AV 31st January 2015

SEE INSIDE ....

Murthy family donates ÂŁ200,000 to the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust

First & Foremost Asian Weekly in Europe

See Page 13

Londoners join to celebrate Saraswati Puja See Page 14

India, US reach nuclear breakthrough

India's mighty show on R-Day See Page 25

VOL 43. ISSUE 37

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

80p

Barack Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama being warmly welcomed by Narendra Modi India showed its rich cultural diversity and military might as well as achievements in diverse fields at the 66th Republic Day parade in Delhi which had US President Barack Obama as the chief guest for the first time. Obama spent more than two hours on an outdoor viewing platform during the show. Obama nodded in approval as tanks and rocket launchers rolled down the parade route and helicopters ferrying Indian flags flew overhead. Obama was seated next to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, donning a multicoloured 'bandhej safa' (turban), as the two leaders chatted

and enjoyed the annual spectacle. A smiling US President was seen nodding in appreciation on several occasions.

As the nearly twohour-long parade, showcasing India's 'unity in diversity' marched down the Rajpath in drizzle and overcast skies, thousands of spectators gathered along the route and cheered in joy. New Delhi was wrapped in unprecedented security blanket. In a departure from tradition for the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, Obama arrived in his own

bomb-proof vehicle, 'the Beast,' at Rajpath. A highlight of this year's parade was the display for the first time of the recently acquired long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine P-8I aircraft and the long-range advanced MiG-29K fighter plane.

The synchronised military and police contingents led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi), Lt General Subroto Mitra marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through Rajpath where President and

See also Pages 15, 16, 17 and 18 for more R-Day reports

Why not travel in style with TRAVLIN STYLE

* Your one stop TRAVEL AGENT * World-wide low cost flights with all major airlines * Holiday to all corners of the world

Visit: www.travelinstyle.co.uk Contact: 0208 954 0077 / 0203 751 4242

Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Pranab Mukherjee took the salute from a specially erected dais.

Alongside Obama, the ceremonial parade was watched by his wife Michelle, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Modi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the country's top political and military brass, besides the diplomatic community.

The unfurling of the tricolour by the President and playing of the national anthem were followed by a customary 21-gun salute.

The parade began shortly Continued on page 26

31st January to 6th February 2015

British Sikhs condemn racial attack in North Wales British Asians are shocked to learn about a 24 years old Sikh man, who is suffering 'life changing injuries' following what is believed to be a racially motivated attack with a machete and a hammer by a 25 years old man. He launched the savage attack on dentist

Sarandev Bhambra, originally from Leeds, who was buying his launch at the Tesco supermarket in Mold, North Wales, on 14th January 2015.

The victim has been left with deep cuts from a

bladed weapon to his left hand, his back and to the back of his head. However he was saved from being more seriously hurt when other people in the store overpowered the attacker.

Continued on page 2

HRH the Prince of Wales visits UK's largest Jain temple

Nemubhai Chandaria OBE presents Ahimsa Award to HRH The Prince of Wales

We specialise in VISAs to:

* India * China * Kenya * Tanzania * Bangladesh * Colombo * And all other destinations

Zack Davies

Full Story Page 7

CALL

TRAVLIN

STYLE

0208 954 0077 0203 751 4242

5938

OR EMAIL email@travelinstyle.com

UK

2

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Kevin Hyland OBE, Anti-Slavery Commissioner

Kevin Hyland OBE is the first UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, as appointed by the Home Secretary Theresa May. In his new capacity, Mr Hyland will spearhead the UK’s fight against modern slavery, with a concerted focus on strengthening law enforcement efforts in the UK and internationally and helping to ensure that public authorities identify and support slavery victims effectively. Prior to undertaking this role, Mr Hyland acted as the operational lead for the Metropolitan Police’s Human Trafficking Unit. He has over 30 years experience investigating organised crime and has been successful in securing convictions in some of the most challenging cases of slavery and trafficking including cases of child trafficking and others dating back more than a decade.

He was instrumental in the establishment of the Santa Marta Group, a high-level strategic partnership between international law enforcement agencies, the Catholic Church and civil society. He remains a member of this group and continues to support a number of anti-slavery projects and charities.

1) What is your current position?

I am the Independent AntiSlavery Commissioner for the United Kingdom. I have been appointed to spearhead the UK’s response to modern slavery. My job in brief is to make the UK once again, the lead the in the eradication of this disgraceful activity.

2 What are your proudest achievements?

Establishing the Metropolitan Police’s Human Trafficking Unit. Improving the numbers of victims identified from less than 20 to hundreds in only three years is something I am extremely proud of.

3) What inspires you?

I truly believe that everyone should be able to access justice and it is a huge privilege to have a job that fights for this.

Indeed, the mission of my office is to “demand freedom and justice”.

4 What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?

Bureaucracy and bureaucrats.

Anyone who thinks creating a form or document can be a solution must live in a different world to mine.

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

There are many I have met in the police force who have pro-

were wise words and still resonate with me now.

If the question were who inspires me in contemporary history it would be Nelson Mandela.

He stood up to the bullies and changed a nation, indeed the world.

vided ideas, leadership and enthusiasm. I have met excellent role models from constables to chief officers. I am also fortunate to have worked with so many exceptional people from a wide cross section of society. But I recall as a young constable almost three decades ago, whilst on foot patrol I helped an elderly woman who was a victim of a burglary. She thanked me and as I recall said to me “keep doing your job and catch the bad ones and you’ll be alright, never give up and stand up to the bullies, that’s what we’ve done all our lives.” These

British Sikhs condemn racial attack in North Wales

Continued from page 1 Police believe the suspect Zack Davies was operating on his own, but are looking into whether he was part of a wider group and were given extra time to question the man.

The horrifying scenes came amid heightened tension following the Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris, but it is understood that there is not thought to be any significant link to events in France.

On 22 January an anti racism event was held in Mold and was attended by more than 100 locals.

Eyewitnesses said the “huge knife” used by the attacker looked like “something out of [the film] Crocodile Dundee”.

Rich Fay, a 20-year-old student, reportedly said he heard screams coming from an aisle in the supermarket. “In one arm the man had a knife and in the other I believe it was a hammer,” he said.

It is understood the suspect was known to the police, but it is not thought he had a record for violent assaults.

There were unconfirmed reports that he had been in the Army.

Detective Chief Inspector

Alun Oldfield, who is leading the investigation, said: “Initial indications are this is a racially motivated attack and management of the community impact will feature significantly in order to provide public reassurance.”

There has been concern about far-right groups’ using the murders of 17 people in France by three extreme Islamists, brothers Saïd and Chérif Kouachi and Amedy Coulibaly, as an excuse for violence. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it was “monitoring unfolding developments in Birmingham” after Muslim-owned businesses were shot at and attacked with hammers on Saturday and Monday.

Witnesses claimed groups of men damaged shops, restaurants and other premises in the Small Heath and Sparkbrook areas of the city. Police have said the motives for

the attacks are not known.

The MCB said in a statement: “We hope that these remain isolated incidents.”

West Midlands Police said that it was not believed that the attacks were religiously motivated.

It added that they had increased police patrols in the area to reassure local people.

Defendant Zack Davies appeared for a few minutes at Mold Crown Court on 19th January for what was due to be his preliminary hearing. But it had to be adjourned for 24 hours when it emerged that both the prosecution and defense had instructed the same barrister. Davies, with short cropped hair, and wearing a grey jogging suit, spoke only to confirm his name.

The City Sikhs Network, who represent young Sikh professionals like Sarandev in a statement told Asian Voice, “We are shocked to hear of the senseless attack on 25 year old dentist. Sarandev is still recovering in hospital with life-changing injuries and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.

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

I see victims become survivors.

In my new role I now have the opportunity to ensure there are far more outcomes such as this, where the victims are identified and supported and the criminals are sent to prison.

7) And the worst?

Seeing victims of modern slavery ignored, go unidentified or, unbelievably, wrongly imprisoned. It is frustrating and profoundly disappointing when those who have a duty to protect society fail in this duty.

This is something I will not tolerate in my new role.

8) What are your long term goals?

The full circumstances of the attack, which was unprovoked and appears to have been racially motivated, are still unknown and there have been conflicting reports as to the background of the attacker. The tragic incident comes in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.

At this time, we would ask for people not to speculate on social media as to why the attacker did as he did. The suspect has been arrested and the date for his trial is provisionally set for June. Any speculation may have an impact upon the criminal proceedings and may even damage the chances of justice being carried out.

On 22nd January 2015 saw an anti-racism event take place in Mold which was attended by over 100 locals. This show of unity by a small town in Flintshire should serve to remind us all that such actions are only ever the actions of a minority, and British Sikhs should continue to stand proud and unafraid as a community.

If any Sikhs in the UK have concerns about their own safety, they are advised to contact their local Police force by phoning the non-emergency number 101.”

I want to see the United Kingdom become the global lead in the eradication of modern slavery, where victims feel confident to report to the authorities and the criminals are relentlessly pursued. My long-term objective is to see this crime stamped out in the UK within my lifetime and to have played a role in the UK setting an example to the world.

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

I would place a greater value on volunteering and community. I know that David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ idea has attempted to address this, but I would go further. I would make it a requirement that everyone in the public sector, starting with the Prime Minister, commit to working at least one day a year in a voluntary organisation.

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

Without doubt, William Wilberforce. I would have to start the conversation with an apology that his foresight, leadership and true compassion to mankind was not continued sufficiently to achieve his ambitions and I would make a commitment to him that I would do my upmost to follow his leadership and example.

Asian Voice hosts reception for Gujarat Cabinet Minister

Mr Dhimant Trivedi, CEO, Bank of Baroda, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Deputy Leader, Lib Dem Party, House of Lords and Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Gujarat Cabinet Minister

A private reception was hosted by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar in Shakti Hall, for Shri B h u p e n d r a s i n h Chudasama, a senior Cabinet Minister for Education, Higher and Technical Education, Law and Justice, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer affairs, Panchayats, Rural Housing, Rural Development Department

for the State of Gujarat.

The minister was accompanied by a delegation from India. The reception was attended by British Peers, Councillors, London Assembly Members, entrepreneurs, organisational leaders and representatives of the British Council. A full report will be published in the upcoming issues of Asian Voice.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

COMMENT

Republic Day: India assessed

The pomp and circumstance of India’s Republic Day celebrations has become a familiar sight, an enthralling spectacle for those present and for those watching on television. A diverse and sprawling land of ethnicities, tongues and faiths come together to savour the moment of national renewal and affirmation of the future. Beyond the glitz, the occasion this year called for stocktaking, for an assessment of what India had achieved and what still remained to be done. The installation of the BJP-led Narendra Modi government in Delhi last June and the work it has done so far, particularly in expanding and deepening economic reforms, has sent out a message to India Inc and to foreign investors, that under the new dispensation a new window of opportunity had opened to pursue entrepreneurial activity without the hindrance of an over-regulated order stifling enterprise and innovation. Government and the people had to be freed from the dead weight of bureaucracy and the tyranny of the ministerial file endlessly perambulating the corridors of power. Narendra Modi’s arrival as Prime Minister has shaken a dormant nation long accustomed to inertia as a way of life.

The new Indian Prime Minister, a truly superb communicator in whichever language he speaks: Gujarati, Hindi or English, made a spellbinding address in English at the Economic Times Global Business Summit 2015 in New Delhi, in the sumptuous setting of the Taj Palace Hotel, to the great and good of India and the world. It turned out to be a tour de force. Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, Columbia University’s most eminent economist, remarked that Prime Minister Modi was the most astonishing world leaders he had met; and he had met Angela Merkel, David Cameron, Barack

Obama et al. Nicholas Taleb, the Lebanese-born risk management guru said if he were an Indian, he would vote Modi without a qualm. Economics Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman and economist Professor Abhijit Banerjee of MIT were present along with the captains of Indian industry. There were interviews, panel discussions involving CEOs, leading Indian ministers and so on, which by all accounts, made this Delhi durbar the event of the season.

Jagdish Bhagwati saw Narendra Modi as India’s game changer; under whose stewardship India would undergo a truly transformative experience; Paul Krugman gave a fascinating take on the global economy and India’s prospects going forward. India, for him, was the country of the future.

The way it had weathered the Wall Street crash of 2008 and the consequent global recession was a testimony of the country’s resilience. “If we compare India and China, China scares me. They don’t have much consumption but way too much investment. It looks frightening to me. India does not.”

Professor Krugman accepted that India had its share of problems, such as inflation and much else; that policy implementation and further economic reforms would be a continuing challenge.

However, the government, he said, understood what needed to be done, was on top of its game.

India was poised to grow. “India has a happy story to tell.” Indian business heads were not shy of pitching in. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson ,Biocon, said: “If we want to be globally competitive, we can’t be moving around with a ball and chain. We need to be freed up.” With the talking over, the action to press forward must gain traction if India is to embrace the future.

The dramatic exit of the Mahinder Rajapaksa regime in Sri Lanka has opened a new chapter in the country’s relationship with India. This will surely be a period of seed-time and remedy, a challenge for both sides to bring back trust and friendship worthy of the historical past in which culture and religious tradition bonded their peoples. The immediate steps taken by the new government of President Mathripala Sirisena to mend the fraught relationship have been noteworthy, have started to bear fruit. President Sirisena won the his country’s general election as the candidate of the joint opposition front, and this bodes well for the future. It signalled significant support for the new dispensation from a cross-section of the Sri Lankan electorate, of civil society, anxious and alarmed at the erosions of the rule of law under the previous government. President Sirisena’s mandate is clear; the foreign minister made New Delhi his first port of call and the warm reception accorded him are signs of hope, of renewed expectation after the troubled night.. The sternest test for Mr Sirisena’s government will be to draw the Tamil people of the country’s north, into a creative partnership based on mutual respect and trust, so that work can start on dispelling the hostility and suspicion of past years. The Tamil Tiger insurgency is over, it is time ot turn swords into ploughshares. For this to happen, the administration of the Tamil populated area of Jaffna and its environs must return to full civilian control without the menacing shadow of the Sri Lankan army.

This would help drain the poison of communal discord. No peace process in a hitherto divided

society can be easy. Patience and determination will be vital. Serious thought, for a start, must be given to meaningful constitutional reform to ensure security and stability for all Sri Lankans, irrespective of ethnicity or faith. This might mean substituting a unitary state that presently exists with an acceptable form of devolution. Devolution exists in the UK, it has had a longer federated presence in Canada, India and the United States, yet in no way do these arrangements threaten the territorial integrity of the State. The political dialogue in Sri Lanka will have to be free, frank and trustful for the healing to take hold.

The new Sri Lankan government could make a start with India by redeeming unfulfilled promises made by the previous regime. It should permit India to build a cultural centre on a vacant tract of land adjacent to the great Jaffna Public Library, a living monument to Tamil culture. Second, it should permit India to rebuild the port of Mannar on the northern tip of Jaffna, which links it to Rameswaran on the Indian side through ferry services; a proposal similar to one that would link Colombo to Tuticorn. In Mannar stands the Tiruketheeswaran temple, one of the holiest sites for Sri Lankan Tamils, damaged in the civil war and needing repair, which India agreed to undertake. These projects have been in limbo. Instead, the Rajapaksa government preferred to play the Chinese card with mega schemes based on exorbitant loans. Reviving the dormant Indo-Sri Lankan projects would speed up the restoration of timetested ties and open new vistas of cooperative endeavour.

The dons of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have had a shot fired across their bows by the Supreme Court of India, which has ruled that BCCI President N.Srinivasan had to step down from his office or relinquish control of his company, which has the franchise of the Chennai Super Kings in the Twenty/20 Indian Premier League, there being a clear conflict of interest in holding both posts. Mr Srinivasan had fought a fierce rearguard action against moves to unseat him through an election. This, however, is not simply about an election. It is about board culture and its functioning. Cabals, cliques, cronyism are rife and accountability has been sadly lacking. The Supreme Court decreed that BCCI was a national institution and had to be administered accordingly. In a word, it had to mend its ways, as the age of rotten and pocket boroughs is long past. The Sports Ministry would

do well to remind the eminences of the cricket board of the desired probity required in the discharge of its responsibilities to a national sport with a vast public following. Already, Jagmohan Dalmiya and Rajeev Shukla are girding up for a Byzantine struggle for supremacy. Indian cricket, awash with wealth, has little to show on the cricket field, as the latest supine performance against England in the triangular ODI tournament in Australia demonstrated only too well. No stomach for the fight, it would appear. Abysmally led by the over-hyped Mahinder Singh Dhoni, Team India is stuffed with mediocrities out of their depth in the testing international arena.

Players on selectors’ life support biases appear and reappear like recycled waste, while young bucks wait forlornly in the wings, desperate to showcase their talent. A World Cup disaster looms larger by the day.

New chapter in India-Sri Lanka ties

3

The purpose of life is a life of purpose - John O'Keeffe

(1999)

Why India’s Republic Day, is Republic Day for the World

The Indian Constitution is a Constitution for the whole world, for Patriots of the world. Worth dying for, but even more, worth living for to make it a reality - because one in six humans on this planet lives under that Constitution.

I write to you from Washington DC, celebrating India’s Republic Day from the Indian Embassy. Republic Day celebrates the adoption of the Constitution of India.

As Indians focus on what American President Obama said in India, they miss the most powerful and important speech of his trip - given by the President of India quoting an American in his Republic Day speech: “Gandhiji's talisman for the country's rulers was simple and powerful and I quote: "Whenever you are in doubt...recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself...will it lead to swaraj for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?"

But it pains me to see that Mother India is not respected by her own children when it comes to the safety of women. Rabindranath Tagore saw women not only as the deities of the household fire, but also the flame of the soul itself.

As Benjamin Franklin had once said: "Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are". Every Indian must take a pledge to protect the honour of women from violence of any kind.

Only a nation that respects and empowers its women can become a global power”.

When I was schooled on India we had to take such a pledge. A couple of years ago at a speech for the City Hindu Society at Barclays Bank I asked all the Hindu men in invoking Lord Ram to stand and take such a pledge.

It’s time to renew that Presidential demand and ensure the pledge throughout India in every school, every day.

Supreme Court admonishes BCCI

As I ready to visit the grave of John F Kennedy, here in Washington, I suggest we recall the words of that US President, who said ‘...the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.’ In an amendment to the words of that American President we must pledge, whether citizens of India, or of the world, also this Republic Day ‘And let every nation know... that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of our women. Let the word go forth.....that the torch free of the burden of discrimination will be passed to a new generation of Indians.’

As that American President also said, ‘...let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.’

MIDLANDS VOICE

4

Birmingham hospital treats 1500 cases of FGM in 5 years A shocking statistic has revealed that a Birmingham hospital reportedly has treated 1500 cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in just five years, as discussed at a meeting of the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel.

Members were told that cases of the sickening practice peaked at B i r m i n g h a m ’ s Heartlands Hospital in 2013 with 349 recorded victims - nearly 20% more than the previous year, the Birmingham Mail reported. It means around six victims are treated at the hospital every single week, showing the true scale of the hidden crime.

The Heartlands figures were cited to the panel by Home Office expert Stephen Rimmer, in his report about preventing violence in vul-

nerable people in the West Midlands.

FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1984, and since 2003 anyone taking a child out of the UK for the barbaric practice faces 14 years in prison. The newspaper reported that despite the rise in hospital cases and an increase in reports to police in 2014 there has not been a single conviction in the UK. The panel was also told by the Muslim Women’s Network that the current support and counseling for victims was simply not good enough.

Shaista Gohir MBE, who is Chair of the charity, told the panel: “We need to get funding for specific counseling in this area.

“There is a significant population in this region where FGM is prac-

ticed.”

D e t e c t i v e Superintendent Tim Bacon, the force lead for safeguarding children, told the meeting that a police campaign was launched last July to raise awareness about FGM. He said: “This is a form of child abuse and we will investigate every single case, but we do also rely on our partners.

“There were no reports of this happening in 2001, 2002 or 2003. In 2012 we had 25 reports and between January and November of 2014 there were 118 reports to us.

“That is the difference in the awareness of this between the years.”

The National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) also runs a free 24-hour FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.

Speeding teenage driver regrets killing grandfather A teenage driver who killed a grandfather as he sped a 105,000 Range Rover at 81 mph, in a 30 mph zone has regretted his action. Kirpal Singh Sokhi, 19, careered into Stephen Beckett’s car after “flooring” the powerful 4x4, which he had allegedly taken without permission.

As he was jailed for five years, Birmingham Crown Court heard Sokhi reportedly ignored speed humps and speed signs and kept the accelerator pedal to the floor until a crash was inevitable.

'Extraordinary' grandfather Mr Beckett was killed in the crash and a nine-year-old passenger seriously injured, in Bills Lane, Shirley. The pair had been on their way to play cricket when the

Kirpal Singh Sokhi

accident happened.

In a letter to the court and Mr Beckett’s family, Sokhi said: “It is very difficult to express how sorry I am.

“I know I can’t turn back time but what happened was not my intention at all. “I do not ask for forgiveness as I can not forgive myself."

The automotive design student, of Tetley Road, Hall Green, pleaded guilty to causing death

by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without any insurance. He was also banned from driving for six years.

A victim impact statement from Mr Beckett’s wife described him as a “kind, loving husband” who had been looking forward to a long retirement.

She described him as: “Everything to all of us.”

The court heard Mr Beckett’s young passenger was still receiving treatment for the injuries he suffered. The West Midlands force said Mr Beckett's family had expressed their gratitude to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the emergency services who attended the collision and everyone who made donations to the family.

Sham marriage ring convicted

Gurpreet Kaur

Harpinder Kaur

A £12,000 sham marriage bride from the infamous Benefits street has been jailed for 16 months. 37 years old Marcella Brotac, who lives on the infamous James Turner Street, Winson Green, had agreed to marry Harjeet Singh, 25, just 24 hours after meeting him.

She was convicted of conspiring to facilitate a breach of immigration laws at Birmingham Crown Court in

Harjeet Singh

Zafar Abbas

December and jailed on Friday at Northampton Crown Court.

She tried to deny the offence claiming she was in a loving relationship with Singh.

But she was convicted after her ‘husband to be’, of Florence Road, West Bromwich, admitted the same charge and gave evidence against her.

He was jailed for six months at an earlier hearing. Both were part

Davinder Singh

Mercella Brotac

of a sham marriage ring run by Zaffar Abbas, 45, of Bescot Street, Walsall, and Davinder Singh, 40, also of Nineveh Road.

The pair charge Indian nationals up to £12,000 to be introduced to Eastern European brides allowing the Indians to remain in the UK past their visa expiration.

Abbas was jailed for six years and three months after being convicted of five counts of

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Leicester's first free Sikh school shares its success story

Falcons Primary School, in Gipsy Lane, Leicester’s first free Sikh school has shown that a good ethos is the main ingredient in creating a successful learning environment.

Under the government's free schools programme, the school started last year on Monday, October 27. Over the years the school expanded to have 420 pupils on roll, with at least 50% of places available for non-Sikh children.

Head teacher Jasbir Mann reportedly said: “The school is built on a Sikh ethos, but the virtues or values that we’re building it on would resonate with most other schools.

“We’re built on compassion for each other and the environment, as well as respect, perseverance and faith.”

The Leicester Mercury in a report said that school had a difficult period in 2014 when the

Department for Education pulled funding at the last minute, prompting angry calls from parents to have it reinstated.

The DfE reportedly agreed later to allow the school to open, providing the trustees, who make up the Akaal Education Trust, would restructure the board of trustees and governing body to include more people from the primary education sector, alongside finding a new head teacher.

Mrs Mann, who was appointed as the new head teacher, told a local daily: “It’s very important in an area that you have diversity of provision – you’re catering for a diverse population these days, and there is a space for faith schools.”

“I think we fit into the Leicester vision of celebrating diversity, and we contribute to that richness of the city, alongside a rich curriculum that will

teach our children a wide variety of skills.”

The school have recently embedded an arts award into the curriculum, with funding support from The Mighty Creatives, Linda Harding and arts manager, Gemma Kiddy - starting with the creation of a giant falcon.

Mrs Mann added: “We were a school that had just opened – It’s a blank canvas. So creating something like this seemed to be a really good opportunity of getting some external expertise working with us, and have something the children could look at for years to come.

“As this is a new school, the building itself is still being developed, and the children just take it all in their stride.

“We’re here to ensure that our pupils get the highest quality of education, and at Falcons, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Faith groups in Birmingham came together for ‘Not In Our Name’ rally in the city on Sunday to reject extremism and violence. Members of Moseley Inter Faith Forum - made up of Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sikhs and Hindus – met at the Victoria Square on Sunday, January 25, between 12.30-1.30pm.

The rally was addressed by Birmingham Lord Mayor Coun Shafique Shah and other speakers.

A spokesman for Moseley Inter Faith Forum

told a local newspaper: “We utterly reject the violent and extremist actions committed in the name of religion by desperate murderers in Paris and worldwide.

“They do not speak or act for us. We believe true religion is to seek to practise justice, love, mercy and peace among all people both locally and internationally.

“We equally reject antiSemitism, Islamophobia and racism and any associated violence. These have no rightful place in our

city.”

He added that the group was confident that all communities in Birmingham of whatever faith or belief could continue to work for a peaceful future.

“We wish to show mutual respect in our relationships and appreciation of both our similarities and our differences.

“We are proud that Birmingham belongs to all of us and we are proud to belong to Birmingham our great cosmopolitan and inclusive city.”

Faith groups in Birmingham come together to reject extremism and violence

conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law.

Singh, who would source the brides, was jailed for two years five months after being convicted of a single count of the same offence.

Abbas and Singh’s scam was rumbled by staff at Shrewsbury Registry Office – where all of the marriages were

held.

Workers noticed brides and grooms knew nothing about each other and in some cases could not even speak the same language.

Five others who pleaded guilty to the same charge were also jailed for 16 months, They were; Harpinger Singh, 23, of Nineveh Road, Handsworth,

Vladimir Gazi, 40, of Hobgate Road, Wolverhampton.

Ivars Mizans, 34, of Dudley Street, West Bromwich.

Gurpreet Kaur, 25, of Dudley Street, West Bromwich, and Zdenka Gaborova, 36, of Wallace Close, Oldbury.

Gabrova failed to attend court for sentence.

Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, No. 2, Wallajah Road, Chennai - 600 002. Tamil Nadu, India. Ph: 91-44-2538 3333 / 9857, Fax: 91-44-2536 1385.

Website: www.tamilnadutourism.org E-mail: ttdc@vsnl.com For online booking log on to : www.ttdconline.com

Commissionerate of Tourism

Tamil Nadu Tourism

Ahmedabad : Ph : 079 - 2658 0317, Hyderabad : Ph : 040 - 2766 7492, New Delhi : Ph : 011 - 2374 5427, 2336 6327, Mumbai : Ph : 022 - 2411 0118, Kolkata : Ph : 033 - 2423 7432, Jaipur : Ph : 0141 - 2204 999

DIPR/1376/Display/2014

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

5

6

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Nick Clegg hosts an exclusive reception for the BAME community Spriha Srivastava

Pravasi Bharat’s dream comes true Being a Non-Resident Indian has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While the advantages might be many, the disadvantage sometimes takes over. NRIs have also been known as NVI’s (Non-Voting Indians) but things are going to change now. The Union government informed the Supreme Court that it had accepted Election Commission's recommendation to allow NRIs to vote through eballot system or through

of protest. The march began at the Gandhi statue in Tavistock Square gardens and ended with a peaceful demonstration outside the High Commission of India & then with petition submissions. Later, they filed a Public Interest Litigation in Supreme Court of India.

