Asian Voice

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

VOL 38. ISSUE 38

VOICE

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

80p

30th January to 5th February 2010

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FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

Gandhi Nirvan Day 30th of January 1948 See Page - 10

BollyCats Sonam replaces Katrina to be Akki’s lucky charm

See Page -19

VOICE

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

VOL 38. ISSUE 38

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Supporters of Gen. Sarath Fonseka cheer at the end of the presidential elections in Colombo

opposition consensus nominee and his main opponent, retired Army Chief General Sarath

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Fonseka, the polling has been remarkably peaceful.

The polling which began at 7 am concluded at

4 pm. Reports reaching the Election Commission and the independent NGOs monitoring the election indicated a great deal of enthusiasm among voters.

At the presidential polls in 2005, the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who contested on the United Party Freedom Allliance (UPFA) ticket, obtained 4,887,162 votes (50.29 per cent) and the United National Party (UNP) candidate and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe secured 4,706,366 votes (47.43%).

Continued on page 22

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India celebrates R-Day amidst tight security South Korean President chief guest at the ceremony

Indian soldiers at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi

A blinding mist did made a difference, yet New Delhi, the capital of India celebrated the Republic day of the country with fervor, gaiety and enthusiasm.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs at

the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. Tight security arrangements were evident in view of the terror threats.

The tricolour was unfurled, national anthem played as per the traditions soon after the arrival of the dignitaries.

Continued on page 22

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70% voting in Lankan prez poll Polling in Sri Lanka’s presidential election ended on Tuesday by and large peacefully with a turnout of more than 70 per cent as heavy security was deployed to prevent violence.

Election observers reported sporadic incidents of violence and intimidation but said they did not disrupt overall polling.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

ONE ON ONE Keith Vaz MP with Dr. Ahmad Al Dubayan Director General of the Islamic Cultural Central Dr. Ahmad Al Dubayan was born in Saudi Arabia. He completed a Master's Degree in Linguistics from the University Imam Mohammad Bin Saud in Riyadh and later lectured in Riyadh at Imam University and at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta.

The challenge of being associated with and heading an organisation consisting of culturally diverse Muslim Communities. A deep inspiration comes also from serving all sectors of society as a whole, which is Interesting and gives values to my life.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing Muslims in the UK today?

Lack of proper education and based on this lack of opportunities in engaging with the wider

British community without fearing the loss of the faith identity. One of the biggest issues is the bad image of Islam fuelled by some wrong behaviour of Muslims and the unfair media.

What do you think has been the biggest world issue of the last year?

I believe that conflicts and wars around us in the world which cause the loss of millions of lives and also effect the environment. We are destroying this beautiful world, which God gave us, by our callousness and wars, overexploitation, pollution and desertification! It is a

My own academic works including publications. And establishing a strong system within the Islamic Cultural Centre, setting up education classes, assisting in setting up The Mosque and Imams Advisory Board in the UK. Establishing strong units in the ICC serving: educational, interfaith, administration and improved services to the community What are your long term goals?

He completed his PhD in Germany at Ruhr University in Philology, Linguistics, Islamic Studies and English Studies. His is fluent in several languages and has published three books. His is most famous for his papers on educational issues, linguistic studies, organisation management and different cultural issues.

Since 2001, he has worked internationally and has taken the post of Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London.

What inspired you to run the Islamic Cultural Centre?

What are your proudest achievements?

Strive to create greater understanding, respect, cooperation and trust among European leaders/American policy makers and Muslim social and political activities.

Providing any kind of assistance for those who need mercy everywhere in the world.

duty of every nation and every single human being to make the world a better living environment.

If you were the Prime Minister, what one thing would you most like to change?

Policies which help the media to maintain better relations among communities. I would also endorse some policies and initiatives regarding how to build bridges of trust among the communities in the UK.

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

My mother and my father, whose words of wisdom and advice have been always roaming around in my mind, especially when I am alone facing problems!!

What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?

Firstly working away from home! And separating my work duties from my family life.

political parties, business men, community leaders to celebrate their achievements.

Last year’s awards proved a great success, with figures as diverse as Rt Hon Geff Hoon MP – The then Defence Secretary, Mr Eric Pickles MP – Chairman of Conservative Party, Ms Caroline Fint MP – Minister for Europe, Mr Robert Howard Harris MP, Sailesh Vara MP, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP – Chairman of Home affair, attended the event.

2009 Asian Voice Political & Public Life Award included Winners Rt Hon Harriet Harman, Adam Holloway MP, Sarah Teather MP, Naresh Goyal Jet Airways, Ms Ann Treneman – Jounalist, Slumdog Millionaire, Baroness Uddin, Mohammed Ajeeb CBE, Mr Dolar Popat, Mr Rajesh Rupani - Sony Television Asia, Ms Nina Wadia, Ms Teji Singh, Mr Amin Ali, Ms Nina Amin, Mr Dipankar

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

When a person is marooned the last thing you think of is a historical figure, but to answer your question I would choose Mahatma Gandhi, Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. They raised the value of human beings as human beings are without any difference between races, colours and creeds….

Categories Politician of the Year Labour Parliamentarian of the Year Liberal Democrat Parliamentarian of the Year Conservative Parliamentarian of the Year Minister of the Year TV personality of the Year Journalist of the Year Special Award for International Achievement Media Company of the Year Restaurant of the Year Asian broadcaster of the Year Campaign of the Year Male Entrepreneur of the Year Female Entrepreneur of the Year Professional of the Year News Agency of the Year Community Award Lifetime Achievement Award Male Lifetime Achievement Award Female Sports Personality of the Year

De Sarkar, Mr Bhanu Choudhrie.

The shortlists for the awards for 2010 will be decided by a panel of judges and as always we are sure even this year there's going to be a fierce

! The Grosvenor House Ballroom was the venue for the wedding of Amrit and Ratna last Saturday.

Amrit is the son of Dr. and Mrs Lamba from Edgware, North London.

A fun time was had by all. ! Congratulations to the Kansagra clan on the birth of their first grandchild - a son for Perry and grandson for Mukeshbhai from Kenya.

The little boy is to be named Aditiya-Vikram.

He looks as chubby as his Dad. ! Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green, MP for Ashford has got his DNA back. The MP had been arrested last year of the great leak outrage.

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

Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards Its time for the ‘Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards'. These awards are given annually to people who have made a special impact in the preceding 12 months, ranging from international politicians to individuals who have made a big difference in their local communities.

The Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards offer an unique opportunity to positively communicate your company's name, image, products and services to a clearly defined, influential, socially aware and highly receptive audience.

More importantly, as a sponsor, you will join with readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar and pay tribute to an exceptional bunch of people.

The awards will be handed out at a prestigious ceremony at the House of Commons on 25th February, 2010 and the winners will be joined at the ceremony by a select group of 250 high profile politicians from all

People

competition which will prove very difficult for the panel to choose the winner.

Readers of Asian Voice vote and nominate who they think should win the coveted Awards.

Damian Green

He is also one of the very few to manage to win the argument over whether the police could keep his DNA.

Asian Voice in Coventry Our columnist Dhiren Katwa has been invited to speak about diversity in the media as part of Coventry Conversations, a series of media talks. Chemist turned journalist Dhiren, who is senior news editor of Asian Voice, will share his experience of working in the media industry, now for almost ten years. “My energy and inspiration come from Mr CB Patel, editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, who encouraged me to consider a career in journalism,” said Dhiren. He added: “At the time I laughed at the suggestion but since have not looked back, credit to CB, my role model.”

Speakers at Coventry Conversations have included editor of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, Channel Four news anchor Jon Snow, equalities tsar Trevor Phillips and Daily Telegraph columnist Jim White. Dhiren’s talk will take place at Ellen Terry Building, Coventry University, at 1pm on Thursday 4 February. Entry is free and open to all.

Asian Voice is the Voice of British Asians

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

COMMENT

Republic Day Diamond Jubilee: What it means for India January 26, 1950 was the day, 60 years ago, when India declared herself a republic and adopted a written constitution proclaiming the event. Republic Day, and every anniversary of Indian independence, are the two biggest dates in the country's calendar, evidence of another year gone by, with its catalogue of achievements and failures.

Sixty years of celebration and tribulation are now part of a lengthening historical record. Time moves ever faster and one landmark fellows another in a never ending Odyssey into the future. India and the world were starkly different in 1950. The bleak international landscape testified to the Cold War and its power blocs and proxy conflicts, most notably in Korea and South East Asia.

India was perceived by the West as a pretentious state punching above its weight, its cardinal sin being its refusal to be a participant in the Cold War between the capitalist West led by the United States and the communist East powered by the erstwhile Soviet Union.

Refusal of the poisoned chalice pointing delusively to a hallucinatory route to prosperity and power on the coat tails of big brother was an act of far-seeing statesmanship, as was the move to establish a democratic republic based on the rule of law and fully sovereign in the directions India's elected leaders charted for their country.

Today the signs point to an India on the march, it tells of a country kearning to fulfill its true potential, which are are self-evident truths. Those who were given to dismiss India are now more respectful. The French writer Dominique Moisi, today a visiting professor at Harvard University, while accepting that President Obama's reception for Prime Minister Manmohan at the White House in Washington was largely a celebratory event designed to massage India's collective ego, did also signal the country's arrival as a sig-

nificant power on the international stage.

India is bursting with soft power Bollywood, the reach of its popular music, the appeal of India's writers, its cultural and religious festivals involving casts of many thousands, its burgeoning science, technology and its entrepreneurial vitality are making waves across the globe – but in an uncertain world plagued by terrorism and violence and the conceits of aggressive nationalisms, soft power must of necessity be supplemented by hard power. The readiness for war is often a guarantee of peace. India is equipped to meet its likely challengers; in the years to come its arsenal of weaponry will surely be awesome.

Professor Moisi states the obvious. “India today sees that the wider world, particularly the West, regards it with growing respect, not only for the country's performance but also for its essence – a young country that is also an ancient civilization. A little more than 60 years ago, India remained the crown jewel of the British Empire. Fifty yeas ago, if you sought to read about India in the West, you would mostly find books about spirituality. Today, the books about India include topics like management and nuclear energy....The period when India was forgotten or an afterthought is at an end, and with it the period when India could forget about the world.” It takes two to tango.

What will India look like in 2047, the centenary of its independence, or in 2050 when it celebrates its 100th year as a republic? No longer a third world nation surely, but one fully developed. It would be tempting the fates to peer too far into the distance. Let us be content with the thought that India's time has come. What the country makes of itself will become clear in the years to come.

Hopefully the rite of passage won't be too exacting.

Faith and charity in Gujarat temple town Palitana is a sleepy town in Gujarat. Perched high on a hill overlooking it is a network of 1,500 exquisite temples. For adherents of the Jain faith it is a place of considerable significance, since it represents the world's highest concentration of Jain temples - all packed into clusters to enable barefoot pilgrims to walk around with ease.

Every year more than half a million Jain devotees (of a total global community of approximately 10 million) make their way to Palitana's stone and marble shrines. Non-violence and compassion for all living things is at the core of Jain belief. This year their spiritual quest in Palitana is embodied in a project to help people with their disabilities.

A group of Jains has set up a vast medical camp in the town for physically handicapped people. Here, the spiritual becomes practical, as doctors fit patients with artificial limbs and

calipers. Others are given crutches and wheelchairs. Those with hearing difficulties are given special aids and taught to use them.. The doctors are assisted by volunteers who come from all over the world.

“Our Jain faith teaches us to reach out to the under-privileged,” says Asha Mehta of the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust, which organized the camp. “We've also set up similar camps in 11 African countries to help landmine victims,” she said. Jain organizations have visited Kabul, to help war victims and are planning the same for Angola.

The drive for material comfort has not subsumed charity and compassion for the less fortunate of our fellow humans. This is the perennial message of all that is enduring in faith.

“The essence of Jainism is to give up selfishness for selflessness,” explains Palitana's chief Jain monk Acharya Shri Rajvashsurji.

Tougher road in Afghanistan: no sign of relief as conflict deepens Just how tough the situation in Afghanistan is will become clear when the London conference on the country convenes. Past assurances from on high are as far from reality as they ever were. The Taliban is a major presence on the ground and Pakistan – America's regional ally – is reluctant to play ball with Washington for reasons of its own. US General David Petraeus says that the Helmand fught will get tougher before it gets

easier.” Haven't we heard these comforting sentiments before?

The truth is that the great and good in Washington and London are thrashing around in the dark, not a whit the wiser on where they are going and why. Meanwhile, the killing fields of Afghanistan keep taking their toll of innocent lives – Afghan, British and American and those farther afield in Nato. The pity of it.

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Thought for the Week Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.

Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead (1901-1978)

Barry Gardiner MP Member of Parliament for Brent North

Open letter to the Hindu Forum of Britain The Hindu Community of Britain in 2010 is more influential and more self confident than ever before.

It is also more prosperous.

That prosperity has been built on the hard work and educational achievement of a generation of young Hindus who now dominate the professions of pharmacy, accountancy, IT, medicine and the law.

But the community’s very success now -- in this election year -- brings with it an obligation to speak up for the values that it holds dear and on which that prosperity has itself been built.

The current generation of young professionals will all acknowledge that their own success would not have been possible but for the incredible determination of parents and grandparents who came to this country -- often with little or nothing in their pockets, but with a total determination that their children would not suffer the indignities and privations that they themselves had been forced to live through. Hindus in Britain today were not born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but with the simple understanding that success comes only through long hours of hard work, by the support of family and by a community network that is always prepared to help the weakest and those in real need.

These are the values which are at stake in this general election year. And it is to remain true to these values, that I believe the Hindu community should vote for the Labour Party.

Labour is not just a friend when it is looking for votes. Our history runs back more than 60 years to India's Independence and people like Fenner Brockway and Clement Atlee. We set up Labour Friends of India more than ten years ago and were the first to call for India to sit on the P5 of the Security Council at the United Nations and the first to provide support over Kargil and the attacks on the Indian parliament.

This close empathy and understanding comes from a history of shared values.

Before 1997 the Hindu community in my constituency in Brent was

reluctant to send their children to the local state schools. And with good reason! Those who could afford it, paid for private education; those who could not, spent hours supervising homework and worrying. That false choice has now disappeared. Parents in Brent North today have a real choice of high quality state schools. Schools where only 32% of pupils achieved five GCSEs at A* to C, now record success rates over 90%! This did not happen by chance; just as the previous years of educational failure did not happen by chance. This success came about by a government that said “Every Child Matters!” and was prepared to invest our taxes to prove that they meant it.

Now our Labour government is promising to ensure that every child with special educational needs will be given one-toone attention. Of course this will help that individual child; but it will also ensure that the rest of the class is able to proceed faster and without the teacher being distracted.

These are the values we believe in: the whole community becoming stronger through helping the weakest member.

The Conservative Party once said “There is no such thing as society”. Their policies – particularly in education where they would scrap Surestart Centres -- show that they still believe it.

Of course the Labour government has made mistakes. Nobody gets everything right and government too must understand and learn from what it has got wrong. But the process of government is about more than this policy or that law, right or wrong. It is about the values by which we as a nation wish to live. I firmly believe that the values of the Hindu Community are the values of the Labour Party. I ask the Hindu Community to reflect on its success and to use its influence at the general election to vote for those values by voting Labour.

(This is a shortened version. View the full letter at www.barrygardiner.com)

YOUR VOICE

4

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Maharaja Exhibition and Sai School Column

Transport fare hike and council tax

Many thanks for publishing my article on the Maharaja exhibition through Future Generations, Sai School column. I took the AV copy to my School for my teachers to see my article who felt very proud to see that their student's article was published on the 2nd page of Asian Voice. My article was then shown to the Head Teacher who was also very pleased and wishes to share it with the rest of the school.

This has boosted my confidence and my parents are also very proud, who are now encouraging me to write more articles. A few friends who wanted to see the Exhibition last weekend on the final day were unable to get any tickets due to the surge at the last minute, I hope my article helped in some way to raise awareness of this unique Exhibition which the V & A hosted. I also discovered that Asian Voice is a fantastic paper and I would be reading it regularly.

Cllr. Navin Shah’s expressed a level of concern for Londoners in his column of 9th January (AV pg 3).

It is easy to criticise Boris Johnson for this year’s fare increases, but people forgot that Ken Livingstone had put them up by the same percentages in 2005; and then a bit more in 2006. Boris Johnson has made half-price travel on the network available to an estimated 150,000 more people since he took over, and in total around 40% of bus passengers now travel for free or at a concessionary rate.

While I certainly sympathise with those the increases will most seriously affect, it is vital that London’s transport infrastructure gets the investment it clearly needs.

The total cost of replacing the unpopular bendy buses is around 3 million; a minor amount when compared with the billion pound black hole Boris Johnson inherited.

In 2006 – that Labour brought a budget to Harrow Council with one totalling £9 million. And three years earlier, Harrow experienced a 21% Council Tax increase.

This year Harrow Council will be freezing Council Tax for the first time in 14 years, and Boris Johnson has also frozen the GLA precept for the second year in a row. These are positive actions intended to help people in difficult economic times!

Aditi Vyas, 11 years Sai School

NHSF not protecting caste discrimination This is in response to the letter by Mr Mitter in AV issue 23rd Jan. NHSF (UK) would like to make it clear that it is not protecting caste discrimination, nor is it saying that caste discrimination does not exist. We have also not said that Dalits are attacking Hindu Dharma; we have mentioned organisations and relevant people, but not a community. It is also incorrect that in the Mahabharata, Karna was not made commander in chief – he was made commander in chief after Dronacharya had been killed in battle.

Caste discrimination is condemned by NHSF, as well as by Hindu scriptures.

NHSF considers all Hindus as part of one united society, without any form of classification such as Dalits, Untouchables, etc. NHSF, therefore, does not keep a register of members based on such false divisions such as caste in the Hindu Society.

Hence it views all its members by one definition only, i.e. as Hindus alone.The role of NHSF within the samaj is to Preserve, Practice, Protect and Promote Hindu Dharma.

There is also a more informative article which has been published on the NHSF website (www.nhsf.org.uk).

Chirag Patel Public Relations Team, NHSF (UK)

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

Cllr. Anjana Patel Portfolio Holder for Schools & Children’s Development Harrow Council

Who is NHSF protecting?

Following should enlighten Mr Mitter (AV 23rd Jan, pg 4) that there was no caste discrimination in Mahabharat days.

Vidur, dasi putra lived with the royal family.

Matsya kanya was cohabited by Muni Prashar and later by father of Bhishma.

Indra cohabited with Ahalya.

Vishwamitra cohabited with Menka.

None of the ladies were royal. Ram ate fruit tasted by Sabri. His Vanar sena was casteless.

Sages who gave scriptures were not upper caste, yet there are not discriminated. Krishna had royal blood, was brought up as cow herder. Bhim did not consider caste when he married cannibal Hidimba? Krishna physically cured hump backed Kubja.

Princess Kunti resided at ashram of rishi Durvasa who was not of royal caste.

Sita resided at ashram of non royal caste rishi after her exile. Viswamitra decided to perform non kshatriya karma to Kamdhenu cow.

Many rishis consumed by pride were sent to butcher’s shop to seek enlightenment..

Chandargupta Maurya, succeeded in uniting Hindu kings against Alexander, was not a Rajput or Brahmin.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

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The Wrath of God?

We had great leaders at the time of independence. On 26th January 1950 India became Republic and declared that we, the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens: Justice, Social, economic and political, Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;Equality of status and of opportunities and to promote among them all.

Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the nation.For every word we should be proud of but during the last 60 years what we have achieved, we have to think and be truthful to our selves.

Our present leaders must understand that systems which were developed at that time, are not functioning to the needs of majority of people but only the cleverer people are fully misusing the system.

We all need to give more and more wake up calls to our leaders that they need to develop the policies to serve the majority of people and eliminate the shanties from India.

The devastating earthquake which struck Haiti on 12 January has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and left millions of people homeless and destitute. Countless children have become orphans. The outbreak of contagious diseases and diarrhoea due to unsanitary conditions will claim further lives.

Hindus will call this the “Kaliyug” and Jains – “Panchmo Aaro”. There is shortage of water, food, medicine and shelter.

Is this the wrath of God? Who should we blame? It is man himself who has emitted, and continues to emit, all those green house gases in the atmosphere and causing global warming.

So what could be done to prevent such disasters from happening again? It is time for governments to do more to protect the environment. This could be achieved by reducing global warming and conserving an ecological balance by avoiding the depletion of natural resources like trees and forests – by creating sustainability. Otherwise a day will come when our posterity would have no earth to live on!

Dharam Dev Ilford

Jalaram Mandir Greenford I read letters in AV regarding the Indian Students and their very unfortunate plight. We have started the lunchtime programme especially for these students and has been advertised in your sister concern Gujarat Samachar.

We have now employed 3 students in the Mandir hopefully may employ more. Quite a few students now give their seva free on Thursdays and Saturdays. We want to do very much more to help these students and are looking at ways how we can help them.

Some students walk all the way from Wembley to come to the Mandir in Greenford and on Thursday evening we get about 40 students. Leftover prasad is packed for them to take away.

Jai Jalaram!

Mansukh Morjaria Via Email

The Misguided Campaign Copenhagen conference was a stitchup between America, China, India and other interested parties, by-passing EU, Russia and other big polluters who are genuine players on the carbon reduction front.

In any case all these measures are temporary, inefficient and misleading solutions to a real problem. The human population has more than trebled in just one hundred years; more babies were born in the last fifty years than in the previous two thousand years.

China is the only country that is taking this issue seriously.

It is a taboo subject in Catholic,

UK EUROPE WORLD 1 Year £25 £55 £70 2 Years £45 £100 £125 £225 £300 *5 Years £110 £450 £550 *10 Years £200

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Should Burkha be banned in Britain?

France has banned Muslim women wearing Burkha in public places. Now the UK Independent Party wants to ban burkha in Britain. In Britain the Queen is the head of the church and it is a secular Christian nation. A small number of minority faith communities in Britain try to enforce their own culture and tradition, which is alien to Western tradition.

In most of the Islamic countries only Islam is the official religion and people from other religious faith are not allowed to practice in public and they have to follow the strict Islamic law.

British society in the name of multiculturalism is totally divided on the basis of religion and there are separate faith schools with no contact with main stream society. Swiss government is justified in banning minarets, since Islamic countries do not allow temples or churches built in their countries. There cannot be one law for Muslim countries and the other for the rest.

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email Islamic, Jewish countries, as well as in India, one of the worse offenders on population front where hundreds of millions live on less than a dollar a day.

There is no one easy solution. It has to be a combination of several factors, use of renewable power, such as wind turbines, hydro-electricity, harnessing tidal waves, nuclear energy, encouraging vegetarianism and reducing human population.

So far no one nation is willing to endorse all these measures, not even Britain who professes to be in the front line.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Visit our website: www.abplgroup.com !"#$ "%%&$''

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'(#)*&"+,-. /##.012.%3$ ‘Smile Pinky’ too gets the Oscar

Boyle says Mumbai dwarfed the statuette

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Karma Yoga House 12 Hoxton Market (Off Coronet Street)

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

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

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

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

London N1 6HW

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5

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Leicester Voice Builder's work led to 'living hell' A mother last week claimed her family had to shower at a leisure centre for three months after an alleged "rogue builder" failed to complete work on their home.

Kam Sokhi told the Leicester Mercury that she experienced a "living hell" when she entrusted builder Mohammed Nagdi to extend and renovate her family's Oadby house.

