dhruva Jaishankar, a South Asia specialist at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said the invitation to Obama was a sign of "a radically altering political calculus" in New Delhi, where previous leaders traditionally sought to keep some distance from Washington.

"This visit will also mark a real turnaround

over eight or nine months ago, when questions were still being asked about Modi’s willingness to cooperate with the United States, given his history of having been denied a visa," Jaishankar said.

Modi was denied entry into the United States from 2005 until he was elected prime minister in May, after allegations he did too little to stop religious riots that killed many people, mostly Muslims, in his home state of Gujarat. Modi denied any wrongdoing.

India traditionally

invites a head of state to participate as chief guest for Republic Day celebrations, which culminates in a military parade including its nuclear capable missiles. Much of the hardware dates back to the Soviet era, when India had close ties with Moscow, while more recent defense purchases include billions of dollars of US-made equipment.

Last year's chief guest was Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has taken a tough line with China over its territorial claims.

Continued from page 1 murder.

Shrien has refused any wrong doing so far.

On Monday Defence counsel Francois van Zyl began an application to the judge under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. It provides that the court may return a not-guilty verdict if the judge feels there is insufficient evidence to convict at the close of the prosecution's case. The application ended and the judge decided she needs two weeks to make a decision.

The trial will resume on Monday, December 8 when she will announce whether it is to continue or whether Dewani can walk out of court a free man. Defence lawyers told the judge presiding over his six week trial that the case against Dewani was "riddled with inconsistencies" and so "highly improbable " that he should be found guilty of any part in the plot to kidnap and murder Anni, 28.

Van Zyl spent the entire court session tearing apart the prosecution's case, built on the testimonies of 16 witnesses, poking holes in the evidence which provided little, or no link between Dewani and his wife's fatal shooting in November 2010. The

prosecution alleges that Dewani recruited Zola Tongo to find two hitmen to murder his wife, only half an hour after meeting him for the first time.

Despite, having never being in the trouble with police before, and having a good monthly income from operating a shuttle service, Tongo immediately agreed to help Dewani and involved another friend, who also had a job and no criminal record.

"How probable is it that this foreigner would arrive in this country and within half an hour ask him (Tongo) to find a hitman to kill someone," Van Zyl asked the court. Van Zyl continued to portray Dewani as the innocent victim of a callous plot.

"What you have is a made-up story to incriminate the accused," he said, pointing towards the dock. "All the alarm bells start ringing.”

The wealthy care home owner was flown to South Africa in April following a nearly-four year extradition battle. He and his Swedish-born wife of two weeks were carjacked as they were driven by Tongo through a township late at night. Dewani and the driver were released unharmed, but Anni was driven off into the night, her body was discovered the following

morning with a fatal gunshot wound to her neck.

Taxi driver Zola Tongo, who is serving 18 years for Anni's murder, has told the court he was paid by her husband to organise the murder. Van Zyl told the Cape Town court the state's case rested on Tongo's evidence.

"The state's whole case was based on a conspiracy. Tongo is the pillar on which this case rests and if that pillar falls then the whole case collapses," said Van Zyl. No evidence: Van Zyl told the court that Tongo had been hired by the honeymooners on their arrival in South Africa.

When the taxi arrived at the Cape Grace Hotel, where they were staying, Dewani spoke to Tongo about a job "that will make his business grow", the court has heard. It is at this point, Tongo alleges, Dewani said he wanted somebody killed.

The defence argues it was "improbable" that Tongo "virtually immediately" agreed to take part in a murder because he had "never been involved in any criminal activity. You have to ask yourself how probable is that within half an hour he asks him to find a hit-man," Van Zyl said.

"Yes, there was a conspiracy. Yes, there was a hijack. Yes, Anni was

shot. But there is no evidence Shrien Dewani was involved."

In a 127-page submission to the court, Dewani's defence team argues there is "no credible evidence" that implicates their client in the case.

It also argues that the state's other witnesses, Mziwamadoda Qwabe and hotel receptionist Monde Mbolombo, were "poor" witnesses whose evidence "cannot be relied upon".

Qwabe was sentenced to 25 years for his part in the murder. Monde was granted immunity. Xolile Mngeni, who was convicted of firing the shot which killed Anni, was sentenced to life in prison and died in jail.

Prosecution witnesses have included three criminals who admitted taking part in Anni’s murder, but who chose to testify against her husband in return either for time off their sentences or, in one case, immunity from prosecution.

Van Zyl has already argued that the promise of reduced punishment may be considered an incentive to lie. Under cross-examination, two of the three witnesses have previously admitted that they did not tell the truth, either in court or in signed legal statements.

Future of CSK, Rajasthan Royals uncertain

Narendra Modi and Barack Obama

Raj Kundra

Dewani urged to explain himself on the witness stand

The future of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals remain uncertain as the Supreme Court asked whether Gurunath Meiyappan's indictment by the Mudgal Committee, which found him to be a CSK official, would not lead to suspension of the team. If the court finally arrives at the same conclusion and rules in favour of CSK's suspension, given its official's involvement in betting in breach of IPL operational rule 4.4.2, then a similar fate could await Rajasthan Royals, whose owner Raj Kundra too has been indicted by the Mudgal panel for betting. A bench of justices TS Thakur and FMI Kalifulla said, "The finding of the Mudgal Committee can result in suspension of the team. If Meiyappan fits in as an official of CSK, there is the consequence of its suspension.