In 2014, when the General Elections in India were only a few months away, the group’s chairman Nagender Chindam, went on a

formed state of Telangana, Mr. Jagdishwar Reddy, who congratulated the Pravasi Bharat group for their efforts in making the NRI voting possible.

A number of NRIs present at the event shared their views and sang songs and cheered slogans to celebrate the decision. Those present also sang the national anthem and marked the country’s Republic Day and also 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s

proxy. The EC discarded other possibilities - postal ballot and internet voting - terming them fraught with the danger of manipulation.

NRI’s from across the UK gathered around the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square to celebrate the special occasion – a place where Pravasi Bharat started its campaign. The gathering also marked one year of a three-day hunger strike organised by Pravasi Bharat leader Nagender Chindam.

But the journey hasn't been easy. It all started in the year 2012 when the group founded the campaign group called "Feasible voting options for eligible Indian citizens residing abroad."

The group brought together many NRI's who had a similar goal in mind. Together, they held a demonstration on August 31st, 2012 urging the government of India to provide an absentee voting option for NRIs. They submitted the petition addressed to the Prime Minister of India and the Election Commission of India through the High Commissioner's Office in London. In October 2012, taking inspiration from Gandhiji’s Salt March, they organised a London March as a form

three-day hunger strike that ended on January 26, 2014 - India’s Republic Day. Nagender broke his fast in front of the Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square. A group of NRIs stood with him on the rainy, freezing day, pledging their support to Pravasi Bharat’s cause.

After all these efforts, when the Supreme Court has accepted the decision in letter and spirit, the members of Pravasi Bharat cannot contain their happiness. Groups Chairman Mr Chindam said, “Now NRIs can be part of our country’s development much more than ever – their voice can be heard more and can be part of nation’s well-being directly.

Pravasi Bharat is proud to achieve this through relentless campaign and then with the P.I.L in honourable Supreme Court of India – this is really significant because it will help about 11 million Indian citizens living abroad. It's a tribute to our founding fathers of India Swamy Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr.Bheemrao Ambedkar who were Non-Resident Indians at certain point of time in their lives.”

Also present at the event was the Minister of Education for the newly

return from South Africa to India.

“This is a fantastic step forward for all Indians abroad.

Whenever we as NRIs talk about India, first we criticize about corruption and conclude with statements like we can do nothing as we are staying out of India? Now, I can keep my head high and say 'I can be the change for India, being a proud citizen of India,” said Mrs. Arti Gujare, President Pravasi Bharat. Despite the cold weather and a Saturday morning, supporters of Pravasi Bharat came together to be a part of this celebration. Just before the close of the event, the supporters cut a cake to celebrate their success.

"Millions of Indians living abroad will be now able to vote. I am looking forward to cast my vote from London through epostal/proxy ballot. It’s a great news for all those NRI citizens who really care about our nation's well-being & kudos to team Pravasi Bharat who did all hard work for over the years. It is the happiest moment for us, and what else could I ask for as campaigner of NRI voting rights," said Srujan Chada, General Secretary, Pravasi Bharat.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Samiksha Pattanaik Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, hosted a reception for prominent figures from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities at the Admiralty House here on last Wednesday evening. The event was the brain-child of Patchwork Foundation that aims to facilitate creation of an inclusive British political society by the positive integration of underrepresented, deprived and minority communities.

Thanking the Patchworkers for their suggestion to hold the reception, Nick Clegg said, “We live in a very anxious time, there is a lot of fear but we want a country where there is a climate of hope and not fear.”

“And that can only be done if communities reach out to each other, if BAME communities feel that they have a place in this country and a place just as much as anybody else and this what this reception is about- it’s about celebrating the wonderful diversity of Britain,” he added.

On the occasion, he stressed on the need for greater diversity in public appointments if they are to speak for the country.

The event saw the

Deputy PM Nick Clegg addresses the BAME community

who’s who of BAME community, from politicians and representatives of non-governmental organisations to lawyers, media professionals, and other invited guests.

Among those present at the reception were Baroness Floella Benjamin, Baroness Hussein-Ece, Baroness Brinton, Lib Dem PPC for Beckenham Anuja Punj Prashar, Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West Stephen Williams, businessman and politician Abdul Malik, BBC HARDtalk presenter Zainab Badawi, professional chef and designer Chetna Makan, singer George The Poet, BBC Radio presenter Nihal A among others.

Briefly touching on the significance of the upcoming elections, he said, “This election is important in many respects. It is important for we as a country in whatever way you do it, that we emphatically, clearly, calmly and firmly say that is not the politics that we are going to abide by in our country.”

“It will only tear us apart; make people more fearful; drive communities away from each other rather towards each other that is simply not the

future rather a climate of fear for the politics of grievance and blame to take root. It must be rejected and rejected fully,” he added.

He also pointed out the adverse impact of the 2008 recession on Britain’s economy, describing it as a “cardiac arrest” of the economy.

“We are in no allusion.

The economy is still fragile. My party believes that we maintain a stubborn allegiance that is liberal, tolerant, open-minded, generous-hearted politics, and sensible, centreground liberal economics that is the only way we can socially, economically and politically complete the journey through these turbulent waters,” he said.

He ended his speech with a polite request to lend support to his liberal values that he talked about.

However, vice chair of South Central Liberal Democrats, Tahir Maher said, “It’s a non-partisan event. It’s just to give our views to people as for where we stand. It’s a way of building relationship with the BAME community. But we have to do a lot more than this. There are more of the ethnic communities out there. It’s not even the tip of the iceberg.”

25 years of Kashmiri Hindus' Exodus commemorated at Vishwa Hindu Kendra Temple

19th January marked the 25th Anniversary of holocaust for all ethnic minorities of Kashmir as in 1990 a campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide against them was unleashed by the fundamental Islamists and Jihadists.

To commemorate the 25 years, over 1000 people attended an event at Vishwa Hindu Kendra Temples It was also attended by Pujya Ram Bapa and Acharya Vikasa ji from Andhra Pradesh.

Many Members of Parliament and Local Councillors also visited and gave speeches.

Virendra Sharma MP, Bob Blackman MP and Barry Gardiner MP addressed the audience,

Pujya Ram Bappa, Barry Gardiner MP, Bob Blackman, Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Virendra Sharma MP and other guests

making them aware of the plights that the Kashmiri Hindus faced.

It was also attended by members of the APPG for British Hindus, Hindu Forum of Europe, Jayesh

Jotangia, Bharti Tailor, Krishna Bhan of Kashmir Pundits Association of Europe, Professor Micheal Hill of Newcastle University amongst many other guests.

UK

HRH the Prince of Wales visits UK's largest Jain temple

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Jainology (Executive Director of the JAINpedia project), said: “For so many years you have emphasized the critical importance of taking better care of this interconnected and increasingly fragile world. You have been a resolute champion of the natural environment and have been unwavering in your appeal for action for a sustainable future, while yourself advancing a range of practical initiatives to further this goal.

faiths and acceptance of religious diversity.

Your words and actions have resonated with us and we wish to acknowledge and encourage them.”

Mr Chandaria OBE of the Institute of Jainology, which represents all Jain organisations in the UK, was delighted and said that: “There are 30 Jain community organisations in the UK, and we are all united under the ‘One Jain’ banner; with the

7

our Derasar. It’s a remarkable day for us all, memories of which we shall treasure forever.”

The Oshwal Centre is home to the Oshwal Association of the UK, a registered charity established in 1968. Its core objectives include raising awareness of Jainism through recognising and rewarding ordinary members for their extraordinary achievements, helping the needy, encouraging an education and pro-

Prince Charles inaugurates a plack commemorating his visit to the Jain Derasar at Oshwal Centre in presence of Mehul Sanghrajka and Rex H Shah with other members

Marking the Institute of Jainology’s 25 years, a special Ahimsa Anniversary Award was presented to The Prince of Wales during his first-ever visit to the UK’s largest Jain Temple in Potters Bar. Chairman of the Institute of Jainology, Nemu Chandaria OBE, and Rex H Shah President of Oshwal Association UK greeted HRH The Prince of Wales.

Arshna Sanghrajka, an expert on Jain Temple architecture, then took HRH The Prince of Wales on a tour around the magnificent and unique Jain Temple.

pers and distinguished guests including the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Countess of Verulam, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Fergus McMullen, Cllr Peter Ruffles, Vice-Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council and Les Page and Mrs Bette Philpot, the Mayor and Mayoress of Welwyn, Hatfield Borough Council.

HRH The Prince of Wales also unveiled a special plaque to commemorate his landmark visit.

Addressing attendees, HRH The Prince of Wales said: “I am enormously flattered that you have

the entire structure.”

Centre President Rex Shah said: “Today’s visit

by HRH The Prince of Wales to our temple is historic. It’s a remarkable day for us all, memories of which we shall treasure forever. We take enormous pride in all that we do at our temple and for this to be acknowledged and appreciated by our future British heir apparent, is a symbol of our success so far.”

There are around 5,300 Jain families in the UK, that’s a community of over 25,000. With ancestral roots in India and in parts of East Africa, the Jain

Prince Charles visiting the Jain Derasar at Potters Bar. On far left standing our Consulting Editor Jyotsna Shah

Thereafter, a reception was held in the newly refurbished Assembly halls of the Oshwal Association UK, where HRH The Prince of Wales met members of the community, inter-faith representatives and other distinguished guests.

HRH The Prince of Wales was presented with an Ahimsa Award during his first-ever visit to the UK’s largest Jain Temple.

The Ahimsa Award is bestowed each year on an individual who has demonstrated Ahimsa, or peace and non-violence, through compassion towards animal life, alleviation of poverty or suffering, or protection of the environment.

He also met with Centre trustees, worship-

invited me here to open your newly refurbished Assembly Halls and to tour your magnificent temple.” Commenting on the meaning behind the many carved patterns, the structure and unique architecture of the “Derasar” temple, which is a listed-building, and is aligned on its North Easterly axis, he said: “It is as if every inch of the building reflects the meaning of those universal principles which underpin all of the world’s great sacred traditions.”

“I was particularly struck by the fact that each carved stone or section of the building arrived here from Central India like bits of a giant jigsaw, and they fitted together so precisely and perfectly that the pieces themselves hold up

community is among the most law-abiding, enterprising, with many of its younger members emerging with highest marks from some of the UK’s topranking academic institutions, going on to secure senior positions in the private and public sectors.

Commenting on the Ahimsa Awards, Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of Mahtama Gandhi said: “These awards are a symbol of my great grandfather’s campaign for peace, justice and non-violence.

He earned tremendous respect and credibility through his diplomacy, and I’m delighted that HRH The Prince of Wales has received this prestigious award.”

Dr Mehool Sanghrajka from the Institute of

Prince Charles and other dignitaries exploring the surroundings of the Derasar

The Ahimsa Award also recognizes the contribution you have made to encourage interfaith dialogue, a greater mutual understanding amongst adherents of the world's

Institute of Jainology representing Jains in government and inter-faith matters. Indeed, we are proud to have had so many faith leaders, and now HRH The Prince of Wales visit

moting the protection of the environment, as well as ‘ahimsa’ peace and non-violence.

Photo courtesy: Jagdeep Shah

Rupee Exchange Rate You will not like to miss

Rapid Funds 2 India – You just need to visit any of our 10 branches in the UK Click Funds 2 India –

Just get online and remit money to India at ease

• Remittances to any Bank in India.

• Free remittances to Bank of Baroda branches in India For Rupee exchange rates and terms and conditions,

Terms and conditions apply

visit www.bankofbarodauk.com or call 020 7457 1515 Visit any of our 10 branches in the UK: Bank of Baroda London Main Office EC1Y 2BD T:+44 (0) 20 7457 1544

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bank of Baroda is established in the UK with company number BR002014 and is based at 32 City Road, London EC1Y 2BD. T. +44(0)207 457 1515 F. +44 (0)207 457 1505 E. info.uk@bankofbaroda.com W. www.bankofbarodauk.com Bank of Baroda is authorised and regulated by the prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Our regulator firm reference no. is 204624

8

UK

As I See It

The tragedy of the commons Dear readers. Let me clarify at the outset, I am not referring to the House of Commons. The Hons and the Rt Hons of the House of Commons as well as the Lords and Baronesses in the House of Lords are in some cases a law unto themselves. In the last few years, behaviour, whether in financial false claims or in other aspects, of some members of the lower and upper Houses of the British Parliament is a separate subject for another day.

I am talking about the commonly held resources - material, intellectual or spiritual, which are either ignored or unethically exploited.

Ambivalence is not the answer. For example overfishing is reaching a catastrophic level.

Human beings, not all but a very large number of them, have exterminated, or almost exterminated, several species of fish. Non vegetarians kill fish or other animals who are mostly weak, timid or unable to resist human aggression.

Human beings do not eat the brave and strong animals who can pose a formidable challenge if they are slaughtered. Earthworms are always there to crush.

Culture and religious beliefs are in some cases exposed to continuous onslaught of Islam and Christianity who consider Prophetising a cardinal duty.

Devout Christians, especially Evangelical Christians would proclaim that you can't reach salvation until you are a follower of Christ. The followers of Islam proclaim that there is only one God and that is Allah. The Indic religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism or Sikhism) are, by and large, much more accommodating. Several followers of these Indic religions have noticed that some of their co religions easily proclaim that we believe in God but which one is not the main concern. Perhaps as the oldest and continuous faith tradition Hinduism has become more and more liberal in its definition or the manner of worship. I for one have no hesitation to say that I am proud to be Hindu and, at the same time, I respect all other faith traditions. “Sudbhav” – respect for all religions – is ingrained in me but “sumbhav” – all Gods are my God – is perhaps too much for me.

Indian culture is primarily based on Hindu beliefs and it has its own strengths – not that I proclaim that Hinduism is perfect or that it should

Yoga Comes To Life!

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

be universally followed but I genuinely believe that the cardinal principles of Hinduism “ V a s u d h a i v a Kutumbakam” (the whole world is one family), and that the Creator or God is one but we know him by different names, are simple and more positive beliefs which are least likely to create antagonism and the tensions such as we increasingly see between followers of Islam and Christianity.

On 27th January Holocaust was rightly remembered. Just look at the death and destruction in the name of religion and hatred. About 2 million people of Indic faith reside in the UK. Proportionately they do well in education, professions, entrepreneurship, and other positive aspects of everyday life.

These Indic faith followers formed the lowest percentage in the number of prisoners in Her Majesty's jails (a total of some 86,000). The followers of Islam sadly are over 10 percent if not nearly 20. There is not enough space is this article for me to explore all the reasons but suffice is to say that our culture and traditions have played a predominant role in our more acceptable behaviour. No doubt there is so much to learn from the western civilisation which is predominantly of Christian origin. Can we have the best of the East and West together for a betterment of society and its individuals?

Everybody's baby is nobody's baby. The followers of the Indic faiths, as well as opinion makers and the leaders of other faith traditions, readily accept that the law abiding and peaceful temperament and behaviour of the people of Indian origin is an asset worth preserving.

Recently there is so much going on about the British Muslims.

In the Economist dated 24th January 2015 the Bagehot page is titled “Multicultural and aggrieved” and talks about the letter from Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities, and Lord Ahmed a Muslim peer addressed to over 1,000 mosques and indirectly to Britain's 2.8 million Muslims. The main message of this letter is perhaps very provocative and insulting to some if not all of Britain's Muslims.

According to the Economist this circular or letter was a polite request which was worth asking but least likely to succeed. The Bagehot

column looks at Birmingham’s Sparkhill area where 10% of the residents are white and 70% are Muslims. It goes on to say that British Muslims have failed to crack on—richer Hindus have dispersed to Birmingham’s leafier suburbs”. It also says “that around 40 Brummie Muslims are in prison for terrorism offences”.

Sadly the writer of this article (in The Economist) is not very optimistic about the attitude of the second generation of British-born young Muslims. The article claims, that “it is especially evident among second generation British Muslims who, having abandoned their parents' native language, food and clothing, often find in Islam a uniquely powerful immigrant identity”. It quotes one Mr Ali, “a bearded 37 year old whose relish for communal harmony coexists with conservative Muslim views, is a typical case. 'Our parents were too busy working hard to think about religion much,' he says. 'Our generation is saying: “I choose to be Muslim, this is how I make sense of the madness”.' At the end the Bagehot is waiting for the next generation to be more integrated.

Baroness Warsi, the former Tory Chair, who resigned her Cabinet post some five months ago and gained more popularity amongst the adherents of her faith, has launched a bitter assault on the Coalition's strategy towards it's Muslim constituents. She targets in particular Michael Gove for the severest criticism and says “his failure to engage with the community has fuelled resentment”.

She is very angry that Prime Minister David Cameron has rejected requests from Muslims to be given an equivalent to the annual meeting he has with the Jewish leadership. It is not possible to dwell on this Muslim dissatisfaction any further. I, as a Hindu, am happy to note that followers of the Indic faiths have found much more better space within British society thanks to both their cultural heritage and the fairness and tolerance of British society. I wish all those who refrain from joining the main stream and integrate will have some second thoughts and reciprocate with the vast majority of Britons who have accepted us so willingly.

- CB

Why would 170 countries sign up to endorse 21st June 2015 as the first International Yoga Day? How is it that something that started over 5000 years ago is still going strong? You could argue why has it taken 5000 years for so many countries to accept this day as a day of change? Is it just going to be a one day wonder day or something more sustaining?

If it is going to go into school curriculums, governmental departments and private companies ethos's and into NHS and health systems the world over how is this going to happen? These were some of the questions asked yesterday 26th January at the House of Parliament at the launch of

Lee Scott MP addressing the gathering

International Yoga Day. Ravi Bhanot Director Coolherbals and The Ayurveda Institute of Europe, one of the organizers of the event said "Yoga supports us through the power of silence, using oxygen and exercise to connect the mind body and soul. Let us see how we can now use the power of communication and exercise our influence in every way to support yoga."

Satish Sharma, secretary of National Hindu Council of Temple (UK), said that the vision of Narendra Modi in getting the UN Resolution to make 21st June as International Yoga Day starts the second wave of revival of Yoga in Britain.

There are plans for world wide awareness and planning taking place.

Ravi Bhanot addressing the audience

Sushma Bhanot coDirector of Coolherbals added that " yoga is an integrel part of society and touches each of our lives, through its many paths."

Lord Dholakia added that "he has a library in his back garden. Meditating and reflecting is crucial.

Yoga is a way to reduce the enormous pressures on the NHS. He would support this."

Lee Scott MP backed Lord Dholakia's opinion. " If yoga can help people's ailments and costs nothing or very little it makes sense to have this in the NHS and in schools."

Neil Patel, a hip hop yoga instructor from Harrow, described how Doctors had given him a death sentence when he was diagnosed with cancer and how yoga had cured him. Krishna Bhanot, from South Woodford and a yoga practitioner, said

support we need evidence that yoga can help. Dr Katrien Hertog from Prison Smart Project and Sue Hindle from IAHV, both from Art of Living gave encouraging reports on how yoga is helping.

For example there was 69% improvement in abstinence from drugs and alcohol amongst prisoners and 68% had a reduction in anxiety. This was because yoga affected deep down "into the DNA level and not just superficially."

Raj Jatengia from the NHSF said they visualize their 4000 Hindu students in universities would participate in doing Flash Mob yoga dance on the

Sushma Bhanot speaking at the event

21st June and Rakesh Shah from ISKON would be fully involved in various events on the 21st June too.

Dial Sharma from Acton Asian Association and a yoga teacher for the last 40 years said that everyone can do the yoga.

He teaches people who are in their 80's and "if they can do it so can everyone."

L. George from Asian Voice and Keith Coomber from Om Yoga and Lifestyle were there to welcome the VIPs. Ravi Bhanot praised the work Asian Voice and Om Yoga and Lifestyle are doing to Lord Dholakia giving a speech promote Yoga and natural while Keith Coomber from Om sciences.

Virendra Sharma MP Yoga Lifetyle Magazine looks on and Mike Gapes MP were present to lend support for "yoga had transformed her yoga. If you are interested health by simply doing in being involved in yoga for one hour daily."

International Yoga Day There was general conphone 020 8597 9039 or sensus that we need to e m a i l have more political lobbyinfo@coolherbals.com ing and to win political

Birmingham pizza parlour boss facing £3,000 bill for infestation

A pizza parlour in Birmingham was forced to temporarily close after health inspectors discovered it was infested with cockroaches. Pizza Pan in Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, was ordered to shut for three days because of the risk to human health.

Owner Shaid Salim, 38, has now been fined £900 and been ordered to pay £1,998 costs after pleading guilty to one charge under the Food Hygiene Regulations.

The restaurant boss, of Colonial Road, Bordesley Green, was told by magistrates it had been a particularly serious infestation

which had built up over a period of time. But they had taken into account his lack of previous convictions and his attempts to restore the business to the level of hygiene it had enjoyed previously.

Julia Kettle, prosecuting for Birmingham City Council, told city magistrates that two environmental health officers made a routine visit on November 25 in 2013 to the takeaway, which sold pizzas as well as fried chicken and fries.

After the case, Coun Barbara Dring, Chair of the city councils Licensing and Public Protection

Committee, said: "Officers visiting Pizza Pan in November 2013 found a high number of cockroaches (alive and dead), filthy kitchen equipment as well as dirty and contaminated food preparation and storage areas.

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Get Healthy with One of the Best IndianHeritage Fitness Instructors Around 35- year old health instructor Darren Carroll has an Anglo-Indian father and an English-born mother. He’s proud of the matriarchal culture in his family that trickles down from his strong Indian grandmother. “We all listen when she speaks,” he said, in interview at Eden gym in Ealing. (He also trains clients in his home town of Swindon.)

“My grandfather’s grandfather was an Irish settler who immigrated to Bangalore. Settlers were encouraged to integrate and marry so I have family there; aunts and cousins,” Darren elaborated.

His father was an engineer in the Royal Naval Reserves and Darren was an Air Cadet for nine years. He won an RAF flying scholarship at 17. “I always wanted to be a pilot but I failed my eye test so could not train further,” he stated.

This brilliant instructor always aspired to practise health and fitness; and was using a gym from the age of 16.

Darren Carroll

“It was something to do- I even went on Saturday evenings,” he said. “It was a way of dealing with my insecurities. I was a very skinny, lightweight child. Part of the concern with my RAF application was that my body weight was so low that if I jumped out of an aeroplane, my parachute might not work.

At 26, I decided to learn to become a Personal Trainer. I was building my self-confidence because in the gym I knew what I was doing. ” Darren soon moved from copying others to acquiring a deep knowledge of his own about body health and fitness.

He did special American courses. He applies the

knowledge to his own body, changing his shape periodically, and generously shares it with others.

Anyone can consult him for free advice.

Rather than putting his business first, Darren advises clients according to what serves them best.

“Because of my understanding that everything stimulates a physical or mental response positively or negatively, I can help people achieve and manage a healthier way of life.”

Darren understands the health issues arising in Indian communities and works a lot with families.

He sees a husband and wife each twice a week and helped their children.

He has father and son clients, and I hope one day he will help my family.

With everyone, he has been able to improve a family unit’s health; “Sometimes the whole family needs educating to provide a support network. I can get them all healthier instead of just one individual,” he explained. “I can make positive progress with people who have little or no exercise experience through exercise practise, nutrition training and a lifestyle built around individual needs.

“Rather than cherry picking the best ideas, I combine a diet plan that

works with a training plan and lifestyle. Addressing strategies and creating a plan empowers people. I understand heart disease, diabetes and cholesterol, and how you can reduce the likelihood of people becoming sufferers. I can also help to improve health, prevent problems from escalating and reduce the risk of more serious incidents occurring.”

For example, Darren has a Swindon client who

“A strong back can hold the weight of the world better” Darren Carroll is severely overweight and is borderline being diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. She could not walk from her car to her front door without getting out of breath.

In six months he brought her blood pressure down to near normal and she can now walk over a kilometre at a brisk pace despite having both knees replaced. She’s also lost over four and a half stone.

Darren gets resultsalways.

Darren’s ability to recognise how a physical weakness like poor posture can manifest itself as pain and stress means he can use exercise to reduce

9

stress levels and improve well being.

He’s always been ready to help me too. As my Ed knows, I get a bit stressed with my work. I was not exercising effectively. Darren has helped me understand my body and work life schedule and improve my exercise practise. My life management has improved and my physical and mental stress levels have gone down. I am more effective. It proves that a long term solution to pain can be achieved entirely through exercise, nutrition and lifestyle management.

“Being stronger allows you to better stand up to the challenges of day to day life. A strong back can hold the weight of the world better,” he said.

Darren encourages a healthy lifestyle at home for his wife and two children as well as managing his own health and well being - and that of his clients.

He’s planning to visit India this year with his father. “It will be interesting to see where Dad was born, where my grandparents lived and the types of lives they had,” he said.

He thoroughly enjoys his grandfather’s tarkha dhal, tomato rice and dosas, and he’s looking forward to discovering more of his cultural history in India his spiritual home.

10

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Caste and Faith

Religious zeal

Too little too late

Anyone for hot air?

Baroness Flather’s letter entitled “Caste Bias” in last week’s Asian Voice needs some clarification.

Baroness Flather asks why Hindus protest about the law saying that caste discrimination should be legal when no caste discrimination exists.

The Baroness forgets that the law was proposed by disgruntled elements and was supposed to be rammed down the throat of harmonious Hindus. This law would have created a ghost of caste scare; would have generated unsavoury ethos against Hindus. We must be grateful that vigilant Hindu organisations did not yield to pressure and consequential embarrassment. Her contention that two proselytising religions saves converts from going to hell. Considering that these religions are about 2,000 years old, hell must be over crowded by souls who departed thousands of years before these religions!

Were these two religions created to ease overcrowding in hell?

Also considering that as relatives of newly converts who died before advent of these two religions ended in hell, heaven would be very lonely place for neo-converts, away from relatives.

How can a neo convert be saved from hell, when both faiths preach dust to dust and sleeping in grave till clarion’s call?

But credit must be given to both faiths for instilling dignity and improving living standards of neo-converts.

So a Law trainee, having received a subsidised western education, is let off by his PC employer thus upholding our western tradition of his right of freedom to speak privately, even using a derogatory term for non Muslims accusing that the minds of the moderates from his community are colonised by the west.

If he disagrees with the western perspective which the majority of his brethren (Malala included) living in multicultural and tolerant UK find appealing, perhaps he would be better off working for Boko Haram or as spokesman for IS. At least this way the prospective Kaffur clients may get impartial advice which is untainted by religious zeal from that firm The PM is absolutely right to send letter to the heads of mosques urging them to explain how Islam can be part of British identity. It was also interesting to see a Labour politician walking off a live TV interview when questions were raised about the letter. Was it because any untoward comments may harm their chances of getting votes from their biggest support group?

The choice for voters especially from the reminder tolerant religious background who are fully assimilated in the British society in the next election would be similar to the one faced by the Indians and as we know, the verdict was handed down resoundingly.