Mrs Sokhi said the builder stripped the shower and bath but did not replace them, which meant the family had to wash at the nearby Parklands leisure centre.

She said Mr Nagdi also built a room with a ceiling that was just 5ft 4ins high.

Last week, the city council's trading standards team took legal action against Mr Nagdi, 43, after receiving six complaints about him since September 2004.

The first of those complaints was lodged by Mrs Sokhi, 44.

The married mum of four had wanted a fourth bedroom added above the kitchen and an extension to the lounge. Mr Nagdi started work on the house in August, 2004, after giving a quote of £39,000.

But he allegedly left the site in September that year, with Mrs Sokhi having paid him £36,900. She said it took another two years for the work to be put right, by another company.

Mrs Shokhi said: "It

was a nightmare to live in the house. Floorboards weren't laid and there were wires coming out of the walls. I used to lie awake at night crying and then wake up in the morning and cry some more – it was a living hell for two years. We spent three months taking showers at the Parklands sports centre because we had nowhere else to wash because he had stripped it out – that cost a lot of money in itself, and it was embarrassing for me and my children. It cost £31,000 to remedy the work. The house is fixed now, but it still haunts me."

A November 2004 building inspection report

by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council lists 20 aspects of the property as not complying with building regulations, including a "structurally inadequate" roof to the first floor extension.

Mr Nagdi told the Leicester Mercury: "Mrs Sokhi says the work I did wasn't of a good standard but the quality of the work was good enough. I think she took advantage of my good nature and she expected me to do things for free. I went on holiday to Turkey for a week and that week plastering materials were ordered and she got people to do stuff which messed up my work – when I came back I was surprised."

He added: "Some of the people who have com-

Top 10

Name: Mr Dalubhai Chauhan Age: 70 Occupation: Estate Agent Lives: Evington

1. Favourite colour: Red 2. Favourite food:

Fish

3. Favourite actor: Jeetendra 4. Favourite holiday destination: India - Goa 5. Favourite historical character: Nero 6. Favourite period of history: 1949 7. Favourite part of Leicester: Evington 8. Lucky number: 37 9. Favourite TV programme: Sky News 10. Who is the person you admire the most: Amitabh Bachchan

plained about me I have got letters of satisfaction from – I have lots of satisfied customers. I have been doing this for 15 years and some customers are difficult. Sometimes mistakes happen, but they are not deliberate."

During the case on last Tuesday at the city's county court, Mr Nagdi, of Spinney Hills, Leicester, who trades under the name East Midlands Building Services, did not admit any wrongdoing. But he signed a voluntary undertaking to say he would comply with the law in future.

District Judge Paul Atkinson told him: "Allegations have been made that you are what is colloquially termed a 'rogue builder'. I fully accept these allegations are not fully admitted but if you breach these undertakings you can confidently expect to go to prison."

Leicester Mercury reports, Mr Nagdi formally agreed to comply with the Goods and Services Act 1982, which means he must carry out work with reasonable care, to a good standard, in reasonable time.

Caroline Frith, the city council's principal legal officer, said: "We are out to make sure the customer gets a fair deal – taking him to court might not help those in the past, but it will try to prevent it in the future."

Local man pleads not guilty to arson A man accused of a series of arson offences, including setting his home on fire and risking the lives of his family, has entered not guilty pleas.

Via a video link from a prison where he is on remand, Omar Mohammed Suleman denied three counts of arson at 45 The Fairway, Oadby, with intent to endanger his relatives' lives, on March 4, March 7 and March 14. He also denied three alternative counts of arson, recklessly endangering life, on the same dates.

Suleman, of the same address, also denied arson in the garden of his home on March 3 and damaging a car by fire, on February 26. He denied two counts of arson, causing damage by fire to the interior of the Vista building, in St Matthew's Way, Leicester, on January 9 and February 16 last year.

The Leicester Crown Court hearing was adjourned for a trial on September 1. Judge Charles Wide QC remanded Suleman back into custody to await trial.

Do you have any comments, news or photographs about Leicester? If you do, please send them to Leicester Voice at

leicester@abplgroup.com

Everest-climb dentist trains for challenge in food firm's freezer!

Training inside a freezer might not be everybody's cup of tea, but for one dentist it is just another day at the office.

Fund-raiser Amit Kotecha has begun training inside an industrial freezer in shivering temperatures of -28C as he prepares to climb Mount Everest. And after completing his first session on an exercise bike, he said it was not cold enough.

Amit, 41, will set off for Everest in March, and hopes to raise £100,000 for Cancer Research UK by scaling the 29,000ft peak.

His mother, Mira, died of cancer 20 years ago, aged just 42, and the oral surgeon, from Kirby Muxloe, has been raising money for the charity ever since.

On Friday, the fatherof-three donned his hiking gear and set off for the freezers at his brother-inlaw Jake Karia's firm, Global Fine Foods, in Leicester's Troon Industrial Estate.

Amit said: "I know it sounds strange but it was

Amit Kotecha

too hot. As the suits I was wearing were so good I came out sweating loads.

The temperatures at Everest will be around 40C and then if you think about the windchill factor it's going to be even colder – so it was a little bit warm. But it is great training. There isn't really another way I'll be able to get used to the conditions before I head out there.''

Despite describing himself as a "novice

climber", Amit has trekked to base camp at Mount Everest but said that was a walk in the park compared to what he will face in a few months.

After fitness work in the gym and training in the countryside, Amit has now turned to his extreme regime. "It has been going very well. I go walking for about two hours each morning in Bradgate Park with a 30kg weight on my back and I've been doing a lot of gym work. But this is just something a little extra to get me prepared. " Jake allowed his brother-in-law to train in one of his freezers, which are usually used to store frozen ready meals.

He said: "I said how I was used to the cold, with all the freezers we have at work. They have fans too which blow cold air. He picked up on that and thought it would be a great way to help with his training.''

Amit has raised £6,000 towards the £100,000 target. He said businesses have pledged £35,000, if he reaches the summit.

6

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Kapil’s

Teenager quizzed over Asha Muneer murder The teenager quizzed over the horrific murder of pretty sixthformer Asha Muneer was her ex-boyfriend.

Forensic teams sealed off the house of the 19-year-old arrested hours after Asha, 18, was battered, stabbed and her jugular vein slashed on a river towpath.

Kitchen knives were taken away to be examined - along with clothes and the suspect's mobile phone.

The swoop came as it emerged police were called to a bust-up between Asha and an ex six months ago.

Cops left after he was "given advice".

Asha, who worked part-time at a Laura Ashley shop, was walking to meet fellow students at McDonald's when she was killed in Reading, Berks.

Last week her new

by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com

Asha Muneer

boyfriend - gap-year university student Sunil Bhardwaj, 19, - posted a tribute to his "princess" on Facebook. He wrote: "I didn't get to tell you how much you meant to me."

A friend of Asha's told how she also worked as a nightclub promoter and had been organising a bash called Sinfully Sexy with raunchy flyers showing a girl in a bra.

Boyfriend Sunil vowed to still go - so it could honour her memory.

Police said as frogmen scoured the River Kennet for the murder weapon: "Nothing was taken from her handbag so robbery was not the motive."

Sunil Bhardwaj

Pupils at Highdown School, where popular Asha was taking A-levels in Sociology, Economics and English, were offered counselling.

Head Tim Royle said: "The whole school community is deeply shocked."

Cabbie dad Mohammad, 67, mum Nasreen, 47, and sisters Umaria, 22, and Saba, 17, said in a statement: "Our family have lost a loving beautiful daughter.

Debate on Vegetarianism encouraged in the UK

BY ANNETTE PINNER, CEO THE VEGETARIAN SOCIETY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM On a recent trip to Delhi by my daughter, her hosts were surprised to learn that there is such an organisation in the UK as the Vegetarian Society. In India, a third of the population is vegetarian and the concept has been imbedded in the Indian psyche for thousands of years.

In the UK, on the other hand, ninety-seven percent of the population eat meat. The Vegetarian Society of the UK is relatively young and was started in 1847 by what one might call intellectuals; certainly they were perceived as a bit weird by their contemporaries.

Even so, it is probably the oldest vegetarian organisation in the world.

When the Vegetarian

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Society charity was formed, population demographics were very different from today; we have become more multicultural since then and links have been forged between the charity and the UK Asian community. Mahatma Gandhi, in fact, sat on the committee of the London Vegetarian Society in the late 1800s. Today these continued bonds are reflected in our elected trustees, almost a third of whom are from an Asian background.

Vegetarianism in the UK is no longer seen as the extreme way of life that it once appeared to be. Furthermore, many people acknowledge legitimate concerns about the impact of meat production on animal welfare, human wellbeing and the environment.

From our headquarters in Parkdale, near Manchester, our small team works hard to promote vegetarianism and help vegetarians. Our website is packed with information and recipes.

We offer advice to all vegetarians and business organisations by phone; we run campaigns to raise awareness of various issues, such as not serving vegetarians fish; vegetarian food suppliers and restaurants use our Vegetarian Society approved trademark; we teach cookery classes in our Cordon Vert cookery school; our work in

schools and with other young people is headed up by a special team; a network of local volunteers assist with fund raising and to promote social interaction between vegetarians; and we work closely with the press and are seen as the voice of vegetarians in the UK. However, we still need all those who have an affinity with the cause to be involved in improving and protecting the future of vegetarianism in the UK. This is where you come in. We would welcome more members from the Asian community but even if you don’t wish to join us, we’d love to hear your opinions.

As an Asian vegetarian: ! What could the Vegetarian Society do for you? ! What could you help us do for the benefit of other vegetarians? ! Is it important for the community to protect the practice of vegetarianism in a country where most of the population eat meat? !

Should parents encourage their children to be vegetarian? ! Does it matter that there are now new reasons for being vegetarian, such as reducing environmental impact and protecting the sustainability of our food supply?

It is clear from the letters page of the The

Awe and Wonder

Hindu ethos

Awe and wonder are words often used in education, but rarely do we find clear examples in reality. On Saturday 23rd January I was invited to the pre-opening of the ‘Krishna Avanti’ school in Edgware. On arrival you are struck immediately with clean lines in the architecture, the use of wood and grass growing on the roof – yes my friends you read that right, grass growing on the roof. This as I found out is probably one of the greenest schools in the country with state of the art technology to use rain water for cooling as well as other uses - gas monitoring systems so that if at any stage these exceed certain amounts then ventilation opens automatically, under floor heating and of course, a lot more long lasting low maintenance wood inside.

We all had a typical Hindu welcome followed by a guided tour where you could sense the excitement even in the person giving the tour.

As you walk from the entrance to the reception classes, the attention to detail grabs you. Good use of colours, wood and decorative patterns. As the tour continues you get that feeling that something very unique is going to be just around the corner. And at that very moment, Lord Krishna answers you as you cast your eye on an authentic Hindu mandir in the very heart of the school itself. Built in traditional style, from the traditional stone carved to perfection to the use of wood from India for the doors and wooden carvings. You notice at that moment that your mouth is wide open, and as you look around, the mouths of others around you are open also. Awe and wonder my friends, is in front of you. You know and feel that you have been transported to another dimension which you cannot find in any other faith school in the country.

The school will of course have the National Curriculum but will enhance that with the Hindu ethos and our values. You see this immediately as you realise you have to take your shoes off when you enter the school. The kitchen will be busy preparing vegetarian food of both eastern and western taste. In fact they have so many varieties that the menu does not repeat for three weeks. My only concern now is that there is a serious danger that parents when they come to drop their children off at the school gates may not wish to go home but stay and join in.

The event went very smoothly, the usual train of local politicians were at hand to give their support – no doubt with hopes that through some divine intervention they might get a few more votes at the next election.

We have to recognise also that this would not have been possible had Tony Blair not brought in the law that allowed for equality and equity within the faith schools sector. The event was a great success and head teacher Mrs Naina Parmar now has a school which is a great resource to offer to the children.

The challenge now for governors and staff is to concentrate on the quality of education, standards attained, ethos inculcated and the formation of a child’s character in line with the Hindu ethos and values. Time will always be the judge in relation to how successful the school has been, but from what I have seen – I have high hopes that it will deliver on those expectations.

Asian Voice that vegetarianism is of some interest for many readers. Asian Voice has kindly agreed to start a debate on what you feel are the important issues. Please send your views to Annette Pinner c/o Asian Voice, Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, London, N1 6HW or by email to urja.patel@abplgroup.com

Secondary challenge The challenge to the Government is to do away with the bureaucracy that so often slows the progress of establishing new schools. Time is now running out, pupils

who leave Krishna Avanti will require a secondary school that can address their needs; otherwise they will enter the mainstream where the ethos will be very different. I raised this issue with one of the politicians whose partner just happens to be the Chief Inspector of Schools and I hope that the urgency of what is required can be communicated directly to the cabinet.

Now that we have the first state funded Hindu Primary School, it is time to be serious about setting up the first state funded Hindu Secondary School. I wonder which party will make this happen and take the credit that goes with it.

Clarkie agrees with me!

In my recent columns I had warned that the Tories in their rhetoric and zeal might fall foul of playing up to massive cuts and that as a strategy could prove costly when it comes to voters. It seems Kenneth Clarke agrees with me when he recently said, ‘calamitous’ and ‘damaging and unsupportable’ cuts in the public sector would not represent the best way forward for the Tories. So now that we have got that out of the way, I wait to see what else they will adopt in the coming weeks.

Of course I can see why Kenneth Clarke might have been forced to make this corrective statement, after all in the last two polls the lead the Tories have had over Labour has been reduced now to 9%. The polls have been volatile and therefore one cannot make too much until they are validated by the next few, however, the fact that the polls seem to shift so markedly gives both Labour and the Tories a cause for concern. In this election, it seems the only poll that will really matter is the one on election-day.

Now that will make the next few months interesting for all us.

Four jailed in Immigration scam Chinese nationals Junjie Kao (30), Wie Xing (30) and Bangladeshi national Khaled Mahmud (35) were sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court for conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Junjie Kao and Wei Xing also pleaded guilty to money laundering after £2.65 million pounds in cash was discov-

ered in the flat they shared in Rotherhithe, south east London. At the heart of the gang's conspiracy was a bogus college which they set up, purporting to offer genuine courses of education, but in fact offering none.

The gang also set up a legal services company, which prepared false documents for immigration.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Judge frees millionaire jailed for attacking knife-wielding burglar Britain's top judge sent out a powerful message last week that a householder has a right to defend his family.

The Lord Chief Justice freed a father jailed for attacking an armed burglar, saying the case demanded mercy in the face of a national outcry.

Millionaire businessman Munir Hussain went home from prison after Lord Judge ruled at the Appeal Court that he had lashed out because the robber's gang had threatened to kill his wife and children.

His two-and-a-halfyear term was changed to a

Awais Hussain, centre, the son of Munir Hussain, with barrister Razi Shah, left, and family members Qadeer Hussain, right, and Zahir Ahmed, left

suspended sentence while his brother Tokeer, who was also involved in the incident, had his 39-month

Mr Hussain is greeted by his son Awais as he leaves Bullingdon Prison in Oxfordshire

sentence reduced to two years meaning he could be released within months.

Lord Judge said his decision came because of the exceptional nature of the case and the public outrage it has provoked.

'There are some situations which guidelines cannot and do not cover.

This is one of them and today the sentence of the court must address and balance the ancient principles of justice and mercy.

In this case the call for a merciful sentence is intense.'

Lord Judge insisted that his ruling did not represent a green light for homeowners to mete out vigilante justice against burglars.

But his judgment will

be seen as bolstering the right of householders to protect their home and family against attack.

Mr Hussain, 53, was jailed last month for attacking a knife-wielding burglar who held his family hostage in their own home and threatened to slit their

throats.

His case provoked nationwide fury when he and his brother were jailed for injuring career criminal Walid Salem, while the convicted burglar was allowed to walk free.

Following the Appeal Court decision, his son Awais, 22, and his brother Qadeer collected him from HMP Bullingdon, a Category C prison in Oxfordshire, and he returned home to High W y c o m b e , Buckinghamshire, for an emotional reunion with his wife and family.

Looking shaken and drained, Mr Hussain hugged relatives and thanked the nation for the support he and his brother had received.

Jailed after being filmed sabotaging food at Asda A supermarket shelfstacker who was filmed sabotaging food, cutting clothes and licking a raw chicken in the store where he worked has been jailed.

Adeel Ayub, 30, was filmed setting off a fire extinguisher and smashing eggs in the Asda branch at Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire.

The footage, filmed by a colleague on a mobile phone, also showed Ayub slashing staff furniture and urinating in a bin.

He started a twomonth jail term after he was sentenced at Preston Magistrates' Court last week.

Magistrates were so appalled by his behaviour that they gave him the maximum sentence available.

A visually shocked Ayub, of Spinney Brow, Ribbleton, was led down as relatives watched from the public gallery.

The film, which was left anonymously in a brown envelope at the front desk of a local newspaper, was then passed on to Asda who contacted Preston Police. It also featured on YouTube.

It shows Ayub, wearing the Asda uniform,

Adeel Ayub

committing the offences when he worked there between 2005 and 2008.

It then films Ayub returning to the store in 2009, after leaving Asda’s employment, and, wearing a black hoodie, stamps on whole chickens on display.

He then tears off the plastic wrapping of one, licks the breast before placing it back on the shelf. Ayub denied this.

Ayub’s charges related to destroying a fire extinguisher; damaging furniture; criminal damage; destroying clothing and destroying food stock.

The prosecution accepted that Ayub was only filmed the clothes and furniture being destroyed.

An Asda spokesman said: ‘Our colleagues were very upset about it at the time and we are pleased we can finally draw a line under it and put it behind us.’

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Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Midland Voice

Dee Katwa

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

Probe set to shake-up clueless council on spending Mr Broomes, from Lichfield in Staffordshire, came to the city council in 2003 from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council where he was acting head of provider services. He was one of three new service direc-

This week, Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood has called for a probe into why Berkley Broomes, pictured, the most senior Afro-Caribbean officer at Birmingham City Council was paid £200,000 in wages despite being suspended for two years.

Despite not having worked since 2007, Mr Berkley, 51, a service director in the Adults and Communities Directorate remains, apparently, on the payroll. Mr Khalid, MP for Perry Barr, told reporters: “This is a ludicrous waste of public money and in the end we will all be paying for it through our council taxes.” In addition, it is claimed Mr Broomes will also get £50,000 compensation after an allegation made against him was dismissed.

Council officials have refused to comment or justify why Mr Broomes

has continued to draw his £90,000 salary despite being on ‘gardening leave’. Mr Broomes was not available for comment.

The shocking revelations have emerged at a time when Mr Broomes’ department is in financial crisis with 270 employees facing redundancy, while a further 1,380 others in the council are on notice of possible redundancy.

Just days ago the council’s human resources chief Alan Rudge responded to workers’ job fears by declaring: “We cannot employ people for the sake of it.”

Pet cemetery West Lindsey District Council in Lincolnshire has given the green light for a new joint animal and human cemetery. One acre will be dedicated to animal burials. The rest of the four-and-aquarter acre site will be a ‘green’ human burial ground.

According to the Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria, 1.5 million dogs and cats die every year. Of these, 300,000 are buried in the owner’s garden and 1,000 in pet cemeteries, while 100,000 are individually cremated. The rest are incinerated as clinical waste. Britain has 19 pet burial sites. The phenomenon is not new. Pharaohs in ancient Egypt were often buried with mummified monkeys, cats and birds because they believed animals and humans shared an afterlife.

Influencing trade links A leading expert on supplier diversity, Mayank Shah, delivered an informative and exciting presentation to a unisex group of 50 black and Asian entrepreneurs, existing and emerging, as part of a special dinner at Birmingham’s Marriott Hotel last Thursday. Mr Shah, pictured, is director of Minority Supplier Diversity UK, or MSDUK, a not-for-profit national organisation set up to provide direct links between public and private organisations and ethnic minority businesses to encourage development of mutually beneficial business relationships.

Leicester-based MSDUK’s mission is to help remove barriers to growth, which still exist according to research, for ethnic minority businesses, particularly in areas such as accessing start-up and growth finance and securing contracts. The event was organised by the Institute of Asian Businesses, a diversity arm of Birmingham Chamber.

Photo: Sunday Mercury

8

tors hired by Birmingham social services as part of a radical shake-up in the department’s management.

This news comes just days after bosses at the council, Britain’s largest

local authority, admitted they have no idea how much money the council is spending on hiring expensive private sector consultants. Although an estimated £130 million a year has not been denied.

Opposition Labour councillors were told there are no central records detailing the number of consultants on the books. Councillor Rudge also admitted he could not be sure how many worked for the council. “It’s a financial matter, not one for human resources.

These are issues for Service Birmingham,” said Councillor Rudge.

He was not available for comment.

Car park rapist caged A Walsall man who raped a woman in a car park has been sentenced to five-and-half years in prison. Deepak Sehdev, 30, pictured, was found guilty of rape and sexual assault on December 18, following a five-day trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court. The charges followed an incident on August 13, 2008, where a 20-yearold woman agreed to meet up with Sehdev, after previously meeting him on a night out.

Uni fraud, MD jailed A managing director who stole nearly £5 million from Birmingham University to fund his gambling addiction has been jailed for six years. Paul Sadler, 50, pictured, was head of Birmingham Research and Development (BRDL) when he siphoned off the cash to fritter away in casinos and fund a flash lifestyle. Birmingham Crown Court heard Sadler was earning up to £270,000 a year including bonuses. The self-confessed addict was reportedly gambling up to £40,000 a night and lost a total of £1 million at Birmingham’s Grosvenor Casino. Sadler’s book-keeper and accomplice, Christine Eggleton, was jailed for two years.

Can you help?

A charity which looks after people with autism is recruiting volunteers. The National Autistic Society in Birmingham is offering training to people on February 19 and 26. For details call Sharlene Davis on 07795 301 710.

Fly-tipper curry boss fined A curry house owner from Birmingham, Suba Miha, has been fined £1,600 and ordered to give up his van after being found guilty of fly-tipping. Miha was caught dumping left over curry, ghee and oil containers in Westley Street, Nechells, following an undercover operation. He was regularly driving from his Cardamon restaurant in Swan Street, Alcester, to the inner-city street to get rid of unwanted food.

News in Brief Gifts for split-ups Divorcing couples can now qualify for the same retail opportunities as newlyweds. Alongside the wedding list, Debenhams has announced a divorce list service.

Mind therapy conference A national one-day conference which aims to raise the profile of psychological therapies for people from diverse communities is being held in Nottingham next Tuesday (Feb 2). The free event will feature workshops and discussions.

Speakers include Professor Dinesh Bhugra, pictured, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr Ben Wright and Beena Rajkumar, the conference organiser. For more information email Karen.Rochester@nottshc.nhs.uk

Useless meetings Two meetings for businesses to find out about how Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police Authority’s budgets will affect them have been branded a waste of time, after hardly any companies turned up. At the council meeting, just two people turned up last Thursday while at the meeting of the latter, of more than 110 invited delegates fewer than 20 were from private companies.

Sikh millionaire buys food chain The Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip shop chain has been bought by Ranjit Boparan, the owner of West Bromwich-based 2 Sisters chicken factory. Mr Boparan, pictured, says he will open 100 new stores and create 600 jobs. Founded in 1928, there are currently 36 restaurants and takeaways, within the Harry Ramsden’s business, including the largest fish and chip shop in the world in Guiseley, Leeds. Mr Boparan, 43, is one of the UK’s most successful self-made entrepreneurs. He and his wife Baljinder are worth around £135 million.