SC slams Srinivasan for owning IPL team

Srinivasan to step aside from his position till the justice Mukul Mudgal panel completed its probe into the match-fixing and betting scandal during the Indian Premier League cricket carnival’s sixth edition.

His son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, identified by the inquiry committee as a team principal for the Srinivasanowned CSK, is accused of betting on IPL games.

The IPL has been mired in controversy since May last year when India fast bowler S Sreesanth and two of his teammates from the Rajasthan Royals franchise were arrested by Delhi Police on charges of spot fixing, or influencing the outcomes of parts of a match in exchange for money.

Srinivasan, currently the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), had called Meiyappan a “cricket enthusiast” who was not a stake-holder in the

The Supreme Court, meanwhile, rapped suspended BCCI chief N Srinivasan on Monday for owning an IPL team while remaining at the helm of the cricket establishment, saying that the sport should remain a “gentleman’s game”. The court’s stinging observations come as a blow for Srinivasan who is seeking reinstatement as India’s top cricket administrator after a probe panel said he was “not involved with match fixing activity” and “not found to be involved in scuttling the investigations into match fixing”.

“Some people who are in BCCI now own a team.

It has become a mutual benefit society.

Ownership of team raises conflict of interest,” the court said. “BCCI chief has to run the show but you have a team which raises questions.” The top court had asked

team. The panel said Srinivasan and other IPL officials were involved in a “cover up” of misdeeds of an unnamed player who violated the players’ code of conduct.

The BCCI argued in the top court that the body had its own rules and any future action should be taken by it. It also defended Srinivasan, contending that the cricketer – referred to as individual number three in the report– committed a wrong not related to the IPL. The court appeared disinclined to grant the cricket body’s request.

“You yourself need to be above suspicion, which you are not. If you allow these things to happen, then you are killing the game of cricket,” the judges said. “What promotes the game is that it is played in true spirit of gentleman’s game.”

N Srinivasan

27

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

HEALTH WATCH

A

Air fresheners may poison indoor air

new study has warned that cleaning products and air fresheners, which provide a pleasant smell to your house, may also spike indoor aerosol levels and hamper the quality of air.

"Some of the same chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere as a result of smog and ozone are actually taking place in your house while you are cleaning," researchers said.

In a new study, researchers took a closer look at these reactions, which involve an organic compound called limonene - that provides the pleasant smell of cleaning products and air fresheners. The research helps determine what byproducts these sweet-

Dry-roasted peanuts may trigger allergic reactions

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new study has revealed that dryroasted peanuts may pose bigger allergy threats as compared to raw peanuts. The high temperatures involved in dry-roasting causes chemical changes that could sensitize the immune system to peanut proteins.

Dry-roasted peanuts are a popular snack in the UK and other Western countries, whereas in the East they are more often used in cooking and eaten raw, boiled or fried.

Dr Amin Moghaddam, from Oxford University, said that allergies are driven by multiple factors including family genetic background and exposure to environmental triggers and in the case of peanut allergy; they think they might have discovered an environmental trigger in the way peanuts are processed by high-temperature roasting.

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement it. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

smelling compounds are adding to the air while we are using them to remove germs and odours.

Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) are microscopic particles created when ozone reacts

E

with volatile organic gases such as limonene the chemical name for the smell of oranges - or its cousin alpha-pinene, which is part of the smell of pine trees.

"SOAs can come from

ozone reactions with numerous sources, especially with compounds called terpenes that produce the scents we associate with cleaners, pine, lavender, and oranges," Michael Waring, an assistant professor in Drexel University's College of Engineering, said.

Waring and his team used an air testing chamber that they specifically designed to study the reactive behaviour of air in an indoor environment.

By adjusting elements of the test, such as the air exchange rate, which is the number of times per hour indoor air is replaced by outdoor air, as well as the concentrations of terpene and ozone in the chamber, the group was able to ascer-

tain how those variables each affected the formation of secondary organic aerosols.

"We found that one of the biggest factors contributing to SOA formation by limonene ozonolysis was the air exchange rate," Waring said.

"This is because certain chemical reactions that form SOAs take longer than others. If the air is exchanged before these reactions can take place then the SOA production is weaker indoors," said Waring.

With 18 different scenarios tested, the team calculated a range of peak formation of secondary organic aerosols when typical concentrations of limonene were introduced to ozone-rich environ-

ments with a range of air exchange rates.

"Our findings show a significant enough range of SOA formation to warrant more in depth public health studies," Waring said.

"This research is particularly necessary in order to understand health impacts on people who use significant amounts of cleaning products such as house-cleaners or custodians," said Waring.

The resulting mass concentration of secondary organic aerosols was roughly between five and 100 micro-grammes per cubic metre.

The research was published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

burn about 50 per cent more fat after drinking water compared with a higher calorie beverage.

Water helps you play your sports better.

Sweating away just two per cent of your body's water content affects the

performance of a sportsperson to a great extent. Drinking enough water can improve your game and save you from the risk of dehydration.

Water can fight hangovers. Being adequately hydrated is the best way

not to feel lousy and grouchy after a late night party. Drink a couple of glasses of water hours before the event. Even when you are flying a long distance flight, staying hydrated helps you fight hangover.

Drink 10 glasses of water a day to cut fat

xperts say that if you are overweight or tend to get most of your calories from processed and salty food, eight to 10 glass of water could actually help you reduce your weight.

Water could lower your BMI. If you drink eight to 10 glass of water everyday you will end up eating less and also drink fewer calorie-laden beverages.