A mere visit to listen to tragic stories of the Kashmiri pandits exodus does not qualify a Labour politician whose party empowers the other group in the blind pursuit of seeking votesto understand the concerns of the Hindus.

Many a professional friends and family members I come across feel the same and it is about time we say it with our votes remmebring that Congress = Labour!

I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was given a refund of £12 by my electricity supplier towards the cost of my last electricity bill. This was made under the Government Electricity Rebate (GER) scheme and is a government contribution to help lower consumer energy bills. It is part of a wider package of measures which will reduce household energy bills by an average of around £50 per year.

British Gas have announced that they will cut 5% (£37 per household). This is welcome news but not enough when oil prces have gone down by 20%. These are meagre amounts and are too little too late.

When oil prices are falling and energy companies are expected to increase their profits, the pressure on suppliers to drop their prices further must mount.

We need to have power, we need to use gas to stay warm in winter and cannot revert to using cow dung or wood for cooking and heating. People who suffer most from the indiscriminate high prices are retired senior citizens who stay in cold and damp houses and suffer from depression and other illnesses and be a burden on the health service.

The solution is to nationalise the companies providing the indispensable utilities like gas, electricity and water and or subsidise the cost of these utilities.

Instead of giving aid to foreign countries which in fact carry a chip on their shoulders against us, let the charity begin at home!

I think TV election debates are a waste of air time. Party leaders not only try to impress voters but also their own ministers, many of whom fantasise that a new leader may improve their chances of winning. All the leaders assume that interjecting while their rivals are speaking will delight the electorate. It does not.

The word “debate”, according to my dictionary, means a “discussion” and a discussion suggests a “calm exchange of views,” with each participant winning or conceding the points they make.

Such an orderly format would undoubtedly help voters decide whom to support.

Alas, there is nothing calm about these debates as each speaker fires away from deeply entrenched positions. It’s like hearing all the party political broadcasts at the same time, producing nothing more enlightening than hot air.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

EU lifts Alphonso ban

Rejoice, Alphonso mangos are here to stimulate your taste buds. n Most Indians, who came here from all over the world, still crave for tropical fruits like seedless guava, pineapple, green coconuts, juicy sugarcane and above all sweet, tasty Indian Alphonso mangos. So when EU imposed arbitrary ban, most Indians went into selfimposed, unintentional depression!

Now it is time to rejoice, as EU has unanimously lifted the ban in time for mango season that begins in May and lasts until September. Our heartfelt thanks must go to everyone who fought tooth and nail against this unjust arbitrary ban, especially to AV/GS, Priti Patel, Seems Malhotra, PM David Cameron and above all Keith Vaz, loyal friend of Indian community who has stood by us in our hour of need, whether it is caste discrimination bill or Baba Ramdave being illegally detained at the airport. Although ban still remains on other products such as bitter gourds and aubergines, it is only question of time before it will be lifted, as under dynamic PM Modi, India is working hard to improve standard and exporting exotic fruits and vegetables throughout the world, Gujarat taking pride of place, being in the forefront, growing popular products under glass houses, plastic covered domes using renewable energy.

Summer time will be a happy time for the Indian community.

Kumudini Valambia By email

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Immigration is good for Britain

The US asked Pakistan to ensure that there is no cross-border terror incident during Obama’s visit to India on 25th January 2015 and subtly warned of "Consequences" if any such attack is traced back to the country.

This statement alone reflects that the US knows very well where the problem lies in the Indian Sub Continent.

Pakistan will not gain any thing having relations of enmity. But there are lots of benefits by keeping good relations with India.

Looking after the poor people in India and Pakistan should be the main objectives of both countries. People of Pakistan have to understand this fact very clearly. Wake up and do not let yourselves be fooled by your leaders.

Your quality of life should be considered first than religion that is what God, Allaha, Parmatma and Wahaguru wants.

I read your article 'what does the prolonged political gridlock' hold for our future (AV 24 Jan, pg 7) in Asian Voice.

I agree that the Tory party perhaps hasn't understood the importance of the ethnic community in Britain. For example their take on immigration is quite demotivating.

Let us look at Britain's rich list. This year the Hinduja brothers topped the listmaking them the richest. Hindujas are originally immigrants. They have created many jobs in Britain and outside. Lets look at some such examples such as- Anil Agarwal, Sir Anwar Pervez, Dr Rami Ranger, Lord Gulam Noon, Lord Raj Loomba to name a few.

They are immigrants who have created so many jobs for Britons. It is unfair to have a singular approach to the subject of immigration. South Asian immigrants cannot claim benefits until they are citizens of this country and they cannot live in this country unless they have a job.

So it is wrong to attack immigrants like this. I strongly believe if the Tories want to win back their seats, they need to have a certain clarification.

Dharam Sahdev By email

Aditya Singh London

Bharat Parmar By email

Keeping good relations

Subscribe Today Asian Voice in UK for only £28.50 for one year

ASIAN VOICE

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

Tel: 020 7749 4080

Karma Yoga House Fax: 020 7749 4081 E-mail: support@abplgroup.com 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street)

London N1 6HW

UK EUROPE WORLD 1 Year £28.50 £75 £85 2 Years £51.50 £140 £160 Subscriptions are non-refundable after 30 days

Rudy Otter By email

Softly softly radicalization

Watching BBC Panorama programme in the aftermath of Paris atrocities, I feel it captured the ground realities of the prevailing situation. As we all know, Islam is not just Shia and Sunni division.

Islam, like any religion, culture or creed, has many sub-divisions. Prominent sects are Daudi Bhora, Ismalis, Ahmedias, Sufis, Memons and Shia Ithna-Asheris. But they form tiny percentage of the overall Muslim population.

Some of the above groups were prominent in East Africa; hence we all had school friends amongst them. They are hardworking, well educated, moderate and extremely law-abiding citizens who would never involve in terrorism.

When we first came to these shores, we maintained close friendships, going out for drink and meal, although we may have pint of lager and they have soft drinks, we have veggie food while they enjoy chicken biryani.

During the last two decades the atmosphere has changed to the detriment of interfaith harmony. They will now not set foot in an establishment serving alcohol or non halal meal.

Even simple fun of card games like bridge is out of question and there house is out of bound if they had been on the holy pilgrimage, making our friendship artificial, tenure shaky.

Their children are even more traditional, although highly educated, being doctors, lawyers, who are our GPs, dental surgeons. But integration, even within ethnic minorities, let alone with indigenous population is on ice!

I wonder whether this is time for prognosis, introspection!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

Have something to say about the stories featured in Asian Voice?

Letters are welcome at: aveditorial@abplgroup.com Word limit: 200 words.

Visit our website: www.abplgroup.com NAME

ADDRESS POST CODE Email:

TEL:

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

Please charge my VISA / ACCESS / MASTERCARD for £

Card No:

Signature

Card Expiry date

Date

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Ofsted to inspect but not judge academy chains

Ofsted has been given the green light to take a closer look at the work of groups running chains of academies. But it will not be allowed to make judgments about whether a trust is effective or not.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said the inspectorate should be able to publish information about the performance of academy chains.

It comes after months of wrangling between the department and Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw on the issue.

Sir Michael made repeated calls last year to be given explicit powers to inspect the head offices of academy chains, in the same way that Ofsted can look at local council children's services.

More than half of England's schools are now academies, and many are run by multiacademy trusts, some of which run tens of schools.

But Mrs Morgan, and her predecessor Michael Gove, had argued that Ofsted

did not need to be given additional rights to examine the overall management of these groups.

Setting out new rules for academy trust inspections in a letter, Mrs Morgan said that the watchdog should continue to conduct "batch" inspections of academies that are all run by the same trust.

She goes on to say that she would expect that Ofsted would meet with staff from multiacademy trusts shortly after inspections have taken place.

She said: "They should share and discuss the evidence already gathered and collect and consider further evidence to demonstrate the impact of the MAT's work with its academies.

“While the focus must remain on the academies that have been inspected, I agree the dialogue should include consideration of achievement and other relevant data for all of the MAT's academies.

"It should also con-

sider the arrangements the MAT has made for the effective overseeing, challenge and support of individual academies.

Inspectors would then be able to draw together the range of evidence and make a balanced assessment of the work of the chain with the academies inspected."

There will be no formal extension of Ofsted's inspection powers. Where there are concerns about performance, Ofsted has previously attempted to overcome the issue of Trust inspections by conducting inspections at a number of schools run by the same chain and then publishing its findings.

In total, it has issued critical letters to four different academy chains the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), School Partnership Trust Academies (SPTA), Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) and the E-ACT Trust - after inspecting some of their schools.

Mr Salim Ahmed, from Ilford IG1 who rented a potentially dangerous property to tenants in Ilford has been fined a total of £7,467.20. It is the latest in a number of successful prosecutions taken by the Council against irresponsible landlords.

The case was heard at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court and Ahmed was sentenced on 9 January 2015 for operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The property was found to be poorly managed and unsafe.

The property in High Road, Ilford, was inspected

by Redbridge Council following a report that an illegal rear addition conversion had been let for residential purposes. Mr Ahmed was convicted of nineteen separate offences including the property being used as a four storey House in Multiple Occupation without a licence.

Other areas of concern included: l unlawfully occupied residential basement and loft space l upper floor poorly constructed as a living and storage area C o u n c i l l o r Muhammed Javed,

Cabinet Member for Housing said, "I am aware of the shortages of housing in the borough and some landlords take advantage of the situation. But we always strive to work positively with our landlords to improve standards.

“Sadly, there are some rogue landlords out there who are illegally renting out unsafe premises to vulnerable tenants and where we identify such unlicensed properties those responsible will be prosecuted and our success rate is extremely high. Tenants must also ensure that they are renting a safe accommodation."

Irresponsible landlord prosecuted

by Redbridge Council

UKIP MEP switches to Tory party

The highest-ranked British Asian member of the UK Independence Party has switched to the Conservative party.

Pakistani-origin Mr Amjad Bashir, pictured, is a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Yorkshire and Humber constituencies in northern England.

He had been the UKIP's Communities Spokesman and appeared regularly with party leader Nigel Farage.

Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "absolutely delighted" with Mr Bashir's decision.

A spokesman for UKIP reportedly said that the allegations against Mr

Bashir included claims of interfering in the candidate selection process as well as unanswered financial and employment questions. The spokesman had also added that evidence against Mr Bashir would be been handed over to police.

Speaking after his defection, Mr Bashir told

t h e Te l e g r a p h that UKIP was "delusional" about the up-coming general election a n d described the party's policies as "ridiculous". He also refuted all allegations against him. The Telegraph reported that back in the 1970's was a member of the Labour Party. He then defected for a year or so to the Conservatives, but, unable to find what he wanted, he then defected again to join UKIP.

EDUCATION/COUNCIL VOICE

11

Schools asked to test-run new maths GCSEs by Ofqual

Schools in England are being asked to put pupils through extra mock maths exams after concerns were raised over the new maths GCSE. In December, two examination boards accused a rival of offering sample maths papers that are too easy. Schools are due to start teaching the reformed maths GCSE from September, with the first exams to be sat in 2017.

England's exams watchdog, Ofqual, said large-scale testing was part of a research programme into the new GCSEs. The issue centres around sample papers produced by the AQA exam board, and accredited by Ofqual, which rival

boards Edexcel and OCR say were not challenging enough.

AQA has insisted its qualification is rigorous, provides a high value assessment and promotes good teaching and learning.

In response, Ofqual has written to all schools asking if they would be prepared to take part in research looking at the difficulty and demand of the new maths GCSEs. In a paper on the plan, Ofqual said: "To evaluate the actual difficulty of questions, current Year 11 students will be asked to sit one of the question papers from the sample assessment materials as a mock exam. As an incentive to participate, the scripts will be marked and

teachers provided with student and item level analyses following the study."

However, the watchdog acknowledged that there would be "some content that pupils are not likely to be fully prepared for" as the exam is based on the forthcoming maths syllabus.

Ofqual said the papers would be sat under exam conditions with a minimum of 500 students per exam paper at each tier of the exam (foundation and higher).

An Ofqual spokeswoman added it had been working with exam boards over the past 18 months to deliver the government's policy aims for the revised GCSE maths qualifications.

ºђકЦ® ¸Цªъ³Ъ ╙¸àક¯ђ³ЬєÃºЦ ˛ЦºЦ ¾щ¥Ц® Commercial Property Auction Thursday 12th February 2015 48 lots to be offered, including:

239 - 255 Bedford Road, Kempston

1286 Greenford Road, North Greenford

Cobalt Square, Edgbaston

RETAIL INVESTMENTS

Greenwich SE10 9TZ

OFFICE INVESTMENT

Bedford MK42 8BP

142-146 Trafalgar Road

Birmingham B16 8QG

239 - 255 Bedford Road, Kempston

Let to Tesco Stores Ltd until 2022.

RPI linked rent reviews Rent £74,219 p.a.x

Cobalt Square, Hagley Road, Edgbaston

An unbroken parade of 6 retail units & 3 self-contained residential flats. Tenants include Coral & Lloyds Pharmacy Rent £68,925 p.a.x

Derby DE1 1RS 28 & 30 St. Peter’s Street and 27, 29 & 31 Green Lane Substantial city centre investment let to tenants including Clydesdale Bank plc and Foot Locker Gross Rent £325,733 p.a.x

North Greenford UB6 0HH

London W1T 6NY 108 Cleveland Street Shop let until 2027 Rent £20,000 p.a.x

Manchester M38 0EH Farmfoods & Iceland Warehouses, Armitage Avenue, Little Hulton Let to Farmfoods Ltd until 2030 and Iceland Foods Ltd until 2028 Rent £96,700 p.a.x

1286 Greenford Road

Northampton NN1 1RS

Let on a 25 Year lease until 2037 (no breaks). Includes 2 residential flats Rent £42,500 p.a.x

30 Gold Street

Halifax HX1 1TT

Let to British Red Cross until 2020 Rent £32,000 p.a.x

Leominster HR6 8LT

15 - 17 Crown Street

9 Corn Square

Retail let until 2023 (subject to option). Includes 6 newly converted residential flats Rent £55,700 p.a.x

Let to Lloyds Bank plc (by way of lease renewal) until 2023 (no breaks) Rent £24,000 p.a.x

John Mehtab: +44 (0)20 7034 4855

High yielding Multi let to tenants including Towry Service, Countrywide Estates Agents & Enterprise Foundation Rent £248,836 p.a.x

INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT

Northampton NN6 9UB Quarry Road, Brixworth Let to CPL Aromas Ltd in occupation since 1990. Close to modern Mercedes Benz factory.

Approx. 3,005 sq m (32,350 sq ft) Rent £137,500 p.a.x

TYRE DEPOT INVESTMENT

x4 Kwik-Fits in Great Yarmouth, Helensburgh, Sheerness & Darlington To be sold as individual lots Let to Kwik-Fit (GB) Ltd (guaranteed by Kwik-Fit Holdings Ltd) until 2032 Total rent £204,805 p.a.x

www.acuitus.co.uk

12

MEDIA WATCH

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

The long awaited reduction in the interest rate by the Reserve Bank of India and its timing, a full fortnight and more before its projected meeting on the subject, is sufficient ground for the market to accept that India’s economic recovery was now work in progress. The World Bank, IMF and the Paris-based think-tank OECD have confirmed that the Indian economy had bottomed out, that the green shoots of growth were sprouting across the land. Chiming with this evidence came confirmation that India is to be Germany’s partner country at the prestigious “Hanover Messe 20`15” (industrial trade fair) from April 13-17.

The world’s largest fair will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The importance of the occasion will be reflected in the presence of some 400 Indian companies from most parts of the country.

The Indian presence is being coordinated by India’s Ministry of Commerce, in cooperation with the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and India Brand Equity. The Hanover Trade Fair is located in the heart of Europe.

“The Indian pavilion at Hanover will be the largest this year,” said R.Seshagiri, Deputy Regional Chairman, EEPC. He stated that India was now on the global map for manufactured engineering products, hence would be a great opportunity for Indian exporters meet with buyers from all parts of the Continent.

“Export of engineering goods has registered a record performance of $62 billion in 2013-2014 and has been growing steadily.

In the last eight months, from April to November alone, it has grown to $46.5 billion,” he said (Business Line January 17)

Wipro ‘bright spots:’ Europe, America

Indian software major Wipro reported a healthy performance, exceeding market expectations.

The country’s third largest IT exporter posted an 8.8 per cent in consolidated net profit of Rs 2,192.8 crore for the third quarter ending December 2014.

Wipro’s performance has bettered both its principal rivals, Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys. Commenting on the figues, T.K. Kurien, Executive Director and CEO Wipro said that opportunities in North America were ‘bright spots‘ with the Indian economy also in the throes of revival contributing to the performance (Business Line January 17)

Innovation key

Vishal Sikka, CEO of Infosys, who has been credited with the IT company’s recent turnaround, has said the next major innovation may emerge from the grassroots level – from every employee working 22,000 customer projects. “I have asked all [staff] to innovate proactively on every single thing they are working on. Innovation will be brought in through automation and artificial intelligence in all the projects,” he said.

Silicon Valley design centre

“The company is opening a design centre in Silicon Valley (in the US) this year which will

Commander Pooja Thakur leads guard of honour for Obama

Bomb making equipment

The three other members of the group, Abdul Suboor (24), Republic Day parade with President Obama, scrap dealer Saddam Prime Minister Modi. See comment page 3 Hussain (24)and Riyaz Ahmed Saeedi (32), have 10 customer teams along worked as salesmen. A large with an Infosys group collaboquantity of explosives, detonarating on innovation.” Products, tors, electronic devices etc said Vishal Sikka, will be a new were recovered from them by dimension that Infosys plans to Bangalore-based detectives. add to its offering to customers They were planning a major because it will provide the operation on Republic Day Infosys teams with an arsenal of when run to ground. technology and innovation that Meanwhile two jihadi terrorwill further improve the way ists were shot dead by Indian they deliver customer requiresecurity forces as they ments (Business Line January attempted to cross the border 17) into India {Times of India, January 19)

Khalistani terrorist extradited

Jagtar Singh Tara, who assassinated Beant Singh, once chief minister of Punjab, was also involved in the murder of a prominent Sikh leader Rulda Singh, has been on the run for years, having escaped from a high security Chandigarh prison, where he was serving a life sentence. He fled to an inconspicuous corner of Thailand, living there under the assumed name of Gurmeet Singh. He had travelled to Thailand on a Pakistan passport. He was extradited to India earlier this month (Hindu January 18)

Jihadi terror module busted

Four Indian Mujaheedin (IM) operatives arrested in Bhatkal, Karnataka, had been running an explosives racket, ergo, bombmaking in terror operations since 2008 across India. The group, described as IM’s “explosives module,” led by 36 year-old homeopathy doctor Saleem Ismael Ashfaq, was unknown to India’s intelligence agencies, until recently. The group reported directly to its mastermind Riaz Bhakta, at present a resident in Pakistan, and took its orders directly from him. The activities of the network appeared finally on the intelligence radar. Ashfaq was a frequent traveller to Pakistan on a Pakistani passport.

India-Vietnam ties reaffirmed

India and Vietnam reaffirmed their close strategic relationship when Vietnamese Vice Minister for Defence and Military Cooperation, Nguyen Chi Vinh, visited New Delhi recently. Vice Minister Nguyen, in a veiled reference to China, said: “Other nations must be respectful over the issue of sovereignty.” He was talking to reporters after concluding the 9th round of the strategic dialogue with India.

India and Vietnam are locked in serious territorial disputes with China. China has laid claim to the entire territory of India’s Arunachal Pradesh and claims the South China Sea, where Vietnam is a littoral state. Mr Nguyen stated that the “assertiveness of a certain country” could adversely affect regional peace and stability.

India and Vietnam discussed the importance of the Indian line of credit worth $100 million to Vietnam for the purchase of four coastal patrol boats for the Vietnam Navy. The Vietnamese Minister said he looked forward to increasing defence cooperation with India. Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to the military modernization of Vietnam’s defence and security forces, while Vice Premier Ngyuen asked for greater Indian involvement in maritime security in the South China Sea (Times of India January 17)

India, Russia fast track projects

President alive to Christian concerns

While Vietnam and Russia negotiate a free trade agreement, India and Russia are to fast track their ongoing defence projects, including the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project, as Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar invited Russian companies to exploit

President Pranab Mukherjee received a delegation of church leaders and assured them of his support in the face of attacks on churches. “We expressed our concern on the growing attacks on churches in Delhi and across the country and appealed for necessary action, ” said Catholic Archbishop Anil Couto. A joint press release issued after the meeting with the President stated: “The President said that what was happening in Delhi and other places in the country was totally unacceptable.” (Hindu January 17)

Russian, Indian Defence Ministers Sergei Shoigu, Manohar Parrikar

the government’s “Make in India” initiative. The two sides decided to hold periodic review assessments of progress to conform to deadlines. “We have discussed all the issues including the FGFA . We have decided to fast track many of the issues ,” said Minister Parrikar, after holding joint military cooperation talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu. Russia is India’s largest arms supplier (Business Line January 22)

Futurist weaponry

Russia’s has long signed up to licensed production of its military technologies in India including tanks, aircraft, guns and armoured carriers, while Russian engineers collaborated in the construction of India’s first nuclear submarine INS Arihant. The two countries have also decided to jointly work on futurist projects, of which the foremost is the ongoing FGFA. Unlike the arrangement with Russia, the US has thus far not permitted the licensed production of any of its defence technologies in India because of Washington’s “foundational agreements,” which would be tantamount to a formal defence alliance with the US, undermining India’s strategic autonomy, said Kanwal Sibal, a former Indian foreign secretary.

(Telegraph January 22, 23)

Kiran Bedi versus Arvind Kejrival

The Delhi state election is turning out to be a no-hold barred contest between the recent BJP convert Kiran Bedi, formerly of the Aam Admi party and Aam Admi leader Arvind Kejriwal. Their former guru, Anna Hazare, has distanced himself from his erstwhile disciples.. (Hindu, Telegraph et al)

India, Japan closer

Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that “deepening the Japan-India relationship was critically important for the future of the Indo-Pacific region. … Leading-edge technologies’ utilization depend on IT, where India excels ….Japan and India share fundamental values and strategic interests… ..With the catchphrase “Make in India” on attracting investments in India in manufacturing, generates synergies…. the creation of new markets and greater integration with the global economy….. According to a (Japan) survey, India secured the first place for the first time as the most promising destination in the medium-term for Japanese companies. The number of Japanese companies operating in India has been increasing every year and has exceeded 1,200… .We also have a Japan-US-India Trilateral Dialogue, and security cooperation including joint exercises,” Minister Kishida said (Times of India January 17).

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Murthy family donates £200,000 to the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust

With the receipt of £200,000 from leading entrepreneur Narayana Murthy, wife Sudha Murthy and children Akshata and Rohan, the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust has confirmed that it has crossed the £750,000 mark for the establishment of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Parliament Square, in London.

Mr Murthy, the founder of leading IT services firm, Infosys, said "Mahatma Gandhi was someone who the demonstrated tremendous power of leadership by example.

His courage and commitment are an inspiration and I am delighted that his statue will stand in such a respected setting."

Thanking the Murthy family, the chair of the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust (set up to raise money for the Gandhi Statue) Lord Meghnad Desai said 'This donation once again shows the deep historic links between India and the UK, as well as the respect that Mahatma Gandhi commands and the importance of having his statue at Parliament

Square.'

Meanwhile, the Trust is pleased to announce two new patrons Countess Patricia Mountbatten and Lady Pamela Hicks. Countess Patricia and Lady Pamela have become Patrons of the Trust in acknowledgement of their father's long association with Mahatma Gandhi . Their father Lord Mountbatten oversaw the transfer of power in India , and was the last British Viceroy of India.

Some more Trustees will also be announced in early February.

Well known Indian chef awarded honorary doctorate Well known Indian chef Vivek Singh, CEO of London's popular restaurant empire of Cinnamon Club, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Warwick in recognition of his efforts in developing Indian cuisine in the UK. Mr Singh, 44, was honoured at the University's winter convocation on 21 January by Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift.

Speaking about it Professor Thrift said: “We are delighted to present Vivek with a Warwick honorary degree for his significant contribution to the development of Indian cuisine in the UK. As a university, Warwick shares Vivek’s passion for food which can be most clearly seen in our Global Research Priorities Programme for Food,

EBRD President Sir Suma to visit India in February

13

Rani Singh

Narayana Murthy with wife Sudha, son Rohan and daughter Akshata in Bangalore

The proposed Gandhi statue at Parliament square

UK

which brings together researchers from all disciplines to explore issues of food production and supply, environmental and social sustainability, social justice, nutrition and public health.”

The University also praised Mr Singh's charitable initiatives, in particular his work with the children's charity Wooden Spoon, Action Against Hunger and the government-backed Asian Restaurant Skills Board.

West Bengal (India) born Mr Singh entered Britain's culinary world in early 2001 after teaming up up with restaurant promoter Iqbal Wahhab to establish The Cinnamon Club in Central London.

Mr Singh has since taken over the Cinnamon Club and expanded the business to include several new innovative outlets, including Cinnamon Kitchen and Anise, Cinnamon Soho and Joho Soho.

Speaking about relationship with the University, Mr Singh said, "The University of Warwick and I share many of the same aspirations and goals, as well as a love for the food industry, and I look forward to building a lasting relationship with Professor Thrift and his talented team.”

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Sir Suma Chakrabarti met with four Indian journalists at the EBRD on 26th January ahead of his visit to India in late January and early February. Also with him were Nandita Parshad, the EBRD's Director for Power and Energy and Josue Tanaka, MD of the EBRD’s Energy Efficiency and Climate Change wing.

The main purpose of the trip is to attend the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit from 4-7 February, where the President will make a keynote statement. There will also be meetings with Indian government officials like Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Central Bank as well as with Indian businesses. At the DSDS summit, the EBRD President will highlight the Bank’s work in investments in Sustainable Energy. The Delhi conference is seen as an important step on the road to the Paris climate talks at the end of this year.

The President’s business meetings in Mumbai, Kolkata as well as in Delhi will strengthen links to those corporations with which the EBRD invests in its countries of operations or with whom it might cooperate in the future.

Kolkata figures for the second time in Sir Suma’s official schedule as he is meeting with SREI there, as he did two years ago.

“We have done very successful leasing projects with SREI in Russia,” he said, and also told The Asian Voice that he planned to discuss future opportunities with SREI. This paper asked him about the effect of turbulence in the state on his visit. He replied that any unrest had no impact on his visit, and that he was “perfectly safe in

Sir Suma Chakrabarti

and Shantiniketan Baliganj, the two places I’ll be staying.”

India is not a shareholder member of the EBRD and the EBRD does not invest in the country. Indian companies invest with EBRD particularly in Georgia and Russia, Turkey, North Africa and Turkey. Sir Suma said that last week in Davos he met Cyrus Mistry, Tata, and Tech Mahindra. He plans to meet Anand Mahindra in Mumbai this week.

India is an important source of foreign direct investment in the EBRD’s countries of operations.

The value of joint IndiaEBRD investment stood at €871 million as of 31 December 2014. EBRD finance accounted for €695.8 million, and India investment accounted for €175.2 million.

The majority of these deals were in the private sector.