Hair-pull hubby jailed A husband from Willenhall whose wife was left with a bald patch after he pulled out a clump of her hair during a row has been jailed for 26 weeks for assaulting her. Ex-businessman Mohinder Singh, 59, was sentenced at Walsall Magistrates Court after being found guilty of assaulting his wife Balwinder Kaur.

Prayer by mobile phone Lichfield Islamic Cultural Society has promised it will call worshippers to prayer by mobile phone rather than broadcasting when a new mosque opens.

The Muslim group has had a bid accepted for Stowe Teaching Unit and plans to take it over in April.

Fire boss aims high Britain’s first Asian chief fire officer, Vijith Randeniya, is warming up in preparation for scaling one of the UK’s highest mountains.

Mr Randeniya, pictured, will be climbing Mount Snowdon in April to raise cash for the Firefighters Charity and Help for Heroes. He will be using full breathing equipment during the gruelling challenge. Good luck Vij!

EDUCATION

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Ofsted highlights 'gaps' in citizenship teaching Some schools in England are struggling to cover citizenship properly, according to inspectors. A report

by Ofsted says that in some secondary schools, pupils have "important gaps" in their knowledge.

However, inspectors say lessons have improved since they were made compulsory seven years ago. Their report, based on 91 schools, says just over half were at least "good" on the subject, but only one was rated "outstanding" and 10 were "inadequate".

In some of these cases, inspectors say, citizenship has been "misunderstood or ignored". The study adds that in schools where citizenship lessons

were only "satisfactory", students were getting an uneven education. In some secondaries, pupils' knowledge was patchy, it says.

"Typically, students knew a good deal about some aspects of the curriculum (such as human rights), but had important gaps in their knowledge. The quality of teaching was also uneven and the curriculum only partly covered."

Often citizenship shared a timetable slot with Personal, Social, Health and Economic

(PSHE) education, but the time allowed was "too little to do justice to either subject", inspectors say.

Inspectors praised schools which gave pupils opportunities outside the classroom for example through volunteering or being part of a school council.

Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert, said: "Citizenship is becoming a well established part of the school curriculum and this report highlights the ways in which schools are successfully promoting social responsibility, community involvement and political understanding.

It is important that the good practice featured in the report is replicated more widely."

The government has accepted the report's findings in full and says it will maintain the number of initial teacher training places for the subject and continue to provide extra training for existing teachers.

Minister warns universities of reduced funding Higher education minister David Lammy has warned universities to expect years of reduced funding.

In an article for the Policy Review magazine, Mr Lammy said universities should be looking for their own sources of income.

They should not rely on a current review of student

tuition fees to shore up their funding, he added.

Last week Lord Mandelson said tighter budgets could spur universities to diversifying their funding.

In December the government in England revealed it would be making extra cuts of £135m to

Fewer schools hit language target Fewer secondary schools in England are meeting a government target on pupils taking a GCSE in a modern foreign language, a survey suggests.

Ministers want schools to have "between 50% and 90%" of pupils taking a modern foreign language at GCSE. But a survey for The National Centre for Languages (Cilt) suggests only 40% of state schools meet this target - and that the trend is downwards.

The government says the proportion of pupils taking languages has stabilised. Across the board, in England last summer, 44% of pupils in Key Stage 4 (15- and 16-yearolds) took a language GCSE. That proportion had not changed since the previous year. Before that there had been dramatic falls, stemming back to the decision in 2004 to make languages non-compulsory from the age of 14. But according to Cilt, that statistic hides a patchy picture.

Independent schools, selective state schools and schools specialising in languages remain strong in this area, while in other state schools,

universities, on top of the £600m announced in the pre-budget report and £180 in efficiency savings.

Mr Lammy wrote in the Policy Review it would be "a good few years" before universities could expect to see any really significant upturn in their income from the public purse.

University vice chancellors should "find ways of relying less on the taxpayer as a hedge against any future tightening of the public purse-strings". But he suggested the implications of the cuts had been exaggerated.

Some universities may concentrate mainly on offcampus teaching, either in workplaces or online, Mr

Lammy believes, while many more students may take part-time courses.

Shadow Universities Secretary David Willetts set out the Conservatives' plans for the sector in the same journal.

The party also wants more people to study parttime and pledges to give them a "fairer deal" in terms of government grants and loans.

The Conservatives say they would create 10,000 extra university places in 2010 and offer graduates a bonus if they pay back their loans ahead of schedule.

The Liberal Democrats have said they would phase out tuition fees over six years.

9

Future Generations Sai School Harrow

by Shivaani Raichura, Age 13

Global Warning One of the charities Sai School has supported over many years is David Shepherd Wildlife F o u n d a t i o n , www.davidshepherd.org /about-us/ David Shepherd is a world famous wildlife artist and conservationist whose charity supports endangered species. Each year Sai students participate in his art competition and this year the theme is ‘Global Warming’.

This year my classmates and I have decided to produce a poster on global warming and who it is affecting, we are mainly focusing on endangered animals.

Our Slogan for our poster is ‘Save Our Souls’.

The artwork will consist of drawings of endangered species being stamped out by humans, we will bring real shoe soles and stick it on top of animals who are being destroyed by us, hence the double meaning title “Save our Souls.”

We are trying to make people aware that the smallest things we do are causing a big problem. For example, just driving to the local shops for bread is affecting animals’ habitats.

Polar bears today are thinner and less healthy than those of 20 years ago, many fish species are moving northward

in search of cooler waters, many animals may even become extinct. Temperatures are rising which is causing ice caps to melt.

But there are things we can do to help save the animals.

For example instead of 4 people using 4 cars to get to the same place, you could use 1 car with 4 people in it, saving 4 times carbon emissions.

You could also take the bus, walk or cycle.

Remember to turn of the lights, television, and computer when you are not using them. Recycle cans, bottles, plastic bags, and newspapers.

By recycling, you send less trash to the landfill and you help save natural resources like trees, oil, and elements such as aluminum. There are many more little things we can do to reduce global warming.

Whenever you take a car journey, think of the animals who are struggling to survive and give your car a rest by walking, riding your bike or taking the bus. I hope that each and every one who reads this article will make it your mission to tell at least 9 of your close friends and family about the state of animals and collectively we can help the endangered species on our fragile planet by reducing our carbon footprints.

Boy, 8, and sister, 9, get GCSE A* in maths fewer pupils are taking language GCSES, the organisation says.

The survey for The National Centre for Languages (Cilt) suggests the number of schools where at least half of pupils in Year 10 study a language is down to 40%.

This compares to 45% last year. The online survey was of 2,000 schools (1,500 state and 500 independent) and was carried out in the autumn.

Cilt's report on the annual survey said: "There is little sign yet of a recovery in take up for languages in Key Stage 4 which have been in decline since 2002-3."

The organisation claims a key obstacle to increasing the take-up of languages is "league table pressures" - that schools are steering pupils towards subjects in which they are more likely to get top grades.

An eight-year-old boy and his nine year-old sister have both gained A* grades in GCSE maths.

Raam Songara and his sister Meera began studying independently after they were given maths textbooks by their father Dipak when they were just four and five.

But Mr Songara, 38, was astonished when they ploughed through the key stage two books and kept getting them more to feed their appetite for numbers.

When the children reached GCSE maths level books last year, Mr Songara gave them a foundation paper to try and was amazed when they scored over 90 per cent.

He asked the children if they would like to take a GCSE exam and arranged with Luton Sixth Form College in Bedfordshire for them to sit the two exams as external candidates.

learn. We are all over the moon with the results. ''They didn't have tutors, I just saw that they were learning at their own speed so I let them get on with it. ''My main concern is to keep them happy and they seemed to be enjoying the maths - and it kept them quiet.''

Raam, now nine, and Meera, now 10, are students at Moorlands Independent School in Luton.

The pair could skip ahead Meera and Raam Songara at school but their parents wanted them to only got them the books to remain with their peer keep them occupied while group, although Raam he and wife 30, looked does study maths two after younger brothers years ahead.

Shiva, seven, and the Mr Songara, who has a other, three. degree in Actuarial Risk management conScience, who originate sultant Mr Songara, from from Nani Rafoodar (near Luton, Beds., said: ''They Lalpur) & Jamnagar, just kept on wanting to After sitting the tests in November, they received the results last Thursday, both gaining top A* grades by scoring over 90 per cent, without having any private tuition.

Mr Songara said he

Gujarat, added: ''We were over the moon when we got the results. The whole family was screaming and shouting. ''I just want them to enjoy their childhood.

There's no rush for them to take their A Levels.''

But the children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are keen to continue.

Meera said: ''We didn't know that the results were coming out so it was a surprise when Dad gave us the envelope. ''I couldn't believe it when we opened it up and we had both got A*s. It was an amazing feeling.''

Raam added: ''I love doing maths, it's really fun. It was exciting to do the exam and get the results, I just want to keep on doing it.''

Raam wants to become a mathematician one day but Meera's favourite subject is English and she is keeping her options open for the future.

10

ART & CULTURE

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Spriha’s

Corner

By Spriha Srivastava

B4U music shines at Asian Bride Show 2010 B4U Music, the UK’s leading Asian network, was the official media sponsor of the Asian Bride Show 2010 held at the prestigious Wembley Stadium on January 2324.

Brides-to-be and wedding planners all made their way to the Asian Bride Show 2010, a two-day bridal show organised by Asian Woman Magazine and which featured the A-Z of a wedding.

More than 10,000 visitors attended the event held at the Wembley stadium on January 23 and 24, 2010.

From High Street retailers to specialist Asian brands, there was a diverse range of products to cater to every aspect of a couple's big day. Among the highlights were on-the-spot

photo shoots and the opportunity to meet and seek advice from industry professionals on how to plan the perfect wedding.

B4U Music, which will feature the second edition of the Wedding Planner program in March 2010, covered the event for broadcast, and got the latest Asian weddings trends from exhibitors, caterers, designers and photographers at the show.

One of the big attrac-

tions at the event was the eye-catching Bollywoodthemed catwalk showcasing the latest trends in glamorous designer Asian bridal wear.

An entertaining performance by talented young singer Navin Kundra, with his love ballad Teri Leye and his upbeat new single Mehbooba were a big hit with the visitors.

Celebrity guests at the show included the immensely popular newlyweds, Shay and Sunny, and brother Tindy from Channel 4’s The (Grewal) Family series.

The couple signed autographs and put on an entertaining act on stage.

Gandhi Nirvan Din 30th January 1948 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of Satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa or total nonviolence—which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi is commonly known around the world as Mahatma Gandhi and in India also as Bapu. He is officially honoured in India as the Father of the Nation; his birthday, 2 October, is commemorated there as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.

National “Sewa” Day launched in UK Events are being organgroups and individuals We have all grown up ised by participating will join hands with us to hearing the word “Sewa” organisations up and make National Sewa Day from our elders and have down the country to a success in 2010.” somehow taken it for allow the community a The aim of this event granted. It is basically a chance to come together is to undertake more and Sanskrit word that on one day. more projects in order to means selfless service. It All the events organprovide service to those is a beautiful concept ised will take place on in need. But the projects and what is even more the same and will not that this initiative will beautiful is the fact that have any from now on a fundraising as day has been this is an dedicated to opportunity to this. give back to the Well yes, community by Last week on giving up some14th January thing as valu2010, about able – our time. fifty commuFrom Infants nity groups through to and three hunPensioners dred people Founding organisations with Rt. Hon. Gareth braved the icy Thomas MP, Minister for International Development anyone can get involved and weather of - signalling his support for the initiative make a differLondon to ence. undertake must abide by come together and The concept is surely three governing princilaunch ‘National Sewa an excellent collaboraples. Firstly, it should Day’ at the Shree Kutch tion between various aim to relieve hardship Satsang Swaminarayan organisations and indiand poverty. Secondly, Temple in Stanmore, viduals in the Indian the project should bring London. At this historic community in UK. a little joy where none event - cultural, religious, Mr Arup Ganguly exists. And finally, it is to caste, youth, sports & concluded by saying: help the environment. health groups pledged to “Today marks a very The projects will vary organise activities that important day, as the and encompass all age promote social action founding organisations’ and ability groups. The and volunteering for give us confidence to two rules that will apply their members on 21st work in partnership with universally are that each November 2010 – which groups all across the task must not take up is the first National Sewa country to reduce hardmore than one day to Day (NSD). ship & poverty, to help complete and that no On behalf of Sewa our environment, and to fund‐raising takes place International (UK) – the bring a little joy all on NSD. coordinating organisathrough volunteering – The first National tion behind National not by fund raising. It is a Sewa Day that will be Sewa Day, Mr. Arup way for all of us to make held on 21st November, Ganguly, said, our mark regardless of 2010 will provide people “We are humbled our affiliation, level of a chance to give back to with the level of support religious conviction, the community through that this idea has attractwealth, age, sex or volunteering on a single ed and hope and welnationality.” day to make a difference. come more community

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

Gandhi first employed non-violent civil disobedience while an expatriate lawyer in South Africa, during the resident Indian community's struggle for civil rights. After his return to India in 1915, he organised protests by peasants, farmers, and urban labourers concerning excessive land-tax and discrimination. After assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhiji led nationwide campaigns to ease poverty, expand women's rights, build religious and ethnic amity, end untouchability, and increase economic selfreliance. Above all, he aimed to achieve Swaraj or the independence of India from foreign domination. Gandhi famously led his followers in the Non-cooperation movement that protested the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km (240 mi) Dandi Salt March in 1930. Later, in 1942, he launched the Quit India civil disobedience movement demanding immediate independence for India. Gandhi spent a number of years in jail in both South Africa and India.

As a practitioner of ahimsa, he swore to speak the truth and advocated that others do the same. Gandhi lived modestly in a self-sufficient residential community and wore the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, woven with yarn he had hand spun on a charkha.

He ate simple vegetarian food, eventually adopting a fruitarian diet, and also undertook long fasts as a means of both self-purification as well as social protest.

On 30 January 1948, Gandhi was shot while having his nightly public

walk on the grounds of the Birla Bhavan (Birla House) in New Delhi. The assassin, Nathuram Godse, was a nationalist who held Gandhi responsible for weakening India by insisting upon a payment to Pakistan.

Godse and his co-conspirator Narayan Apte were later tried and convicted; they were executed on 15 November 1949. Gandhi's memorial (or Samadhi) at Raj Ghat, New Delhi, bears the epigraph "He Ram", which may be translated as "Oh God". These are widely believed to be Gandhi's last words after he was shot, though the veracity of this statement has been disputed.

Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the nation through radio: "Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it.

Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the father of the nation, is no more.

Perhaps I am wrong to say that; nevertheless, we will not see him again, as we have seen him for these many years, we will not run to him for advice or seek solace from him, and that is a terrible blow, not only for me, but for millions and millions in this country."

Gandhi's ashes were poured into urns which were sent across India for memorial services. Most were immersed at the Sangam at Allahabad on 12 February 1948 but some were secretly taken away.

In 1997, Tushar Gandhi immersed the contents of one urn, found in a bank vault and reclaimed through the courts, at the Sangam at Allahabad. On 30 January 2008 the contents of another urn were immersed at Girgaum Chowpatty by the family after a Dubaibased businessman had sent it to a Mumbai museum. Another urn has ended up in a palace of the Aga Khan in Pune (where he had been imprisoned from 1942 to 1944) and another in the

Pandit Nehru with Mahatma Gandhi

Self-Realisation Fellowship Lake Shrine in Los Angeles.

Gandhi Nirvan day in London ! In London, Mahatma Gandhi Foundation (UK) is observing Gandhi Nirvan Day on Friday 29th January at 6:30pm in Kenton at St Gregory's Catholic Science College. HE Nalin Surie, Indian High Commission and MPs, Lords, Mayours of Harrow and Brent are invited. ! The India League is observing the same on 30th January 2010 at 11am in tavistock square, London WC1 where Mahatma's statue is situated.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Body of brave Sikh hero returns to Punjab The body of brave Sikh hero, who was stabbed to death, returned to Punjab, accompanied by his father. Sukhwinder Singh was stabbed to death as he chased robbers, who had been robbed a lady on January 8.

Three men were arrested by police but have been allowed bail.

No further arrests have been made Cllr Inder Singh Jamu told a local paper, “The untimely death of late Sukhwinder Singh has earned great recognition for this act of bravery which has earned enormous fame to Sikhs particularly in Sikh uniform Punjabis and Indians UK. Keeping in view his bravery, Prince Charles,

Sukhwinder Singh

Seminar to be held Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar along with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Construction Division is hosting a free seminar/event at the Brent Indian Association (BIA),Ealing Road on Sunday 28th February for construction workers providing advice on various health and safety measures they will need to keep in mind whilst they are on the construction sites.

Also they will be advised on their statutory rights whilst they are on construction sites.

Workers from the construction Industry are free to attend and the seminar will be in Gujarati and English. Please note there are only few seats and the seats are offered on a first come first serve basis only.

Time: 3pm to 6pm To book your seat please call on 020 7749 4013.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Leader of the Borough of Barking and Dagenham Mr Smith who is my Ward colleague, Police Commander and many more leaders of various organisations have sent message of condolence and sympathy to the family of Sukhwinder Singh along with members and visitors of Gurudwara Singh Sabha, East London.

“The leader of borough of Barking & Dagenham Cllr Liam

Smith has kindly agreed to my request that a resolution to recognise the bravery of Sukhinder Singh will be passed in the next Assembly of the Council. Sardar Pakhar Singh father of Sukhwinder Singh of Village Dholanwal District Ludhiana arrived here on 22 January to take the body of his son back home.

“Bhog ceremony was held on 23 January at Gurdwara Barking which was heavily attended by various organisations and Gurdwaras representatives in spite of international conference on same day at Coventry against the new Sikh Calendar.

To provide financial support to the victim’s family money was generously donated from various parts of the country including donations from British people.

“A local Funeral Company, who arranges funeral services has conducted a free service as a token of sympathy with Sikh community.

“DGPC has ceased this opportunity and has made necessary arrangements including special car with Sewadars to take body from Delhi Airport to Village Dholanwal.”

11

Terror scare at Manchester Airport A large part of Manchester Airport was evacuated last week after a man attempted to carry an unidentified white powder onto a plane.

The substance was discovered in a bag that the Asian man, who is believed to be in his 20s, was planning to take on a flight from Manchester to London Heathrow.

It comes less than 24 hours after Britain's terror level was increased to 'severe' - meaning an attack is 'highly likely'.

A chemical incident was declared and the check-in and security screening areas at the airport's Terminal 3 were evacuated for several hours.

The rest of the airport remained open, but a number of flights were delayed.

The powder - which the man was carrying in both his hand luggage and hold baggage - was later found to be harmless.

An Explosive Ordinance Device Team attended the scene but found no evidence the powder could be used as a detonator.

The passenger helped detectives with their inquiries at the scene as

the tests were carried out but no arrests were made in connection with the incident.

The passenger had been trying to board flight BD589 to Heathrow, which was due to depart at 1.55pm.

It is understood he told airport staff that he was carrying a 'freezedried compound' on behalf of a friend.

It is thought the Home Office's decision to increase the terror alert level on last Friday night was prompted by the impending visit by Hilary Clinton.

Tory MP Patrick Mercer, chairman of the Commons counter-terrorism sub-committee, said it was not surprising the terror threat had been upgraded.

He added: 'The reduced level we have had recently is unusual - we are back to the norm'.

Britain is now on a similar level of alert to the U.S.

Time to clear the air!

UK Health and Safety Law protects you even if you are not working here legally

Rhaynukaa Soni Outreach Executive

Protect your lungs when using cut-off saws If you work on the roads building or maintaining highway paving then you are likely to use a cut-off saw. In English it is also known as a disc cutter or a ‘whizzer’. As you know cutting kerbs, paving or blocks can produce enormous amounts of stone dust. This dust will contain some very tiny dust particles called in English ‘respirable crystalline silica’ (known as RCS). Exposure to RCS dust can cause serious health problems and

may eventually kill you.

Large amounts of crystalline silica can be found in kerbs, flagstones, bricks, tiles and concrete. Cutting any of these with a powered saw produces the very tiny RCS particles. They are so small that they cannot be seen. If you breathe in RCS you could develop the following diseases: Silicosis - Silicosis makes breathing more difficult and increases the risk of lung infections.

Lung cancer – heavy and prolonged exposure to RCS can cause lung cancer.

Chronic lung diseases – like bronchitis or emphysema which cause breathlessness and prolonged coughing. They are slow to develop and are rarely seen in people under 40. They can be very disabling and are leading causes of premature death.

How to reduce the risk to your lungs Damp down the dust.

Water suppression is your

You are at risk if the dust you breathe in over a full shift contains more RCS than the amount shown next to the penny

first line of defence. All modern cut-off saws have an attachment for a water hose. You need a minimum water flow rate of 0.5 litres per second to damp down the dust effectively.

Even with water suppression you will need to wear a suitable dust mask.

Normal masks for stopping nuisance dust do not protect your lungs. Your mask should have a protection factor of 10. Even when water suppression is working effectively you should use either a mask called FFP3 or a respirator with

P3 filters.

Your employer must provide you with this basic equipment and train you to use it free of charge. If your employer does not respond then you can call HSE in confidence.

Maintain equipment ! There is no point in using good equipment if it is not working properly.

You should check your machinery and safety equipment regularly. ! Make sure the water jets are working properly.

Maintaining an adequate water flow by cleaning the

water jets is essential and should be done at least every time the blades are changed. ! Replace worn cutting discs to reduce the cutting time. ! Maintain the hoses and water bottles. ! Inspect and maintain masks – masks should be replaced regularly.

Other risks You should consider the safety of others as well as yourself when you operate a cut-off saw. Use suitable personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses and ear defenders. Make sure these items are worn correctly

Helpline: 0207 556 2181 e-mail: desi@hse.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/gujarati

and are suitable to be used all at the same time.

Remember! ! You cannot always see dust from cutting ! Dust could harm workmates or other people standing near you ! Always damp down dust ! Wear a suitable dust mask If you are worried about health and safety at your site talk to your employer, the main contractor or a safety representative. If you are still worried, you can contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Call our Helpline to speak to an advisor in English or Gujarati: 0207 556 2181 All calls are confidential and you do not have to give your name if you don’t want to. Alternatively, you can send us an e-mail with a complaint or enquiry to: desi@hse.gsi.gov.uk For more information go to: www.hse.gov.uk/migrantworkers

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Scrutator’s “Harbingers of hope for India in 2010?”: Soutik Biswas's title for his thoughtful BBC News blog was a good read. “Has India's 'Deciding Decade' begun?, he asks. “A study done by a Delhi-based economic research firm along with a leading newspaper, thinks so. It says that India's GDP can grow at an average annual rate of 9.6 per cent for the next ten years even if there were no reforms. Incomes will double, the middle class will burgeon and urbanization will proceed at breakneck speed.”

So much for his opening lines. The rash of positive Indian stories, however, were topped by news from Bihar, for long a basket case, the “poorest, most lawless, underdeveloped – appears to have clocked the fastest rate of growth during 2008-2009. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Mr Biswas says that if the “Bihar government is to be believed, the state's growth rate – 11.4 per cent – is higher than India's industrially developed states.... Bihar's remarkable 'turnaround' shows the way for India, in a way.” The quoted academic Pratap Bhanu Mehta put it well: “for the first time in modern Indian history, Indians, including the very marginalized, have an idea that change is possible: our destinies are ours to shape.”