Drinking about 500 ml of

water before meal can cut the calories and help in losing weight and as a result lower body mass index (BMI). Water helps in burning fat. You can

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LEEDS BRANCH OPENING Neeta’s Herbal Clinic for Hair & Skin Care

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Hair loss falls into two categories, where it is distributed over the whole scalp and where hair loss is limited to localised areas. Hair loss is often more than a beauty problem. In some cases of alopecia, the condition is caused by bacteria or other infection or may even indicate a severe systemic disease. In the case of Hair loss, the hair follicles loose the capacity to initiate new growth.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Nayanthara's Shruthi Chooses Vijay Over Mahesh Babu first Tamil Jeevan's next period film highly glamourous?

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is hiatus in tinsel town does not bring down the dubious reputation he holds as someone who could get away with playing fraudulent. Maybe this is why director Shakti Chidambaram went to Jeevan to play the lead in their upcoming project together, 'Jeyikkira Kudhira', which will be a comeback for both. The film stars three heroines - Dimple Chopade, Ambika Soni and Shravya, and stills and posters of the film have already started flooding the internet. What is the story about?

Shakti explains that it is based on a junior artiste in the cinema, who pulls a fight with an affluent producer, and the rift being explained high on humour quotient. But the photos seem to suggest something else; there is a lot of skin show in the stills that we come across. So, is the movie going to be vulgar?

Shakti is quick to refute stating facts, "Definitely not. The film is not vulgar. Only Shravya's role might seem glamorous, but that is because she plays an actress in the movie, and her character demands such portrayal. 'Jeyikkira Kudhira' is a clean entertainer nonetheless."

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e it any actress - even Sonakshi Sinha - they all would kill to have an opportunity to share the screen with Mahesh Babu. Such is the fame of the Tollywood charming star.

But Shruthi Haasan has recently left the entire film industry shocked by strutting out of a chance to be Mahesh Babu's heroine. Director Koratala Siva is working on a project with Mahesh Babu in the lead, and

'Ungli'

the film is yet to be titled. It was earlier decided that Shruthi Haasan will play the heroine in this flick, and in fact almost a quarter of all shooting has already been completed. The team is now in Pune, but with a sudden change in their affiliates. It is heard that Shruthi has decided to leave the sets of this yet-to-be-titled film, and so she did. The actress has left the project, and it is buzzed that

Sridevi shooting for Tamil film

“V

ijay 58” went to floors last week with the shoot of a grand song.

Veteran actor Sridevi joined the shoot from the 2nd day, along with Vijay, Hansika, Sudeep and many dancers.

In her official Twitter channel, she said, "In Chennai shooting for a new Tamil film.

Brings back so many memories of first day of shoot as a child

manner which makes fun of these departments and officials. However, the police commissioner is not amused. He is being pressurized by the Chief Minister and the Government to put an end to these vigilantes who have taken the law into their own hands. ACP Kale takes on the case and begins to track down Ungli gang.

'Zid'

“Ungli” directed by Rensil D'Silva stars Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Sanjay Dutt, Randeep Hooda, Neil Bhoopalam and Angad Bedi. The film is about a group of friends who turn vigilantes to fight against the system and make the city crime free. Nikhil, Abhay, Maya, Goti and Kalim are five friends.

They began their friendship when they meet at a gym. When the friends find that the system is too corrupt to give them justice, they form a gang called Ungli. They kidnap and take government babus to task. They teach a lesson to the head of the RTO. They shame the head of the BMC. And they even take on the might of the police. They do all this in a

she chose Vijay over Mahesh Babu. It is said that Shruthi will have to set apart more days for her project with director Simbudevan, towards VIjay's 58th flick, than she can for the Mahesh Babu flick. It is believed that this was a move

by Shruthi to avoid being unable to put on her best in either of the projects, and hence is sticking to only one, which is her fantasy flick with Vijay.

“Zid” is an erotic thriller film directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Anubhav Sinha in association with Anubhav Sinha Productions Pvt Ltd and Benaras Media Works. The film stars Karanvir Sharma and Mannara in principal roles. Music for the film is given by Sharib Sabri and Toshi Sabri, while the lyrics are written by Shakeel Azmi

actor. Thank you Chennai for all the love and warmth. It feels great to be back. Working with today’s generation of actors and technicians, who are totally professional & focused, is an inspiration for me. So much to learn from them." Also, it is said that the other lead heroine, Shruti Haasan begins shoot for 'Vijay 58' later.

“K

ashmora” is an upcoming film to be directed by Gokul of 'Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara' fame starring Karthi and Nayanthara in the lead roles. This film is said to be a semi-period film. Karthi will be playing dual roles in this film after “Siruthai.” For Nayanthara it will be for the first time that she will be acting in a period film. One of Karthi's roles will be in the present time frame and the other role will involve a period setting. Nayanthara is touted to play Karthi’s lady love for the antecedent period portion while Pasupathy would be playing his father. The makers are on the lookout for another actress to pair up with Karthi for the contemporary portions. It must be noted that Nayanthara has featured in a Telugu period film “Ramarajyam” before.