India-EBRD investment has been strong in Russia followed by Turkey, and Romania. Broken down by industry, joint India-EBRD investment has been €573.9 million in financial institutions, and €297.1 million in industry, commerce and

agribusiness.

Examples of projects are: Shuakhevi HPP (with Tata in Georgia), The Bank has also worked with SREI Leasing, Tata Tea, On a Steel Project supported by JSW, Mittal Steel Temirtau.

When asked Sir Suma about investing in areas of unrest, he told Asian Voice, “The EBRD’s mandate includes political assessment of whether a country is committed to applying the principles of multiparty democracy and political pluralism. No other international institution has that as its mandate. Russia is a classic example right now. Our shareholders, our board, is made up of countries.

That board gave us guidance at the end of July last year that we shouldn’t bring any new projects to the board for Russia because of the current situation between Russia and Ukraine. So Russia, which was our biggest market, the year before last and has been for some years, last year fell back.

Our annual investment in Russia was only 600 m euros. We were planning on something like 1.9 bn euros.”

COMMUNITY

14

Indian High Commission hosts a reception for Indian Ministers and Community leaders

HE Ranjan Mathai, the High Commissioner of India addresses the guests in presence of the Indian Education Ministers

Rani Singh

Wednesday 21st January the Indian High Commissioner, Mr Ranjan Mathai presided over an event at which three Indian state education ministers and a state minorities commission member met with some community representatives in London.

Among the other members of the HCI present were Deputy High Commissioner Dr Virander Pal and Madhu Sethi, First Secretary Education.

Mr Pritam Lal, First Secretary CoOrdination, organised the event.

Among the guests were Lord Diljeet Rana, top UK BJP official Lalubhai Parekh, and Dr Madhavi Amdekar.

Mr U. Sudhir Lodha, State Minorities Commission member for the government of Tamil Nadu was there.

Mr Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Gujarat Government Minister for Education from primary to higher level, food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, legislative and parliamentary affairs, spoke first and said that he, like his colleagues, were in London to attend the World Education Forum. In an interview with The Asian Voice, he said that among topics discussed at the forum were innovation, skills, and the quality of education. He said, “Nowadays there is a discussion about the quality of education and the quality of teachers.

This subject was discussed among the 110 countries represented.”

Mr Chudasama spoke of an enrolment drive across 18,000 Gujarat villages. Over around 12 years, child enrolment in state education jumped from 75% to 99%.

Mr G. Jagadish Reddy, Telegana Government Minister for

Education, also interviewed with this paper.

He spoke of a new policy promised by his chief minister before the formation of India’s 29th and newest state. The promise was to create free state education for everyone from nursery to postgraduate level.

Next to speak was Mr Vinod Tawde, Maharasthra’s Minister for Education, Youth Sports and Culture. He said that the WEF had discussed the common issue of mass education, teacher training, quality of education and skills development. He stated that his state colleges were falling short in research. He expressed an interest in tie ups with overseas colleges, virtual classes, and connecting institutions with inner cities. He said that all of his state’s universities are going to use a grading system as of 2015, and that he looked to the diaspora for dialogue with his state.

Mr Tawde said that by 2030 India would be the youngest country in the world. “Our PM Mr Modi has emphasised skills development. If our human resources have to travel all over the world then it should be totally skilled.”

Mr Mathai, the High Commissioner introduced Lord Rana. Diljeet Rana said that he had a charitable trust that was bringing education to parts of rural Punjab.

There were “Difficulties” along the way, he said, so the Indian diaspora could play a big part “with its experience in education and its teachers and professors. These professionals could deliver lectures and spread them to Indian colleges. Doctors could help with healthcare in rural areas. NRIs from a village could become a patron of a school and then they will feel obliged to solve problems like the internet not

Londoners join in to celebrate

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Saraswati Puja

Saraswati puja 2015 by LSU at the Ealing Town Hall

Performance at LSU Saraswati Puja

Bengali population is Croydon has gone up in the past few years.

And as Saraswati If you thought Diwali and puja is for the godHoli are the only Indian dess of learning, and festivals celebrated in a most of the families grand- scale in London, here have schoolthen you have gotten it going children we wrong. Regional festivals thought there is a of India are slowly making need for this celebratheir significance felt in tion.” and around London, with Croydon Bengali more and more Indian Connection organcommunities joining in to ised the puja for the Youngsters perform at LSU Saraswati puja in Ealing Town hall spread the uniqueness of fourth successive year celebrations to Sunday, ward by children below their rich cultural herwith equal enthusiasm holding a vibrant, free, the age of 3. “Our main itage. This weekend saw and excitement on and delightful event at focus is to pass on the culthe lavish celebrations of Saturday. The occasion Ealing Town hall. tural heritage to our chilSaraswati Puja by Bengali was graced by the The festivities began dren who are born and cultural associations here Honourable Mayor of from 1 pm onwards with being brought up far away in London.

Croydon Cllr Manju offering of prayers to the goddess. It was followed by the Prasad between 2 pm to 3 pm, and then there was the start of the immensely entertaining cultural programme. The soulful Bengali music performed by the Shara’d band made young and old dance to their tune.

There were other associations as well who geared up to arrange a Young performers at Croydon Bengali Connection devotional evening to offer Saraswati Puja prayers to the goddess of Shahul-Hameed, Croydon learning. Sanatan Bengali Saraswati Puja, primaCentral MP Gavin Cultural Association held rily celebrated in the Saraswati Puja by Croydon Barwell, and other emiprayers and aarti at St. Eastern States of India, is Bengali Connection nent guests from Croydon John's Hall on Sunday, observed by worshipping Council and Members of and Sanatan Bengali from their motherland. goddess Saraswati- the Parliament. The event saw Association (North This year’s fancy dress goddess of knowledge, an over-whelming particiLondon) and Hindu show is an attempt to celmusic, wisdom and learnpation by other communiPragati Sangha Mandir ebrate the works of great ing. This day is chosen by ties as well, immersed in organised their respective Bengali children’s writer, many families to give a the spirit of festivities and events on Saturday.

Sukumar Ray. Children symbolic start to their merriment.

Such celebrations gave are dressed as different children’s educational The evening started a sense of the true multicharacters from Sukumar journey by making them with puja followed by dincultural Indian identity Ray’s stories,” said scribble an alphabet or ner and cultural probasking in the glory of its Sarada. two with a chalk. Sarada gramme whose main amazingly diverse and disCBC’s partner, the from Croydon Bengali attraction was the themed tinct cultural heritage in a London Sharad Utsav Connection said: “The fancy dress show put forforeign land.

(LSU) carried forward the Samiksha Pattanaik

working, water and toilets.” Lord Rana urged that a framework be organised “Where the diaspora can help the rural environment, not just with money but with knowledge to improve our institutions.”

The Asian Voice also gained an interview with Mr. Lodha. He talked about a scheme called “Paro Pardes” meaning “study abroad.”

Mr Lodha said, “In

India we have six religious minorities; Christians, Sikhs, Parsees, Buddhists and Jains. The Ministry of Minority Affairs in Delhi has launched a scheme whereby if anyone wants to go abroad for a masters or higher qualification; if he or she takes a bank loan the interest is waived. The only criteria are that he or she has to be from a minority and that the person who is giving the bank guarantee

has to have an income of less than six lakh Indian rupees.

The Sunny Varkey group had launched a global teachers’ education summit and President Bill Clinton chaired the event.

President Clinton talked about how in China, teachers are seen as the third most noble profession after doctors and lawyers. In India we do not recognise our teachers at all. So we

decided to do an event to honour the teachers whose students scored the best marks. A gold medal or a first place. We got appreciation from Shri Narendra Modi Bhai who said that after mother, father and the guru, the most important person is the teacher. He congratulated us and said that this scheme should be done in all states; all states should honour and respect teachers.”

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Functioning of Parliament must for governance: Pranab Mukherjee

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee gave a stern assessment of India 65 years after it declared itself a republic, criticising parliamentary dysfunction and the overuse of decrees in a message that might also resonate with his visitor, US President Barack Obama.

In a Republic Day address on the eve of the celebrations, India's largely ceremonial President was also scathing about rampant violence against women in the world's second most populous nation. Mukherjee said the opposition should debate laws responsibly rather than disrupting the houses of parliament, and warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government against governing by decree.

He was referring to 10 "ordinances" issued by Modi, including ones to raise the foreign invest-

REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL 15

ment limit in insurance, auction of coal mines and ease in land acquisitions.

"Enacting laws without discussion impacts the law-making role of the parliament. It breaches the trust reposed in it by the people," Mukherjee said in a televised address on Sunday. "This is neither good for the democracy nor for the policies relat-

ing to those laws."

Modi issued most of the decrees after opposition parties prevented parliament from functioning in protest at comments against religious minorities made by members of the ruling party.

Mukherjee's message might be of interest to Obama, who was in town as chief guest for the 66th

Republic Day celebrations. At home, Obama has sidestepped a fractious Congress by issuing executive orders.

Mukherjee said there can be "no governance without a functioning legislature."

Obama sat behind Mukherjee as he saluted soldiers at a military parade in the capital New Delhi on Monday. The ceremony featured marching contingents of women soldiers and a woman officer led the guard of honour that greeted Obama, although India has become notorious for abuses and violence against women.

In his speech, Mukherjee expressed anger that women are "fearful even in their own homes" because of widespread rape, murder, harassment on the roads, kidnapping and dowry deaths.

Republic Day chief guest normally travels with the President of India in his car from Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Obama, along with wife Michelle, was received by Vice President Hamid Ansari and his wife Salma, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Manohar Parrikar. President Pranab Mukherjee arrived soon after. Since 2012, the President of India travels in a heavily armoured black Mercedes Benz S600 (W221) Pullman Guard.

The armour is designed to protect against military rifle shots, bomb shrapnels and other explosives.

The Beast, based on a Cadillac DTS, is the first Presidential limousine not to have a specific model name.

Gum chewing Obama: In an ungainly sight, cameras caught US President Brack Obama chewing gum during the Republic Day parade. In the picture captured by cameras and posted on Twitter by some users, Obama was spotted removing his chewing gum while PM Modi was seen trying to explain something to the US president.

However, this is not the first time that Obama has been spotted chewing gum during an important function. Obama was slammed on social media for chewing gum at the APEC summit held in Beijing. Obama was also caught chewing gum at a World War II ceremony in France.

Earlier, in a departure from tradition, the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, Obama, on Monday arrived in his own highly-

secured bomb-proof vehicle, 'The Beast,' at Rajpath.

The Republic Day chief guest normally travels with the President of India in his car from Rashtrapati Bhavan.

'Make in India' tableau steals the show: “The Make in India” tableau stole the show at the Republic Day parade. The float, which displayed a working model of the 'Make in India' lion, invited manufacturers and investors to participate in the initiative. Among the other tableaus of note were that of the Ayush Ministry; the Department of Atomic energy, which was celebrating its diamond jubilee; the Law Ministry, which showcased a 'walk for justice'; and the Gujarat state float, which featured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Republic Day parade chief guest US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at their arrival at the saluting dais at Rajpath.

Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived at the venue and shook hands with the Chief of the Army, Navy and Air Force Staff General Dalbir Singh, Admiral RK Dhowan and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha respectively.

Prime Minister Modi also paid tribute at the 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', the memorial dedicated to martyrs who sacrificed their lives in service of the nation. The Republic Day celebrations started with the unfurling of the national flag by the President.

India also witnessed the first march by women army, navy and air force personnel at the parade.

BSF 'Janbaz' team gets a pat: BSF's dare-devilish manoeuvres during its Republic Day parade earned a thumbs-up from Obama.

The force's 'Janbaz' team performed a number of stunts including 'harmony', 'peacock riding', 'acrobat', 'parallel bar', 'lotus', 'Jaguar', 'BSF tree', 'Seema Chowki Peetal' and was showed a thumbs-up by Obama. His wife Michelle was seen clapping along as the contingent passed by.

President Pranab Mukherjee also cheered the BSF team. The motorcycle team of BSF was raised in 1990. During 2006, 'Janbaz' achieved a world record by creating a human pyramid of 26 'Janbaz' on three motorcycles and covered a distance of 1 km in one minute 16 seconds. It created another world record by carrying 40 men on a single motorcycle at a speed of 30 kmph.

Pranab Mukherjee

Obama 'breaks' US & Indian traditions

US President Barack Obama broke secret service's sacred security protocol by remaining in the open for more than two hours when he graced the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi as the chief guest.

He also departed from the tradition of not accompanying President of India and preferred to be driven to the venue in his own multi-layered bulletproof car 'The Beast'. Obama spent over two hours in the open as the chief guest of India's 66th Republic Day celebrations.

The security guidelines of secret service, the exclusive agency responsible for an American President's security, mandate that he does not spend more than 45 minutes at any open-air venue.

According to American media reports, the US President has never been on an outdoor event for more than 40 minutes.

He also reached the parade venue in his own car. The move is seen as a departure from tradition, as it's customary for chief guests at the event to arrive and depart with the Indian President in his car from Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Obama arrives in his own vehicle: In a departure from tradition, the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, US President Barack Obama, arrived in his own highly-secured bomb-proof vehicle, 'The Beast,' at Rajpath. The

R-Day greetings from UK leaders

Prime Minister David Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy PM Nick Clegg and Minister Priti Patel greeted India on the occasion of its 66th Republic Day. Prime Minister Cameron in a message said, “I send my warmest wishes to everyone in India, the UK and around the world celebrating the 65th anniversary of Republic Day. As millions of people mark this important milestone we can reflect on the enduring and special relationship between our two nations – the world’s oldest democracy and its largest. This relationship has gone through great changes. Our collaboration is now stronger, deeper and more farreaching. It is a partnership between two equals with a mutual respect for each other.

We are generating more jobs, more growth and more security for our two countries. And yet I believe that the future will only continue to get better for us both.”

opportunity to celebrate your incredible achievements. On my recent visit to India I was reminded of the continuing strength and unique warmth of the very special relationship between our two countries. Britain would not be the same without the extraordinary contribution of the Indian diaspora in business, cultural and sporting life.”

Minister Priti Patel

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, in a message said, “The 65th India Republic Day is a very significant milestone in your history and an

Minister Priti Patel in a message said, “I am honoured to send my best wishes for a happy 66th Republic Day in India.

The UK has a long, historic relationship with India. The Republic Day celebrations remind us all of the strong and deep ties between our people and our governments and the importance of the partnership between the UK and India. India is important to the UK - the Prime Minister has made clear that he accords 'top priority' to India. I am proud to say that the UKIndia relationship has never been better. Our shared heritage creates extremely strong bonds, and the UK Indian diaspora community – whether through business, tourism, education, culture, or family - plays an important part in deepening the links between our nations. I have seen for myself the impressive contribution of the diaspora to both the UK and India during my visit to India earlier this month, and in my travels throughout the UK to meet with members of the Indian community.”

“The Make in India” tableau stole the show at the Republic Day parade.

The float, which displayed a working model of the 'Make in India' lion, invited manufacturers and investors to participate in the initiative.

Among the other tableaus of note were that of the Ayush Ministry; the Department of Atomic energy, which was celebrating its diamond jubilee; the Law Ministry, which showcased a 'walk for justice'; and the Gujarat state

float, which featured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Republic Day parade chief guest US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at their arrival at the saluting dais at Rajpath. Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived at the venue and shook hands with the Chief of the Army, Navy and Air Force Staff General Dalbir Singh, Admiral RK Dhowan and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha respectively.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

'Make in India' tableau steals the show

16

SPECIAL

Indian-origin Rahul Verma takes charge as new US envoy to India

Richard Rahul Verma, the first American of Indian origin, took charge as the new US envoy to India.

He has impressive credentials and come with considerable diplomatic and administrative experience.

He presented his credentials at a ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17.

On his arrival in India, Verma, whose parents migrated from India in the 1960s, said he was looking forward to work with India on the shared goals of security, development and prosperity as he described the times as "exciting" for the ties.

At his confirmation hearing in Washington, Verma told the Senate Foreign Relations committee that US President Barack Obama's "historic visit to India in January" will build on " Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's highly successful visit to the United States this past September."

"There is no question that this is a defining and exciting time in the US-

blowing and drifting snow.

His father had emigrated from Punjab, arriving in New York City in 1963 with $ 24 in his pocket, and his mother and siblings had followed a few years later. ''The times were hard. We had no money. The kids could be mean in school to this new immigrant family. But they persevered,'' he recalls of his growing up years in Pennsylvania where the family finally settled. ''They showed us what it meant to be strong, what it means to stay together, and confront challenges as a family, and they taught us to be proud of our roots.''

Born in Edmonton, Canada when his father was earning a PhD, the Indian-American of Punjabi stock is himself no slouch when it comes to academic and professional accomplishment.

His formidable resume (including an ongoing Phd program at Georgetown University) and the Washington roadmap he has traversed for two

much Verma guarded her back and how much he meant to her. “My mother lives with us in our house in Washington, and I was saying goodbye to her and she said, 'What's wrong, you don't look very good.'

And I said, 'Well, I know, I am not just in a very good mood today.' And she says, 'Well, you know, there's so much going on in the world, all over the country, and the economy.'

But I said, 'No, it's not it; it's Rich Verma (leaving).”

President Obama himself sent his National Security Advisor Tom Donilon to the farewell with a personal letter that paid glowing tributes to his contribution to the administration. It read: ''Dear Rich, I extend to you my sincere thanks for your valuable service to my administration. Over the past two years, our country has faced a host of challenging foreign policy and national security issues. At each turn, your skilled judgment and leadership has helped shape effective Congressional

Richard Rahul Verma presenting his credentials to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee

India relationship," he said. Verma also acknowledged the contribution of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent and vowed to "strive to live up to the high standards they have set." They "took a chance like my parents, who worked hard, who continue to pursue their dreams, and along the way have helped ensure India and the United States become the closest of friends and partners," he told the panel.

His appointment came just days ahead of Obama's arrival in India to attend the Republic Day parade as chief guest and also hold a bilateral strategic dialogue with Modi.

He served as assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs at the State Department in the Obama Administration from 2009 to 2011.

Verma remembers the time, when he was a little kid, seeing his mom in her sari waiting for a bus to go to work in sub-zero centigrade temperatures in

decades make him a shooin for the New Delhi job.

Verma is a consummate Washington insider who has worked in both the legislature and the executive; in fact, his last post bridged the two - he was the assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs during Hillary Clinton's stewardship of Foggy Bottom - and that job came to him by virtue of his years as a chief foreign policy aide to Senate leader Harry Reid. Before that, between clerkships and stints at law firms, he worked with the legendary Pennsylvania lawmaker Jack Murtha, learning the ropes on the Hill. There was no greater Verma supporter in town than the former secretary of state, although Verma first signed up for the Obama camp when he prepped the President for the presidential debates in 2008.

In fact, in a farewell to Verma when he left the state department job in 2011, Clinton recalled in a very personal way how

engagement. You played a key role in our efforts to ratify the New START treaty, to manage the response to the tragedy of the Haiti earthquake and to negotiate a powerful Iran sanctions bill. You worked in a demanding environment and always responded with able advice and good humour. I appreciate your dedication and professionalism.''

Obama know Verma personally. Verma assisted Obama in debate prep during his 2008 Presidential campaign, and like the President and his wife, Verma and his Armenian-American wife Melineh (Pinky) are also legal eagles, a power couple with law degrees from American University and UPenn respectively.

Verma has brought with him not just diplomatic and legal savvy, having worked on a ton of legislation and international treaties, but also a smattering of Hindi, which he is said to have kept up with.

1,600 US security me Barack Obama during www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Around 1,600 American security personnel are expected to be in India during President Barack Obama visit. This is double the number of US officials who came here during the US President's last visit in 2010.

He will be the chief guest during India's Republic Day function in Delhi. US security delegations have been landing in India for the past few weeks, since the time Obama's visit to India was confirmed in November. An advance delegation that was in India last week to prepare ground for Obama's visit held discussions with their Indian counterparts. Most of them were security and intelligence personnel from the US secret service and CIA. In 2010, during Obama's visit to India the total number of officials involved were around 800. “This time President's engagements are significantly outdoors and more complex than his last visit,” an official said. Last time, some 40 aircraft were involved in ferrying officials and secure vehicles for the President's visit.

Obama would be spending almost two hours in the open at the Republic Day parade along Rajpath on January 26. An advance security team of the US that visited Rajpath had expressed serious concerns about the vulnerability of the arena.

However, the Indian side assured them that its years of practiced drill is foolproof, and that they have also started installing CCTV cameras along the stretch.

Further tightening the security for the parade, the government is also expected to reduce the number of passes issued to public.

According to officials, the US side has also been suggesting several other measures to further sanitize venues of Obama's visit. Among the steps would be to keep stray dogs away from those areas to be accessed by the US President.

India turns down nofly zone request: India has politely turned down a suggestion by US security teams that a 5-km “no-fly zone” be imposed around Rajpath during the Republic Day parade.

A no-fly zone would have led to the customary flypast on January 26 being cancelled.

“The US team was told that this was simply not possible,” said a source. The US security detail was apparently in touch with the Dectorate General of Civil Aviation about the no-fly zone but the proposal was shot down by military authorities. “In any case, only twin-engine military aircraft and helicopters fly during the Republic Day parade. The actual flypast duration over Rajpath is around 10 minutes.

Otherwise, throughout the year, there is a no-fly zone over Rashtrapati Bhavan, South and North Blocks, the

PM's residence and other nearby places,” he added.

Sources said 18 fighter jets, five aircraft and 10 helicopters will take part in the flypast this year, flying at heights from 60 metre to 300metre above the ground. It will include the Navy's first supersonic fighter MiG-29K as well as IAF fighters like Sukhoi-30MKIs and Jaguars, which will take off from different airbases in north India and converge over the Rajpath.

US warns Pakistan: The US has asked Pakistan to ensure that there is no crossborder terror incident during Obama's visit and hinted of consequences if any such attack is traced back to the country. The warning has been issued keeping in mind the record of Pakistan-based terror groups that have regularly carried out terror strikes coinciding with visits of highprofile dignitaries to India from the US. Meanwhile, the India government said it would do everything to ensure his convenience and to make it a visit that he 'will cherish for a long, long time'. "President Obama is an honoured guest in India and we will do everything that ensures his convenience. This is an honour that we have extended to the head of state of one of our mostly friendly partners," External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. "So, we will do everything that is possible to ensure his stay here is comfortable, is something that he will cherish for a long, long time," he said.

Obama and his wife Michelle Obama arrive in India Jan 25 for a three-day visit that would see the US president hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Jan 26, he would attend the Republic Day parade as the chief guest and in the evening the At Home reception hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee. He is likely to address a town-hall style meeting in an educational institution.

Obama and his wife Michelle would fly down to Agra the following day for a visit to the Taj Mahal before flying out of India. A high alert has been sounded in Agra ahead of his visit on Jan 27, officials said. Special officials and personnel of the local intelligence unit (LIU)

have been asked to step up vigil and stay in coordination with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other intelligence wings, a home department official said.

Security deployment has been increased at the railway stations - Raja Mandi, Fort and Cantonment - and bus stations in the city. The security has also been enhanced following a letter threatening a terror attack "somewhere" on the Yamuna Expressway, which connects Agra with New Delhi. Special security personnel and sharp shooters would be positioned on vantage and high-positions, officials said.

Only six visits in 67 years: Only six US presidents have visited India in 67 years since independence.

Top level exchanges between world's largest and the oldest democracies began with India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru visiting the US in 1949. But it took another 10 years for Washington to return the call with president Dwight D Eisenhower going to India in December 1959.

John F. Kennedy, who succeeded Eisenhower, could not visit India, but sent vice president Lyndon Johnson to India in the very first year in office in 1961. First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy toured India the next year. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963.

Richard Nixon came calling as president in July 1969, six months after assuming office, to ease tensions with then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi. The two leaders never really hit it off with Nixon taking a hostile stand against India during the 1971 Bangladesh war.

It would be another nine years before Jimmy Carter became the third US president to visit India in January 1978 after the general elections in India in 1977 when Gandhi lost power after popular revolt against her emergency regime (1975-77).

The US soon became India's largest trading partner, but Carter who came to deliver a "cold and blunt message" to India over its nuclear ambitions failed to get Morarji Desai's Janata Party government to sign the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty.

It was another 22 years before Bill Clinton came in March 2000 to take out the

en to guard g India visit

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Important things about visit During his three-day visit, Obama will have a really tight schedule. Important things about Obama's visit:

1. Obama will be the first US President to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade in India.

2. During his visit to attend the Republic Day celebrations in India, Obama will be accompanied by his wife Michelle Obama and a team of senior officials in his administration.

3. During the Day 1 of his three-day visit, the American president and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi are likely to hold comprehensive talks on the entire gamut of bilateral ties and discuss ways to enhance cooperation in key components, including civil nuclear and defence pacts.

The visit is also expected to boost the sevenyear-old civil nuclear deal, facilitating the establishment of USdesigned nuclear power plants in India.

4. On second day of the visit, Obama will attend the Republic Day parade and later, along with Modi, will reportedly take part in Indo-US CEO roundtable.

5. On the final day of the visit, Obama is expected to address a town hall.

6. Before his departure from India, Obama and his wife also have a plan to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra.

7. Ahead of Obama's visit, there is already a flurry of terror threats coming everyday from different parts of the country. While the Islamic State (ISIS) has threatened the Mumbai Airport by scribbling notes with

chill from India-US relations since India's second set of nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998. In many ways, this was a turning point in Indo-US ties that were earlier termed as "estranged democracies".

Clinton, who came with his daughter, visited Jaipur, Hyderabad and Mumbai besides Delhi during a fiveday trip, the longest by a US president.

George W Bush, who was the fifth US president to visit India, in March 2006 with first lady Laura and estasblished a rapport with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

His 60-hour visit, by far the shortest after Nixon's 23

threat messages t w i c e , Indian Army has imposed high alert in Jammu and Kashmir with the news of militant insurgency in the state.

8. After input f r o m Intelligence agencies that bombs could be hidden anywhere, Special Cell and Crime Branch officers have been asked to be vigilant about the flower pots around Rajpath and India Gate, 24/7.

9. To beef up the security systems, high level of planning has been done that will cover both on-ground and air security for Obama. hours, marked the beginning of the end of India's "nuclear apartheid" with the two countries signing the historic India-US nuclear deal.

Barack Obama, who had in November 2009 held the first state dinner of his presidency in honour of then prime minister Manmohan Singh, visited India in November 2010. He became the second US president after Nixon in 1969 to visit India in his first term in office and the second after Eisenhower to address a joint session of the Indian Parliament.

Calling the India-US relationship "a defining partner-

SPECIAL

17

Canada's new envoy to India Nadir Patel speaks Gujarati at home

Canada's new high commissioner to India Nadir Patel is an IndiaCanadian, one who was born in Gujarat and speaks Gujarati at home.

His parents migrated from Gujarat to Canada when he was rather young. The 44-year-old Patel is the first Canadian of Indianorigin to occupy the high post. He presented his credentials to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on January 17.

Patel has considerable diplomatic and administrative experience.

Speaking about his new role, Patel said: "I look forward to working with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government to further expand ties between Canada and India. "There are several areas where collaboration is already strong, and there is scope for even greater cooperation to enhance our mutual prosperity, security and people-to-people ties."