A Times of India report (January 4) set this achievement in a broader context. The previously designated 'sick' states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa, but now they were escaping the poverty trap with 7 per economic growth. Apropos of Bihar, once considered the most hopeless of the lot, The Times said: “Chief Minister Nitish Kumar deserves an award for the most inclusive revolution of the decade.”

And so say all of us.

Defining India The Wall Street Journal writer S.Mitra Kalita's article, “The Decade that Defined India – and India Defined” (December 28, 2009) was an absorbing analysis of India's emergence from the shadows.

Ms Kalita set the scene. “Nobody knew what would happen when 1999 ended. Would computer systems crash and paralyze machines?....The

more than serve US companies....The bookends of this decade are significant for India and its place in the new economic order.

The backlash against outsourcing remains a very real threat, intensifying amid 10 per cent unemployment in the US. But outsourcing – and the idea that companies must operate cheaply, efficiently, globally – has come to be an accepted, inescapable reality....Indeed many

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson in India

Indians called in to help....worked days and nights....This was the decade that defined India and India defined....

Americans didn't know India at all, [the image of the country being] of snake charmers and the Taj Mahal, poverty and filth....Ten years later, the world is in panic mode again....this time, it's from the evolution of that nascent outsourcing model into the engine of a robust global player that can do

information-technology consultants who worked for Y2K-related clients 10 years ago have gone into business for themselves, twisting the outsourcing model into all sorts of sectors, from transcribing hospital records to offering American teenagers help with their homework.”

Into the future Ms Katila concludes: “But congratulations for India must be fleeting. It is too

easy to look backward to see how far it has come. It is hardly fruitful to look forward to a time that it might surpass China or the US as a superpower.

What will distinguish India in the decade that begins Friday [January 1, 2010] is its ability to look inward, to clean its government, to uplift more of its population, to foster the businesses and innovations....and make [the] success of the last 10 years the norm across regions and industries.That might just clinch more than the next decade – it could pave the way for an Indian century.” It's all to play for.

Indian strength Lord Mandelson, UK Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills, during a visit to New Delhi in December 2009, where, addressing local entrepreneurs, he remarked that Tata's investments in the Jaguar and Land Rover automotive brands had woken up Britain to the growing strength of Indian manufacturing.

Distinguishing the past from the present, he said: “ There are many facets of India's relationship with Britain in respect of history language, culture, values, democracy and the rule of law. But our future engagement will be about collaborating in science and research, joint ventures in high value, high technology-based synergies drawn from both countries and innovation will provide the spark, the agenda.

There were, he went on. almost 250 partnerships in India between British universities and institutions and this may grew tenfold in the next five years.

Lord Mandelson also said that nearly 2,500 British entrepreneurs would get British government support in their search for Indian partners to share their technology and know-how in sectors like infrastructure, automotive, life sciences and energy.

India-Israeli ties deepen Zee News online (in India) stated (January 6) that India and Israel were deepening their security ties with a meeting between their respective experts in New Delhi on stepped up co-operation in counter-terrorism and related fields.

These issues were discussed between India's security chief M.K.Narayanan and his Israeli counterpart Uzi Arad. India-Israel anti-ter-

rorist co-operation had grown exponentially following the Pakistan terror attack on Mumbai on 26/11 2008.

The bilateral joint working group on counter-terrorism met in New Delhi in December (2009) and held detailed deliberation on ways in which such co-operation could be enhanced, particularly in the field of intelligence sharing.

A separate meeting took place between the Israeli agriculture minister, heading a large Israeli business delegation, and his Indian counterpart, Sharad Pawar, on ways to intensify India-Israeli cooperation in agriculture.

The two sides reviewed bilateral co-operation in this field and were satisfied at the progress, but they believed that there was room for further improvement in recycling waste water, efficient use of water in agriculture and higher value agriculture.

Mr Pawar was invited to pay a visit to Israel to acquaint himself with the latest Israeli advances in water management and other areas of agriculture.

Solar eclipse

Bajaj Pulsar 135cc model motorbike

plete with a countdown and commentary....the study of such rare phenomenon as the annual solar eclipse is not only intellectually rewarding but has useful, long-term practical applications.”

(The Hindu January 16) Meanwhile, Srikumar Banerjee Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, said a second Bhabha Atomic Research Centre would be established in Visakhapatnam since BARC, Trombay, was expanding in a big way.

The Visakhapatnam centre would concentrate on energy science and the environment.

The Department of Atomic Energy's mandate

India launched a total of 10 Rohini rockets from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Kerala and the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in

Bajaj Auto's new brand strategy in motorcyles has paid off well, with the company on course to record its best year ever in profitability and market share. Its market share, which was barely 17 per cent a year ago, has jumped to 35 per cent today. “We have more than doubled our our market share in a year and would be at our highest level by the end of this quarter,” said Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director.

His confidence clearly stems from the fact that there were still three months to go before for the recently launched Pulsar 135cc to consolidate itself in the market and start clocking volumes.

(Business Line, January 12)

Heart valve that worked

Indian rockets to study the eclipse

Sriharikota to study the effects of the longest annual solar eclipse of this millennium. An Indian space scientist at Thumba said: “It was a spectacular sight. It was an exhilarating experience. On the one hand, there was the aweinspiring sight of the moon covering the disc of the afternoon sun....On the other hand, was the roar of five sounding rockets zooming into the sky one after another, com-

Bajaj Auto posts new high

was also to conduct basic research in physics, chemistry, mathematics and material sciences, Dr Banerjee said.

V.K. Saraswat, Director-General, Defence Research and D e v e l o p m e n t Organization (DRDO) said it was working on hypersonic cruise missiles.

It had developed an engine for missiles that was driven by kerosene (The Hindu, January 5).

A new heart valve designed at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvanthapuram in Kerala has made a difference to the lives of people with damaged valves, notably for its greater affordability, stemming from its lower cost. With states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu starting health insurance schemes for the poor the demand for this valve is set to grow.

“Nothing was more painful or cruel than the denial of a surgical procedure to a patient on the ground that a life saving device was beyond his or her means,” wrote M.S. Valiathan, who headed the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for two decades.

In 1976, with a project funded by the Department of Science and Technology be initiated efforts to make hearty valves within the country with superior durability because of its mechanical device, not one that used human or animal tissue, said G.S. Bhuvaneshwar who came to the institute as a young engineer and was entrusted with the task of developing the valve.

He must be a fulfilled and happy man.

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

www.abplgroup.com

Alpesh Patel Consultant Editor Financial Voice

13

UK benefited from Indian investments in 2009 4,000 jobs created in Britain, says Prince Michael of Kent

Dear Dear Financial Financial Voice Voice Reader, Reader, I write to you from Dubai where we are launching new Sterlingmarkets.com services. Here, as from elsewhere, the popularity of Financial TV has never been greater. Each fortnight I co-host a slot on CNBC in London for an hour. Sometimes I come across CEOs. Every Wednesday on Bloomberg TV I would crossexamine the CEO of a company who had their results that day. You may think CEOs speak English. It may sound like the language you use to communicate. But it is not. It is ‘CEOese’. Here are some translations.

CEO: Profits are up Translation: Profit is opinion, but cash is fact. Our profits are up even though we have less cash in the bank because: we sold some of our ‘crown jewel’ assets as a one off. So the profit rise is a one-off exceptional item not the start of a trend. And those assets we sold, we’ll need those in the future.

Actually, when we said we sold those assets, it wasn’t for cash. It was a barter arrangement and ummm… so our cash balance isn’t improved…but hey, we can still call it profit because we put a ‘notional value’ in the accounts.

CEO: Prospects are good Translation: We are not telling you about the contingent liabilities; the lawsuits and the pension provisions. We can lean on the accountant to say it is not too bad and so our figures don’t look too bad, until the proverbial hits the fan that is. But hey, I’ll have left by then.

CEO: I have every confidence in the company Translation: That damn headhunter still hasn’t agreed my golden handshake at the next job.

CEO: We have increased profits from increased revenue growth.

Translation: You might think sales are growing and this is adding to profits, especially with wider profits margins. That would get your vote. But I am afraid I am tricking you. We are counting money that is expected but not in hand. That allows us to show greater revenues and profits. Guess what? Sometimes we think there is little chance of getting that money.

Bristol-Myers Squibb overstated $2.5 billion in revenues and $900 million in earnings between 1999 and 2001 by giving incentives to move product before the end of its quarters.

CEO: We have increased market share Translation: Sounds good doesn’t it. Actually this is achieved from a lower profit margin and that means price-cutting to increase volume. That can be fine in the short-term, but longer term I do not rate those earnings as necessarily high quality.

CEO: Our cost-cutting programme means our profits are up Translation: Cost cutting can be a short-term benefit before longer term profitability is hit. Imagine for instance companies cutting on research and development. This years earnings go up, but in five years you pay the real price for potentially under-investing.

CEO: People selling our stock are midguided Translation: Actually they’re &*&S! In April 2000, Enron CEO called hedge fund manager Richard Grubman an a--hole during a conference call with analysts and investors. Less than eight months later, the company was filing for bankruptcy, costing investors billions.

CEO: Don’t worry about the footnotes Translation: Heck that’s where I have hidden everything.

CEO: If you ignore the one-offs it looks very healthy Translation: Yeah, these one-off expenses come in every year, they’re not so one off. Cendant, Kodak,

Even as the global economies were under the impact of the severe meltdown, Britian gained substantially from Indian investments and the bilateral trade between the two countries witnessed a double digit growth in 2009, Prince Michael of Kent said in Mumbai, the commercial capital of India last week. He also pledged

a donation of $100,000 for rebuilding Nariman House that was badly damaged in the 26/11 attack.

Indian investments were instrumental to create 4,000 jobs in UK the previous, as the India – UK trade crossed £12 billion. He emphasised that the two countries need to work together as there is a potential for further business

growth. Prince Michael was on a three day visit to India to visit the Global Economic Summit in Mumbai. He said India and UK should co-operate in facilitating more small businesses in the both the countries through venture capital, appropriate financing vehicles as also reducing the red tape. Limited long term finances, con-

straints on external commercial borrowings and a limited bond markets were the impediments, he added.

A strong SME sector is very important for emerging economies like India.

Financing from innovative sources such as mutual, pension and infrastructure funds should also be explored, Prince Michael further added.

ONGC, Hindujas in dispute over Iranian gas share quantum British business group wants half of the jv share, ONGC to give only a quarter The joint venture between India’s state owned firm ONGC and Hinduja Group, the business group owned by British business barons of Indian origin is in a dispute over the quantum of share that they have got from Iran after they succeeded in finding huge gas reserves at the giant Sourt Pars gas field in the gulf country.

According to sources in the knowledge of the

matter, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) feels that the joint venture was offered a stake by Iran was primarily due to ONGC’s expertise in the business. Hence, it wants seventy five percent of the jv’s share in the LNG that Iran has offered, while the Hindujas say their subsidiary (Ashok Leyland Projects Services (ALPS) should get fifty per cent of the LNG. ONGC is of the

view that as ALPS has no experience in the oil and gas exploration and production, they should get only twenty five per cent.

Iran signed agreements just last month after years of tough negotiations. As per the agreements, the ONGC led joint venture would get 40 per cent of the gas in SP – 12. There is also another three way joint venture between ONGC, ALPS and

Petronet LNG that is a partner in Iran LNG. This company is setting up a plant to convert gas from SP – 12 field into LNG for exports. Iran LNG pact provides that the Indian jv will buy 20 per cent stake.

Here, the Hinduja group wants half of the stake for itself, leaving half to be shared between ONGC and Petronet LNG. There are differences on this partnership too.

Star Alliance is still far away for AI Maharaja yet to complete systems integration Flying into the Star Alliance seems still a long journey for Air India, as one of the basic requirements – of systems integration is yet to complete for the Maharaja. This was the assessment of Wolfgang Mayrhuber, chairman and chief executive of Lufthansa the German car-

rier and one of the founding members of the Star Alliance after a meeting he had with Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav.

Lufthansa CEO also said Air India still has some other issues that needed to be sorted out apart from upgradation of

Edison International, HCA, Weyerhauser. Each of these companies took a special charge/gain in each of the 20 quarters between 1998 and 2002.

CEO: We’re sorry to lose him as a director, but he’ll still be a consultant Translation: Yes, a very lucrative consulting contract indeed and I hope to get one when I leave…we’re trying to make it a tradition in the board room.

CEO: The director did well and so we feel the perks are sound practice Translation: Damn you’re good, no one hardly ever notices the non-cash perks such as flights on the corporate jet. Of course that doesn’t mean we run the company like a personal bank account…much.

CEO: Yes, we have increased the amount in nonaudit fees with pay the accounting firm Translation: Damn again, you really know your stuff. Okay Enron also paid a lot more to their auditors, who just happened to look the other way, but we’re not playing that game. Honest.

the IT technology. The process of Air India joining the Star Alliance started way back in 2006, when it got the invitation to get on board with a group of 25 airlines globally.

The alliance has a network that operates more than 19,500 flights daily from 1,071 airports in 171 countries.

Being a member of the alliance brings in benefits of improved product offering, better service standards, access to new markets and premium customers as well as partnership with leading global

airlines. Sharing of airport lounges and synchronisation of flight schedules are also benefits that provide seamless travel to passengers on a single ticket even though they may have to fly with more than one carrier in a single journey.

Air India already has made Frankfurt its hub for Europe and the USA, which is the hub for Lufthansa.

The two also have a code sharing pact. The German airline sees tremendous growth potential in India.

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Maruti whizz past Japanese parent unit in 2009 production, sales Maruti Suzuki, the leader in Indian car market, whizzed past its Japanese parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation in production and sales for the year 2009.

Maruti sold 9,67,581 cars for the year ended 31st December, 2009. The figures include exports of 1,30,688 cars. The production numbers were 9,66,399 units. Suzuki Motor Corporation recorded production of 9,08,302 units.

Maruti Suzuki has also announced an investment of Rs. 17 billion at its Manesar plant near Gurgaon, which is aimed

to increase the capacity of the plant by 250,000 units per annum by 2012.

Suzuki Motor Corporation expects to cross the cumulative sales figures of 20 million units in January, 2010 since its inception in 1955. This is against Maruti Suzuki sales of 8 million cars in 27 years. The Indian subsidiary, which was a joint venture in the initial years was started in the 1980s and has been the market leader right from the start up. Now a fully owned unit of the Japanese parent company, Maruti enjoys more than 50% share in India.

Adani’s Mundra Power project gets UN environment certificate Mundra Power Project in Gujarat of the Adani group has been certified as the first of its kind environment friendly project a UN body, as it was registered as a CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) project under the UNFCCC, according to a release of Adani Power Limited.

An authorised body under the Kyoto Protocol, UNFCCC registers such projects after stringent scrutiny. Mundra Power Project is being set up with a final capacity of 4,620 Mega Watt. Of this, the first two super critical units of 660 MW each are

scheduled to be commissioned in the year 2010-11.

In all, APL is setting up a 9,240MW thermal power generation capacity at three places, the other locations being Tiroda in Maharashtra (3,300 MW) and Kawai in Rajasthan (1,320 MW).

The enhanced plant efficiency reduces emissions of carbon dioxide and all other pollutants by consuming less fuel per unit of electricity generated.

The efficiency improvement has led to registration as CDM project and earning of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs).

China bounces back with 8.7% growth Beijing about to beat Tokyo as the global no. 2 economy China has bounced back to economic health, registering an 8.7 growth for the year 2009. It is all set to overtake Japan as the second largest economy of the World, The official figures released by government for the last quarter of 2009 showed a growth of 10.7 per cent, which was very much beyond expectations. The high growth was a result of recording spending by the government in infrastructure projects.

Analysts though point out that most the growth that China has registered is backed by the huge stimulus plans of the government that began in

Novermber 2008. The total outlay of the stimulus was US$ 586 billion.

China still faces the twin challenges - a widening gap between urban and rural areas, and a continued dependence on growth that is either government-driven or exportled.

Signs of bubbles Global experts though fear that the growth in China is a bubble and may burst soon. An economist with the World Bank, Andrew Burns said, “We can already see some signs of bubbles and signs of tensions in the Chinese economy, in particular in the housing sector.”

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UK out of recession after 18 months Recovery very meager – just 0.1 growth for Q4 of 2009 Against an expectation of 0.4 per cent growth, UK registered a very meager economic growth of 0.1 per cent for the October – December 2009 period, signalling that the country has just been able to beat the recession after 18 months of downslide.

The lower growth has raised fears that the country could slip back, as UK witnessed an overall meltdown of 6 per cent and 4.8 per cent for last year, the biggest annual contraction since 1949.

UK is the last of the major G7 countries to emerge out of the meltdown effect.

Analysts term the growth as a blow to hopes of a decisive upturn.

Jonathan Loynes, an analyst at Capital Economics, said “As

household incomes are still under pressure, credit in short supply and a major fiscal squeeze looming, the path to a full recovery is going to be a long and bumpy one”. He predicted the GDP growth for the country would be below 1 per cent in 2010.

Hetal Mehta, senior economic adviser to the Ernst & Young Item Club, said the preliminary GDP estimate was at odds with much more upbeat survey data.

'There is a strong possibility that the Q4 figures will be revised up,' she added.

While unemployment fell for the first time in 18 months, manufacturing sector also recorded an upturn. ONS data said the positive growth was driven by the distribution,

hotels and restaurants sectors.

A Treasury spokesman said: 'The Chancellor has always said that the economy would return to growth by the turn of the year, and today's estimate of 0.1 per cent growth in the fourth quarter bears that judgment out.

'What this estimate makes clear is that the Government is right to be confident but cautious about the prospects for the economy and that it is right that we keep supporting the economy.

No early withdrawl of support, assures Brown As minister have privately expressed fears of UK likely to slip back into recession, Prime Minster Gordon Brown insisted that as British was last to emerge out of the slump,

tightening the belt would be likely only in 2011 The Prime Minister, speaking at his monthly press conference, said: 'My judgment was that we had to act quickly, decisively and dramatically to deal with the recession.

'I have been proved right. My judgment about the present situation is withdraw the stimulus too quickly and you lose jobs and you put the recovery at risk.

Tory leader David Cameron said it was good news that official statistics are expected to confirm that Britain is finally out of recession. But he said that with Britain borrowing £6,000 a second, the recovery was being put at risk by Mr Brown's refusal to begin immediate public spending cuts.

SpiceJet ready to fly beyond India, buying 4 new planes The Indian low cost carrier to hire 140 – 150 new staff for the expansion One of India’s biggest low cost airlines, SpiceJet is ready to fly beyond India as it completes five years of its operations in the country in May next. The airline is to buy 4 new aircrafts and has plans to hire about 150 new employees – about 100 flight attendants and 40 pilots for the expansion.

SpiceJet chief executive Sanjay Aggarwal, speaking to mediamen said they have already applied for permission to fly to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Maldives. The current regulations in India require that an airline should have a minimum of five years of domestic

operations, before it can be allowed to fly abroad.

SpiceJet is set to complete that period in May. The airline at present owns and operates a fleet of 19 Boeing aircrafts.

Sanjay Aggarwal further said the airline also

has plans to raise huge amount of funds for future growth. At present, as SpiceJet has enough money, they are yet place the proposal of further fund raising before the board of directors. They would be aiming at mobi-

lizing an amount of upto US$ 75 million.

Flying high on record profits in Q3 The airline clocked a record net profit of Rs 1.09 billion for Q3 of 2010 (October – December, 2009) against Rs 180 million over the same period a year ago. Droppping ATF prices and 36% rise in operational income led the company to post robust net profit.

SpiceJet also benefited from the Indian Rupee going up against the US dollar, as a part of company's cost like lease rental, maintenance, employee costs etc. are dollar denominated.

Reliance Globalcom launches Simply Reliance Plan in UK 1.25 p/minute to calls to India; 2.2 million customers worldwide Reliance Global Call, the global leader in web based calling card services has launched a aggressive and simple plan that offers, consumers across the UK, the lowest rate of 2.49 pence/minute on Free Phone and 1.25 pence per minute on Geographic access numbers to call India. This plan makes it cheaper for millions of consumers in the UK who want to call India. With unique services that allow you do dial directly from your phonebook and unmatched voice quality, Reliance consumers enjoy a call experience that has never been possible before, by any calling card customer.

The new call rates to India are applicable for customers who sign up/ recharge from 10th Dec 2009 to 10th Feb 2010.

The Simply Reliance plan is offered to all existing customers, both prepaid and post-paid, as well as new customers wanting to join the Reliance Global Call family. This pay as you

use service has no annual or monthly contract or any other hidden charges and is available online www.relianceglobalcall.co m or by calling the toll free number 0800 376 9636.

“Reliance Global Call is the leader in the global virtual calling card services. It has a market share of over 40% and a consumer base of over 2.2 million customers.” said Mr. Michael Sauer, President, Global Voice, Reliance Globalcom. “The Simply Reliance plan will help us significantly in consolidating our position as a global leader in the calling cards market. We will continue to innovate our services and offer unmatched value to our customers”.

2.2 million subscribers worldwide Reliance Global Call, have said a record 2.2 million subscribers now use Reliance Global Call to

call over 200 countries, maintaining a clear lead in the global web-based calling card service market.

Reliance Global Call has delighted users across America, the U.K., Australia and Asia, and it offers calls to over 200 countries across the globe at amazingly low rates.

With unmatched voice clarity, easy accessibility and ease of use, users can call from any phone from anywhere and using any device.

The service has a host of incredible features like direct phone book dialing, Auto Recharge, IVR Recharge and many more.

The service is available online at www.relianceglobalcall.com "Reliance Global Call is happy to announce about the increase in its market share and add new customers from America, Europe, Australia and Asia. The customer additions are a true testimony of the excellent call quality, service experience and strong product proposition offered by Reliance

Global Call," Michael Sauer added.

Reliance Globalcom, a division of Reliance Communications, spearheads the Global Telecom operations of India’s largest Integrated Telecom Service Provider. The company owns the world’s largest private undersea cable system spanning 65,000 Kilometers seamlessly integrated with R e l i a n c e Communications’ domestic optic fiber running over 190,000 Kilometers, providing a robust Global Service Delivery Platform connecting 40 key business markets in India, USA, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific region.

Reliance Communications, the flagship company of the group, with a customer base of over 90 million including over 2.5 million individual overseas retail customers, ranks among the Top 5 Telecom companies in the world by number of customers in a single country.

15

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Gujarat rings in with video telephony BSNL prepares for commercial launch later this year Gujarat will be probably leading on yet another front in the telecom revolution. BSNL, the government owned operator has already unveiled Video Telephony, in association with a private partner – SIS. The services will be launched commercially after a six month selected trial run.

Sam Pitroda, advisor to the Prime Minister of India last week unveiled the services, in association with Sai Info Systems (SIS) India Ltd. BSNL general manager Sudhir Kumar Bhandari, speaking to reporters on the

India will emerge as 3rd largest economy by 2012 A shift in the global economic power has been perhaps expedited by the US financial crisis.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a global consultancy firm, in a report says India can overtake Japan to become the 3rd largest economy globally by purchasing power parity (PPP).

Goldman Sachs has projected in its BRIC report that India could march ahead of Japan, but the date predicted is 20 years behind what PwC projections.

After 2020, India is expected to grow faster than China. The Asian giant is also now projected to become the no. 1 global economy by 2020, PwC reports says.

launch, said pilot project results have proved that the service is of the highest quality standards.