Get ready for Aamir's 'Kill Dil' has 3rd highest nanga punga song in 'PK' opening in Pakistan

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saw e Aamir Khan posing nude for his “PK.” film Now get ready for an amazing nanga song punga, which is based on Aamir's naked in sequence the film. Music composer Shantanu Moitra says, "Nanga Punga is an amazing, crazy and wild song, crooned by Shreya Ghoshal. It is based on Aamir's nude sequence in the film. It was Rajkumar Hirani's idea to have it." Probe Shantanu if the song was custom-made after witnessing the overwhelming response on Aamir's bare-bodied poster and he reveals, "No it was always a part of the film. The song was not made overnight." He further adds, "All the songs are in synch with the story of the film. The songs of PK are a classic recipe of good singers, fantastic music and lyrics."

A

li Zafar has taken the audiences and critics alike by surprise with his latest offering in "Kill Dil". The actor walked away with rave reviews as he held his own alongside veteran Govinda, Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra. While the film opened to an encouraging response in India, it created a splash at the Pakistan box office with 85-90% occupancy over the weekend. Ali Zafar fans were in for a treat as the actor who has most women weak in the knees, reinvented himself for the role of a brooding bad-ass with a golden heart - And the effort was worthwhile, as the film registered a huge weekend in Pakistani and became the third biggest opener of the year after “Kick” and “Happy New Year,” collecting approximately 26.5 million elbowing out “Bang Bang” collections in the country.

29

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29 November 2014

Iulia Vantur is Salman's new ‘girlfriend’

S

alman Khan has a new girlfriend in Romanian model-actress Iulia Vantur. The duo is said to have spent a lot of time together during Salman's sister Arpita’s wedding ceremonies. The superstar has even gone ahead to introduce Iulia as his girlfriend to his family members.

According to a source at the wed-

ding, “Salman and Iulia were always together. There have been rumours linking him to Jacqueline Fernandez and Daisy Shah, but the fact is that Salman is in love with Iulia. She is very comfortable with his family too.”

Reportedly, Iulia has been staying in a five-star hotel in Bandra,

which falls very close to Salman Khan’s Galaxy apartments. And apparently, it’s Salman who pays all the bills. Going by the history, Salman has always had a liking towards the lighter skin. From Katrina Kaif to Elli Avram, the actor keeps a soft corner for the ‘phirangi’ beauties.

Iulia Vantur had earlier made an appearance in an item number in Atul Agnihotri’s ‘O Teri’. It’s also said that at the start it was Arpita Khan who didn’t quite approve of this relationship, as she thought that Iulia was using her brother as a ticket to Bollywood. But guess, all is well now and with Salman looking ‘desperate’ to have the ‘kalirey’ dropped on him, we guess, we’ll see a grand wedding in the ‘Khan-daan’ soon.

Looks like, from calling ex-girlfriend ‘Katrina Kapoor’ to almost confirming his relationship status with Iulia, it’s Salman Khan who really stole the thunder at Arpita’s wedding.

Zeenat Aman wants to settle down once again

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B-town star kids at Aaradhya's birthday bash

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ishwarya i a R Bachchan a organized grand birthday bash for her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, as she turned three on November 16. While her previous birthdays were private affairs and only limited to close pals, this time around the doting mother went ahead and invited other star kids along with their parents. With Aaradhya growing up, it seems the mommy dearest now wants her daughter to start mingling with other kids of B-town. Here's a look at who all were present at the grand birthday party. Shilpa Shetty Kundra along with her hubby Raj Kundra and son Vivaan, Tara Sharma with son. Hrithik made an entry with his sons, Lara Dutta was seen with her daughter Saira Bhupathi. Kiran Rao was spotted along with kid Azad Khan without father Aamir Khan.

esteryear glamorous actress Zeenat Aman, who turned 63 on Nov 19, says she is ready to settle down again. "Of course I want to settle down with someone once again. Why wouldn't I? You see, all these years I've singlemindedly focussed on my sons Azaan and Zahaan.

Their well-being and happiness are all that mattered to me while they were growing up. Now that they have matured and have a life of their own. I can begin to think about my own life once again," says Zeenat with a laugh as she takes on her 60s headlong.

During her heyday Zeenat worked round the clock to become one of the most sought-after actresses in the 1970s. Her marriage to Mazhar Khan in 1985 considerably slackened her work-pace. "You must understand I worked relentlessly for 15 years.

When I got married I had reached a sort of saturation point. I wanted to focus on my marriage, husband and then the two boys. Now my sons are grown up and have a life of their own. They are both multi-talented. Older one has graduated. The younger one is qualified in the culinary arts, and in music and acting. Let's see which way they go. At the moment their future is fluid," she said.

Zeenat describes her own state of the heart as also fluid. She won't admit having someone in her life but readily admits to being ready for love and marriage in spite of being singularly unlucky all her life in matters of the heart. "I hold no grudges against anyone. I believe there are good people out there.

And I believe there is always room for love and companionship," says Zeenat.

Jealous Poonam Pandey plans to sue Kim Kardashian

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odel and film actress Poonam Pandey is allegedly furious at the popularity of Kim Kardashian's new nude photoshoot. "I am the most searched model on the internet. Google says it when I type my name in the offline mode. How can someone else steal my show by doing what I have already done before?

I must take some legal or illegal action against this." said Pandey.