Prior to his arrival in India, Patel served as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer for Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. Before that, he held a series of highlevel government positions, including Chief of Staff to the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, Senior Policy Advisor to the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, and Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator.

From 2009 to 2011, Patel was Canada’s Consul General in Shanghai, China. Patel served on the Board of Governors of the I n t e r n a t i o n a l

Nadir Patel presenting his credentials to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee policy, an honour he Development Research received again in 2014 Centre, a Canadian from the Power and Crown Corporation that Influence magazine (top supports research and 100). In January 2011, he innovation in developing was profiled by Canada’s countries to promote susGlobe and Mail newspatained growth and develper as one of “45 opment.

Canadians Changing the He also served on the World”. He was also Ottawa Advisory Board of selected by India Abroad Wilfrid Laurier in its inaugural 2008 list University’s School of of the top 40 most influenBusiness and Economics, tial Canadians of Indian and is a Founding Board descent. member of Suits his Style, Patel holds a Bachelor an Ottawa based not-forof Arts (BA) from the profit organization supWilfrid Laurier University porting employment in Waterloo, Canada, and opportunities by provida Master of Business ing professional attire for Administration (MBA) men in need. from New York Among other distincUniversity’s Stern School tions, Patel was selected of Business, the London in 2012 by Canada’s School of Economics and Embassy newspaper as Political Science, and the one of the top 80 most HEC Paris School of influential Canadians Management. shaping Canada’s foreign

India and US are keen to strike nuclear deal before the arrival of US President Barack Obama in India.

The nuclear contact group of both the countries are meeting on January 21 to resolve the contentious liability issue. This will be the third meeting in the past 45 days of the contact group established last year, after Obama's meeting with PM Narendra Modi in the US, to expedite implementation of civil nuclear cooperation between the two nations.

This will also be the last opportunity for the contact group to provide a leg-up to the nuclear agreement ahead of the Modi-Obama summit by addressing the liability issue which has bedeviled the deal despite India having offered sites for two nuclear reactors each to American nuclear power giants GE Hitachi and Westinghouse in Andhra

Pradesh and Gujarat respectively.

The Centre is keen to ensure a breakthrough in the contact group meeting as a means to convince the US about its commitment to the civil nuclear deal.

This could also be the big takeaway from the Obama visit which was seen as a diplomatic coup by Modi when he himself announced it on Twitter.

India is awaiting a response from the Americans over its proposal to set up a nuclear insurance “pool” to compensate suppliers in case of a nuclear accident. This was necessitated by US reservations over India's controversial nuclear liability law which makes suppliers liable for damages in the event of any nuclear mishap.

Indian officials have already said that since the liability law cannot be tampered with, the insur-

India, US bid to strike N-deal before Obama's arrival

ship of the 21st century," he also backed India's quest for permanent membership of UN Security Council. Now Obama is set to notch two more firsts. He will be the first US president to be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebration as also the first to visit India twice while in office.

The American team has put together the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Agency (NSA) of the US. While India is putting together the Delhi Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Intelligence Bureau and Air traffic controllers to strengthen the security plan.

ance pool is the best option available. The government has roped in state-owned General Insurance Corporation of India to build the pool which will be used to provide insurance cover to suppliers. While section 17(b) of the law guarantees right of recourse against suppliers, another section (46) is seen by the US as exposing suppliers to unlimited liability through tort claims. US officials have said the companies are worried about being exposed to unlimited liability. The meeting will seek to address these concerns.

The contact group has discussed a range of issues related to implementation apart from liability like administrative issues, technical issues and licensing to facilitate the establishment of USdesigned nuclear power plants in India.

18

REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL

Women power gets Obama's thumbs-up

India's women power was on full display on Monday as India showcased its military might at the 66th Republic Day parade in the capital. For the first time, all-women contingents of the Army, Navy and Air Force marched on Rajpath, a rare spectacle that was in line with this year's theme, "Nari Shakti". Nearly 150,000 people witnessed this grand ceremony showing India's achievements in various fields.

The parade, led by GoC Delhi area Lt General Subroto Mitra, began at 10.15am. As soon as the names of the women officers leading the contingents were announced, there were cheers and thunderous applause from spectators as well as thumbs up from the chief guest, US

Peaceful R-day in J&K

The 66th Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar passed peacefully, despite a call given by separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for boycotting the occasion. The celebrations, which were held at the Bakshi Stadium in the city, began with the annual military parade. State Divisional Commissioner Rohit Kansal hoisted the national flag. Despite of the cold conditions in the valley, students from various schools participated in the event. "Today is the Republic Day and we are really energetic. All of us students are happy," Shamima Akhtar, a student said. "We were waiting for this day as we have been preparing for the Republic Day. I wish everyone, the entire nation on this day," another student, Mohammad Rafiq said. Contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and those of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and IndoTibetan Border Police (ITBP) also took part in the celebrations.

President Barack Obama.

The women contingent of the Army was led by Captain Divya A. Divya had created history by becoming the first woman in Army to have won the coveted "Sword of Honour", awarded to the best cadet, in 2010 at the passing out parade ceremony at the Officers' Training Academy in Chennai.

The Naval tableau

titled "Bhartiya Nau Sena aur Nari Shakti" was led by Lt Commander Swetha Kapoor and Lt Varthika Joshi. It portrayed the extraordinary accomplishments of four of Indian Navy's women officers, who participated in an ocean voyage from Goa to Rio de Janerio on board the Indian naval sailing vessel, Mhadei.

The IAF contingent was led by squadron leader Sneha Shekhawat. The T-90 Bhishma column, which had a woman officer, Captain Urvashi, commanding one of the tanks enthralled the crowd as well. The commemoration of the 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war was led by Squadron Leader Garima Dixit. Union ministers Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman were found cheering for the women

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

officers.

Stories of conquests kept coming along as a tableau on women personnel climbing the Mount Everest drew perhaps the loudest cheer from the crowd, with many even saluting the brave officers from the stands.

Lines from Rabindranath Tagore's poems found mention in the parade commentary that focused on empowerment of youth and women.

Commentators also recounted the rich heritage of India and the achievements in the past year, including the launch of the Swachh Bharat campaign.

Apart from the BSF camel contingent, the antiNaxal force, Cobra, drew the maximum round of applause from the crowd during the parade.

Colourful tableaux from 16 states showcased the cultural diversity of the country. The newlycreated state, Telangana, drew people's attention with is celebration of Bonaalu festival. The Gujarat tableau displayed the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam and the Statue of Unity, touted to be the world's tallest statue.

The department of industrial policy and promotion put up a "Make in India" tableaux while the finance ministry highlighted the successful implementation of "Jan Dhan Yojna".

A proud moment for IAF woman officer Pooja Thakur

Five people from Gujarat get Padma awards

Taarak Mehta and Gunvant Shah

Dr Tejas Patel and Dr H L Trivedi

Five people from Gujarat, including Gandhinagar BJP MP L K Advani were named Padma award winners. While Advani was conferred with Padama Vibhushan for exceptional service in public affairs, four others were given Padma Shri for their distinguished services in their respective fields.

Those given Padma Shri are columnist Taarak Mehta, thinker, writer and novelist Gunvant Shah, nephrologist Dr H L Trivedi and cardiologist Dr Tejas Patel. Mehta is a noted humorist, columnist and playwright, known best for his column 'Duniya Na Undha Chasma” which is now a popular sitcom. He has written over 80 books.

Shah is a thinker, writer and colunmist who in 1997 won Gujarat's highest liter-

ary award, Ranjitram Chandrak.

Patel, 51, is a leading cardiologist in Ahmedabad. “I am very happy that my work has been acknowledged,” said Dr Patel who is known for “trans-radial intervention” wherein heart procedures like angiography are performed using radial artery in hand over the conventional approach of entering from the artery in the groin. Dr Patel has achieved global recognition as he has a textbook “Patel's Atlas of Trans-radial Approach” in his name along with “Patel's catheter” designed by him for cardiac procedures.

Trivedi, 83, is considered the old man of transplantation sciences in Gujarat for making kidney transplant available to people of Gujarat.

Ramdev, Sri Sri `politely' decline Padma awards

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Baba Ramdev

Wing Commander Pooja Thakur stole the show at the ceremonial reception for US President Barack Obama at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Sunday morning when she became the first woman officer to command the tri-service guard of honour for a visiting head of state.

“It was a very proud moment for me to lead the joint services guard of honour for the world's most powerful man,“ Wing Commander Thakur, 36, said a few hours later, still basking in the “honour” of being selected for the task just a

few days ago. “It requires a smart turnout, bearing and drill practice,” she said. But the 36-year-old officer, commissioned into IAF in 2001, was quick to add that she considered herself no less than her male counterparts.

“I am an officer first and then a woman,” she said. “We are treated just like male officers right from our training days.”

But why was she not carrying the traditional sword that guard commanders salute the dignitary with? Was it because of security considerations?

“The sword is carried in Army and Navy. In IAF, we carry revolvers. I was carrying it,” said Wing Commander Thakur.

Pooja Thakur, who hails from Jaipur, always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father who retired as a colonel, by joining the armed forces.

“It's not a job but a way of life. I wanted this way of life,” she said. It was on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive that “woman power” or “naari shakti” was made the predominant theme for this year's Republic Day parade.

A day before Padma awards were to be officially announced, yoga guru Ramdev and spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar politely declined to receive the honours. Ramdev cited his status of a `sanyasi' to decline the honour after reports suggested that he will be among the awardees for Padma Vibhushan this Republic Day .

In a letter to home minister Rajnath Singh, Ramdev said, “I am a sanyasi and I consider it my duty to perform sanyas dharma with rastra dharma and sewa dharma without any desire and with unattached intention.” The yoga guru said he is grateful that the government thought of his name for Padma Vibhusan, which he

got to know from media reports, but the honour could be given to some other great person. “I urge you to give this honour to somebody doing something great. I would be grateful to you,” he said.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar took to Twitter to inform about his decision.

“Rajnath Singhji called to inform me about Padma awards. I thank the government for considering me. Instead of me, I’d like them to honour someone else,” he tweeted. The Art of Living of which Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the founder also issued a statement in which he was quoted as saying, “I thank the government for considering me for the Padma award. There are many other deserving people.”

REAL ESTATE VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

19

To Trade Or Not To Trade?

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

Last week I covered a deal we were looking at in W1 for around £2.9m, we have managed to agree a price for this property at £2.75m and our solicitors are waiting for the contract. Interestingly what has also come out of the woodwork is the property has been used as two flats since the late nineties. The lower ground has been used by the owner’s son as a separate dwelling and council tax has been paid for this on a separate basis. This means there is a record at the council showing that the property has been lived in and used for over four years, under established use there is now a strong chance this property can be converted.

We referred this matter over to our planner who confirmed there is no reason why this property will not be granted planning permission to be turned into two flats. This is a cherry on the pie, halving the property means we will have two flats which is more digestible to the market both from a rental and sales point of view.

Furthermore planning for a rear extension was granted (but has since lapsed), this means we will be able to add further square footage to this property and enhance the already cheap price we are entering at.

The property market in London is shaped like a triangle, most of the buyers are at the bottom end of the market where prices are less, this means if we reduce the price of the product we are offering it will appeal to a larger mass of people.

T h e re i s an o pt io n t o c o m e i n o n t h i s d e al a n d d e v e l o p a n d re se l l , b u t I d o n o t f e e l t h i s wi l l b e a g o o d y e ar t o re s e l l an d g e t t h e b e s t p ri c e . I t c an b e d o n e a n d m o n e y c an b e m ad e , b u t i t wi l l b e c r u m bs , m ay e v e n b e l arg e c r u m b s b u t c ru m b s n o n e t h e l e ss .

The real money in property is made by holding the stock. Buying and selling actually goes against the grain of property investment, even though as a firm this is what we have been engaging in, trading or flipping. No doubt the profit has been there - our track record speaks for itself.

The beauty of property is it rises on its own accord – passively, there are very few businesses that run this way. And often most of our clients make more money from holding property than they actually manage to save or even make running their own businesses over the same period.

They actually would have made more money by buying property and going on holiday, than working over the same period. At times it’s almost like rats going around a wheel. There is a need for movement even though it’s simply going around the same wheel.

market trend and partly because as described more fundamentally it is in line with the nature of property.

The emphasis will still be on recycling the cash, but not the property, this will be the important distinction which will change everything. This means when we look at a deal one of the most prominent questions will be: when will the money come out of the deal and how much of it? The time period for this has to be a minimum of six months as most lenders are not happy to lend any more than the purchase price within this period.

This is a year where deals will start to surface from their own accord, and a great time to asset build.

T h e re is so m e c re d i t t o t r ad i n g , yo u c a n ma ke a b i g g a i n f ro m a s m al l am o u n t o f i n v e st me n t , a n d yo u ’ re t h e n i n t h e m a rk e t t o d o a n o t h e r d e a l , wi t h o u t t h e h as s l e an d ex pe n se o f c o m p l e t i n g . T h e f u n n y t h i n g i s e v e r y o n e i n t h e m ar ke t t h i n k s yo u h av e a n i n s at ia b l e a pp e t i t e a l o n g wi t h a n u n l i m i t e d t re as u re c h e s t . A n d t h e m o re yo u d e n y t h i s t h e m o re t h e y t h i n k i t ! Yo u ’ re a c t u a l l y re c yc l i n g t h e s am e am o u n t o f m o n e y f ro m d e al t o d e al a n d v e r y q u ic k l y, t h i s i s d o n e i n t e r n a l l y. T h e pe rc e p t i o n c re a t e d in t h e m ar k e t p l ac e i s t h a t yo u ke e pi n g pu rc h a si n g wi t h o u t an y l i m i t at i o n .

An o t h e r d e al we h a v e al s o l o c k e d i s a £1 . 3m pro p e rt y wh i c h is a pro b a t e pro p e rt y wh i c h h as n ' t b e e n g r an t e d pro b at e ye t , t h is m ay t ak e so me t im e . T h e pro p e rt y d i d n ' t g e t a c h a n c e t o h i t t h e o p e n m a rk e t . I t ’ s a 8 44 sq . f t . f l at f a c i n g a n d h a vi n g ac c e s s t o a s q u a re in W 1. We are pa yi n g £1, 544 p e r s q . f t . , p ri c e s h e re are a ro u n d £2 , 20 0 pe r s q . f t . T h e re i s h o w e v e r wo r k t o b e d o n e o n t h i s p ro p e rt y a l t h o u g h e v e n t ak i n g t h i s i n t o a c c o u n t by al l o w i n g a g e n e ro u s f i g u re o f £2 00 pe r s q . f t . t h e re i s st i l l a g o o d ma rg i n h e re .

This is a good perception to create, as it brings deal flow and opportunity.

Our model will be changing, there will be a shift from trading to holding more stock, partly because this is in tune with the current

The Real Deal

One thing the price per sq. ft. doesn't give you is the grandeur of the property and the ceiling heights. The features on this property are amazing, the ceiling heights are huge and the property is facing one of the few squares in W1. What’s more is the service charge is only £1,500 per annum. The property also benefits from having a share of freehold. These types of properties will stay attractive even post mansion tax, should it be implemented, due to the low annual outgoings.

The cost required to enter this deal will be about £500,000 and the aim will be to hold this property for the medium to long term or even permanently.

The price has just been agreed and we are waiting for the contract, the deal will be exchanged subject to probate being granted this will give us a long completion period. We are planning to suggest a 5% deposit to be paid instead of the potential 10% usually paid; this means less money is locked up. It actually makes very little difference to the seller as the money is sitting in his lawyer’s account till the point of completion. This means we can enter this deal with only £65k tied up in it - the way the deal is set up it is unfortunately asking, no actually begging to be traded!

Paddington, London, W2 Purchase Price: £2.7m l Freehold property in a very beautiful location l Currently arranged as six commercial units l Planning permission in place to convert it into four residential units and one commercial unit l Around 3,250 sq ft area l End value after conversion expected to be around £3.9m Call us now to secure this deal!

0207 993 0103

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in

Central London Property Sourcing

info@sowandreap.co.uk

www.sowandreap.co.uk

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

Follow us online:

Sowandreapuk

SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week

l When you sell a property you will have to pay Capital Gains tax but there is a smart way to extract the increase in the value of the property and that is by way of remortgaging -these funds can then be reinvested in better opportunities.

l As with any business venture it is always wise to have multiple exit strategies; property has this naturally, instead of reselling you can refinance and rent.

20

BUSINESS

Jaitley hints at not raising tax rates in coming budget

India's finance minister Arun Jaitley hinted at not raising tax rates and providing incentives to manufacturing in the coming Budget while asserting that “structural changes“ will have to be made to get the economy to grow at 8-9%.

Hard-selling India to global investors at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he also promised a stable tax regime that will not come up with unreasonable demand and change taxes retrospectively. “In terms of incentivizing manufacturing, it is very much on our agenda. Even though we had few days, during the last Budget we did give to ministry of micro small and medium enterprises (MSME), national investment and manufacturing zone (NIMZ) and so on because we wanted the sector to pick up and that priority is

Ministries including heavy industry, shipping and information technology have prepared proposals to give a fillip to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India campaign.

Official sources said that while the department of heavy industry (DHI) has made a case for providing subsidies to manufacturers of battery-operated solar cars, infrastructure creation and R&D, the shipping ministry has proposed tax benefits to domestic

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

fairly high on our agenda,” he said speaking at a session on `India's Next Decade'.

While referring to various revenue sources for the government, including divestment, dividend and spectrum sale, the finance minister said as economic activity picks up, the government's capacity to raise revenue will also increase.

“I am not in favour of raising the rates of taxation

as that could become counter-productive,” he told reporters. Jaitley expressed confidence that India was close to the point when investment will pick up as there are a large number of investors who are waiting to come in. “They only want to be doubly sure about the credibility of the decision making process and the stability of the policies,” he said.

Commits to strict fiscal plan: India will not stray from a plan to slash its fiscal deficit to 3% of the gross domestic product within two years, Jaitley said, despite top aides' advice to revive the economy with more infrastructure spending. Jaitley, who will present his first fullyear Budget on February 28 for the 2015-16 financial year, said the current level of deficit was unacceptable. “We have a

roadmap to bring it (fiscal deficit) down a little below 3% over the next couple of years and then we intend to maintain it,” Jaitley said.

The government is scrambling to contain the fiscal deficit at 4.1% of the GDP in the fiscal year ending March, after a sharp shortfall in revenue that forced it to rein in spending.

India's fiscal deficit touched Rs 5,250 billion ($85.09 billion), or 99% of the full year's deficit target, in November.

In his Budget, Jaitley is expected to announce subsidy cuts while allocating more for infrastructure, reflecting a rightward shift in thinking since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was elected in May. Falling oil prices have reduced the fuel subsidy bill and the government has roughly halved expenditure growth this fiscal year.

players for shipyard building.

“The DHI is focusing on linking its electric mobility initiative and the efforts on national renewable energy generation.

This can be achieved by incentivising manufacturers and this can be done by creating a fund for providing subsidies,” the official said. The national mission for electric mobility (NMEM) scheme, launched by the UPA in 2013, estimates, by 2020,

there will be a demand for around 6-7 million units.

Further, the shipping ministry, the official said, has prepared a plan to boost domestic shipping industry by giving “tax breaks” for shipyard building.

“The ministry also wants to make it compulsory to import LNG on ships bearing Indian flags.

This will create service opportunities for Indian players,” the official said.

The business model will shift from cost-insurance-

freight (CIF) to free on board (FOB) and Indian ships and insurers will be able to reap the benefits hitherto enjoyed by foreign vessel owners.

“Announcements for some sops for these industries may also be made in the Budget 2015-16,” the official said.

The information technology department wants “duty restructuring” for electronic sector, especially semi-conductors, another official said.

Arun Jaitley

Proposals to boost ‘Make in India’ plan ready

QX hosts UKIBC trade delegation

QX Limited hosted a trade delegation from the UKIndia Business Council (UKIBC), a premier business-led organisation promoting bilateral trade and investment between UK and India. The UKIBC delegates were led by its Chief Operating Officer, Kevin McCole; Head of Policy and Communication in India, Divya Dwivedi; and UK Head of Policy and Research, Adrianna Vega.

In Gujarat to attend the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the group travelled to QX Limited’s offices in Ahmedabad to hear about the QX growth story and UK–India trade experience. Kevin McCole and his team were joined by other members of UKIBC which comprise of some of UK’s most vibrant and innovative businesses from the education, consulting, technology and packaging sectors. This included Vikrant Patil, National Programme Manager for Molecular Products UK; Subhash Ghosh, Executive Director of Lemon Advisors UK Ltd; Shailja O’Leary, International coordinator of Bournemouth and Poole College; Ramnik

Chris Robinson speaking to UKIBC trade delegates. From right to left: Adrianna Vega, Ramnik Modi, Kevin McCole, Divya Dwivedi, Anil Bhambhani, Martin Perry, Shailja O’Leary, Sanjeev Ohri, Kuldeep Upadhyay, and Rajiv Bhatia

Modi, Chairman of MTL Packaging; and Martin Perry, Director of Zada Technology Ltd. As part of their visit, guests were given a comprehensive tour of QX’s processing centres by its leadership team, who explained the facilities, expertise and capabilities of some of the key areas of the business including the recruitment, accounting and corporate advisors divisions.

This was followed by QX Chairman, Chris Robinson sharing his experience of setting up business in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which began with him researching locations, finding the right premises, identifying a local partner

and employing his first 15 staff way back in 2003.

The delegates also appreciated the opportunity to hear Chris talk about how QX assisted a UK architectural firm to set up their operations in Ahmedabad.

Kevin McCole said, “We’re grateful to QX for inviting us to their offices.

It was a very enjoyable experience as we could discuss what they are doing and how their plans have developed over the last 10 years. Like UKBIC, QX has the passion for facilitating an increase in trade and investment between the UK and India, and it was an honour to have been part of the discussions.”

Commenting on the visit Chris Robinson said, “It was a pleasure to host the UKBIC trade delegates on site. Our aim for the visit was to showcase QX Corporate Advisors (QX CA) which provides vital insight and guidance for businesses looking to establish themselves in India and the UK. The guests got an opportunity to see first-hand the important role QX CA plays within both markets.”

He continued, “We are keen to increase our activity locally, particularly across India, so this was a fantastic opportunity to build on our existing relationship with UKBIC and its members.

Symposium on ageing in emerging markets

Ian Scott - Executive Director of the EMS, HE Shaukat Aziz - former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mrs Choudhrie, Bhanu Choudhrie Director C&C Alpha, Michael Earl - former Pro Vice Chancellor University of Oxford, Cherian Thomas - COO C&C Alpha

Fifty leading international policy experts and practitioners gathered in Oxford last weekend for the symposium on ageing in emerging markets, sponsored by C&C Alpha Group and attended by executive director Bhanu Choudhrie.

They came from more than 20 emerging market and high income countries and included specialists in gerontology, economics, finance, sociology, anthropology, medicine, health policy and social policy and senior figures from the worlds of politics, business and civil society.

The symposium agreed that the belief that old age begins at 65 is unfit for purpose and ripe for replacement; that definitions of retirement age must be drastically modified; that social and economic policies must be grounded in realistic assumptions about life expectancy; and that the equation of old age and disability must be discarded given that (for example) 83% of China’s elderly population reported no health problem in the 2010 census.

The United Nations anticipates that, by 2050, the proportion of populations aged over 65 will rise from 7% in 2010 to 20% in Brazil; from 8% to 24% in China; from 13% to 26% in Russia; and from 5% to 12% in India. These changes - driven by declining fertility and rising longevity – will continue extensions of healthy life that have already been achieved in high income countries - and will offer dramatic possibilities for economic growth and productivity. The symposium concluded that the advantages of healthy longevity will not, however, be realized if emerging markets

fail to match the challenges and opportunities with their distinctive political, cultural, social and institutional environments. While emerging markets can and should learn from each other and from higher income countries they should not expect to find common solutions to shared problems and should not copy models designed for other times and places.

The symposium also concluded that the economic, social and cultural benefits of healthy longevity will be elusive if emerging markets fail to take advantage of new technologies, promote healthier lifestyles, create physical and social environments adapted to physical and mental frailties, develop holistic lifetime health and education strategies, adopt realistic approaches to financial security in the final stages of life and coordinate age related policies and plans across jurisdictional boundaries within governments.

Emerging economies have made very limited progress in planning for the phenomenon of longevity. Many rely on outdated or imported policies. Few have acknowledged that demographic transformation, like urbanization and the epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases, is incomparably faster in emerging markets than in higher income countries. The scale and speed of ageing in emerging markets means they have less time to adjust and that existing social and economic inequalities and the incidence of oldage poverty could be seriously exacerbated in the absence of countervailing actions.

Britain’s largest stateowned bank Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is to cut some 160 jobs in the UK and offshore around 60 of them to India. RBS has been cutting back its retail operations and the latest job cuts are also part of wider cost-cutting measures. According to Unite the Union, which represents the bank’s

staff, around 60 backoffice roles are to be moved to India. “We will do everything we can to support staff, including seeking redeployment opportunities wherever possible and ensuring that compulsory redundancies are kept to a minimum,” the Edinburgh-headquartered bank said in a statement.

UK bank RBS to move 60 jobs to India

CURRENCY VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

21

Foreign Exchange

Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX,

EU announces government bond-buying programme Currency Specialists.

The pound weakened last week as details of the Bank of England’s first unanimous decision on monetary policy since July dampened the outlook for higher interest rates that would support the currency. Sterling fell against 13 of its 16 major peers after policy makers Martin Weale and Ian McCafferty dropped their call for an interest-rate increase as plunging oil prices raised the risk that slow inflation would become entrenched. If interest rates are raised now it would add to deflationary pressures as people would have less money to spend on goods and services.

Separate data showed wage growth in the three months through November was less than analysts estimated.

However, with wage growth at 1.7% year on year and inflation at 0.5% year on year, in real terms the general public is better off and has more disposable income. The Monetary Policy Committee also forecast that U.K. inflation will drop to zero in the first quarter and there’s a roughly equal chance that it could fall lower.

The U.K. unemployment rate also declined to a six-year

low of 5.8 percent from 6 percent. Analysts had forecast a drop to 5.9 The consumer price inflation dropped to the joint record low of 0.5% in December, driven down primarily by cheaper fuels and food, and is expected to fall below zero in early 2015.

Despite the expectations of slower sales in the run-up to Christmas, significantly low inflation in the UK is seen as still helping boost consumer appetite. Retail sales volumes soared above estimates between October and November and year-on-year sales posted the biggest rise since May 2004, as the new phenomenon of 'Black Friday' the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States helped bolster sales in November.

Investors responded to Mario Draghi's plan to stoke the Euro zone economy by selling the euro, which pushed the pound to a seven-year high against the Euro. However, the action could prove a mixed blessing for the UK. The weakening euro raises the prospect of cheaper foreign holidays for Britons, but a tougher climate

for the UK's exporters.

The safe haven Dollar strengthened last week off the back of market uncertainty, despite disappointing jobs figures for the US. More Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, a sign of lingering holiday turnover.

Holiday staffing needs create swings in employment, making it difficult for the government to seasonally adjust its weekly data this time of year.