Sam Pitroda, also known as the father of telecom revolution in India, said video telepho-

ny and broadband connectivity have the potential to enhance education, healthcare system and government administration as well as improve economic and social development.

Video phone service will be available in wire line as well as wireless medium over IP. A wide range of phone equipment from simple to high-end models will be introduced in the market, according to SIS officials.

Fat travelers to book double seats with Air France Obese passengers flying

by Air France will be requested to book double seats. The airline has decided urge them under new guidelines that will be effective from 01 April, 2010. The French national carrier has cited safety as the reason.

Air France feels overweight passengers are a

serious safety hazard to other passengers. They are causing huge discomfort to fellow travelers. A part of the largest airline group in Europe in terms of revenue, the airline has further said if the flight is not booked to full capacity, the passengers with double booking would be given refund for the second seat.

Mumbai to have a Commonwealth Bank of Australia branch soon Commonwealth Bank, a leading Australian financial giant would open its first branch in India in Mumbai in the second quarter of 2010, an official of the bank said.

Pravin Batra, head of the commercial banking division of the

Commonwealth Bank, said they have already received RBI approval for opening the branch. The focus of operations will be on financing trade among India, Australia and New Zealand. Earlier, the bank had a representative office in Bangalore.

US regulator requested to protect Satyam in the new avatar Further curbs will hurt the new owners, shareholders: Salman Khurshid Indian minister for corporate affairs Salman Khurshid has urged the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) to keep in mind the interests of investors in the scam tainted Saytam Computer Services, which is Mahindra Saytam in the new avatar, as the SEC is likely to decide on curbs on the Indian software firm.

The minister also said

that the government has established the accountability of the erstwhile Satyam management and has also been able to safeguard the interests of the stakeholders to a large extent. “As far as we are concerned, we have communicated (to US SEC).

The best that could be done has been done for the company,” Mr Khurshid said.

Mahindra Satyam

faces probable punitive action in the US as the company’s ADS (American Depository Shares) were listed and traded on American bourses. In the US, the securities laws allow fraud-hit investors to get compensation from the errant parties. The SEC can also enforce action and get damages and compensation for the investors.

Alpesh Patel’s Political Sketchbook: The Election – the PPCs: the dim and the obnoxious I have met quite a few first time prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) recently – from all parties. And am quickly under the impression you either need to be dim or obnoxious to qualify...or both. I am considering giving up being a vegetarian, because on speaking to PPCs it’s quickly clear they are from the vegetable family.

There are some exceptions – Rahoul Bhansali is a good PPC. But otherwise I get the impression ego and selflove seem to block their ear passages. And to think the Cabinet may be selected from this lot one day. Actually, it won’t.

And anyway, say what you will about the Civil Service, but I rather they ran the country than the vacant wannabe dictators standing for election.

Take scene one. I was at a large dinner and seated next to a PPC. I innocently asked which constituency she’d been ‘given’, meaning which one had the party selected her for. On she goes for what seemed longer than Avatar about the electoral process not being one where constituencies are ‘given’.

As I glazed over looking for a hammer to bang my toes for light relief, or with which to bang her head in the interests of democracy, I recommended she ‘knock on as many doors as possible in the campaign’ which she took as a complement.

That one fell in the dim and obnoxious category, because although as she pointed out she was a senior person at a firm who deals with

Jet for a stake in MRO jv with Malaysian Airlines Carrier back in profits, to raise funds through private placement of equity Jet Airways, India’s oldest and one of the best private carrier has decided to pick up an equity stake of 26 per cent in an MRO joint venture with Hyderabad based MAS GMR Aerospace, the company has informed the BSE. Jet board of directors gave their approval to the proposal, though the company has not disclosed the amount involved in the deal.

Jet investment would be partly in cash and partly in some other form of consideration. MAS GMR

Aerospace Engineering Company is a joint venture between the GMR group and the engineering arm of Malaysian Airlines.

Private placement route to raise $150-200 mn Senior Vice President

of the airline also told reporters that Jet Airways has plans to raise $150 million to $200 million through placement of equities to institutions.

The details for the same will be decided in next few

weeks.

Airline back in black, earns net profit in Q3 for FY 2010 A statement on the October – December 2009 performance by Jet Airways said on Tuesday that the airline came out of the red, recording a net profit of Rs. 1.058 billion against net losses of Rs. 2.148 billion over the same period last year.

The profits were in the face a decline of net sales, which stood at Rs. 27.22 billion as compared to Rs. 29.08 billion for the same period of 2008.

some big companies and a party hack since she was out of nappies and so automatically entitled to win, she also was under the belief she would win because of her ‘national profile’.

I’ve got news for you.

Local MPs profiles rarely get them elected. Your constituents don’t know who you are and don’t care. That’s why you joined a party and didn’t run as an independent sweety. Hmmm...seems like I know more than her about elections after all.

Then there was the occasion at Buckingham Palace. Another virgin PPC. As we stand in line to be introduced to the Queen, a time perhaps when decoram and dignity are called for, I feel sharp jabbing elbows from behind. No, not the ghost of Princess Diana, not even Prince Phillip, but another wannabe MP. Pushing through.

Fine. Understandable. It is the Queen. No longer has the Queen arrived than what does the PPC engage her Majesty in?

Conversation about how much our would-be expense fiddler’s daughter loved the Queen’s outfit. As the Queen could not get a word in edgeways – her opinion mattering less to the PPC than the PPCs own views, it was difficult to tell if the look of disgust from the monarch was because she too could not find a handy hammer.

So for all the entrants to ‘Make me an MP’ here are some top tips: Listen. We the electorate want to be heard not talked at. Read that again dimwit. (Sorry for calling you dimwit, but

I’m playing the odds).

You’re not clever, you’re not better. We secretly think if not an MP you’d still be living off the state on the dole.

Just because you’ve been grovelling to the party and your beloved leader for years does not mean you are entitled to a seat. And if you get voted in, it’s not your charm and delightful wit that did it. Trust me. It certainly ain’t that....ummm and also it’s not your looks either that got you elected... however many affairs your planning as a legislator.

And that pose you’ve perfected, with the tilt of your head. You may think you’re looking down on us with disdain, we just think you’ve got long nasal hair.

Don’t be pushy – you never know, a charming columnist with a 180 IQ might be the person you push and next time he may name names.

The columnist hails from Karamsad and is a former Visiting Fellow at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

He read Philosophy, Politics, Economics at St Anne’s College, Oxford when he also interned in the US Congress during the Clinton administration, read Law at King’s College, London, qualifying as a barrister. He is a former Bloomberg TV presenter and Financial Times columnist with 250+ columns published in the FT and author of 13 books on business and the markets. He is the founder Praefinium – a global Asset Management company.

A.patel@praefinium.com

RIL back to pink with profits rising Turnover up by 93%, net profit increases by 16%

Reliance Industries Limited, one of the largest corporates of India registered a rise in net profits for the Q3 ended 31st December, 2009 after five consecutive quarters of decline. At Rs. 40.08 billion, the net profits showed a rise of 16% (Rs. 34.62 billion) over the same period last year.

The Q3 numbers were better than expectations, mainly as gas production of the company went up

as also increase in crude oil processing at its new refinery. The turnover of RIL turnover increased 93% to Rs 588.48 billion, up from Rs 305.37 billion in third quarter of FY09.

RIL’s net during first nine months of 2009-10, however, declined 1.3% to Rs 115.26 bn from Rs 116.82 billion for the same period a year ago.

RIL’s outstanding debt as on December 31, 2009, stood at Rs 700.08 billion.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

17

Suresh Vagjiani is the Managing Director of Sow & Reap, a Property Investment & Financing company.

To profit or not to profit?

I have just finished watching the film Avatar.

The word Avatar comes from Sanskrit and means to Descend. Avatar is a film with multi layers of themes running through it. It has esoteric themes yet is also very down to earth. In a nutshell we in Earth want to invade

ships and communities became exploited and dissected with the sole intention of making profits.

Lessons learned can be applied in developing countries like India, where the country is going through a staggering amount of develop-

to. This method would be easier for the broker not for the client. To date we have never used a bridging company to fund for auction purchases, this should be done as a last resort due to the expense involved. Bridging companies do release funds very quickly even within

THE NAL SAFARI PROJECT The “Nal Safari” project by Rituraj Group is an offering of Farmhousecum-Weekend homes that holds the possibilities of best returns in terms of both lifestyle and investment. Situated on the state highway, and only about 30 minutes drive from the SP Ring road that connects the peripheral areas of Ahmedabad, the project site is positioned within a tract where the up and coming neighbourhoods of future Ahmedabad are being built.

The Nal Safari Project boasts of a scenic natural habitat lying close to some of the best-known resort areas in Gujarat. These include:

! Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary ! Goyal Water Park ! Gulmohar Country Club ! The Film City Project (under construction and attracting around Rs.2000 crore investment)

another planet to exploit its resources for money, with no regard for their deep culture and connection with mother earth.

The earthlings proceed with their plans with total disregard for the indigenous population.

A similar theme was there in the recent TV documentary showing of Slumming It, where the culture cultivated in Shanty towns with generation after generation now faces threat in with the new 20:20 vision for Bombay , where due to the huge uplift in property prices these shanty town have literally become gold mines and now face the threat of being grazed to the ground in the interest of pure profit.

It made me wonder whether the property we deal in now had it origins in a similar scenario.

Perhaps once upon a time it too formed an important fabric of the community, till the profits grew too high. And then town-

ment. The development should take into account the original and indigenous members of society.

Sadly I doubt this will be the case as the golden rule is he who has the gold makes the rules.

This week I am writing about another case where we helped use money to make more money.

This is a recent case, where a client approached us to purchase and fund a property from an Auctioneer. This was a probate property where the original owner had died and left it to family. The family had become frustrated with some failed sales they had on the property and wanting a firm sale to go through they put the property into auction.

This means no ifs and buts, the property will be sold and they will have the funds in 28 days. The purchaser was advised by another broker to arrange bridging funds.

We advised him not

24 hours and many are starting to lend now on valuation as opposed to purchase price. We managed to fund the property within the time frame allowed of 28 days using conventional funding.

The property was a two bedroom ground floor flat on Park Lane leading up to Wembley High Rd, minutes away from the newly developing Wembley Central station where new build one bedroom flats are being sold for around the £200,000 mark. This property had a shortish lease of 50 years and was in a dilapidated condition. The property was spacious and could have easily been converted into a three bedroom flat.

Our client has now sold the property for £216,000 and made a handsome profit. This was a small development, great for a first time investor, as any mistakes or delayed sales will not cause to much pain.

Mortgages Commercial Finance Gujarat Properties - Sale & Resale Property Sourcing

With excellent comfort, convenience and a lush green environment, the area will contain Horse Riding, Water Fall, Swimming Pool, Water Body Boating and other entertainment areas including Mini Golf, Cricket Ground, Rock Climbing, Riffle Shooting, Archery and clubhouse. And it does not end there. The developers have committed to provide cemented roads, green avenues, children’s playing area, a party-cum-wedding area, roadside plantations, street lights, relaxing pavilions, jogging tracks and deep tubewells with a water supply line to each plot and membership scheme of 24 hours security through circuit TV.

PURCHASE OPTIONS AT THE NAL SAFARI PROJECT The Project offers different sizes of plots ranging approximately from 300 Sq yards to 3000 Sq yards , with vast options of building types - fit to fill dreams and pockets of all sizes. Rates of construction and land prices remain the same across the range of sizes and build up area but may undergo normal escalation with time – since the launch (two years ago) the plot prices have tripled.

DOWN PAYMENT AND INSTALLMENT PAYMENT PLANS: There are two payment plans. One is “down payment” and other is an “Installment payment” plan of 10 equal monthly installments. In both the plans, 20% of total cost is to be paid at the time of booking. In the down payment plan one has to pay 10% less than that under the Installment plan.

TENTATIVE BREAK-UP OF COSTS COST OF LAND Land prices are now available at about £32 GBP per Sq yard, the rate being subject to escalation with time.

According to prevalent rates and plot sizes, plot prices would vary from £9000 to £90000.

CONSTRUCTION COSTS Prevalent construction costs are between £20 per square feet. Going by the offered sizes of build up area, construction costs would vary between £5000 to £50000.

RITURAJ GROUP Profile Rituraj Organisers Pvt Ltd. was incorporated in 1996. Since a decade the company is engaged in various types of construction activities. It has executed many projects like commercial buildings, residential apartments, industrial sheds, plotting, private bungalows and resorts, etc.

For specific information on investment contact us on 0207 706 0187 or email info@sowandreapdesi.com

MORTGAGE BROKER REQUIRED Are you an outstanding mortgage broker?

If so we want to hear from you!

The ideal candidate must be fully CeMap qualified and should have: mortgage broking experience, a genuine care about the needs and requirements of the client, integrity, professionalism and commitment. Excellent communication and time management are essential.

Email your CV to eana@sowandreap.co.uk with a covering letter explaining why you would be suitable for this role.

Sow & Reap Call On: 0207 706 0187 Email at: info@sowandreap.co.uk

Sow & Reap Properties Limited is trading as Sow & Reap.

Registered in England No. 05083823 Registered Office Address: 31 Southwick Street, Paddington, W2 1JQ

18

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

I like men with clean feet: Poonam Bajwa For a guy to make that perfect first impression on a gal, he has to have that certain X-factor that makes her swoon! So if you are trying to impress Poonam Bajwa, you either get yourself a pedicure or a fine pair of shoes! Why? Because Poonam gives a lot of importance to feet hygiene.

“The first thing I look at in a guy, are his feet! Clean feet and toenails are a big turn on! Badly-maintained feet say that the guy is too shabby for my liking! It puts a big question on personal hygiene,” she explains, and adds, “I also look at the nape of the neck! I like neat, short hair styles on men!” Well, she’s got all her preferences set!

Watch out for Poonam Bajwa in “Kacheri Aarambam” opposite Jiiva and in “Thambikottai” opposite Narain.

e in n d u lo c n o a in a n Su h an o made her debut wit Actress Sunaina, wh lil ha ad “K in ce an rm overpowering perfo of ful nd ha h elated wit Vizhundhen” is more film, second r he th Wi ts. projec l, sfu es cc su g to be “Maasilamani” turnin le up co for d ne sig ly she had simultaneous time. of films at the same ina has completed na Su w, no ht Rig and adhumaagi” “Ya for shooting out ab film a is el” av “Kadhiravel.” “Kadhir s lot h wit interwoven an usual love story ments incisively ele ng sti ere int of tes of youth catering to the tas her other film cohorts. Similarly falls under the too i” “Yaadhumaag same category. complet“Yaadhumaagi” was is slatd an e ed before a long tim tine’s len Va on se ea ed for the rel e will sh t tha Day. Sunaina reveals after ts jec pro er oth be signing for has it ce sin , the release of this film to perform. e op sc re offered her mo

Selvaraghavan clarifies on ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ “Aayirathil Oruvan,” which was directed by Selvaraghavan has created a lot of controversies regarding the story and the scenes. The film which was released during Pongal has Karthi, Reema Sen and Andrea in lead roles. The film was produced by Ravendran at a cost of pound 4.29 million. This film is about 2 archeologists and one young man who is in search of the missing heir of Chozha king. The story of the film begins in 2009 and travels backwards to 12th century. Parthiban is the heir of Chozha king. Reema Sen and Andrea are the two archeologists. Karthi is the young man who assists the two women. As the film has created controversies, the producer and the director called a press meet to explain their stand.

Following are the questions posed to them and their answers: The second half of the film is confusing?

If the film is keenly watched, the audience can understand the film.

Literary dialogues are not understandable?

The dialogues were in accordance to the Chozha period. That is why this took place in the film. I wanted to have sub-titles in these scenes. There is nothing worse than this if I put subtitles for Tamil.

Whether this film was written keeping the ethnic problems of Sri Lanka in mind?

There is nothing like this. People are telling that this film is adapted from a Hollywood film. But nobody will be able to tell the title of the Hollywood film because the whole story is from my own imagination. Have our imaginations run out so much that we have to depend on Hollywood films.

There are scenes that make women audience flinch?

These comments came from the audience. So immediately we had trimmed these scenes. We have reduced the length of the film by 15 minutes. In the same way we have deleted the violent scenes.

Priyanka named Best Actress in 56th National Awards Priyanka Chopra has bagged the Best Actress Award for her role in the multiaward winning film “Fashion” at the 56th National Film Awards.

Following her closely is her costar Kangana Ranaut, who walked away with the Best Supporting Actress Award. The Best Actor Award has been bagged by Upendra Limaye for his stunning act in Marathi film “Jogwa”.

As for the Best Hindi Film, the award was bagged by Abhishek Kapoor’s “Rock On”, while the Best Film Award went to Rahul Bose starrer Bengali flick “Antaheen”. The Best Director Award went to Tamil filmmaker Bala for his film “Naan Kadavul”.

Abhay Deol starrer “Oye Lucky Lucky Oye” gets the Popular Film Award and Neeraj Pandey’s “A Wednesday” was named as the Best Debut Film of 2008.

Stunning actor Arjun Rampal won the Best Supporting Actor award for his acclaimed role in

“Rock On”.

Best Hindi Film: “Rock On” Best Film: “Antaheen” (Bengali) Best Actress: Priyanka Chopra (“Fashion”) Best Actor: Upendra Limaye “Jogwa” Best Director: Bala (“Naan Kadavul”) Best Supporting actress: Kangna Ranaut (“Fashion”) Best Supporting actor: Arjun Rampal (“Rock On”) Best Debut Film: “A Wednesday” Best Special Effects: “Mumbai Meri Jaan” Best Popular Film: “Oye Lucky Lucky Oye” Best Music Direction: Shams Patel (“Thanks Maa”) Best Male Singer: Hariharan Best Female Singer: Shreya Ghoshal Best Animation Film: “Roadside Romeo” Best Editing: “Firaaq” Best Children Film: “Gubachi Ganu” Best Costume Designer: Neeta Lulla (“Jodhaa Akbar”) Best Choreography Award: Chinni Prakash (“Jodhaa Akbar”)

Rahman again in the running for Oscar Tamil song ‘Na Na’ in ‘Couples Retreat’ has been shortlisted A R Rahman’s first Hollywood film “Couples Retreat” has won him a place in the Oscar shortlist yet again for the Best Original Song. The Tamil song ‘Na Na’ has been was shortlisted in the Best Original Song category for the 82nd Academy Awards. The number is special for Rahman as it marks his six-year-old son Alim’s debut as singer.

It will compete with 62 songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures for nomination, to be announced on February 2, according to the official website of the Academy awards.

‘Na Na’ was written by

Rahman along with rapper Blaaze and Vivian Chaix and sung by the trio along with Alim, Clinton and Dominic.

The musician, who became the first Indian to win two Oscars, is in the running for the coveted

prize for the second consecutive year.

Last year Rahman’s ‘Jai Ho’ won the top prize in the Best Original Song category. He also took the trophy for the Best Soundtrack for his compositions in “ S l u m d o g Millionaire.”

Directed by Emmy-nominated Peter Billingsley, “Couples Retreat” revolves round four couples trying to reconnect with each other through a tropical-island vacation.

The film stars Vince Vaughn and Kristin Davis.

Aamir bags biggest endorsement deal Aamir Khan has landed the biggest endorsement deal in Indian advertising history. He will promote new telecom entrant, UAE’s Etisalat, for pound 4 - 5.37 million for three years, kicking in some fresh energy into the Indian advertising segment that has been licking its wounds from the financial slowdown.

Mr Khan, along with his Bollywood competitor Shah Rukh Khan, already commands the biggest rates, pegged at pound 806,112 - 1.07 million per year per endorsement.

However, the figures pale in the light of the billion-dollar life-time endorsement that golf leg-

end Tiger Woods signed, and the $70 million deal that Russian tennis sensation Maria Sharapova bagged early this month from Nike for eight years.

An Etisalat official said that the deal was inked before the release of “3 Idiots,” where Mr Khan plays the iconoclastic Rancho.

The movie, that was released last month, notched pound 32.22 million from box office collections in the domestic and the international markets during its first 10 days, making it the biggest box office grosser in the history of Indian cinema.

The Bollywood superstar already promotes brands such as Parle, Coca-Cola, Tata Sky and Samsung. “The association with Aamir has done wonders for us; he strives for perfection and he’s a complete brand fit that goes beyond being just another celebrity endorsement association,” said Tata Sky chief marketing officer Vikram Mehra.

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

www.abplgroup.com

19

BollyKats

Freida refuses to pose with Shilpa

A Ram Gopal Varma film, Rann is a social drama that perhaps depicts the present day scenario of India.

Rann means battle - a fight between large organized forces. In the context of a civil society and its seep complexities, large organized forces (here it is political parties, industrial czars and news channels) are not just involved in a fight with each other, but more importantly and frighteningly. They are battling a war within themselves and this especially true of news channels.

The ways the news are presented today are much more entertaining than family soaps and thrillers.

What's worse is that we enjoy this kind presentation so much that we have got addicted to them.

There is the government - a system which runs the country, then there are wealth creators like industrialists etc. and then there are politicians in the ruling party and the opposition.

All the above in a democratic society are supposed to be working for the common people and the one and only means of the common people having any idea as to what those are up to is through the media. Hence the media had been invented as a truth telling machinery serving the purpose of the common people so that they know they are in good hands on in case they are told that they are not, they can hope to exercise the power of their vote to bring about a change.

But in a free economy system where there is so much competition the media by default is lost in its purpose.

Rann seeks to expose behind-the-scenes truth of how a truth telling machinery by the very virtue of its positioning has no choice but to corrupt it lf it is to become a money-making and power-brokering enterprise.

Produced under the banner of Vistaar Religare Film Fund, Big Bang Films Production and WSG Pictures by Sheetal Vinod Talwar and Madhu Mantena, Rann is directed by Ram Gopal Varma.

Rohit Banawlikar has the credits for the story and writing.

The lead cast consists of Amitabh Bachchan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Paresh Rawal, Mohnish Behl, Suchitra Krishnamurthy, Rajat Kapoor, Gul Panag, Neetu Chandra, Rajpal Yadav, Sudeep, Rahul Pendkalkar, Neena Kulkarni, Simone Singh, Iklaq Khan and Alok Nath.

Lyrics are by Vayu, Sarim Momin, Sandip Singh and Prashant Pandey, while Music has been scored

by Dharmaraj Bhatt, Sandeep Patil, Jayesh Gandhi, Bapi Tutul, Sanjeev Kohli and Amar Mohile.

Vardan, Shadaab Faridi, Aditi Paul, Jayesh Gandhi, Abhishek Nailwal, Rajpal Yadav, Sukhwinder Singh, Sanjeev Kohli, Earl and Kunal Ganjawala have rendered the playback.

1. Ishqiya 2. Rann 3. Road To Sangam

Top 4 Bollywood movies for the week 1 2 3 4

3 Idiots Chance Pe Dance Pyaar Impossible Dulha Mil Gaya

No. Last Week 1 New 2 3

Freida kept her distance from the Bollywood starlets.

According to a tabloid, when a photographer requested Freida to pose with Shilpa for a picture, she flatly refused to oblige. Nevertheless, the girl was seen posing together with other actresses, as Lara Dutta, Malaika Arora, Dia Mirza, Sameera Reddy and many others were present at the launch. But next to her was Genelia D'Souza, not Shilpa.

Confirming the news, a source said, "It was evident that Freida wasn't

too comfortable with the attention she was getting.