Yes, the damsel plans to take matters into her own hands and sue Kim for plagiarism. When informed that Kardashian cannot be held for plagiarism, as it was her very own body that was shot, Pandey responded saying "I think Kim has stolen my personal trainer, my special atta for diet chapatis, and copied my body exactly to try and look like me. I will prove that this is a case of plagiarism." She has drafted a

Esha Deol joins Roadies Karan Johar making acting as judge debut in 'Bombay Velvet'

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aghu Ram and Rajiv Laxman, the duo synonymous with reality show Roadies, have been ousted. And Esha Deol is making her TV debut with the show, as one of its judges. Rannvijay will continue as the host in the upcoming season of the show. Says a channel source, "Raghu's anger management issues and mood swings caused trouble for everyone on the shoot, leading the channel to take this step." About Esha, a source associated with the show said, "She has a no-nonsense image and doesn't get carried away with emotions. She fits the bill perfectly." When contacted, Raghu confirmed that he is no longer a part of the show, but was taken aback to learn about the rumour of trouble with the channel.

F

ilm producer and director Karan Johar will be making his acting debut in Anurag Kashyap’s Velvet.”

“Bombay Though he has done many friendly and guest appearances in the past in some of his and his friend’s “Bombay films, Velvet” will see him in a full-fledged negative role. And now it is heard that he will also be doing a prominent role in the upcoming film “Shandaar.” Initially, Karan was approached by director Vikas Bahl for the role of Alia’s father in the same film but later, Pankaj Kapur filled in as a replacement since Karan Johar was busy with other projects. But latest reports say he would still be a part of the film. However, his role has not been revealed.

letter to Kardashian in the hope of putting the issue to rest before it becomes public. In it she has reused her highly confusing tweet "We are on the same page, same paragraph, same line, same word." in the attempt to convey the fact that she and Kardashian are equally famous. She has also stated in the letter that Kim has obviously been inspired by Pandey's butt selfie with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

Sofia Hayat, also recently in the news for dedicating a nude photoshoot to cricketer Rohit Sharma for his recordbreaking double century, has commented on Pandey's statements, saying "I don't know what she is getting so mad about. Mine is a real nude shoot. Hers was obscured and hidden. Mine is bold, complete with tan lines. I don't understand why she is getting jealous."

Priyanka Chopra wants to be a zombie

B

ollywood actress Priyanka Chopra wishes to become a zombie for their inability to feel. The actress took to social networking site Twitter to express her peculiar wish. “I too want to be a zombie…

Easy life must be when u don’t feel… Or at least it seems so while u r in zombie land!” she tweeted. Priyanka, who has shown her acting calibre in films including “Barfi!” and “Mary Kom”, has now started shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Bajirao Mastani”, which also stars Ranveer Singh. “Make up-check, haircheck, wardrobe-check, lines-check!

Brains… foggy! In so many ways! Gliding to set! #BajiraoMastani,” she further posted.

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UK

Launch of 20th Anniversary Celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London

From its inauguration by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in August 1995, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London (popularly recognised as the ‘Neasden Temple’) has provided worshippers, visitors and local residents with a profound sense of spirituality, community, peace and inspiration.

To officially begin the year-long celebrations leading to the Mandir’s 20th anniversary in 2015, a special evening assembly was held in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami, a senior sadhu visiting from India, on Saturday 22 November 2014.

The evening programme began with a video presentation charting the key chronological events leading to the opening of the Mandir.

Charity and goodwill have been key values that the Mandir has promoted over the years, and this was highlighted during a cheque presentation made to Diabetes UK – the leading charity that “cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of every person affected by or at risk of diabetes.” The £20,000 donated had been raised during the BAPS Charities Annual 10K Challenge earlier this year by almost 4,000 participants from around the country.

Richard Lane, Chairman of Diabetes

UK, arrived to receive the cheque. Following the presentation, Mr Lane addressed the assembly and said, “The money that you [BAPS Charities] have raised is absolutely fantastic. Thank you very much indeed.”

He also emphasised the importance of raising awareness in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and announced that in recognition of the support from BAPS Charities, Diabetes UK will help to train ‘Community Champions’ as well as provide dietician support for screening clinics organised by BAPS Charities in London, Leicester and Birmingham.

Satyavrat Swami, Head Sadhu of the Mandir, then guided the assembly through the collective contributions to the celebrations, with the aim of strengthening one’s personal spirituality as well as consolidating family unity.

In his keynote address, Tyagvallabh Swami encouraged everyone to actively participate in the festivities over the coming months. He drew specifically upon how one can reflect the purity of a mandir in one’s own life.

The evening was concluded with a video presentation of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s blessings for the Mandir.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Commission welcomes your view on religion and belief in British public life Commission on Religion and Belief in British Public Life would like to know people’s views on the role of religion and belief in British public life with particular regard to media coverage of religion and belief issues, social action, developments in UK education systems, civil and criminal law, and dialogue and engagement.

It has been convened by the Woolf Institute, Cambridge, and would welcome your views on the topics with which it is dealing, as outlined in the consultation document at http://www.corab.org.uk/ national-consultation.

The Commission is independent and is chaired by the Rt Hon Baroness Butler-Sloss of Marsh Green GBE, formerly president of the Family Division of the High Court. The steering committee consists of Dr Shana Cohen, Lord

Harries of Pentregarth, Dr Edward Kessler MBE (vice-chair) and Professor Tariq Modood MBE. You are welcome to focus on topics and questions which are of particular interest to you – you are not expected to reply to each and every single question in the document.

Responses can be of any length and can be accompanied by copies of relevant documents. In its eventual report the Commission will acknowledge all the responses which it receives and will almost certainly wish to quote from some of them directly.

They should be sent by 31 December to maa74@cam.ac.uk or by post to the Woolf Institute, 12-14 Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9DU. Enquiries should be addressed to Mohammed Aziz, head of the Commission Secretariat.