Employment is likely to keep growing as the world’s largest economy shows signs its sustaining momentum amid a global slowdown.

The Eurozone was the main focus of the market last week in the lead up to the QE decision.

Analysts were speculating the ECB would announce a €600bn sovereign bond buying programme to potentially try and recover the Euro and aim to bring inflation back up to the central bank’s target 2% ceiling. There were gains shown in the EUR with the build-up to Thursday’s decision; however The Euro suffered significant losses during Thursday’s session, most notably against the

Dollar where the single currency fell to an 11 year low, dropping 1.2 per cent.

The move came after European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi announced a €60bn-a-month government bond-buying programme - much higher than the expected €50bn a month until the end of September 2016, meaning the programme will total €1.26 trillion Euros. With its main interest rate at just 0.05 per cent Draghi had a limited arsenal of weapons to counter inflationary pressures, after the Eurozone slipped into deflation in December for the first time since 2009, with a 0.2 per cent year-on-year fall in prices.

Over the weekend it was confirmed that radical far left political party Syriza have won the Greek general election. The party strongly oppose the austerity forced upon their nation by the EU to ensure they repay their crippling debt. This weakened off the Euro significantly in Asian trading as this sparked fears that the new Greek government will threaten to default on their debts and destabilise the Euro.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 27th January 2015 @ 4pm

GBP - INR = 93.09

USD - INR = 61.32 EUR - INR = 69.71 GBP - USD = 1.52 GBP - EUR = 1.33

EUR - USD = 1.14 GBP - AED = 5.58

GBP - CAD = 1.88

GBP - NZD = 2.03

GBP - AUD = 1.91

GBP - ZAR = 17.54

GBP - HUF = 415.70

www.rationalfx.com

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

Safe as houses

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

ȏ Stop/limit orders & forward trades

ȏ Fixed exchange rates for up to 2 years

ȏ Online payments platform available 24/7

ȏ Low wire transfer fees

ȏ Personalised service

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

22

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Writing from the US I have of course an American bias. I am delighted to say with all the interest in FX I’ve launched my complete FX trading course online. It has over 80 lectures and 8 hours of video training. I’m really proud of it. And for all my Asian Voice readers I have a special launch offer of 33% off.

You just go to www.udemy.com/tradefx4profit and use coupon code ‘asianvoice’.

The volatility in the Euro and the Swiss Currency has seen fortunes being made. I am asked what now for the Euro? Well it had to drop because they’ve decided to print more Euros and Greece won’t pay back its debts. I don’t want to call the bottom yet. I am happy on oil to say we’ve pretty much hit bottom. Most it could drop is another $7. But the upside is $20. If that takes even two years to materialise you get to have a 50% return on your money.

But for stocks it was a very disappointing year last year that the UK markets fell, when the American ones rose. This is how American wealth catapults ahead of British wealth – years when our markets lag behind. Not due to a poorer set of earnings, or worse economic outlook, but a simple lack of belief and money chasing returns.

Maybe British investors are easily satisfied with lower returns, maybe Americans are too pushy.

Whatever it is, the UK markets deserved better last year.

Here are some facts: Last year Shire, Dixons, United Utilities were the biggest movers up. Ironically, given the market was down, London Stock Exchange Plc company was up 40%.

60% of the largest 100 UK stocks rose. Only 40% fell. If you measure stocks based on their value for money, or how much you are paying in buying a stock for every pound of profit the company generates, then Standard Chartered, Royal Mail and Shell are the cheapest.

They are followed by Rio Tinto and BP, BHP – an argument to be made that banks and commodity companies are undervalued?

And if you want to know on the same basis the most overvalued – then Friends Life, ARM and Randgold are all up there.

I like to look for companies combining growth and value and on my data mining filer on Sharescope.co.uk/alpesh the names coming up are: Wilmington, Waterman, Smurfit, Smith (DS), Ryanair, Marshalls, ISG, GLI, Clipper Logistics, Cineworld, Card Factory, Alternative Networks, Acal.

So it’s an exciting time, but education is the key and that is why I had to do the online course. People were just too scared to trade without ample education and that is good. Education is vital. Enjoy my course!

Sensex, Nifty extend record-breaking spree

Continuing their recordbreaking spree, markets on Tuesday hit new highs with the BSE Sensex scaling another peak of 29,456.63 and the NSE Nifty soared to 8,878.20 in opening trade on sustained capital inflows.

Besides, markets were buoyed by optimism over upcoming Budget and quarterly earnings amidst positive domestic factors and mixed global cues.

The benchmark BSE Sensex climbed by 177.79 points, or 0.60 per cent, to trade at a new high of 29,456.63, breaking its previous record of 29,408.73 reached on Friday.

The benchmark index

had gained 1,932.02 points in the previous seven sessions.

The National Stock Exchange index Nifty spurted by 42.60 points, or 0.48 per cent, to hit a new peak of 8,878.20, surpassing its previous intra-day high of 8,866.40 touched on Friday.

Brokers said sentiments remained upbeat on sustained capital inflows amidst optimism over upcoming Budget and corporate earnings amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi promising an open business environment and predictable tax regime in his meeting on Monday with US President Barack Obama.

Modi, Obama unveil steps for new high to business, trade ties

Narendra Modi and the Barack Obama at the India-US CEO Forum Meeting

India-US business links were set for a quantum jump with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance of "consistent policies" and "welcoming environment" leading to US President Barack Obama announcing steps to lead to $4 billion trade with and investment in India.

"Over the next two years, our Export Import Bank (EXIM) will support $1 billion Made In America goods exports to India.

Our Overseas Private Investment Corporation will support lending small and medium businesses across India in more than $1 billion in loans. And our US Trade and Development Agency will invest nearly $2 billion in renewable energy in India," Obama said in his address at the USIndia Business Summit on Monday.

Listing out more steps, he said the US was ready to help in broadband connectivity and build better roads. "We need to make sure that economic growth in both India and US is inclusive. Diaspora investment initiative will aid India," he said.

"US exports to India is nearly 35 per cent. Indian investments in our country is growing as well.

Those Indian investments are supporting jobs across America. Our growing trade relations are also a win for India. Both Indian and US workers are bene-

fiting from the ties," Obama added.

Saying that there is a lot of "untapped trade potential", he added: "PM Modi agrees that there is a lot of scope to improve the trade relations. We have to focus on making doing business easier in both our countries."

In his address earlier, Modi said the state should be driven by policies which should be consistent so as to draw more investments, while revealing US investments in India jumped by 50 per cent in the first six months of his government. "State should be policy-driven.

That will help investment.

Consistency is another very important aspect that will bring more investments in the country.

These things will address many problems," he said.

He assures US business that they "will find environment that is not only open, but also welcoming".

"We will guide you and walk with you in your projects. You will find a climate that encourages investment and rewards enterprise; it will nurture innovation and protect your intellectual property," Modi said.

"It will make it easy to do business; our immediate target is to bring us from the rear ranks of the world into the top 50. You will find a tax regime that is predictable and compet-

itive. We have removed some of the excesses of the past. We will now soon address the remaining uncertainties.

Our goal is an economy where skills, infrastructure and resources will not be constraints to growth," he said, adding heavy investments in infrastructure and agriculture will improve the economy.

Noting that "in the world of economics, numbers are often an unforgiving mirror to performance," Modi said: "They are telling us that we are on the right path. Our economic growth has increased by a percentage point. Today, business sentiments in India are the strongest among major Asian markets. Consumer confidence in India has turned positive after three years.

"Growth in the eight core sectors of the economy has increased sharply.

Inflation is at a five-year low. And, 110 million new bank accounts have opened in the last four months. Investments from the United States have jumped by 50 per cent in the first six months of my government. And, I know that some of the pledges made in September in Washington have begun to flow in."

Stressing the India-US partnership "will be vital for prosperity at home and our economic leadership

abroad", he held it will also help address "global challenges of our times".

Turning to President Obama, Modi said that with his support, "quite simply, the joined hands of India and the United States will make this world a better place for all.

With your leadership, Mr. President, and with the support of our gifted people, we will turn our commitments into concrete action".

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) along with India's department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) organised the summit.

Before this meeting, Modi, speaking at the interactive India US CEO Forum, highlighted key priorities of his government including improving "Ease of Doing Business", and the "Make in India" initiative. He also added it is extremely important to listen to investors, as this helps speed up decisions.

Reacting to the statements by Modi and Obama, CII president Ajay Shriram expressed hope that the newlyannounced US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue will convene soon to chart out the path for enhanced bilateral economic cooperation.

and-a-half months.

Globally, India has the ninth highest forex reserves with China, Japan and Saudi Arabia leading the chart. But the gap is huge given that China's reserves are in excess of $3.8 trillion -almost 12 times India's level. Unlike the large foreign exchange holders, India has a signifi-

cant current account deficit, which is mainly due to imports of gold, crude petroleum and electronics.

RBI has managed to increase the reserves by over $30 billion or 10% over the past 12 months when China added roughly $23 billion. During this period, Brazil's stock of forex has declined by 0.4% to $ 374 billion, while Russia's dropped 28% to $339 billion, Bloomberg data showed.

Overseas funds bought a record $42 billion of Indian stocks and bonds in 2014 and have invested $ 3.1 billion so far this year.

There are expectations of higher inflows after the European Central Bank announced a $ 1.2 trillion stimulus, especially when the other emerging market economies are on a weaker wicket compared to India.

The government and RBI had swung into action after reserves hit a threeyear low in September 2013 and the Indian currency hit a record low and breached the 68 level against the dollar due to widening trade deficit. The central bank had put in place checks on outflows and initiated steps to boost inflows.

India's forex reserves touches a record $ 322 bn

India's foreign exchange reserves touched a record $322 billion, surpassing the previous high of almost $321 billion in September 2011 on the back of Reserve Bank of India's conscious efforts to build a war chest.

Latest data showed an accretion of $ 2.7 billion during the week ended January 16, essentially due to a rise in foreign currency assets. Market players said RBI has been buying dollars to ensure that the rupee stays strong.

At current levels, reserves are sufficient to cover imports for eight-

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

In Brief

Britain's poor showing in global talent ranking

London: Countries with few natural resources have performed better in global talent ranking compared with Britain, which is ranked seventh.

Switzerland, Singapore and Luxembourg are rated the top three countries for producing, attracting and retaining top quality workers. Countries with few natural resources are more likely to train highly talented people, according to Insead, the international business school that published the global talent competitiveness index. Researchers looked at more than 100 countries, taking into account factors including political stability, business and government relations, the climate of competition and innovation, labour market flexibility, IT access, openness to migration, entrepreneurial activity and the international rankings of their universities.

Bruno Lanvin, co-author of a report on the research, said: “It’s really quite striking that among the top three countries - Switzerland, Singapore and Luxembourg two are landlocked and one is an island.

Rising costs prevent many parents to have a second child

London: The rising cost of raising a child has prevented many a parents to have a second child.

Parents face bills of almost a quarter of a million pounds to raise just one child to the age of 21, new research shows. Surging childcare fees and expenses linked to education mean the basic cost of bringing up a child in the UK has risen 50 per cent faster than inflation over more than a decade. The study, carried out by the Centre of Economic and Business Research (CEBR) for the insurer Liverpool Victoria suggests that parents have cut back spending on toys and even food but any savings have been swallowed up by other rising costs. It also points to evidence that the expense of raising children could be shaping the population, with some parents actively postponing of ruling out having a second child because of the cost.

94% rise in attack on Jews in London last year

London: According to latest police statistics, the number of hate crimes against Jews nearly doubled.

Figures from the Metropolitan Police showed there were 297 hate crimes against Jewish people in the year to August. The figure was up from 153 in the previous 12 months, a rise of 94 per cent. In the same period the number of anti-Muslim hate crimes in the capital dipped slightly from 518 to 495 last year, a four per cent fall.

One convicted for throwing water over woman, her ‘noisy’ children

London: Michelle Dodd, a housewife, was charged with assault following the long-standing dispute with her neighbour Mrs Iqbal. It began when Dodd complained about Mrs Iqbal’s four young children making too much noise while playing on a trampoline in the garden of their home in Reddish, Stockport. A court heard Dodd threw water out of her bedroom window three times, and on each occasion some of it landed on Mrs Iqbal, 33. Dodd denied assault, claiming she was bed-ridden with illness and was emptying a bowl of water put out for her cat, not intending to hit anyone.

However, she was found guilty of all three counts. After the trial, she said: ‘It’s disgusting but there’s nothing I can do. I thought the court would laugh and sue the police for wasting everyone’s time.’

Outrage forces US firm to pull `Gandhi' beer

Milford: A US microbrewery said it would stop using the name and image of Mahatma Gandhi on one of its beers after complaints that it was offensive to the Indian community. New England Brewing Company of Connecticut had been marketing its India pale ale under the name `Gandhi-Bot', with a label and cartoon image depicting a robot version of Gandhi.“After consideration we feel that renaming Gandhi-Bot is the right move,” the company said in a statement. “Taking these steps will allow us to express our support for the Indian-American community while also limiting any economic losses.” The company said it made the decision to rebrand the beer following meetings with Indian-American business owners, temple leaders and state officials, including Glastonbury state representative Prasad Srinivasan. The company had apologized earlier this month after complaints the beer label was offensive. Srinivasan said he was glad that brewer was rebranding the ale. “Our sensitivity on this important issue has been addressed and I am looking forward to the early release of their renamed and rebranded product,“ he said. The Gandhi-Bot beer, which had been distributed for about five years, was promoted on the brewery's website as “fully vegetarian“ and “an ideal aid for self-purification and the seeking of truth and love.

WORLD

Safe havens within Pakistan not acceptable: Obama

New Delhi: US President Barack Obama said US had been unrelenting in its fight against terror - a fight in which Indians and Americans were united.

Referring to the the 9/11 attack in New York and the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, Obama said the two nations stood together in defence of their security and way of life.

He went on to add, "I've made it clear that even as the United States works with Pakistan to meet the threat of terrorism, safe havens within Pakistan are not acceptable and that those behind the Mumbai terrorist attack must face justice." "On the most basic level, a good India-US relationship has to be based on the same principles as our successful partnerships with our other close partners and friends around the world," Obama said in

23

an interview.

"That includes mutual respect, where even as we acknowledge our different histories and traditions, we value the strengths that we each bring to our relationship," he said. He said: "It includes recognizing our mutual interests that both our countries will be more secure, and our people will have more jobs and opportunities, when we are working together."

The US president said while it was true that progress has not always

come as fast as both sides would have liked, "we have succeeded in deepening the US-India relationship across the board".

"In the last few years, we have increased trade between our two countries by about 60 per cent, creating more jobs for Indians and Americans," he said, adding the militaries of the two countries are conducting more exercises together," he said.

Obama said the time is opportune to realise his vision for India and US as "true global partners".

"Now, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's election and his commitment to a new chapter in the relationship between our countries gives us an opportunity to further energise our partnership," Obama said.

"I'd like to think that the stars are aligned to

finally realise the vision I outlined in (the Indian) parliament (during last visit) - India and America as true global partners.

That's why I accepted the generous invitation to become the first US president to attend Republic Day as the chief guest," he added.

Obama had addressed the joint session of Parliament during his last visit to New Delhi in November 2010.

Describing his India visit as "an opportunity to work with Modi to make concrete progress", Obama hoped to embark on a new era in the history of bilateralism between the two countries.

He also said he had a strong relationship with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, whom he treated as his "close partner".

sports car which a court had ordered to be seized.

Namal Rajapaksa, the former president’s son, said the car was not found.

Speaking after meeting Buddhist priests in the central city of Kandy, Rajapaksa, 69, said: “Our

family has been in politics since 1931 but never [have] our homes come to be searched. I ask them to stop this political revenge.”

Namal said: “They have been harassing us by searching not only our own houses but those of our

friends. We can’t visit the homes of our associates,” he said. Police have already seized a Nissan GT-R sports car once driven by another son, Rohitha, and a two-seater aircraft given to Rajapaksa’s second son, Yoshitha.

Barack Obama

Weapons cache adds fuel to coup bid charges against Rajapaksa

Colombo: The recovery of a weapons cache in central Colombo has added fuel to allegations that former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa had planned a coup to maintain his grip on power when he realised that he was about to lose the recent election.

Meanwhile, Rajapaksa appealed to the country’s new ruler not to exact “political revenge” from the allegations.

Rajapaksa’s plea came after a stash of arms were discovered in central Colombo, allegedly belonging to Rakna Lanka Security Service, a private company said to be under the control of the former president’s younger brother Gotobhaya Rajapaksa. The haul included 157 Chinesemade machine guns, shotguns, a heavy machine guns, ammunition, body armour and helmets. Two days earlier, another, bigger cache of weapons was found on a container ship docked in the southern port city of Galle. It included more than 3,000 automatic weapons.

“There are serious national security implications and we are investigating several angles,” a police spokesman said.

The new government, led

by Maithripala Sirisena, has accused Rajapaksa of widespread corruption and of plotting a coup to retain power when he realised he was about to lose the election. Police have already begun investigating allegations against Gotobhaya, a former defence minister. The police raided the Rajapaksa family’s country home in the southern town of Tangalle, searching for a Lamborghini

24

INDIA

No handshakes and hugs in Telangana

Hyderabad: With 11 swine flu deaths and 250 cases in January, Telangana is the worst hit state in India.

Alarmed by the situation, the Telangana government is putting effort in to control and treat swine flu cases in the state. To prevent the spread of the disease, the government is even advising people to say no to handshakes and hugs and only say 'Namaste' to greet people. The government is reaching out to people and creating awareness about preventive measures.

"We are telling people to avoid body contact like handshake or even hugs as they can get infected," said

Dr Narendra Nath, Director, NIMS, government appointed spokesperson for swine flu. The government has also urged people to avoid crowded places. An advisory

has also been issued in all schools in Hyderabad.

Parents have been told to not send children to school if they report flu like symptoms and immediately consult a doctor.

"Medicines have been sent to all hospitals, so that people can get it in 5 to 10 km radius. We are giving free swine flu testing and treatment for people," said Dr Narendra Nath.

Telangana government

swung into action, after Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao called an emergency meeting and pulled up officials for their lethargic attitude in combating swine flu.

In 2015, 11 people have died due to swine flu and 250 cases have been reported. In 2014, 88 cases of swine flu were reported and 11 people died of the virus.

Government claims that situation is under control and there is no need to panic.

Need of the hour is to stay alert and take precautions.

The most important precaution being to wear masks before stepping out of your homes.

Bill Gates and N Chandrababu Naidu meeting with Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt, the Chief Minister got an assurance from him that the company would support AP in its digital literacy programme.

In other meetings, the chief minister met B Goenka of Welspun Group and also took part in a session on “Global Dilemmas: Building responsible supply chains for tomorrow’s consumers.” He also met Sunil Mittal of Bharti Group and discussed on 4G services in the State.

Chennai: The tiger population in Tamil Nadu has tripled in just eight years, finds the latest official count of the big cats. From 76 tigers in 2006, the number of big cats shot up to 229 in 2014, says the report on the Status of Tigers in India - 2014 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

The 2010 survey recorded 163 tigers.

The forest complex of Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole and Wayanad Tiger Reserves has “the world's single largest tiger population” now estimated at over 570 tigers, says the report. With the addition of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in 2013, Tamil Nadu has four Tiger Reserves, including Mudumalai, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

The trend in Tamil Nadu’s tiger reserves is consistent with other tiger habitats in the Western Ghats, which together have seen the biggest growth in tiger numbers compared to other tiger-occupied landscapes in India. The four States that make up the Western Ghats Landscape Complex saw a jump in tiger numbers from 402 tigers in 2006 to 776 in 2014.

Tiger expert Ullas Karanth, Director, Centre for Wildlife Studies attributed the growing numbers to the improved forest protection in this region in the last decade. “Apart from the contiguity, the prey base and protection measures in this landscape will ensure the tigers will live here for many, many years,” says K. Sankar, Senior Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehra Dun.

Bill Gates promises support to AP's development

Davos: Microsoft cofounder, Bill Gates assured chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu that he would support Andhra Pradesh in technology, application development and start-ups, education, health and immunisation programmes. After attending a private dinner hosted

by Gates in Davos, Naidu had a 40-minute meeting with him. The chief minister made a presentation on Andhra Pradesh’s innovation and start-up policy and also about the skill development programme to him.

Gates, who met Naidu after 10 years, said he would explore the possibility of setting up Microsoft Development Centre in the State. The Chief Minister interacted with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and discussed about investment opportunities.

In another 30-minute

Badal focusing on 'Sangat darshan' to woo voters

Chandigarh: As by-poll approaches, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has been focusing on "Sangat darshan" programme to influence the Dhuri voters. Dhuri, in Sangrur district has caught the fancy of Badal, especially after the Assembly seat fell vacant following the resignation by sitting Congress MLA Arvind Khanna.

Accompanied by Akali Dal secretary general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, MLA, Iqbal Singh Jhunda and other officials, the Chief Minister organised his favourite event at Bhasaur, Banbhouri, Belewal Darogewal, Eesra, Loharmajra, Eesi, Their Jattan and Dandogal villages, where he announced grants worth millions of rupees, an official release said.

By-election to the Dhuri Assembly seat is vital for the ruling Akali Dal, whose relationship with the alliance partner, BJP, is in the doldrums. In the 117-

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

member House, the Akali Dal is just one short of a simple majority to ensure the safety of the government, while the BJP has 12 members.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesman and former MLA, Sukhpal Singh Khaira has written to the Election Commission of India, to restrain Badal from using the programme to influence the voters at the cost of the public exchequer. He demanded that Badal’s “sangat darshan” be videographed.

Meanwhile, Badal said that the “sangat darshan” being conducted in Dhuri assembly constituency was not associated to any politics, rather the State Government was driven by an aim to deliver fruits of development and prosperity at the doorsteps of the citizens. He said that “sangat darshan” programme was the best way to redress the people’s grievances at a single platform besides ensuring unbridled development in a democratic set up by bridging the communication gap between government and the masses.

Tiger population triples in TN in less than a decade

HC stays transfer of ED official probing Majithia

tioned Majithia in Chandigarh: the same case in Punjab and Jalandhar.

Haryana high The officer court stayed the was also the main transfer orders of officer for probe Enforcement into a number of Directorate officer money laundering Niranjan Singh, and forex violation who was the main Bikram Majithia cases that are investigator probbeing conducted in the state ing cases related to the Rs 60 for a long time now. The ED billion drugs money launderhad sought to downplay ing in Punjab and had quesSingh's transfer, saying he tioned Revenue Minister has been "specially selected" Bikram Majithia. to take over an "important While summoning the assignment" in Kolkata. record over the issue from In his PIL, the advocate the union government on had contended that the February 2, a division bench probe in the case was at its of the court comprising jusfinal stage and the transfer of tices SK Mittal and Depak the officer was neither in Sibal stayed the implementapublic interest nor in the tion of the transfer order of interest of justice. The shiftthe ED official. The court ing out of an investigation directive came on a PIL filed officer, playing a key role in by local advocate Navkiran the probe, was not beyond Singh on behalf of an NGO suspicion, the petitioner had Lawyers for Human Rights contended.

International.

"In situations where the Niranjan Singh, who was investigation officers of two posted as assistant director important cases, the coal of the investigation agency at scam and 2G scam, were its Jalandhar office, was the transferred and the Supreme main investigator in the Court found the same not to drugs money laundering case be in the interest of justice," and he was also part of the Singh contended. team which recently ques-

South Brief

CBI torturing my aides, says Dayanidhi Maran

Chennai: A day after the CBI arrested three people in connection with the alleged allotment of more than 300 high-speed telephone lines to his residence in Chennai which were extended to his brother's TV channel, former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran said that the agency had forced the trio to give false statement against him. The CBI arrested V Gowthaman, the then additional private secretary of Maran, chief technical officer S Kannan and electrician K S Ravi of Sun TV network earlier. "The CBI tortured them and forced them to speak against me. But when they refused, they were arrested," Maran said. "They were also given the promise that if they gave a statement against me, they would be allowed to go free," he said.

Chidambaram's son faces expulsion from Cong

Chennai: Even as senior Congress functionary Janardhan Dwivedi is facing flak for hailing Narendra Modi's victory in Lok Sabha elections, former Union minister P C Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram faces disciplinary action and could even be expelled from the Congress for praising the Prime Minister. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee has issued a show-cause notice to Karti asking why he should not be expelled for his anti-party remarks at a meeting with his supporters in Chennai, where, among other things, he had praised Modi for his “political acumen.” The show-cause notice to Karti comes at a time when the Congress is upset with Dwivedi for his remarks that Modi's victory in the elections was a “symbol of Indianness.”

Hyderabad police rescue 200 child labourers Hyderabad: More than 200 children, some as young as 6, working as bonded labourer were rescued by the Hyderabad police. Ten people have been arrested, among them Yasin Pehelwan, a muscleman, who reportedly brought the children to Hyderabad after paying money to their parents, the police said. The children were bought from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar after paying around Rs. 20,000 to their parents and virtually held captive in a building, the police said. They were used for banglemaking, leather and other hazardous works.

North Brief

Haryana Governor takes additional charge of Punjab

Chandigarh: Haryana governor Prof Kaptan Singh Solani took over the additional charge of Governor of Punjab. Solanki was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court at Punjab Raj Bhavan here, a official spokesman said. Solanki was given the additional charge after the tenure of Shivraj Patil as Punjab governor come to an end. The outgoing Governor Patil said he would ever remain in debt to Punjab and its people for the support, cooperation, love and affection showered upon him during his stint as the constitutional head of the state. Patil recalled the cooperation extended to him by the people, officers, Ministers and leaders of the various political parties and above all Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

R-Day celebrated peacefully in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh: Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh on Monday joined India in celebrating the 66th Republic Day amid tight security arrangements. Contingents of police, home guards and NCC among others participated in the Republic Day parades held at various district headquarters in the two states and their joint capital Chandigarh. School students presented colourful programmes while tableaux were taken out depicting the overall development of the states during these parades, which were held under cloudy conditions at most places in the region. Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki unfurled the national flag at Karnal. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar took salute at Mohali and Kaithal respectively.

INDIA - WORLD

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Subrata Roy strikes deal to mortgage two hotels

India's Sahara group chairman Subrata Roy has struck a deal to mortgage London’s Grosvenor House Hotel and and New York’s Plaza hotel.

The deals were struck in a Delhi jail between India’s most controversial billionaire and a consortium which includes an American rap star.

Under the deal, the consortium, said to include Pras Michel, the Grammy-winning Fugees rapper, will pay £1.3 billion ($2 billion) for the Grosvenor and New York’s celebrated Plaza and Dream hotels to allow Indian tycoon Subrata Roy to buy himself out of jail. Between 2010 and 2012, Roy bought the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane for £470 million and New York’s Plaza Hotel for £375 million. However, Roy was jailed in March last year for contempt of court after he failed to return over 200 billion rupees (£2.1 billion) with interest to investors who were sold illegal bonds. The court set one of the highest bails on record, at more than £1 billion, but allowed Roy to negotiate the mortgage or sale of his properties in order to fund a deal.

Mother and lover charged for murder

A London court has heard that an 8-yearold girl was brutally beaten to death by two women, one of them her mother, who were involved in an "unconventional" relationship. Ayesha Ali had bite marks on her shoulders and had suffered extensive carpet burns, suggesting she had been dragged around the house.