There was a conscious attempt on her part to not be clicked with the Btown actresses. When asked to pose with Shilpa, she just turned it down and moved the other way."

When asked about the incident, Shilpa said, "Who is Freida? I don't know about her throwing a tantrum but as far as I know nobody asked me to take a photo with her. I was asked to do one with the entire group and I did that. I have no problems posing with anybody."

Priyanka-Bebo giving sleepless nights to Katrina Katrina Kaif, who gave numerous hits, last year, has just one film for 2010.

And the fact that her competitors Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor have many films lined up for release is giving her sleepless nights.

According to sources, while Katrina has mostly done romantic comedies in the past, she will be entering a new territory this year with Prakash Jha's ‘Rajneeti'.

She now

wants to do more films that are issue-based, like the ones that Madhur Bhandarkar makes. She has expressed her desire to even work with Bhandarkar, as t h e lead actresses in his films always win awards.

While

rumours of Katrina starring in ‘Dostana''s sequel, Imtiaz Ali's next film opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Farah Khan's ‘Tees

Maar Khan' are doing the rounds, sources indicate that Katrina doesn't have anything on her hand other than ‘Rajneeti' and Abbas Mustan's remake of ‘The Italian Job'.

H o w e v e r, Katrina rubbished this piece of news stating that she is very busy with her films. She also denies having contacted Madhur Bhandarkar.

Sonam replaces Katrina to be Akki’s lucky charm Sonam Kapoor, finally, has a reason to smile.

According to reports, she has bagged a lead role opposite Akshay Kumar in director Anees Bazmee's next flick 'Thank You.' Not only that she has also said to have replaced Akki's lucky charm Katrina in the flick.

Akshay has always been a fan of the sizzling beauty ever since she

made her debut in 'Saawariya'. He has been so much in awe of the young lass that he even mentioned his desire to work with Sonam to her father Anil Kapoor. Some time back there were reports that Farah Khan also was considering Sonam before she finalised Katrina for “Tees Maar Khan.”

A source reveals that “Thank You” is a romantic comedy and will see Sonam in a totally different role. There was buzz that Katrina had landed the role, but the source confirms that her dates were clashing with the Dostana sequel.

The film is supposed to go on floors mid year and will have Sonam in a double role. Sonam has read the script but is still to make a final decision. At the moment she's in New Zealand shooting for “I Hate Luv Storys.”

Vidya refuses to work with Rani?

New Hindi movie releasing this week

No. Film

It seems like Freida Pinto's Hollywood hangover is far from over. Surprisingly the archetypal Mumbai girl during her visit at a recent launch of an international brand's luxury store was seen giving a cold snub to all the Bollywood hotties present.

It was a high profile event and the shutterbugs were busy clicking the ladies as they m o v e d a ro u n d .

Total weeks 4 1 2 7

Filmmaker Deepa Mehta desired to work with Vidya Balan and had plans of casting her in a comicventure paired opposite R Madhavan two years ago.

However, due to some reasons, the plan didn't work out. She now wants to work with Vidya on the adaptation of Salman Rushdie's book, 'Midnight's Children'.

Vidya even liked the script as well the role a lot.

But, another catch has come up. Deepa wants

Vidya to play Rani Mukherji's sister in the film. And that is exactly where the problem lies because neither of two actresses wants to work together. The animosity between Vidya and Rani goes back to when Pradeep Sarkar cast Rani in “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.” Sarkar had earlier made “Parineeta” with Vidya and made her a household name.

But when he chose

Rani over Vidya for his next film, Vidya was left shocked.

While she had nothing bad to say about Sarkar, she was clearly hurt.

Deepa, who has no idea about any of this, still wants both of them to work together. Now who will turn the other down first? Will it be Vidya? Will it be Rani? Only time will tell.

20

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Modi mobilises millions from appearance fees to fund charity Bollywood stars may be raking in millions from appearances at various events, but they have a rival from an unexpected quarter - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

He is a good crowd puller too, and has made the best out of his popularity with the masses, but used the funds so raised for good causes.

Modi though does not a have a fixed appearance

Narendra Modi

fee, as his office asks for donations from the hosts of the events, and the

charges may be varying as per the paying capacities of the organisers. A part of the donations go to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Modi has thus mobilised Rs. 230 million in last five years and most of the money has gone for educating the girl child in the state.

An aide of the chief minister said Modi started seeking donations in 2006.

Tourists from Commonwealth nations may get 50% visa fee concession Granting a concession of 50% in the visa fees for tourists coming from Commonwealth countries is under consideration, a source in the Indian ministry of tourism said last week.

The tourism ministry proposal stems out from the response to the ‘Visit India 2009’ campaign,

which received positive response.

The ministry is also in touch with stakeholders in the tourism industry – hospitality business, tour operators and others to extend the offer they had made available last year.

The aim is also to attract more visitors as

India is to host the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.

UK, Canada and Australia have a lion’s share in the tourists inflow to India from among the Commonwealth countries.

There are 54 members of the Commonwealth of nations of which visitors from UK.

OZ award for Indian origin scientist for research in Alzheimer’s disease Indians in Australia are in news for some right reasons also - for recognition of their contribution in research in health care and human welfare. An Indian-origin Australian researcher Professor Ralph Martins, conducting research on Alzheimer’s disease has been named western Australia’s Australian of the Year. He will join recipients from all other Australian states and territories, along with three other western Australian award winners, for the national awards that are to be announced on January 25 in Canberra.

Born in India, Professor Martins had moved to Perth when he

Martins shares his was 16. “The breakthrough award signals research with speProfessor Martins’ cialists in India. contribution to Currently, he is research on collaborating with Alzheimer’s disDr Jacob Roy, ease. It is a recogfounder president nition of his contribution,” says Ralph Martins of the Alzheimer’s and Related Peter Varghese, Disorders Society of India Australian High (ARDSI), a body involved Commissioner to India, in running Alzheimerwho himself is an related clinics and Australian of Indian oriresearch centres in India. gin. “I am particularly He is also working closely delighted that Professor with researchers at the Martins has been honNational Institute of oured. His Indian backMental Health and Neuro ground speaks of the conSciences, Bangalore; the tribution of the diaspora National Brain Research in Australia and stands Centre, Gurgaon; and testament to the multi-culwith Benny Antony of tural nature of Australian Kerala-based Arjuna society,” he adds.

Natural Extracts Ltd. Incidentally, Professor

Choose voter ID and voting or burqa, says Supreme Court The Supreme Court of India has made it plain that muslim women would have to choose between voter ID and voting or burqa. The ruling from the apex court of India has come at a time when atleast two European countries, France and Denmark are also moving ahead to almost ban burqa.

The moves in all the three countries are facing strong resistance from clerics.

The instant case came before the Supreme Court of India, as earlier in 2006, even the Madras High Court had upheld the Election Commission’s stand that muslim women voters cannot be photographed unless they appear with their burqas lifted for their faces being captured on the cameras.

Even at the time of voting,

the burqa-clad women would be required to lift their veils for identifications.

The order was challenged and the Supreme Court as counsel for petitioner M Ajam Khan said asking `purdah-nashin' women to lift their veil for being photographed would amount to sacrilege as their photographs would be seen by many men working as polling agents and electoral officials.

"It will hurt their religious sentiments and the

Election Commission must not insist on `purdah-nashin' women to be photographed for inclusion of their name in the electoral rolls," said the counsel arguing before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice Deepak Verma.

As the petitioners again insisted on protection of religious sentiments, the Bench said the right to vote was only a statutory right and not a fundamental right. Right to contest an election is an extension of the right to vote. Can anyone contest an election saying photograph of her face be not taken? Can she be photographed in a burqa with a veil and yet contest an election? the judges asked.

In divine light

BY RAJEN VAKIL

Kunti – the power of invocation Kunti, wife of Pandu, is the mother to five Pandava princes, of whom she has given birth to the three elder Pandavas. Kunti was the daughter of Surasen, father of Vasudev and grand-father of Sri Krishna. Kunti’s name at birth was Pritha, meaning Earth.

Surasen had promised to give his first child to his c o u s i n , Ku n t i b h o j .

At a young age, Kunti willingly l e a v e s Surasen’s house to become the a d o p t e d daughter of Kuntibhoj, in order to fulfil her father’s promise.

Thus, she was born with an element of sacrifice embedded in her character.

One day Rishi Durvasa, known as a very difficult master, arrives at Kuntibhoj’s court, announcing that he would be staying there for a year. The thought of how and who would take care of him puts Kuntibhoj in a dilemma. Here, Kunti volunteers and assures her adopted father that she would take care of the Rishi.

Rishi Durvasa was known to curse his disciples for having even a slight scowl on the face; needless to mention being cursed at the smallest of mistakes or expressing displeasure in any form. For a year, Kunti cared for Rishi Durvasa, going through a hard routine and catering to what may sound to us as whims of the Rishi.

The Rishi would wake her up in the middle of the night and ask for a full meal to be prepared.

On being offered the meal, he would eat a morsel and throw the rest out of the window, shouting angrily that the food was disgusting.

Once, he complained of the plate being too hot, hearing which Kunti bent and offered her back to be used as a table. The Rishi put the scorching vessel on her back, scalding her completely. Kunti did not flinch in the least and willingly accepted the harsh treatment meted out to her.

Through the whole year, Kunti underwent all hardships thrown at her without the slightest sign

of displeasure on her face.

After a year, Rishi Durvasa was very pleased to see Kunti go through all the tests he had put her up to. He

blessed her special powers and a mantra which could invoke cosmic divine forces. Hence, the name Kunti. ‘Ku’ means to call, the one that has the power of invoking or calling divine forces from a higher dimension.

Kunti was very young when she underwent this process. Out of curiosity, she tested one of the mantras, invoking Surya (the Sun God). Surya blessed Kunti with a son, later known in the Mahabharata as Karna (and would be subject to ridicule). This put Kunti at her wit’s end as she was still unmarried. She put the child in a basket and set the child adrift in the water of the river Ganga. Later, she married Pandu and mothered the Pandava princes.

When Rishi Ved Vyas wrote the Mahabharata, he wrote it in form of a simple story but each line is laden with symbolic meaning. Let us try and unravel this in the case of Kunti.

Before a master separates from his disciple (with whom he has limited time to work), he wants to ensure that the disciple’s ego has dissolved completely. If not done, the master knows that even an entire lifetime of work with the disciple could go in vain.

In order to free the disciple of the ego, the master becomes wrathful and takes on a form that is difficult to deal with. He does this to test whether the disciple is completely free from ego or not.

Rishi Durvasa symbolises this aspect of the master.

If a disciple willingly

goes through the whole process of suffering and a difficult testing period, he comes out of it a different person. This disciple is free from the bondage of ego. Once the ego is dissolved, that void is filled with certain divine powers of working with the natural forces of life. Kunti symbolises this disciple who is free from ego and who has smilingly undergone such difficult tests and time under a wrathful master.

The curiosity of Ku n t i (the disciple) represents the lack of ‘viveka’ when she used the mantra. Viveka is intelligence along with the power of discernment. Pandu means white, representing the intellect within us.

Kunti’s marriage with Pandu symbolises the dawn of maturity in Kunti which brings the right use of power, leading to the birth of the five Pandavas. Pandu also had another wife, Madri.

Using the mantras and calling from a higher dimension, Kunti gave birth to Yudhisthira, Bhima, and Arjuna. She also helped Madri give birth to twins, Nakula and Sahdeva.

Our body-brain system has five centres or the Pandavas.

The Pandavas, namely Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahdeva represent the intellectual, sex, emotional, moving, and the instinctive centres respectively.

Of the Pandavas, Arjuna represents our inner disciple. The disciple uses his body-brain system to increase his level of consciousness till he merges with supreme consciousness, Sri Krishna.

For this, we must know the sciences of the working of the bodybrain system.

From the next article, we shall study each of the Pandava brothers in detail.

(Edited by Chintu Gandhi.

Illustration by Siddharth Ramanuj.)

The author can be reached by emailing 3srb@live.com

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

The history of 26th January for India The history and importance of 26th January in India dates back to the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress that was held there in January, 1930. A decision, a pledge to observe 26th January the “Purna Swaraj (complete Independence) Day” of India was taken at that session.

Subsequently, as the constitution of India was ready, it was adopted on that day in 1950, almost three years after the country gained its Independence.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, messiah of dalits and downtrodden in India is also one of the main architects of the Indian constitution. He was the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947.

The Lahore session in 1930 was held under the presidency of Pt. Jawarhar Lal Nehru. It paved way to the Civil Disobedience movement.

It was decided that January 26, 1930 would be observed as the Purna Swaraj (complete Independence) Day. Many Indian political parties and Indian revolutionaries

from all over the country united to observe the day with honour and pride.

India was declared a Sovereign, Democratic Republic on the day, as the constitution, prepared by the constituent assembly came into force in 1950. It is 60 years since India is being governed by its own constitution and the country has made a rapid progress as a d e m o c r a c y.

India also has earned reputation as the world largest and most vibrant democracy. The republic day celebrations are led by the constitutional head, the President in the New Delhi and governors in the state capitals.

Parades are also held at all district headquarters all over India, with flag hoisting ceremonies and a variety of cultural programmes are presented by especially school children.

On 26th January 2002, the Indian flag code was modified and after several years of independence, the citizens of India were finally allowed to hoist the Indian flag over their homes, offices and factories on any day and not just National days as was the case earlier.

Republic Day Special

21

Nobel laureate Venky, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, A R Rahman, Aamir get Padma honours Winner of the Nobel prize for Chemistry – V e n k a t r a m a n Ramakrishnan, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Sant Singh Chatwal were among the prominent Indians settled abroad who have been selected for various Padma awards by India on the occasion of the Republic day, 2010.

Oscar winner music maestro A R Rahman and actor Aamir Khan have been selected for the highest of the civil honours declared for the year 2010 – Padma Bhushan. Six sports persons - boxer Vijender Singh, shuttler Saina Nehwal, cricketer Virender Sehwag, hockey player Ignace Tirkey, Formula I driver Narain Kartikeyan and Tendulkar’s coach Ramakant Achrekar (all Padma Shri) as well as six from Gujarat were also among those to be honoured.

130 people have been selected for the honours, with no one getting the highest honour of “Bharat Ratna”, 6 getting the next highest of Padma Vibhusan, 43 getting Padma Bhushan and 81 to receive 81 Padma Shri awards.

Among the awardees woman account for 17 honours, while 13 are Indians settled abroad.

A R Rahman

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

Among the six Gujarati winners, Pro. Madhusudan Dhaky, Kumudini Lakhia and Mallika Sarabhai get Padma Bhushan it in the field of arts, while Dr. Karsanbhai Patel, founder of the Nirma group of Industries, Scientist working at the Plasma Research Institute in Ahmedabad Prof. Pucadyil Ittoop John alongwith USA based NRI Dr. Sudhir Parikh were honoured with Padma Shri.

This year the President has approved 130 awards including 13 in the category of foreigners/ NRIs/ PIOs. These comprise 6 Padma Vibhushan, 43 Padma Bhushan and 81 Padma Shri awards.

There are 17 ladies among the awardees.

Padma Vibhushan Art: Ebrahim Alkazi (Delhi), Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman (Tamil Nadu) and Smt. Zohra Sehgal (Delhi), Public Affairs: Dr.

Yaga Venugopal Reddy (Andhra Pradesh), Science and Engineering: Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (UK) and Trade and Industry: Dr. Prathap Chandra Reddy (Tamil Nadu).

Padma Bhushan Art: Ilaiyaraaja (Tamil Nadu), Aamir Khan (Maharashtra), Akbar Padamsee (Maharashtra), Allah Rakha Rahman (Tamil Nadu), Pandit Chhannulal Mishra (Uttar Pradesh), Smt. Kumudini Lakhia (Gujarat), Kuzhur Narayana Marar (Kerala), Prof. Madhusudan Amilal Dhaky (Gujarat), Ms. Mallika Sarabhai (Gujarat), Prof. (Dr.) Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana (Andhra Pradesh), Pandit (Dr.) Puttaraj Gavai (Karnataka), Ram Kumar (Delhi), Shrinivas Vinayak Khale (Maharashtra)and Ustad Sultan Khan (Maharashtra).

Civil

Service: B.K. Chaturvedi (Delhi), Moosa Raza (Delhi) and Dr. P.R. Dubhashi (Maharashtra).

Journalism: Fareed Zakaria (USA). Literature and Education: Anil Bordia (Rajasthan), Prof.

Bipan Chandra (Delhi), G.P. Chopra (Delhi), Prof.

Mohammad Amin (Delhi). Prof. Satya Vrat Shastri (Delhi) and Prof.

Tan Chung (USA).

Medicine: Prof. Belle Monappa Hegde (Karnataka), E.T. Narayanan Mooss (Kerala), Dr. Noshir M. Shroff (Delhi), Dr. Panniyampilly Krishna Warrier (Kerala), Dr. Ramakant Madanmohan Panda (Maharashtra), Prof.(Dr.) and Satya Paul Agarwal (Delhi). Public Affairs: Prof. Abhijit Sen (Delhi), Sailesh Kumar Bandyopadhyay (West Bengal) and Sant Singh Chatwal (USA). Science and Engineering: Prof.

Arogyaswami Joseph Paulraj (USA), Prof.

Bikash Chandra Sinha (West Bengal) and Jagdish Chandra Kapur (Delhi).

Social Work: Dr. Balagangadharanatha Swamiji (Karnataka) and Eknath Rao alias Balasaheb Vikhe Patil (Maharashtra).

Continued on page 22

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22

Saturday 30th January 2010 - Asian Voice

SS Menon is new NSA Outgoing National Security Advisor MK Narayanan is replaced by former Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and he will hold a post equivalent to the Minister of State. The change in the rank comes after much debate within the Government about restructuring the NSA profile. Menon was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's first preference. He has served as Ambassador to China, Pakistan, Israel and Sri Lanka, had played a crucial role, along in accomplishing the India-US nuclear deal. He was appointed Foreign Secretary in September 2006 superseding 16 claimants to the job.

A gala event called Vishwa Gujarati conclave spreads its wings to Ahmedabad SWATI BHAN This winter Ahmedabad had more than just the International Kite Festival to boast of . The city also played host to the fourth conclave of Vishwa Gujarati Samaj (VGS) where Non Resident Gujaratis from at least 21 countries across the globe participated. On the agenda were many things like good health facilities, better education facilities across the state and also sanitation facilites to be made available even in the most interior parts of the state.

Mr. Krishnakant Vakharia, president of VGS, said that the three-day event was meant to bring nonresident Gujaratis living across the globe on a common platform to discuss various aspects of Gujarat and its culture Realising the importance of the role of Gujaratis across the globe, Mr Vakharia said that during the conclave, eminent NRGs Mr Ukabhai Solanki from the US, Dr Gautam Bodiwalal from the UK, Mr. Hemant Shah from Canada and J K Chandeni from Tanzania will be felicitated, for their contribution in the development of Gujaratis in the countries

that they reside in.

The conclave represented the diaspora across the globe for whom the one thing that was top on the agenda was the development of the state.

And the three day conclave was not just a discussion table o sort out issues, there were other attractions as well. There were theme pavilions which showcasied the heritage and glorious history of Gujarat. For the visitors there were specially designed handloom and handicraft stalls.

Realising the growing importance of medical tourism and the income generated from it there was a special focus on industries related to medical tourism. Hence there were live demonstration on ayurvedic therapies, yoga, meditation and camps. And to cater to the Gujarati palate there were also huge food court serving traditional Gujarati cuisine at the venue.

The delegates who participated in the three day conclave, included not only the NRGs but ministers from the Union cabinet. There might have been representatives from people across different ideologies but what stood upmost was the unified Gujarati spirit which intends toward working

India celebrates R-Day amidst tight security Continued from page 1 Lee Myung-bak, Presidend of South Korea was the chief guest at the parade.

At the parade, India’s cultural diversity and military might was on display.

President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the gallantry awards to the defence personnel and para military personnel.

Bravery award winner children also were a part of the parade. 21 states as well as Central ministries and departments dis-

played various Tableaux, showcasing the progress of India. A spectacular flypast by the IAF was the grand finale to the parade.

On display at parade, the military equipment included Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Agni-III Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Shourya Surface-to-Surface Strategic Missile and the Rohini Radar. The ceremony culminated with the National Anthem and release of orange, white and green balloons.

70% voting in Lankan prez poll Continued from page 1 Mr. Wickremesinghe lost mainly due to the diktat of the LTTE late leader Velupillai Prabakaran directing Tamils to boycott the poll.

Political and diplomatic observers were happy that the election ended without any major violence, particularly given the apprehensions expressed by the opposition in the last few days on possible large scale vio-

lence and rigging. Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, Director of Campaign For Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), NGO, is keeping a tab on the election process and said that hours before the polling booths opened, there were six minor incidents.

CaFFE said a hand grenade was exploded near the market place in the Jaffna peninsula and as a result people were slightly scared to come out to vote.

for the betterment of Gujarat and bringing it on the global map.

Civil Aviation Mr Praful Patel promises more facilites for Gujarat airports at VGS Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel assured the people of Gujarat about the improvement in air connectivity of the state with the rest of the world.

Patel said, “We will try to have more direct flights from Ahmedabad to major foreign cities.”

He said this after requests were put to the minister to look into the issues of the Gujarati community living in foreign countries. The major demands put forward were to develop Bhuj, Rajkot and Surat as international airports besides having more direct flights from Ahmedabad to London, Sydney and Oman.

About 1,000 delegates from across India and abroad are participating in the conference. Some of the prominent people attending the conference include Hemraj Shah from Mumbai, C B Patel from London, Narendra Patel from Chicago, Chandrakant Choithani, from Oman, Mohanbhai Shah from Kutch and and Harshad Desai from Sydney.

Eminent columnist Chinu Modi’s book released in Ahmedabad Asian Voice – Gujarat Samachar celebrate fifth anniversary in India

Ashok Bhatt, speaker of Gujarat Assembly unveiled the book penned by Dr. Chinu Modi.

The Ahmedabad office of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar celebrated the fifth anniversary last week on Thursday with a gala function at Hotel Cambay Grand in the city. Eminet Gujarati author and columnist with the Gujarat Samachar of London edition Mr Chinu Modi chose the occasion to release his book, a collection of humour titled ‘Natwar the Nirdosh’.

The book was released by speaker of the Gujarat Assembly Mr Ashok Bhatt and it was released in the presence of eminent dignitaries and industrialists from Ahmedabad and London.

Those present on the occasion harped on the fact that as per myth the character called Natwar could never be innocent

but it was only the like of Mr Modi and his play of words which could enable to portray even someone like Natwar as innocent.

Speaking on the occasion eminent journalist Mr Bhupatrai Parekh not only praised the past works of Mr Modi but also went to explain the role of Mr C B Patel, printer and publisher of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, London and his contribution toward the upliftment of Gujaratis settled in UK and especially in London.

Elaborating the role of Mr Patel he said that he has not only helped people from Gujarat but there were scores of examples in Gujaratis settled in London who at some time or the other have looked back at Mr C B Patel for some kind of help. On the

completion of five years of the Ahmedabad office of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar all present coveyed their hearties congratulations and wished Mr Patel for the success of the publication even in the future.

Yogendra Makwana, former minister also recalled his association with C B Patel and Gujarat Samachar. All team members of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, Advertisers, Advertising agencies and well wishers enjoyed a dramatic recital of a couple of pieces of Chinu Modi’s book by prominent Gujarati stage artists.

P K Lehri, former chief secretary of Gujarat and other eminent personalities also attended the function.