Coming Events

l Our Kutch Special magazine will be published and launched at a London venue next week. In the coming few months, we will also be publishing many other theme based imagines/pull outs viz. Wine, Dine and Celebrate, Wedding Special, Real Estate in India, Travel and Tourism, House and Home and British Lohanas Special.

They will be available FREE to our paid subscribers. If you do not read Asian Voice, this is your chance to start subscribing. Asian Voice along with its several publications make a PERFECT Christmas gift for your family. l Pramukh Swami Maharaj's 94th Janma Jayanti Celebrations, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Leicester, Saturday 29th November, 6pm-9pm, 135 Gipsy Lane, Leicester. Contact 01162 613 791

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!

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

Don't be afraid to act forcefully if your instinct tells you it's time for change. This week the focus is your house of family and home. Besides spending more time tending to domestic affairs, the focus can be on cultivating and nourishing your inner foundations, so to speak.

The flow of good energy this week makes you want to be responsible which can benefit you socially and personally. Financially, you have everything going for you. Be prudent and do not fritter away your good fortune. You should avoid using credit, simply because your spending habits may be excessive and impulsive.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

The fiery planet Mars, continues to occupy your opposite sign for some time to come. Its influence will help you to maintain a high energy level and achieve positive results in anything that requires drive and initiative. If you are involved in a fairly competitive field of activity, you will be the one who comes out on top.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

You have everything to gain by following creative inclinations. If you have new ideas, now is the time to put them into practice. Whatever your present interests you are likely to find that new doors open and the way ahead offers increased scope for expressing your real self. A great time to meet and interact with people.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

The domestic scene may prove to be active and harmonious as long as you use tact and diplomacy.

Intense focus is what is needed now so do not let yourself be distracted by non-essentials. The gentle influence of Venus ensures that most things run smoothly and that your cash-flow remains viable.

At home, be at your diplomatic best and try not to tread on anyone's toes. Passions will run from hot to cold, and relationships may suffer. Even the most strong-willed. Domestic and home matters are disturbed and a source of concern to you. You could find family members hostile and difficult to reason with. It is a period of handling matters with utmost diplomacy and calmness. Mars Placement in your solar 4th house makes it that much harder to communicative clearly.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

Jupiter, the planet of plenty aspects your solar 4th house for some time to come, bringing noticeable improvements to your environment. This will hold you in good stead as you have a lot of important jobs to finish around the house such as decorating and for some buying or selling of properties.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

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The focus is on finances this week, but that doesn’t mean you should worry yourself sick. Rather, it is about finding new and improved ways to boost your earnings potential. Don’t let nebulous tendencies interfere with your plans. It’s fine to consider several options but don’t get caught up in indecision. Schedule networking opportunities later this week.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 There may be a certain amount of unfinished business to be dealt with. Therefore you will need to adopt a fairly flexible policy in order to accommodate the odd twists and turns of everyday life. There are planetary energies firing you up preventing you from sleeping properly. Give yourself plenty of physical outlets to calm you down mentally.

This is a good time to cut back on extravagant spending and consolidate your finances. Your social calendar is likely to keep you very busy and you will have lots of opportunities to promote yourself. For some of you this is also a good time to meet likeminded people which could lead to romantic liaisons.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

Love is liable to blow hot and cold rather unpredictably. If so, then it might be a good idea to check your own behaviour and motives for it could be that you are already taking too much for granted. Avoid get-rich-quick schemes and be cautious about other people's enthusiasm which is likely to be misplaced.

Travel and social life combine to bring a lively time ahead of you.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

Australian cricketer Hughes critical after being hit by ball

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes is in critical condition in a Sydney hospital after undergoing emergency surgery for a severe head injury suffered when he was struck on the helmet by a ball during a domestic match on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old batsman was transferred to St Vincent's intensive care unit after surgery and his condition is not expected to become clear for 24-48 hours.

"We're all in shock," Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland told reporters in Melbourne, his voice trembling.

"All we know is that it’s serious and he’s fortunate to be in the best possible place right now with experts all around him."

Fitted with a ventilator to aid his breathing, Hughes was rushed from the Sydney Cricket Ground in an induced coma, having collapsed to the ground when hit by the delivery from New South Wales fast bowler Sean Abbott.

Hughes, who had been touted to replace injured Australia captain Michael Clarke for next week's test match against India, had scored 63 runs for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match before being hit.

Apparently dazed by the blow, the left-hander stooped and put his hands on his knees before falling face first onto the pitch, prompting players and medical staff to rush to his aid. The match was later called off.

Though often viewed as a genteel game, cricket's fastest bowlers regularly deliver the ball at speeds of over 140 kph (87 mph) and batsmen defend them-

selves with a wooden bat less than a metre long and about four inches wide.

A cricket ball is roughly the same shape and size as a baseball but heavier and harder. While batsmen are heavily padded, they often sustain painful and perfectly legal blows from fast bowlers, who have full license to launch deliveries that bounce up at head height.

Balls occasionally strike batsmen on the helmet, sometimes drawing blood on impact, but the seriousness of Hughes's injury shocked seasoned cricket writers and players alike.

"Thoughts are with Phil Hughes. Terrible to see and

just shows how dangerous our game can be," Australia legspinner James Muirhead tweeted.

Hughes was placed on a motorised stretcher and taken to the edge of the field where medical staff performed mouth-tomouth resuscitation before he was rushed to hospital by ambulance. After scans at the hospital, he was taken straight into surgery.