She was found with more than fifty injuries in the house that her mother Polly Chowdhury, 34, shared with her lover Kiki Muddar, 43, in Chadwell Heath, East London.

Chowdhury and Muddar have been charged with her August 2013 murder.

Muddar and Polly Chowdhury have pleaded not guilty to murdering Ayesha Ali and also deny alternative charges of manslaughter.

The case continues

25

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi India, US reach nuclear breakthrough to speak at a London event

In a glow of bonhomie, US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled plans to unlock billions of dollars in nuclear trade and to deepen defence ties, steps they hope will establish an enduring strategic partnership. With Obama using his executive powers to roll back the condition that US authorities be allowed to monitor use of nuclear material purchased

by India even from third countries, the two leaders successfully finalised the terms and conditions for operationalizing the civil nuclear deal. "We are committed to moving towards full implementation," Obama told a joint news conference with Modi.

"This is an important step that shows how we can work together to elevate our relationship."

The new deal resolved differences over the liability of suppliers to India in the event of a nuclear accident and US demands on tracking the whereabouts of material supplied to the country, US ambassador to India Richard Verma told reporters.

"Ultimately it's up to the companies to go forward, but the two governments came to an understanding," he added.

Signalling warmth and determination to take ties to a higher level, Modi broke with protocol to meet and bear-hug Obama as he landed in New Delhi, then referred to him as Barack. It was a remarkable spectacle, given that a year ago Modi was persona non grata in Washington and was denied a visa to the United States.

Between a working lunch, the two leaders got down to talks. They emerged with a 10-year framework for defence ties and deals on cooperation that included the joint production of drone aircraft and equipment for Lockheed Martin Corp's C130 military transport plane. Other deals ranged from an Obama-Modi hotline - India's first at a leadership level - to financing initiatives aimed at helping India use renewable energy to lower carbon intensity.

But Modi cautioned that work was still needed to create a solid partnership between the world's two largest democracies.

"We have to convert a good start into lasting progress. This requires translating our vision into sustained action and concrete achievements," he said, standing next to Obama.

PBD 2015 Sanman Awardees honoured at India House

Lord Loomba, HE Ranjan Mathai and Prof Nat Puri

The Indian High Commission hosted a reception to honour the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 Sanman Awardees Lord Raj Loomba and Prof Nat Puri in London at the High Commission of India. Mr S S Sidhu,

Minister (Coordination) started the evening proceedings, while HE Ranjan Mathai welcomed the guests. Lord Loomba and Prof Nat Puri spoke about their life journeys and feelings after receiving these awards.

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi will deliver the key note speech at this year’s British Asian Trust Annual Dinner taking place on February 3rd in London.The event will focus on “unlocking potential in South Asia” and particularly highlight the grave issue of abuse and violence against young girls and children.

Speaking about the event, Kailash Satyarthi said, “I welcome The

British Asian Trust’s focus on anti-trafficking initiatives. I have been globally campaigning

against all forms of slavery and child labour for decades and I strongly believe that it perpetuates poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and population growth. We need to form and instil stronger legislations and all the countries and their global heads need to come together to make a commitment to abolish child trafficking and slavery. I am convinced that together we can make an impact. ”

Two men jailed last year for selling counterfeit fashion items from an address in Brent have been told to pay back £75,000. Nirmon Grover, from Southall, and Ajit

Arura from Newport, have been asked to make the confiscation order payments within the next six months or face an extension to their prison sentence.

The pair were given three year sentences after fake goods with an estimated retail value of £17million were discovered at their storage unit in Alperton.

A Court has heard that a con artist masqueraded as a ‘faith healer’ to dupe vulnerable victims out of £650,000 in a series of scams.

Mohammed Ashrafi (50) allegedly pretended to be a devotee of the Indian spiritual master Sai Baba, with special powers to perform miracles, Leicester Crown Court was told. It has been claimed that he convinced 18 ‘believers’ into thinking they were going to win the National Lottery – and persuaded them to part with life sav-

ings.

Mr House said Ashrafi also placed adverts on radio stations and in newspapers. The adverts for his alleged free-ofcharge faith healing and astrology service highlighted personal problems he could assist with, such as marital difficulties, illhealth, business problems, childlessness and dealing with disobedient children.

When he disappeared from Leicester in March 2014, some alleged victims realised they had been conned. When the

police caught up with him in London five weeks later, he was allegedly establishing a similar scam in the new area using the bogus name Krishna-Ji. In an interview, he claimed he had done nothing wrong. The trial continues.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have consciously parted with adverts from faith and magic healers, to avoid such possible scams, letting go of at least £40,000/annum.

Kailash Satyarthi

Men asked to pay £75,000

Faith healer allegedly dupes vulnerable victims

Donation plea for Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Cardiff

First phase of Installation of the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Cardiff, Wales We, the members and Executive Committee of Hindu Council of Wales, are immensely pleased to announce to you the first phase of Installation of the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Cardiff, Wales. The memorial will be installed in a prominent site in Cardiff close to the National Assembly for Wales. By having this memorial in Cardiff, Hindu Council of Wales hopes to have a focal point to promote Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace, non-violence and tolerance.

We hope to install Gandhji’s statue on 2nd of October 2015, on Gandhiji’s birthday. According to General Assembly Resolution of United Nations, 2nd of October is commemorated as International Day of Non- Violence around the world. We would like to celebrate with you that day every year to promote the message of peace and nonviolence to the people of Wales and the world. Hindu Council of Wales was launched by Mr. Huw Lewis, AM, Minister of Communities and Tackling

Poverty, at the Senedd in April 2013.

This mammoth task will require the financial support from every one of us who holds Gandhji’s teachings close to our heart, and which will give Cardiff the privilege of honouring the greatest apostle of peace. We have identified that the total cost to bring this into fruition is around £100,000 if completed within a time frame of 3-4 months. This letter is a plea to you for your moral and generous financial support to make this happen and in turn be recognised as an individual or an institution who has contributed to the establishment of the symbol of World Peace. Whoever ad-

mires Mahatma Gandhi can make a contribution. However small or large, to this iconic project, by donating what they can. Your donations to this cause are highly appreciated and the methods of contribution are listed as below. We will print the name of donor who will give us more than £1,000 in our Souvenir book.

Make cheque payable to Hindu Council of Wales, 11 Gerddi Taf, Cardiff, CF5 2SQ or Direct payment to our bank account, as per details below: Bank: Natwest Bank, Account Name: Hindu Council of Wales, Branch Code: 52 – 21 – 10, Account No: 2110 6886 Or you can contact: Vimla Patel, MBE, Chair on 07979 155 320 or Nirmala Pisavadia, Vice Chair on 07533405829, Radhika Kadaba, General Secretary on 07966 767 659, Naranbhai Patel, Treasurer– 02920 387 647.

I hope you can help us in this endeavour - Let us join hands in this important venture.

26

INDIA - WORLD

BAPS celebrates Shastriji Maharaj's birth anniversary

The 150th birth anniversary of Shastriji Maharaj was celebrated on a grand scale in Vadodara, Gujarat on 24th January 2015 in the presence of senior sadhus as well as distinguished guests, including the Governor of Gujarat, Om Prakash Kohli. More than 150,000 devotees and volunteers who gathered

for the occasion pledged to contribute towards a cleaner India. By the inspiration of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, over the next one year, 9,300 public places in 3,800 cities, towns and villages will be cleaned.

Amore than 16,000 volunteers will visit homes in under-privileged areas to generate aware-

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

ness. Cleanliness awareness workshops will be held in 500 schools and 200 cleanliness awareness rallies will also be organised.

Celebrations were also held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London. The year-long festivities focusing on Shastriji Maharaj climaxed

with an enlightening production exploring the ‘Man’, ‘Mission’ and ‘Message’. The dramatisation was supported with emotive video presentations, devotional singing by children and youths, and insightful discourses from sadhus, revealing a deeper understanding of Shastriji Maharaj’s life and work.

up appearing in the film after the actor scheduled to play the governor of Goa was taken ill. Rather than risk delaying shooting, Lloyd adjudged that Ghandhi looked suitably gubernatorial. Not only that, but the clothes fitted.

Thus it was that Ghandhi ended up appearing twice in the credits, as technical adviser and actor; his beloved wife “Bubbles” was also glimpsed fleetingly as the governor’s wife.

During filming he spent much time at Martin’s Beach Hut in Goa, sinking pink gins with cast members, including Gregory Peck, David Niven, Trevor Howard and Roger Moore.

Ghandhi had joined the Royal Indian Navy as a cadet in 1943, training at Dartmouth, and saw action against the Japanese in the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk as she pounded shore targets in the Andamans and Malaya and supported carrier strikes against positions in Sumatra.

Transferring to the destroyer HMS Wakeful, he helped to protect the fleet carriers of the British Pacific Fleet in their attacks on the Japanese mainland in

1945. He was present at the formal Japanese surrender on September 2.

After Independence in 1947, Ghandhi helped to guide and shape the Indian Navy. Before the Second World War the latter had amounted to very little, but by 1960 it included one aircraft carrier, two cruisers, nine frigates, six destroyers and a number of minesweepers, landing craft and other vessels, all British-built. Ghandhi took command of INS Betwa one of three Leopard-class anti-aircraft frigates and the last to be built by the British for the Indian Navy - and brought her back from Newcastle to Bombay; the high point of the voyage home was the ship’s stopover in Monte Carlo, where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace entertained the officers royally. Fittingly, Ghandhi was buried at sea with full naval honours at his favourite fishing grounds.

Vice-Admiral Rustom Ghandhi, C in C Western Naval Command, Indian Navy (1977-79) and governor, Himachal Pradesh (1986-90), was born on July 1, 1924.

next in line at the majestic Rajpath, dazzling VIPs, VVIPs and spectators alike.

In keeping with the Indian Navy's theme "Ensuring Safe Seas for a Resurgent Nation" - the Naval Tableau displayed a few of its frontline assets in all four dimensions of maritime warfare. The second Naval tableau, titled "Bharatiya Nau Sena aur Nari Shakti", represented the four Indian Navy women officers who braved vagaries of the seas and participated in an ocean voyage from Goa to Rio-de-Janeiro in Brazil on board Indian Naval Sailing Vessel 'Mhadei'.

The marching contingents of paramilitary and other forces included those from BSF, Assam Rifles,

Coast Guard, CRPF, Indo Tibetan Border Police, CISF, Sashastra Seema Bal, Railway Protection Force, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme.

The camel-mounted band of BSF and the ex-servicemen marching contingent too added to the attraction.

A total of 13 Army bands, one band each of Air Force and Navy, eight band of paramilitary forces including Camel-mounted band of BSF and one band each of NCC boys and girls played martial music for the parade.

One of the most breathtaking event was the manoeuvres by air force jets and daredevil motorcycle performance 'Jaanbaaz' by BSF personnel.

Vice-Admiral Rustom Ghandhi passes away

Vice-Admiral Rustom Ghandhi, the Indian naval officer who was an aide-decamp to Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, died on December 23, 2014, aged 90. Rustom Ghandhi was with him at Viceroy’s House when India’s independence from Britain was formally declared on August 15, 1947. Ghandhi subsequently escorted Mountbatten’s wife Edwina to many of the refugee camps that sprang up in the wake of the bloody scenes that followed Partition, and remained a warm friend of the Mountbattens thereafter. Whenever he was in England, he made sure to visit the family home, Broadlands, in Hampshire.

Ghandhi was fond of telling the story of how, after Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India, had made his “tryst with destiny” speech close to midnight on August 14, Nehru and Dr Rajendra Prasad (soon to become the first president of India) arrived at Viceroy’s House to invite Mountbatten to be the first governor-general of the

newly independent nation.

On his acceptance, Nehru proposed a toast to the king of England, and three glasses of nimbu paani (Indian lemonade) promptly arrived. Nehru would have none of it and insisted that the occasion demanded port. It took all of Ghandhi’s resourcefulness to find the drink and appropriate glasses at that hour. Nehru was delighted.

Such was the esteem in which “Rusi” was held on naval matters that he was appointed technical adviser to the war film “The Sea Wolves” on the recommendation of Mountbatten, who convinced the film’s producer, Euan Lloyd, of his merit. Ghandhi ending

India's mighty show on R-Day

Continued from page 1 after Mukherjee and Obama arrived at the saluting base separately at the ceremonial boulevard Rajpath. Among the main attractions of the ceremonial parade were 25 colourful tableaux representing India's cultural and linguistic diversity as also signifying the vision of the future India as envisaged by the current dispensation.

Another attraction at the annual extravaganza was the contingents of all-women officers of the three Services marching for the first time on the Rajpath.

Another military attraction was the display of Army version of indigenously developed surfaceto-air Akash medium range missile and Weapon

Locating Radar, both by Defence Research and D e v e l o p m e n t Organisation (DRDO).

Indian Army's laser-guided missile capable T-90 Bheeshma tank, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II (Sarath) followed by T-72 with Trawl too proved to be a major draw in the mechanised columns.

These were followed by 'Pinaka' multiple barrel launcher system. The Mobile Autonomous Launcher of BRAHMOS missile system, three dimensional tactical control radar, satellite on the move communication platform and rapidly deployable satellite terminal (RADSAT) followed next.

An Indian Air Force tableau with the theme "50 years of 1965 War" was

Congratulations to the newly weds Rovin John George, Business Development Manager, ABPL and Dhiya Elizabeth Varghese on the start of something beautiful! Much love, health and happiness to you both on this happy occasion.

- ABPL Team Members

Study reveals a severe fall in Indian doctors

The official statistics obtained by The Times newspaper has revealed that there has been a fall of nearly a third in Indian doctors working in the National Health Service in the past five years, partly due to visa restrictions.

Figures show that since the clampdown there has been a fall from 10,265 Indian doctors in 2009 to 6,880 now.

The change is partly because of visa changes introduced as part of a clampdown on immigration that prevents medical students from India coming to train as doctors in Britain.

Umesh Prabhu, 59, a doctor who arrived from India in 1982, told the Times. ““I personally feel very proud of my origin and my contribution to the NHS. We have to do something very quickly. As a medical director now my difficulty is in recruiting good quality doctors.

Patients suffer.”

Like many other Indian doctors, Dr Prabhu chose to make Britain his permanent home. He works for the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Foundation Trust and his son is also a doctor.

During labour shortages in 1960 the NHS turned to the sub-continent during and again at

the start of this century when Tony Blair was seeking to increase the headcount of doctors and there were too few British recruits available.

The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) said: “The permit free system allowed doctors from the subcontinent to apply for and successfully complete specialist or general practice training in the UK if they were able to secure a place based on merit.

After the visa change, such training is only available to EU citizens — hence Indian doctors are unable to even apply for such posts. The attractiveness of coming to the UK for postgraduate medical training is therefore no longer there. Young doctors who are keen on training away from India are applying to work in the United States or Australia where they can apply on merit for postgraduate training.”

Fraz Mir, of the Royal College of Physicians reportedly said, the fall in number has also been resulted by the better private opportunities in India.

However a plan to boost the number of family doctors in the UK has been unveiled by health leaders as the government grapples with a crisis in recruitment.

27

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

HEALTH WATCH

Sushma’s Health & Beauty Blog

Night shifts put black women at higher diabetes risk

B

lack women who work at night shifts are significantly more likely to develop diabetes than those who have never worked at night, shows data from a large ongoing study led by an Indian-origin scientist.

The increased risk of diabetes seen in shift workers was more pronounced in younger women than older women.

"Working night shifts for 10 or more years was associated with a 39 per cent higher risk of diabetes among women aged less than 50 years compared with 17 per cent higher risk in women aged 50 years or over," said Varsha Vimalananda from the Centre for Health Organisation and Implementation Research

(CHOIR) at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, Maryland.

Shift work is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms and reduced total duration of sleep.

Similar to the effects of jet lag, which are short term, shift workers experience fatigue, sleepiness during

scheduled awake periods and poor sleep during scheduled sleep periods.

These alterations in the normal sleep-wake cycle have profound effects on metabolism.

"Even after many years of night-shift work, circadian rhythms do not fully adjust to the shifted sleepwake cycle. The metabolic

effects of long-term shift work likely underlie a part of the association with diabetes that we and others describe and that strengthens with years of exposure to sleep disruption," Vimalananda pointed out.

In the Black Women's Health Study, 28,041 participants free of diabetes provided information in 2005 about having worked the night shift. The women were followed for incident diabetes during the next eight years.

Thirty-seven per cent of the women reported having worked the night shift, with five per cent having worked that shift for at least 10 years. During the eight years of follow-up, there were 1,786 incidents of diabetes.

Potato can help you Cocoa-rich diets may control weight improve memory grown in another season, cientists now say that just to be certain." the humble potato that S According to the study, is a dietician's nightmare can actually help you cut a few kilos, terming it "the miracle ingredient to fight obesity". Extract of Irish potatoes, rich in polyphenols has been found to reduce weight gain from a diet that is high in fat and refined carbohydrates, according to scientists at McGill University.

The results of their recent study were so surprising that the investigators repeated the experiment just to be sure.

Investigators fed mice an obesity-inducing diet for 10 weeks. The results soon appeared on the scale: mice that started out weighing on average 25 grams put on about 16 grams. But mice that consumed the same diet but with a potato extract gained much less weight: only 7 more grams. The benefits of the extract are due to its high concentration of polyphenols, a beneficial chemical component from the fruits and vegetables we eat.

"We were astonished by the results," said Prof Luis Agellon, one of the study's authors.

"We thought this can't be right - in fact, we ran the experiment again using a different batch of extract prepared from potatoes

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement it. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

potato extracts could be a solution for preventing both obesity and type 2 diabetes. "The daily dose of extract comes from 30 potatoes, but of course we don't advise anyone to eat 30 potatoes a day," says Stan Kubow, principal author of the study, "as that would be an enormous number of calories."

What the investigators envisage instead is making the extract available as a dietary supplement or simply as a cooking ingredient to be added in the kitchen.

Popularly known for its carbohydrate content, the potato is also a source of polyphenols. "In the famous French diet, considered to be very healthy, potatoes - not red wine are the primary source of polyphenols," says Kubow.

"In North America, potatoes come third as a source of polyphenols before the popular blueberries."

"Potatoes have the advantage of being cheap to produce, and they're already part of the basic diet in many countries," Kubow explains. "We chose a cultivated variety that is consumed in Canada and especially rich in polyphenols."

Although humans and mice metabolize foods in similar ways, clinical trials are absolutely necessary to validate beneficial effects in humans. And the optimal dose for men and women needs to be determined, since their metabolisms differ.

A

new study gas shown that a diet, specifically a diet rich in cocoa flavanols, can play an important role in maintaining cognitive health as we age.

Lead author Giovambattista Desideri from theUniversity of L'Aquila in Italy said the study involved men and women aged 61-85 years.

They were assigned to one of three flavanol groups, consuming a drink containing either high (993 mg), intermediate (520 mg) or low (48 mg) amounts of cocoa flavanols every day for eight weeks. Among those individuals who regularly consumed either the high- or intermediate flavanol drinks, there were significant improvements in overall cognitive function after eight weeks.

As cognitive function was normal for this aged

population, the study showed that even cognitively healthy individuals can quickly benefit from the regular inclusion of cocoa flavanols in their diets.

The researchers earlier found cognitive and cardio-metabolic benefits of habitual cocoa flavanol consumption in older adults who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The new research trial was carried out with a special cocoa flavanol test product, designed to deliver a standardised amount of flavanols within a nutritionally suitable drink.

This test product is currently not commercially available. Flavanol content of commercially available chocolate is variable and, given its macronutrient profile, it is not recommended as a health food.

8 Power Tips to Prevent Split Ends

It goes without saying that split ends do not really lend beauty to your hair. To add insult to injury, split ends result in hair breakage, which in turn leads to shorter, thinner and lifeless hair.

The good news is that you can do something about it.

Follow the tips below and enjoy a healthier head of hair.

The number one remedy for Sushma Bhanot Pharmacist, Ayurvedic and split ends is actually cutting Homeopathic Consultant, them. If you are worried Lecturer and Author. Heads about your hair length, you Research and Development should know that uncut split at Coolherbals ends will not help you save it because uncut split ends can travel up the hair shaft towards the roots leading to hair breakage. It is recommended to trim hair ends every three months.

Brushes and combs matter as well. One should use a brush or comb without sharp metal or plastic ridges.

Otherwise, it may lead not only to split ends but also to hair shaft breakage. Wet hair is even more prone to damage. It is better to detangle your hair before washing it and if after washing your hair, it is still hard to manage, gently detangle it using a wide-tooth comb.

Split ends can also result from nutritional deficiencies.

You should eat foods that are rich in essential fatty acids and protein. To obtain sufficient amounts of essential fatty acids, eat fish, different kinds of seeds (flaxseeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.), walnuts and leafy vegetables. To add more protein into your diet, eat dairy products ,eggs, meat and fish.

Alternatively, you may take Nutrigro Hair Food Capsules containing essential nutrients for hair and also protein.

Undoubtedly, different kinds of chemicals, be that hair styling products containing harsh materials or external factors such as regular exposure to chlorinated swimming pool water, also lead to hair damage, breakage and spit ends. Whenever possible, avoid them!

Finally, if you have split ends you must keep your hair hydrated. Do not over-shampoo your hair and whenever you wash it, use only lukewarm water. Do not forget to drink water either. Avoid other factors that strip hair of natural moisture, such as using heat styling tools without applying heat-protection products. Deep condition your hair as well. There are different products in the market but I would recommend using herbal based alternatives in order to protect your hair from further damage. To deep condition your hair I would recommend Nutrigro Hair Conditioner, which contains Fenugreek (methi) that has been traditionally used for healthy hair.

You could also try Nutrigro Shampoo for Dry Hair containing tea tree oil, sage and lavender to moisturise your hair naturally. Finally, once or twice per week you can pamper your hair with a hair mask. Coolherbals Spa Hair Masque with mineralising Gopichand clay is a great natural choice. Or the Intensive Hair Masque , which contains real pearls to add a shine to the hair as well as moisturising it.

For more information, tips and hair care products, please visit www.coolherbals.com.

The Nutrigro Hair Food Buy 1 Get 1 Free

*Male Hair food is also available

Coolherbals Ltd. 386 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9JU

www.coolherbals.com

Tel: 020 8597 9039 Email: info@coolherbals.com

28

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Gautham and Sana bring ‘I’ boosts Amy Jackson’s career 'Rangoon' to Chennai

T

he success of Vikram-starrer Tamil romantic-thriller ‘I' has cemented Amy Jackson‘s career in southern filmdom to the extent that producers are now making a beeline to cast her. With two big projects ready to kick off, Amy has come a long way since her debut in 2010 Tamil romantic-drama “Madraspattinam”.

“Amy already has a film with Udhayanidhi Stalin and Dhanush ready to go on floors.

She has also been approached two big-budget projects, one each in Tamil as well as Telugu.

She’s on the verge of signing the dotted lines,” a source close to Amy said.

Amy’s yet-untitled

Tamil project with Udhayanidhi is going on floors. “The film will portray Amy as a village belle, contrary to all the glamorous roles she’s played so far. It will be interesting to see how audiences accept her in a different role,” film’s director Thirukumaran said. Amy will next team up with Dhanush for another Tamil film, which will be directed by Velraj.

Velraj and Dhanush previously collaborated for 2014’s big hit “Vela Illa Pattathari”. Last year, Amy made her Telugu film debut opposite Ram Charan in “Yevadu.” “She was offered a few projects post ‘Yevadu’, but she couldn’t sign them due to ‘I’.

She’s expected to announce about her next film in the language soon,” the source added.

When Kamal Haasan, ex-wife Sarika came face to face F

ilmmaker and southern superstar K a m a l Haasan has always had a tumultous time especially when it comes to his personal life. The actor had two failed marriages, both breaking due to the involvement of a second woman.

Kamal Haasan’s first marriage was to actress Veena Ganapathy which broke when Haasan grew closer to actress Sarika. His mar-

'Khamoshiyan'

riage to Sarika failed when Haasan was alleged to be in a relationship with a relatively younger actress Simran. The divorce was painful and apparently ugly.

Since then, the duo had not made any public appearances together or got the chance to meet at a public event. But at the music launch of their younger daughter Akshara’s Bollywood debut ‘Shamitabh’, it so happened that Kamal Haasan and Sarika came face to face and even greeted each other warmly.

This picture collected from Twitter shows Kamal Haasan graciously shaking hand with Sarika, while the smile on Sarika’s face doesn’t approve of any sort of bitterness between the two either.

movie has been composed by Ankit Tiwari and Jeet Ganguly.

'Hawaizaada'

“Khamoshiyan” is an upcoming Hindi film directed by Karan Darra and produced by Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt in association with Vishesh Films.

The film is an erotic love triangle revolving around a writer adrift in the icy slopes of Kashmir where he discovers a woman with a strange, silent past. The film stars Gurmeet Choudhary, Ali Fazal and Sapna Pabbi in principal roles. The music for the

Hawaaizaada is an upcoming Hindi film directed by Vibhu Puri. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Sharda in pivotal roles. The film is based on the life of scientist Shivkar Bapuji Talpade who is credited to have constructed India's first unmanned plane. The movie is set in Bombay, 1895. Vibhu Puri, got to know about Shivkar Talpade, and decided to make a film about him.

D

irector AR Murugadoss had chosen new and upcoming talent Sana Makbul for his production venture "Rangoon' starring Gautham Karthik.

'Rangoon' being directed by Murugadoss' longtime associate Rajkumar Periasamy is currently under shoot in Chennai.

The shoot for the movie is said to be currently taking place at parts of St. Thomas and Guindy with shots featuring both the hero and heroine.

Romantic scenes and combination shots have been filmed so far.

The film is said to be an action movie with all commercial elements infused

‘Gopala Gopala’ mints Rs 480 mn in first week

A

ctors Pawan Kalyan and Daggubati Ve n k a t e s h - s t a r r e r “Gopala Gopala,” the Telugu remake of Hindi hit “OMG: Oh My God!” has struck gold at the box office by collecting a whopping Rs 480 million worldwide in its first week.

“Despite the onslaught of Vikram-starrer “I,” ‘Gopala…’ has done phenomenal business of approximately Rs 480 million in its opening weekend worldwide,” trade analyst Trinath said.

Directed by Kishore Kumar Pardasani, the film, which was released on Jan 10, featured Pawan and Venkatesh together for the first time.

Pawan played the god, while Venkatesh reprised

Anushka enters Rs 100crore club courtesy ‘PK’

A

appropriately. Many in the industry and fans alike are excited after it was known that Murugadoss is producing this movie. One needs to see whether the 'Rangoon' director will bring about his experience he learned under Murugadoss. Let us wait and see!

amir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and other top actors may be shining as far as their 'PK', 'Dabangg', 'HNY' and other films are concerned, but only half the story is told. Aleague actresses like Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor Khan too have been making their mark in Bollywood's Rs 100 crore club. With 'PK' actress Anushka Sharma being the latest entrant into the century club. Bollywood today boasts of as many 13 heroines in the fold. Out of these, the lion's share has been taken up by actresses like Kareena, Deepika and Priyanka Chopra. Anushka gets a special mention here simply because her latest movie 'PK' with Aamir Khan has generated the biggest box office collections hit ever.

the role of Paresh Rawal from the original. Trinath added the release of ‘I’ caused some worry for the distributors of ‘Gopala Gopala’. “Even though ‘Gopala…’ released four days before ‘I’, the latter did worry the distributors after registering highest opening for a dubbed Telugu film. Vikram’s film collected nearly Rs 100 million on release day in Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

Nevertheless, ‘Gopala Gopala’ managed to keep the cash registers ringing.