Nobel laureate Venky, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, A R Rahman, Aamir get Padma honours Continued from page 21 Trade and Industry: Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair (Maharashtra), Dr. Kushal Pal Singh (Delhi), Manvinder Singh Banga alias Vindi Banga (UK), Narayanan Vaghul (Tamil Nadu) and S.P. Oswal (Punjab).

Padma Shri Art: Ms. Rekha (Maharashtra), Arjun Prajapati (Rajasthan), Ms. Arundhati Nag (Karnataka), Ms. Carmel Berkson (Maharashtra), Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar (Delhi), Smt. Gul Bardhan (Madhya Pradesh), Smt. Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi (Manipur), Hari Uppal (Bihar), K. Raghavan (Kerala), Guru Mayadhar Raut (Delhi), Mukund Lath (Rajasthan), Nemai Ghosh (West Bengal), Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi (Orissa), Rajkumar Achouba Singh (Manipur), Dr. Ram Dayal Munda (Jharkhand), Resul Pokutty (Kerala), Saif Ali Khan (Maharashtra), Dr.

(Smt.) Shobha Raju (Andhra Pradesh), Ms. Sumitra Guha (Delhi) and Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar (West Bengal). Gulam Mohammed Mir (Public Service - Jammu and Kashmir). Civil Service: D.R. Karthikeyan (Delhi).

Environment Protection: Dr. Ranjit Bhargava (Uttarakhand). Literature and Education: Arun Sarma (Assam), Prof.

Arvind Kumar (Maharashtra), Ms. Bertha Gyndykes Dkhar (Meghalaya), Prof. Govind Chandra Pande (Madhya Pradesh), Prof. Hamidi Kashmiri (Jammu and Kashmir), Prof. (Dr.) Hermann Kulke (Germany), Janaki Ballav Shastri (Bihar), Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri (Jammu and Kashmir), Dr. Lal Bahadur Singh Chauhan (Uttar Pradesh), Lalzuia Colney (Mizoram), Ms. Maria Aurora Couto (Goa), Dr.(Smt.) Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy alias Y.G. Parthasarathy (Tamil

Nadu), Prof. Ramaranjan Mukherji (West Bengal), Dr. Ranganathan Parthasarathy (Tamil Nadu), Fr. Romuald D’Souza (Goa), Prof.

Sadiq - Ur - Rahman Kidwai (Delhi), Mr. Sheldon Pollock (USA) and Dr. Surendra Dubey (Chhattisgarh). Medicine: Dr. Anil Kumar Bhalla (Delhi), Dr. Arvinder Singh Soin (Uttar Pradesh), Dr. B. Ramana Rao (Karnataka), Dr. Jalakantapuram R a m a s w a m y Krishnamoorthy (Tamil Nadu), Dr. K.K. Aggarwal (Delhi), Prof. Kodaganur S. Gopinath (Karnataka), Dr. Laxmi Chand Gupta (Delhi), Dr. Philip Augustine (Kerala), Dr. Rabindra Narain Singh (Bihar) and Dr. Vikas Mahatme (Maharashtra).

Science and Engineering: Prof. M.R. Satyanarayana Rao (Karnataka), Prof.

(Dr.) Palpu Pushpangadan (Kerala), Prof. Ponisseril Somasundaran (USA), Prof. Pucadyil Ittoop John

(Gujarat), Dr. Vijay Prasad Dimri (Andhra Pradesh) and Dr. (Ms.) V i j a y l a k s h m i R a v i n d r a n a t h (Karnataka). Social Work: Ms. Anu Aga (Maharashtra), Ayekpam Tomba Meetei (Manipur), Deep Joshi (Delhi), Dr. J.R. Gangaramani (UAE), Kranti Shah (Maharashtra), Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil (Kerala), Baba Sewa Singh (Punjab), Ms. Sudha Kaul (West Bengal) and Dr. Sudhir M. Parikh (USA).

Trade and Industry: Dr. Alluri Venkata Satyanarayana Raju (Andhra Pradesh), Dr. B. Raveendran Pillai (Bahrain), Deepak Puri (Delhi), Irshad Mirza (Uttar Pradesh), Brig. Dr. Kapil Mohan (Himachal Pradesh), Dr. Karsanbhai K. Patel (Gujarat), T.N. Manoharan (Tamil Nadu) and Venu Srinivasan (Tamil Nadu). Public Affairs: Dr. Rafael Iruzubieta Fernandez (Spain).

23

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Sujata Sachdeva indicted in multi million dollar scam Wisconsin: An Indian-American woman executive was last week indicted by a federal grand jury before a US court in Wisconsin on charges of defrauding her company to the tune of a whopping USD 31 million. United States Attorney James Santelle announced that a grand jury sitting in Milwaukee Court returned a six-count indictment charging Sujata Sachdeva (46), who is also known as Sue Sachdeva, with six counts of wire fraud. Sachdeva is the former Vice President of Finance, Secretary, and Principal Accounting Officer for Koss Corporation, a publicly traded company located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Koss is known as manufacturer of stereo headphones, speakers and related products.

Chinese milk products again found with high levels of Melamine adulteration Sanlu group, the state owned dairy products firm went bust in 2008 scandal Beijing: Local health officials have pulled melamine-tainted milk products off the shelves in a southwestern Chinese province in the latest case of tainted food items, state media reported.

The three batches of affected food products in Guizhou Province include ice popsicles and unspecified food items from a dairy company, the China

Daily newspaper reported, quoting reports from the Chinese-language National Business Daily.

Six children died and some 300,000 were sickened in a 2008 milk scandal in which milk formula products were found to contain illegally high traces of melamine, a toxic industrial chemical.

In November, China executed two people for

their role in the scandal, which also resulted in the bankruptcy of state-owned dairy producer Sanlu Group. Since the scandal, regulations on food safety have been introduced to ensure higher standards, tighter inspections and a product recall system.

But a series of recent cases where melaminetainted products were uncovered by regulators in

different Chinese provinces raises questions of how effectively the new laws are being enforced. Just this year, state media reported that a Shanghai dairy company implicated in the Sanlu milk powder scandal had been closed down and three of its executives arrested after they were found to be producing milk powder with illegal levels of melamine.

Opposing Rajapaksa costs TV starlet her role The intensity, the fierceness of the Sri Lankan Presidential polls can be gauged from the fact that the state is alleged to have used its might to rob Upeksha Swarnamali, a TV serial actress of her role on a soap that is being telecast on the state run ITN. Upeksha had appeared at an election rally of Sarath Fonseka, the challenger to incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, obviously supporting the former army chief. This led some behind the scene developments and in the first

Upeksha Swarnamali

week of this month, the rest of her shooting schedule for the TV soap opera was cancelled.

ITN, the TV channel, in a bid to keep up the TV

viewership rating high, is using flashback sequences and other tactics, even as Upeksha fears she is virtually sacked from the serial.

The channel denies Upeksha has been thrown out and says her shooting would resume next month, but the starlet says she is not sure of that. The state media is doing everything to rope in celebrities – artists and cricketers in particularly to support Rajapaksa. According to Keerthi Tennakoon of the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections, if they say no, they sure have problems.

President Rajapaksa has Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan batting for him, while Arjuna Ranatunga and Hashan Tillakaratne are in the Fonseka team.

Upeksha said that the entertainment industry was similarly divided, with actors and singers coming under political pressure from the President’s camp.

Since declaring her support for the general she said that she had received anonymous telephone calls asking: “Are you ready to leave the country?” and “Are you ready to hide”?

Now, Houston has a Mahatma Gandhi district Houston: A part of southwest Houston, Texas, home to a large number of South Asians, including Indians, has been officially renamed Mahatma Gandhi district to honour the leader on his 141st birth year.

An ethnic conclave, Hillcroft was renamed this month, fulfilling the seven-year long demand of over 100,000 strong Indian-American population living in the Greater

Houston area.

City Mayor Annise Parker announced the change of name along with Consul General of India in Houston, Sanjiv Arora.

Officials of the India Culture Centre has been working relentlessly for renaming the area that is popularly known as “Little India” due to the high concentration of south Asian shops and restaurants.

“Persistence alone

paid off in the end as it was just getting no where, till the culture center and business leaders settled for adding the signs designating it a district, a USD 10,000 expense,” ICC Spokesperson Manisha Mehta said.

Renaming the Hillcroft area required 75 per cent of commercial property owners on a street to sign a petition in its support, according to the municipal law.

Only then the City Council can consider the change of the name. But Indians earlier failed to gather required number of signs as it was difficult to agree the nonsouth Asians there.

The project was proposed during the tenure of former Mayor Bill White as the ICC and Indian merchants in the area wanted to rename Hillcroft Avenue to Mahatma Gandhi Avenue.

Victoria appoints ‘respect minister’ to tackle racism, violence Melbourne: In the wake of a spate of racial attacks against Indians in Australia, the Victorian Government has appointed a former football player as the nation’s first “respect minister” to tackle problems related to growing racism and alcohol-fuelled

violence in the state.

Victorian Premier John Brumby announced that Justin Madden would be the minister for the “respect agenda” as part of his election year cabinet reshuffle, The Australian newspaper reported.

Brumby said Madden

would be one part of the government’s response in dealing with the issues surrounding Indian students, along with the educational and law and order approaches. He said the new minister would be an additional voice in the community promoting diversity

Assaults on Indians continue unabated

Melbourne: Even as Indian and Australian flags go side by side on their national day on Tuesday, the assault on Indians continue unabated. The latest victims of were two Indian students who were allegedly assaulted by a group of thugs here.

Eight persons, described as being of Asian appearance, have been arrested after sever-

al hours of the incident and were being questioned, police said in a statement. The accused had allegedly made comments to the duo before one of the student was pushed to the ground and kicked on Monday night in central Melbourne.

The 18-year-old Indian suffered a wound on his left ear from what appeared to be an edged

weapon, police said, adding the 22-year-old student was also punched to the ground and suffered minor abrasions to the forearm.

Earlier, three Indians were attacked in different incidents. Two of the victims were taxi drivers.

One was attacked in Melbourne and the other two were attacked in Brisbane.

and racial tolerance.

The appointment comes in the wake of nearly 100 cases of attacks on Indians, mostly students, being reported in Australia in 2009 as against 17 incidents of assaults in 2008.

Majority of the Indians students were subjected to racial attacks in Melbourne, capital of the state of Victoria. Madden, who already has the planning portfolio, will co-ordinate the “whole of government approach” to social problems that have gripped Melbourne, including recent violence against Indians and the increase in assaults. Meanwhile, the opposition called the new appointment as political correctness gone mad and said it would not make Victoria a safer place.

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UK’s Islam TV Channel chief Harrath arrested in SA Pretoria: Mohamed Ali Harrath, a Tunisian native and a refugee in UK was arrested in Pretoria, South Africa on an Interpol Red Corner notice. Harrath landed in Pretoria on Sunday and was taken into custory. He is hospitalised after he collapsed due to a possible hearth problem and faces deportation to Tunisia. He has been tried in absentia in his home country and has been sentenced to Jail for 56 years.

Harrath is the head of Britian’s most popular Muslim TV Station – Islam Channel and also an advisor to Scotland Yard against Islamic extremism. He has been felicitated by political leaders of all the three parties in UK. London Mayor Boris Johnson also had invited him to the Trafalgar Square event to mark the end of Ramadan. The Islam Channel, defending Harrath, accused Tunisia of using Interpol to harass and intimidate Harrath. Mohamed Ali Harrath was allowed into UK in 1995 as a refugee. South Africa takes requests from fellow African states seriously and has detained Sudanese and Rwandan officials wanted for alleged human rights violations. Security at South African airports is extremely tight before the World Cup amid persistent fears of terrorist attacks.

The British High Commission confirmed Harrath’s arrest and said it was watching the situation closely.

90 killed in Ethiopian plane crash Beirut: An Ethiopian Airlines plane to Addis Ababa crashed into the Mediterranean minutes after it took of from Beirut airport, killing all 90 on board early Monday. The plane caught fire, as it took off during weather conditions that were described very bad.

Thirty four bodies were found till Tuesday after Lebanese authorities mounted rescue efforts on war footing. Two Britons and 1 Canadian citizens of Lebanese origin and wife of France’s ambassador to Lebanon, Marla Pietton were among the 83 passengers.

36 killed in Baghdad blasts, Chemical Ali hanged Baghdad: Suicide bombers attacked three hotels used by foreigners in the heart of Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 36 people and raising questions about government pledges to keep Iraqis safe before a March election. The car bombs wounded at least 71 people as Iraq executed the man known as "Chemical Ali" under Saddam Hussein for his use of poison gas against minority Kurds.

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24

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

Court moved to ban free movement of AQ Khan Islamabad: Pakistan government has filed a petition at the Lahore High Court last week, seeking a ban on the free movement and interaction of the nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan with media. The petition filed by the federal government stated that the liberty granted to Dr Qadeer Khan poses serious threat to national security. The country’s security establishment was deeply perturbed over Khan’s recent interactions with foreign and local journalists. It has been alleged that the nuclear scientist has shared sensitive information with the international media.

Pakistan likely to get 12 unarmed drones from US Islamabad: The US is now mulling supply of unarmed surveillance vehicles to Pakistan to aid its war against the Taliban. It is unclear whether there would be conditions restraining the use of these drones along the Indian border.

US defence secretary Robert Gates unveiled plans to supply 12 unarmed drone aircraft to Pakistan to boost surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities even as he sought to allay regional concerns by saying America is providing

weapons to India and Pakistan on an equitable basis. He said the US has set aside 1 billion dollars in its Coalition Support Fund to provide weapons and equipment to Pakistan for the war against terrorism and the drones would be part of this package.

The Shadow UAVs will help build the Pakistan Army’s capacity for intelligence-gathering, he said.

US officials accompanying Mr. Gates told the media that 12 Shadow UAVs will be supplied to Pakistan.

Court to launch contempt proceedings against Rehman Malik Islamabad: Pakistan's supreme court on Monday decided to launch contempt proceedings against interior minister Rehman Malik for "interfering" in a probe into alleged financial irregularities in a state-run steel firm, rejecting his explanation as being devoid of an "apology".

The apex court had last month sought a written explanation from Malik for "interfering" in an ongoing investigation into alleged wrong-doing and financial irregularities in the Pakistan Steel Mills.

The court issued notice to Malik after initiating suo motu proceedings on the basis of a media report of alleged corruption in the state-run firm.

Malik personally appeared in the apex court and presented his written reply but a two-judge bench headed by chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said it was not satisfied with his explanation.

The court scheduled the next hearing for February 18, when the bench will initiate contempt of court proceedings against Malik.

The apex court had issued notice to Malik for transferring Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) chief Tariq Khosa, describing it as an act of interference in the court's affairs as Khosa was probing the reasons for loss of Rs 22 billion incurred by the Pakistan Steel Mills.

Pak snubs US over new Taliban offensive Islamabad: Pakistan's army has said it wouldn’t launch any new offensives against Taliban in 2010, as the US defence secretary arrived for talks on combating militants.

Army spokesman Athar Abbas said the "overstretched" military had no plans for any fresh anti-militant operations over the next 12 months.

The US wants Pakistan to expand an offensive against militants launching cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.

Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for his first visit since US President Barack Obama took office last year.

The trip comes at a crucial time in the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, with the US planning to commit 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

Mr Gates was expected to tell Pakistan that it could do more against top Taliban leaders operating in its territory, some of whom are alleged to have close links to Pakistan's ISI intelligence service.

The Pakistani army launched major ground offensives in 2009 in the north-west against Pakistani Taliban strongholds in the Swat region, last April, and in South Waziristan, last October.

The militants have hit back with a wave of suicide

bombings and attacks that have killed hundreds of people across Pakistan. Maj Gen Abbas, head of public relations for the Pakistan army, said: "We are not going to conduct any major new operations against the militants over the next 12 months. The Pakistan army is overstretched and it is not in a position to open any new fronts. Obviously, we will continue our present operations in Waziristan and Swat."

Snub to US officials According to reports, the comments are a clear brush-off to top US officials, and are likely to put Pakistan's shaky coalition government in an embarrassing position with its

US ally.

He says the move also threatens to make any expanded Nato and US military deployment in Afghanistan ineffective, as the Taliban will now be relieved of any pressure from the Pakistan army.

Before he arrived in Islamabad, Mr Gates told reporters travelling with him from India: "You can't ignore one part of this cancer and pretend that it won't have some impact closer to home." His visit came amidst a slight deterioration in relations between the two allies. In an article published in a Pakistani newspaper, Mr Gates referred to a "trust deficit".

Zardari bracing up to fight legal battle against NRO ruling Islamabad: The Pakistan government may file another petition seeking review of the Supreme Court's verdict on the controversial amnesty law, the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the National Assembly, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan said the government is examining the detailed judgment of the apex court, which nullified the NRO from the date of its enforcement.

Awan also rejected Khan's charges that the government was heading towards a confrontation

Asif Ali Zardari

with the higher judiciary (Supreme Court) over the issue.

"If somebody wants a confrontation (to happen) we will disappoint him,"

The Dawn quoted Awan, as saying.

"Judgments are no danger to the (democratic) system because the judgments are made by an institution sitting in a trichotomy (of parliament, executive and judiciary) and subservient to the Constitution.

There is no danger of confrontation to any institution nor there is any danger to the system," he

added.

Meanwhile, the Presidency too has reportedly braced itself to fight a legal battle and contest the

scrapping of the ordinance and reopening of corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, following the detailed judgment on the NRO being made public.

Insiders said that Zardari is likely to seek his close aide Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan's legal assistance over the issue.

Dr Mobashir Hassan, on whose petition the apex court scrapped the NRO, said he was confident that Zardari would vigorously appeal against the Supreme Court's decision.

"I know the feudal mind, if he believes it is a matter of tribal honour, he would even lay down his life," Hassan said.

Gilani not ready to guarantee against repeat of 26/11 Islamabad: While the United States has stressed that any more 26/11 like attacks on India originating from Pakistani soil would test its patience, the Pakistan government has said that it cannot guarantee repeat of the ghastly terror attacks which rocked India's financial capital.

Sources said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told visiting US Defence Secretary Robert Gates that Pakistan itself is witnessing frequent terror attacks, and that it cannot promise that Mumbai type attacks cannot be carried out in future again.

"Pakistan is itself facing Mumbai-like attacks almost every other day and when we cannot protect our own citizens, how can we guarantee that there wouldn't be any more terrorist hits in India," Gilani said.

"Pakistan is committed to peace in the region and in this context has been making sincere efforts to resume composite dialogue with India, but the response from the other

side has not been encouraging. Relations between India and Pakistan should not become hostage to the activities of terrorists," sources privy to the meeting quoted Gilani, as say-

ing.

Meanwhile, Gates during his recent India visit, had said that any more Mumbai type attacks on India could probably trigger a war between the

neighbouring countries.

Gates said that it was unlikely that New Delhi would show the same restraint shown after 26 November 2008 if attacked again.

Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi’s plea rejected Linking the terror attacks with the Kashmir issue, Gilani told Gates that the best way to prevent such ghastly terror acts is to de-link the peace process from action against extremists.

During his meeting with Gates, Gilani criticised New Delhi for its obstinate attitude, saying that as long as India held the peace process hostage to progress on terrorism, forward movement in normalisation of ties was unlikely, The Dawn reported.

Lahore: A court in Lahore on Friday dismissed Lashker-e-Taiba operational commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi's application seeking the transfer of his trial for planning and facilitating the Mumbai terror attacks from Rawalpindi to this eastern Pakistani city.

While disposing of the application, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif directed the federal and Punjab governments to ensure that foolproof security is provided to Lakhvi and his counsel Khwaja Sultan.

Chief Justice Sharif

also said there was no justification for the request for Lakhvi's trial to be shifted from Rawalpindi to Lahore.

In his application, Lakhvi had claimed that there was a purported threat to his life as agents of the Indian spy agency Research and Analyses Wing were present in Rawalpindi.

He asked for his trial to be transferred from an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi to Lahore.

The Deputy Attorney General of the federal government and the Advocate General of

Punjab province had told the high court that authorities are providing complete security to Lakhvi and his counsel.

Lakhvi's counsel Khwaja Sultan has also said his client was not satisfied with the judge of the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi who was conducting the trial.

The LeT commander was indicted with six others - Zarar Shah, Abu alQama, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jamil Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younas Anjum - for planning and helping execute the assault on India's financial hub in November

2008 that killed nearly 180 people.

Their trial is being conducted within Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail for security reasons.

The anti-terrorism court was to begin recording evidence against them at the last hearing on January 16 but was unable to do so because of the application filed by Lakhvi in the Lahore High Court.

Lakhvi has filed another application in the Rawalpindi-based bench of the Lahore High Court challenging the anti-terrorism court's dismissal of his plea for acquittal.

25

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

This week meet Mr Shobhag Haria, who would talk about his Exhibition of photographs on Gandhiji only on CB Live. Born in Kenya, yet his love for Mother India reflects through his work.

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500

If you do not have a tv, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

Week commences 30th February 2010

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Sony Music Entertainment (India) is proud to release the soundtrack of one of this year’s most highly anticipated Indian motion pictures, My Name is Khan, an epic romantic drama with Global appeal.

The music soundtrack for My Name is Khan is now available nationwide from local stores, Amazon.com and downloadable from iTunes.

We are offering 3 lucky readers the chance to win a copy of the CD signed by SRK, Kajol and KJ. To enter, simply answer correctly the following question: Which musical trio directed the soundtrack for My Name Is Khan?

Send your answers along with your postal address to rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com by Monday 1st February 9am.

Coming Events 1. Mahatma Gandhi Foundation (UK) presents Gandhi Nirvan Day on Friday 29th January at 6:30pm, Kenton at St Gregory's Catholic Science College. Contact: Rameshbhai Patel 020 8203 1207 2. The India League presents Gandhi Nirvan Day on 30th January 2010 at 11am in Tavistock square, London WC1.

3. IC Punjabi Societies forthcoming charity show, The Bhangra Showdown 2010 on 31st January 2010, at The London Palladium, Argyll Street London, W1F 7TF. 4. Mahashivratri Utsav, Friday 12th Feb 2010 at Shree Sanatan Mandir and community centre, Catherine Street, Leicester LE4 6FQ, Contact: 01162661402 5. Inauguration of Shirdi Saibaba Temple on 31st January 2010, Union Hall, Union road, Middlesex HA0 4AU, 9 am to 9 pm. For more information please visit www.shirdisai.org.uk or email: sai@shirdisai.org.uk Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Anne Hoose Deputy Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Advertising Managers: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07957 694 909 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Advertising Sales Executive: Girish Katira - Email: girish.katira@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4011 Rovin John George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 Nikhil Gor - Email: nikhil.gor@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4009 Business Development Managers: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 - Email: george@abplgroup.com Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Saroj Patel Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel: +9179 2646 Fax: +9179 6061

Either you or your partner have been going through a phase of inner doubts and uncertainties, and perhaps the main source of tension has simply been the need for breathing space in your relationship and a need to look at things more objectively. Wait before going full steam ahead with grand actions and gestures.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

To ask questions please call on: 020 8963 1001

Duncan Lewis organises successful party

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

If lately you have had all sorts of demands being placed on you from all sides, don't despair; take some time out to reflect. Try and work out your priorities. Once you know, don't hesitate to implement it systematically. A tremendous amount of planetary activity in your chart signals a time for change.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

This week should see you at the peak of your creative powers. It’s an exciting, expansive time, when you should find it easier to be who you are and do what you want. This is a tremendously exciting time for you, in which you can embrace changes you might not even consider at other times.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Guard against being too impatient and restless. You will need to exercise care in the use of credit. Extra energy and drive will serve you well in getting things accomplished, but try not to come on too strong when you deal with others. There appears to be a more successful trend coming into effect. photo courtesy: Andrew Smith

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Duncan Lewis organised a party in Central London on 22nd January 2010 and over 350 guests attended it. Established in 1998, Duncan Lewis and Co is one of the fastest growing firms of solicitors in the UK with 6 offices employing over 400 people.