Australia captain Clarke arrived to check on Hughes at the hospital, where the stricken batsman's mother and sister were also present.

News of the injury sparked a wave of sympathy from the global cricketing community and fans on social media.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Phil and his family! He is a great fighter and a great young man!" Australia coach Darren Lehmann tweeted.

The England and Wales Cricket board tweeted: "Thoughts with Phil Hughes and his family from all at ECB. Get well soon."

England will look to settle scores against Sri Lanka after the two sides meet in a pre-World Cup one-day series from Wednesday.

The seven-match tour has been spiced up by comments from England captain Alastair Cook that his team will try to exact revenge for the Test and one-day defeats at home.

Cook's status as captain came under heavy pressure after the 1-0 Test defeat, and tempers frayed in the ODIs when off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake controversially ran out Jos Buttler before delivering a ball. "There is a World Cup at the end of it, but we are here to try and win this series," Cook said on arrival. "I think we owe you (Sri Lanka) a little bit of revenge." The 'Mankaded' dismissal by Senanayake, since suspended for an illegal bowling action, is con-

sidered to be against cricket's spirit of fair play. But Sri Lanka insisted Buttler was earlier warned for backing up, and senior pro Mahela Jayawardene lashed out at Cook for questioning Senanayake's run-out. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are smarting from this month's 5-0 thrashing in India in a series that was hastily arranged after the West Indies abandoned their Indian tour over a pay dispute. Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews insisted the matches will be used to recover from the morale-sapping loss and find the right combination for the World Cup starting in February. "We need to get back into our groove," Mathews said. "We want to look at players whom we think need to be looked at and whom we think will go on the World Cup. "It's very important that

we sort out our bowlers and also the batting order.

By the end of the series we should have a very clear idea of whom we want to take to the World Cup." Both teams are grouped together in the preliminary stage of the World Cup and will feature on the opening day on February 14, with Sri Lanka playing New Zealand and England facing Australia. The upcoming series, which opens in Colombo, provides both teams a chance to strike form - provided the weather does not play spoilsport.

The prevailing north-east monsoon over the island has already forced one of the two warm-up matches to be abandoned, leaving the tourists short of match practice.

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Moeen Ali, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Harry

Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Thisara Perera, Lahiru Gamage.

Schedule: Nov 26: First ODI, Colombo (daynight), Nov 29: Second ODI, Colombo, Dec 3: Third ODI, Hambantota (day-night), Dec 7: Fourth ODI, Colombo, Dec 10: Fifth ODI, Pallekelle (daynight), Dec 13: Sixth ODI, Pallekelle, Dec 16: Seventh ODI, Colombo (day-night)

Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay were among five batsmen to post half centuries as India settled for a draw in its tour-opening match against a Cricket Australia XI. Kohli topscored with 60 as India posted 363-8 from 91 overs in reply to the Australian invitational team’s 219 in the two-day match at Glenelg, on the coastal fringe of Adelaide.

Murali Vijay (51) and Cheteshwar Pujara (55) retired out, while Wriddhiman Saha (56) and Karn Sharma (52) were unbeaten.

Sri Lanka's selectors urged Kumar Sangakkara to reconsider his decision to retire from all formats after the 2015 World Cup. Sangakkara told the selectors he would quit internationals in April but he is now rethinking about his decision upon request from the selectors, among others. He has repeatedly said he would not play ODIs beyond the World Cup, and that is unlikely to change.

Opposition to Sangakkara's retirement has been founded on the argument that the team would be substantially better served if Sangakkara

remained in the Test side until it was more settled.

Sri Lanka have yet to play a Test since Mahela Jayawardene's retirement and, if Sangakkara had also quit following the forthcoming New Zealand Tests as he had planned, both of the side's leading batsmen would have become unavailable within the space of two series.

The selectors have also viewed Sangakkara and Jayawardene as mentors for the young players within the side. With several top-order spots still contested in Tests, and the younger generation of batsmen yet to produce

Phillip Hughes

England to take on Sri Lanka in one-day series

India settle for a draw in tour opener

SPORT WORLD

Harmanpreet stars in India's win against SA

Indian women routed South Africa by an innings and 34 runs in the one-off women’s Test at Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar ground in Bengaluru.

Resuming at their overnight score of 83 for six, South Africa had to get 83 more to avoid innings defeat. Though Trisha Chetty and Chloe Tryon showed some determination by adding 53 runs for the seventh wicket and managed to negotiate 27 overs in the morning session they couldn’t continue further as mediumpacer Shikha Pandey produced a beauty that had Trisha caught by wicketkeeper Sushma Verma in 28th over. Soon, Harmanpreet Kaur, who had a five-wicket haul in the first innings, continued her fine bowling performance by scalping Yolani Fourie for zero. After lunch, Harmanpreet got the wickets of Sunette Loubser and Marcia Letsoalo to take her second innings tally to four wickets and the match haul to nine. South Africa lost their final four wickets in a span of 10 overs for just 12 runs. Overnight batswoman Tryon was unbeaten on 30 runs.

Wicketkeeper Sushma had a memorable outing with four catches and a stumping.

Federer fulfils Davis cup dream

Roger Federer defeated Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in the first reverse singles match on Sunday as Switzerland won the Davis Cup final against France by taking an unassailable 3-1 lead. The 17-time Grand Slam champion gave Switzerland its first title in the team competition and added the only big trophy in tennis missing from his collection. The 33-year-old Federer and Stan Wawrinka had put Switzerland into a 2-1 lead on Saturday with a straight sets defeat of Gasquet and Julien Benneteau in the doubles.