Dev Patel spotted with mystery woman

A

fter reports of a split with Hollywood-based Indian actress Freida Pinto, British actor Dev Patel was spotted with a mystery woman at an airport. The 24-year-old actor was photographed with a brunette. They were arriving at the airport and heading through the terminal together, reports said. The ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star seemed engrossed in his phone, checking it while outside and chatting on it. He was walking a few steps ahead of the mystery woman once inside the airport.

He wore a casual white t-shirt with olive green trousers, while his companion channelled an edgy and chic look in an all-black outfit.

29

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Shah Rukh to host game show on TV

S

uperstar Shah Rukh Khan returned to TV with a bang he will host "India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun", a game show adapted from the "Who's Asking?" international format.

The show will air on &TV, a new Hindi general entertainment channel launched by Zee Entertainment Enterprise Limited (ZEEL).

Looking his charming self, Shah Rukh took mediapersons present at the launch through the show’s format. He said: “I like the question and answer format.

I do that with my children and family. This show will deal with questions that have been asked by common man and will be answered by the common man himself to win the prize money.

“The questions will be those which people think are easy to answer or sometimes don’t even think about it. Many people have different questions to ask. I will just make sure the show has a lot of fun.”

The 49-year-old ensured the audience had a taste of the entertainment in store from the show, at the launch itself. His sense of humour and one-liners did the trick. Shah Rukh even gave a glimpse into the show’s format

A

D

by playing it live with mediapersons. The show is produced by Big Synergy and will be aired on &TV in March.

Asked how it feels to be back on TV after becoming the most loved Bollywood actor, SRK said: “The television industry and film industry

uring 2014, Priyanka Chopra was seen in two films - action crime thriller “Gunday” and “Mary Kom.” But this year, she’ll be seen in four different kind of films and the National Award-winning actress is looking forward to it.

“This year I’m doing very good films. I’m very excited about it. This year ‘Dil Dhadakne Do' will be released, which is a very contemporary story of a dysfunctional family.

Then ‘Bajirao Mastani’ will come… in which I play Indian Peshwa queen. Then I’m also doing ‘Gangajal 2′ and ‘Madamji’,” the actress said.

“In ‘Gangajal 2′, I’m playing Ajay’s (Ajay Devgn) female counterpart. So, in ‘Gangajal 2′ I’m playing cop and in ‘Madamji’, I’m playing an item dancer. There is very nice variations of films,” Priyanka added. Priyanka believes that she has always been a risk-taker in her career. “I’ve always been a risk-taker. I used to take risks in my career and I consider that risk-taking… now I take risks in my clothing and I consider that risk-taking…,” she said.

All four of Priyanka’s films are from well known directors. “Dil Dhadakne Do” is directed by Zoya Akhtar while Sanjay Leela Bhansali is directing “Bajirao Mastani.”

“Madamji” - produced by Priyanka - is helmed by Madhur Bhandarkar while “Gangajal 2” is directed by Prakash Jha.

understand each other and they work in synergy. I started with TV, but I haven’t given such a brilliant performance so far. So, I would want to give back to TV. I feel this show will help me in achieving that.”

Actress Tisca turns film writer

ctress Tisca Chopra, who has proved her versatility as an actress and whose debut book ‘Acting Smart’ is much talked about, says she is co-writing two films of different genres. After being a success as an author of a book for Bollywood aspirants, one wondered if the ‘Taare Zameen Par’ and ‘Qissa’ actress is contemplating using her writing skills for movies. When asked about it, she said: “Yes. There are talks going on a few things…it takes time. Along with my acting, I am also working on that (writing). Hopefully, soon things will fall into place.”

She added: “I’m not writing them completely, I’m co-writing them.” Tisca feels the Indian audience needs to be fed with intelligent content. “Audiences are not dumb. If you make an

intelligent film, people do watch it. But the problem is that we look for formulas. I am working on it,” she said, adding that one of her writing projects will be a courtroom drama, and the other will be a children’s story.

What about directing them? “I’m not capable of that. But I am cowriting them. I’m very keen on these projects.

I’m also thankful to the industry people who have immensely supported me — be it Boman Irani, Anil Kapoor, Rajkumar Hirani, Shabana Azmi…everybody is supporting me.

There is so much of love in this industry,” she said

Big B felicitates music Pakistan bans Akshay Mallika Sherawat has high maestro Ilaiyaraaja Kumar’s ‘Baby’ hopes on ‘Dirty Politics’

A

M

Priyanka to feature in 4 films this year

egastar Amitabh Bachchan felicitated music composer Ilaiyaraaja for completing music of his 1,000th film.

Amitabh also shared his experiences working with Ilaiyaraaja, and said that he never dared to sing in front of the maestro. “I have never dared to sing in front of him because I found it very embarrassing. Every time I used to sit in a studio separately to record… I remember one occasion while doing ‘Paa’, where I had to sing a song with Raja saab in front of me. I can’t say how frightening it was,” Amitabh told reporters during the music launch of “Shamitabh.”

Big B described Ilaiyaraaja as “a genius”.

A

kshay Kumar starrer ‘Baby’ which is about an Indian spy on a mission to catch a dreaded terrorist has been banned by the Pakistan censor board. “The ban has been ordered as the film portrays a negative image of Muslims and the negative characters in the film also have Muslim names,” the Dawn newspaper said. All CDs and DVDs of the film have also been banned. Although, the film was set to release on January 23 across Pakistan, cinemas in Karachi had removed it from their websites. The film stars famed Pakistani TV drama actor Mikaal Zulfiqar as well as Rasheed Naz, who played the villainous cleric in Shoaib Mansoor’s ‘Khuda Ke Liye’.

ctress Mallika S h e r a w a t believes that after watching her work in upcoming film “Dirty Politics,” filmmakers will start offering her performance-oriented roles. “This happens only few times in the career of an actor…when they are offered roles which are glamorous as well as performance-oriented. ‘Dirty Politics’ is a mixture of both,” Mallika said at the film’s music launch. The film is directed by K C Bokadia. “I’m really hoping that after this movie, my fans like it, critics like it, serious directors take a note of it and then offer me performance-oriented parts and not only glamour-oriented parts,” the ‘Maiyya maiyya’ girl added.

'Hawaizaada' director gets special gift

V

ibhu Puri, the debutante director of “Hawaizaada,” received a special gift from Vishal Bharadwaj for his debut film. Vishal and Vibhu's friendship goes a long way back and Vishal and his wife Rekha Bharadwaj wanted to gift something special to Vibhu for his debut film. They have gone ahead and gifted the song 'Dil Todne Ki Machine' which is composed by Vishal and sung by Rekha Bharadwaj.

Vibhu was extremely touched by this gesture since he considers Vishal to be his elder brother. Vibhu's film is based on the life of a scientist Shivkar Bapuji Talpade, who is credited to have constructed India's first unmanned plane.

30

UK

Upton Centre closer causes outrage amongst its users

A demonstration against the closure of the Upton Centre took place on Saturday 24th January outside the Eastham Town Hall. Approximately 300400 people, mainly Hindus, participated in this demonstration to reopen the centre which had been closed on Friday 19 December after specialist engineers advised that the boilers were no longer compliant and the heating system could not be used.

According to the demonstrators the Centre was closed without any notice or prior consultation with the user as explained by Mr. Pravin Yadav, Secretary of Upton Community Association.

The centre used to cover wide range of activities like preschool, language, senior citizen clubs, youth engagement programmes, yoga, well being activities, cultural functions acupressure and many more.

They were also angry that all the gates of the town Hall were closed and that none of the 60 Labour Councillors or Mayor Robin Wales showed no concern about this demonstration.

On 22nd January Newham Council posted the following statement on their website: “Following the closure, a

review of the building has been carried out by independent surveyors and engineers who have established that a significant amount of work would be needed to bring the centre back in to use in the short term, including an overhaul of the heating system as well as a complete rewiring of the electrical system.

“Works which would extend the life of the centre by 12 to 24 months are estimated to cost £750,000. Refurbishment to the whole building, which would make it accessible and fit for community use for an additional 15 to 20 years would be in the region of £3.5million. Since April 2011 we have spent in excess £200,000 on running and maintaining the centre. “It is clear that the

Coming Events

l Publication of the book 'Cricket World Cup: The India Challenge' by Ashis Ray, Wednesday 25 Feb, 6:30pm, Nehru Centre, London W1K 1HF.

l Shree Bharatiya Mandal's 50 years celebrations presents a talk on Hindu Dharma... What is it?

Saturday 31st Jan, 7-9pm, Speaker: Dr Navalkant Prinja, 103 Union Road, OL6 8JN

centre will now remain closed for the foreseeable future. Once the full report on the state of the centre is available, the mayor and cabinet will be asked to decide on the best and most cost effective course of action, considering the government’s commitment to long-term spending cuts, to take for community provision within the Plaistow area.

“Since the closure of the Upton Centre our priority has been to provide assistance to user groups at the centre as well as parents and guardians relying on childcare, we are writing to those we can reach.

“We have worked extensively with the 16 groups who used the centre. We have provided access to gather belongs when requested and we have assisted in finding alternative accommodation in the short term.

Eleven groups were helped to find locations within the Plaistow area in early January, and we are continuing to offer assistance to those considering placements outside of the area.

“For the past three

years we have been discussing alternative venues with the pre-school based at the centre. Since the site’s closure in December officers have identified, facilitated and attended visits to five alternative locations suitable for a childcare setting with the manager and committee members. It is now up to the trustees of the business to decide which location suits their needs.”

Councillor Ken Clark, cabinet member for building community and public affairs, said: “The Upton Centre is based in a former Victorian school with a range of historic maintenance issues, which have accumulated over many decades. Understandably the unplanned closure of the centre last month has caused much disruption to the centre’s users and the council has been making every effort possible to find suitable alternative accommodation for the users and the nursery.

“Our priority has always been residents, including parents and guardians, and our officers have been working hard to find a solution with the nursery. It is disappointing that now certain members of the community are choosing to stage a protest when we have been transparent in our explanations and providing regular updates to all concerned.

The council now has to consider the options for the future of the centre and community provision in Plaistow, while taking on board some of the heaviest cuts in funding from central government.”

l Patel samaj 's UK and Oshwal Mahajan present 'Protecting our children and sisters' North London 1 Feb, Sattavis Patiidar Centre, HA9 9PE, South London 15 Feb, Oshwal House, Croydon.

l Maha Shivratri 10am-8pm, GHS, Preston PR1 8JN. Contact: 01772253901

(BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad.

Tel. +91 79 2646 5960 Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (M) +91 94266 36912 Email: nilesh.parmar@abplgroup.com Consulting Editor: Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Tel: +91 79 2630 4142

It's a good time for getting on with your loved ones, as Venus and Mars embrace your 12th house. Bear in mind that Mercury turns retrograde in your eleventh house of friends and associates as well. The next few weeks would serve you well if you spend more time listening than speaking.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Mercury, the planet of communications turns retrograde in your tenth house of career and status, slowing down your progress at work. It is important for you to be steadfast and focused as misunderstandings and confusion reign. Stay as organized as possible while retrograde Mercury, does its best to trip you up.

Mercury turns retrograde in your ninth house of travel and adventure, slowing down your pace for the next two weeks. Double check your passport and tickets before you embark on any long distance journeys ! Don't be afraid to take on extra responsibilities at work as it could lead to better prospects.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 The planet Mercury turns retrograde in your eighth house of joint resources, taxes, wills, legacies and alimony, creating confusion and complications for you during the next two weeks. Sun, is also in your solar 8th house, so make sure you have plenty of focus when making decisions.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 Your closest relationships come under scrutiny as Mercury, the planet of communications goes retrograde in your seventh house of marriage and partnerships. There can be a lot of misunderstandings and confused signals. You'll need to listen carefully to what your partner is saying. Try to resolve issues diplomatically, instead of being rash.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

The next two weeks may bring confusion and misunderstandings at work and troubles with your health as Mercury turns retrograde in your sixth house. You'll need to pay more attention to detail and double check everything before finalising important matters. Health problems should also be taken seriously.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

Mercury retrograde Occurs in your solar fifth house. Extra care should be exercised when it comes to matters surrounding romance, children, and creativity. Be as non-judgemental as possible and you should avoid jumping to any premature decisions. This is a period of review and rest.

Speculation and gambling are not advised right now.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 Mercury retrograde occurs in your solar fourth house. Extra care should be exercised when it comes to family relations, real estate matters, and domestic issues. Be as diplomatic as you can with family members. Try to put off major decision-making with regards to home improvement, moving, and family matters for the time being.

l Hanuman Chalisa, 1 February, Social Club Hall, Northwick Park, Harrow HA1 3UJ. 12-3pm.

Contact: 020 8459 5758

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief Operating Officer: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Accountant: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Business Development Managers: Rovin J George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Graphic Designers: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

Urvashi Jagadeesan (India) Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 2012, Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad. Tel +91 79 2646 5960 Email: horizon.marketing@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Hardik Shah (M) +91 99250 42936 Email: hardik.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Neeta Patel (Vadodara) M: +91 98255 11702 Email: neeta_abplgroup@yahoo.co.in Business Co-ordinator: Shrijit Rajan M: +91 98798 82312 Email: shrijit.rajan@abplgroup.com International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group (South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 022 2471 4122 Email: jain@jaingroup.net Delhi Office: Tel: +91 9311581597

Asian Voice Head Office

Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080, Fax: 020 7749 4081 www.abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

Asian Voice switchboard: 020 7749 4000 Gujarat Samachar switchboard: 020 7749 4080 Advertising Sales: 020 7749 4085 AsianVoiceNewsweekly

AsianVoiceNews

Mercury is retrograde in your solar third house this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to composing letters, emails, making phone calls, and with communications in general.

Issues with siblings or neighbours - these should be resolved amicably. Relationships are also sensitive, try to resolve issues amicably.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 Retrograde Mercury transit occurs in your solar second house this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to new financial initiatives. There may be the need to resolve old, nagging issues regarding personal finances. Take this time to re-budget and rethink how you want to spend your cash during this period.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Mercury, the planet of communications is retrograde in your solar first house this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to your body language. Others may misinterpret whatever you say and you should be aware that you can give off mixed signals. Good time to review the manner in which you come across to others.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 Retrograde transit of Mercury occurs in your solar twelfth house this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to private and personal matters. Be as non-judgemental as you can, but do keep an eye out for deceptiveness and falseness in others. Good time for yoga and meditation.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

Rain keeps India alive in Tri-series

The one-day international between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground was abandoned due to rain. The game could only see 16 overs in which India scored 69 for the loss of two wickets before rain stopped play. The two teams take two points each from the match, which means that the final league game between India and England on January 30 at the WACA in Perth will be a straight knockout for a chance to play Australia in the final on February 1 at the same venue.

The start of the match was delayed by 40 minutes due to drizzle since morning and there was first rain interruption when India were six for no loss in 2.4 overs. Play resumed with India losing the struggling Shikhar Dhawan for eight in the seventh over and then Ambati Rayudu for 23 in the 13th over.

Mitchell Starc jolted India early as he has removed Dhawan, surprising the batsman on a short ball. David Warner then took a fine catch running

of 304 with one ball to spare after the middleorder failed to offer him steady support.

For England, Ian Bell's 141-run knock went in vain as Smith stole the thunder, continuing his blistering batting form this season. Smith's knock came off 95 deliveries and included half a dozen fours and a towering six.

Australia's chase was off to a steady start with openers Aaron Finch (32) and Shaun Marsh (45) sharing a 76-run stand.

Finch, who scored at run a ball and struck three fours was yorked by offspinner Moeen Ali, which was followed by a couple of quick dismissals. From a comfortable, 253/3, the Aussies were reduced to a shaky 275/5 before Smith and Haddin steadied the

ship. However, next man in Smith continued his stupendous run of form even as he struggled to get support at the other end.

While Cameron White departed without disturbing the scoreboard, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner failed to convert their fine starts. Maxwell, who looked solid in his 38ball 37, holed out at deep mid-wicket to Joe Root while attempting a slog sweep off Ali, who was the most economical English bowlers with figures of 2/50 in his 10 overs.

Maxwell shared a 69run fifth-wicket stand with Smith. Faulkner, on the other hand, fell after adding 35 runs to the total and sharing a 55-run partnership with Smith for the sixth wicket. The allrounder was dismissed by pacer Chris Woakes. Smith finally found a firm partner in vice-captain Brad Haddin, who went full throttle in the last 10 overs to take the pressure off his skipper. Haddin was eventually sent back following a 29-ball 42, during which he smashed four fours and a six.

ICC. The Club also confirmed that Nepal Under 19 Internationals Raju Rijal and Dipendra Singh Airee have been handed places on the MCC Young Cricketers programme for the summer of 2015. Rijal, who also captains Nepal Under 19s, is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, while Airee is a right-handed batting all-rounder.

The duo will follow in the footsteps of full Nepal internationals Rajesh Pulami Magar and Naresh Budhayer who were part of the MCC Young Cricketers programme in 2013. In November 2015, MCC will also send a touring team to Nepal. They will play a series of fixtures against both national and local sides as well as providing expert coaching for young cricketers who would not usually have access to it.

John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, said: “MCC keeps a close eye on cricket developments in countries where the sport is growing in popularity, and Nepal certainly fits into that category. This played a big part in our

decision both to select some of their players for MCC sides, and to send a touring team out there in November.

“Nepal is starting to produce some very talented cricketers. We are looking forward to welcoming two of their hottest prospects on to our excellent MCC Young Cricketers programme this summer, and I’m delighted to have Paras Khadka as part of our squad for the Emirates T20 competition in March.

I am confident he will be an asset to our team and his inclusion in the squad should also serve as encouragement to the huge number of boys and girls in Nepal who are keen to get involved with cricket.”

did not want the players to get involved in unnecessary controversies which usually happens when they are active on these networking sites. Cheema, who has been appointed manager for the World Cup in place of Moin Khan and has also managed national team in the past, said that any player found guilty of violating this clause would be penalised severely.

"These players have

been selected to represent their country in the biggest event of the cricket world and they need to give 100 per cent and remain focused on their game that is why we have imposed this restriction so that they are not distracted," he said.

Cheema said while he did not believe in treating the players like schoolboys or enforcing strict discipline but at same time he expected the players to be responsible, committed and act as true ambassadors of their country.

Cheema said the Pakistan cricket Board had also decided that families of the players would not be allowed to accompany and remain with them in the

World Cup. "They are allowed to have their families with them in New Zealand but for the World Cup families are not allowed to remain with them," he said.

Cheema conceded that instructions had been given to the players to play hard cricket against India but in the highest sporting spirit and to avoid any banter or gestures which could cause tensions between the two teams or with the crowds.

"The Pakistan and India match is a showpiece game of the World Cup and the entire world will be watching it so the players have been told to play fair and hard cricket to try to win the match but not to exceed limits," he said.

behind as Ambati Rayudu, who was looking to score quick runs, was out after a run-a-ball 23. Rayudu was looking very positive but his wicket would have certainly increased India's woes. Ajinkya Rahane was batting on 28 while Virat Kohli was giving him company on three when rain stopped play. India will have to win their next match against England if they want to qualify for the finals.

Australia in Tri-series final: Earlier, skipper Steve Smith smashed an enthralling hundred as Australia recovered from late jitters to enter the Triseries final with a thrilling three-wicket triumph over England. Smith's third ODI ton was instrumental in helping the home side chase down a steep target

MCC to enhance link with Nepalese cricket in 2015

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is set to bolster its links with Nepalese cricket this year, starting with national team captain Paras Khadka’s selection in the first MCC squad of 2015. Khadka will be part of the squad for the Emirates T20 tournament which takes place in Dubai on 20th March and also features Lancashire, Yorkshire and Sussex.

The 27-year-old has captained his country since 2009, leading them through a number of ICC World Cricket League Divisions and eventually to last year’s ICC World Twenty20 competition in Bangladesh. In June 2014, Nepal were granted T20 International status by the

Paras Khadka

Pak cricketers barred from using social media websites

The Pakistani players, featuring in the World Cup squad, have been banned from using social networking sites during the mega event, beginning next month. Team manager, Naved Akram Cheema confirmed that as part of their central contracts, players would not be allowed to use any social networking site on the coming tour to New Zealand and in the World Cup. "I personally feel only people with loads of free time are active on these sites and I don't think our players will have enough time on hand things other than focusing on cricket and doing well in the World Cup," the senior bureaucrat said.

He said the Board also

SPORT WORLD

31

Even English counties don't want KP

Sacked England batsman Kevin Pietersen's hopes of returning to the national Test squad suffered a setback after domestic side Surrey all but ruled out a return for him. The South-African born batsman was de-registered by the county club three months ago and has now reportedly been told that he won't be offered a return. Surrey recently recruited Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara for next summer and it is incredibly unlikely that the county could afford to bring Pietersen back after the recent salary cap reduction for county sides. Following his exit from the side in October, Pietersen said that he was in contact with Surrey because he loved Surrey and Graham Ford, his mentor, is the coach there. But it is likely that the best Pietersen could hope for is a short-term Twenty20 deal at the Oval. Moreover, unless he receives an offer from another English team, the former England skipper is unlikely to have any future involvement in cricket in the nation, with a return to the national setup practically impossible.

After all the noise, Saina, Sushil miss out on Padma award

Saina Nehwal's recent show of petulance in demanding a Padma award this time has led to a domino effect with the ace shuttler not figuring in the list of winners, but it has also swept away the claims of Sushil Kumar, the two-time Olympic wrestling medal winner. The controversy had arisen when the sports ministry had initially recommended Sushil's name with the backing of the Wrestling Federation of India. A miffed Saina believed she too was deserving of the honour.

While Saina was not available for comment, the announcement took Sushil by complete surprise.

Sushil had almost taken the award as given and would not believe he wasn't on the list released by the home ministry.

Ravindra Jadeja sues Rajkot newspaper

Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja has filed a defamation suit against the editor of a Rajkot-based evening newspaper for defamation, seeking damages of Rs 510 million.

Principal senior civil judge P B Parmar issued a summons to Satish Mehta, editor and owner of 'Aabtak', asking him to remain present in the court on February 4. According to the suit, the paper had on November 20, 2014 published a report alleging that Jadeja and his business partner Jenesih Ajmera had links with Bali Dangar who is facing charges of land grabbing and extortion. Jadeja owns a restaurant, 'Jaddu's Food Field', on Kalavad road in the city. "We had to move the court after we failed to get response to legal notices sent to the editor," said advocate Hiren Bhatt, Jadeja's lawyer. "The paper had published the news without verifying it and the news has damaged the reputation of my client.

Jadeja has no links or has never met Dangar in his life. The newspaper says that Ajmera is Jadeja's partner in the restaurant, which is wrong. Ajmera is not his partner in any business," said advocate Bhatt.

NZ win series against Lanka

New Zealand wrapped up their one-day series against Sri Lanka with a game to spare on Sunday when Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor orchestrated a 120run win in game six. Williamson (97) and Taylor (96) provided the backbone of New Zealand's 315-8 in their 50 overs and Sri Lanka were all out for 195 in the 41st over. The win puts New Zealand 4-1 up in the seven-match series with one game washed out, and captain Brendon McCullum declared himself satisfied with their World Cup build up. There were also problems with their batting with only Kumar Sangakkara appearing at ease in the run chase with 81 off 66 deliveries. None of the other recognised batsmen were able to get past 30 as New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson stamped his mark on the game. Anderson smacked 40 from 28 balls to support Williamson and Taylor during New Zealand's innings and then took four for 52 with the ball as the Sri Lankan batsmen again showed a lack of fight.

32

SPORT

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015

SC bars Srinivasan from contesting BCCI poll After almost 18 months of deliberations on the 2013 Indian Premier League betting and match-fixing scandal, the Supreme Court of India has barred N Srinivasan from contesting Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) elections till such time he had "commercial interest in cricket."

The court earlier said Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra of Rajasthan Royals were involved in betting. In its 130-page order, the court said Srinivasan was not guilty of cover-up and "charges against him, at best, be regarded as suspicion."

The two-judge special bench, however, said "BCCI functions are public functions, amenable to judicial law."

It turned out to be a bitter-sweet day for Srinivasan, who is also the first chairman of ICC. The top court observed that conflict of interest issues remained and Srinivasan

Meiyappan, Kundra found guilty of betting

N Srinivasan, Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra appointed to find out how headed by former Chief had to choose between his the Board has been runJustice of India RM Lodha IPL team Chennai Super ning for some time now." and other former judges of Kings and the top job in Srinivasan is seeking a the top court - Ashok BCCI. re-election as BCCI presiBhan and RV Ravindran, In a significant decident. The elections have to was also formed to decide sion, the court struck be held within six weeks. the fate of Chennai Super down the controversial In the wake of the IPL Kings, Rajasthan Royals 6.2.4 clause that allows probe, Srinivasan was and recommend changes BCCI officials to own IPL stood down last year by in the BCCI constitution. teams and have commerthe top court from his posiThe panel will give its cial interests. "BCCI must tion as Board chief. The report in six months. "It is ensure institutional BCCI has already posta huge task and a great integrity in the conduct of poned its Annual General responsibility. We will game considering the Meeting and elections complete the task in the expectations of millions of twice. As per its constitugiven time," said Justice viewers. Rule 6.2.4 violates tion, the AGM should have Lodha. Former BCCI presprinciple of natural jusbeen held by September 30 ident IS Bindra said, "It's a tice," the court said. last year. Srinivasan is shame that a court has A three-member panel

seeking another term, this time as a candidate backed by the BCCI's East Zone units. The Supreme Courtappointed probe committee, led by Justice Mukul Mudgal, had in its first report indicted Meiyappan of betting and sharing team information.

Srinivasan had mentioned that Gurunath was a mere 'cricket enthusiast.'

Srinivasan was earlier charged for not taking adequate action against those involved in 'misdemeanours.' The case dates back to June 2013 when Aditya Verma, secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB), raised charges of a conflict of interest in the BCCI's original two-member inquiry panel for the IPL corruption issue.

A Bombay High Court ruling later termed the probe panel "illegal". The BCCI and the CAB filed petitions in the Supreme Court against this order, with the CAB contending that the Bombay High

Court could have suggested a fresh mechanism to look into the corruption allegations.

The Supreme Court then appointed a threemember committee, headed by former High Court judge Mukul Mudgal and comprising additional solicitor general L Nageswara Rao and Nilay Dutta to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations of corruption against Chennai Super Kings official Meiyappan, India Cements, and Rajasthan Royals' coowner Kundra, as well as with the larger mandate of allegations around betting and spot-fixing in IPL matches and the involvement of players Srini decides to snap CSK ties: Meanwhile, Srinivasan has decided to disassociate himself from the Chennai Super Kings following the Supreme Court order which bars BCCI office-bearers having any commercial interest in the board's activities.