To advertise in Asian Voice call 020 7749 4085 Amazing predictions Sneh Joshi, the UK’s leading Vedic astrologer, writer and TV personality can answer questions on: ! Health Problems ! Investments ! Married Life ! Children’s matters ! Marriage Compatibility ! Love Affairs ! Court Cases ! Any other problems

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LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 If you're currently romantically involved, your love will go from strength to strength. The work that you are involved with at this time is likely to demand a great deal of energy and initiative from you. This will also involve a need to establish a wider network of contacts. You will find your friends willing to help you in any way.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 There is an element of disruption or stress which may be hard to avoid, but it appears that there is a strong sense of purpose in the background. A certain amount of hard work will be necessary, but the final result will be extremely pleasing. An exchange of opinions ought to prove very enlivening at this time.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success. So, it would certainly do no harm to adopt a more pushy and outgoing approach to life. As social life improves, the chances of meeting someone are greatly increased. The general pattern of things continues on a progressive and buoyant theme.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

There will be increased scope for varying your activities, widening your network of contacts and getting out and about. It is an excellent time for exercising your mental energies, claryfying your and other people's ideas. Exercise caution when it comes to making financial decisions.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. New beginnings are favoured , as long as you do not bite off more than you can chew. Your thinking is inspired, so listen to your thoughts. This is a time of expansion and improved opportunity, so do not be complacent. Affairs of the heart are likely to flourish.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 The powerful combination of planets in your chart throws a significant light on material concerns. The cash situation continues to be rather erratic. However, problems can be avoided if you can curtail extravagant impulses and keep everything well organised. Keep away from any emotional tensions with your partner.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 The pace of everyday life will gather momentum and there may be times when you find it hard to keep your act together. Any obstacles that have stood in the way of your heart's desires should melt into the background soon. Your self-confidence will be extremely high and this will be helped by various encouraging events.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 There are subtle transformations taking shape in your life. There is much to suggest that you are in tune with your inner self and in touch with those hidden forces which often seem to take a guiding hand in one's life. Focus on essentials and establish a solid foundation, so that you feel secure.

TIME

26

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Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

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Across 1 Rain unit 5 King of Crete 10 Fateful day 14 Actress Russo 15 Pathogenic bacteria 16 Medical fluids 17 Start of G.K. chesterton quip 20 Discharge 21 Stellar balsts 22 Positive reply 23 Venetian strip

Hebrew month Part 2 of quip Christian’s frocks Expression of sorrow Sis, bro or cuz Eases off Pronoun for Miss piggy soaked Actor Vigoda Rocky’s last name Incisive remark Outer layer Harden

SCRAMBLE - 47

Rearrange the letters in the four word jumbles, one letter to each square/circle, to make four ordinary words MIDAS

How to play

Now arrange the letters in the circles to form the answer to the riddle or to fill in the missing word as indicated

GHTIT AHSTCN ASTYCH

Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never____. – Charles Dickens(5)

Solution of Scramble - 46

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47 Part 3 of quip 49 Donated 51 TV part?

52 Slugger’s stat 55 Storage gattery type 57 Dental exams?

61 End of quip 64 Sing Fitzerald 65 Lesson 66 Italian eight 67 Grace closer 68 Grow dark, parhaps 69 Ooze Down 1 Eins, zwei, ___ 2 Ups the RPMs 3 Billfrod fillers 4 Reads with care 5 Hebrew letter 6 Cry form the unsighted 7 Kiddy taboo 8 Drink garnishes 9 Fiber source 10 Bird’s alma mater 11 Repudlate 12 White-tailed eagle 13 Pronounces 18 Cheerleader’s directive 19 Battled on and on

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Way from the heart Illuminated Metrical feet Parade entry Selassie of Ethiopia Varnish ingredient Hoshu port Harp on Use credit cards River of forgelfuiness County bordering Napa Follow in time Solicit alms Multi-speaker sound systems Priam’s wife Oodles Like th flu Perlman of zCheers’ Salve Wight or skye Med. School subject Comic Johnson Dieter’s word Word on a traffic sign Sunbather’s acqulsition Marsh

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Words: Maids, tight, chants, yachts.

Answer: Mile bye mile, it’s a trial. Yard by yard, it’s hard. But inch by inch, it’s a cinch.

LOOP THE LOOP - 47 Rules Connect adjacent dots with vertical or horizontal lines, creating a single loop.

(Fig A).

Crossovers or branches are not allowed 2 2 3 (As shown by dotted lines in Fig B).

3 3 2 Numbers in the puzzle indicate the 2 1 3 number of lines that should 3 3 1 3 surround it, while empty cells may 3 1 2 0 3 be surrounded by any number of 3 3 2 2 lines.

You can’t draw lines arround 3 3 1 zeroes.

Each puzzle has just one unique solution.

How to begin: Example (Fig A) - Begin with the zero next to 3. Since no lines can be drawn around zero, mark crosses around it, as shown. Now there is a cross in one space around 3. So we know the three lines of 3 can only be drawn in the remaining three spaces. Next these lines can only be extended in one direction each. Continue, using the same Solution of LTL No. 46 logic. x x Hints: Keep elimi2 x 1 x 2 3 2 nating possibilix x x x x x ties by marking x 1 x 2 crosses in x x x x spaces between 3 x 1 3 x 0 x 2x dots where a line x x x isn’t possible, x x 2 1 x i.e., if you have x x x x already completx 1 x 2 x 3 2 x 1 3 ed required lines x x or where a line x 2 x 1 x x x 3 extension may x x create a branch x x x 2 x 3 or cause a deadx end (Fig B)

MINDBENDER - 72 If 02 is 0=0. H2O is H-0-H, and C02 is 0=C=0, Then what might this represent? =James=

Solution of 71 :

The probability is 1 (complete certainty). any three points on a sphere must be on a hemisphere

WHATZIT? - 72

Find the familiar phrase, saying or name in this arrangement of letters.

SPELLATHON - 72

Sudoku-72

Today’s Ratings: 05-average | 06-good | 07-outstanding

C O

C H A

3

How many words of four or more letters can you make from the letters shown in today’s puzzle? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each word must contain the central letter. There should be at least one seven-letter word. Plurals, foreign words and proper names are not allowed. British English Dictionary is used as reference.

T I

3 7

solution of - 71:

Solution of Spellathon - 71

20

1

7

5 9

1

7

5

2

2

KAKURO - 72

12

The numbers in the pink squares refer to the sums of the digits that you must fill into the empty spaces directly below or to the right of the pink square containing the number. For instance, in the given example, the 2 boxes below 12 must contain 2 digits that add upto 12, whereas for 20, the 3 boxes places horizontally next to it must add upto 20.

No zeroes are used here, only the digits one through nine.

Example

Solution of KAKURO - 71 3

9

7

3

15

12

7

12

18

10

11

12

24

26

14 11

10

6

13

9

16 8

11 19

7

5

13

11

18

7

10

2 4 1

22

16

7 15

13

3

3

11

12

6

12

6

30

3

13 11

13 11

9

Note:

9

8 6

Under arrest

bliss, boil, boss, BOSSILY, bossy, slob

6

5 29

11

1 5

4 2 7 16

4

7

9

3

3

1

3

28 6

5 21

10

5 9 7 4 17

3 7 24 19

3

8

9

9

7

2

1

4

7

2

8

6

7

9

2

8

9

5 1 18

16

23

9

1

2

9

7

15

9

6 5

5 9

9

4

1

1

7

19

9

Solution of sudoku-71

8

2

3 10

4

8 12

8

1

6

7

8

4

16

4

7

8

2

1

8

7

A digit cannot appear more than once in any particular digit combination. For instance in the example, we cannot have the combination of 8+4+8 for 20.

HOW TO PLAY Each row, column and square 3x3 box is a subgrid of 9 cells. Fill in the grid so that each sub-grid contains the digits 1 to 9.

Every puzzle has one solution.

9

8

3

6

1

2

5

4

7

2

1

5

7

3

4

8

9

6

7

4

6

5

9

8

1

3

2

8

7

1

3

4

5

2

6

9

6

3

4

8

2

9

7

1

5

5

9

2

1

6

7

3

8

4

3

2

8

9

5

6

4

7

1

4

6

7

2

8

1

9

5

3

1

5

9

4

7

3

6

2

8

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

27

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Sport World Australia demolish Pakistan in ODIs too

CWG at Republic Day parade in Delhi

Hosts make it 3 – 0 at Adelaide, dash hopes of any fight by Pakistan

Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal presented some resistance to the home team as Pakistan were chasing 287 runs to win the third ODI at the Adelaide Oval and keep the series open, but that was not enough. Ryan Harris, the OZ speedster playing only in his second big match, scalped 5 of the Pakistan wickets and helped OZ win the third ODI by 40 runs as well as the 5 match series 3 – 0, making the remaining two matches of little consequence.

Australia reached 286 losing 6 wickets with half centuries from Shaun Marsh and Michael Clarke, while Michael Hussey just missed the 50 run mark by

Clint McKay celebrates one of his three wickets at Adelaide

a single. Harris bagged the Man of the Match award for his efforts, as he claimed the key wicket of Shahih Afridi who could have posed a serious threat for the home team.

Australia and Pakistan, both the innings saw some late blitzkrieg, but overall

the show presented by the home team batting did little to enthuse cricket fans that had turned up at the stadium.

For the home crowd, some entertainment came only in the fag end. In the last ten overs when, led by Clarke and Hussey,

Pakistan in U-19 World Cup finals England, India edged out in the pre quarter finals Pakistan colts entered into the under-19 World Cup cricket on Monday, as they beat West Indies by 4 wickets in the first semi final at Lincoln, New Zealand. West Indies had posed a challenging target of 213 runs for Pakistan.

The Caribbeans had rocked the opponents with four early wickets, but Hammad Azam rescued the ultimate finalists with 92 and led them home with four wickets intact and 9 balls to spare.

The second semi finals

will be played on 27th January between Australia and Sri Lanka, to decide the finalists against Pakistan.

Earlier, India lost to their neighbours Pakistan in the quarter finals, while England was edged out of the competition after they lost to the West Indies, also in the quarter finals.

England had ended the league phase at the top of group A, putting behind India to the second spot.

But later, in the semi – final for play off for the

5th position, India beat England by seven wickets with more than 13 overs to spare. England managed to score just 176 runs, as they were bowled out in the last over. India achieved the target in the 36th over, losing just 3 wickets.

Now, India and South Africa will clash to decide the 5th and the 6th spot, on 27th January. England lost to New Zealand and had to settle for 8th spot in the playoff game on Tuesday.

SA say no for Pakistan tour Proteas offer hosting the series at home Pakistan’s aspirations to have some international cricket being played at home have received yet another setback, as South Africa has pulled out from their scheduled tour of Pakistan that was to take place in October – November this year. The Proteas’ decision is due to security concerns.

Ejaz Butt, PCB chairman confirmed the news that South Africa will not be coming to Pakistan for the three test and five ODI series.

Cricket South Africa has instead offered to play Pakistan at home, giving the series a status of ‘home’ series for Pakistan, meaning even though the

series could be played in South Africa, yet technically Pakistan would be considered the hosts.

PCB was instead, looking at playing the series at neutral venues like UAE or Sri Lanka.

Ejaz Butt has added that, whatever the venue, Pakistan will sure by playing the series.

IPL season III can still have Pak cricketers playing Pak players can be roped in for vacant quotas of some teams: Modi In a new twist to the IPL row, the League chairman Lalit Modi said Pakistani cricketers still have a chance to be picked up and play the IPL season III. This statement has come on Tuesday after the IPL and the franchisees earned some flak from Home Minister of India P. Chidambaram.

In an interview to a news channel, Chidambaram said the government of India was not in anyway involved with the decision of the IPL or the

franchisees. He further commented that they should have understood that for the IPL, it was not a Pakistan team, they were players as individuals. Chidambaram went on to say that by not picking up Pakistan players, the IPL teams have done a disservice to cricket.

Without giving a direct to the home minister’s statement, Modi said some teams still have their quotas to be completed; further some players may opt to drop out, hence the teams can pick up

Pakistan players. Modi refuted allegations that the whole issue was mishandled by the IPL. The league chairman said even Australians weren’t picked up, but there was all the hype around non inclusion of only Pakistan cricketers.

It may be noted here, that Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has warned that Australian cricketers would not be allowed to play in Maharashtra. His nephew Raj has endorsed the call.

Australia added 95. The story was not the same for Pakistan.

Younis Khan had taken 20 balls to get off the mark. It took an 85-run stand from Umar Akmal (59) and Fawad Alam (33) to give Pakistan a sniff. {Brief scores: 3rd OID – OZ 6 for 286 (Marsh 83, Clarke 80, Hussey 49) beat Pak 246 (Umar Akmal 59, Harris 5-43, McKay 3-48) by 40 runs.

2nd ODI – OZ 6 for 267 (Watson 69, White 55, Aamer 3-53) beat Pak 127 (Yousuf 58, McKay 3-15) by 140 runs. 1st ODI OZ - 5 for 275 (White 105, Clarke 58) beat Pak 274 (Butt 72, Watson 436) by 5 wickets.}

Former Indian sportsmen wave from a tableau depicting the 2010 Commonwealth Games at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Tuesday

Delhi escapes World Cup blackout Delhi and BCCI escaped a harsh penalty, possibly the risk of losing a chance to host World Cup matches next year, as ICC ordered a one year ban on Feroz Shah Kotla.

IPL matches to be played One of the DDCA officials and a former test cricketer himself, Chetan Chauhan said IPL matches scheduled in March and April will be played at Kotla only.

SL wants to host India in July/August Sri Lanka till date, has only a tour of West Indies, at the end of the year as the confirmed home series in 2010. It is looking to India to help them with a tour in July/August, which the island nation is sure will come through.

Further, Asia Cup is also due in June next, and Sri Lanka stands a chance to bag the hosting, as Pakistan would probably not agree that the tournament goes to India, given the latest controversy of the IPL snub as also the tense relations between the two neighbours. Asian Cricket Council will perhaps decide about the Asia Cup very soon, this month itself.

Infact, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is also working for an ODI triseries featuring India and New Zealand to fill the large void that it is facing in the international calendar for 2010.

Asia Cup may also be pushed back for some time, as its June timetable happens to coincide with football World Cup, in South Africa.

IPL season III live on YouTube Cricket and particularly IPL fans this year will have the option of watching the T20 extravaganza, to be stage in India in March and April, on YouTube. Google and IPL have signed a deal to webcast all the 60 IPL matches live or after a short delay. The YouTube webcast will be available all over the world, except the USA. For the USA, there will be rebroadcast options.

Under the agreement, signed for a period of two years, Google and the IPL will share the revenues from sponsorships and advertising. For viewers, watching the webcast would in all probability be free.

In UK, the telecast rights were sold to Setanta, now a defunct entity. The rights have not been resold, hence fans there now have the option of watching the games on You Tube.

Pink ball trial in OZ next week Cricket Australia is also keen to have Day-Night Test matches, as they, like ICC feel the innovation would bring in more spectators and help the classic format of the game survive with better prospects. With that aim in mind, CA is to for trials of using Pink balls in day-night games for their Futures League, starting as early as next week. The test run is to determine if the pink ball is able to retain its colour and visibility under lights as also its ability to its holding up characteristics. “Cricket Australia is committed to finding a way to make daynight Test cricket a reality,” James Sutherland, the CEO of Cricket Australia, said. West Indies has already played day-night cricket with pink balls.

English Premier League Matches Saturday, 30 January Birmingham v/s Tottenham Burnley v/s Chelsea Fulham v/s Aston Villa Hull v/s Wolverhampton Liverpool v/s Bolton West Ham v/s Blackburn Wigan v/s Everton Sunday, 31 January Arsenal v/s Man Utd Man City v/s Portsmouth Monday, 1 February Sunderland v/s Stoke Tuesday, 2 February Hull v/s Chelsea West Ham v/s Wolverhampton Wednesday, 3 February Fulham v/s Portsmouth

St. Andrews Ground Turf Moor Craven Cottage Kingston Comms Stadium Anfield Boleyn Ground D W Stadium

15:00 17:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00

Emirates Stadium City of Mcr. Stadium

16:00 13:30

Stadium of Light

20:00

Kingston Comms Stadium Boleyn Ground

19:45 19:45

Craven Cottage

20:00

28

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"#$% !"#$%&!

Asian Voice - Saturday 30th January 2010

!!!"#$%&'()*%"+),

IPL auction triggers Indo-Pak sports war Pakistan cable operators to boycott IPL matches; Parliamentary delegation cancels India visit

Indian Premier League teams not picking up a single Pakistani cricketer on Tuesday has triggered an Indo-Pak sports war, as Pakistan interior minister Rehman Malik went on to the extent of saying the country would consider giving a “befitting” reply, while former Pakistan cricket team captain Zaheer Abbas suggested that Pakistan should consider withdrawing hockey team from the World Cup in India as a protest to the humiliation.

Pakistan sports minister Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani said Pakistan will not boycott World Cup hockey tournament as it is an FIH event and not an Indian event.

Pakistan has also cancelled a visit of the parliamentary delegation to India. On Pakistan political leadership turning the IPL issue into a diplomatic row; Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna said IPL was a private affair, govt. of India has nothing to do with that. He also said Pakistan should know where to draw a line in reacting to such situations.

There were protests in Islamabad and Lahore by various organisations, including some opposition parties on Thursday, with parties demanding an explanation and an apoloty from the IPL and the franchisees, while Interior Minister Rehman Malik went to the extent of asking an apology from India on the snub as well as sending a delegation to Pakistan to take the cricketers to India. Angry Pakistan fans also burnt effigies of IPL chairman Lalit Modi.

Cable operators of the country also decided to boycott the telecast of the IPL season III. One of the team owners, Bollywood starlet Preity Zinta even got a hate mail from Pakistan, following which the Kings XI Punjab owner as well as Shilpa Shetty, another Bollywood heroine and one of the stake holders of Rajasthan Royals also addressed the media on Friday. They said they owe no clarifications to anybody, the decision of all the franchisees in not buying any of the

Chairman and Commissioner of IPL Mr. Lalit Modi (C), Owner of Rajasthan Royals team Shilpa Shetty (L) and Owner of Kings XI Punjab Preity Zinta attend the press conference at Mumbai

Pakistani cricketers was purely on merit of the situation, there was nothing like a conspiracy or a snub to Pakistan cricketers.

The two starlets also said they hadn’t picked up any new Australian cricketers following the atmosphere here in light of Indians being regularly attacked in Australia and OZ players saying that they will go by CA advise and security situation at the time of the tournament.

Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, responding to allegations that the government had the things planned, refuted the suggestions, saying that Indian government had “nothing to do” with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisees not picking up any Pakistani

cricketers.

“We need to make some sort of strong statement conveying our feelings over the way the IPL organisers and franchises deliberately insulted our cricketers at the auction,” Abbas said.

He added that Pakistan must be clear about its sports policy with India and act accordingly. Jakhrani, while talking to the media after a National Assembly session, said Pakistan would be reviewing its sporting ties with India.

Jamshed Dasti, the chairperson of the National Assembly standing committee on sports, blamed the PCB leadership for the humiliation the players had to face at the IPL auction.

Dasti said it was the

PCB's job to give proper advice to players on whether to make themselves available for the IPL or not.

"The PCB should have first got some assurance from the IPL chairman, Lalit Modi before allowing our players to send their clearance to the Indians," Dasti said.

Protests in Pakistan, cable operators to boycott IPL season 3 The Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (CAP) said, it would boycott all matches of the third edition of IPL. The members of the association said their networks will not air any channel that beams the IPL matches.

Addressing a news conference in the Lahore press club, CAP president Jabbar Ahmed Khan said his group had condemned the attitude of the organisers of IPL. Leaders of religious parties, which do not usually comment on sports activities, joined the fray.

Hardline Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hasan said: "Pakistanis must boycott IPL matches on television, ban the use of Indian products and stop watching Indian films featuring Bollywood stars who are IPL franchisees till an official apology is received from the Indian government and the IPL organisers."

Mushfiqur ton in vain, India beat B’desh Chittagong test went into 5th day as hosts put up a valiant fight

Mushfiqur Rahim exults on reaching his maiden Test century at Chittagong

Mushfiqur Rahim’s valiant century and Tamim Iqbal’s resistance were just not good enough, as Indian bowling ultimately got better of the home team on the final day of the first test match on Thursday, beating Bangladesh by 113 runs to make it 1 – 0 in the two test series.

Bangladesh bowlers did a creditable job by keeping India well in control in the first innings, as the visitor could only score 243 runs, and that also only after a century from their master craftsman – Sachin Tendulkar.

India did improve their show in the second innings, as they piled up 413 runs for 8 wickets, challenging the hosts to

Scotland Yard protection for UK team at Delhi CWG October gala would see largest ever UK contingent participating England’s participation in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, to be staged in New Delhi – India is in no doubts whatsoever, a spokesperson of the England Commonwealth Games Association (ECGA) has said, even as she said that Scotland Yard would be present in the Indian capital, coordinating and ensuring the safety of the British contingent. UK has reiterated that theirs’ will be the biggest squad

at the Delhi CWG. A report in “The Times of India”, quoting Caroline Searle last week said the crack team of the B r i t i s h Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard would be present in Delhi during the CWG. Their role would be atleast to protect the UK team, which would be of 1500+,

including officials.

This will be largest UK contingent at any international event.

Scotland Yard is already working with Delhi Police and other agencies involved in the security of the gala games. Yard officials have already visited the Indian capital in August last year.

ECGA is also taking advice from British Foreign, Commonwealth

Office and the Commonwealth Games Federation also, apart from the Metropolitan Police on the security aspect.

The British contingent would consist of teams from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Britain.

Many of the British athletes would be also participating in test events at the various CWG venues from February to May.

score 415 runs to win.

Bad light had interrupted the match on almost all days of the match, yet India did not feel any pressure on the time factor.

Mushfiqur scored the fastest test century for a Bangladesh player. But, it was a failure of both – the batting and more of the bowling that never tested India in the game.

On the final day however, it was Tamim who offered some resistance.

He concentrated hard, and quelled his natural game for the first hour.

Yet, he succumbed before lunch itself. Bangladesh started the day with 348 runs to be scored and 8 wickets in hand, a win was very much unlikely for them.

A draw also would have been very much a creditable performance, but that was not to be.

Mushfiqur continued the fight, scored a good 60 runs for the eight wicket partnership, but all that was not enough to last out the day.

Finally, India completed the victory in the second session itself. {Brief scores: India 243 (Tendulkar 105, Sehwag 52, Shakib 5-62, Shahadat 5-71) and 413 for 8 dec. (Gambhir 116, Laxman 69, Mishra 50) beat Bangladesh 242 (Mahmudullah 69, Zaheer 3-54, Mishra 366) and 301 (Mushfiqur 101, Tamim 52, Mishra 492, Ishant 3-48) by 113 runs}.