Federer was thrashed by Gael Monfils in his first singles match after struggling with a bad back but recovered as the weekend progressed and did not face a break point on Sunday. ``I'm happy I was able to stay calm and play a good match, and I'm really happy for the guys in the team,'' Federer said.

Difficult to surpass Rohit Sharma's 264: Lara

West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara said that Indian batsman Rohit Sharma's record One-day International (ODI) knock of 264 would be difficult to surpass. Sharma stunned the cricketing world with his monster score against Sri Lanka recently, smashing the previous record of 219 held by fellow Indian Virender Sehwag. "We all grew up with the innings of Sir Vivian Richards' 189 in Manchester against England, and how he dominated the bowling then and that was the world record for quite some time," Lara was quoted as saying. "But I felt that 200 was possible. I just believe that this one (Rohit's innings) is a little bit unreachable now. This one is an exceptional performance, getting to that total and he still got out. It was a special innings. It's very, very difficult to see it being surpassed."

Sangakkara asked to delay Test retirement

Kumar Sangakkara consistent runs at the top level, Sangakkara's continued presence in the side was seen as vital to the team's successful transition. Captain Angelo

31

Mathews is among those who would like him to continue in Tests, having also asked Jayawardene to play for another year.

Sangakkara had been considering retirement for some weeks before the meeting on Thursday. In his last Test match, against Pakistan in July, he had made the uncharacteristic gesture of waving his bat as he exited the field after his second-innings 59, sparking speculation about retirement. He subsequently played down those rumours, but stopped short of suggesting he would play another Test in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's 2015 Test schedule has not been finalised but, beyond the New Year Test in Wellington, it is likely to include home Test series against Pakistan, India and West Indies, as well as a further away series against New Zealand.

Sangakkara's Testmatch form remains excellent, having maintained an average of 78.21 in 2014, and leading the run-scorer list by some distance from Younis Khan. He hit his first triple-century in February this year, and has made three figures at Lord's and Galle, where he hit 221 against Pakistan.

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SPORT

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 29th November 2014

Anand's gamble backfires as Carlsen defends crown

Magnus Carlsen simply knows how to win and Viswanathan Anand's inexplicable gamble hurried the extended reign of the new chess king from Norway.

Opting for the Berlin defence in the 11th game of the 12-game World Championship match in Sochi, Anand was doing quite well till the 27th move. But in a moment of stretched optimism, he opted for an exchange sac (giving away rook for bishop). It backfired in a big way to hand over Carlsen his third win of the match and with that the title.

The last game became irrelevant because the 23year-old world No. 1 took a 6.5-4.5 lead against the 44-year-old world No. 6, a five-time champion himself. Carlsen is set to earn around Rs 48 million for his win while Anand will get Rs 32 million.

It was a fascinating battle till Anand's thinking process went haywire. "I can't say why I decided to

Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen

go for the exchange sacrifice. I didn't notice anything really," said Anand.

In the pivotal Game 9 in Chennai last year, Anand had made a monumental defensive error with white pieces to trail 0-3 which practically ended his reign.

Sunday's game was a similar soft error, albeit offensively.

Carlsen showed respect for the way Anand gave him a tough fight this time. But he was also forthright to point out his illustrious rivals' mistake.

"Anand needed to do something in Game 8 and

Game 10 when he had white pieces. But he spilled his chances there."

"I believe in material (advantage). So I generally like to grab it. I didn't see enough compensation for black. I didn't play well from move numbers 18 to 23. That allowed Anand good counter play possibilities.

But I am happy to put myself together after playing badly in that phase.

After his exchange sac, I played forcefully and he didn't get any chance.

Once I put away his powerful bishop away, I was

confident of winning the game."

Was Carlsen expecting to wrap things up today? "Little bit. I didn't particularly want to come back with black pieces for the (must-draw) 12th game." It was the fourth Berlin defence game played by Anand with black pieces in this match.

The defence was made popular by Vladimir Kramnik when he dethroned Garry Kasparov in their 2000 match.

Kasparov had failed to breach Kramnik's wall in five games then. But Carlsen had done that in two games in Sochi. He had taken the lead by winning the second game in the same opening.

Of course, Anand had found some new lines in Berlin. He deviated from the earlier games and played 9...Bd7. Punebased WGM Soumya Swaminathan commented on the live feed: "Anand played 12...c5 less popular and his 14...Be6 novelty!"

Sania to partner with Su-wei

Sania Mirza and Su Wei Hsieh

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza will partner Chinese Taipei’s Su-wei Hsieh in the new season after ending a fruitful partnership with Zimbabwean Cara Black that saw her clinch the WTA Finals in the women’s doubles.

Interestingly, the SaniaCara combine had defeated the pair of SuWei and Peng Shuai of China in the summit clash of the WTA Finals.

She will though continue her association with Bruno Soares of Brazil with whom she won the US Open mixed doubles title. “I played with

Cara for little over a year and we shared a great partnership. We had a lot of fun on the tour and enjoyed each other’s company and made a very good team.

Unfortunately we had to split as she made a decision and I have to respect that. But I wish her all the best for a fabulous career ahead. I will play with Su-wei next year. She was No. 1 in the world in women’s doubles once and has slipped to No. 5. But she is a lovely girl, a good player and I am partnering her next season,” Sania said.